Methods and communication devices for random access

Abstract

A method and communication apparatus for random access are provided, applicable to network energy-saving scenarios. Exemplarily, this application is applied to random access scenarios supporting additional Remote Access Components (ROs). The method includes: the UE determining the time-frequency domain resources of the additional ROs based on the configuration parameters of the traditional ROs, eliminating the need for network equipment to configure the configuration parameters of the additional ROs, thus helping to save signaling overhead. On one hand, this application provides a solution where traditional ROs and additional ROs use the same time-domain index (e.g., the PRACH configuration index). For example, when traditional ROs and additional ROs overlap in time-domain resources, they are staggered in frequency-domain resources, helping to ensure that network sleep time is not affected, thereby achieving network energy saving. On the other hand, this application also provides a method for determining the frequency-domain resources of the additional ROs when traditional ROs and additional ROs do not overlap in the time domain, thereby helping to provide a larger number of additional ROs to support UE random access.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a method and communication apparatus for random access. Background Technology

[0002] During random access procedures (such as four-step random access), User Equipment (UE) can initiate random access by sending a preamble on the random access occasion (RO). Currently, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) standard protocol is discussing the introduction of an additional RO on top of the traditional RO. This additional RO is allocated to R19 UEs to support the implementation of time-domain adaptive PRACH. However, there is still no clear solution regarding how to determine the specific time-domain location of the additional RO. Summary of the Invention

[0003] In view of this, this application provides a method, communication device, chip system, computer-readable storage medium, computer program product, and communication system for random access, which can save costs.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a UE, or by a component configured in the UE (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the UE's functions. This application does not limit this method.

[0005] The method includes: a UE receiving a system message, the system message including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter being a configuration parameter related to a first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameter including a time-domain parameter and / or a frequency-domain parameter of the first RO; and determining a time-domain resource and / or a frequency-domain resource of a second RO based on the first configuration parameter, the second RO being a different RO from the first RO; and finally performing random access based on the time-frequency domain resources of the first RO and the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO.

[0006] Based on the above technical solution, the UE can dynamically adjust the time-frequency resource location of the second RO (i.e., the additional RO) based on the configuration parameters of the first RO (i.e., the traditional RO), without requiring the network device to configure the configuration parameters of the second RO. Compared with related technologies, where the system message includes not only the configuration parameters of the traditional RO but also the configuration parameters of the additional RO, the system message in this application embodiment does not include the configuration parameters of the additional RO. That is, the network device does not need to broadcast the configuration parameters of the time-frequency resources of the additional RO in the system message, which can reduce signaling overhead.

[0007] Optionally, the first RO is a conventional RO, and the second RO is an additional RO introduced for network energy saving.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the UE determines the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters, including: determining a period parameter based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO, the period parameter being used to characterize the period of the first RO; and determining the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the value of the period parameter, the period parameter reflecting the network load. Therefore, the UE can determine the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the period parameter without requiring network equipment to configure the time-domain parameters of the second RO, thus helping to save overhead.

[0009] The UE can infer the current network load based on the period parameter in order to determine the temporal resources of the second RO. The UE decides on the temporal resources of the second RO by judging the relationship between the period parameter and the first threshold.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the UE determines the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the period parameter of the first RO, including: if the value of the period parameter exceeds a first threshold, allocating the time-domain resources of the first RO and one or more time-domain resources following the first RO to the second RO; if the value of the period parameter does not exceed the first threshold, determining that the time-domain resources of the first RO are allocated to the second RO. Therefore, when the UE determines that the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, it infers that the current network is under low load, and allocates multiple time-domain resources (such as multiple SFNs) to the second RO, thus providing more second ROs; when the UE determines that the period parameter does not exceed the first threshold, it infers that the current network is under high load, and only allocates the time-domain resources of the first RO (such as the SFN where the first RO is located) to the second RO, i.e., the first RO and the second RO overlap in the time domain. Furthermore, the frequency-domain resources of the second RO are determined using a method provided later for determining the frequency-domain resources of the second RO, to ensure that the first RO and the second RO are staggered in the frequency domain, so as to distinguish the respective frequency-domain resources of the first RO and the second RO, which helps to ensure that the network sleep time is not affected, thereby achieving the purpose of network energy saving.

[0011] This application does not specifically limit the method by which the UE obtains the periodic parameter. In one possible implementation, the UE determines the periodic parameter based on the time-domain parameter of the first RO, including: searching for the periodic parameter corresponding to the time-domain parameter in a configuration table, wherein the configuration table at least includes the correspondence between the PRACH configuration index and the periodic parameter. The configuration table may be predefined by the protocol, and this application does not specifically limit it.

[0012] Taking the time-domain parameters of the first RO, including the PRACH configuration index, as an example, the UE uses the PRACH configuration index to look up the period parameters corresponding to the PRACH configuration index in the configuration table.

[0013] This application also provides a formula implementation for calculating the time-domain resources (such as SFN) allocated to the second RO. For example, the period parameter of the first RO is represented as x;

[0014] The number of SFNs allocated to the second RO satisfies the following formula:

[0015] .

[0016] The above describes the specific implementation method for determining the time-domain resources of the second RO. After allocating time-domain resources (such as SFN) to the second RO, it is also necessary to allocate frequency-domain resources to the second RO. If frequency-domain resources are not allocated to the second RO, then the second RO will not appear on the corresponding time-domain resources.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the UE determines the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters, including: determining the frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO, wherein the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency-domain position parameter, and the first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency-domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in the first time unit.

[0018] Similarly, the UE can infer the current network load based on the first quantitative parameter in order to determine the frequency domain resources of the second RO. The UE decides on the frequency domain resources of the second RO by judging the relationship between the first quantitative parameter and the second threshold.

[0019] Optionally, the UE determines the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO, including: when the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, determining the frequency domain resources of the time domain resources where the first RO is located, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, as the frequency domain resources of the second RO; when the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, determining that the second RO does not have corresponding frequency domain resources.

[0020] Therefore, when the network is under low load, frequency domain resources can be allocated to the second RO. Within the same time domain, the frequency domain resources allocated to the second RO need to be staggered from those occupied by the first RO. For example, the frequency domain resources of the first RO, excluding those occupied by the first RO, can be designated as the frequency domain resources of the second RO. In other words, the additional RO and the traditional RO can overlap in the time domain but not in the frequency domain. This helps ensure that the network's sleep time is not affected, thus better aligning with the energy-saving goals of time-domain adaptive PRACH.

[0021] In one possible implementation, the frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by a second quantity parameter and a second initial frequency domain position parameter; wherein the second quantity parameter is determined based on a first quantity parameter; and / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: the first initial frequency domain position parameter, the subcarrier spacing parameter. And the preamble length. Therefore, the UE can determine the second quantity parameter based on the first quantity parameter, and determine the second starting frequency domain position parameter based on the first starting frequency domain position parameter, without requiring the network device to configure the second quantity parameter and the second starting frequency domain position parameter, which helps to save network device overhead, and can also dynamically adjust the frequency domain resources allocated to the second RO.

[0022] Similarly, embodiments of this application also provide a formula implementation for calculating the frequency domain resources (such as SFN) allocated to the second RO. Exemplarily, the second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0023] ;

[0024] in, This represents the second quantity parameter; This represents the first quantity parameter;

[0025] And / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0026] ;

[0027] in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

[0028] Therefore, by using the formulas for calculating the second quantity parameter and the formulas for calculating the second starting frequency domain position parameter, the UE can accurately calculate the frequency domain resources allocated to the second RO, and by combining the aforementioned method for determining the time domain resources of the second RO, it can accurately determine the time and frequency domain resources where the second RO is located.

[0029] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a network device, or by a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the network device. This application does not limit this method.

[0030] Specifically, the method includes: a network device sending a system message, the system message including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter being a configuration parameter related to a first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameter including a time-domain parameter and / or a frequency-domain parameter of the first RO; determining a time-domain resource and / or a frequency-domain resource of a second RO based on the first configuration parameter, the second RO being a different RO from the first RO; and monitoring the time-frequency resources of the first RO and the time-frequency resources of the second RO.

[0031] Based on the above technical solution, network devices do not need to configure the configuration parameters of the second RO, that is, the configuration parameters of the first RO can be configured in the system message. The UE can dynamically adjust the time and frequency resource location of the second RO (i.e., the additional RO) based on the configuration parameters of the first RO (i.e. the traditional RO), which can reduce signaling overhead.

[0032] The specific implementation method or related description of the network device determining the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters can be referred to the description in the first aspect. That is, the network device and the UE can use the same implementation method to determine the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO. For the sake of brevity, the specific implementation method of determining the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters will not be elaborated here.

[0033] The second aspect is the implementation on the network device side, which corresponds to the first aspect. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first aspect also apply to the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

[0034] Thirdly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising modules or units for performing the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above.

[0035] In one design, the communication device may include modules that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the foregoing aspects. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0036] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, which may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0037] In another design, the communication device is a communication equipment, which may include a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0038] In another design, the communication device is used to perform the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect; the communication device may be configured in the UE, or the communication device itself may be the UE.

[0039] Fourthly, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising modules or units for performing the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect described above.

[0040] In one design, the communication device may include modules that perform the methods / operations / steps / actions described in the foregoing aspects. These modules may be hardware circuits, software, or a combination of hardware circuits and software.

[0041] In one design, the communication device is a communication chip, which may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0042] In another design, the communication device is a communication equipment, which may include a transmitter for sending information or data and a receiver for receiving information or data.

[0043] In another design, the communication device is used to perform the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect described above. The communication device may be configured in the network device described above, or the communication device itself may be a network device.

[0044] Optionally, the network equipment can be access network equipment (e.g., nNB or gNB) or core network equipment (e.g., AMF network element, AF network element, NEF network element).

[0045] The third and fourth aspects are the implementation on the device side, which correspond to the first and second aspects. The explanations, supplements, and descriptions of the beneficial effects of the first and second aspects also apply to the third and fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0046] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the first aspect described above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, and the processor is coupled to the communication interface.

[0047] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0048] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in the UE. When the communication device is a chip configured in the UE, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0049] In a sixth aspect, a communication device is provided, including a processor. The processor is coupled to a memory and can be used to execute instructions or data in the memory to implement the method in any possible implementation of the second aspect described above. Optionally, the communication device further includes a memory. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface, to which the processor is coupled.

[0050] In one implementation, the communication interface may be a transceiver, or an input / output interface.

[0051] In another implementation, the communication device is a chip configured in a network device. When the communication device is a chip configured in a network device, the communication interface can be an input / output interface.

[0052] In a seventh aspect, a processor is provided, comprising: an input circuit, an output circuit, and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to receive signals through the input circuit and transmit signals through the output circuit, causing the processor to execute a method in any possible implementation of any aspect.

[0053] In specific implementation, the processor can be one or more chips, the input circuit can be input pins, the output circuit can be output pins, and the processing circuit can be transistors, gate circuits, flip-flops, and various logic circuits. The input signal received by the input circuit can be received and input by, for example, but not limited to, a receiver, and the signal output by the output circuit can be, for example, but not limited to, output to and transmitted by a transmitter. Furthermore, the input circuit and the output circuit can be the same circuit, which is used as both the input circuit and the output circuit at different times. This application does not limit the specific implementation of the processor and various circuits.

[0054] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The processor is used to read instructions stored in the memory, receive signals via a receiver, and transmit signals via a transmitter to execute the method in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0055] Optionally, the processor may be one or more, and the memory may be one or more.

[0056] Optionally, the memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory may be separated from the processor.

[0057] In the specific implementation process, the memory can be a non-transitory memory, such as read-only memory (ROM), which can be integrated with the processor on the same chip or set on different chips. The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of memory or the way the memory and processor are set.

[0058] It should be understood that the relevant data interaction process, such as sending indication information, can be the process of the processor outputting indication information, and receiving capability information can be the process of the processor receiving input capability information. Specifically, the data output by the processor can be sent to the transmitter, and the input data received by the processor can come from the receiver. Here, the transmitter and receiver can be collectively referred to as a transceiver.

[0059] The processing device mentioned in the eighth aspect above can be one or more chips. The processor in the processing device can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. The memory can be integrated into the processor or located outside the processor and exist independently.

[0060] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising: a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when the computer program is run, causes a computer to perform a method in any possible implementation of any of the above aspects.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided that stores a computer program (also referred to as code or instructions) that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods in any possible implementation of any of the preceding aspects.

[0062] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a chip system including one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, causing the methods in any of the above aspects or possible implementations to be executed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0063] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0064] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, including the aforementioned UE and network device.

[0065] Optionally, the communication system may also include other devices that communicate with the UE and / or network devices. Attached Figure Description

[0066] Figure 1 This is an example diagram of a communication system;

[0067] Figure 2 This is an example block diagram of an access network device;

[0068] Figure 3A This is an example diagram of a four-step random access method;

[0069] Figure 3B This is an example diagram of a two-step random access method;

[0070] Figure 4A and Figure 4B These are different examples of traditional RO (Reverse Oscillator) diagrams;

[0071] Figure 5 This is an example interaction diagram of a method for random access according to an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 6 This is an example diagram illustrating the determination of the temporal domain resources of the second RO in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 7 This is an example diagram illustrating the determination of the frequency domain resources of the second RO in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 8 This is an example diagram illustrating the determination of the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 9 This is an example diagram illustrating the determination of the SFN for additional RO in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0077] Figure 11 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0078] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0079] In this application embodiment, "multiple" can be understood as "at least two"; "multiple items" can be understood as "at least two items".

[0080] This application can be applied to communication systems. Mobile communication systems include, but are not limited to, the following systems: Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) systems, 5th Generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, 5.5G systems, and future mobile communication systems (e.g., 6th Generation (6G)). th 5G mobile communication systems include vehicle-to-X (V2X) communication systems, 6G mobile communication systems, and vehicle-to-other-device (V2X) communication systems. V2X can include vehicle-to-network (V2N), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), long-term evolution-vehicle (LTE-V) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X), machine-type communication (MTC), internet of things (IoT), long-term evolution-machine (LTE-M) communication, and machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. 5G mobile communication systems can include non-standalone (NSA) and / or standalone (SA) networking. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this application.

[0081] Figure 1This is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 used in an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include network devices, such as... Figure 1 The network device 110 is shown. The communication system 100 may also include terminal devices, such as... Figure 1 The terminal device 120 shown. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can communicate via a wireless link.

[0082] Figure 1 An exemplary network device 110 and a terminal device 120 are shown. Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include multiple network devices and / or multiple terminal devices.

[0083] The network equipment in this application can be network-side equipment such as access network equipment and core network equipment. Access network equipment is sometimes also called access node. Access network equipment has wireless transceiver capabilities and is used to communicate with terminals. Access network equipment includes, but is not limited to, base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs) in the above-mentioned communication systems, next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, access network equipment or modules of access network equipment in open RAN (ORAN) systems, satellites in NTN communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. Access network equipment can also be modules or units that can implement some of the functions of a base station. Access network equipment can be macro base stations, micro base stations or indoor stations, relay nodes or donor nodes, or wireless controllers in cloud radioaccess network (CRAN) scenarios. Optionally, access network equipment can also be servers, wearable devices, or vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). Multiple access network devices in a communication system can be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminals directly or via relay stations. Terminals can communicate with multiple base stations using different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or device form used in the access network equipment. In this application, the access network equipment is referred to as a network device.

[0084] In this application, the means for implementing the functions of a network device can be a network device itself, or a means capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This means can be installed in or connected to the network device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0085] The terminal device in this application can be a wireless terminal device capable of receiving network device scheduling and instruction information. The wireless terminal device can be a device providing voice and / or data connectivity to a user, a handheld device with wireless connectivity, or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem. For example, the terminal device can communicate with one or more core networks or the Internet via a radio access network (RAN). The terminal device can also be referred to as a terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminal devices can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, or satellite communication, etc. The terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, aircraft (such as drone, helicopter, airplane), hot air balloon, ship, robot, robotic arm, or smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the form of the terminal device.

[0086] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the UE can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Wearable devices are portable devices worn directly on the body or integrated into a user's clothing or accessories. Wearable devices are not merely hardware devices; they achieve powerful functions through software support, data interaction, and cloud interaction. Broadly defined, wearable smart devices include those with comprehensive functions, large size, and the ability to perform complete or partial functions without relying on a smartphone, such as smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as those focused on a specific application function that require interaction with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0087] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the UE can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network of human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the terminal devices.

[0088] In this embodiment, the UE may include a hardware layer, an operating system layer running on top of the hardware layer, and an application layer running on top of the operating system layer. The hardware layer includes hardware such as a central processing unit (CPU), a memory management unit (MMU), and memory (also called main memory). The operating system can be any one or more computer operating systems that implement business processing through processes, such as Linux, Unix, Android, iOS, or Windows. The application layer includes applications such as browsers, address books, word processing software, and instant messaging software. Furthermore, this embodiment does not specifically limit the structure of the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in this embodiment by running a program that records the code of the method provided in this embodiment. For example, the execution entity of the method provided in this embodiment can be a terminal device, or a functional module in the terminal device that can call and execute a program.

[0089] In practical applications, multiple network devices can collaborate to assist terminals in achieving wireless access, with different network devices each implementing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, network devices can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CUs (control planes, CPs), CUs (user planes, UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be set up separately or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0090] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, or RU may have different names, but those skilled in the art will understand their meaning. For example, in an ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU (Open CU), DU can also be called O-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CU-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. Any of the units among CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU, and RU in this application can be implemented through software modules, hardware modules, or a combination of software and hardware modules. CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU, and RU can implement different protocol layer functions.

[0091] In addition, the access network device in this application embodiment is also referred to as an access node. The access network device has wireless transceiver capabilities for communicating with terminals. Access network devices include, but are not limited to, base stations, evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs), transmission reception points (TRPs), next-generation NodeBs (gNBs) in 5G mobile communication systems, access network devices or modules of access network devices in Open RAN (ORAN) systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, or access nodes in WiFi systems. Access network devices can also be modules or units capable of implementing some of the functions of a base station. For example, an access network device can be a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), a CU-control plane (CP), a CU-user plane (UP), or a radio unit (RU), as described below. In the ORAN system, CU can also be called O-CU, DU can also be called open (O)-DU, CU-CP can also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP can also be called O-CUP-UP, and RU can also be called O-RU. The access network equipment can be a macro base station, micro base station, indoor station, relay node, donor node, or a wireless controller in a cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenario. Optionally, the access network equipment can also be a server, wearable device, or vehicle-mounted equipment, etc. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). Multiple access network equipment in the communication system can be base stations of the same type or different types. Base stations can communicate with terminals or through relay stations. Terminals can communicate with multiple base stations in different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology or equipment form used in the access network equipment.

[0092] The UE in this application embodiment can also be referred to as: terminal device, station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment, etc.

[0093] Access network devices and / or terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or in the air on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the application scenarios of the access network devices and terminals. Access network devices and terminal devices can be deployed in the same or different scenarios; for example, both can be deployed on land; or the access network device can be deployed on land, and the terminal device on water, etc., and so on.

[0094] In this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be the network device itself, or an apparatus capable of supporting the network device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This apparatus can be installed in or connected to the network device. For example, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a network device can be an access network device, or a module within the access network device (such as a chip, chip system, or software module), or a control subsystem containing access network device functions. For example, a control subsystem containing access network device functions can be a control center in scenarios where terminals can be applied, such as smart grids, industrial control, intelligent transportation, or smart cities. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a network device being used to implement the functions of a network device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0095] In this application, the apparatus for implementing the functions of a terminal device can be the terminal device itself, or any apparatus capable of supporting the terminal device in implementing those functions, such as a processor, circuit, chip, or chip system. This apparatus can be installed in or connected to the terminal device. In the technical solutions provided in this application, the example of a terminal device being used to implement the functions of a terminal device is used to describe the technical solutions provided in this application.

[0096] Communication between access network devices and terminal devices can follow a specific protocol layer structure. For example, this protocol layer structure may include a control plane protocol layer structure and a user plane protocol layer structure. For instance, the control plane protocol layer structure may include at least one of the following: radio resource control (RRC) layer, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer, or physical (PHY) layer, etc. Similarly, the user plane protocol layer structure may include at least one of the following: service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, or physical layer, etc.

[0097] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an access network device. As an implementation example, such as... Figure 2 As shown, the access network device may include at least one CU and at least one DU. This design can be referred to as CU and DU separation. One CU can be connected to one or more DUs. CU and DU can be divided according to the protocol layer of the wireless network: for example, the functions of the PDCP layer and above (e.g., RRC layer and SDAP layer, etc.) are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer (e.g., RLC layer, MAC layer and PHY layer, etc.) are set in the DU; or, for another example, the functions of the protocol layers above the PDCP layer are set in the CU, and the functions of the protocol layers below the PDCP layer are set in the DU, without limitation. When the CU includes CU-CP and CU-UP, CU-CP is used to implement the control plane functions of the CU, and CU-UP is used to implement the user plane functions of the CU. For example, when the CU is configured to implement the functions of the PDCP layer, RRC layer and SDAP layer, CU-CP is used to implement the RRC layer functions and the PDCP layer control plane functions, and CU-UP is used to implement the SDAP layer functions and the PDCP layer user plane functions. This application does not limit the names of CU and DU. The above division of the processing functions of CU and DU according to the protocol layer is only an example, and it can also be divided in other ways.

[0098] The CU can be connected to the core network. Optionally, the CU can have some of the functions of the core network.

[0099] Furthermore, some functions of the DU can be separated and configured. For example... Figure 2As shown, this functionality can be implemented by a radio unit (RU). The RU can have radio frequency (RF) capabilities. This application does not limit the name of the RU. The DU and RU can be split or separated within the PHY layer. For example, the DU can implement higher-level functions in the PHY layer, and the RU can implement lower-level functions in the PHY layer, or implement both lower-level and RF functions. Higher-level functions in the PHY layer include functions closer to the MAC layer, and lower-level functions in the PHY layer include functions closer to the RF layer. For example, higher-level functions in the PHY layer include one or more of the following: forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding, scrambling, or modulation / demodulation. Lower-level functions in the PHY layer include one or more of the following: fast Fourier transform (FFT) / inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), beamforming, or extraction and filtering of the physical random access channel (PRACH), etc. The RU can communicate with the terminal device via the air interface using RF signals. The pre-coding function of the PHY layer code can be located in the DU or the RU. The separation between the DU and RU can be done in various ways without restriction. An interface exists between the DU and RU. For example, depending on the separation method, the interface between the DU and RU can be a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI) interface or an Enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) interface.

[0100] Optionally, any one of CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, and RU can be a software module, a hardware structure, or a combination of software and hardware structures, without limitation. The different entities can exist in the same or different forms. For example, CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, and DU are software modules, and RU is a hardware structure. For the sake of brevity, all possible combinations are not listed here. These modules and the methods they execute are also within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, when the method of the embodiments of this application is executed by an access network device, it can be specifically executed by at least one of CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU, or RU.

[0101] It should be understood that the network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application. It is understood that as network architectures evolve and / or new business scenarios emerge, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0102] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the terminology and related technologies that may be involved in the embodiments of this application are explained below. For example, descriptions of some terms or technologies may also refer to the descriptions in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standard protocol.

[0103] 1. Random access (RA)

[0104] The random access procedure refers to the process from when the UE sends a random access preamble, attempting to access the network, until a basic signaling connection is established with the network. Random access includes contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA). In a contention-based random access procedure, the network device does not assign a dedicated preamble to the UE; instead, the UE randomly selects a preamble from a specified range and initiates random access. In a contention-free random access procedure, the UE initiates random access using a specified preamble according to the network device's instructions. In other words, the difference between CBRA and CFRA lies in whether the network device assigns a dedicated preamble to the UE.

[0105] Depending on the steps involved in the information exchange, random access can be divided into four-step random access channel (4-step RACH) and two-step random access channel (2-step RACH). Two-step random access combines the information exchange steps of four-step random access, reducing the steps and time required for the random access process compared to four-step random access. The embodiments of this application can be applied to either two-step or four-step random access processes. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The processes of four-step random access and two-step random access are shown respectively.

[0106] like Figure 3AAs shown, the four-step random access includes the following steps:

[0107] Step 1: The UE selects an RO and, during a random access channel (RA) occurrence (RO), sends message 1 (Msg1) to the access network device on the selected RO. Correspondingly, the network device receives Msg1. Msg1 may contain a preamble.

[0108] Step 2: The network device sends a random access response (RAR) to the UE. The UE then receives the RAR. The RAR can also be called message 2 (Msg2).

[0109] Step 3: The UE sends message 3 (Msg3) to the network device based on Msg2.

[0110] Step 4: The network device sends message 4 (Msg4) to the UE. Msg4 may include a response message determined by the network device in response to Msg3, which may include relevant information for resolving contention between terminals.

[0111] like Figure 3B As shown, the two-step random access includes the following steps:

[0112] Step 1: The UE sends message A (MsgA) and the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) on the selected RO.

[0113] Step 2: The network device sends message B (MsgB) to the UE. MsgB may include relevant information for resolving contention between terminals.

[0114] 2. Random Access Occasion (RO)

[0115] The UE can select a suitable access network device to send a random access preamble on the RO to perform random access. That is, the RO can be understood as the time-frequency resource used by the UE to send the random access preamble. Each RO corresponds to one or more opportunities to send the preamble.

[0116] Network devices configure parameters for the Physical Random Access Channel (PRAN) via system messages or RRC signaling. These parameters may include RO configuration parameters, such as the PRACH configuration index. For example, the UE transmits a preamble within the RO configured by the base station. This RO can be understood as a traditional RO.

[0117] The following is a brief introduction to how the UE determines the traditional Resource Occupation (RO). The UE uses the PRACH configuration index to look up a table, which provides periodic parameters and related information, thereby determining the resource where the traditional RO resides. The relationship between the PRACH configuration period and the traditional RO is described below with reference to Table 1.

[0118] For example, the configuration table is Table 6.3.3.2-2 in 38.211 of the standard protocol. The following description is in conjunction with Table 1.

[0119] Table 1

[0120]

[0121] It should be understood that Table 1 only shows a portion of the configuration table, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, Table 1 may include other content, or Table 1 may be replaced with other configuration tables, such as other tables in standard protocol 38.211, depending on the implementation.

[0122] It should also be understood that the explanation or description of each parameter involved in the table can be found in the explanation in the standard protocol, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0123] Taking 4 system frames (40ms) as an example, if the PRACH configuration index configured by the network device is 20, we can find from Table 1 above that the period parameter x is 1, the offset is 0 SFN, and the subframe number is 2, 7. That is, the traditional RO appears in subframes 2 and 7 in each SFN. Figure 4A An example diagram showing the distribution of a traditional RO across four system frames is provided. Figure 4A As shown, subframes 2 and 7 in each SFN include conventional RO.

[0124] Alternatively, if the PRACH configuration index configured for the UE by the network device is 123, it can be found by looking up Table 1 above that the period parameter x is 2, offset by 1 SFN, and the subframe numbers are 2, 6, and 9. That is, the traditional RO appears in subframes 2, 6, and 9 in SFN1 and subframes 2, 6, and 9 in SFN3. Figure 4B An example diagram showing the distribution of a traditional RO across four system frames is provided. Figure 4B As shown, subframes 2, 6, and 9 in SFN1 include conventional RO; and subframes 2, 6, and 9 in SFN3 include conventional RO.

[0125] Wherein, the PRACH period is 10 times the period parameter x (in milliseconds). It should be understood that the above introduction... Figure 4A and Figure 4B This application's embodiments are merely for the purpose of facilitating understanding of the traditional RO determination process and the relationship between the traditional RO and the PRACH cycle; they are not limited to this. To avoid affecting the use of RO by traditional UEs, the concept of additional ROs has been introduced in current discussions on network energy saving to ensure backward compatibility. Additional ROs can be understood as extra ROs introduced for UEs supporting network energy saving scenarios (e.g., R19 UEs). Introducing additional ROs supports the implementation of time-domain adaptive PRACH, thereby reducing energy consumption and achieving energy saving. However, there is currently no clear solution regarding how to specifically determine the time-domain and / or frequency-domain locations of the additional ROs.

[0126] A PRACH cycle may include one or more ROs. In embodiments of this application, multiple ROs in a PRACH cycle may include conventional ROs and / or additional ROs. In some embodiments, conventional ROs and additional ROs may overlap in the time domain.

[0127] Regarding additional remote origins (ROs), the current 3GPP standard protocol stipulates that ROs should be disabled when they completely overlap with traditional ROs in both the time and frequency domains. However, it does not explicitly define how the time domain location of the additional RO is determined; it only discusses the case where the time domains overlap.

[0128] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a method for random access, in which the UE determines the time-frequency domain resources of the additional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO, without requiring the network device to configure the configuration parameters of the additional RO, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0129] The following detailed explanation of the solution provided in this application, in conjunction with the corresponding flowcharts, illustrates the method in detail. It is understood that the illustrative flowcharts provided in this application primarily use different devices (e.g., UE or network devices) as examples of the execution entities for this interactive illustration, but this application does not limit the execution entities of the interactive illustrations. For example, the device (e.g., UE or network device) in the illustrative flowcharts could also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of this method on that device, or it could be a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the device's functions.

[0130] As a general statement, the message or signaling interactions involved in the interaction process of this application embodiment can be standard messages or signaling or newly introduced messages or signaling. This application embodiment does not make specific limitations on this.

[0131] Figure 5This is an example flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of this application. It can be understood that... Figure 5 The UE in the middle can be Figure 1 The term "terminal device 120" can also refer to devices within the terminal device 120 (such as processors, chips, or chip systems). Network devices can be... Figure 1 The term "network equipment" can refer to network devices (such as access network equipment) or devices within network equipment (such as processors, chips, or chip systems).

[0132] like Figure 5 As shown, the method includes the following steps:

[0133] Step 510: The network device sends a system message, the first system message including a first configuration parameter. Correspondingly, the UE receives the system message. The first configuration parameter is a configuration parameter related to the first RO.

[0134] The first RO is used to refer to traditional RO in general. For an explanation of traditional RO, please refer to the previous description; for the sake of brevity, its meaning will not be repeated here.

[0135] Optionally, the first configuration parameter includes the time-domain parameters and / or the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO. The first configuration parameter is the configuration parameter of a traditional RO. It should be understood that with the evolution or development of standard protocols, traditional ROs may have other names or definitions, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0136] For ease of understanding, the following description uses the configuration parameters of a traditional RO as an example. In some embodiments, the system message includes the configuration parameters of the traditional RO but not the configuration parameters of the additional RO. In this embodiment, the UE determines the time-frequency resources of the additional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO. That is, even if the system message does not include the configuration parameters of the additional RO, the UE can still determine the time-frequency resources of the additional RO. Of course, the UE can determine the time-frequency resources of the traditional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO. The specific determination method can be found in the description in related technologies, which will not be elaborated here.

[0137] Compared to related technologies where system messages include not only configuration parameters of traditional ROs but also configuration parameters of additional ROs, the system messages in this embodiment do not include configuration parameters of additional ROs. This means network devices do not need to broadcast the time-frequency resources of additional ROs (or their configuration parameters) in the system messages, thus reducing signaling overhead. For example, the system message is System Information Block 1 (SIB1) signaling; SIB1 can also be called Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI). That is, SIB1 signaling includes configuration parameters of traditional ROs but does not include configuration parameters of additional ROs.

[0138] The time-domain parameters of the first RO are used to configure the time-domain resources of the first RO. Optionally, the time-domain parameters of the first RO include the PRACH index. For example, the PRACH index is represented as prach-ConfigurationIndex.

[0139] The frequency domain parameters of the first RO are used to configure the frequency domain resources of the first RO. Optionally, the frequency domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency domain position parameter. The first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in a first time unit (e.g., the first time unit is a certain SFN or other time unit of granularity, which is not limited in this embodiment). The first starting frequency domain position parameter represents the starting frequency domain position of the first RO in the first time unit. For example, the first starting frequency domain position parameter is expressed as... The first quantity parameter is expressed as .

[0140] It should be understood that the first configuration parameter may include other configuration parameters related to the first RO, and this application embodiment does not specifically limit this. For example, the first configuration parameter may include the cycle, density, etc. of the first RO.

[0141] Optionally, in step 511, the UE determines the time-frequency resource of the first RO based on the first configuration parameters. That is, after obtaining the configuration parameters of the traditional RO, the UE can determine the time-frequency resource location of the traditional RO based on these parameters; the specific determination method can be found in the descriptions in related technologies, and will not be elaborated here. For example, the process of the UE determining the traditional RO can be found in the preceding text. Figure 4A and Figure 4B Description of the location.

[0142] Step 521: The UE determines the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters. The second RO is a different RO from the first RO.

[0143] For a description of the first RO, please refer to the previous text; it will not be repeated here. For example, the first RO supports traditional UEs initiating a four-step random access process.

[0144] The second RO can be understood as an additional RO. As mentioned earlier, an additional RO can be understood as an RO introduced for UEs that can support network energy-saving cells. For example, in a network energy-saving scenario, an R19 UE initiates a four-step random access through an additional RO.

[0145] In some embodiments, the UE determines the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the time-domain parameters and frequency-domain parameters of the first RO, including: the UE determining the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO; and determining the frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO. The specific implementation method for the UE to determine the location of the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO can be found in the following text. Figure 6 The description method is as follows. For details on how the UE determines the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO, please refer to the following text. Figure 7 The way it is described.

[0146] In this embodiment, the UE can dynamically adjust the time-frequency resource location of the second RO based on the configuration parameters of the first RO, without requiring additional signaling from the network device. Therefore, the UE determines the time-frequency domain location of the second RO by reusing the time-frequency domain parameters (or configuration parameters) of the first RO, meaning that the system message does not need to include the configuration parameters of the second RO, thus greatly saving signaling overhead.

[0147] In some embodiments, the UE determines the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO. That is, the UE can determine the time-domain resources of the additional RO using the time-domain parameters of the traditional RO. Further, after determining the time-domain resources of the second RO, the frequency-domain resources of the second RO can be determined based on the frequency-domain parameters of the second RO. The frequency-domain parameters of the second RO can be configured to the UE by the network device. For example, the system message sent by the network device to the UE includes the configuration parameters of the first RO and the frequency-domain parameters of the second RO, but does not need to include the time-domain parameters of the second RO. In other words, the UE uses the time-domain parameters (or part of the configuration parameters) of the first RO to determine the time-domain location of the second RO, and uses the frequency-domain parameters of the second RO to determine the frequency-domain location of the second RO. Therefore, the system message does not need to include the time-domain parameters of the second RO, thus saving some overhead.

[0148] Step 522: The network device determines the time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters.

[0149] In this embodiment, the network device can also determine the time-frequency resources of the additional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO. That is, the network device itself can know the configuration parameters of the traditional RO and can use these parameters to determine the time-frequency domain resources of the additional RO. Both the network device and the UE can determine the time-frequency resources of the additional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO.

[0150] Step 530: The UE performs random access based on the time-frequency domain resources of the first RO and the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO.

[0151] In other words, after determining the time-frequency resource location of the first RO and the time-frequency domain resource location of the second RO, the UE can select the RO to send the preamble.

[0152] Optionally, step 530 includes: step 531, the UE performs mapping between SSB and RO; step 532, the UE sends a preamble to the first RO and / or the second RO.

[0153] For step 531, after determining the time-frequency domain resource location of the first RO, the UE can perform the mapping between the SSB and the first RO. The specific mapping process can be found in the relevant technical descriptions. For example, one SSB may correspond to or map multiple ROs. Furthermore, after determining the time-frequency domain resource location of the second RO, the UE can perform the mapping between the SSB and the second RO.

[0154] This application does not specifically limit the mapping relationship between the second RO and SSB. Optionally, the UE uses the mapping relationship between the first RO and SSB to map the second RO and SSB. Alternatively, the mapping relationship between the second RO and SSB can be a preset or fixed mapping relationship, for example, each additional RO is mapped to all SSBs.

[0155] For step 532, the UE can send a preamble on the corresponding RO. For example, when the UE accesses the network, a traditional UE (i.e., a UE prior to R19, such as an R18 UE, R17 UE, etc.) can send a random access preamble on the first RO to perform random access; the R19 UE supports network power saving operation, so the R19 UE can freely choose two types of ROs, that is, send a random access preamble on the first RO or the second RO to perform random access.

[0156] Step 540: The network device monitors the time-frequency resources of the first RO and the second RO.

[0157] For network devices, they monitor the time-frequency resources allocated to the first RO and the second RO in order to receive the random access preamble sent by the UE in the corresponding time-frequency domain. The time-frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by the network device itself.

[0158] In this embodiment, the UE determines the time-frequency domain resources of the additional RO based on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO, without requiring the network device to configure the configuration parameters of the additional RO. Compared with the method where both the traditional RO and the additional RO require the network device to send configuration parameters through system messages, the system messages in this embodiment only need to include the configuration parameters of the traditional RO, which helps to save signaling overhead.

[0159] The following will combine Figure 6 and Figure 7 Describe how to determine the time-frequency domain resources of additional ROs based on the configuration parameters of traditional ROs.

[0160] Figure 6 This is an exemplary logic flowchart illustrating the determination of time-domain resources for additional ROs in an embodiment of this application. It should be noted that both network devices and UEs can base their decisions on... Figure 6 The method shown determines the time-domain location of the additional RO. That is, Figure 6 The illustrated method flow can be executed by either a network device or a UE. Compared to the network device, the first configuration parameters (e.g., the time-domain parameters of the first RO) required by the UE to determine the temporal location of the additional RO are obtained from the network device. Figure 6 As shown, it includes at least the following steps:

[0161] Step 601: Obtain the time-domain parameters of the first RO.

[0162] For the UE, the time-domain parameters of the first RO are obtained from the system messages sent by the network device. For the network device, the time-domain parameters of the first RO are configured by the network device, so the network device can know the time-domain parameters of the first RO.

[0163] Step 602: Determine the period parameters of the first RO based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO.

[0164] Optionally, the UE or network device determines the periodic parameters based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO, including: searching for the periodic parameters corresponding to the time-domain parameters of the first RO in the configuration table. Taking the time-domain parameters of the first RO including the PRACH configuration index as an example, the UE uses the PRACH configuration index to search for the periodic parameters corresponding to the PRACH configuration index in the configuration table.

[0165] The configuration table can be predefined by the protocol. For clarity, "predefined" can be implemented in any of the following ways: predefined by the protocol, specified by the communication equipment manufacturer, defined by the communication operator, pre-installed in the communication equipment at the factory, or agreed upon in advance through other conventions. For example, the configuration table could be Table 6.3.3.2-2 in standard protocol 38.211. The following description is in conjunction with Table 2. It is understood that Table 2 can be the same as or different from Table 1 mentioned earlier; no specific limitation is made.

[0166] Table 2

[0167]

[0168] Taking PRACH configuration index 1 as an example, by referring to Table 2, we can see that the period parameter x is 16, meaning the SFN numbering from 0 to 15 is 160ms. The frame offset y is 1, meaning it is offset from SFN0 by one system frame. Furthermore, the subframe number is 4, indicating that subframe number 4 in the SFN is used.

[0169] In Table 2 above, the PRACH configuration index in the first column can be a time-domain parameter configured by the network device for the UE regarding the first RO, or a PRACH ConfigurationIndex broadcast by the network device. The UE or network device can obtain more detailed or specific time-domain location information by looking up the PRACH configuration index in Table 2. For example, using the PRACH configuration index in Table 2, the specific value of the period parameter x in the third column can be obtained. The value of the period parameter x reflects the period of the RO.

[0170] It should be understood that Table 2 only shows a portion of the configuration table, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, Table 2 may include other content, or Table 2 may be replaced with other configuration tables, such as other tables in standard protocol 38.211, depending on the implementation.

[0171] It should also be understood that the explanation or description of each parameter involved in the table can be found in the explanation in the standard protocol, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0172] After determining the period parameter x using Table 2 above, the UE or network device can further determine the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the period parameter x. The specific process for determining the time-domain resources of the second RO can be referred to steps 603 to 605 below.

[0173] It should be noted that the period parameter x can indirectly reflect the current network load, or in other words, it can be used to infer whether the current network is under high or low load, thus allowing for targeted determination of the time-domain resources for additional ROs (or allocation of time-domain resources to additional ROs). Specifically, for example, if the current network is under high load, only time-overlapping SFNs (i.e., the SFN containing the traditional ROs) are allocated to the additional ROs; conversely, if the current network is under low load, within one PRACH cycle, in addition to the time-overlapping SFNs, subsequent SFNs (e.g., ...) are allocated to the additional ROs. -1) SFN) are also allocated to additional RO.

[0174] Alternatively, the UE can determine the network load using other methods. In one possible implementation, the network device adds a cell to SIB1, with different values ​​representing different load conditions. For example, a value of 1 indicates a high network load, while a value of 0 indicates a low network load.

[0175] Step 603: Determine whether the value of the periodic parameter exceeds the first threshold.

[0176] For judgment step 603, if the judgment result is "yes", then proceed to step 604; if the judgment result is "no", then proceed to step 605.

[0177] This application does not specifically limit the value of the first threshold in its embodiments. Optionally, the first threshold is related to the set of values ​​for the periodic parameter. For example, assuming that the values ​​in the set of values ​​are arranged in ascending or descending order, the first threshold can be the median value in the set of values ​​for the periodic parameter, or other values ​​determined based on the median value (such as values ​​whose difference from the median value is less than a certain threshold, or values ​​whose difference from the median value is greater than or equal to a certain threshold; or, the average of the two middle values ​​in the set of values).

[0178] For example, the set of values ​​for the period parameter is {1, 2, 4, 8, 16}; 4 can be selected as the first threshold.

[0179] Alternatively, the first threshold may be a value predefined by the protocol.

[0180] For clarity, the term "exceeding" in the embodiments of this application can be understood as "greater than or equal to", represented by the corresponding mathematical symbol "". "; can also be understood as "greater than", represented by the corresponding mathematical symbol "". ";" can also be understood as "not less than". That is, the embodiments of this application do not specifically limit the case of "equal to", or whether the boundary value belongs to the range of "exceeding".

[0181] For example, the UE or network device determines whether the value of the period parameter x obtained from Table 1 is greater than 4. If the value of the period parameter x is greater than 4, then step 604 is executed; if the value of the period parameter is not greater than 4, then step 605 is executed.

[0182] It should be noted that the purpose of step 603 is to determine whether the current network is under low load. If there are other methods for determining this, step 603 can be replaced, and no specific limitations are imposed on this.

[0183] Step 604: Within one PRACH cycle, allocate the time domain resources where the first RO is located and the time domain resources after the first RO to the second RO.

[0184] Optionally, the time-domain resources following the time-domain resources where the first RO is located can be represented as: ( ) SFNs. For example, when the first threshold value is 4, if the judgment result of step 603 is "yes", then the SFN where the first RO is located, and the subsequent ( ) of the SFN where the first RO is located. All SFNs are assigned to the second RO.

[0185] Alternatively, step 604 can be understood as allocating the overlapping time-domain resources and one or more subsequent SFNs to the second RO. For example, the overlapping time-domain resources can be understood as the SFN where the first RO is located. After allocating the SFN where the first RO is located to the second RO, that SFN becomes the overlapping time-domain resource.

[0186] It is understandable that a PRACH cycle may include one or more ROs.

[0187] Step 604 can be understood as follows: if the value of the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, it indicates that the current network is under low load, and more time-domain resources can be allocated to the additional ROs. The specific number can be calculated using the formula provided later (i.e., the formula for calculating the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO).

[0188] Step 605: If the value of the period parameter does not exceed a first threshold, determine that the time-domain resource where the first RO is located (e.g., the system frame number SFN where the traditional RO is located) will be allocated to the second RO. That is, the first RO and the second RO overlap in the time domain.

[0189] Step 605 can be understood as follows: if the value of the period parameter does not exceed the first threshold, it indicates that the current network is under high load. In this case, only the time-domain overlapping SFN (or the system frame number SFN where the traditional RO is located) is assigned to the additional RO.

[0190] The purpose of steps 603 to 605 above is to allocate time-domain resources for the second RO. In other words, taking SFN as an example where the time-domain resource is a time-domain network (SRN), within one PRACH cycle, starting from the overlapping time-domain position (i.e., the SFN where the first RO is located) (including the SFN where the first RO is located), the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO is expressed by the following formula:

[0191] ;

[0192] The number of SFNs in the above formula is the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO. As mentioned earlier, the set of values ​​for the period parameter x is {1, 2, 4, 8, 16}, therefore the number of SFNs calculated in the above formula is an integer. The purpose of the above formula is to provide more second ROs while ensuring the sleep time of network devices, that is, to simultaneously take into account network energy saving and access latency.

[0193] It should be understood that the value of the number of SFNs in the above formula depends on the period parameter x and the first threshold. As communication standard protocols evolve or develop, if the set of values ​​for the period parameter changes (for example, by including more values), then the value of the first threshold in the above formula (for example, 4) may have other possibilities; correspondingly, the formula for calculating the number of SFNs will change accordingly.

[0194] It is understood that the method of determining the time-domain resources for the second RO through steps 603 to 605 above can also be replaced by the formula introduced above for calculating the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO.

[0195] It should be noted that after allocating time-domain resources (such as SFN) to the second RO, frequency-domain resources also need to be allocated to the second RO. If frequency-domain resources are not allocated to the second RO, then the second RO will not appear in the corresponding time-domain resources.

[0196] The UE or network device determines the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO. The following is combined with... Figure 7 Describe how the frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined. Figure 7 This is an exemplary logic flowchart illustrating how the frequency domain location of the additional RO is determined in an embodiment of this application. Similarly, Figure 7 The illustrated method flow can be executed by either a network device or a UE. Compared to the network device, the frequency domain parameters of the traditional RO (e.g., the first quantity parameter and / or the first starting frequency domain location parameter) required by the UE to determine the frequency domain resources of the additional RO are obtained from the network device. Figure 7 As shown, it includes at least the following steps:

[0197] Step 701: Obtain the frequency domain parameters of the first RO. The frequency domain parameters of the first RO include at least the first quantity parameter.

[0198] For the UE, the frequency domain parameters of the first RO are obtained from the system messages sent by the network device. For the network device, the frequency domain parameters of the first RO are configured by the network device, therefore the network device can know the frequency domain parameters of the first RO.

[0199] As mentioned earlier, the frequency domain parameters of the first RO may include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency domain position parameter. For a description of the first quantity parameter and the first starting frequency domain position parameter, please refer to the previous explanation; they will not be repeated here.

[0200] Similarly, the first quantity parameter can indirectly reflect the current network load, or in other words, the value of the first quantity parameter can be used to infer whether the current network is under high or low load, thereby determining the frequency domain resources of the additional RO (or allocating frequency domain resources to the additional RO) in a targeted manner. For example, if the current network is under high load, the additional RO has no frequency domain resources; or if the current network is under low load, then in the same time unit, several frequency domain resource blocks after the frequency domain position occupied by the first RO are allocated to the additional RO.

[0201] Step 702: Determine whether the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold.

[0202] For judgment step 702, if the judgment result is "yes", then proceed to step 704; if the judgment result is "no", then proceed to step 703.

[0203] Similarly, this application embodiment does not specifically limit the value of the second threshold. Optionally, the second threshold is related to the set of values ​​for the first quantity parameter. For example, the second threshold may be the median value in the set of values ​​for the first quantity parameter, or other values ​​determined based on the median value (such as a value whose difference from the median value is less than a certain threshold, or a value whose difference from the median value is greater than or equal to a certain threshold, or the average of the two median values ​​in the set of values).

[0204] For example, the first quantity parameter can take the value set {1, 2, 4, 8}; 4 can be selected as the second threshold.

[0205] Alternatively, the second threshold may be a value predefined by the protocol. It should be noted that the second threshold in step 702 is unrelated to the first threshold in step 603 above.

[0206] Step 703: If the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, determine that the frequency domain resources other than the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO in the time domain are determined as the frequency domain resources of the second RO.

[0207] Step 703 can be understood as follows: if the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, it indicates that the current network is under low load. In this case, frequency domain resources can be allocated to the additional RO. However, the frequency domain resources allocated to the additional RO need to be offset from the frequency domain resources occupied by the traditional RO in the frequency domain. Therefore, the frequency domain resources in the time domain of the first RO, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, are determined as the frequency domain resources of the second RO. That is, the additional RO and the traditional RO can overlap in the time domain but not in the frequency domain. This helps to ensure that the network's sleep time is not affected, thus better meeting the energy-saving goal of time-domain adaptive PRACH.

[0208] Furthermore, in addition to the frequency domain resources on the time domain resources where the first RO is located, the frequency domain resources on other time domain resources (such as the time domain resources after the first RO mentioned in step 604) can also be determined as the frequency domain resources of the second RO in the same way. That is to say, which frequency domain resources corresponding to the time domain resources determined for the second RO in step 605 or step 604 above can be allocated to the second RO can be determined by the following formulas (including the formula used to calculate the second quantity parameter and the formula used to calculate the second starting frequency domain position parameter).

[0209] Step 704: If the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, it is determined that the second RO does not have a corresponding frequency domain resource.

[0210] Step 704 can be understood as follows: if the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, it indicates that the current network is under high load. Therefore, no frequency domain resources are allocated to the additional RO, which can be understood as no additional RO is introduced.

[0211] The purpose of steps 702 to 704 above is to allocate frequency domain resources for the second RO. Alternatively, the frequency domain resources of the second RO may be determined by a second quantity parameter and a second initial frequency domain position parameter; wherein the second quantity parameter is determined based on a first quantity parameter; and / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: the first initial frequency domain position parameter, subcarrier spacing parameter. and preamble length. Optionally, subcarrier spacing parameter. The length of the preamble and / or preamble can be predefined by the protocol or can be a default value.

[0212] For example, through the frequency domain parameters of a conventional RO (including and The frequency domain parameters of the additional RO are determined, and the frequency domain resource location of the additional RO is determined using the frequency domain parameters of the additional RO.

[0213] Optionally, in some embodiments, the second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0214] ;

[0215] in, This represents the second quantity parameter; This represents the first quantity parameter; for example, the second threshold value is 4.

[0216] And / or, optionally, the second initial frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0217] ;

[0218] in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

[0219] based on The calculation formula, The value of can be 0. This is because frequency domain resources are much scarcer than infinite time resources; therefore, when the network load is high, When the value is 0, it means that no additional RO can be introduced.

[0220] The above and It can be a parameter from the random access configuration table. and The product can be understood as the bandwidth occupied by a frequency domain resource block. The random access configuration table can be a configuration table in a standard protocol. Some parameters in the random access configuration table can be sent to the UE via system messages. For example, the random access configuration table is Table 6.3.3.2-1 in TS38.211 of the 3GPP standard protocol. The following description is in conjunction with Table 3.

[0221] Table 3

[0222]

[0223] Using Table 3 above, the UE or network device can obtain the preamble format (which can be obtained from Table 2 above). and The values ​​for these parameters are as follows. For other parameters in Table 3, please refer to the descriptions in the standard protocol, for example, This indicates the number of sampling points of the identifier preamble in the time domain (related to the physical implementation of OFDM); This represents the number of sampling points in the time domain for the cyclic prefix.

[0224] It should be noted that the calculation formulas mentioned in the embodiments of this application (such as the formula for calculating the second quantity parameter and the parameter for calculating the second frequency domain start position) are described using a four-step random access example. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to two-step random access. Accordingly, if it is two-step random access, the parameters involved in the aforementioned calculation formulas can also be replaced with parameters from the two-step random access process. For example, the parameters involved in the formulas... and They can be replaced with respectively and .

[0225] For example, the parameters involved in the formula and They can be replaced with respectively and .

[0226] It should be understood that the preceding text was based on Figure 6 and Figure 7 They will be described separately. Figure 6 and Figure 7 The methods can be implemented in combination or independently, and there are no specific limitations on this. Figure 6 or Figure 7 Independent implementation can be understood as: adopting Figure 6 The time-domain location of the additional RO is determined using one method, and the frequency-domain location of the additional RO is determined using another method; or, the time-domain location of the additional RO is determined using another method, and the frequency-domain location of the additional RO is determined using yet another method. Figure 7 The method shown determines the frequency domain location of the additional RO.

[0227] Figure 8 It shows Figure 6 and Figure 7 The combined implementation method and process. For example... Figure 8 As shown, it includes:

[0228] Step 801: Obtain the configuration parameters of the first RO, which include time-domain parameters and frequency-domain parameters.

[0229] Step 802: Determine the time-domain resource location of the second RO based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO.

[0230] It should be noted that, Figure 8 The relevant step 802 can be referenced. Figure 6 For the sake of brevity, the description will not be elaborated further, or you can refer to the formula introduced earlier for calculating the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO.

[0231] Step 803: Determine the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO.

[0232] It should be noted that, Figure 8 The relevant step 803 can be referenced. Figure 7 For the sake of brevity, the description will not be elaborated further, or you can refer to the previously introduced method for calculation. and The formula.

[0233] For ease of understanding, the following is combined with Figure 9 The resource example shown is described below. Figure 9 Each square represents and The product of these is the bandwidth occupied by a frequency domain resource block. Figure 9 The horizontal axis in the diagram represents time-domain resources, such as... Figure 9 The SFN index number is shown, and different time-domain resources are distinguished by different SFN index numbers. Figure 9 The vertical axis in the diagram represents frequency domain resources, such as... Figure 9 The numbering of the frequency domain resource blocks is shown in the figure, and different frequency domain resource blocks are distinguished by different numbers.

[0234] Figure 9 The game distinguishes different resource blocks by the pattern of the blocks: SFN without RO, SFN with traditional RO, and SFN with additional RO.

[0235] For example, the UE or network device obtains the PRACH configuration index value of the traditional RO as 4; using this index value to look up the value in Table 2 above, the period parameter x is found to be 8, offset by 1 SFN (i.e., the time domain resource where the SFN index is 1). The additional RO uses the same PRACH configuration index value as the traditional RO. Assuming the first threshold value is 4, through... Figure 6 The method flow shown determines that if the value of the periodic parameter x is greater than 4, then within one PRACH cycle, besides the SFN where the traditional RO is located, the subsequent ( -1) SFNs (i.e., 1 SFN) are also allocated to the additional RO, i.e. Figure 9 The SFN with index 1 and the SFN with index 2 are shown. Alternatively, by formula: It can be calculated that the number of SFNs allocated to the additional RO is 2. That is, starting from the SFN with index 1, 2 SFNs are allocated to the additional RO within one PRACH cycle. For example, Figure 9 The SFN with index 1 and the SFN with index 2 are shown in the diagram. Therefore, the time-domain resources where the additional RO resides are identified as the SFN with index 1 and the SFN with index 2.

[0236] In addition, the frequency domain parameters of traditional RO The starting point is frequency domain resource block index 0, and the above formula can be used to calculate... The value is 2, that is Figure 9 The frequency domain resource block index 2 is shown in the diagram. Furthermore, the UE or network device obtains the frequency domain parameters of the traditional RO. The value of is 2. Using the formula... It can be calculated The value is 2, which means that 2 frequency domain resource blocks are occupied. That is, starting from frequency domain resource block index 2, 2 frequency domain resource blocks are allocated to the additional RO. Finally, combined with the previously determined time domain resources (i.e., SFN with index 1 and SFN with index 2), the time domain resource locations of the additional RO are finally determined as 4 resource blocks (namely: the two resource blocks with frequency domain resource block indices 2 and 3 on SFN1, and the two resource blocks with frequency domain resource block indices 2 and 3 on SFN2).

[0237] It should be understood that Figure 9 The examples shown are for illustrative purposes only, and the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto.

[0238] based on Figure 9 The time-frequency resource locations shown can achieve a balance or trade-off between "sleep time" and "access latency". That is, by using additional ROs and traditional ROs that overlap in the time domain, it is beneficial to ensure that the network's "sleep time" is not affected.

[0239] In summary, the method for determining the time-frequency resources of the second RO (i.e., the additional RO) based on the configuration parameters of the first RO (i.e., the traditional RO) provided in this application can dynamically adjust the time-frequency resource position of the second RO (i.e., the additional RO) without requiring network devices to configure the configuration parameters of the second RO, thus reducing signaling overhead. On one hand, this application provides a solution where the traditional RO and the additional RO use the same time-domain index (e.g., the PRACH configuration index). For example, when the traditional RO and the additional RO overlap in time-domain resources, they are staggered in frequency-domain resources, which helps ensure that the network's sleep time is not affected, thereby achieving network energy saving. On the other hand, this application also provides a method for determining the frequency-domain resources of the additional RO when the traditional RO and the additional RO do not overlap in the time domain, thereby helping to provide a larger number of additional ROs to support random access by the UE. Combining these two implementation methods balances the "sleep time" of the network device and the "access latency" of the UE, improving the flexibility and practicality of allocation.

[0240] In this embodiment, the determination of the time-frequency domain resources of the additional RO depends on the configuration parameters of the traditional RO. In one possible implementation, one or more resource blocks can be fixed as resources for the additional RO, based on the traditional RO. For example, the last frequency domain resource block in the frequency domain corresponding to the time domain of the traditional RO can be fixed as the additional RO.

[0241] It should be understood that Figures 1 to 9 The flowcharts or scene diagrams shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the examples illustrated. In fact, those skilled in the art can interpret the embodiments based on... Figures 1 to 9 The examples in the document can be transformed into equivalent ways to obtain more implementations.

[0242] The above text combined Figures 1 to 9 This document describes in detail the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The following will combine... Figure 10 and Figure 11 The device embodiments of this application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the communication device of this application embodiment can execute the various communication methods of the foregoing embodiments of this application, that is, the specific working processes of the various products below can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments.

[0243] In the embodiments described above, the UE can execute some or all of the steps in each embodiment; the network device can execute some or all of the steps in each embodiment. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application can also perform other operations or variations of various operations. Furthermore, the steps can be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments, and it is not necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, the sequence number of each step does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0244] Figure 10 This is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10 As shown, the communication device 1300 may include a communication module 1320. The communication module 1320 can implement corresponding communication functions, which can be internal communication functions of the communication device 1300 or communication functions between the communication device 1300 and other devices. Optionally, the communication module 1320 may also be referred to as a communication interface or transceiver module. Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes a processing module 1310. The processing module 1310 can implement corresponding processing functions.

[0245] Optionally, the communication device 1300 further includes a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data; the processing module 1310 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module so that the communication device 1300 can implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0246] In one possible design, the communication device 1300 may correspond to the UE in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the UE. The communication device 1300 may be used to execute the steps or processes performed by the UE in any of the above method embodiments.

[0247] In one possible design, the communication module 1320 is used to receive system messages, the system messages including first configuration parameters, the first configuration parameters being configuration parameters related to a first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameters including time-domain parameters of the first RO and / or frequency-domain parameters of the first RO;

[0248] The processing module 1310 is used to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, wherein the second RO is a different RO from the first RO.

[0249] The processing module 1310 is further configured to perform random access based on the time-frequency domain resources of the first RO and the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO.

[0250] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, including: determining a period parameter according to the time-domain parameters of the first RO, the period parameter being used to characterize the period of the first RO; and determining the time-domain resources of the second RO according to the value of the period parameter, the period parameter being able to reflect the network load.

[0251] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the value of the period parameter, including: when the value of the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, allocating the time-domain resources where the first RO is located and one or more time-domain resources after the time-domain resources where the first RO is located to the second RO; and when the value of the period parameter does not exceed the first threshold, determining that the time-domain resources where the first RO is located are allocated to the second RO.

[0252] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is used to determine the period parameter based on the time domain parameter of the first RO, including: searching for the period parameter corresponding to the time domain parameter in a configuration table, wherein the configuration table includes at least the correspondence between the PRACH configuration index and the period parameter.

[0253] Optionally, as an embodiment, the period parameter of the first RO is denoted as x; the number of SFNs allocated to the second RO satisfies the following formula:

[0254] .

[0255] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, including: determining the frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO, wherein the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency-domain position parameter, wherein the first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency-domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in the first time unit.

[0256] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is used to determine the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO, including: when the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, determining the frequency domain resources of the time domain resources where the first RO is located, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, as the frequency domain resources of the second RO; when the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, determining that the second RO does not have corresponding frequency domain resources.

[0257] Optionally, as an embodiment, the frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by a second quantity parameter and a second starting frequency domain position parameter;

[0258] Wherein, the second quantity parameter is determined based on the first quantity parameter; and / or,

[0259] The second starting frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: the first starting frequency domain position parameter, the subcarrier spacing parameter. and the length of the preamble.

[0260] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0261] ;

[0262] in, This represents the second quantity parameter; The first quantity parameter represents the quantity parameter; and / or, the second starting frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0263] ;

[0264] in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

[0265] Optionally, as an example, the first RO is a conventional RO, and the second RO is an additional RO introduced for network energy saving.

[0266] It should be understood that the communication device 1300 may correspond to the embodiments according to this application. Figure 5 The UE (or terminal device) in the communication device 1300 may include tools for performing... Figure 5 The modules or units that execute the method in the UE. Furthermore, each module and the other operations and / or functions in the communication device 1300 are respectively for implementing... Figures 5 to 8 The corresponding process.

[0267] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1300 is a UE, the processing module 1310 in the communication device 1300 can be implemented by at least one processor, for example, it can correspond to Figure 11 The processor 1410 in the communication device 1400 shown herein. For example, the communication module 1320 may correspond to... Figure 11 The communication interface 1420 in the communication device 1400 shown in the figure.

[0268] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1300 is a chip or chip system configured in the UE, the processing module 1310 of the communication device 1300 can be implemented by a processor, microprocessor or integrated circuit integrated on the chip or chip system.

[0269] Alternatively, in one possible design, the communication device 1300 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiments, or to a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device. The communication device 1300 can be used to perform the steps or processes performed by the network device in any of the above method embodiments.

[0270] In one possible design, the communication module 1320 is used to send a system message, the system message including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter being a configuration parameter related to a first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameter including a time domain parameter of the first RO and / or a frequency domain parameter of the first RO;

[0271] The processing module 1310 is used to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, wherein the second RO is a different RO from the first RO.

[0272] The processing module 1310 is also used to monitor the time-frequency resources of the first RO and the time-frequency resources of the second RO.

[0273] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, including: determining a period parameter according to the time-domain parameters of the first RO, the period parameter being used to characterize the period of the first RO; and determining the time-domain resources of the second RO according to the value of the period parameter, the period parameter being able to reflect the network load.

[0274] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the value of the period parameter, including: when the value of the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, allocating the time-domain resources where the first RO is located and one or more time-domain resources after the time-domain resources where the first RO is located to the second RO; and when the value of the period parameter does not exceed the first threshold, determining that the time-domain resources where the first RO is located are allocated to the second RO.

[0275] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is used to determine the period parameter based on the time domain parameter of the first RO, including: searching for the period parameter corresponding to the time domain parameter in a configuration table, wherein the configuration table includes at least the correspondence between the PRACH configuration index and the period parameter.

[0276] Optionally, as an embodiment, the period parameter of the first RO is represented as x;

[0277] The number of SFNs allocated to the second RO satisfies the following formula:

[0278] .

[0279] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is configured to determine the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the first configuration parameters, including: determining the frequency-domain resources of the second RO according to the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO, wherein the frequency-domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency-domain position parameter, wherein the first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency-domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in the first time unit.

[0280] Optionally, as an embodiment, the processing module 1310 is used to determine the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO, including: when the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, determining the frequency domain resources of the time domain resources where the first RO is located, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, as the frequency domain resources of the second RO; when the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, determining that the second RO does not have corresponding frequency domain resources.

[0281] Optionally, as an embodiment, the frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by a second quantity parameter and a second starting frequency domain position parameter; wherein the second quantity parameter is determined based on a first quantity parameter; and / or, the second starting frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: a first starting frequency domain position parameter, a subcarrier spacing parameter. and the length of the preamble.

[0282] Optionally, as an embodiment, the second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0283] ;

[0284] in, This represents the second quantity parameter; This represents the first quantity parameter;

[0285] And / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula:

[0286] ;

[0287] in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

[0288] Optionally, as an example, the first RO is a conventional RO, and the second RO is an additional RO introduced for network energy saving.

[0289] It should be understood that the communication device 1300 may correspond to the embodiments according to this application. Figure 5 The network device in the communication device 1300 may include a device for performing network functions; Figure 5 The network device in the communication device 1300 is a module or unit that executes the method. Furthermore, each module and the other operations and / or functions described above in the communication device 1300 are respectively for implementing... Figures 5 to 8 The corresponding process.

[0290] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1300 is a network device, the processing module 1310 in the communication device 1300 can be implemented by at least one processor, for example, it can correspond to Figure 11 The processor 1410 in the communication device 1400 shown herein. For example, the communication module 1320 may correspond to... Figure 11 The communication interface 1420 in the communication device 1400 shown in the figure.

[0291] It should also be understood that when the communication device 1300 is a chip or chip system configured in the aforementioned network equipment, the processing module 1310 of the communication device 1300 can be implemented by a processor, microprocessor, or integrated circuit integrated on the chip or chip system.

[0292] Figure 11 This is another schematic block diagram of the communication device 1400 provided in the embodiments of this application. The communication device 1400 can be a UE; it can also be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports network devices in implementing the above methods. The communication device 1400 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and specific details can be found in the descriptions of the above method embodiments.

[0293] like Figure 11 As shown, the communication device 1400 may include one or more processors 1410, which may also be referred to as processing units or processing modules, and can implement certain control functions. The processor 1410 may be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device 1400 (e.g., a base station, baseband chip, user, user chip), execute software programs, and process data from the software programs.

[0294] In an alternative design, the processor 1410 may also store instructions and / or data that can be executed by the processor 1410 to cause the communication device 1400 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments.

[0295] In another alternative design, the communication device 1400 may include a communication interface 1420 for implementing receiving and transmitting functions. For example, the communication interface 1420 may be a transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver. The transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver for implementing receiving and transmitting functions may be separate or integrated. The aforementioned transceiver circuit, interface, interface circuit, or transceiver may be used for reading and writing code / data, or it may be used for transmitting or relaying signals.

[0296] Optionally, the communication device 1400 may include one or more memories 1430, which may store instructions that can be executed on the processor 1410, causing the communication device 1400 to perform the methods described in the above method embodiments. Optionally, the memories 1430 may also store data. Optionally, the processor 1410 may also store instructions and / or data. The processor 1410 and the memories 1430 may be provided separately or integrated together.

[0297] It should be understood that, in one possible design, the steps in the method embodiments provided in this application can be implemented by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or implemented by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are not provided here.

[0298] Optionally, if the communication device 1400 includes a processor 1410, a communication interface 1420, and a memory 1430, the processor 1410, the communication interface 1420, and the memory 1430 communicate with each other through internal connection paths.

[0299] Optionally, the memory 1430 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor. A portion of the memory may also include non-volatile random access memory. The memory 1430 may be a separate device or integrated into the processor 1410.

[0300] In one implementation, the communication device 1400 may correspond to the UE in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute various steps and / or processes performed by the UE in the above method embodiments. The processor 1410 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1430, and when the processor 1410 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1410 is used to execute various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the UE.

[0301] In another implementation, the communication device 1400 may correspond to the network device in the above method embodiments and may be used to execute the various steps and / or processes executed by the network device in the above method embodiments. The processor 1410 may be used to execute instructions stored in the memory 1430, and when the processor 1410 executes the instructions stored in the memory, the processor 1410 is used to execute the various steps and / or processes of the above method embodiments corresponding to the network device.

[0302] Optionally, the communication interface 1420 is a transceiver, which may include a transmitter and a receiver. The transceiver may further include an antenna, which may be one or more. The processor 1410 and memory 1430, along with the communication interface 1420, may be integrated on different chips. For example, the processor 1410 and memory 1430 may be integrated in a baseband chip, and the communication interface 1420 may be integrated in a radio frequency chip. Alternatively, the processor 1410, memory 1430, and communication interface 1420 may be integrated on the same chip. This application does not limit this.

[0303] This application also provides a processing device, including a processor and an interface; the processor is used to execute the communication method in any of the above method embodiments.

[0304] It should be understood that the aforementioned processing device can be one or more chips. For example, the processing device can be a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a system-on-chip (SoC), a central processor unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a programmable logic device (PLD), or other integrated chips.

[0305] In implementation, each step of the above method can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software. The steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly implemented by a hardware processor, or by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor. The software modules can reside in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are omitted here.

[0306] It should be noted that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as execution by a hardware decoding processor, or as a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0307] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0308] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a chip system, which includes one or more processors for calling and executing instructions stored in memory, thereby causing the method described in the embodiments of this application to be executed. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0309] The chip system may include input circuits or interfaces for transmitting information or data, and output circuits or interfaces for receiving information or data.

[0310] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a communication system, which includes the aforementioned UE and network device.

[0311] Optionally, the communication system may also include other devices that communicate with the UE. Optionally, the communication system may also include other devices that communicate with network devices.

[0312] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes performed by the UE or network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0313] According to the method provided in the embodiments of this application, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to execute the various steps or processes performed by the UE or network device in any of the foregoing method embodiments.

[0314] The computer-readable storage medium can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or it can include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0315] The above-described device and method embodiments are completely corresponding, with corresponding modules or units performing corresponding steps. For example, a communication unit or communication interface performs the receiving or sending steps in the method embodiment, while other steps besides sending and receiving can be performed by a processing unit or processor.

[0316] In the embodiments of this application, the terms and English abbreviations are exemplary examples given for ease of description and should not be construed as limiting the application in any way. This application does not preclude the possibility of defining other terms that can achieve the same or similar functions in existing or future agreements.

[0317] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0318] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the sequence number of each process does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0319] Furthermore, the terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably in this paper. The term "and / or" in this paper merely describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this paper generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B.

[0320] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "information," "signal," "message," "channel," and "signaling" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction between them, their intended meanings are consistent. Similarly, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," and "corresponding" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing the distinction between them, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0321] The terms (or designations) "first," "second," etc., appearing in the embodiments of this application are for descriptive purposes only, that is, only to distinguish different objects, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, features defined with "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more features. In the description of the embodiments of this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more. "Multiple" means two or more. "At least one (item) below" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of a single (item) or a plurality of (items).

[0322] For example, expressions like "the item includes at least one of the following: A, B, and C" appearing in the embodiments of this application generally mean, unless otherwise specified, that the item can be any one of the following: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B and C; A and A; A, A and A; A, A and B; A, A and C, A, B and B; A, C and C; B and B, B, B and B, B, B and C, C and C; C, C and C, and other combinations of A, B, and C. The above uses three elements, A, B, and C, as examples to illustrate the possible entries for the item. When expressed as "the item includes at least one of the following: A, B, ..., and X," that is, when the expression contains more elements, then the applicable entries for the item can also be obtained according to the aforementioned rules.

[0323] In summary, the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A method for random access, characterized in that, Applied to a user equipment (UE), the method includes: Receive system messages, the system messages including first configuration parameters, the first configuration parameters being configuration parameters related to the first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameters including time domain parameters of the first RO and / or frequency domain parameters of the first RO; Based on the first configuration parameters, the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO are determined, and the second RO is a different RO from the first RO; Random access is performed based on the time-frequency domain resources of the first RO and the time-frequency domain resources of the second RO; The step of determining the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters includes: Based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO, a period parameter is determined, which is used to characterize the period of the first RO; based on the value of the period parameter, the time-domain resources of the second RO are determined, which can reflect the network load. The frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO. The frequency domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency domain position parameter. The first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in the first time unit. The step of determining the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the value of the period parameter includes: If the value of the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, the time domain resources where the first RO is located, as well as one or more time domain resources after the time domain resources where the first RO is located, are allocated to the second RO. If the value of the period parameter does not exceed a first threshold, it is determined that the time domain resources where the first RO is located will be allocated to the second RO.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the period parameter based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO includes: The period parameter corresponding to the time domain parameter is found in the configuration table, which includes at least the correspondence between the PRACH configuration index and the period parameter.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The period parameter of the first RO is denoted as x; The number of SFNs allocated to the second RO satisfies the following formula: 。 4. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The step of determining the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO includes: If the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, the frequency domain resources of the time domain resources where the first RO is located, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, are determined as the frequency domain resources of the second RO. If the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, it is determined that the second RO does not have a corresponding frequency domain resource.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1, 2, and 4, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by the second quantity parameter and the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Wherein, the second quantity parameter is determined based on the first quantity parameter; and / or, The second starting frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: the first starting frequency domain position parameter, the subcarrier spacing parameter. and the length of the preamble.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula: ； in, This represents the second quantity parameter; This represents the first quantity parameter; And / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula: ； in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

7. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first RO is a conventional RO, and the second RO is an additional RO introduced for network energy saving.

8. A method for random access, characterized in that, Applied to network devices, the method includes: Send a system message, the system message including a first configuration parameter, the first configuration parameter being a configuration parameter related to a first random access opportunity (RO), the first configuration parameter including a time domain parameter of the first RO and / or a frequency domain parameter of the first RO; Based on the first configuration parameters, the time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO are determined, and the second RO is a different RO from the first RO; Monitor the time-frequency resources of the first RO and the second RO; The step of determining the time-domain and / or frequency-domain resources of the second RO based on the first configuration parameters includes: The periodic parameters are determined based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO, and the periodic parameters are used to characterize the period of the first RO; the time-domain resources of the second RO are determined based on the value of the periodic parameters, and the periodic parameters can reflect the network load. The frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO. The frequency domain parameters of the first RO include a first quantity parameter and / or a first starting frequency domain position parameter. The first quantity parameter represents the number of frequency domain resource blocks occupied by the first RO in the first time unit. The step of determining the time-domain resources of the second RO based on the value of the period parameter includes: If the value of the period parameter exceeds the first threshold, the time domain resources where the first RO is located, as well as one or more time domain resources after the time domain resources where the first RO is located, are allocated to the second RO. If the value of the period parameter does not exceed a first threshold, it is determined that the time domain resources where the first RO is located will be allocated to the second RO.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of determining the period parameter based on the time-domain parameters of the first RO includes: The period parameter corresponding to the time domain parameter is found in the configuration table, which includes at least the correspondence between the PRACH configuration index and the period parameter.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The period parameter of the first RO is denoted as x; The number of SFNs allocated to the second RO satisfies the following formula: 。 11. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The step of determining the frequency domain resources of the second RO based on the frequency domain parameters of the first RO includes: If the value of the first quantity parameter does not exceed the second threshold, the frequency domain resources of the time domain resources where the first RO is located, excluding the frequency domain resources occupied by the first RO, are determined as the frequency domain resources of the second RO. If the value of the first quantity parameter exceeds the second threshold, it is determined that the second RO does not have a corresponding frequency domain resource.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8, 9, and 11, characterized in that, The frequency domain resources of the second RO are determined by the second quantity parameter and the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Wherein, the second quantity parameter is determined based on the first quantity parameter; and / or, The second starting frequency domain position parameter is determined based on one or more of the following parameters: the first starting frequency domain position parameter, the subcarrier spacing parameter. and the length of the preamble.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second quantity parameter satisfies the following formula: ； in, This represents the second quantity parameter; This represents the first quantity parameter; And / or, the second initial frequency domain position parameter satisfies the following formula: ； in, This represents the second initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the first initial frequency domain position parameter; Indicates the length of the preamble; This represents the subcarrier spacing parameter.

14. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first RO is a conventional RO, and the second RO is an additional RO introduced for network energy saving.

15. A communication system, characterized in that, Including UE and network equipment; The UE is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; The network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions, wherein the processor executes the programs or instructions such that the device is configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7; or, such that the device is configured to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program or instructions stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program or instructions are executed, the computer performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7; Alternatively, the computer may be made to perform the method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14.

18. A chip system, characterized in that, The chip system includes one or more processors, which are configured to retrieve and execute instructions stored in memory, such that the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 is performed; or, such that the method as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 14 is performed.

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