A communication method and device

Abstract

This disclosure provides a communication method and apparatus. In one aspect, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system is provided, comprising: receiving a downlink reference signal; transmitting a first uplink signal on a first uplink resource, the location of the first uplink resource being determined based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency, the first frequency offset being related to a first frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal, the first reference frequency being related to the frequency domain location of the downlink reference signal, and the first uplink signal being used to request a system information block.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication, and more specifically, to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0002] Given the successive generations of wireless communication development, these technologies have primarily been developed for human-oriented services such as voice calls, multimedia services, and data services. With the commercialization of 5th-generation (5G) communication systems, the number of connected devices is expected to grow exponentially. These will increasingly connect to communication networks. Examples of the Internet of Things (IoT) can include vehicles, robots, drones, home appliances, displays, smart sensors connected to various infrastructures, construction machinery, and factory equipment. Mobile devices are expected to evolve in various forms, such as augmented reality glasses, virtual reality headsets, and holographic devices. Efforts are underway to develop improved 6G communication systems to provide a wide range of services by connecting hundreds of billions of devices and things in the sixth-generation (6G) era.

[0003] The 6G communication system, expected to be commercially available around 2030, will offer significant improvements in all aspects compared to existing 5G systems. Its peak speed will reach at least 50 Gbit / s, user experience speed will reach at least 300 Mbit / s, air interface latency will be less than 1 ms, and air interface reliability will reach 10... -5 In addition to the basic communication indicators mentioned above, 6G communication systems will also have sensing capabilities, AI-related capabilities, and better security, interoperability, and sustainability.

[0004] To achieve the aforementioned performance indicators in 6G communication systems, more advanced air interface and network technologies are needed. Currently, the evolution of extreme multiple input multiple output (MIMO) is being considered, including the use of very large-scale antenna arrays, the development and evolution of distributed antenna systems, and the design of MIMO air interface algorithms assisted by artificial intelligence (AI). This technology can achieve higher spectral efficiency, greater coverage, and more precise positioning and sensing capabilities. Additionally, technologies that contribute to improving high-frequency coverage include metamaterial-based lenses and antennas, novel antenna architectures, and reconfigurable smart surfaces.

[0005] Reconfigurable intelligence surfaces (RIS), etc., also need better evolution and development.

[0006] To meet the new functionalities added to 6G communication systems, it is necessary to develop new technologies in areas such as network energy saving, air interface security, and network security, while also studying the feasibility of converged technologies such as integrated communication and sensing.

[0007] In addition, to improve spectrum efficiency and overall network performance, the following technologies have been developed for 6G communication systems: full-duplex technology to enable uplink and downlink transmissions to use the same frequency resources simultaneously; network technologies that utilize satellites, high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), etc., in a comprehensive manner; improved network architecture to support mobile base stations, etc., and to enable network operation optimization and automation; dynamic spectrum sharing technology based on spectrum usage prediction and conflict avoidance; the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in wireless communication to improve overall network operation by utilizing AI from the design phase of 6G development and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions; and next-generation distributed computing technologies that overcome the computing power limitations of user equipment (UE) by leveraging ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources (such as mobile edge computing (MEC), cloud, etc.) achievable on the network. Furthermore, efforts are continuing to enhance connectivity between devices, optimize networks, promote the software-defined networking of network entities, and increase the openness of wireless communications by designing new protocols to be used in 6G communication systems, developing mechanisms for achieving hardware-based secure environments and secure data use, and developing technologies for maintaining privacy.

[0008] The research and development of 6G communication systems, encompassing hyper-connectivity for both person-to-machine (P2M) and machine-to-machine (M2M) interactions, is expected to deliver the next wave of hyper-connected experiences. Specifically, services such as truly immersive extended reality (XR), high-fidelity mobile holograms, and digital replicas are anticipated to be provided through 6G communication systems. Furthermore, services such as remote surgery for enhanced security and reliability, industrial automation, and emergency response will be available via 6G communication systems, enabling the technology to be applied across a wide range of sectors including industry, healthcare, automotive, and home appliances. Summary of the Invention

[0009] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method executed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0010] Receive downlink reference signal;

[0011] A first uplink signal is transmitted on a first uplink resource, the frequency domain position of which is determined based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency. The first frequency offset is related to a first frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal, and the first reference frequency is related to the frequency domain position of the downlink reference signal. The first uplink signal is used to request a system information block.

[0012] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is related to the center frequency separation of the transmit / receive Tx-Rx carrier corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0013] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is the first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation among one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0014] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes first information indicating the separation of the center frequencies of the first Tx-Rx carrier.

[0015] In one implementation, the first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is determined based on a predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation among the one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations.

[0016] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes second information indicating a third frequency offset, the first frequency offset being determined based on the third frequency offset and the predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency.

[0017] In one implementation, the third frequency offset is independent of the first frequency band.

[0018] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is further determined based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the downlink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal.

[0019] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is further determined based on the frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0020] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes third information indicating a first frequency band group in at least one frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0021] In one implementation, the method further includes: determining a second reference frequency based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset.

[0022] The frequency domain position of the first uplink resource is determined based on the second frequency offset and the determined second reference frequency.

[0023] In one implementation, the second frequency offset is related to the maximum value of the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0024] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is related to the downlink reference signal.

[0025] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is related to the cell identifier ID obtained through the downlink reference signal.

[0026] In one implementation, the sequence of the first uplink signal is generated in the same way as the sequence related to the downlink reference signal.

[0027] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes information related to the first uplink signal.

[0028] The information related to the first uplink signal includes at least one of the following:

[0029] Information related to the cyclic shift of the first uplink signal sequence, information related to the root sequence of the sequence, the number of symbols occupied by the sequence, the length of the sequence, the format of the sequence, the number of repetitions of the sequence, and the frequency hopping mode of the sequence.

[0030] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is generated according to at least one of the following sequences: an m-sequence, a Gold sequence, or a ZC sequence.

[0031] In one implementation, the method further includes: determining the time domain position of the first uplink resource based on the time domain position related to the downlink reference signal burst corresponding to the downlink reference signal and a first time offset.

[0032] In one implementation, all downlink reference signals in the burst correspond to the same first uplink resource, or

[0033] The different downlink reference signal indices corresponding to the bursts correspond to different first uplink resources.

[0034] In one implementation, the method further includes: determining whether to use the first uplink resource group to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal based on a downlink path loss reference value.

[0035] In one implementation, the method further includes: determining whether to request the system information block based on whether a first condition is met.

[0036] The first condition includes at least one of the following: the UE determines that it needs to re-receive the system information block based on the downlink reference signal; the UE does not have a valid system information block available; the UE is currently unable to successfully receive the system information block; or the UE is not prohibited from accessing the cell corresponding to the downlink reference signal.

[0037] In one implementation, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0038] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the cell is not in a state of blocked access;

[0039] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block is not in a broadcast or transmission state;

[0040] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block is in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE cannot successfully decode the system information block within the remaining validity period of the current system information block;

[0041] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block and the system information block associated with the candidate downlink reference signal are not in a broadcast or transmission state;

[0042] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block and the system information block associated with the candidate downlink reference signal are in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE cannot successfully decode the system information block within the remaining validity period of the current system information block;

[0043] The UE does not store a valid version of the system information block;

[0044] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is different from the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE;

[0045] The version number of the system information block in the downlink reference signal is different from the version number of the system information block stored in the UE;

[0046] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is the same as the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE. The UE supports NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell. Furthermore, the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter contained in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0047] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is the same as the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE. The UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell. Furthermore, the values ​​of the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the PLMN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0048] The system information block stored by the UE does not include areaScope, and the downlink reference signal does not include areaScope. If the UE supports NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter contained in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0049] The system information block stored by the UE does not include areaScope, the downlink reference signal does not include areaScope, the UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, and the values ​​of the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID and the first parameter received from the current serving cell contained in the PLMN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID and the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0050] In one implementation, the method further includes: receiving the system information block during a first validity period.

[0051] The information related to the first validity period is obtained through the downlink reference signal or the response signal to the request for the system information block.

[0052] In one implementation, the starting position of the first validity period is determined based on the time of sending the first uplink signal or based on the time of receiving the response signal.

[0053] In one implementation, the duration of the first validity period is determined based on a time period or based on the number of consecutive SIB1 PDCCHs or SIB1 PDSCHs.

[0054] In one implementation, the response signal is scrambled by at least one of the following: dedicated RNTI, SI-RNTI, P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, and C-RNTI related to the location and feature index or feature group index of the first uplink resource.

[0055] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method executed by a network device in a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0056] Send downlink reference signal;

[0057] A first uplink signal is received on a first uplink resource, the frequency domain position of which is determined based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency. The first frequency offset is related to a first frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal, and the first reference frequency is related to the frequency domain position of the downlink reference signal. The first uplink signal is used to request a system information block.

[0058] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is related to the center frequency separation of the transmit / receive Tx-Rx carrier corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0059] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is the first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation among one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0060] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes first information indicating the separation of the center frequencies of the first Tx-Rx carrier.

[0061] In one implementation, the first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is determined based on a predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation among the one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations.

[0062] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes second information indicating a third frequency offset, the first frequency offset being determined based on the third frequency offset and the predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency.

[0063] In one implementation, the third frequency offset is independent of the first frequency band.

[0064] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is further determined based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the downlink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal.

[0065] In one implementation, the first frequency offset is further determined based on the frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0066] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes third information indicating a first frequency band group in at least one frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0067] In one implementation, the method further includes: determining a second reference frequency based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset.

[0068] The frequency domain position of the first uplink resource is determined based on the second frequency offset and the determined second reference frequency.

[0069] In one implementation, the second frequency offset is related to the maximum value of the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0070] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is related to the downlink reference signal.

[0071] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is related to the cell identifier ID obtained through the downlink reference signal.

[0072] In one implementation, the sequence of the first uplink signal is generated in the same way as the sequence related to the downlink reference signal.

[0073] In one implementation, the downlink reference signal includes information related to the first uplink signal.

[0074] The information related to the first uplink signal includes at least one of the following:

[0075] Information related to the cyclic shift of the first uplink signal sequence, information related to the root sequence of the sequence, the number of symbols occupied by the sequence, the length of the sequence, the format of the sequence, the number of repetitions of the sequence, and the frequency hopping mode of the sequence.

[0076] In one implementation, the first uplink signal is generated according to at least one of the following sequences: an m-sequence, a Gold sequence, or a ZC sequence.

[0077] In one implementation, the time-domain location of the first uplink resource is determined based on the time-domain location related to the downlink reference signal burst corresponding to the downlink reference signal and a first time offset.

[0078] In one implementation, all downlink reference signals in the burst correspond to the same first uplink resource, or

[0079] The different downlink reference signal indices corresponding to the bursts correspond to different first uplink resources.

[0080] In one implementation, whether to request the system information block is determined based on whether a first condition is met.

[0081] The first condition includes at least one of the following: the UE determines that it needs to re-receive the system information block based on the downlink reference signal; the UE does not have a valid system information block available; the UE is currently unable to successfully receive the system information block; or the UE is not prohibited from accessing the cell corresponding to the downlink reference signal.

[0082] In one implementation, the first condition includes at least one of the following:

[0083] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the cell is not in a state of blocked access;

[0084] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block is not in a broadcast or transmission state;

[0085] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block is in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE cannot successfully decode the system information block within the remaining validity period of the current system information block;

[0086] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block and the system information block associated with the candidate downlink reference signal are not in a broadcast or transmission state;

[0087] Based on the downlink reference signal, it is determined that the system information block and the system information block associated with the candidate downlink reference signal are in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE cannot successfully decode the system information block within the remaining validity period of the current system information block;

[0088] The UE does not store a valid version of the system information block;

[0089] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is different from the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE;

[0090] The version number of the system information block in the downlink reference signal is different from the version number of the system information block stored in the UE;

[0091] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is the same as the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE. The UE supports NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell. Furthermore, the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter contained in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0092] The value of the first parameter associated with the area range in the downlink reference signal is the same as the value of the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE. The UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell. Furthermore, the values ​​of the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the PLMN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0093] The system information block stored by the UE does not include areaScope, and the downlink reference signal does not include areaScope. If the UE supports NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and the first parameter contained in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0094] The system information block stored by the UE does not include areaScope, the downlink reference signal does not include areaScope, the UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, and the values ​​of the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID and the first parameter received from the current serving cell contained in the PLMN-IdentityInfoList in the downlink reference signal are different from the values ​​of PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID and the first parameter in the system information block stored by the UE.

[0095] In one implementation, the method further includes: sending information related to a first validity period of the system information block via a response signal to the request for the system information block.

[0096] In one implementation, the starting position of the first validity period is determined based on the time of sending the first uplink signal or based on the time of receiving the response signal.

[0097] In one implementation, the duration of the first validity period is determined based on a time period or based on the number of consecutive SIB1 PDCCHs or SIB1 PDSCHs.

[0098] In one implementation, the response signal is scrambled by at least one of the following: dedicated RNTI, SI-RNTI, P-RNTI, RA-RNTI, and C-RNTI related to the location and feature index or feature group index of the first uplink resource.

[0099] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a user equipment (UE) in a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0100] A transceiver is configured to transmit and / or receive signals;

[0101] A controller is configured to control the UE to perform the method described according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0102] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a network device in a communication system is provided, comprising:

[0103] A transceiver is configured to transmit and / or receive signals;

[0104] The controller is configured to control the network device to perform the methods described according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0105] Figure 1 Example wireless networks according to various embodiments of this disclosure are shown;

[0106] Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example wireless transmission and reception path according to this disclosure is shown;

[0107] Figure 3a An example UE according to this disclosure is shown;

[0108] Figure 3b An example gNB according to this disclosure is shown;

[0109] Figure 3cA schematic diagram of a four-step random access process according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0110] Figure 3d A schematic diagram of the frequency domain resource group is shown;

[0111] Figure 4 A flowchart of a method according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0112] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the time domain, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0113] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the time and frequency domains according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0115] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of the time domain location of the first uplink resource based on a 1-to-1 time domain offset of a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) and a first uplink timing, according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0116] Figure 9a , 9b This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of the time domain location of the first uplink resource based on a second time reference point and a first time offset related to a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0117] Figure 10 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating the determination of the frequency domain location of the uplink resource based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0118] Figure 11 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating the determination of the frequency domain location of the uplink resource based on a first frequency offset, a second frequency offset, and a first reference frequency according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0119] Figure 12 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating the determination of the frequency domain location of the first uplink resource based on Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation and a second frequency offset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0120] Figure 13 A schematic diagram is shown illustrating the determination of the frequency domain location of the first uplink resource based on Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation and a third frequency offset according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0121] Figure 14A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0122] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0123] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, is provided to aid in a thorough understanding of the various embodiments of this disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. This description includes various specific details to aid understanding but should be considered exemplary only. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications can be made to the various embodiments described herein without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Furthermore, for clarity and brevity, descriptions of well-known functions and structures may be omitted.

[0124] The terms and wording used in the following description and claims are not limited to their dictionary meanings, but are merely used by the inventors to enable a clear and consistent understanding of this disclosure. Therefore, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and not for limiting the purpose of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0125] It should be understood that the singular forms of “one,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Thus, for example, the reference to “component surface” includes one or more such surfaces.

[0126] The terms “comprising” or “may include” refer to the presence of a corresponding disclosed function, operation, or component that may be used in the various embodiments of this disclosure, rather than limiting the presence of one or more additional functions, operations, or features. Furthermore, the terms “comprising” or “having” may be interpreted as indicating certain characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof, but should not be construed as excluding the possibility of the presence of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components, or combinations thereof.

[0127] The term "or" as used in the various embodiments of this disclosure includes any of the listed terms and all combinations thereof. For example, "A or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0128] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used in this disclosure (including technical or scientific terms) have the same meaning as understood by one of those skilled in the art as described herein. Common terms as defined in dictionaries are to be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the context in the relevant technical field and should not be interpreted ideally or overly formally unless expressly defined in this disclosure.

[0129] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), 5th Generation (5G), or New Radio (NR), etc. Furthermore, the technical solutions of this application can be applied to future-oriented communication technologies.

[0130] Figure 1 An example wireless network 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1 The embodiment of the wireless network 100 shown is for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 can be used without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0131] Wireless network 100 includes gNodeB (gNB) 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network 130 (such as the Internet, a proprietary IP network, or other data network).

[0132] Depending on the network type, other well-known terms such as "base station" or "access point" can be used instead of "gNodeB" or "gNB". For convenience, the terms "gNodeB" and "gNB" are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access for remote terminals. Furthermore, depending on the network type, other well-known terms such as "mobile station", "user station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal", or "user device" can be used instead of "user equipment" or "UE". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to remote wireless devices that wirelessly access the gNB, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or smartphone) or a fixed device as commonly understood (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

[0133] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 to a first plurality of user equipments (UEs) within its coverage area 120. The first plurality of UEs includes: UE 111, which may be located in a small business (SB); UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS); UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R); and UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cellular phone, wireless laptop computer, wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 to a second plurality of UEs within its coverage area 125. The second plurality of UEs includes UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101-103 are capable of communicating with each other and with UEs 111-116 using 5G, LTE, LTE-A, WiMAX, or other advanced wireless communication technologies.

[0134] The dashed lines indicate the approximate extent of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular for illustrative and explanatory purposes only. It should be clearly understood that coverage areas associated with the gNB, such as coverage areas 120 and 125, can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0135] As described in more detail below, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 include a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 support codebook design and architecture for systems having 2D antenna arrays.

[0136] although Figure 1 An example of a wireless network 100 is shown, but it is possible to... Figure 1 Various modifications can be made. For example, wireless network 100 can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. Furthermore, gNB 101 can communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to network 130. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 can communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. In addition, gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks (such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks).

[0137] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Example wireless transmit and receive paths according to this disclosure are shown. In the following description, transmit path 200 can be described as being implemented in a gNB (such as gNB 102), while receive path 250 can be described as being implemented in a UE (such as UE 116). However, it should be understood that receive path 250 can be implemented in a gNB, and transmit path 200 can be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, receive path 250 is configured to support codebook design and structure for a system having a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of this disclosure.

[0138] The transmit path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block 205, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 210, an N-point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block 215, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 220, a cyclic prefix addition block 225, and an up-converter (UC) 230. The receive path 250 includes a down-converter (DC) 255, a cyclic prefix removal block 260, a serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 265, an N-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) block 270, a parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

[0139] In transmit path 200, channel coding and modulation block 205 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency-domain modulated symbols. Serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block 210 converts (e.g., demultiplexes) the serial modulated symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the number of IFFT / FFT points used in gNB 102 and UE 116. N-point IFFT block 215 performs IFFT operations on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time-domain output signal. Parallel-to-serial block 220 converts (e.g., multiplexes) the parallel time-domain output symbols from N-point IFFT block 215 to generate a serial time-domain signal. Cyclic prefix addition block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time-domain signal. Upconverter 230 modulates (e.g., upconverts) the output of the added cyclic prefix block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at the baseband before being converted to the RF frequency.

[0140] The RF signal transmitted from gNB 102 reaches UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and UE 116 performs the opposite operation to that at gNB 102. Downconverter 255 downconverts the received signal to the baseband frequency, and cyclic prefix removal block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. Serial-to-parallel block 265 converts the time-domain baseband signal into a parallel time-domain signal. N-point FFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. Parallel-to-serial block 275 converts the parallel frequency-domain signals into a sequence of modulated data symbols. Channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0141] Each of gNBs 101-103 can implement a transmission path 200 similar to that used for transmission to UEs 111-116 in the downlink, and a reception path 250 similar to that used for reception from UEs 111-116 in the uplink. Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 can implement a transmission path 200 for transmission to gNBs 101-103 in the uplink, and a reception path 250 for reception from gNBs 101-103 in the downlink.

[0142] Figure 2a and Figure 2b Each of the components can be implemented using only hardware, or using a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example, Figure 2a and Figure 2bAt least some of the components can be implemented in software, while others can be implemented in configurable hardware or a combination of software and configurable hardware. For example, FFT block 270 and IFFT block 215 can be implemented as configurable software algorithms, wherein the value of the number of points N can be modified according to the implementation method.

[0143] Furthermore, although the description uses FFT and IFFT, this is merely illustrative and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure. Other types of transforms, such as the Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions, can be used. It should be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer that is a power of 2 (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

[0144] although Figure 2a and Figure 2b An example of a wireless transmit and receive path is shown, but it is possible to modify it further. Figure 2a and Figure 2b Make various changes. For example, Figure 2a and Figure 2b The various components can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added as needed. Furthermore, Figure 2a and Figure 2b This is intended to illustrate examples of the types of send and receive paths that can be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture can be used to support wireless communication in a wireless network.

[0145] Figure 3a Example UE 116 according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 3a The embodiment of UE 116 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 UEs 111-115 can have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs have a wide variety of configurations, and Figure 3a This disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of any particular implementation of the UE.

[0146] UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 310, a transmit (TX) processing circuitry 315, a microphone 320, and a receive (RX) processing circuitry 325. UE 116 also includes a speaker 330, a processor / controller 340, an input / output (I / O) interface 345, multiple input devices 350, a display 355, and memory 360. Memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0147] RF transceiver 310 receives incoming RF signals transmitted by a gNB of wireless network 100 from antenna 305. RF transceiver 310 down-converts the incoming RF signals to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is sent to RX processing circuitry 325, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. RX processing circuitry 325 sends the processed baseband signal to speaker 330 (e.g., for voice data) or to processor / controller 340 (e.g., for web browsing data) for further processing.

[0148] TX processing circuitry 315 receives analog or digital voice data from microphone 320, or other outgoing baseband data (such as network data, email, or interactive video game data) from processor / controller 340. TX processing circuitry 315 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate processed baseband or IF signals. RF transceiver 310 receives the processed outgoing baseband or IF signals from TX processing circuitry 315 and up-converts the baseband or IF signals into RF signals transmitted via antenna 305.

[0149] The processor / controller 340 may include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute an OS 361 stored in memory 360 to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor / controller 340 may control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of reverse channel signals via RF transceiver 310, RX processing circuitry 325, and TX processing circuitry 315 according to known principles. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0150] The processor / controller 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs residing in the memory 360, such as operations for channel quality measurement and reporting for a system having a 2D antenna array as described in the embodiments of this disclosure. The processor / controller 340 is capable of moving data into or out of the memory 360 as needed for the execution of the process. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 is configured to execute an application 362 based on an OS 361 or in response to signals received from a gNB or operator. The processor / controller 340 is also coupled to an I / O interface 345, which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I / O interface 345 is a communication path between these accessories and the processor / controller 340.

[0151] The processor / controller 340 is also coupled to input devices(s)350 and a display(s)355. An operator of the UE 116 can use the input devices(s)350 to input data into the UE 116. The display(s)355 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other display capable of displaying text and / or at least limited graphics (such as from a website). Memory 360 is coupled to the processor / controller 340. A portion of the memory 360 may include random access memory (RAM), while another portion of the memory 360 may include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0152] although Figure 3a An example of UE 116 is shown, but it is possible to... Figure 3a Make various changes. For example, Figure 3a The various components can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added as needed. As a specific example, the processor / controller 340 can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Moreover, although... Figure 3a The UE116 is shown configured as a mobile phone or smartphone, but the UE can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or fixed devices.

[0153] Figure 3b An example gNB 102 according to this disclosure is shown. Figure 3b The embodiment of gNB 102 shown is for illustrative purposes only, and Figure 1 Other gNBs can have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs have a wide variety of configurations, and Figure 3b The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of the gNB. It should be noted that gNB 101 and gNB 103 can include the same or similar structures as gNB 102.

[0154] like Figure 3b As shown, gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 370a-370n, multiple RF transceivers 372a-372n, transmit (TX) processing circuitry 374, and receive (RX) processing circuitry 376. In some embodiments, one or more of the multiple antennas 370a-370n include a 2D antenna array. gNB 102 also includes a controller / processor 378, a memory 380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

[0155] RF transceivers 372a-372n receive incoming RF signals, such as signals transmitted by the UE or other gNBs, from antennas 370a-370n. RF transceivers 372a-372n down-convert the incoming RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are sent to RX processing circuitry 376, which generates processed baseband signals by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signals. RX processing circuitry 376 sends the processed baseband signals to controller / processor 378 for further processing.

[0156] The TX processing circuit 374 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, network data, email, or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 378. The TX processing circuit 374 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceivers 372a-372n receive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuit 374 and up-convert the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via antennas 370a-370n.

[0157] The controller / processor 378 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 378 may control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of backward channel signals via RF transceivers 372a-372n, RX processing circuitry 376, and TX processing circuitry 374, according to known principles. The controller / processor 378 may also support additional functions, such as more advanced wireless communication functions. For example, the controller / processor 378 may perform a BIS process, such as by a blind interference sensing (BIS) algorithm, and decode the received signal after subtracting interference. The controller / processor 378 may support any of a wide variety of other functions in the gNB 102. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0158] The controller / processor 378 is also capable of executing programs and other processes, such as a basic operating system, residing in the memory 380. The controller / processor 378 is also capable of supporting channel quality measurement and reporting for systems having 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of this disclosure. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 supports communication between entities such as web RTCs. The controller / processor 378 is capable of moving data into or out of the memory 380 as needed for the execution of processes.

[0159] The controller / processor 378 is also coupled to a backhaul or network interface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or over a network. The backhaul or network interface 382 is capable of supporting communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G or new radio access technologies or NR, LTE, or LTE-A), the backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network (such as the Internet) via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection. The backhaul or network interface 382 includes any suitable architecture supporting communication via a wired or wireless connection, such as an Ethernet or RF transceiver.

[0160] Memory 380 is coupled to controller / processor 378. A portion of memory 380 may include RAM, while another portion may include flash memory or other ROM. In some embodiments, multiple instructions, such as a BIS algorithm, are stored in memory. The multiple instructions are configured to cause controller / processor 378 to perform the BIS process and decode the received signal after subtracting at least one interference signal determined by the BIS algorithm.

[0161] As described in more detail below, the transmit and receive paths of the gNB 102 (implemented using RF transceivers 372a-372n, TX processing circuitry 374, and / or RX processing circuitry 376) support aggregated communication with FDD and TDD cells.

[0162] although Figure 3b An example of gNB 102 is shown, but it is possible to compare it with other models. Figure 3b Various modifications can be made. For example, gNB102 can include any number of... Figure 3a Each component shown. As a specific example, an access point can include multiple backhaul or network interfaces 382, ​​and a controller / processor 378 can support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another specific example, although shown as a single instance including TX processing circuitry 374 and a single instance including RX processing circuitry 376, the gNB 102 can include multiple instances of each (such as one for each RF transceiver).

[0163] Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0164] The text and accompanying drawings are provided by way of example only to aid the reader in understanding this disclosure. They are not intended and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the content disclosed herein, that changes may be made to the illustrated embodiments and examples without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0165] Those skilled in the art will understand that, unless specifically stated otherwise, the singular forms “a,” “an,” “the,” and “the” used herein may also include the plural forms. It should be further understood that the term “comprising” as used in this application means the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It should be understood that when we say an element is “connected” or “coupled” to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element, or there may be intermediate elements. Furthermore, “connected” or “coupled” as used herein can include wireless connections or wireless coupling. The term “and / or” as used herein includes all or any units and all combinations of one or more associated listed items.

[0166] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. It should also be understood that terms such as those defined in general dictionaries should be understood to have the same meaning as in the context of the prior art, and should not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless specifically defined as herein.

[0167] Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "terminal" and "terminal device" as used herein include both devices that receive wireless signals, devices that only possess wireless signal receiver capabilities without transmission capabilities, and devices with receiving and transmitting hardware, devices that have receiving and transmitting hardware capable of bidirectional communication over a bidirectional communication link. Such devices may include: cellular or other communication devices having a single-line display, a multi-line display, or a cellular or other communication device without a multi-line display; PCS (Personal Communications Service) that can combine voice, data processing, fax, and / or data communication capabilities; PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) that may include a radio frequency receiver, pager, Internet / intranet access, web browser, notepad, calendar, and / or GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver; and conventional laptop and / or handheld computers or other devices that have and / or include radio frequency receivers. As used herein, "terminal" or "terminal device" can be portable, transportable, installed in a means of transportation (air, sea, and / or land), or suitable and / or configured to operate locally, and / or in a distributed manner, operating in any other location on Earth and / or in space. "Terminal" or "terminal device" as used herein can also be a communication terminal, an internet access terminal, or a music / video playback terminal, such as a PDA, a MID (Mobile Internet Device), and / or a mobile phone with music / video playback capabilities, or a smart TV, set-top box, etc.

[0168] Without departing from the scope of this invention, the term "send" in this invention may be used interchangeably with "transmit," "report," "notification," etc.

[0169] The text and accompanying drawings are provided by way of example only to aid the reader in understanding this disclosure. They are not intended and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art, based on the content disclosed herein, that changes may be made to the illustrated embodiments and examples without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0170] background

[0171] Transmissions in a wireless communication system include: transmission from the base station (gNB) to the user equipment (UE) (referred to as downlink transmission), and the corresponding time slot is called downlink time slot; transmission from the UE to the base station (referred to as uplink transmission), and the corresponding time slot is called uplink time slot.

[0172] Transmissions in a wireless communication system include: transmission from the base station (gNB) to the user equipment (UE) (referred to as downlink transmission), and the corresponding time slot is called downlink time slot; transmission from the UE to the base station (referred to as uplink transmission), and the corresponding time slot is called uplink time slot.

[0173] Random Access

[0174] In wireless communication systems, such as LTE or NR, a 2-step or 4-step random access procedure is used to establish a link between the device and the base station. The base station periodically sends synchronization signals and broadcast channels to the user via a synchronization signal block (SSB, PBCH block, or first downlink reference signal). This period is called the synchronization signal block period (SSB periodicity) or synchronization signal block group period (SSB burstperiodicity). Simultaneously, the base station configures a physical random access channel configuration period (PRACH configuration period), within which a certain number of random access transmission opportunities (also called random access opportunities, PRACH transmission occasions, RO) are configured.

[0175] In New Radio (NR) communication systems, the performance of random access directly impacts user experience before radio resource control is established, such as during the random access process. In traditional wireless communication systems, such as LTE and LTE-Advanced, or in 5G or NR systems, random access is applied to various scenarios, including initial link establishment, cell handover, uplink re-establishment, and RRC connection reconstruction. It is categorized into contention-based random access and contention-free random access based on whether users exclusively possess preamble resources. In contention-based random access, multiple users may choose the same preamble sequence from the same preamble resource during uplink link establishment, potentially leading to multiple users sending the same preamble sequence to the base station. Therefore, conflict resolution mechanisms are a crucial research area in random access. Reducing the probability of conflicts and quickly resolving existing conflicts are key indicators affecting random access performance.

[0176] Figure 3c A schematic diagram of a four-step random access procedure according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For example, a contention-based random access procedure is divided into four steps, such as... Figure 3c As shown. In the first step, the UE randomly selects a preamble sequence from the preamble sequence (which can also be interchangeably referred to as "preamble code" in this document) resource pool and sends it to the base station. The base station performs correlation detection on the received signal to identify the preamble sequence sent by the UE. In the second step, the base station sends a Random Access Response (RAR) to the UE. The RAR may contain a random access preamble sequence identifier, a timing advance instruction determined based on the delay estimation between the UE and the base station, a Cell-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI), and / or time-frequency resources allocated for the UE's next uplink transmission (time-frequency resources can refer to time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources). The UE searches for the PDCCH carrying this feedback based on the RAR-RNTI associated with the timing of sending the random access preamble sequence. The RA-RNTI associated with the PRACH timing (e.g., RO) for transmitting the random access preamble sequence can be based on the index of the first OFDM symbol of the PRACH timing, the index of the first time slot of the PRACH timing in the system frame, the index of the PRACH timing in the frequency domain, and the UL carrier used for random access preamble transmission. For example, the RA-RNTI can be calculated using the following formula:

[0177] RA-RNTI=1+s_id+14×t_id+14×80×f_id+14×80×8×

[0178] ul_carrier_id,

[0179] Wherein, s_id is the index of the first OFDM symbol of the PRACH timing (0≤s_id<14), t_id is the index of the first slot of the PRACH timing in the system frame (0≤t_id<80), where, for μ={0,1,2,3}, the subcarrier spacing used to determine t_id is based on the value of μ, for μ={5,6}, t_id is the index of the 120kHz slot containing the PRACH timing in the system frame (0≤t_id<80), f_id is the index of the PRACH timing in the frequency domain (0≤f_id<8), and ul_carrier_id is the UL carrier used for random access preamble transmission (0 for NUL carriers, 1 for SUL carriers).

[0180] In the third step, the user sends a third message (Message 3, Msg3) to the base station based on the information in the RAR. Msg3 contains the user terminal identifier and RRC link request information, among other things. This user terminal identifier is unique to the user and is used to resolve conflicts. In the fourth step, the base station sends a conflict resolution identifier to the user, which includes the identifier of the user terminal that won the conflict resolution. After detecting its own identifier, the user upgrades its temporary C-RNTI to a C-RNTI and sends an ACK signal to the base station, completing the random access procedure and waiting for the base station's scheduling. Otherwise, the user will begin a new random access procedure after a delay.

[0181] For a contention-free random access procedure, since the base station knows the user's identifier, it can allocate a preamble sequence for the user. Therefore, when sending a preamble sequence, the user does not need to randomly select a sequence but will use the allocated preamble sequence. After detecting the allocated preamble sequence, the base station sends a corresponding random access response, including timing advance and uplink resource allocation information. After receiving the random access response, the user considers uplink synchronization complete and waits for further scheduling by the base station. Therefore, a contention-free random access procedure consists of only two steps: step one is sending the preamble sequence; step two is sending the random access response.

[0182] For example, the random access procedure is applicable to the following scenarios:

[0183] 1. Initial access under RRC_IDLE;

[0184] 2. Re-establish the RRC connection;

[0185] 3. Cell handover;

[0186] 4. The process of downlink data arriving and requesting random access in RRC connected state (when uplink is asynchronous);

[0187] 5. Uplink data arrival and random access request process in RRC connected state (when the uplink is asynchronous or no resources are allocated to the scheduling request in the PUCCH resource);

[0188] 6. Positioning.

[0189] In the configured ROs, valid ROs can be determined based on the RO validity determination method. A valid RO is one that ensures all SSBs can be mapped to their corresponding valid ROs within an association period (a certain time period or length). Within an SSB-to-RO mapping loop, all SSBs within an SSB period are mapped to the required random access resources. An association period can contain one or more mapping loops. An SSB-to-RO association pattern period contains one or more association periods, and the SSB-to-RO association pattern is identical in each association pattern period.

[0190] A base station can configure a random access configuration period (e.g., a PRACH configuration period) within which a certain number of Resource Allocations (ROs) are configured. Valid ROs are determined from these configured ROs using a specific validity determination method or rule. The goal is to ensure that all Service Blocks (SSBs) are mapped to their corresponding valid ROs within the association period (a certain time length), and that all SSBs within an SSB-to-RO mapping loop are mapped to the required random access resources within that SSB period. An association period can contain one or more mapping loops. An SSB-to-RO association pattern period contains one or more association periods, and the SSB-to-RO mapping pattern is identical in each association pattern period.

[0191] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the frequency domain resource unit (also called a frequency resource unit, frequency domain unit, or frequency unit) can be: a subcarrier, a subcarrier group (composed of multiple subcarriers), a resource block (RB), also called a physical resource block (PRB), a resource block group (composed of multiple RBs), a band portion (BWP), a band portion group (composed of multiple BWPs), a band / carrier, a band group / carrier group; it can also be an absolute frequency domain unit, such as 1 Hz, 1 kHz, etc.; the frequency domain unit can also be a combination of multiple granularities, such as M1 PRBs plus M2 subcarriers, etc.

[0192] In the embodiments of this disclosure, the time-domain resource unit (also referred to as a time-domain unit, time resource unit, or time unit) can be: an OFDM symbol, an OFDM symbol group (composed of multiple OFDM symbols), a slot, a slot group (composed of multiple slots), a subframe, a subframe group (composed of multiple subframes), a system frame, or a system frame group (composed of multiple system frames); it can also be an absolute time unit, such as 1 millisecond, 1 second, etc.; the time unit can also be a combination of multiple granularities, such as N1 slots plus N2 OFDM symbols, etc. It can also be the duration of an OOK (On-Off Keying) chip.

[0193] In the embodiments described in this invention, the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) can be used to schedule DL transmissions on the PDSCH and UL transmissions on the PUSCH, wherein the downlink control information (DCI) on the PDCCH includes:

[0194] - Downlink allocation, which includes at least modulation and coding formats, resource allocation, and hybrid ARQ information related to DL-SCH;

[0195] - Uplink scheduling permission, which includes at least modulation and coding formats, resource allocation, and hybrid ARQ information related to UL-SCH.

[0196] Besides scheduling, PDCCH can also be used for:

[0197] - Activate and deactivate configured PUSCH transports using the configured authorization;

[0198] - Activation and deactivation of PDSCH semi-persistent transport;

[0199] - Notify one or more UEs of their slot format;

[0200] - Notify one or more UEs of the PRB and OFDM symbols, where the UEs may assume that no transmission is directed to the UE;

[0201] - Transmit TPC commands for PUCCH and PUSCH;

[0202] - One or more TPC commands for SRS transmission are sent by one or more UEs;

[0203] - Switch the active bandwidth portion of the UE;

[0204] - Initiate the random access procedure;

[0205] - Instruct the UE to monitor the PDCCH during the next DRX on duration;

[0206] - In the context of IAB, indicate the availability of soft symbols for IAB-DU;

[0207] - Trigger a single HARQ-ACK codebook feedback;

[0208] - Operations for shared spectrum channel access include at least one of the following:

[0209] - Triggers a switch in the search space set group;

[0210] - Indicate the available RB set and channel occupancy duration to one or more UEs;

[0211] - Indicates downlink feedback information for the configured authorized PUSCH (CG-DFI).

[0212] In describing wireless communication systems and in this disclosure described below, higher-layer signaling or higher-layer signaling can be a signaling method for transmitting information from a base station to a terminal via a downlink data channel of the physical layer or from a terminal to a base station via an uplink data channel of the physical layer, and examples of signaling methods can include signaling methods for transmitting information via radio resource control (RRC) signaling, packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) signaling, or medium access control (MAC) control element (CE).

[0213] In the following description of this disclosure, higher-layer signaling may be signaling corresponding to at least one or a combination of one or more of the following signaling.

[0214] -MIB (Master Information Block)

[0215] -SIB (System Information Block) or SIB X (X = 1, 2, ...)

[0216] -RRC signaling

[0217] -MAC CE

[0218] Physical layer (Layer 1 (L1)) signaling can be signaling corresponding to at least one or a combination of one or more of the following signaling.

[0219] -PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)

[0220] -DCI (Downlink Control Information)

[0221] -UE-specific DCI

[0222] -Group Public DCI

[0223] -Public DCI

[0224] - Scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI used to schedule downlink or uplink data)

[0225] - Non-scheduled DCI (e.g., DCI other than the DCI used to schedule downlink or uplink data)

[0226] -PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0227] -UCI (Uplink Control Information)

[0228] In embodiments of this disclosure, uplink control signaling may include physical layer signaling and / or higher layer signaling. As described above, physical layer signaling may include UCI and / or PUCCH, and higher layer signaling may include RRC signaling and / or MAC CE.

[0229] In embodiments of this disclosure, downlink control signaling may include physical layer signaling and / or higher layer signaling. As described above, physical layer signaling may include one or more of PDCCH, DCI, UE-specific DCI, group common DCI, common DCI, scheduling DCI (e.g., DCI for scheduling downlink or uplink data), and unscheduled DCI. Higher layer signaling may include one or more of MIB, SIB, or SIB X (X = 1, 2, ...), RRC signaling, or MAC CE. Therefore, "configure or indicate X via downlink control signaling" will be understood as configuring or indicating X via physical layer signaling, or configuring or indicating X via higher layer signaling, or configuring or indicating X via a combination of higher layer signaling and physical layer signaling.

[0230] Define frequency domain resource groups

[0231] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a "frequency domain resource group" refers to a continuous segment of spectrum resources. The UE can transmit or receive physical channels and / or physical signals on a frequency domain resource group. It can be understood that a frequency domain resource group is a continuous segment of spectrum resources that the UE can use to transmit or receive signals. Figure 3dAs shown, the first downlink frequency domain resource group has a bandwidth of X MHz and includes X0 subcarriers, and the second downlink frequency domain resource group has a bandwidth of Y MHz and includes Y0 subcarriers. In some embodiments, there is a certain interval, for example, Z MHz, between the highest index subcarrier of the first downlink frequency domain resource group and the lowest index subcarrier of the second downlink frequency domain resource group. In some embodiments, the highest index subcarrier of the first downlink frequency domain resource group and the lowest index subcarrier of the second downlink frequency domain resource group may be continuous.

[0232] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the frequency domain resource group can also be equivalently replaced by one of the following: carrier, bandwidth part, carrier segment, or carrier segment, etc.

[0233] In the following text, for ease of description, the first downlink frequency domain resource group may be simply referred to as the first frequency domain resource group, and the second downlink frequency domain resource group may be simply referred to as the second frequency domain resource group. Alternatively, the first frequency domain resource group may include the first uplink frequency domain resource group and the first downlink frequency domain resource group, and the second frequency domain resource group may include the second uplink frequency domain resource group and the second downlink frequency domain resource group.

[0234] Problem Description

[0235] Network (or network-side) energy saving is an important research direction in communication systems. In communication systems, the network side needs to periodically send broadcast signals to provide users with necessary information about the cell, such as access-related information. However, the periodic transmission of broadcast signals prevents the network from entering deep sleep mode even when there are no users or the user load is low, thus hindering high-gain network energy saving. Therefore, how to further improve network energy saving is a problem that urgently needs to be solved.

[0236] The method for activating network broadcast signal transmission based on user request signal provided in this disclosure can solve the problem of high network energy consumption caused by periodic broadcast signal transmission in a cell.

[0237] It should be noted that the problems that this disclosure can solve are not limited to those mentioned in the above and below descriptions, but can also solve all problems that can be practically solved based on the technical essence of this disclosure.

[0238] The following description of several exemplary embodiments illustrates the technical solutions of this disclosure and the technical effects produced by these solutions. It should be noted that the following embodiments can be referenced, learned from, or combined with each other. Identical terms, similar features, and similar implementation steps in different embodiments will not be repeated.

[0239] Furthermore, in some cases, random access resources may be configured for other features (e.g., network energysaving (NES)). Aspects of performing random access need to be considered when random access resources are configured for other features (e.g., NES). According to example embodiments of this disclosure, methods for requesting SIB1 transmission in systems where uplink resources (e.g., random access resources) are configured for other features (e.g., NES) include random access configuration, random access resource determination, SSB-RO (SSB-RO) mapping, etc.

[0240] On the other hand, in scenarios where the network transmits SIB1 on demand, determining the uplink resources used to request SIB1 is also a problem that needs to be solved. The uplink resources used to request SIB1 can also be referred to as uplink resources for requesting SIB1 transmission, uplink resources for requesting to transmit SIB1, or uplink resources for sending uplink wake-up signals, or similar expressions.

[0241] By designing a scheme to obtain the configuration information of uplink resources used for requesting SIB1 in the local cell, the UE can determine the uplink resources used for requesting SIB1 in a simpler and more accurate manner. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the configuration information of the uplink resources used for requesting SIB1 in the cell can be determined based on the downlink reference signal of the cell. In this way, at least one of the following effects can be achieved: the UE can use the information available in the local cell to determine the resources used for requesting SIB1 in the local cell, thereby simplifying UE operation, reducing signaling overhead, improving the accuracy of the determined uplink resource location, and increasing energy-saving gains in single-cell scenarios.

[0242] In the embodiments of this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the configuration information includes at least one of the following: information configured by the base station, information indicated in received signaling, information configured by higher layers, and pre-configured information. Further, it can be a set of configuration information obtained through the above methods; it can also be multiple sets of configuration information obtained through the above methods, from which the UE or node can select a set of configuration information to use according to predefined conditions; or it can be a set of configuration information obtained through the above methods, and this set of configuration information contains multiple subsets, from which the UE or node can select a subset to use according to predefined conditions.

[0243] This disclosure provides a method executed by a UE in a communication system, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes steps S410, S420, S430, etc. It should be noted that at least one of the above operations may be omitted, or additional operations may be included, such as one or more operations of the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0244] In this embodiment of the disclosure, for ease of description, uplink resources associated with specific features (e.g., NES) can be referred to as first-type uplink resources or first uplink resources. These first uplink resources can be random access resources, including a first-type random access preamble (referred to as a first preamble) and a first-type PRACH occasion (RO) (referred to as a first RO). Conversely, conventional uplink resources can be referred to as ordinary uplink resources, second-type uplink resources, or second uplink resources. These second uplink resources can be random access resources, including a second-type random access preamble (referred to as a second preamble) and a second-type PRACH occasion (RO) (referred to as a second RO). Alternatively, the first uplink resource can also be other uplink resources related to specific features. For example, the first uplink resource can be other uplink resources dedicated to requesting SIB1 or sending uplink wake-up signals. For example, the first uplink resource can be a random access resource dedicated to requesting SIB1 or sending uplink wake-up signals, or it can be other types of uplink resources dedicated to requesting SIB1 or sending uplink wake-up signals.

[0245] In one implementation, without changing the second random access resource, the first uplink resource can be additionally configured for other features (e.g., network energy saving (NES) features) to activate or request the network to send broadcast signals, thereby improving network energy saving gain.

[0246] In one implementation, random access resources can be used to activate or request the network to send a broadcast signal. This is merely an example; resources that can be used to activate or request the network to send a broadcast signal are not limited to random access resources, but can also be other types of uplink resources pre-configured by the network, such as PUCCH or PUSCH resources. The first type of random access resource in this disclosure embodiment can be replaced by a first type of uplink resource, or a first uplink resource, which is used to activate or request the network to send a broadcast signal.

[0247] To reduce the energy consumption of base stations due to periodically transmitting broadcast signals (e.g., system information block 1, SIB1), the base station (or network) can configure resources (referred to as first uplink resources) for UEs to request the network to transmit broadcast signals, such as Type I random access resources or other uplink resources. In this way, the UE can use these resources to request the transmission of a certain broadcast signal (e.g., SIB1) from the network when it needs it, without the network needing to periodically transmit the broadcast signal, thus achieving energy savings on the network side.

[0248] In one example approach, if a UE needs to request the network to send a broadcast signal for a specific cell (e.g., SIB1), the UE can obtain relevant information from other cells and use that information to determine the uplink resources needed to request the broadcast signal from the network.

[0249] In another example approach, if the UE needs to request the network to send a broadcast signal for a specific cell (e.g., SIB1), the UE can obtain the relevant information from the downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) periodically sent by the network and use that information to determine the uplink resources for requesting the broadcast signal from the network.

[0250] In one implementation, the UE can use determined uplink resources to send an uplink signal based on a specific sequence to the network side to request the network to send SIB1 or wake up the network to send SIB1. Upon receiving the specific sequence, the network side can determine that the UE is requesting the transmission of a broadcast signal and thus send the requested broadcast signal to the UE. For example, in one implementation, the specific sequence can be associated with a cell ID, allowing the network to send SIB1 only to the corresponding cell or only to the UE that needs SIB1 based on the cell ID associated with the uplink signal requesting SIB1, further achieving network-side energy saving.

[0251] For example, the network side can configure uplink resources for requesting broadcast signals, such as the configured cell common first uplink resource, to the UE via system messages included in the downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB). In one implementation, the network side can also configure information related to the first uplink signal to the UE via the downlink reference signal, such as information related to the sequence used to generate the first uplink signal. In another implementation, the first uplink signal can be a protocol-predefined sequence for requesting SIB1 transmission, such as a ZC sequence, an M sequence, or a Gold sequence. In yet another implementation, the information related to the first uplink signal can be determined based on the information configured in the downlink reference signal and predefined information.

[0252] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can obtain configuration information related to resources used to request broadcast signal transmission (referred to as first uplink resources, such as first type random access resources, or other uplink resources used to request SIB1) through periodically transmitted downlink reference signals. In one implementation, the UE only requests the network to transmit SIB1 based on the first type random access resources when it needs to obtain SIB1, thereby avoiding the network periodically transmitting SIB1 or transmitting SIB1 when the UE does not need SIB1, thus achieving network energy saving.

[0253] It should be understood that in the exemplary description of the embodiments of this disclosure, for ease of description, the start position or end position of the resource or location is sometimes used when describing the location of the resource or location. Such descriptions are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting. The start position mentioned in the description of this disclosure can be replaced by the end position, center position, or other position, and vice versa. For example, a description of an end position can also be replaced by a start position, center position, or other position, as long as the use of the position can achieve the function required by the corresponding technology.

[0254] This disclosure provides a method executed by a UE in a communication system, such as... Figure 4 As shown, the method includes steps S410, S420, S430, etc. It should be noted that at least one of the above operations may be omitted, or additional operations may be included, such as one or more operations of the methods described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0255] In step S410, the UE receives a downlink reference signal to obtain configuration information related to the first uplink resource (first configuration information); for example, the downlink reference signal corresponds to a first frequency band, and the downlink reference signal is received by the UE in the first frequency band.

[0256] In step S420, the UE determines the frequency domain location of the first uplink resource based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset. For example, the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset are determined by the UE based on the downlink reference signal. For example, the first reference frequency is related to the downlink reference signal, and the first frequency offset is related to the first frequency band.

[0257] In step S430, the UE transmits a first uplink signal on the first uplink resource to request SIB1. For example, in one implementation, the first uplink signal is used to request the transmission of SIB1. In another implementation, the uplink resource is used to request the transmission of SIB1, or a first uplink signal is transmitted on the uplink resource to request SIB1.

[0258] In this embodiment of the disclosure, in step S410, the UE receives a downlink reference signal transmitted by the serving cell in the first frequency band to perform cell search. The downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), PSS, and SSS. For example, the downlink reference signal is SSB. Optionally, the serving cell is PCell. The UE is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state when running T311.

[0259] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the frequency band involved is the NR band as an example, but the technology of the present invention is not limited to the NR band, and can be the frequency band defined by other wireless access technologies, such as the 6G band.

[0260] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the downlink frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located can be a subset of the downlink carrier bandwidth (CBW) or the downlink bandwidth part (DL BWP), wherein the DL BWP is a subset of the downlink carrier bandwidth, the downlink CBW can be the downlink CBW of the serving cell or the primary cell (PCell), and the DL BWP can be the initial, active, or default downlink BWP of the serving cell or the primary cell (PCell).

[0261] Various optional details of this disclosure will now be described in conjunction with various exemplary embodiments.

[0262] [Description of the conditions under which the UE requests the cell to send SIB1]

[0263] In one implementation, the UE receiving the downlink reference signal includes: the UE acquiring a broadcast message from the serving cell, which is transmitted, for example, via a MIB or reference signal. In another implementation, prior to step S410, the method of this disclosure embodiment further includes the UE determining, based on the broadcast message, whether a condition (e.g., referred to as a first condition) for requesting the cell to send SIB1 is met. For example, the first condition may relate to at least one of the following: the UE determines based on the broadcast message that it needs to re-receive SIB1; the UE does not have a valid available SIB1; the UE is currently unable to successfully receive SIB1; or the UE is not blocked from access in the cell corresponding to the broadcast message.

[0264] In one implementation, the UE executes the procedure of requesting the cell to send SIB1 when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0265] - If the field indicating whether access is prohibited in the broadcast message indicates that the cell is not in a prohibited access state; and / or,

[0266] - If the field indicating whether SIB1 is in a broadcast or transmit state in the broadcast message indicates that SIB1 is not in a broadcast or transmit state; and / or,

[0267] - If the field indicating whether SIB1 is in a broadcast or transmission state in the broadcast message indicates that SIB1 is in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE determines, based on the validity period indication of SIB1 in the broadcast message, that the UE cannot successfully decode SIB1 within the remaining validity period of the current SIB1; and / or,

[0268] - If the broadcast message sibInBurst indicates that SIB1 and the SIB1 associated with the candidate SSB are not in a broadcast or transmission state; and / or,

[0269] - If the broadcast message indicates that SIB1 and the SIB1 associated with the candidate SSB are in a broadcast or transmission state, and the UE determines, based on the validity period indication of SIB1 in the broadcast message, that the UE cannot successfully decode SIB1 within the remaining validity period of the current SIB1; and / or,

[0270] -If the UE does not have a valid version of SIB1 stored; and / or,

[0271] - If the value tag associated with the area scope in the broadcast message differs from the value tag in the SIB1 of the UE's stored version; and / or,

[0272] - If the SIB1 version number in the broadcast message differs from the SIB1 version number stored in the UE; and / or,

[0273] - If the value tag associated with the area scope in the broadcast message is the same as the value tag in the SIB1 stored by the UE, and if the UE supports a non-public network (NPN) and the cell is an NPN-only cell, and the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and value tag received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList in the broadcast message are different from the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and value tag in the NPN-IdentityInfoList stored by the UE in SIB1; and / or,

[0274] - If the valueTag associated with the area scope in the broadcast message is the same as the valueTag in the SIB1 stored by the UE, and if the UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, and the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag received from the current serving cell contained in the parameter PLMN-IdentityInfoList related to the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) identification information list in the broadcast message are different from the PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag stored by the UE in the SIB1;

[0275] - If the SIB1 stored by the UE does not contain an areaScope, and the areaScope value is not included in the broadcast message; and if the UE supports NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell; and the first non-public network (NPN) identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag received from the current serving cell in the NPN-IdentityInfoList contained in the broadcast message are different from the first NPN identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag contained in the NPN-IdentityInfoList stored by the UE; and / or,

[0276] - If the SIB1 stored by the UE does not contain an areaScope, and the areaScope value is not included in the broadcast message, and if the UE does not support NPN and the cell is an NPN-only cell, and the first PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag received from the current serving cell contained in the PLMN-IdentityInfoList in the broadcast message are different from the PLMN-Identity, systemInformationAreaID, and valueTag in the SIB1 stored by the UE;

[0277] Otherwise, if the first condition is not met, the UE will not execute the process of requesting the cell to send SIB1.

[0278] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the behavior of the UE requesting the network to send SIB1 can also be described as the UE requesting the network to send on-demand SIB1 (OD-SIB1), or the UE sending an uplink wake-up signal.

[0279] [Description related to the first upstream resource]

[0280] In this embodiment of the present disclosure, in step S410, the UE can obtain configuration information (first configuration information) for requesting SIB1 to be sent through a downlink reference signal. This information can be obtained, for example, through information or configuration related to a first uplink resource included in the downlink reference signal, or determined based on the frequency band, frequency, resource block, etc., corresponding to the downlink reference signal. For example, the first uplink resource can be a random access resource, including a first preamble and / or a first RO. Alternatively, the first uplink resource can also be other uplink resources used to request SIB1.

[0281] The first configuration information includes at least one of the following:

[0282] (1) Configuration information related to the first uplink resource time domain, including one or more of the following:

[0283] 1) A resource configuration index (e.g., a PRACH configuration index) used to request the network to send SIB1, based on which at least one of the following configurations can be determined:

[0284] The format of the first uplink signal, the configuration period of the first uplink resource, the number and position of the first uplink frames in the first uplink resource, the index of the subframe or time slot in a first uplink frame, the starting symbol position of the first uplink signal in a subframe or time slot, the number of first uplink time slots in a first uplink subframe, the number of first uplink opportunities in a first uplink time slot, and the number of symbols occupied in a first uplink opportunity, such as the number of OFDM symbols, etc.

[0285] In the disclosed embodiments, the first uplink resource includes one or more first uplink opportunities, which are time-domain and frequency-domain resources for transmitting the first uplink signal. For example, a first uplink opportunity is one RB in the frequency domain and Ns consecutive symbols in the time domain. Preferably, Ns can be 4 to 14. For example, the first uplink opportunity can be a first RO.

[0286] 2) The first time position, such as the edge position of the system frame (e.g., the end position), the system frame number SFN can be configured, or satisfy the following relationship: SFN mod x = y, where x and y can be preset by the system or configured parameters, for example y = 0, x = 16, which means that the end position of the system frame with SFN = 0, 16, 32... is the first time position;

[0287] 3) A first time offset, used to indicate the time offset between a random access resource (e.g., RO) and a time reference point, in units of time units, wherein the time reference point can be a first time position; or a time reference point (second time position) specified in the protocol, for example, the time reference point can be predefined as a combination of one or more of the following:

[0288] a) The edge position (e.g., the end position) of the downlink reference signal; and / or,

[0289] b) The edge position of the downlink reference signal pattern (e.g., the SSB pattern) in which the downlink reference signal is located (e.g., the end position of the last candidate downlink physical signal in the pattern), wherein the downlink reference signal pattern is related to the first frequency band;

[0290] c) The edge position of the downlink reference signal set (e.g., the SSB burst set) containing the downlink reference signal (e.g., the end position of the last downlink physical signal in that set); and / or,

[0291] d) The edge position (e.g., the end position) of the slot where the downlink reference signal is located; and / or,

[0292] e) The edge position (e.g., the end position) of the half frame in which the downlink reference signal is located; and / or,

[0293] f) The edge position (e.g., the end position) of the subframe containing the downlink reference signal; and / or,

[0294] g) The edge position (e.g., the end position) of the frame in which the downlink reference signal is located;

[0295] (2) Configuration information related to the first uplink resource frequency domain, including one or more of the following:

[0296] 1) The number of first uplink opportunities in frequency division multiplexing (FDM), which is the number of first uplink opportunities in the frequency domain in a first uplink time unit;

[0297] 2) A first reference frequency and / or a second reference frequency, used to indicate a frequency reference point for a first uplink resource (e.g., a first uplink opportunity), may include at least one of the following: an absolute radio frequency channel number (ARFCN) and a global synchronization channel number (GSCN);

[0298] Optionally, the first reference frequency may also be preset by the protocol, or predefined as at least one of the following: the center frequency of the downlink reference signal or the center frequency of the lowest subcarrier in the lowest PRB, the center frequency of coreset#0 (Type0PDCCH) or the center frequency of the lowest subcarrier in the lowest PRB, the center frequency of subcarrier #0 of the common resource block (Point A), the center frequency of the initial downlink BWP (initial bandwidth part) or the center frequency of the lowest subcarrier in the lowest PRB.

[0299] 3) First frequency offset (written as first frequency deviation) is used to indicate the frequency offset of the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource relative to the first reference frequency or the frequency offset of the second reference frequency relative to the first reference frequency, and the unit is frequency unit.

[0300] 4) Second frequency offset (written as second frequency deviation) is used to indicate the frequency offset of the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource relative to the second reference frequency, and the unit is frequency unit;

[0301] (3) Configuration information related to the first uplink signal, including one or more of the following:

[0302] 1) Preamble root sequence index;

[0303] 2) The number of preambles, for example, the number of preambles used to request the network to send SIB1 during a first uplink timing;

[0304] 3) A dedicated sequence used to request the network to send SIB1. This sequence can be a ZC sequence, an M sequence, or a gold sequence. The configuration information associated with this sequence includes at least one of the following:

[0305] a) Cyclic shift of a sequence;

[0306] b) The number of symbols occupied by the sequence;

[0307] c) The length of the sequence;

[0308] d) Sequence format; different sequence formats have different lengths and / or repetition counts.

[0309] e) Number of sequence repetitions;

[0310] f) Frequency hopping pattern of the sequence;

[0311] g) Root sequence index;

[0312] As an example, the proprietary sequence for requesting the network to send SIB1 may be a ZC sequence, r = e jαn ×r0, where 0 ≤ n < N, N is the length of the sequence, for example 12, α is the cyclic shift of the sequence, and r0 is the root sequence, which is determined according to the root sequence index.

[0313] (4) Configuration information related to the transmission power of the first uplink signal, including at least one of the following: the target reception power of the first uplink signal for requesting the network to send SIB1; the path loss compensation coefficient alpha for requesting the network to send SIB1 (for example, the transmission power of the first uplink signal can be based on alpha × path loss. When alpha is less than 1, it indicates partial path loss compensation; when alpha = 1, it indicates full path loss compensation; when alpha > 1, it indicates excessive path loss compensation. This configuration is beneficial for enabling the UE to obtain additional power increase when transmitting the first uplink signal at the first uplink opportunity with the ordinary target reception power of the first uplink signal); the power increase difference (such as the delta value) for requesting the network to send SIB1; the power ramping priority and / or power ramping step (step) for requesting the network to send SIB1; the number threshold related to the first uplink opportunity, etc., and the number threshold is used to determine the value of the power ramping step;

[0314] In some embodiments, when the UE selects the first uplink opportunity to transmit the first uplink signal, the above-mentioned configuration related to the dedicated power of the first uplink opportunity is used; the transmission power P is determined according to one or more of the target reception power P0, alpha × path loss, delta, and the power ramping step × the number of retransmissions; optionally, the number of retransmissions can increase the setting of the initial value in the cell energy-saving mode, for example, set to be greater than or equal to 2 (which can enable the UE to increase the transmission power in the cell energy-saving mode and increase the probability of successfully requesting the transmission of SIB1).

[0315] (5) Information related to the downlink reference signal index;

[0316] (6) The ratio of the downlink reference signal to the mapping of the first uplink opportunity (for example, SSB - first uplink opportunity) (for example, information indicating how many SSBs are mapped on one first uplink opportunity).

[0317] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first uplink resource can be a single first uplink opportunity or a group of first uplink opportunities, wherein a group of first uplink opportunities includes multiple first uplink opportunities, and the group of first uplink opportunities can also be written as a set of first uplink opportunities. The resource configuration of the group of first uplink opportunities can be at least one of the following: multiple time-domain consecutive first uplink opportunities, multiple frequency-domain consecutive first uplink opportunities, and multiple time-domain and frequency-domain consecutive first uplink opportunities.

[0318] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a first uplink timing group is configured to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal. For example, the first uplink timing group includes four first uplink timings, and the UE repeatedly transmits the first uplink signal on the four first uplink timings.

[0319] By repeatedly transmitting the first uplink signal during the first uplink phase, the coverage of the first uplink signal can be guaranteed, and the reliability of UEs at the cell edge or UEs with limited transmission power sending the first uplink signal to request the network to send OD-SIB1 can be improved.

[0320] In this embodiment of the disclosure, if the first uplink signal group is configured, and / or the ability to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal is configured, the UE can determine whether to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal in the first uplink signal group based on the Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) and / or power threshold value of the downlink path loss reference.

[0321] In some embodiments, the first uplink timing group includes a plurality of first uplink timings that are consecutive in the time domain, wherein the number of first uplink timings in the first uplink timing group is N_t, and N_t can be configured by the base station, for example, N_t = 2, 4, 8, ...; and / or, N_t can be selected based on measurement results, for example, if the measured value of the synchronization signal RSRP (SS-RSRP) of the received downlink reference signal is greater than the power threshold value P_1, then N_t = 2 is selected, that is, the same first uplink signal is transmitted on two consecutive first uplink timings in the time domain in the next available first uplink timing group. Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the time domain, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 5As shown, the first uplink timing group #0 includes a first uplink timing #0 and a first uplink timing #2 that are consecutive in the time domain; the first uplink timing group #1 includes a first uplink timing #1 and a first uplink timing #3 that are consecutive in the time domain. The UE can select to send the first uplink signal on one first uplink timing group according to the above method. For example, it can select the first uplink timing group #0, that is, send the same first uplink signal on the first uplink timing #0 and the first uplink timing #2.

[0322] In some embodiments, the first uplink timing group includes a plurality of consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain, wherein the number of consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain is N_f, wherein N_f can be configured by the base station, for example, N_f = 2, 4, 8, ...; or N_f can be selected based on measurement results, for example, if the measured value of the SS-RSRP of the synchronization signal of the received downlink reference signal is greater than the power threshold value P_2, then N_f = 2 is selected, that is, the same first uplink signal is transmitted on two consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain in the next available first uplink timing group. Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. For example... Figure 6 As shown, the first uplink timing #0 includes first uplink timing #0 and first uplink timing #1 that are consecutive in the frequency domain; the first uplink timing group #1 includes first uplink timing #2 and first uplink timing #3 that are consecutive in the frequency domain. The UE can select to send the first uplink signal on one first uplink timing group according to the above method. For example, it can select the first uplink timing group #0, that is, send the same first uplink signal on the first uplink timing #0 and the first uplink timing #1.

[0323] In some embodiments, the first uplink timing group includes multiple consecutive first uplink timings in the time and frequency domains, wherein the number of consecutive first uplink timings in the time domain is N_tt, and the number of consecutive first uplink timings in the frequency domain is N_ff. N_tt can be configured by the base station, for example, N_tf = 2, 4, 8, ...; N_ft can be configured by the base station, for example, N_ff = 2, 4, 8, ...; or, N_tt and N_ff can be selected based on measurement results. For example, if the measured value of the SS-RSRP of the received downlink reference signal is greater than the power threshold value P_3, then N_tt = 2 and N_ff = 2 are selected, that is, the same first uplink signal is transmitted on four consecutive first uplink timings in the time and frequency domains in the next available first uplink timing group. Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a first uplink timing group consisting of consecutive first uplink timings in the time and frequency domains according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example... Figure 7As shown, the first uplink timing group #0 includes first uplink timing #0, first uplink timing #1, first uplink timing #2, and first uplink timing #3, which are consecutive in both the time and frequency domains; and first uplink timing #4, first uplink timing #5, first uplink timing #6, and first uplink timing #7, which are consecutive in both the time and frequency domains. The UE can select to send the first uplink signal on one first uplink timing group according to the above method. For example, it can select the first uplink timing group #0, that is, send the same first uplink signal on the first uplink timing #0, first uplink timing #1, first uplink timing #2, and first uplink timing #3.

[0324] In this embodiment of the disclosure, unless otherwise specified, the first uplink timing involved can be a valid first uplink timing.

[0325] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the transmittable time period for the transmission of the first uplink signal or the transmission with repetition of the first uplink signal is determined according to at least one of the following methods:

[0326] From the start time of the first uplink resource determined based on the downlink reference signal to the end of the validity period of the first uplink resource; and / or,

[0327] The timeframe starts from the first uplink resource start time determined based on the downlink reference signal and ends at the end of N_v time units (e.g., a radio frame) after the frame containing the downlink reference signal, where N_v is a preset value of the protocol or a higher-layer parameter configuration (e.g., first configuration information).

[0328] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the power threshold value used to determine whether to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal can be configured by higher-layer parameters, such as being included in the first configuration information, or preset in the protocol.

[0329] In some embodiments, the power threshold value used to determine whether to repeatedly transmit the first uplink signal is applicable only when the network is in an energy-saving state or when there is no periodic transmission of SIB1; otherwise, the UE ignores the power threshold value (if configured).

[0330] [Determine the time domain resources of the first uplink resource]

[0331] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the time-domain position of the downlink reference signal, or the downlink reference signal set or the downlink reference signal pattern to which the downlink reference signal is located, is associated with the time-domain position of the first uplink resource. For example, the time-domain position of the first uplink resource can be determined based on the time-domain position of the downlink reference signal, or the downlink reference signal set or the downlink reference signal pattern to which the downlink reference signal is located.

[0332] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the UE determines the time domain location of the first uplink resource associated with the downlink reference signal based on the downlink reference signal and the first time offset.

[0333] As an example, Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of the time-domain location of the first uplink resource based on a one-to-one time-domain offset between a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) and a first uplink timing, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 8 As shown, four SSBs with indices #0 to #3 are configured at the beginning of system frame number (SFN) i. Based on the first configuration information carried by the SSBs with different indices, the first uplink resource associated with each SSB index can be determined. For example, assuming that the number of first uplink opportunities occupied by the first uplink resource is 1, the starting position of the first uplink resource associated with SSB#x can be determined based on the first time offset (Nd_0) carried by SSB#x and the ending position of SSB#x. The first uplink resource associated with SSB#x can be determined as the first uplink opportunity #x, where x = 1, 2, 3, 4. The index of the SSB can be determined according to the downlink reference signal index in the first configuration information.

[0334] As an example, Figure 9a This is a schematic diagram illustrating the determination of the time-domain location of the first uplink resource based on a second time reference point related to a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) and a first time offset, according to an embodiment of this disclosure. Figure 9a As shown, four SSBs (SSB bursts) with indices #0 to #3 are configured at the beginning of system frame number (SFN) i. Assuming that the number of time-domain first uplink opportunities occupied by the first uplink resource is 1, the starting position of the first uplink resource associated with the SSB burst set or SSB burst pattern can be determined based on the first time offset (Nd_0) and the second time position (e.g., the end position of the SSB burst set or SSB burst pattern) carried by the SSB, where Nd_0 is the time-domain offset relative to the second time position.

[0335] like Figure 9a In this context, there is a one-to-one correspondence between the SSB and the first uplink resource. The starting position of the first uplink resource is the starting position of the first uplink timing #0. Therefore, based on the first uplink timing x corresponding to SSB#x, the temporal position of the first uplink resource associated with SSB#x can be determined. The index x of the first uplink resource can be indexed in ascending order starting from 0 in the temporal domain, where index 0 corresponds to the first first uplink resource. Figure 9a The first upward opportunity in the market is #0.

[0336] Or, such as Figure 9b In this context, the relationship between the SSB and the first uplink resource is many-to-one. For example, SSB#0,1,2,3 correspond to the same first uplink resource.

[0337] In this embodiment, the indexing method for the first uplink resource is as follows: during the validity period of the first uplink resource, starting from index 0, it is first indexed in ascending order according to the frequency resource index of the frequency reused first uplink resource; secondly, it is indexed in ascending order according to the time resource index of the time reused first uplink resource. In the next validity period, the first uplink resource restarts from index 0 and is indexed according to the above method, which will not be elaborated further here.

[0338] [Determine the frequency domain location of the first uplink resource]

[0339] In embodiments of this disclosure, the starting position of the first uplink resource can be determined based on a first frequency offset and / or a second frequency offset. The first frequency offset can be set or determined, for example, based on the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation of the frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB), or further based on second information (e.g., a second indication) included in the downlink reference signal, such as a third frequency offset indicated by the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation of the frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB) and the second indication. The second frequency offset can be, for example, the frequency domain offset of the lowest first uplink opportunity of the first uplink resource relative to the lowest frequency uplink resource (PRB 0), the configuration of which ensures that the corresponding first uplink opportunity is entirely within the bandwidth of the uplink bandwidth part (UL BWP). In another implementation, the starting position of the first uplink resource can be determined based on the first frequency offset, which can be set such that the corresponding first uplink opportunity is entirely within the bandwidth of the uplink carrier or the initial uplink bandwidth part (UL BWP).

[0340] The frequency starting position of the first uplink resource also refers to the frequency starting position of the first uplink opportunity included in the first uplink resource. The first uplink opportunities at other frequency domain positions are calculated based on the position of the first uplink opportunity and the size of the frequency domain resources occupied by the first uplink opportunity, and / or the frequency domain interval between the first uplink opportunities.

[0341] In one implementation, the UE determines the frequency domain location of the first uplink resource based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset. The frequency domain location of the first uplink resource can be the frequency domain starting frequency (lowest frequency) of the first uplink resource, or the center or highest frequency of the first uplink resource. The first uplink resource can be a frequency domain resource included in the uplink carrier bandwidth or the uplink BWP bandwidth.

[0342] In some embodiments, the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource is determined based on a first reference frequency and a first frequency offset, wherein the first frequency offset is the frequency offset of the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource relative to the first reference frequency, and the unit is frequency unit. Figure 10 An example is given, where the first reference frequency is the lowest frequency f_rs of the downlink reference signal, and the frequency offset between the frequency domain position (lowest frequency) f_ul of the first uplink resource and the lowest frequency f_rs of the downlink reference signal is the first frequency offset.

[0343] In some embodiments, the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource is determined based on a first frequency offset, a first reference frequency, and a second frequency offset, wherein the second reference frequency can be obtained by applying a first frequency offset to the first reference frequency. For example, the first frequency offset can be the frequency deviation of the second reference frequency relative to the first reference frequency, in frequency units. For instance, the second reference frequency is the center frequency (Tx carrier center frequency) of the uplink carrier used for transmission by the UE; or, the second reference frequency is the frequency starting position of the uplink carrier or the initial uplink bandwidth part (UL BWP); or, the second reference frequency is an absolute frequency value determined based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset. The second frequency offset is the frequency deviation between the frequency domain position of the first uplink resource and the second reference frequency, in frequency units. Figure 11 An example is given where a second reference frequency (e.g., uplink frequency) can be determined using a first reference frequency and a first frequency offset, and the location (e.g., starting position) of a first uplink resource can be determined based on the second reference frequency and the second frequency offset. In one implementation, the first reference frequency is the lowest frequency f_rs of the downlink reference signal, the frequency offset of the second reference frequency relative to the lowest frequency f_rs of the downlink reference signal is equal to the first frequency offset, and the frequency offset of the frequency domain position (e.g., lowest frequency) f_ul of the first uplink resource relative to the second reference frequency is the second frequency offset.

[0344] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first reference frequency may be a frequency preset by the protocol, or it may be preset to a frequency related to the downlink reference signal, such as the center frequency of the downlink reference signal, or the lowest frequency of the downlink reference signal. For example, when the downlink reference signal is an SSB, the lowest frequency of the SSB is the center frequency of the lowest subcarrier of the lowest resource block (RB). Optionally, the first reference frequency may also be the center frequency or lowest frequency of downlink physical resources, which may be a set of physical resources determined based on the SSB for transmitting PDCCH and / or PDSCH, such as CORESET#0 or the initial downlink bandwidth part (DL BWP).

[0345] In some embodiments, the first reference frequency may also be a first reference frequency included in the first configuration information, used to indicate an absolute frequency location, such as ARFCN or GSCN.

[0346] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the second reference frequency may be the center frequency of the uplink carrier or the uplink BWP, or the lowest frequency of the uplink carrier or the uplink BWP (e.g., the center frequency of the lowest subcarrier of the lowest resource block of the uplink carrier or the uplink BWP).

[0347] In embodiments of this disclosure, uplink resources can be replaced by uplink carriers or uplink bandwidth parts (UL BWP), and downlink resources can be replaced by downlink carriers or downlink bandwidth parts (DL BWP).

[0348] In this embodiment, the first frequency offset is related to the first frequency band, and the UE determines the first frequency offset based on the first frequency band where the downlink reference signal is located. For example, if the first frequency band is an FDD band, the first frequency offset can be determined based on the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation or duplex spacing related to the frequency band, or based on other parameters related to the frequency domain offset between uplink and downlink resources. For ease of description, the following description uses the example of determining the first frequency offset based on Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation.

[0349] In some embodiments, a first frequency band uniquely corresponds to a first frequency offset. For example, frequency band n_i corresponds to a first frequency offset f_i. For all possible i (e.g., frequency band n_i is an FDD frequency band), n_i and f_i correspond one-to-one. This correspondence can be preset in the protocol in the form of a table, such as the example given in Table 1. Each frequency band uniquely corresponds to a first frequency offset. The table only lists the first frequency offsets corresponding to the four frequency bands n1, n2, n24, and n91 as examples, which correspond to first frequency offsets of 190MHz, 80MHz, 120.5MHz, and 580MHz, respectively. Note that the first frequency offset values ​​corresponding to the four frequency bands listed in Table 1 are only examples and can be other fixed values.

[0350] Table 1: Each first frequency band uniquely corresponds to a first frequency offset

[0351] First frequency band n_i First frequency offset f_i n1 190MHz n2 80MHz … … n24 120.5MHz … … n91 580MHz … …

[0352] If the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is a unique value, the UE can consider the first frequency offset to be equal to the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation. For example, there are only FDD bands with symmetrical UL and DL channel bandwidths, such as n1~n3, n7,n12,n13,n14,n18,n20,n30,n31,n65,n72,n74,n85,n100,n106; or there are FDD bands with asymmetrical UL and DL channel bandwidth combinations, such as n5,n8,n25,n26,n28,n66,n70,n71,n105, and the first frequency offset is equal to the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation. For example, for the FDD band n1 with symmetrical UL and DL channel bandwidths, if the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is 190MHz, then the first frequency offset is equal to the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation, which is 190MHz.

[0353] If the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is not a unique value, such as multiple values ​​or multiple fixed values, or a frequency range, the first frequency offset can be determined based on the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation of the first frequency band. This default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is one of several possible Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band, and this default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can be preset by the protocol. For example, for FDD band n24, there are two possible Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations: -101.5MHz and -120.5MHz. Therefore, the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is -101.5MHz (or -120MHz). Alternatively, for FDD band n91, the possible Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations are in the range of 570MHz-595MHz. Therefore, the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is one of the values ​​within this frequency range, such as 582.5MHz.

[0354] The default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can satisfy the following conditions: In FDD mode, the lower limit of the frequency range of the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is F_DL_low–F_UL_high+0.5(BW_DL+BW_UL), and the upper limit is F_DL_high–F_UL_low–0.5(BW_DL+BW_UL), where F_DL_low is the lowest frequency of the frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located, F_DL_high is the highest frequency of the frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located, F_UL_low is the lowest frequency of the frequency domain resource where the first uplink signal is located, F_UL_high is the highest frequency of the frequency domain resource where the first uplink signal is located, BW_DL is the downlink resource bandwidth where the downlink reference signal is located, and BW_UL is the first uplink resource bandwidth where the first uplink signal is located. For example, the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can ensure that the first frequency offset determined based on the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation allows the frequency domain resource with smaller bandwidth in the frequency domain resource where the first uplink signal is located and the frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located to be restricted to another frequency domain resource with larger bandwidth after frequency domain offset by the first frequency offset (for example, the frequency obtained by adding or subtracting the first frequency offset from the center frequency of the frequency domain resource where the first uplink signal is located needs to be within the bandwidth range of the frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located); and / or, the offset of the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation and the maximum value of Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is ΔF_TX-RX=|(BW_DL–BW_UL) / 2|, where the frequency domain resource where the first uplink signal is located can be the uplink carrier bandwidth where the first uplink signal is located, the frequency domain resource where the downlink reference signal is located can be the downlink carrier bandwidth where the downlink reference signal is located, and the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can be the difference between the center frequency of the downlink carrier where the downlink reference signal is located and the center frequency of the uplink carrier where the first uplink signal is located.

[0355] In some embodiments, the UE determines a first frequency offset based on first information (e.g., a first indication), the first frequency offset being a value among the possible Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0356] If the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is not a unique value, such as multiple fixed values ​​or a frequency range, the UE determines a Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation based on a first indication. This first indication can be an index used to indicate an item in a pre-defined table, which includes a frequency band number and one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to that frequency band number. Then, the first frequency offset is equal to the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation determined according to the first indication. For example, Table 2 gives an example of determining the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the first indication. This is just an example. The table lists two possible first frequency offsets corresponding to the frequency band n24, namely, Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations of -101.5MHz and -120.5MHz. The first indication is a 1-bit indication, indicating one of the two possible first frequency offsets. For example, bit '0' indicates -101.5MHz and bit '1' indicates -120.5MHz.

[0357] Note that the first frequency offset value listed in Table 2 for the first frequency band is only an example and can be other values. In addition to the 2-bit indication, the first indication can also be more than 2 bits, such as the q-bit indication, which can indicate one of the 2^q possibilities of the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0358] Table 2: Determine the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the first indication.

[0359]

[0360] If the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is a unique value, the UE ignores the first indication and considers the first frequency offset to be equal to the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0361] In some embodiments, the UE determines a first frequency offset based on second information (e.g., a second indication), which indicates a third frequency offset. For example, the third frequency offset may be based on the frequency offset of the first frequency offset relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation, in frequency domain units. The first frequency offset can be determined based on the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation and the third frequency offset.

[0362] If the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is not a unique value (e.g., multiple fixed values ​​or a frequency range), then the first frequency band has a default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation. This default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can be preset by the protocol. For example, the protocol presets a default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation for frequency bands with multiple Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations. Optionally, if the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band is a unique value, then this unique Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation can be considered the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation.

[0363] The first frequency offset is determined based on the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation and the second indication corresponding to the first frequency band. The second indication is used to indicate the offset of the first frequency offset relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation (written as the third frequency offset). For example, the second indication can be an index used to indicate an item in a table preset by the protocol. The table includes a frequency band number and one or more offsets corresponding to the frequency band number relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation. The offset is frequency band related. Alternatively, the table includes an offset relative to the default frequency offset or a frequency offset obtained according to the configuration. The offset is frequency band independent.

[0364] For example, Table 3 gives an example of determining the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the second indication. As an example only, the table lists two possible third frequency offsets corresponding to the n91 frequency band, namely 10MHz and -10MHz. The second indication is a 1-bit indication, indicating one of the two possible third frequency offsets. For example, bit '0' indicates 10MHz and bit '1' indicates -10MHz.

[0365] For band n91, the corresponding Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is 570MHz-595MHz (as an example). The default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation for this band is 580MHz (as an example). The offset relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation determined by the second indication (e.g., '0') is 10MHz (according to the third frequency offset corresponding to the second indication '0' in Table 3). Therefore, the first frequency offset is 580MHz + 10MHz = 590MHz.

[0366] Alternatively, if the offset relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency determined according to the second indication (e.g., '1') is -10MHz (according to the third frequency offset corresponding to the second indication '1' in Table 3), then the first frequency offset is 580MHz + (-10MHz) = 570MHz.

[0367] Note that the third frequency offset value corresponding to the first frequency band listed in Table 3 and the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation are only examples. Other values ​​are also possible. In addition to the 2-bit indicator, the second indicator can also be an indicator with more than 2 bits, such as a q-bit indicator, which can indicate one of the 2^q possibilities of the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0368] Table 3: Determine the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the second indication.

[0369]

[0370] As an example, Table 4 provides another example of determining the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the second indication. The table lists one or more third frequency offsets corresponding to the first frequency band, where the unit of the third frequency offset is a frequency domain cell, and the frequency domain bandwidth occupied by each frequency domain cell is related to the numberology or subcarrier spacing. As just an example, Table 4 lists two possible third frequency offsets corresponding to the n91 frequency band, 20RB and -20RB, where the second indication is a 1-bit indication indicating one of the two possible third frequency offsets, for example, bit '0' indicates 20RB and bit '1' indicates -20RB. For band n91, the corresponding Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is 570MHz-595MHz (as an example). The default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation for this band is 580MHz (as an example). The first frequency offset determined according to the second indication (e.g., '0') is 20RB relative to the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation (according to the third frequency offset corresponding to the second indication '0' in Table 4). The frequency bandwidth corresponding to one RB is 0.18MHz (assuming a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, one RB occupies 12 subcarriers). Therefore, the frequency offset corresponding to 20RB is 3.6MHz. Thus, the first frequency offset is 580MHz + 3.6MHz = 583.6MHz.

[0371] Alternatively, if the first frequency offset determined according to the second indication (e.g., '1') is separated from the default Tx-Rx carrier center frequency by an offset of -20 resource blocks (according to the third frequency offset corresponding to the second indication '1' in Table 4), and the frequency bandwidth corresponding to one RB is 0.18MHz (assuming a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz and one RB occupies 12 subcarriers), then the frequency offset corresponding to -20RB is -3.6MHz, and the first frequency offset is 580MHz + (-3.6MHz) = 576.4MHz.

[0372] Table 4: Determine the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the second indication.

[0373]

[0374] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the value of the third frequency offset is related to the maximum value (e.g., the maximum offset) of the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation of the first frequency band.

[0375] In some embodiments, in FDD mode, the third frequency offset is less than or equal to |(BW_DL–BW_UL) / 2|, where BW_DL is the downlink resource bandwidth where the downlink reference signal is located, and BW_UL is the first uplink resource bandwidth where the first uplink signal is located.

[0376] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the location of the first uplink resource can be determined based on a first reference frequency, parameters related to the frequency domain offset between the uplink and downlink resources (e.g., Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation or default Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation), and a second frequency offset. For example, the parameters related to the frequency domain offset (e.g., Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation or default Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation) can be used as the first frequency offset, a second reference frequency can be determined based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset, and the location of the first uplink resource can be determined based on the second reference frequency and the second frequency offset.

[0377] Figure 12 An example is given, where the first frequency offset is the Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation f_sep, i.e., f_sep = F_DL_C - F_UL_c, and the first reference frequency is the lowest frequency of the downlink reference signal, which is equal to the lowest frequency of the downlink resource it resides in, i.e., F_DL_low. Then, the second frequency offset = F_UL_low - (F_DL_low - f_sep). The advantage of introducing the second frequency offset is that it ensures that the resources of a given first uplink signal can be limited to the bandwidth of the first uplink resource, increasing the configuration flexibility of the downlink reference signal's location.

[0378] Alternatively, the location of the first uplink resource can be determined based on parameters related to the frequency domain offset between the first reference frequency, the uplink resource, and the downlink resource (e.g., Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation or the default Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation), and the third frequency offset. For example, the first frequency offset can be determined by parameters related to the frequency domain offset (e.g., Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation or the default Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation) and the third frequency offset, and the location of the first uplink resource can be determined based on the first reference frequency and the determined first frequency offset.

[0379] like Figure 13 As shown, the first frequency offset can be determined based on the Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation or the default Tx_Rx carrier center frequency separation and the third frequency offset, and the location of the first uplink resource can be determined based on the first reference frequency and the determined first frequency offset.

[0380] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first frequency offset and / or the second frequency offset are related to the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the downlink frequency domain resources and / or the first uplink resources where the downlink reference signal is located. The subcarrier spacing may be the same as the subcarrier spacing of the downlink reference signal; or, the subcarrier spacing may be the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the common resource block corresponding to the downlink and / or uplink carriers; or, the subcarrier spacing may be the subcarrier spacing corresponding to the first frequency band where the downlink reference signal is located.

[0381] In one implementation, the subcarrier spacing-related indication is included in the downlink reference signal, such as the PBCH of the downlink reference signal, which includes a subcarrier spacing-related field (e.g., the subCarrierSpacingCommon field) in the broadcast message block (e.g., MIB) of the serving cell. Preferably, the UE considers that the subcarrier spacing of the uplink frequency domain resources and the downlink frequency domain resources are the same in the first frequency band.

[0382] In some embodiments, for different subcarrier spacings, at least one of the first frequency offset, second frequency offset, and third frequency offset can be determined based on different frequency ranges. For example, for the FDD band n92, when the parameter set (numerology) u = 0 (corresponding to a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz), the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation range is 575 MHz - 680 MHz, then the first frequency offset is a value within this frequency range, such as 575 MHz; when the parameter set (numerology) u = 1 (corresponding to a subcarrier spacing of 30 kHz), the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation range is 580 MHz - 675 MHz, then the first frequency offset is a value within this frequency range, such as 580 MHz. Alternatively, the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band can be f_0 + axu or f_0 - axu, where a is a constant, such as a = 5, in MHz, and f_0 is the first frequency offset corresponding to u = 0. In one implementation, for a first frequency band with multiple optional Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations, these multiple optional Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations can correspond to different SCSs, and the first frequency offset can be determined based on the SCS as one of the multiple optional Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band.

[0383] In some embodiments, at least one of the first frequency offset, the second frequency offset, and the third frequency offset is associated with a frequency band group to which the first frequency band belongs. The UE determines at least one of the first frequency offset, the second frequency offset, and the third frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band based on the frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band. The frequency band group may include a set of frequency bands, for example, a frequency band group including NR frequency bands n1, n2, and n3. For ease of description and to avoid redundancy, the following description exemplifies the association of the first frequency offset with the frequency band group to which the first frequency band belongs. The following scheme can also be applied accordingly to situations where the second frequency offset or the third frequency offset is associated with the frequency band group to which the first frequency band belongs.

[0384] In some embodiments, a frequency band group includes one or more frequency bands, one of which corresponds to one or more first frequency offsets. Optionally, the first frequency offset is a value of one of the center frequency separations of one or more Tx-Rx carriers corresponding to that frequency band. The first frequency offset corresponding to a frequency band in a frequency band group can be a fixed value preset by the protocol. For example, the frequency band group includes frequency bands n1, n2, and n3, where the first frequency offset corresponding to n1 is 190MHz, the first frequency offset corresponding to n2 is 80MHz, and the first frequency offset corresponding to n3 is 95MHz.

[0385] The benefit of doing this is that for frequency bands with multiple Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations, the frequency band group method can be used to limit the frequency band to only a single or a few first frequency offsets, which helps to simplify the UE's configuration for determining the location of uplink or downlink resources.

[0386] In some embodiments, the first frequency band may belong to multiple different frequency band groups. In different frequency band groups, the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band may be different or the same. The first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band in different frequency band groups may be, for example, a protocol preset (e.g., a value of one of the center frequency separations of one or more Tx-Rx carriers corresponding to the first frequency band) or a higher-layer signaling configuration. For example, the protocol presets a first frequency band group and a second frequency band group, wherein the first frequency band group includes frequency bands n1 and n24, where the first frequency offset corresponding to n1 is 190MHz and the first frequency offset corresponding to n24 is -101.5MHz; the second frequency band group includes frequency bands n1 and n24, where the first frequency offset corresponding to n1 is 190MHz and the first frequency offset corresponding to n24 is -120.5MHz.

[0387] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the frequency band group may include only FDD frequency bands, or it may include both FDD and TDD frequency bands, wherein the TDD frequency band is a frequency band that supports asymmetric channel bandwidth.

[0388] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when the first frequency band belongs to multiple different frequency band groups, the UE can determine the frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band based on third information (e.g., a third indication). This third indication can be a frequency band group index; for example, the index corresponding to the first frequency band group is 1, and the index corresponding to the second frequency band group is 2. The UE can determine the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band using this frequency band group index and the first frequency band. For example, the first frequency band group includes frequency bands n1 and n24, with a corresponding frequency band group index of 1, where the first frequency offset corresponding to n1 is 190MHz, and the first frequency offset corresponding to n24 is -101.5MHz; the second frequency band group includes frequency bands n1 and n24, with a corresponding frequency band group index of 2, where the first frequency offset corresponding to n1 is 190MHz, and the first frequency offset corresponding to n24 is -120.5MHz. Based on the obtained frequency band group index, such as 1, the UE determines that the first frequency band, such as n24, belongs to the first frequency band group, and therefore the UE determines that the first frequency offset corresponding to the first frequency band is -101.5MHz.

[0389] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first indication, and / or the second indication, and / or the third indication, can be determined by a downlink reference signal. For example, it can be carried by a signal and / or channel included in the downlink reference signal, in a manner including at least one of the following:

[0390] -PBCH MIB;

[0391] -PBCH payload;

[0392] -PBCH DMRS sequence;

[0393] -PSS and / or SSS sequences.

[0394] [Send the first uplink signal]

[0395] In this embodiment of the disclosure, in step S430, the UE transmits a first uplink signal on a first uplink resource, wherein the first uplink signal is related to the downlink reference signal received in step S410.

[0396] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the UE performs cell search by receiving a downlink reference signal transmitted by the network or serving cell in a first frequency band. The downlink reference signal includes at least one of the following: a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), a primary synchronization signal (PSS), and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). Preferably, the serving cell is PCell. The UE is in RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, or in RRC_CONNECTED state when running T311.

[0397] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the first uplink signal can also be written as an uplink wakeupsignal (UL-WUS).

[0398] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the configuration information related to the first uplink signal is obtained based on the downlink reference signal. For example, the configuration information related to the first uplink signal is obtained based on the first configuration information carried by the downlink reference signal or determined based on the downlink reference signal.

[0399] In some embodiments, the configuration information related to the first uplink signal can also be obtained based on the synchronization signal in the downlink reference signal. For example, the first uplink signal and the downlink reference signal include the Physical Cell ID (PCI), where the Physical Cell ID is determined based on the ID information carried by the PSS and SSS of the downlink reference signal. For example, if the ID information determined based on the PSS is N_id2 and the ID information determined based on the SSS is N_id1, then as an example, the cell ID, N_ID(PCI) = K'*N_id1+N_id2, for example, K' = 3.

[0400] As an example, the generation method of the first uplink reference signal can be the same as or similar to the generation method of PSS or SSS. For example, the first uplink reference signal is generated based on the m-sequence, and the generated sequence d_ul(n) = 1 - 2x(m), where m is determined based on PCI and / or N_id2 and / or N_id1. For example,

[0401] m = (n + 43N_ID) mod 127, 0 <= n < 127, x(i + 7) = (x(i + 4) + x(i)) mod 2, [x(6) x(5) x(4) x(3) x(2) x(1) x(0)] = [1 1 1 0 1 1 0], where N_ID is PCI and / or N_id2 and / or N_id1.

[0402] The advantage of obtaining the first uplink signal based on the cell-related ID information carried in the synchronization signal in the downlink reference signal is that it avoids interference between cells and prevents the network from receiving the first uplink signal sent by the UE of the neighboring cell and sending OD-SIB1, which is beneficial to the energy saving of the network.

[0403] [Expiration date of OD-SIB1]

[0404] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the SIB1 transmission validity period refers to the period during which SIB1 is transmitted or is in a transmission state. The information related to the validity period is included in the feedback message (RAR) requesting SIB1 to be transmitted or carried by the downlink reference signal.

[0405] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the feedback message requesting SIB1 to send also includes a validity period indication related to the validity period of the requested SIB1, used to indicate the valid duration (or validity period) of the SIB1 transmission. The unit of the validity period can be one or more first periods. Optionally, the first period can be one or more time units, or the default paging period.

[0406] In some embodiments, the validity period indication provides / indicates a multiple, the unit of which is the duration of the first period, such as an integer such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. When the number of frames included in the first period is 32 frames, the validity period of the first uplink timing resource is the number of frames included in one first period, i.e., 32 frames.

[0407] In some embodiments, the validity period indication may also be considered as activating a timer, before which SIB1 is considered to be sent or in a sending state, and the duration of the timer may be the time unit included in one or more first cycles.

[0408] Specifically, the aforementioned validity period includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0409] (1) The validity period includes a time period of preset length;

[0410] Outside of this time period, the feedback message sent by the requesting SIB1 indicates that the requested SIB1 believes it has not been sent; that is, the validity period is defined as a preset time length.

[0411] Optionally, the time period can be one or more first cycles, or one or more default paging cycles, and the configuration information for the time period can be carried by downlink reference signals, for example, included in the PBCH MIB or PBCH payload.

[0412] In one example, the start position of the validity period is the position after the UE receives the feedback message sent by request SIB1 and the first preset interval is met, or the start position of the validity period is the position after the UE sends the first uplink signal and the first preset interval is met, where the unit of the first preset interval is a time domain unit.

[0413] (2) The validity period includes a first preset number of consecutive SIB1 PDCCHs and / or PDSCHs;

[0414] After a first preset number of consecutive SIB1 PDCCHs and / or PDSCHs, a SIB1 in the transmission state is considered deactivated or in a non-transmission state.

[0415] Optionally, the configuration information for the number of consecutive SIB1 PDCCH and / or PDSCH transmissions during the validity period of SIB1 can be carried by a downlink reference signal, for example, included in the payload of PBCH MIB or PBCH.

[0416] [Receive RAR]

[0417] Combination Figure 4 The method described according to the example embodiments of this disclosure may further include the UE receiving feedback information from the base station, specifically including at least one of the following: the UE using a first RNTI to detect the feedback information; the UE searching for the base station's feedback in a specified control resource set (COREST) ​​and / or search space. The specified control resource set and / or search space may be dedicated to NES UEs (e.g., supported by NES UEs); or dedicated to NES random access (e.g., a random access configuration used by a base station in power-saving mode); or a feedback message preset in the protocol for the UE to receive a request to send a SIB1 transmission request.

[0418] In some embodiments, the UE searches for base station feedback within a specified search window. For example, the feedback information may include at least one of the following: a Random Access Response (RAR), message 2, or message B. The specified search window may be dedicated to NES UEs (e.g., supported by NES UEs); or dedicated to NES random access (e.g., a random access configuration used by a base station in power-saving mode); or a feedback message preset in the protocol for the UE to receive a request to send SIB1. The configuration of the specified search window specifically includes the start time of the search window and / or the length of the search window.

[0419] In some embodiments, the feedback message requesting SIB1 to send may be first downlink control information scrambled by a first RANTI, which includes at least one of the following:

[0420] (1) First downlink control information scrambled by a dedicated preset RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identity), for example, the UE receiving base station is configured with a dedicated RNTI for requesting to send SIB1 on the first uplink resource to receive feedback from the base station.

[0421] That is, the first downlink control information can be scrambled by a dedicated RNTI. The dedicated RNTI can be a predefined or pre-configured RNTI value used to transmit the first downlink control information. The DCI carried by the PDCCH can use the original DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_0, DCI format 2_7) or a newly defined DCI format.

[0422] (2) First downlink control information scrambled by SI-RNTI (System Information-RNTI, System Information Radio Network Temporary Identifier);

[0423] The feedback information requesting SIB1 to be sent can be carried by the first downlink control information scrambled by SI-RNTI, such as by the scheduling PDCCH of the system information. The feedback can be a 1-bit indicator to indicate whether the request for SIB1 to be sent was successful. For example, the feedback information requesting SIB1 to be sent can be indicated by a reserved bit or a reserved status value in the scheduling PDCCH of the system information.

[0424] The advantage of using SI-RNTI scrambled first downlink control information to carry feedback information requesting SIB1 to be sent is that it can be used simultaneously to support idle and connected UEs to listen to the first downlink control information and receive SIB1 scheduling information when not sending the first uplink signal, thereby saving UE power, reducing base station wake-up time, and achieving network energy saving.

[0425] (3) First downlink control information scrambled by P-RNTI (Paging-RNTI, temporary identifier for paging wireless network);

[0426] The feedback information requested by SIB1 can be carried by the first downlink control information scrambled by P-RNTI, such as by the scheduling PDCCH of the paging message. For example, the feedback information requested by SIB1 can be indicated by reserved bits or reserved status values ​​in the scheduling PDCCH of the paging message.

[0427] For example, the first downlink control information can be DCI format 1_0 scrambled by P-RNTI. Optionally, the feedback information requesting SIB1 to send can be indicated by the reserved bits or reserved status value in the short message of DCI format 1_0.

[0428] (4) The random access wireless network temporary identifier RA-RNTI is calculated based on the first uplink resource and feature index or feature group index. One possible implementation of RA-RNTI is RA-RNTI = 1 + s_id + 14 × t_id + 14 × 80 × f_id + 14 × 80 × 8 × ul_carrier_id + 14 × 80 × k × 2 × feature_id, where s_id is the index of the first symbol of the first uplink resource transmitting the first uplink signal, such as the index of an OFDM symbol; t_id is the time slot index including the first uplink resource; f_id is the index of the first uplink resource in the frequency domain; ul_carrier_id is the UL carrier used to transmit the first uplink signal (0 for NUL carriers and 1 for SUL carriers); k is the maximum value of f_id, for example, k = 8; feature_id is obtained by logical indexing one or more features or feature combinations configured by the base station for random access. For example, the base station can be configured to configure feature_id as 0 for request SIB1 transmission and 1 for message 3 repetition for message 3 repetition.

[0429] (5) Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI), for example, the UE uses the C-RNTI configured by the base station to receive feedback from the base station.

[0430] In some embodiments, MAC layer signaling can be used to carry feedback information requesting SIB1 to send, and the MAC layer signaling may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0431] (1) The MAC subheader included in the MAC PDU (Protocol Data Unit) used to carry RAR;

[0432] That is, the feedback information requesting SIB1 to be sent can be carried by adding a dedicated MAC subheader to the RAR PDU. For example, a new MAC subheader is defined to indicate the feedback information requesting SIB1 to be sent. This MAC subheader is included in the RAR PDU, that is, carried by RAR PDSCH.

[0433] (2) MAC RAR;

[0434] The MAC RAR can be used to indicate the feedback information requested by SIB1. For example, a predefined or preconfigured first uplink signal is used to request the activation of the PRACH resource, and the RAR corresponding to this first uplink signal is used to carry the feedback information requested by SIB1. For example, the feedback information requested by SIB1 can be carried by redefining the information content in the existing RAR.

[0435] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the failure to send the request SIB1 may be due to at least one of the following conditions:

[0436] (1) The UE did not detect the RAR corresponding to the first uplink signal sent by the UE on the first uplink resource in the specified search window;

[0437] (2) When the UE sends a request SIB1 based on msg3, the UE does not listen to Msg4 of the random access procedure;

[0438] (3) The maximum number of times the first uplink signal has been repeatedly sent has been reached (e.g., the maximum number of times the first uplink signal has been sent).

[0439] The method executed by the base station in this disclosure corresponds to the steps of the method executed by the UE, and their implementation principles are similar, with corresponding technical effects. A detailed functional description of the method executed by the base station is provided below.

[0440] Figure 14 A schematic diagram of the structure of a user equipment 1400 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. (Reference) Figure 14 The user equipment 1400 includes a transceiver 1401 and a controller 1402. The transceiver 1401 is configured to transmit or receive data or signals. The controller 1402 is coupled to the transceiver 1401 and configured to perform control to cause the user equipment 1400 to perform methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one implementation, the user equipment 1400 may further include a memory (not shown) storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the controller 1402, allow the user equipment 1400 to perform at least one method corresponding to the above embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0441] Figure 15 A schematic diagram of the structure of a network-side device 1500 according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. (Refer to...) Figure 15The network-side device 1500 includes a transceiver 1501 and a controller 1502. The transceiver 1501 is configured to transmit data or signals and receive data or signals. The controller 1502 is coupled to the transceiver 1501 and configured to perform control such that the network-side device 1500 performs methods according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In one implementation, the network-side device 1500 may further include a memory (not shown) storing computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the controller 1502, allow the network-side device 1500 to perform at least one method corresponding to the above embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0442] Those skilled in the art will understand that the illustrative embodiments described above are not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that any two or more of the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any combination. Furthermore, other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of this disclosure, as generally described herein and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed in a variety of different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0443] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logic blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described above in the form of sets of functions. Whether such sets of functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described sets of functions in different ways for each specific application, but such design decisions should not be construed as departing from the scope of this application.

[0444] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in this application may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in alternatives, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0445] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in this application may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor so that the processor can read and write information to / from the storage medium. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In an alternative, the processor and storage medium may reside as discrete components in the user terminal.

[0446] In one or more exemplary designs, the functionality may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality may be stored or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, the latter including any medium that facilitates the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. Storage media may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer.

[0447] The above description is merely an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method executed by a user equipment (UE) in a communication system, comprising: Receive downlink reference signal; A first uplink signal is transmitted on a first uplink resource, the frequency domain position of which is determined based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency. The first frequency offset is related to a first frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal, and the first reference frequency is related to the frequency domain position of the downlink reference signal. The first uplink signal is used to request a system information block.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The first frequency offset is related to the separation of the center frequency of the transmit / receive Tx-Rx carrier corresponding to the first frequency band.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The first frequency offset is the first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation in one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations corresponding to the first frequency band.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The downlink reference signal includes first information indicating the separation of the center frequencies of the first Tx-Rx carrier.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein, The first Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation is determined based on a predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation among the one or more Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separations.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein, The downlink reference signal includes second information indicating a third frequency offset, and the first frequency offset is determined based on the third frequency offset and the predefined Tx-Rx carrier center frequency.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein, The third frequency offset is independent of the first frequency band.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The first frequency offset is also determined based on the subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the downlink resources corresponding to the downlink reference signal.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, wherein, The first frequency offset is also determined based on the frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein, The downlink reference signal includes third information, which indicates a first frequency band group in at least one frequency band group corresponding to the first frequency band.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, further comprising: The second reference frequency is determined based on the first reference frequency and the first frequency offset. The frequency domain position of the first uplink resource is determined based on the second frequency offset and the determined second reference frequency.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, The second frequency offset is related to the maximum value of the Tx-Rx carrier center frequency separation corresponding to the first frequency band.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein, The first uplink signal is related to the downlink reference signal.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first uplink signal is related to the cell identifier ID obtained through the downlink reference signal.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The generation method of the first uplink signal sequence is the same as the generation method of the sequence related to the downlink reference signal.

16. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The downlink reference signal includes information related to the first uplink signal. The information related to the first uplink signal includes at least one of the following: Information related to the cyclic shift of the first uplink signal sequence, information related to the root sequence of the sequence, the number of symbols occupied by the sequence, the length of the sequence, the format of the sequence, the number of repetitions of the sequence, and the frequency hopping mode of the sequence.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The first uplink signal is generated according to at least one of the following sequences: m sequence, Gold sequence, or ZC sequence.

18. A method performed by a network device in a communication system, comprising: Send downlink reference signal; A first uplink signal is received on a first uplink resource, the frequency domain position of which is determined based on a first frequency offset and a first reference frequency. The first frequency offset is related to a first frequency band corresponding to the downlink reference signal, and the first reference frequency is related to the frequency domain position of the downlink reference signal. The first uplink signal is used to request a system information block.

19. A user equipment (UE) in a communication system, comprising: A transceiver is configured to transmit and / or receive signals; The controller is configured to control the UE to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-17.

20. A network device in a communication system, comprising: A transceiver is configured to transmit and / or receive signals; The controller is configured to control the network device to perform the method according to claim 18.

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