Ssb and prach transmission during initial access in wireless communications

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to SSB and PRACH transmissions during initial access in wireless communications. A user equipment (UE) is configured to receive a synchronization signal block (SSB) transmission with a first subcarrier spacing (SCS) in a SSB burst window (SSBW); decode the SSB transmission using a second SCS different from the first SCS to determine parameters of a control resource set 0 (CORESET #0) to be transmitted in the SSBW; monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidate in the determined CORESET #0 based on a mapping between the SSB transmission and the CORESET #0; and decode the PDCCH and a system information block 1 (SIB1) scheduled by the PDCCH in the SSBW.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the PCT application filed on August 5, 2021, with national application number 202180012695.3 and entitled "SSB and PRACH transmission during initial access in wireless communication", which has entered the Chinese national phase. Technical Field

[0002] This application generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to SSB and PRACH transmissions during the initial access phase in wireless communication. Background Technology

[0003] User equipment (UE) can establish connections with at least one of several different networks or network types. In some networks, signaling between the UE and the network's base station can occur in the millimeter-wave (mmWave) spectrum (30 GHz–300 GHz). Signaling in the mmWave spectrum can be achieved through beamforming, an antenna technology used for transmitting or receiving directional signals.

[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) operation can extend from a frequency range of up to 52 GHz to 71 GHz. In some operations, such as the initial access procedure, it may be desirable to transmit certain signals (e.g., the System Synchronization Block (SSB)) along with a different set of parameters (subcarrier spacing (SCS)) and System Information Block 1 (SIB1) than other signals (e.g., ControlResourceSet0 (CORESET#0)). For example, the SCS used for CORESET#0 / SIB1 transmission could be 480 kHz or 960 kHz, while the SCS used for the SSB could be 120 kHz. Using mixed and / or enlarged parameter sets can affect various operations used for initial access. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Some exemplary embodiments relate to a processor of a user equipment (UE) configured to perform operations. These operations include receiving an SSB transmission with a first subcarrier spacing (SCS) in a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) burst window (SSBW); decoding the SSB transmission to determine parameters for a control resource set 0 (CORESET#0) to be used in the SSBW, which is different from the first SCS; monitoring physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidates in the determined CORESET#0 based on the mapping between the SSB transmission and CORESET#0; and decoding the PDCCH and System Information Block 1 (SIB1) scheduled by the PDCCH in the SSBW.

[0006] Other exemplary embodiments relate to a processor of a base station configured to perform operations. These operations include transmitting an SSB transmission with a first subcarrier spacing (SCS) in a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) burst window (SSBW), wherein a User Equipment (UE) decodes the SSB transmission to determine parameters for a control resource set 0 (CORESET#0) to be used in the SSBW for a second SCS transmission different from the first SCS, and transmits a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in the CORESET#0 associated with the transmitted SSB and uses resources scheduled by the transmitted PDCCH to transmit System Information Block 1 (SIB1) in the second SCS, wherein the UE monitors the PDCCH in the CORESET#0 based on the association between the SSB and the CORESET#0, and decodes the PDCCH and the SIB1 scheduled by the PDCCH in the SSBW.

[0007] A further exemplary embodiment relates to a processor of a user equipment (UE) configured to perform operations. These operations include selecting a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) timing to transmit a random access preamble; receiving downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) by a Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI); receiving in the DCI an indication of a segment index of the RA-RNTI corresponding to a segment of a PRACH transmission window associated with the DCI used for scheduling the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) reception for Random Access Response (RAR); receiving PDSCH transmission; and decoding the RAR PDSCH reception when the PRACH timing selected by the UE is associated with the decoded RA-PRACH and segment index in the DCI scheduling the RAR PDSCH.

[0008] Additional exemplary embodiments relate to a processor of a user equipment (UE) configured to perform operations. These operations include receiving a random access response (RAR) transmission with a first parameter set µ_1 within a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission window, and decoding the RAR transmission by calculating a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) based on the first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2, wherein the second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set.

[0009] Further exemplary embodiments relate to a processor of a base station configured to perform operations. These operations include receiving a random access preamble from a user equipment (UE) during a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) timing; determining a segment index of the received preamble based on its time position within a PRACH transmission window; determining a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) value for the received preamble based on the time position and the frequency position of the received PRACH; transmitting downlink control information (DCI) to the UE, wherein the DCI includes a field indicating the determined segment index, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the DCI is scrambled by the determined RA-RNTI value; and transmitting a random access response (RAR) transmission scheduled by the DCI to the UE, wherein the UE decodes the RAR transmission by calculating the RA-RNTI and segment index indicated in the DCI.

[0010] Another exemplary embodiment relates to a processor configured to perform an operation on a user equipment (UE). This operation includes transmitting a random access response (RAR) transmission to the UE, wherein the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the RAR is scrambled by a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) calculated based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2 transmitted over the physical random access channel (PRACH), wherein the second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1 Exemplary network arrangements according to various exemplary implementations are shown.

[0012] Figure 2 Exemplary UEs according to various exemplary implementations are shown.

[0013] Figure 3 Exemplary network cells according to various exemplary implementations are shown.

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary SSB burst window (SSBW) with a mixed parameter set multiplexing mode is shown according to various exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0015] Figure 5 Exemplary SSB burst windows (SSBW) with mixed parameter set multiplexing modes and pairings between SSBs and CORESET0 / RMSI time slots are shown according to various exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0016] Figure 6 An exemplary PRACH transport window is shown according to various exemplary embodiments described herein, wherein time slots are divided into N segments.

[0017] Figure 7 An exemplary time slot diagram of RA-RNTI calculations modified according to various exemplary embodiments described herein is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The exemplary embodiments can be further understood with reference to the following description and related figures, wherein similar elements have the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments relate to the operation of an increased subcarrier spacing (SCS) for transmitting the initial access signal, particularly controlling resource set 0 (CORESET#0) and system information block 1 (SIB1), which may be referred to herein as residual minimum system information (RMSI). In one embodiment, a multiplexing mode is described where a mixed parameter set is used for the transmission of the system synchronization block (SSB) and CORESET#0 / RMSI, wherein CORESET#0 / RMSI is transmitted using an SCS of 480 kHz or 960 kHz. In another embodiment, the determination of the existing radio access (RA) radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) (RA-RNTI) is modified according to the increased SCS (480 kHz, 960 kHz) used for transmission on the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0019] Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the operation performed by a user equipment (UE). However, reference to the UE is provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary embodiments can be used with any electronic component capable of establishing a connection to a network and configured with hardware, software, and / or firmware for exchanging information and data with the network. Therefore, the UE described herein is used to represent any suitable electronic component.

[0020] Exemplary implementations are also described with reference to 5G New Radio (NR) networks. However, the reference to 5G NR networks is provided for illustrative purposes only. The exemplary implementations can be used with any network that utilizes beamforming. Therefore, the 5G NR network described herein can represent any type of network that implements beamforming.

[0021] Network / Device

[0022] Figure 1An exemplary network arrangement 100 according to various exemplary embodiments is illustrated. The exemplary network arrangement 100 includes a plurality of UEs 110, 112. Those skilled in the art will understand that a UE can be any type of electronic component configured to communicate via a network, such as components of a connected car, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a smartphone, a phablet, an embedded device, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc. It should also be understood that a practical network arrangement can include any number of UEs used by any number of users. Therefore, the example with two UEs 110, 112 is provided only for illustrative purposes. In some exemplary embodiments described below, groups of UEs may be used for corresponding channel measurements.

[0023] UEs 110 and 112 can communicate directly with one or more networks. In the example of network configuration 100, the networks with which UEs 110 and 112 can communicate wirelessly are 5G NR Radio Access Network (5G NR-RAN) 120, LTE Radio Access Network (LTE-RAN) 122, and Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) 124. Therefore, UEs 110 and 112 may include a 5G NR chipset communicating with 5G NR-RAN 120, an LTE chipset communicating with LTE-RAN 122, and an ISM chipset communicating with WLAN 124. However, UEs 110 and 112 can also communicate with other types of networks (e.g., traditional cellular networks), and UE 110 can also communicate with the network via a wired connection. Regarding the exemplary implementation, UEs 110 and 112 can establish a connection with 5G NR-RAN 120.

[0024] 5G NR-RAN 120 and LTE-RAN 122 may be portions of a cellular network that can be deployed by a cellular provider (e.g., Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, etc.). These networks 120, 122 may include, for example, cells or base stations (NodeB, eNodeB, HeNB, eNBS, gNB, gNodeB, macrocell base stations, microcell base stations, small cell base stations, femtocell base stations, etc.) configured to send and receive traffic from UEs equipped with appropriate cellular chipsets. WLAN 124 may include any type of wireless local area network (WiFi, hotspot, IEEE 802.11x network, etc.).

[0025] UEs 110 and 112 can connect to 5G NR-RAN 120 via at least one of next-generation nodeB (gNB) 120A and / or gNB 120B. Reference to the two gNBs 120A and 120B is for illustrative purposes only. Exemplary implementations can be applied to any suitable number of gNBs. For example, UEs 110 and 112 can simultaneously connect to and exchange data with multiple gNBs in a multi-cell CA configuration. UEs 110 and 112 can also connect to LTE-RAN 122 via either or both of eNBs 122A and 122B, or to any other type of RAN, as described above. In network arrangement 100, UE 110 is shown as having a connection to gNB 120A, while UE 112 is shown as having a connection to gNB 120B.

[0026] In addition to networks 120, 122, and 124, network deployment 100 also includes a cellular core network 130, an Internet 140, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) 150, and a network service backbone 160. The cellular core network 130 (e.g., NR's 5GC) can be viewed as an interconnected collection of components that manage the operation and traffic of the cellular network. The cellular core network 130 also manages the traffic flowing between the cellular network and the Internet 140.

[0027] IMS 150 can generally be described as an architecture for delivering multimedia services to UE 110 using the IP protocol. IMS 150 can communicate with cellular core network 130 and Internet 140 to provide multimedia services to UE 110. Network service backbone 160 communicates directly or indirectly with Internet 140 and cellular core network 130. Network service backbone 160 can generally be described as a set of components (e.g., servers, network storage deployments, etc.) that implement a set of services that can be used to extend the functionality of UE 110 to communicate with various networks.

[0028] Figure 2 An exemplary UE 110 according to various exemplary embodiments is shown. Reference will be made to... Figure 1 The network layout 100 is used to describe UE 110. UE 110 can represent any electronic device and may include processor 205, memory layout 210, display device 215, input / output (I / O) device 220, transceiver 225, and other components 230. Other components 230 may include, for example, audio input devices, audio output devices, batteries providing a limited power source, data acquisition devices, ports for electrically connecting UE 110 to other electronic devices, sensors for detecting the status of UE 110, etc. Figure 2 The UE 110 shown can also represent UE 112.

[0029] Processor 205 can be configured to execute multiple engines of UE 110. For example, an engine may include an initial access engine 235 for performing operations for initial access, including decoding the SSB and decoding the RMSI based on the association between the SSB and subsequently received CORESET#0 / RMSI. As will be described in further detail below, the SSB and CORESET#0 / RMSI can be transmitted within the same SSB burst window (SSBW) using a multiplexing mode that includes different SCSs for the SSB and CORESET#0 / RMSI for the CORESET#0 / RMSI. Initial access engine 235 can perform additional operations, including exchanging signaling with the network, wherein a modified RA-RNTI is designed for a random access procedure to decode the random access response (RAR) from the network, which will be described in further detail below.

[0030] The engine described above, as an application (e.g., a program) executed by processor 205, is merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engine may also be represented as a separate integrated component of UE 110, or as a modular component coupled to UE 110, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. The engine may also be embodied as a single application or multiple separate applications. Furthermore, in some UEs, the functionality described for processor 205 is distributed among two or more processors, such as a baseband processor and an application processor. Exemplary implementations can be implemented according to any of these or other configurations of the UE.

[0031] Memory 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by UE 110. Display device 215 may be a hardware component configured to display data to a user, while I / O device 220 may be a hardware component enabling user input. Display device 215 and I / O device 220 may be separate components or may be integrated together (such as a touchscreen). Transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to establish connections with 5G-NR RAN 120, LTE RAN 122, etc. Therefore, transceiver 225 can operate on various frequencies or channels (e.g., consecutive frequency groups). For example, when configured, for example, NR-U, transceiver 225 can operate on unlicensed spectrum.

[0032] Figure 3An exemplary network cell according to various exemplary implementations is shown, in this example, gNB 120A. As noted above regarding UE 110, gNB 120A may represent a cell that provides service as a PCell or SCell or is in a separate configuration from UE 110. gNB 120A may represent any access node in a 5G NR network through which UEs 110 and 112 can establish connections and manage network operations. Figure 3 The gNB 120A shown can also represent gNB 120B.

[0033] The gNB 120A may include a processor 305, a memory arrangement 310, input / output (I / O) devices 320, a transceiver 325, and other components 330. Other components 330 may include, for example, audio input devices, audio output devices, a battery, data acquisition devices, and ports for electrically connecting the gNB 120A to other electronic devices.

[0034] Processor 305 can be configured to execute multiple engines of gNB 120A. For example, an engine may include an initial access engine 335 for performing operations for initial access, including broadcasting the SSB and CORESET#0 / RMSI for decoding by the UE, enabling the UE to initiate a random access procedure with the network. As will be described in further detail below, the SSB and CORESET#0 / RMSI can be transmitted within the same SSB burst window (SSBW) using multiplexing modes including different SCSs for the SSB and CORESET#0 / RMSI for the CORESET#0. Initial access engine 335 can perform further operations on the random access procedure, wherein a modified RA-RNTI is designed to scramble the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH for CORESET#0 with the Radio Access (RA) Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) (RA-RNTI) for scheduling the transmission of the PDSCH carrying the Random Access Response (RAR), wherein the UE uses the RA-RNTI to decode the PDCCH, as described in further detail below.

[0035] The engines described above, each acting as an application (e.g., a program) executed by processor 305, are merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the engines may also be represented as a separate integrated component of gNB 120A, or as a modular component coupled to gNB 120A, such as an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing signals and other information. Furthermore, in some gNBs, the functionality described for processor 305 is split among multiple processors (e.g., a baseband processor, an application processor, etc.). Exemplary implementations may be implemented according to any of these or other configurations of the gNB.

[0036] Memory 310 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by UEs 110 and 112. I / O device 320 may be a hardware component or port enabling a user to interact with gNB 120A. Transceiver 325 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with UEs 110, 112, and any other UE in system 100. Transceiver 325 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of consecutive frequencies). For example, when NR-U functionality is configured, transceiver 325 may operate on unlicensed bandwidth. Therefore, transceiver 325 may include one or more components (e.g., radio components) to enable data exchange with various networks and UEs.

[0037] Initial Access in NR

[0038] The initial access procedure for 5G NR typically includes the following operations. However, it should be understood that the exemplary implementation is not limited to any particular access procedure or order of operations. The following are provided as examples illustrating the use of the exemplary implementation to support an increased SCS for transmitting the initial access signal.

[0039] First, the gNB periodically broadcasts System Information (SI), which can be categorized into Minimal System Information (MSI) and Other System Information (OSI) using beam sweep. Beam sweep typically refers to transmitting multiple transmitter beams over a specific spatial area for a predetermined duration. Each beam transmitted during transmitter beam sweep may include a reference signal. The UE can measure one or more transmitter beams based on their respective reference signals and select one transmitter beam from the transmitter beams based on the measurement data.

[0040] The synchronization signal block (SSB) broadcast by the gNB includes synchronization signals (SS) (primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)) and the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), where the PBCH transmission includes the main information block (MIB) containing the MSI. The MSI includes parameters indicating the location and resources of ControlResourceSet0 (CORESET#0) on the resource grid, and carries downlink control information (DCI) for decoding System Information Block 1 (SIB1). SIB1 may be referred to as the Residual Minimal System Information (RMSI), a subset of the MSI, and is carried on the PDSCH. The SSB (including the MIB) and CORESET#0 / RMSI (SIB1) are transmitted on the same beam, which will be used by the UE for random access channel (RACH) transmission when selected by the UE, until a dedicated connection is established and the beam is switched. The OSI includes SIB2 to SIB9, which can be broadcast or provided to the UE via dedicated RRC signaling.

[0041] The PDCCH Config SIB1 parameter transmitted in the MIB has an 8-bit length. The first 4 bits (most significant bit (MSB)) determine the “controlResourceSetZero” index, which indicates the number of resource blocks / symbols used to determine CORESET#0 of the type 0 PDCCH public search space. The last 4 bits (least significant bit (LSB)) determine the “searchSpaceZero” index, which indicates when the PDCCH is monitored.

[0042] Next, the UE performs beam measurement, detects the optimal SSB (e.g., the strongest beam), and selects that beam. The UE then decodes the SSB and, based on the extracted MSI parameters, searches the Type 0-PDCCH common search space (CSS) of the downlink control information (DCI) on CORESET#0, then uses it to decode SIB1. The extracted SI allows the UE to initiate random access (RACH procedure) using the same beam by transmitting Msg1 of the RACH procedure (i.e., the RACH preamble) on the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH).

[0043] The gNB responds to the detected RACH preamble (Msg1) via a Random Access Response (RAR) (Msg2) on the PDSCH. The PDCCH transmission scheduling the PDSCH includes scheduling permission for PUSCH resources indicating an RRC connection request (Msg3). The UE transmits Msg3 on the scheduled PUSCH, and the gNB responds using the RRC connection setup (Msg4). The UE then provides a beam / CSI report to complete the RACH procedure, and a dedicated connection is established between the UE and the gNB. After establishing the dedicated connection, the UE and gNB can switch to different beams.

[0044] Returning to the RAR (Msg2), the gNB's Media Access Layer (MAC) generates the RAR and maps it to the PDSCH. The gNB scrambles the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH with the Radio Access (RA) Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RNTI) (RA-RNTI) for transmitting the PDSCH carrying the RAR. The UE then uses the RA-RNTI to decode the PDCCH.

[0045] According to the following equation, RA-RNTI is a function of the time and frequency of the PRACH timing (i.e., RACH timing (RO)) at which the RACH preamble is detected:

[0046] ,

[0047] Where s_id is the index of the first OFDM symbol specifying the PRACH (0 ≤ s_id < 14), t_id is the index of the first time slot specifying the PRACH in the system frame (0 ≤ t_id < 80), f_id is the index of the PRACH in the frequency domain (0 ≤ f_id < 8), and ul_carrier_id is the value of the uplink carrier used for Msg1 transmission (0 for normal UL (NUL) carriers and 1 for supplementary UL (SUL) carriers).

[0048] Initial access up to 71 GHz in NR operation

[0049] NR operations can be extended from the currently designated 52 GHz frequency range to 71 GHz, where operations within the extended frequency range (52 GHz–71 GHz) can include both licensed and unlicensed operations. The following objectives pertain to the initial access procedure within the extended frequency range: support for up to 64 Synchronization Block (SSB) beams for licensed and unlicensed operations within this frequency range; support for 120 kHz SCS for the SSB and 120 kHz SCS for initial access-related signals / channels in the initial access portion (BWP); specifications for additional SCS (240 kHz, 480 kHz, 960 kHz) for the SSB, and additional SCS (480 kHz, 960 kHz) for initial access-related signals / channels in the initial BWP; and specifications for additional SCS (480 kHz, 960 kHz) for the SSB in cases other than initial access.

[0050] The first issue related to the initial access procedure in the extended frequency range is how to support mixed parameter sets µ for SSB and CORESET#0 transmissions on the same beam, such as SSB transmission using µ=3 (120kHz SCS) and CORESET#0 / RMSI transmission using µ=5,6 (480kHz or 960kHz SCS) to achieve single parameter set operation.

[0051] A second issue related to the initial access procedure within the extended frequency range is how to determine the RA-RNTI based on the increased SCS. Increasing the SCS to 480 / 960kHz at >52.6GHz or higher can lead to RA-RNTI shortages. As mentioned above, the RA-RNTI equation includes a variable t_id for the slot index. As the SCS increases, the slot length becomes shorter, which increases the number of slots in the frame. The increased number of slots requires an increased range of index values, which, when used in the existing RA-RNTI equation, can result in a calculated RA-RNTI exceeding the 16-bit width used in current systems.

[0052] According to certain aspects of this disclosure, the following multiplexing modes in the time domain can be used to transmit CORESET#0 / RMSI with a larger SCS (e.g., 480kHz / 960kHz) in time slots not used for SSB transmissions with a smaller SCS (e.g., 120kHz SCS).

[0053] The multiplexing mode is designed to reduce RMSI acquisition latency by using larger SCSs with short time slot durations, allowing RMSI transmission to adapt to gaps between SSB bursts. This design allows operators to use a single, higher set of parameters, such as 960kHz SCSs for all channels except SSBs (including CORESET#0, RMSI on PDSCH, CSI-RS, and unicast PDCCH / PDSCH), which reduces network complexity and improves resource efficiency.

[0054] It should be noted that in the following description, the parameter set µ represents the subcarrier spacing as follows: µ=0 represents a 15kHz SCS, µ=1 represents a 30kHz SCS, µ=2 represents a 60kHz SCS, µ=3 represents a 120kHz SCS, µ=4 represents a 240kHz SCS, µ=5 represents a 480kHz SCS, and µ=6 represents a 960kHz SCS. The slot length used for transmission varies based on the parameter set. For example, for µ=0, the slot length is 1 ms; for µ=1, the slot length is 0.5ms; for µ=2, the slot length is 0.25ms; for µ=3, the slot length is 0.125ms; for µ=4, the slot length is 0.0625ms; for µ=5, the slot length is 0.03125ms; and for µ=6, the slot length is 0.015625ms.

[0055] SSB is transmitted in the frequency domain across four OFDM symbols spanning 240 subcarriers, and in predefined bursts across the time domain on the configured PRB. The burst periodicity with respect to time depends on which parameter set µ is configured.

[0056] The following terms can be defined to facilitate the description of multiplexing modes: "SSB slot" refers to a slot with a first SCS µ1 (e.g., µ1=3) and two SSB transmissions; "CORESET0 / RMSI slot" refers to a slot with a second SCS µ2 (e.g., µ2=5,6) reserved for CORESET#0 / RMSI transmissions, which is associated one-to-one with the SSBs transmitted in the SSB slots within the same SSB burst window (SSBW); and "SSBW window" refers to a window with a first "M" consecutive SSB slots (with the first SCS µ1) and subsequent "N" consecutive slots (with the second SCS µ2).

[0057] Different combinations of <µ1,µ2> can be hard-coded in the specification.<M,N> The correct value. For example, for the mixed parameter set <µ1,µ2> = <3,5>,<M,N> The value is <4,4>. In another example, for the mixed parameter set <µ1,µ2> = <3,6>,<M,N> The value is <4,8>.<M,N> The value depends on the SCS or the SCS-based time slot length.

[0058] Figure 4 An exemplary SSB burst window (SSBW) 400 with a mixed parameter set multiplexing mode is illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. In the exemplary SSBW 400, the mixed parameter set <µ1,µ2> = <3,5>. The SSBW 400 includes an SSB window 405 and a CORESET0 / RMSI window 410. As described above, this mixed parameter set...<M,N> The value is <4,4>. Therefore, SSB window 405 includes four SSB slots 415 with an SCS of 120 kHz, where each SSB slot 415 includes two SSBs 420. CORESET0 / RMSI window 410 includes eight CORESET0 / RMSI slots 425.

[0059] The PBCH, PSS, and SSS are received in consecutive symbols and form an SS / PBCH block. In the time domain, the first symbol is the PSS, the second symbol is the PBCH, the third symbol is the SSS, and the fourth symbol is the PBCH. The SCS of the candidate SSB determines the first symbol index of the candidate SSB, where index 0 corresponds to the first symbol of the first slot in the half-frame.

[0060] For an SSB with µ1=3 (120kHz SCS), the first symbol of a candidate SS / PBCH block has an index {4,8,16,20} + 28 * n, where n=0, 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18. The association between the CORESET0 / RMSI transmission and the SSB within the SSBW (which carries the information required to receive the CORESET's DCI and decode the RMSI) can be defined as follows.

[0061] For a CORESET0 / RMSI with µ2=5 (480kHz SCS) and µ2=6 (960kHz SCS), the UE monitors the PDCCH in the type 0-PDCCH CSS set in the slot associated with the SSB with index i as follows: n0 = [i*M], where M=1 / 2 for µ2=5 and M=1 for µ2=6. Starting from n0 = 0, each SSB burst window is indexed for the slot of the CORESET0 / RMSI using SCS µ2. If M=1 / 2, the first symbolic index of the type 0-PDCCH CSS set of SSB index i is represented as "k". i If i is even, then k i =0. Otherwise, if i is odd, then k i = 7. If M=1, then k i =0.

[0062] Therefore, according to the above description, for the mixed parameter set <3,5>, the M-to-N mapping between the M SSB slots and the corresponding N CORESET#0 slots includes indexing the SSB slots with the first SCS in the SSBW from 0 to {M-1}, and indexing the CORESET#0 slots with the second SCS in the SSBW from 0 to {N-1}. The indexes are reset every SSBW cycle. The SSB index "i" transmitted with the first SCS in the SSB slot index [i / 2] is associated with CORESET#0 and with the SIB1 transmitted with the second SCS in the CORESET#0 slot index [i / 2] with the first symbol index "k", where the first symbol index "k" is based on the value of the associated SSB index "i". When the SSB index "i" is even, the first symbol index "k" of the CORESET#0 associated with the SSB index "i" is 0, or when the SSB index "i" is odd, k=7.

[0063] For the mixed parameter set <3,6>, the M-to-N mapping between the M SSB slots and the corresponding N CORESET#0 slots includes indexing the SSB slots with the first SCS in the SSBW from 0 to {M-1}, and indexing the CORESET#0 slots with the second SCS in the SSBW from 0 to {N-1}. The indexes are reset each SSBW cycle. The SSB index "i" transmitted with the first SCS in the SSB slot index [i / 2] is associated with CORESET#0 and with SIB1 transmitted with the second SCS in the CORESET#0 slot index "i". The first symbol index of CORESET#0 in the CORESET#0 slot "i" with the second SCS is 0.

[0064] Figure 5 An exemplary SSB burst window (SSBW) 500 with a mixed parameter set multiplexing mode and the pairing of SSB with CORESET0 / RMSI time slots are illustrated according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. Figure 5 In the example, SSB has a parameter set µ1=3 (120kHz SCS), and CORESET0 / RMSI has a parameter set µ2=6 (960kHz SCS). As mentioned above, for the mixed parameter set <µ1,µ2> = <3,6>,<M,N> The value is <4,16>. Similar to... Figure 4 The SSBW 400 and SSBW 500 include an SSB window 505 and a CORESET0 / RMSI window 510. The SSB window 505 includes eight SSB slots 515 with an SCS of 120 kHz, where each SSB slot 515 includes two SSBs 520. The 16 SSBs are indexed from 0 to 15. The CORESET0 / RMSI window 510 includes 16 CORESET0 / RMSI slots 525, which are similarly indexed from 0 to 15. Figure 5 As shown, an SSB with index i is paired with a CORESET0 / RMSI time slot with the same index i.

[0065] For example, based on the association details discussed above, the UE monitors the PDCCH in the type 0-PDCCH CSS set associated with SSB index #6 in the CORESET0 / RMSI slot with index #6 (e.g., n0 = [6*1]), and monitors the PDCCH in the type 0-PDCCH CSS set associated with SSB index #15 in the CORESET0 / RMSI slot with index #15. As can be seen from this specification, since the CORESET0 information is in the same SSBW, latency is reduced; for example, the UE does not need to wait for subsequent SSBWs to determine the CORESET0 associated with the SSB, which would be necessary if the SSB and CORESET0 SCS were the same.

[0066] To provide a comparison with the examples above, in Figure 4 In the example, the UE monitors the PDCCH in the type 0-PDCCH CSS set associated with SSB index #6 in the CORESET0 / RMSI slot with index #3 (e.g., n0 = [6*1 / 2]). It should be noted that this is because the slot with µ2=6 is half the length of the slot with µ2=5.

[0067] According to other exemplary implementations, various solutions can be considered to determine the RA-RNTI value to address the out-of-range problem described above, wherein the number of time slots in a frame carrying a 480kHz or 960kHz SCS will result in an increase in the time slot index range, allowing the calculated RA-RNTI to exceed the existing 16-bit field.

[0068] Depending on an option, time slots within the PRACH transmission window can be divided into subgroups or segments, and the existing equations used to calculate RA-RNTI can be used in their unmodified form. An 80ms PRACH transmission window can initially be divided into “N” time slot subgroups, where each subgroup consists of “M” time slots (e.g., M=640). Figure 6 An exemplary PRACH transmission window 600 is shown, in which time slots are divided into N segments, and each segment in the PRACH window 600 includes M time slots.

[0069] With a maximum of M time slots, the existing RA-RNTI equation will not exceed 16 bits. To determine which segment to use, the segment index for the corresponding RACH timing (RO) can be signaled to the UE via DCI format 1_0 of the scheduled RAR transmission. The number of segments (N value) can depend on the SCS of the RAR transmission. For example, N=4 for a 480kHz SCS and N=8 for a 960kHz SCS.

[0070] Different methods can be considered as signaling the segment index to the UE via the DCI transmitted through the scheduled RAR. In one alternative, a new field can be introduced by repurposing some reserved bits (e.g., 2 or 3 bits) from the reserved bits (e.g., 16 bits), or the least significant bit (LSB) of the subframe number (SFN) IE can be newly introduced for DCI format 1_0 scrambled by RA-RNTI for CRC.

[0071] In the second alternative, the segment index can be divided into two parts, for example, part 1 and part 2. Part 1 can be included in the payload of DCI format 1_0 scrambled by RA-RNTI, while part 2 can be transmitted based on a scrambling sequence selected for scrambling the CRC bits of DCI format 1_0, as shown in Table 1 below. As shown, the selected scrambling sequence can indicate part 2 of the segment index.

[0072] Table 1: Sequence selection indicated by segment index

[0073] Table 1

[0074] Therefore, to implement the method described above relative to the first variant, the following procedure can be used. First, the UE selects a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) timing to transmit a random access preamble. The network determines the segment index of the received preamble based on the time position within the PRACH transmission window, and determines the Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) value of the received preamble based on the time position and the frequency position of the received PRACH. The network transmits Downlink Control Information (DCI) to the UE, wherein the DCI includes a field indicating the determined segment index, and the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the DCI is scrambled by the determined RA-RNTI value. If the PRACH timing selected by the UE is associated with the segment index in the decoded RA-RNTI and the DCI scheduling the RAR PDSCH, the UE receives the DCI including the indication of the segment index, receives the PDSCH transmission, and decodes the RAR PDSCH reception.

[0075] The segment index indication is received in a single field of the DCI that schedules the RAR transmission, where the single field indicating the segment index in the DCI is defined by repurposing two or three bits in the "reserved" field of the existing DCI format. Alternatively, the segment index indication is divided into two parts: the first part of the segment index is transmitted in a field of the DCI that schedules the RAR transmission, and the second part of the segment index is indicated by scrambling the CRC bits of the DCI with an associated scrambling sequence. In the specification, the association between the scrambling sequence and the value of the second part of the segment index is hard-coded. The second part of the segment index can be 2 bits, and the association between the scrambling sequence and the value of the second part of the segment index includes the following: segment index "00" is associated with scrambling sequence "0000….00"; segment index "01" is associated with scrambling sequence "1111….11"; segment index "10" is associated with scrambling sequence "1010….10"; and segment index "11" is associated with scrambling sequence "0101….01".

[0076] According to the second variant, the existing equation for calculating RA-RNTI is used with the following modification. In this option, it is based on a reference SCS µ ref The time slot index is used to determine the parameter t_id. In some designs, for 480kHz and 960kHz SCS, µ ref =3 (120kHz SCS). Alternatively, the existing equation can be modified to include the following term α:

[0077] , where a = 2 (µref-u) .

[0078] Therefore, for µ=5, the value of the α term can be α=.25, or for µ=6, α=.125. It should be noted that the second variant operates with only one RO present in the new 480 / 960kHz SCS within the reference time slot (e.g., 120kHz SCS).

[0079] Figure 7 Exemplary time slot diagrams for modified RA-RNTI calculations according to various exemplary embodiments described herein are shown. Time slot diagram 405 shows a RACH timing (RO) with a 120 kHz SCS that can be used as a reference time slot. Time slot diagram 410 shows an RO with a 480 kHz SCS, where the UE can calculate the RA-RNTI based on the index of time slot 405 with a 120 kHz SCS. Time slot diagram 415 shows an RO with a 960 kHz SCS, where the UE can calculate the RA-RNTI based on the index of time slot 405 with a 120 kHz SCS. Using this method, the RA-RNTI can be ensured to be within the 16-bit range, and thus the RA-RNTI overflow problem can be mitigated.

[0080] Therefore, to implement the method described above relative to the second variant, the following procedure can be used. First, the network transmits a Random Access Response (RAR) transmission to the User Equipment (UE), wherein the Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the RAR is scrambled by a Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) calculated based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second reference parameter set µ_2 transmitted over the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). The reference parameter set µ_2 can be 3, and the first parameter set µ_1 transmitted over the PRACH can be 5 or 6. Calculating the RA-RNTI based on the first parameter set µ_1 and the reference parameter set µ_2 may include determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the slot index value used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

[0081] Example

[0082] In a first embodiment, the processor of the user equipment (UE) is configured to perform operations including receiving a random access response (RAR) transmission with a first parameter set µ_1 in a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission window, and decoding the RAR transmission by calculating a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) based on the first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2, wherein the second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set.

[0083] In the second embodiment, the processor of the first embodiment is used, wherein the first parameter set of the PRACH transmission window is 5, and the reference parameter set µ_2 calculated by RA-RNTI is 3.

[0084] In the third embodiment, the processor of the first embodiment is used, wherein the first parameter set of the PRACH transfer window is 6, and the reference parameter set µ_2 calculated by RA-RNTI is 3.

[0085] In the fourth embodiment, the processor of the first embodiment, wherein calculating RA-RNTI based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a reference parameter set µ_2 includes determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the slot index value used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

[0086] In the fifth embodiment, the base station's processor is configured to perform an operation including transmitting a random access response (RAR) transmission to a user equipment (UE), wherein the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the RAR is scrambled by a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) calculated based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2 transmitted over the physical random access channel (PRACH), wherein the second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set.

[0087] In the sixth embodiment, the processor of the fifth embodiment, wherein the first parameter set µ_1 of the PRACH transmission window is 5, and the reference parameter set µ_2 calculated by RA-RNTI is 3.

[0088] In the seventh embodiment, the processor of the fifth embodiment is used, wherein the first parameter set µ_1 of the PRACH transmission window is 6, and the reference parameter set µ_2 calculated by RA-RNTI is 3.

[0089] In the eighth embodiment, the processor of the fifth embodiment, wherein calculating RA-RNTI based on the first parameter set µ_1 and the reference parameter set µ_2 includes determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the slot index value used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

[0090] Those skilled in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments described above can be implemented with any suitable software or hardware configuration or combination thereof. Exemplary hardware platforms for implementing the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, Intel x86-based platforms with compatible operating systems, Windows OS, Mac platforms and MAC OS, and mobile devices with operating systems such as iOS, Android, etc. In other examples, exemplary embodiments of the methods described above may be embodied as programs comprising lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, which, at compile time, can be executed on a processor or microprocessor.

[0091] Although this patent application describes various combinations of aspects, each with different features, those skilled in the art will understand that any feature of one aspect can be combined with features of other aspects or features that are not functionally or logically inconsistent with the operation or function of the device of the aspect disclosed in this invention in any manner not disclosed in the patent application.

[0092] As is widely recognized, the use of personally identifiable information should comply with privacy policies and practices that are generally accepted to meet or exceed industry or governmental requirements for protecting user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly explained to users.

[0093] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to this disclosure without departing from its spirit or scope. Therefore, this disclosure is intended to cover all modifications and variations thereof, provided that such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising processing circuitry coupled to a memory, the processing circuitry being configured to: Receive a random access response (RAR) transmission with a first parameter set µ_1 within the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission window; and RAR transmissions with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 480 kHz are decoded by calculating the Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2. The first parameter set µ_1 has a value of 5 when the SCS is 480 kHz and is associated with the index of the first PRACH transmission window. The second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set used for RA-RNTI calculation and is associated with an SCS of 120 kHz.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein calculating RA-RNTI includes determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the value of the first slot of the PRACH transmission window in the system frame used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the time slot index value corresponds to the first symbol of the PRACH transmission window.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the calculation of RA-RNTI is further based on the frequency index of the PRACH transmission window.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the SCS is 480 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.3125 milliseconds (ms).

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the SCS is 960 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.015625 milliseconds (ms).

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the calculation of RA-RNTI is further based on the value of the uplink carrier used for Msg1 transmission.

8. A user equipment (UE), comprising: A transceiver configured to communicate with a base station; as well as A processor, communicatively coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform operations including: Receive random access response (RAR) transmissions with a first parameter set µ_1 within the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmission window; as well as RAR transmissions with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 480 kHz are decoded by calculating the Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2. The first parameter set µ_1 has a value of 5 when the SCS is 480 kHz and is associated with the index of the first PRACH transmission window. The second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set used for RA-RNTI calculation and is associated with an SCS of 120 kHz.

9. The UE of claim 8, wherein calculating RA-RNTI includes determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the value of the first slot of the PRACH transmission window in the system frame used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

10. The UE according to claim 9, wherein the time slot index value corresponds to the first symbol of the PRACH transmission window.

11. The UE of claim 8, wherein the calculation of RA-RNTI is further based on the frequency index of the PRACH transmission window.

12. The UE according to claim 8, wherein when the SCS is 480 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.3125 milliseconds (ms).

13. The UE according to claim 8, wherein when the SCS is 960 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.015625 milliseconds (ms).

14. The UE of claim 8, wherein the calculation of RA-RNTI is further based on the value of the uplink carrier used for Msg1 transmission.

15. An apparatus including processing circuitry coupled to a memory, the processing circuitry being configured to: A random access response (RAR) transmission with a subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 960 kHz is determined, wherein the cyclic redundancy check (CRC) of the RAR is scrambled by a random access radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) calculated based on a first parameter set µ_1 and a second parameter set µ_2 transmitted over the physical random access channel (PRACH), wherein the first parameter set µ_1 has a value of 6 when the SCS is 960 kHz and is associated with an index of the first PRACH transmission window, wherein the second parameter set µ_2 is a reference parameter set used for RA-RNTI calculation and is associated with an SCS of 120 kHz; and Generate a RAR for transmission to the User Equipment (UE).

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein calculating RA-RNTI includes determining a scaling factor α = 2. μ2-μ1 And use the scaling factor to scale the value of the first slot of the PRACH transmission window in the system frame used in the RA-RNTI calculation equation.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the time slot index value corresponds to the first symbol of the PRACH transmission window.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein when the SCS is 480 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.3125 milliseconds (ms).

19. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein when the SCS is 960 kHz, the length of the first time slot is equal to 0.015625 milliseconds (ms).

20. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the calculation of RA-RNTI is further based on the value of the uplink carrier used for Msg1 transmission.

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