Method, terminal, network device, system and storage medium for determining resources

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a method, a terminal, a network device, a system and a storage medium for determining a resource, wherein the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used for configuring or indicating a first resource, and the first resource is used for transmitting a PRACH; determining the first resource based on the first information; receiving second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used for configuring or indicating a first period, and the first period is an available period of the first resource; determining the first period based on the second information; and determining a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located in the first period. The present disclosure effectively reduces the latency of the random access process, improves the success rate of the random access, and improves the availability and reliability of the NTN technology.

Description

Methods, terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media for determining resources. Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to methods, terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media for determining resources. Background Technology

[0002] Non-terrestrial network (NTN) technology has become one of the technological directions for direct satellite connection of terminals and is an important supplement to terrestrial cellular communication technology.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] To improve the availability and reliability of NTN technology, embodiments of this disclosure provide a method, terminal, network device, system, and storage medium for determining resources.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a method for determining resources is provided, the method being executed by a terminal, the method comprising:

[0006] Receive first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, and the first resource is used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH);

[0007] Based on the first information, the first resource is determined;

[0008] Receive second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource;

[0009] Based on the second information, the first time period is determined;

[0010] Identify a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a method for determining resources is provided, the method being performed by a network device, the method comprising:

[0012] Send first information to the terminal; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, and the first resource is used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH);

[0013] Send second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource;

[0014] Identify a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0015] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0016] The transceiver module is configured to receive first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, and the first resource is used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH).

[0017] The processing module is configured to determine the first resource based on the first information;

[0018] The transceiver module is further configured to receive second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource;

[0019] The processing module is further configured to determine the first time period based on the second information;

[0020] The processing module is further configured to determine a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0021] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0022] The transceiver module is configured to send first information to the terminal; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, and the first resource is used to transmit a physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0023] The transceiver module is further configured to send second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource;

[0024] The processing module is configured to determine a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication device is provided, comprising:

[0026] One or more processors;

[0027] The processor is configured to perform the method for determining resources as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0028] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0029] A terminal, the terminal being configured to implement the method for determining resources as described in any of the first aspects;

[0030] A network device configured to implement the method for determining resources as described in any of the second aspects.

[0031] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided that stores instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a method for determining resources as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0032] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the method of determining resources as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0033] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal can determine a first resource located within a first time period, wherein the first time period is the available time period of the first resource, and the first resource is used for transmitting PRACH. In an NTN scenario, if the first resource used for transmitting PRACH has an unavailable time period, the terminal can quickly determine the first resource within the available time period, effectively reducing the latency of the random access process, improving the success rate of random access, and enhancing the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0034] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0035] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0036] Figure 1A is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 1B is an exemplary schematic diagram of beam transmission during the initial access phase provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 1C is an exemplary schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between SSB resources and PRACH resources provided according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 1D is a schematic diagram of an exemplary scenario of beam skipping provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 1E is an exemplary schematic diagram of a beam illumination period provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0041] Figure 2 is an exemplary interactive diagram of a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 3A is one of the exemplary flowcharts of a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 3B is a second exemplary flowchart of a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0044] Figure 4A is an exemplary schematic diagram of a cell DTX configuration provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 4B is one of the exemplary schematic diagrams of the mapping relationship between SSB and RO in actual transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 4C is a second exemplary schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between SSB and RO in actual transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 4D is a third exemplary schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between SSB and RO in actual transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 4E is an exemplary schematic diagram of the mapping relationship between SSB and RO in actual transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 5A is an exemplary block diagram of a terminal provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 5B is an exemplary block diagram of a network device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0051] Figure 6A is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] Figure 6B is an exemplary interactive schematic diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0053] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0054] This disclosure provides a method, terminal, network device, system, and storage medium for determining resources.

[0055] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a method for determining resources, the method being executed by a terminal, the method comprising: receiving first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); determining the first resource based on the first information; receiving second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being an available time period of the first resource; determining the first time period based on the second information; and determining a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the terminal can quickly determine the first resource within the available time period, effectively reducing the latency of the random access process and improving the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second information configures the first time period via a bitmap, or the second information is used to indicate the first time period.

[0058] In the above embodiments, the second information can be configured in a bitmap manner to indicate the first time period, or can be directly indicated to indicate the first time period, which is simple to implement and highly usable.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the duration of the configuration cycle of the first resource.

[0060] In the above embodiments, the availability of the first resource can be ensured during the first time period.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining a set of first synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) received on the second resource; determining a first random access opportunity (RO) associated with each first SSB on the second resource; wherein one first SSB is associated with one first RO; and sending the PRACH to the network device on each first RO.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the terminal can send PRACH to the network device on the first RO associated with the first SSB that is actually transmitted, which effectively reduces the latency of the random access process and improves the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the duration of the first time period has changed; determining a third resource; wherein the third resource is a first resource located within the first time period after the duration change.

[0064] In the above embodiments, if the duration of the first time period changes, the terminal can re-determine the third resource, which effectively reduces the latency of the random access process and improves the reliability of the random access process.

[0065] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining a set of second SSBs received on the third resource; determining a second RO associated with each second SSB on the third resource; wherein one second SSB is associated with one second RO; and sending the PRACH to the network device on each second RO.

[0066] In the above embodiments, the terminal can send PRACH to the network device on the second RO associated with the second SSB that is actually transmitting, which effectively reduces the latency of the random access process and improves the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0067] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that there are remaining resources on the third resource; determining again the second RO associated with each second SSB on the remaining resources; and sending the PRACH to the network device on each of the re-determined second ROs.

[0068] In the above embodiments, the terminal can effectively utilize the remaining resources for PRACH transmission, thereby improving the success rate of random access.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the remaining resources satisfy a first condition, which is a condition for continuing to transmit PRACH.

[0070] In the above embodiments, the remaining resources can meet the conditions for continuing to transmit PRACH, which is simple to implement and has high availability.

[0071] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition includes: the remaining resources support associating each of the second SSBs in the set of second SSBs with a corresponding second RO.

[0072] The above embodiments improve the success rate of terminals initiating random access using remaining resources, resulting in high availability.

[0073] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a method for determining resources, the method being executed by a network device, the method comprising: sending first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); sending second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being an available time period of the first resource; determining a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second information configures the first time period via a bitmap, or the second information is used to indicate the first time period.

[0075] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the duration of the first resource configuration cycle.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining a set of first synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) to be transmitted on the second resource; determining a first random access opportunity (RO) associated with each first SSB on the second resource; wherein one first SSB is associated with one first RO; and receiving the PRACH transmitted by the terminal on each first RO.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining that the duration of the first time period has changed; determining a third resource; wherein the third resource is the first resource located within the first time period after the duration change.

[0078] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: determining a set of second SSBs transmitted on the third resource; determining a second RO associated with each second SSB on the third resource; wherein one second SSB is associated with one second RO; and receiving the PRACH transmitted by the terminal on each second RO.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes: if there are remaining resources on the third resource, determining the second RO associated with each second SSB again on the remaining resources; and receiving the PRACH sent by the terminal on each of the re-determined second ROs.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the remaining resources satisfy a first condition, which is a condition for continuing to transmit PRACH.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first condition includes: the remaining resources support associating each of the second SSBs in the set of second SSBs with a corresponding second RO.

[0082] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a terminal, comprising: a transceiver module configured to receive first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); a processing module configured to determine the first resource based on the first information; the transceiver module is further configured to receive second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being an available time period of the first resource; the processing module is further configured to determine the first time period based on the second information; the processing module is further configured to determine a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0083] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a network device, including: a transceiver module configured to send first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); the transceiver module is further configured to send second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being an available time period of the first resource; and a processing module configured to determine a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0084] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication device comprising: one or more processors; wherein the processors are configured to perform the method for determining resources as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0085] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication system comprising: a terminal configured to implement the method for determining resources as described in any of the first aspects; and a network device configured to implement the method for determining resources as described in any of the second aspects.

[0086] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform a method for determining resources as described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0087] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program product including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, is used to implement the method described in any one of the first or second aspects.

[0088] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first or second aspect above.

[0089] It is understood that the aforementioned terminals, network devices, communication systems, storage media, computer program products, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0090] This disclosure provides a method, terminal, network device, system, and storage medium for determining resources. In some embodiments, the terms "method for determining resources" and "communication method," "information interaction method," etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms "apparatus for determining resources" and "communication apparatus," "information interaction apparatus," etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms "communication system," "system for determining resources," "information interaction system," etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0091] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0092] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0093] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0094] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise stated, elements expressed in the singular form, such as "a," "an," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "the," "this," etc., can mean "one and only one," or "one or more," "at least one," etc. For example, when using articles such as "a," "an," "the," etc. in translation, the noun following the article can be understood as either a singular expression or a plural expression.

[0095] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0097] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0098] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0099] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0100] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0101] In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0102] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0103] In some embodiments, devices, etc., can be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. Terms such as “device”, “equipment”, “circuit”, “network element”, “node”, “function”, “unit”, “section”, “system”, “network”, “chip”, “chip system”, “entity”, and “subject” can be used interchangeably.

[0104] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0105] In some embodiments, the terms "access network device (AN device)," "radio access network device (RAN device)," "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "node," "access point," "transmission point (TP)," "reception point (RP)," "transmission / reception point (TRP)," "panel," "antenna panel," "antenna array," "cell," "macro cell," "small cell," "femto cell," "pico cell," "sector," "cell group," "serving cell," "carrier," "component carrier," and "bandwidth part (BWP)" can be used interchangeably.

[0106] In some embodiments, the terms "terminal", "terminal device", "user equipment (UE)", "user terminal", "mobile station (MS)", "mobile terminal (MT)", "subscriber station", "mobile unit", "subscriber unit", "wireless unit", "remote unit", "mobile device", "wireless device", "wireless communication device", "remote device", "mobile subscriber station", "access terminal", "mobile terminal", "wireless terminal", "remote terminal", "handset", "user agent", "mobile client", and "client" can be used interchangeably.

[0107] In some embodiments, access network devices, core network devices, or network devices can be replaced by terminals. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between access network devices, core network devices, or network devices and terminals is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the structure can also be configured such that the terminal has all or part of the functions of the access network device. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "sidelink"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can be replaced with sidelink channel, and uplink link, downlink, etc., can be replaced with sidelink link.

[0108] In some embodiments, the terminal may be replaced by an access network device, a core network device, or a network device. In this case, the access network device, core network device, or network device may also be configured to have all or some of the functions of the terminal.

[0109] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0110] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0111] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0112] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] As shown in Figure 1A, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0114] In some embodiments, terminal 101 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: mobile phone, wearable device, Internet of Things device, car with communication function, smart car, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver function, virtual reality (VR) terminal device, augmented reality (AR) terminal device, wireless terminal device in industrial control, wireless terminal device in self-driving, wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, wireless terminal device in smart grid, wireless terminal device in transportation safety, wireless terminal device in smart city, and wireless terminal device in smart home.

[0115] In some embodiments, network device 102 includes, but is not limited to, at least one of access network device and core network device.

[0116] In some embodiments, the access network device is, for example, a node or device that connects a terminal to a wireless network. The access network device may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following in a 5G communication system: evolved Node B (eNB), next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), node B (NB), home node B (HNB), home evolved node B (HeNB), radio backhaul device, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), base band unit (BBU), mobile switching center, base station in a 6G communication system, open RAN, cloud RAN, base station in other communication systems, and access node in a Wi-Fi system.

[0117] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of this disclosure can be applied to the Open RAN architecture. In this case, the interfaces between or within access network devices involved in the embodiments of this disclosure can be transformed into internal interfaces of Open RAN. The processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented by software or programs.

[0118] In some embodiments, the access network device may be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). The CU may also be called a control unit. The CU-DU structure can separate the protocol layer of the access network device. Some of the protocol layer functions are centrally controlled by the CU, while the remaining part or all of the protocol layer functions are distributed in the DU and centrally controlled by the CU. However, this is not the only possibility.

[0119] In some embodiments, the core network equipment may be a single device comprising multiple network elements, or it may be multiple devices or a group of devices, each comprising all or part of the multiple network elements. Network elements may be virtual or physical. The core network may include, for example, at least one of the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), 5G Core Network (5GCN), and Next Generation Core (NGC).

[0120] In some embodiments, within a terrestrial network (TN), synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) with different indices can be transmitted using different beams. Therefore, the uplink Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and its corresponding uplink preamble can be transmitted using the uplink beam corresponding to the downlink beam. For example, as shown in Figure 1B, if a terminal receives SSB#1 on the downlink receive beam #n, it can use the transmit beam #n corresponding to the receive beam #n to transmit the PRACH or preamble.

[0121] In some embodiments, the time-domain configuration of the PRACH resource is as follows:

[0122] The temporal resources of the Random Access Occasion (RO) are defined by radio frames, subframe configurations within radio frames, slot configurations within subframes, and symbol configurations within slots, as shown in Table 1.

[0123] Table 1

[0124] In some embodiments, the mapping process from SSB resources to PRACH resources is as shown in Figure 1C. The SSB to PRACH resource mapping can be performed in the time domain by an integer multiple of PRACH configuration periods, i.e., PRACH association periods. The terminal that selects the corresponding SSB index will select the corresponding PRACH resource to send the Preamble.

[0125] Among them, the number of SSBs sent by network devices The indices are 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7. The number of ROs in the frequency domain (msg1-FDM) is 4. The number of SSBs corresponding to each RO (ssb-perRACH-Occasion) is 1 / 4, meaning one SSB maps to 4 ROs. The contention-based preamble number for each SSB on each valid RO (CB-preambles-per-SSB) is 8.

[0126] In some embodiments, a Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) antenna can be used in the NTN. In the future, it may be considered to change the antenna from VSAT to a phased array antenna, thereby enabling data transmission in the NTN network using beamforming.

[0127] In some embodiments, using beams can provide the following benefits:

[0128] 1. Provide more flexible beam scheduling based on different business needs.

[0129] 2. It can enhance coverage, obtain beamforming gain, and enable flexible switching between wide and narrow beams.

[0130] 3. Reduce interference and improve spectrum efficiency.

[0131] In some embodiments, beam hopping technology can be used to address the supply and demand imbalance in satellite coverage areas.

[0132] Beam hopping, also known as "beam frequency hopping," refers to the phenomenon where a beam operates at different times in different areas to satisfy service requests. For example, as shown in Figure 1D, during time period #1, the beams for coverage areas #1 and #3 are illuminated, while the beams for other coverage areas are not illuminated. This means that during time period #1, the satellite only provides services to terminals within coverage areas #1 and #3.

[0133] Beam skipping technology can utilize all available satellite resources to provide services to specific locations or users. By adjusting the beam's illumination duration and period, different capacity values ​​can be provided to balance the requirements of different beam coverage areas.

[0134] In some embodiments, for NTN systems employing beam hopping technology, the terminal needs to complete the access process within the current beam's dwell time; otherwise, it will lead to increased latency and wasted resources. For example, as shown in Figure 1E, if the terminal cannot complete random access within the dwell time, it needs to wait for the next dwell time, which will increase the latency of the random access process.

[0135] In order to complete random access within the beam's dwell time and reduce the latency of the random access process, this disclosure provides the following methods, terminals, network devices, systems, and storage media for determining resources.

[0136] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, this disclosure relates to a method for determining resources, the method including:

[0137] In step S2101, network device 102 sends first information to terminal 101.

[0138] In some embodiments, network device 102 may be associated with a “cell”, a 5G base station (gNB), a 6G base station, a satellite, etc.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to configure the first resource in a semi-static manner, wherein the first resource is used to transmit PRACH.

[0140] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to dynamically indicate a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to transmit PRACH.

[0141] The first resource mentioned above can be used to transmit PRACH.

[0142] The name of the first resource is not limited and can be interchanged with PRACH resources, preamble resources, etc.

[0143] In some embodiments, the name of the first information is not limited and can be interchanged with PRACH resource configuration information, PRACH resource indication information, etc.

[0144] In some embodiments, when the network device 102 provides services to the terminal 101, it may send first information to the terminal 101.

[0145] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send first information to terminal 101 via system messages. These system messages may include, but are not limited to, System Information Block n (SIBn), where n is a positive integer.

[0146] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send first information to terminal 101 through other messages, including but not limited to Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC CE) messages, Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages, etc.

[0147] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives first information.

[0148] In step S2102, terminal 101 determines the first resource.

[0149] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine a first resource based on first information.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first information indicates a PRACH configuration index, such as shown in Table 1, and the terminal 101 can determine the first resource based on Table 1.

[0151] In one example, terminal 101 can determine the first resource based on the following formula 1:

[0152] Where l is the start symbol of RO, and l0 is the start symbol of a subframe or a 60 kHz time slot. It is the number of ROs included in a PRACH slot in the time domain. It is the number of symbols occupied by an RO in the time domain.

[0153] in, It can be the first time slot within a PRACH time slot There are ROs, numbered from 0 to... For short sequences of length 139, the value is not fixed and can be determined using relevant techniques. For long sequences of length 839, It is a fixed value of 1.

[0154] in, The following methods can be used to determine this:

[0155] If Δf RA If ∈{1,25,5,15,60}kHz, then

[0156] If Δf RA If the PRACH time slot number is 1 within a subframe or a 60kHz time slot, then...

[0157] otherwise,

[0158] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the method by which terminal 101 determines the first resource.

[0159] In step S2103, network device 102 sends second information to terminal 101.

[0160] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to configure a first time period in a semi-static manner, wherein the first time period is the available time period of the first resource.

[0161] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to dynamically indicate a first time period, wherein the first time period is the available time period of the first resource.

[0162] In some embodiments, the name of the second information is not limited and can be interchanged with time period configuration information, time period indication information, etc.

[0163] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send second information to terminal 101 when using beam hopping technology.

[0164] In some embodiments, network device 102 may send second information to terminal 101 after entering network power saving mode.

[0165] In some embodiments, network device 102 may configure or indicate a first time period via RRC messages, MAC CE, DCI, etc.

[0166] In one example, network device 102 can configure the first time period for terminal 101 through cell configuration in the RRC message. For example, network device 102 can configure the first time period for terminal 101 through cell discontinuous transmission / discontinuous reception configuration (CellDTXDRX-Config).

[0167] For example, network device 102 can configure this first time period through the duration timer in CellDTXDRX-Config.

[0168] In one example, network device 102 can indicate the first time period via DCI.

[0169] For example, network device 102 may indicate the first time period through a specific DCI format.

[0170] The specific DCI format may include, but is not limited to, DCI format2_9.

[0171] In some embodiments, the second information can be configured in a bitmap manner for the first time period.

[0172] In one example, network device 102 can send a bitmap to terminal 101 via RRC messages or DCI. Each bit in the bitmap corresponds to one or more time units. Time units can be in units such as frames, subframes, time slots, sub-time slots, symbols, etc. This disclosure does not limit this. When the bit value of a certain bit is "1", it can be used to indicate that the time unit corresponding to the bit bit belongs to the time unit within the first time period. When the bit value of the bit bit is "0", it can be used to indicate that the time unit corresponding to the bit bit does not belong to the time unit within the first time period. And vice versa.

[0173] In some embodiments, the second information may indicate the starting time unit of the first time period and the number of time units occupied.

[0174] In some embodiments, the second information may indicate the start time unit and the end time unit of the first time period.

[0175] The above is merely an illustrative example, and this disclosure does not limit the manner in which the second information is indicated or the first time period is configured.

[0176] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives second information.

[0177] In step S2104, terminal 101 determines the first time period.

[0178] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may determine a first time period based on second information.

[0179] In one example, the second information indicates that the starting time unit of the first time period is time slot #m and the number of time units occupied is M (in time slots). Then, the terminal 101 can determine that the first time period includes time slot #m to time slot #(m+M-1).

[0180] In one example, if the second information indicates that the start time unit of the first time period is time slot #m and the end time unit is time slot #p, then terminal 101 can determine that the first time period includes time slots #m to #p.

[0181] In one example, the second information configures the first time period through a bitmap of 1111000, where each bit corresponds to two time slots. Then, terminal 101 can determine that the first time period includes time slots #0 to #7.

[0182] In step S2105, terminal 101 determines the second resource.

[0183] In some embodiments, the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0184] In some embodiments, the name of the second resource is not limited and can be interchanged with available PRACH resources, available preamble resources, etc.

[0185] In some embodiments, terminal 101 determines a first resource located in a first time period in the time domain as the second resource.

[0186] In step S2106, terminal 101 determines a first SSB.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first SSB refers to a set of SSBs actually received by terminal 101 on the second resource.

[0188] In step S2107, terminal 101 determines the first RO.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first RO is the RO associated with the first SSB. Here, RO refers to the time-domain resource location and / or frequency-domain resource location in which the terminal 101 sends a random access request to the network device 102.

[0190] In this context, a first RO is associated with a first SSB.

[0191] In some embodiments, terminal 101 determines the first RO associated with each first SSB on the second resource according to the aforementioned mapping relationship between SSB resources and PRACH resources.

[0192] For example, as shown in Figure 4B, the first SSB actually received by the terminal includes SSB#0 to SSB#3. SSB#0 is associated with RO#0, SSB#1 is associated with RO#1, SSB#2 is associated with RO#2, and SSB#3 is associated with RO#3.

[0193] In step S2108, network device 102 determines the second resource.

[0194] In some embodiments, the network device 102 determines the second resource in a manner similar to that of the terminal 101, and will not be described again here.

[0195] In step S2109, network device 102 determines a first SSB.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first SSB refers to a set of SSBs actually sent by network device 102 on the second resource.

[0197] In step S2110, network device 102 determines the first RO.

[0198] In this context, a first RO is associated with a first SSB.

[0199] In some embodiments, network device 102 determines the first RO associated with each first SSB on the second resource according to the aforementioned mapping relationship between SSB resources and PRACH resources.

[0200] In step S2111, terminal 101 sends PRACH to network device 102.

[0201] In some embodiments, terminal 101 sends PRACH to network device 102 on each of the aforementioned determined first ROs.

[0202] In some embodiments, when terminal 101 needs to initiate random access, it sends PRACH to network device 102 on each first RO.

[0203] In some embodiments, network device 102 receives PRACH on each first RO.

[0204] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends a random access response message to terminal 101 based on the received PRACH.

[0205] The terminal 101 and the network device 102 can complete random access using a two-step random access method or a four-step random access method. The specific process will not be described in detail here.

[0206] In step S2112, terminal 101 determines the third resource.

[0207] In some embodiments, if the terminal 101 determines that the duration of the first time period has changed, it may determine a third resource.

[0208] In some embodiments, the third resource is a first resource located within the first time period after the duration change. In some embodiments, terminal 101 can determine that the first resource located within the first time period after the duration change in the time domain is identified as the third resource. In some embodiments, network device 102 adjusts the duration of the first time period based on its own policy. At this time, terminal 101 can receive new second information sent by network device 102, which can be used to reconfigure or re-indicate the first time period. Terminal 101 can determine the first time period after the duration change based on the new second information.

[0209] In some embodiments, the network device 102 dynamically adjusts the duration of the first time period based on changes in load and traffic. At this time, the terminal 101 can determine the first time period after the duration change based on the new second information sent by the network device 102.

[0210] In some embodiments, the duration of the modified first time period may be greater than or less than the duration of the previous first time period, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0211] In step S2113, terminal 101 determines a second SSB.

[0212] In some embodiments, the second SSB refers to a set of SSBs actually received by terminal 101 on the aforementioned third resource.

[0213] In step S2114, terminal 101 determines the second RO.

[0214] In some embodiments, the second RO is an RO associated with a second SSB. Specifically, one second RO is associated with one second SSB.

[0215] In some embodiments, terminal 101 determines the second RO associated with each second SSB on the third resource according to the aforementioned mapping relationship between SSB resources and PRACH resources.

[0216] In step S2115, network device 102 determines the third resource.

[0217] In some embodiments, if the network device 102 determines that the duration of the first time period has changed, it may determine a third resource.

[0218] In some embodiments, when network device 102 sends new second information to terminal 101, the network device 102 can determine that the duration of the first time period has changed in the case of reconfiguration or re-indication of the first time period.

[0219] In some embodiments, the network device 102 determines the third resource in a manner similar to that of the terminal 101, and will not be described again here.

[0220] In step S2116, network device 102 determines a second SSB.

[0221] In some embodiments, the second SSB refers to a set of SSBs actually sent by network device 102 on the aforementioned third resource.

[0222] In step S2117, network device 102 determines the second RO.

[0223] In some embodiments, the second RO is an RO associated with a second SSB. Specifically, one second RO is associated with one second SSB.

[0224] In some embodiments, network device 102 determines the second RO associated with each second SSB on the third resource according to the aforementioned mapping relationship between SSB resources and PRACH resources.

[0225] In step S2118, terminal 101 sends PRACH to network device 102.

[0226] In some embodiments, terminal 101 sends PRACH to network device 102 on each of the aforementioned determined second ROs.

[0227] In some embodiments, when terminal 101 needs to initiate random access, it sends PRACH to network device 102 on each second RO.

[0228] In some embodiments, network device 102 receives PRACH on each second RO.

[0229] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends a random access response message to terminal 101 based on the received PRACH.

[0230] The terminal 101 and the network device 102 can complete random access using a two-step random access method or a four-step random access method. The specific process will not be described in detail here.

[0231] In step S2119, terminal 101 re-determines the second RO.

[0232] In some embodiments, if there are still remaining resources on the third resource after the second RO associated with each of the second SSBs in the group of second SSBs has been determined, then the terminal 101 may again determine the second RO associated with each of the second SSBs on the remaining resources.

[0233] In some embodiments, if there are still remaining resources on the third resource, and the remaining resources satisfy a first condition, the terminal 101 can re-determine the second RO associated with each second SSB on the remaining resources. The first condition is the condition for continuing PRACH transmission.

[0234] In one example, the first condition may include, but is not limited to: the remaining resources support associating each of the second SSBs in the set of second SSBs with a corresponding second RO.

[0235] It is understandable that, for example, as shown in Figure 4C, if there are remaining resources on the third resource, and the remaining resources allow each of the second SSBs in the group of second SSBs to be mapped to the corresponding second RO again, then the terminal 101 can determine the second RO associated with each SSB again on the remaining resources.

[0236] In some embodiments, if there are still remaining resources on the third resource and the remaining resources do not meet the first condition described above, the terminal 101 will not determine the second RO again on the remaining resources, that is, it will not continue to send PRACH to the network device 102.

[0237] For example, as shown in Figure 4D, if terminal 101 determines that the remaining resources only support determining the second RO#0 and the second RO#1 associated with the second SSB#0 and the second SSB#1 respectively, then terminal 101 will not continue to send PRACH to network device 102.

[0238] In some embodiments, when there are still remaining resources on the third resource and the remaining resources do not meet the first condition described above, the terminal 101 can determine a second RO again on the remaining resources. At this time, the determined second RO can be determined based on the size of the remaining resources.

[0239] For example, as shown in Figure 4E, if terminal 101 determines that the remaining resources only support determining the second RO#0 and the second RO#1 associated with the second SSB#0 and the second SSB#1 respectively, then terminal 101 can send PRACH to network device 102 only on the re-determined second RO#0 and the second RO#1.

[0240] In step S2120, network device 102 re-identifies the second RO.

[0241] In some embodiments, after determining the second RO associated with each of the second SSBs in the group of second SSBs, if there are still remaining resources on the third resource, the network device 102 may again determine the second RO associated with each of the second SSBs on the remaining resources.

[0242] In some embodiments, if there are still remaining resources on the third resource, and the remaining resources satisfy a first condition, the network device 102 can re-determine the second RO associated with each second SSB on the remaining resources. The first condition is the condition for continuing PRACH transmission.

[0243] In one example, the first condition may include, but is not limited to: the remaining resources support associating each of the second SSBs in the set of second SSBs with a corresponding second RO.

[0244] In some embodiments, when there are still remaining resources on the third resource and the remaining resources do not meet the first condition, the network device 102 may determine that it will not re-determine the second RO associated with each second SSB on the remaining resources.

[0245] In some embodiments, when there are still remaining resources on the third resource and the remaining resources do not meet the first condition described above, the network device 102 can determine a second RO again on the remaining resources. At this time, the determined second RO can be determined based on the size of the remaining resources.

[0246] Step S2121: Terminal 101 sends PRACH to the network device.

[0247] In some embodiments, terminal 101 sends PRACH to network device 102 on each of the re-determined second ROs.

[0248] In some embodiments, network device 102 receives PRACH on a re-determined second RO.

[0249] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "symbol", "codebook", "codeword", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0250] In some embodiments, the terms “downlink control information (DCI),” “downlink (DL) assignment,” “DL DCI,” “uplink (UL) grant,” and “UL DCI” can be used interchangeably.

[0251] In some embodiments, “get,” “obtain,” “receive,” “transmit,” “bidirectional transmission,” and “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably and can be interpreted as receiving from other entities, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from higher layers, obtaining through self-processing, or autonomous implementation, among other meanings.

[0252] In some embodiments, terms such as “send,” “transmit,” “report,” “distribute,” “transfer,” “bidirectional transmission,” “send and / or receive” can be used interchangeably.

[0253] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include at least one of steps S2101 to S2121. For example, step S2101 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2101+S2102 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2103+S2104 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S2105 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S2106 to S2111 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2112 to S2118 may be implemented as independent embodiments, steps S2119 to S2121 may be implemented as independent embodiments, and steps S2101 to S2121 may be implemented as independent embodiments, but are not limited thereto.

[0254] In some embodiments, step S2101 is an optional execution step. For example, when both the terminal and the network device determine the first resource based on a predefined method, step S2101 may not be executed.

[0255] In some embodiments, step S2103 is an optional execution step. For example, if both the terminal and the network device determine the first time period based on a predefined method, step S2103 may not be executed.

[0256] In some embodiments, step S2121 is an optional step. For example, if there are no remaining resources or the remaining resources do not meet the first condition, step S2103 may not be executed.

[0257] In some embodiments, steps S2101 to S2121 are optional execution steps.

[0258] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S2101 to S2121 is not limited.

[0259] In the above embodiments, the latency of the random access process is effectively reduced, the success rate of random access is improved, and the availability and reliability of NTN technology are enhanced.

[0260] Figure 3A is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3A, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining resources, which is executed by terminal 101, and the method includes:

[0261] Step 3101: Obtain the first information.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to configure or indicate a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to transmit PRACH.

[0263] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may obtain first information from network device 102, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive first information sent by other entities.

[0264] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains first information as defined by the protocol.

[0265] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains first information from upper layer(s).

[0266] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 processes the information to obtain the first information.

[0267] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the first information, or the terminal 101 obtains the first information based on predefined rules or protocol agreements, or the above function is a default or default setting.

[0268] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3101 can be found in optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0269] Step 3102: Determine the first resource.

[0270] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3102 can be found in optional implementations of step S2102 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0271] Step 3103: Obtain the second information.

[0272] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to configure or indicate a first time period, wherein the first time period is the available time period of the first resource.

[0273] In some embodiments, terminal 101 may obtain second information from network device 102, but is not limited thereto, and may also receive second information sent by other entities.

[0274] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains second information as defined by the protocol.

[0275] In some embodiments, terminal 101 obtains second information from upper layer(s).

[0276] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 performs processing to obtain the second information.

[0277] In some embodiments, step S3101 is omitted, and the terminal 101 autonomously implements the function indicated by the second information, or the terminal 101 obtains the second information based on predefined rules or protocol agreements, or the above function is a default or default setting.

[0278] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3103 can be found in optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0279] Step 3104: Determine the first time period.

[0280] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3104 can be found in optional implementations of step S2104 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0281] Step 3105: Determine the second resource.

[0282] In some embodiments, the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0283] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3105 can be found in optional implementations of step S2105 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0284] In some embodiments, steps S3101 to S3105 are optional.

[0285] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S3101 to S3105 is not limited.

[0286] In the above embodiments, the terminal can determine the PRACH resources within the available time period and send PRACH, thereby improving the reliability of the random access process. When used in NTN scenarios, it can effectively reduce the latency of random access and improve the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0287] Figure 3B is an interactive schematic diagram illustrating a method for determining resources according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3B, this embodiment of the present disclosure relates to a method for determining resources, which is executed by network device 102, and the method includes:

[0288] Step S3201: Send the first message.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to configure or indicate a first resource, wherein the first resource is used to transmit PRACH.

[0290] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends first information to terminal 101.

[0291] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives first information.

[0292] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3201 can be found in optional implementations of step S2101 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0293] Step S3202: Send the second message.

[0294] In some embodiments, the second information may be used to configure or indicate a first time period, wherein the first time period is the available time period of the first resource.

[0295] In some embodiments, network device 102 sends second information to terminal 101.

[0296] In some embodiments, terminal 101 receives second information.

[0297] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3202 can be found in optional implementations of step S2103 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0298] Step S3203: Determine the second resource.

[0299] In some embodiments, the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0300] In some embodiments, optional implementations of step S3203 can be found in optional implementations of step S2108 in FIG2 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG2, which will not be repeated here.

[0301] In some embodiments, steps S3201 to S3202 are optional.

[0302] In some embodiments, the execution order of steps S3201 to S3202 is not limited.

[0303] In the above embodiments, the network device can determine the PRACH resources within the available time period, and then receive PRACH on the PRACH resources, thereby improving the reliability of the random access process. When used in NTN scenarios, it can effectively reduce the latency of random access and improve the availability and reliability of NTN technology.

[0304] The above process is further illustrated with examples below.

[0305] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a method for configuring and determining RACH resources is designed, which ensures that RACH resources exist within the beam's dwell time and can be dynamically increased as the beam lighting mechanism changes, thereby reducing access latency.

[0306] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the corresponding PRACH available resources can be obtained by combining the PRACH resource configuration and the dwell time corresponding to the current coverage area (footprint).

[0307] The configuration of PRACH resources is based on relevant schemes. The terminal considers the resources configured in the current PRACH within the dwell time of the current footprint as available PRACH resources. The specific process of determining the time domain resources of PRACH will not be elaborated here.

[0308] Specifically, the dwell time of the current beam footprint can be obtained through the Onduration timer in CellDTXDRX-Config (this timer can appear periodically and maintain a certain length to indicate the duration of activation every cycle. Only during the activation period can the footprint of the current beam be considered active and uplink and downlink transmission can be performed).

[0309] The current beam footprint's dwell time can also be indicated by the bitmap in DCI format 2_9. Specifically, the duration within the SSB Periodicity marked as "1" indicates the current beam footprint's dwell time, as shown in Figure 4A.

[0310] Furthermore, to ensure that each corresponding footprint has a corresponding PRACH resource, the configuration period of the PRACH resource can be equal to or less than the dwell time corresponding to each beam footprint. Preferably, the dwell time needs to be an integer multiple of the PRACH resource configuration period.

[0311] Specifically, the PRACH cycle can be configured using x in Table 1.

[0312] Furthermore, within the associated period, the mapping of the SSB index to the PRACH resource actually transmitted by the current cell is only performed on the available PRACH resource within the dwell time of the current footprint, as shown in Figure 4B.

[0313] Furthermore, if the network device is reconfigured or dynamically indicates a change in the dwell time corresponding to the current beam footprint, the PRACH resource configuration and the available PRACH resource result obtained at the current beam dwell time will change. In this case, the corresponding PRACH resources will be remapped according to the SSB index based on the currently available PRACH resources.

[0314] The SSB is still the sequence number of the SSB index actually transmitted in the current cell. At this time, the SSB of the first index is mapped to RO#0, the SSB of the second index is mapped to RO#1, and so on.

[0315] Furthermore, if, within the association period, all actually transmitted SSB indices have been mapped to their corresponding PRACH resources, and if the remaining resources can still map all... For each SSB that is actually sent, a duplicate mapping is performed, as shown in Figure 4C. This represents the actual number of SSBs sent by the network device.

[0316] Furthermore, if, within the association period, after an integer number of SSB-to-RO mapping cycles, there exists a set of SSBs that cannot be mapped to all... If an actual SSB index has a corresponding RO, then no SSB will be mapped to this set of ROs, as shown in Figure 4D.

[0317] Furthermore, if, within the association period, after an integer number of SSB-to-RO mapping cycles, there exists a set of SSBs that cannot be mapped to all... For each SSB index that is actually sent, there will still be some SSBs mapped to the associated RO, as shown in Figure 4E.

[0318] In the embodiments disclosed herein, some or all of the steps and their optional implementations may be arbitrarily combined with some or all of the steps in other embodiments, or may be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementations in other embodiments.

[0319] This disclosure also provides embodiments of an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the network device in any of the above methods.

[0320] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0321] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0322] Figure 5A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5A, the terminal 5100 may include: a transceiver module 5101 and a processing module 5102.

[0323] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5101 is configured to receive first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); and to receive second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource.

[0324] In some embodiments, the processing module 5102 is configured to determine the first resource based on the first information; determine the first time period based on the second information; and determine the second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located within the first time period.

[0325] Optionally, the transceiver module 5101 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the terminal 5100 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2111, S2118, S2121, but not limited thereto), which will not be described in detail here.

[0326] Optionally, the processing module 5102 is used to execute at least one of the other steps executed by the terminal 5100 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2102, S2104, S2105, S2106, S2107, S2112, S2113, S2114, S2119, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0327] Figure 5B is a schematic diagram of the terminal structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 5B, the network device 5200 may include: a transceiver module 5201 and a processing module 5202.

[0328] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 5201 is configured to send first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used to configure or indicate a first resource, the first resource being used to transmit a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); and to send second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, the first time period being the available time period of the first resource.

[0329] In some embodiments, the processing module 5202 is configured to determine a second resource; wherein the second resource is a first resource located within the first time period.

[0330] Optionally, the transceiver module 5201 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving performed by the network device 5200 in any of the above methods (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2111, S2118, S2121, but not limited thereto), which will not be elaborated here.

[0331] Optionally, the processing module 5202 is used to execute at least one of the other steps (such as steps S2108, S2109, S2110, S2115, S2116, S2117, and S2120, but not limited thereto) executed by the network device 5200 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0332] In some embodiments, the transmitting module and / or receiving module may be referred to as a transceiver module, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the transceiver module may be interchangeable with a transceiver.

[0333] In some embodiments, the processing module may be a single module or may include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules may each perform all or part of the steps required by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module may be interchangeable with a processor.

[0334] Figure 6A is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 6100 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 6100 can be a terminal (e.g., user equipment, vehicle, IoT device, etc.) or a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods, or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 6100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0335] As shown in Figure 6A, the communication device 6100 includes one or more processors 6101. The processor 6101 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 6100 can be used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 6101 can be used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 6100 to execute any of the above methods.

[0336] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more transceivers 6102. When the communication device 6100 includes one or more transceivers 6102, the transceivers 6102 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2111, S2118, S2121, but not limited thereto), and the processor 6101 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., S2102, S2104, S2105, S2106, S2107, S2108, S2109, S2110, S2112, S2113, S2114, S2115, S2116, S2117, S2119, S2120, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0337] In some embodiments, the communication device 6100 further includes one or more memories 6103 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6103 may be located outside the communication device 6100. In optional embodiments, the communication device 6100 may include one or more interface circuits 6104. Optionally, the interface circuits 6104 are connected to the memories 6103 and can be used to receive data from the memories 6103 or other devices, and to send data to the memories 6103 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 6104 can read data stored in the memories 6103 and send that data to the processor 6101.

[0338] The communication device 6100 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 6100 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 6100 may not be limited by FIG. 6A. The communication device may be a standalone device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0339] Figure 6B is a schematic diagram of the structure of chip 6200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 6100 can be a chip or a chip system, please refer to the schematic diagram of chip 6200 shown in Figure 6B, but it is not limited thereto.

[0340] Chip 6200 includes one or more processors 6201. Chip 6200 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0341] In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more interface circuits 6202. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 6200 further includes one or more memories 6203 for storing data. Optionally, all or part of the memories 6203 may be located outside chip 6200. Optionally, interface circuit 6202 is connected to memory 6203, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to receive data from memory 6203 or other devices, and interface circuit 6202 can be used to send data to memory 6203 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 6202 can read data stored in memory 6203 and send the data to processor 6201.

[0342] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 6202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps S2101, S2103, S2111, S2118, S2121, but not limited thereto). For example, the interface circuit 6202 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method means that the interface circuit 6202 performs data interaction between the processor 6201, the chip 6200, the memory 6203, or the transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 6201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., S2102, S2104, S2105, S2106, S2107, S2108, S2109, S2110, S2112, S2113, S2114, S2115, S2116, S2117, S2119, S2120, but is not limited thereto).

[0343] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0344] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on the communication device 6100, cause the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0345] This disclosure also provides a program product that, when executed by the communication device 6100, causes the communication device 6100 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

[0346] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

[0347] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0348] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method of determining resources, characterized by, The method is performed by a terminal, and the method comprises: receiving first information sent by a network device; wherein the first information is used for configuring or indicating a first resource, and the first resource is used for transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH); determining the first resource based on the first information; receiving second information sent by the network device; wherein the second information is used for configuring or indicating a first time period, and the first time period is an available time period of the first resource; determining the first time period based on the second information; determining a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located in the first time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second information configures the first time period through a bitmap, or the second information is used for indicating the first time period.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The length of the first time period is greater than or equal to the length of the configuration period of the first resource.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining a group of first synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) received on the second resource; determining, on the second resource, a first random access occasion (RO) associated with each first SSB; wherein one first SSB is associated with one first RO; transmitting the PRACH to the network device on each first RO.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining that the length of the first time period changes; determining a third resource; wherein the third resource is the first resource located in the first time period after the length changes.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The method further comprises: determining a group of second SSBs received on the third resource; determining, on the third resource, a second RO associated with each second SSB; wherein one second SSB is associated with one second RO; transmitting the PRACH to the network device on each second RO.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The method further comprises: determining that there is a remaining resource on the third resource; determining again the second RO associated with each second SSB on the remaining resource; transmitting the PRACH to the network device on each second RO determined again.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The remaining resource satisfies a first condition, and the first condition is a condition for continuing to transmit the PRACH.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first condition comprises: The remaining resource supports associating each second SSB in the group of second SSBs to a corresponding second RO.

10. A method of determining resources, characterized by, The method is performed by a network device, and the method comprises: sending first information to a terminal; wherein the first information is used for configuring or indicating a first resource, and the first resource used for transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH); sending second information to the terminal; wherein the second information is used for configuring or indicating a first time period, and the first period is an available time period of the first resource; determining a second resource; wherein the second resource is the first resource located in the time period.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein: the second information configures the first time period through a bitmap, or the second is used for indicating the first time period.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The length of the first time period is greater than the length of the first resource configuration period.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, characterized in that, The method further comprises: determining a set of first synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) to be transmitted on the second resources; determining, on the second resources, a first random access occasion (RO) associated with each first SSB; one first SSB is associated with one first RO; receiving, on each first RO, the PRACH transmitted by the terminal.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: determining that a length of the first time period changes; determining third resources; the third resources are the first resources located in the first time period after the length changes.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The method further includes: determining a set of second SSBs to be transmitted on the third resources; determining, on the third resources, a second RO associated with each second SSB; one second SSB is associated with one second RO; receiving, on each second RO, the PRACH transmitted by the terminal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The method further includes: determining that there are remaining resources on the third resources; determining, on the remaining resources, the second RO associated with each second SSB again; receiving, on each second RO determined again, the PRACH transmitted by the terminal.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The remaining resources satisfy a first condition, and the first condition is a condition for continuing to transmit the PRACH.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein, The first condition includes: The remaining resources support associating each second SSB in the set of second SSBs to a corresponding second RO.

19. A terminal, characterized by Comprise: a transceiver module configured to receive first information transmitted by a network device; the first information is used to configure or indicate first resources, and the first resources are used to transmit a physical random access channel (PRACH); a processing module configured to determine the first resources based on the first information; the transceiver module is further configured to receive second information transmitted by the network device; the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, and the first time period is an available time period of the first resources; the processing module is further configured to determine the first time period based on the second information; the processing module is further configured to determine second resources; the second resources are the first resources located in the first time period.

20. A network device, comprising: Comprise: a transceiver module configured to transmit first information to a terminal; the first information is used to configure or indicate first resources, and the first resources are used to transmit a physical random access channel (PRACH); the transceiver module is further configured to transmit second information to the terminal; the second information is used to configure or indicate a first time period, and the first time is an available time period of the first resources; a processing module configured to determine second resources; the second resources are the first resources located in the first time period 21. A communications device, characterized by Comprise: one or more processors; wherein the processor is configured to perform the method of determining resources according to any one of claims 1-9 or 10-18.

22. A communication system, characterized by Comprise: a terminal configured to implement the method of determining resources according to any one of claims 1-9; a network device configured to implement the method of determining resources according to any one of claims 10-18.

23. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, When the instructions are executed on the communication device, the communication device is caused to perform the method of determining resources as claimed in any of claims 1-9 or 10-18.

24. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that, The computer program is for implementing the method of determining resources as claimed in any of claims 1-9 or 10-18 when executed by a processor.

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