RRC connection establishment

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment. In one aspect, a terminal device receives, from a network device, at least one supported profile index of the network device. The terminal device establishes an RRC connection based on a first profile index of the at least one supported profile index. The first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an indication of the network device or selected by the terminal device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to the field of communications, and particularly to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for establishing RRC connections. Background Technology

[0002] A communication network can be viewed as a facility that enables communication between two or more communication devices or provides communication devices with access to a data network. Mobile or wireless communication networks are an example of communication networks.

[0003] Such communication networks operate according to standards provided by organizations such as 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of such standards include the so-called 5G (fifth generation) standard, the 6G (sixth generation) standard, or other standards issued by 3GPP. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In general, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide a technical solution for RRC connection establishment, and in particular a technical solution for RRC connection establishment based on a profile index of RRC connection establishment configuration.

[0005] In a first aspect, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions. When executed by the at least one processor, the instructions cause the terminal device to at least: receive at least one support profile index from a network device; and establish a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The terminal device is also configured to: receive from the network device a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and determine the first profile index based on the standard.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The terminal device is also configured to: receive a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index to establish an RRC connection; determine a second profile index based on the standard; receive the first profile index from the network device; and overwrite the second profile index with the first profile index.

[0008] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The terminal device is also configured to receive the first profile index from the network device.

[0009] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to send at least one suggestion or recommendation profile determined by the terminal device to the network device.

[0010] In some embodiments, the terminal device is configured to receive at least one support profile index from the network device by receiving at least one support profile index via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0011] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0012] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: receive a terminal device-specific configuration from a network device, and wherein the terminal device is configured to establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index by: establishing an RRC connection based on an RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and a terminal device-specific configuration.

[0013] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0014] In a second aspect, a network device is provided. The network device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to at least: send at least one support profile index of the network device to a terminal device, such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The network device is also configured to send to the terminal device a standard for the terminal device to determine the profile index from at least one supporting profile index.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by the network device. The network device is also configured to: send a standard for the terminal device to determine the profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and send the first profile index to the terminal device such that the terminal device uses the first profile index to overwrite the second profile index.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by the network device. The network device is also configured to send the first profile index to the terminal device.

[0018] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to: receive from the terminal device at least one recommendation profile determined by the terminal device; and determine a first profile index based on the at least one recommendation profile.

[0019] In some embodiments, the network device is configured to send at least one support profile index to the terminal device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0020] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to send a dedicated configuration to the terminal device, wherein the dedicated configuration is specific to the terminal device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0022] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving from a network device at least one support profile index of the network device; and establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by a terminal device.

[0023] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: sending at least one support profile index of a network device to a terminal device, such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0024] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: components for receiving at least one support profile index of a network device from a network device; and components for establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index in the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by a terminal device.

[0025] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: means for transmitting to a terminal device at least one support profile index of a network device such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0026] In a seventh aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to a third or fourth aspect.

[0027] In an eighth aspect, a computer program including instructions is provided that, when executed by a device, causes the device to perform at least the method according to the third or fourth aspect.

[0028] In a ninth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiving circuitry configured to receive at least one support profile index of a network device from a network device; and an establishment circuitry configured to establish a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by a terminal device.

[0029] In a tenth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes: a transmitting circuit system configured to: transmit at least one support profile index of a network device to a terminal device, such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0030] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0031] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] Figure 1 An example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is illustrated;

[0033] Figure 2 The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 3 The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 4 The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 5The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0037] Figure 6 The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0038] Figure 7 The illustration shows a signaling diagram illustrating an example of a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0039] Figure 8 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0040] Figure 9 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0041] Figure 10 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0042] Figure 11 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 12 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 13 The illustration shows a flowchart of a method implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 14 A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated; and

[0046] Figure 15 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0047] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to help those skilled in the art to understand and implement this disclosure, and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various other ways besides those described below.

[0049] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0050] In this disclosure, references to "an embodiment," "embodiment," and "example embodiment," etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment must include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, those skilled in the art will understand that, whether explicitly described or not, it is within the scope of their knowledge to implement such a feature, structure, or characteristic in combination with other embodiments.

[0051] It should be understood that although the terms “first” and “second”, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0052] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. The singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” used herein also include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Further understanding is that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “containing,” and / or “comprise”, as used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “<at least one of a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording (where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”) means at least any one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0053] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) Pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementations only in analog and / or digital circuit systems), and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of (multiple) analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor (including (multiple) digital signal processors), software, and (multiple) memories, which work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions, and (c) (Multiple) hardware circuits and / or (multiple) processors, such as (multiple) microprocessors or a portion thereof, which require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but may be absent when operation is not required.

[0054] The definition of "circuit system" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used in this application, the term "circuit system" also covers only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion of hardware circuitry or a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, if applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit system" also covers baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

[0055] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocols, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth-generation (5G) and sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems embodying this disclosure. This should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure to the systems described above.

[0056] As used herein, the terms “network device” and “access network device” refer to nodes in a communication network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Network devices can refer to base stations (BS) or access points (APs), such as Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), Transmitter Receiver Point (TRP), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Header (RH), Remote Radio Header (RRH), relay, low-power nodes (such as femtoseconds, picoseconds), etc., depending on the terminology and technology used.

[0057] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not a limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEE), laptop mounted devices (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated processing chain environments), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal equipment", "communication equipment", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0058] Figure 1 An example communication network in which embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented is illustrated.

[0059] like Figure 1 As shown, the communication network 100 may include a terminal device 120 and a network device 110. The terminal device 120 is located within the coverage area 130 served by the network device 110. The network device 110 may establish an RRC connection with the terminal device 120 via a distributed unit (DU) and a centralized unit (CU).

[0060] It should be understood that the number of terminal devices and network devices is for illustrative purposes only and does not imply any limitation. System 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices and network devices appropriate for implementing embodiments of this disclosure. Furthermore, the terminal devices and network devices may use different RATs, including but not limited to the aforementioned 5G and 6G.

[0061] Communication in communication system 100 can be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol(s), including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and sixth-generation (6G), wireless local area network communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Furthermore, communication can utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform Spread Spectrum OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0062] Before introducing this disclosure, we can first introduce the establishment of an RRC connection. RRC connection established

[0063] RRC connection establishment can involve the establishment of SRB1. The network completes RRC connection establishment before completing NG connection establishment (i.e., before receiving UE context information from the core network). Therefore,

[0064] The RRC connection establishment process is described as the exchange of signaling messages between the UE and the NW (network device), which is used to establish an AS connection and transition the UE to an RRC connection state.

[0065] The process is described as follows: (1) The UE sends an RRC establishment request with reason and ID to the NW via SRB0. (2) The NW may consider this reason to admit the UE and send the SRB1 configuration to the UE using an RRC setup message. This message may include the configuration used to establish SRB1. (3) The UE can use the received configuration (in step 2 above) to configure itself and change the RRC state to the RRC connection state. (4) The UE may send an RRC establishment complete message as an indication that the RRC connection establishment is complete (the UE is in the RRC connection state), and send other content to establish and utilize different services.

[0066] The RRC connection establishment process involves a one-to-one process between the NW and the UE. However, the content exchange between the UE and the NW is essentially the same. The NW uses one-to-one message exchange to allocate a small portion of content (e.g., dedicated (UE-specific) configuration) to the UE.

[0067] Typically, each NW can have different values ​​for allocating RRC connection establishment parameters. The NW selects these values ​​based on site configuration (cell size, user density, obstacles, buildings, trees, etc.) and the assigned ARFCN. Therefore, the resource overhead of providing these configurations to each UE (attached to the NW) is enormous, for example, considering approximately 90% of the common configurations, yet still using one-to-one messaging to send them to individual UEs.

[0068] Based on the above issues, the following questions need to be further discussed: how to reduce the overhead (resources, energy, and latency) involved in the RRC connection establishment process.

[0069] In light of the foregoing discussion and analysis, some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure provide methods and apparatus related to RRC connection establishment, particularly methods and apparatus for RRC connection establishment based on a profile index of an RRC connection establishment configuration. In these embodiments, a terminal device (UE) can receive at least one support profile index from a network device and establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index. This first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device itself. In this way, signaling overhead for RRC establishment can be reduced, thereby improving communication efficiency. Energy savings for both the network device and the UE are also achieved due to the reduced content from the messages(s).

[0070] The following will refer to Figures 1-7 The principles and implementation of exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are described in detail.

[0071] Figure 2 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 200. Process 200 may involve, for example, Figure 1 The terminal device 120 and network device 110 are shown.

[0072] In process 200, at point 210, network device 110 may send at least one support profile index of the network device to terminal device 120.

[0073] At 220, terminal device 120 can establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index in at least one supporting profile index. The first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0074] For example, different RRC connection establishment configurations are provided as multiple profiles (RRC connection establishment configuration profiles) in the specification. There can be many profiles, allowing configuration to support various site / cell configurations. Different (appropriate) parameter values ​​are assigned in different profiles. Network devices can provide the configuration profiles for RRC connection establishment to end devices via broadcast (through SIB) or one-to-one messaging. To reduce the resource overhead involved in broadcasting or individual messaging over the air interface, network devices can broadcast a profile index (pointing to a specific profile) or send the profile index using RRC messages.

[0075] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile may include a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0076] Table 1 illustrates templates for (multiple) RRC connection establishment profiles, providing options for different configurations used for RRC connection establishment. Parameters / configurations within this template can be further abstracted. Providing indexes via SIB or RRC messages reduces resource overhead, as it consumes fewer resources compared to sending or broadcasting the full configuration.

[0077] Table 1 is as follows:

[0078] In some embodiments, the first profile index may be selected by the terminal device 120. The terminal device 120 may also receive from the network device 110 a standard for determining the profile index from at least one supporting profile index. The terminal device 120 may determine the first profile index based on this standard.

[0079] Alternatively, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. Terminal device 120 may also receive a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index to establish an RRC connection. Terminal device 120 may determine a second profile index based on this standard. Terminal device 120 may receive the first profile index from the network device and use the first profile index to override the second profile index.

[0080] This part will combine Figures 6-7 Let's discuss this further to get more details.

[0081] Alternatively, the first profile index can be determined based on instructions from the network device. The terminal device 120 can also receive the first profile index from the network device.

[0082] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may receive at least one support profile index from network device via SIB1 or an SIB other than SIB1 (e.g., SIB2).

[0083] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0084] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may receive a terminal device 120-specific configuration (e.g., a dedicated configuration) from network device 110. Then, terminal device 120 may establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index by: establishing an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and a terminal device 120-specific configuration.

[0085] More details will be combined Figures 4-6 Let's have a discussion.

[0086] In this way, the overhead of transmitting RRC connection configuration can be reduced because network devices can send only the RRC connection profile index, and the UE can retrieve the corresponding configuration from the index. It also enables each operator to define different configurations as profiles to support different cell geographies, cell densities, and application / service support.

[0087] Furthermore, any cell in a network device can support more than one profile, thus still being able to provide different configurations for different UEs.

[0088] Figure 3 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 300. Process 300 may involve, for example, Figure 1 The terminal device 120 and network device 110 are shown.

[0089] At point 310, terminal device 120 can send Msg3 to network device.

[0090] At point 320, network device 110 may send a first message to terminal device 120. The first message includes a first profile index instructing the establishment of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection configuration profile.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first message may include Msg4 of the RACH procedure. The terminal device 120 may receive the first message from the network device via Msg4 by receiving a first profile index from the network device.

[0092] This situation can be Figure 4 Further details will be discussed in the following section.

[0093] Alternatively, the first message may include a MAC-CE with a first profile index. Terminal device 120 may receive the first message from the network device by receiving the first profile index from the distributed unit (DU) of the network device via the MAC-CE.

[0094] This situation can be Figure 5 Further details will be discussed in the following section.

[0095] In addition, terminal device 120 can also receive at least one support profile index of network devices via SIB1 or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0096] In addition, terminal device 120 can determine at least one suggested or recommended profile index from at least one supporting profile index based on the type of service required by the terminal device.

[0097] In addition, terminal device 120 can send Msg3 to network device via Msg3 by sending at least one suggestion profile index to network device.

[0098] In addition, the terminal device 120 can determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one supporting profile index.

[0099] At 330, terminal device 120 can establish an RRC connection based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0100] In addition, terminal device 120 can receive terminal device 120-specific configuration from network device 110. Terminal device 120 can establish an RRC connection based on an RRC connection establishment configuration profile by: establishing an SRB1 based on an RRC connection establishment configuration profile and a terminal device-specific configuration.

[0101] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes low-level configurations for establishing an RRC connection. The RRC connection establishment configuration profile is shown in Table 1.

[0102] Figure 4 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 400. Process 400 may involve UE 401 and network device 402. Network device 402 includes source gNB-DU 402-1 and source gNB-CU 402-2. For example... Figure 1 As shown, UE 401 can be terminal device 120, and network device 402 can be network device 110.

[0103] In process 400, at point 410, network device 402 can broadcast the MIB.

[0104] At 420, network device 402 can broadcast SIB1. This SIB1 may include multiple indexes of supported RRC connection establishment profiles. Network device 402 can select profiles based on one or more different criteria, such as cell geography, cell radius / size, supported features (some features may require specific values ​​(ranges) for the SRB1 parameters). Broadcasting these profile indexes on SIB1 is recommended as it is a mandatory SIB, but if it is increasing the size of SIB1, network device 402 can broadcast these profile indexes on other SIBs.

[0105] Alternatively or additionally, at 430, if the (multiple) RRC connection establishment profile index is not on SIB1, network device 402 may send or broadcast the (multiple) RRC connection establishment profile index via SIB2 (or another SIB).

[0106] At 440, UE 401 can read multiple SIBs and can reselect the appropriate cell for RRC connection establishment based on multiple profiles supported by network device 402. UE 401 can evaluate the SRB configuration and estimate the service types supported by network device 402 by reading the multiple RRC connection establishment profiles supported on SIB1. UE 401 can take these supported profiles (and therefore the service types supported by network device 402) into account when performing cell reselection.

[0107] At 450, UE 401 may optionally send multiple preferred profile indices via RRC establishment request. UE 401 can select a profile index based on the type of service that UE 401 wants to utilize with network device 402. If UE 401 wants any critical service, UE 401 can select a profile with very strict parameter values ​​for SRB1. Therefore, signaling on SIB1 / 2 can be efficient. The existence of the preferred profile index will give network device 402 an indication of the selection of UE 401's multiple profiles.

[0108] In this way, the UE (vendor) can recommend an RRC profile for optimal performance, as the UE can send its recommendation when requesting an RRC connection.

[0109] At 460, network device 402 may send an RRC establishment message to UE 401, which includes an assigned RRCconnestablishment-Profile (index). Network device 402 may consider the UE's preferred RRCconnestablishment-Profile (index) (as shown in step 450), but the responsibility for assigning the RRCconnestablishment-Profile (index) to UE 401 rests with network device 402. Network device 402 may assign any value to the RRCconnestablishment-Profile (index), regardless of the UE's recommendation. Network device 402 may also send UE-specific configurations to UE 401 in an RRCSetup message.

[0110] At 470, UE 401 can configure the protocol layer according to the configuration corresponding to the profile index and other dedicated configurations. UE 401 can set the RRC state to "connected".

[0111] At position 480, UE 401 can send an RRC establishment complete message to network device 402. Network device 402 can process the received RRC establishment complete message.

[0112] At 490, both UE 401 and network device 402 can be in RRC connected state.

[0113] Figure 5 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 500. Process 500 may involve UE 501 and network device 502. Network device 502 includes source gNB-DU 502-1 and source gNB-CU 502-2. For example... Figure 1 As shown, UE 501 can be terminal device 120, and network device 502 can be network device 110.

[0114] In process 500, at point 510, network device 502 can broadcast the MIB.

[0115] At point 515, network device 502 can broadcast SIB1. This SIB1 can include multiple indexes of supported RRC connection establishment profiles. Network device 502 can select profiles based on one or more different criteria, such as cell geography, cell radius / size, supported features (some features may require specific values ​​(ranges) of SRB1 parameters). Broadcasting these profile indexes on SIB1 is recommended because it is a mandatory SIB, but if it is increasing the size of SIB1, network device 502 can broadcast these profile indexes on other SIBs.

[0116] Alternatively or additionally, at 520, if the (multiple) RRC connection establishment profile index is not on SIB1, network device 502 may send or broadcast the (multiple) RRC connection establishment profile index via SIB2 (or other SIB).

[0117] At point 525, UE 501 can read multiple SIBs and can reselect the appropriate cell for RRC connection establishment based on multiple profiles supported by network device 502. UE 501 can evaluate the SRB configuration and estimate the service types supported by network device 502 by reading the multiple RRC connection establishment profiles supported on SIB1. UE 501 can take these supported profiles (and therefore the service types supported by network device 502) into account when performing cell reselection.

[0118] At 530, UE 501 can perform the RACH procedure.

[0119] At 535, UE 501 can optionally send multiple preferred profile indices via RRC establishment request. UE 501 can select a profile index based on the type of service that UE 501 wants to utilize with network device 502. If UE 501 wants any critical service, UE 501 can select a profile with very strict parameter values ​​for SRB1. Therefore, signaling on SIB1 / 2 can be efficient. The existence of the preferred profile index will give network device 502 an indication of the selection of UE 501's multiple profiles.

[0120] At position 540, the source gNB-CU 502-2 can send updated access control policy and admission status information to the source gNB-DU 502-1. The access control policy information pertains to UE access control, and the admission status refers to whether the source gNB-CU 502-2 is still accepting UEs. This information can be sent from the source gNB-CU 502-2 to the source gNB-DU 502-1 periodically or as needed. In a demand-based manner, whenever there is any change in the state of the source gNB-CU 502-2's admission / denial of any UE, the source gNB-CU 502-2 can send this information to the source gNB-DU 502-1. This information will enable the source gNB-DU 502-1 to perform admission control for incoming UEs without needing to interact with the source gNB-CU 502-2 on every occasion.

[0121] In some embodiments, a periodic approach may exist: the CU periodically sends its status regarding the admission of any UE to the DU. In other embodiments, a demand-based approach may exist. In this case, whenever the CU admits / releases any UE and the CU's stance on UE admission changes, the DU may perform admission control based on the available information described above.

[0122] At 545, network device 502 can send a new MAC-CE with an assigned profile ID and UE-specific configuration.

[0123] Since the MAC-CE is constructed at the DU level, and the UE-specific configuration is only related to lower layers, the source gNB-DU 502-1 can (itself) construct and send a newly proposed MAC-CE with the necessary information. The advantage of this proposed MAC-CE is the saving of round-trip signaling overhead and latency from DU to CU and back to DU, because the RRCSetup (Layer 3 message) is constructed at the source gNB-CU 502-2. Therefore, the source gNB-DU 502-1 can send the lower-layer configuration (UE-specific configuration) to the source gNB-CU 502-2, and then the source gNB-CU 502-2 can construct the RRCSetup message and send it to the source gNB-DU 502-1 and then to the UE 501. This saves message round-trip overhead.

[0124] In this way, message communication is a low-level related technology solution, thus eliminating message exchange between DU->CU->DU.

[0125] At position 550, UE 501 can configure SRB1 based on the received profile index and dedicated configuration, and send an RRC establishment complete message to network device 502. Network device 502 can process the received RRC establishment complete message.

[0126] At 555, both UE 501 and network device 502 can be in RRC connected state.

[0127] Figure 6 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 600. Process 600 may involve, for example, Figure 1 The terminal device 120 and network device 110 are shown.

[0128] At point 610, network device 110 may send at least one support profile index and profile selection criteria of the network device to terminal device 120.

[0129] At 620, terminal device 120 can select a first profile index from at least one supporting profile index based on profile selection criteria. The first profile index indicates the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0130] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may establish an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index.

[0131] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may receive a second profile index from network device via Msg2. Terminal device 120 may use the second profile index to override the first profile index and establish an RRC connection based on a second RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the second profile index.

[0132] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may receive at least one support profile index from network device via SIB1 or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0133] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may receive terminal device-specific configuration from network device via Msg4. Terminal device 120 may establish an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index by establishing a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) based on the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and the terminal device-specific configuration.

[0134] In some embodiments, terminal device 120 may determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0135] In some embodiments, the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0136] In some embodiments, profile selection criteria are associated with the type of service required by the terminal device. Alternatively or additionally, profile selection criteria are associated with the type of terminal device. Alternatively or additionally, profile selection criteria are associated with the SSB-RSRP value.

[0137] Figure 7 The illustration shows an example signaling diagram illustrating a process for establishing an RRC connection according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Describe process 700. Process 700 may involve UE 701 and network device 702. Network device 702 includes source gNB-DU 702-1 and source gNB-CU 702-2. For example... Figure 1 As shown, UE 701 can be terminal device 120, and network device 702 can be network device 110.

[0138] In process 700, at point 710, network device 702 can broadcast the MIB.

[0139] At 715, network device 702 can broadcast multiple indexes of support profiles for RRC connection establishment.

[0140] Network device 702 can broadcast one or more RRCConnestablishment-Profiles selection rules / criteria, such as the type of service the UE wants to utilize (and (multiple) associated profile indices), UE type, and SSB-RSRP value associated with the profile. UE 701 can evaluate the criteria based on the type of service it wants to establish and the rules provided in (multiple) SIB1s.

[0141] Network device 702 is recommended to broadcast the index(s) via SIB1, as SIB1 is a mandatory SIB and all UEs should read it. However, if broadcasting via SIB1 is not considered for any reason, it is preferable to broadcast via another SIB. Interested and capable UEs will read the Fast RRCConnection Establishment Flag via SIB1 and can then read the relevant SIB to obtain the profile index(s) of the RRC Connection Establishment Profile(s).

[0142] Alternatively or additionally, at 720, network device 702 may optionally broadcast multiple indexes of support profiles for RRC connection establishment and RRCConnestablishment-Profiles selection rules / standards.

[0143] At 725, UE 701 can read the MIB and (multiple) SIBs and learn about the network device 702's support for the enhanced RRC connection establishment process and all profiles (and therefore associated services). UE 701 can perform enhanced cell (re)selection based on the (multiple) support profile (and associated service) indexes. This allows UE 701 to (re)select the appropriate cell based on its own required services / configurations.

[0144] For example, UE 701 can read multiple SIBs and can reselect the appropriate cell for RRC connection establishment based on multiple profiles supported by network device 702. UE 701 can evaluate the SRB configuration and estimate the service types supported by network device 702 by reading the multiple RRC connection establishment profiles supported on SIB1. UE 701 can take these supported profiles (and therefore the service types supported by network device 702) into account when performing cell reselection.

[0145] At 730, the source gNB-CU 702-2 can send updated access control policy and admission status information to the source gNB-DU 702-1. The access control policy information pertains to UE access control, and the admission status refers to whether the source gNB-CU 702-2 is still accepting UEs. This information can be sent from the source gNB-CU 702-2 to the source gNB-DU 702-1 periodically or as needed. In a demand-based manner, whenever there is any change in the state of the source gNB-CU 702-2's admission / denial of any UE, the source gNB-CU 702-2 can send this information to the source gNB-DU 702-1. This information will enable the source gNB-DU 702-1 to perform admission control for incoming UEs without needing to interact with the source gNB-CU 702-2 on every occasion.

[0146] In some embodiments, a periodic approach may exist: the CU periodically sends its status regarding the admission of any UE to the DU. In other embodiments, a demand-based approach may exist. In this case, whenever the CU admits / releases any UE and the CU's stance on UE admission changes, the DU may perform admission control based on the available information described above.

[0147] At 735, UE 701 can send a RACH request to the source gNB-DU 702-1 of the candidate cell.

[0148] At 740, network device 702 can send a cell response with a RAR and an RRCConnection establishment profile (index). The RRCConnection establishment profile (index) can optionally be carried in the RAR. If UE 701 receives the RRCConnection establishment profile (index), UE 701 can override the selected profile (the profile selected by the UE based on one or more broadcast standards) with the index assigned by network device 702.

[0149] At 745, UE 701 can send an RRCSetupReq with an ID and a reason to enable faster connection establishment.

[0150] At point 750, network device 702 can perform access control based on reasons, service types, etc.

[0151] At 755, network device 702 can send an enhanced contention resolution MAC-CE to UE 701, which includes the UE's cellGroupConfig-dedicated and other dedicated configurations.

[0152] At 760, UE 701 can configure SRB1 based on the provided configuration (profile index and special configuration) and enter the RRC connection state.

[0153] At 765, UE 701 can send RRCSetupComplete to source gNB-DU 702-1.

[0154] At 770, UE 701 and network device 702 can be in an RRC connection state, where the RRC connection establishment configuration corresponds to the profile index.

[0155] At point 775, UE 701 and network device 702 can transmit data to each other.

[0156] Figure 8 A flowchart illustrating a method 800 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Method 800 is described from the perspective of terminal device 120.

[0157] At box 810, terminal device 120 can receive at least one support profile index of the network device from the network device.

[0158] At box 820, terminal device 120 may establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index in at least one support profile index. The first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by terminal device 120.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The terminal device is also configured to: receive from the network device a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and determine the first profile index based on the standard.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The terminal device is also configured to: receive a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index to establish an RRC connection; determine a second profile index based on the standard; receive the first profile index from the network device; and overwrite the second profile index with the first profile index.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The terminal device is also configured to receive the first profile index from the network device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to send at least one recommendation profile determined by the terminal device to the network device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the terminal device is configured to receive at least one support profile index from the network device by receiving at least one support profile index via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0164] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0165] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: receive a terminal device-specific configuration from the network device, and wherein the terminal device is configured to establish an RRC connection based on a first profile index by: establishing an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and a terminal device-specific configuration.

[0166] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0167] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 800 (e.g., terminal device 120) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 800. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0168] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving at least one support profile index of the network device from the network device; and components for establishing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index. The first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by a terminal device.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The apparatus may further include: components for receiving from a network device a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and components for determining the first profile index based on the standard.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The apparatus may further include: components for receiving a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index to establish an RRC connection; components for determining a second profile index based on the standard; components for receiving the first profile index from the network device; and components for overwriting the second profile index with the first profile index.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device. The apparatus may further include a component for receiving the first profile index from the network device.

[0172] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include a component for transmitting at least one recommendation profile determined by the terminal device to the network device.

[0173] In some embodiments, the component for receiving at least one supporting profile index from a network device includes: a component for receiving at least one supporting profile index via SIB1 or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0174] In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include: a component for receiving a terminal device-specific configuration from a network device. The component for establishing an RRC connection based on a first profile index includes: a component for establishing an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and a terminal device-specific configuration.

[0175] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0176] Figure 9 A flowchart illustrating a method 900 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. Reference will be made for discussion purposes. Figure 1 Method 900 is described from the perspective of network device 110.

[0177] At box 910, network device 110 may send at least one support profile index of the network device to terminal device, such that terminal device establishes an RRC connection based on a first profile index in the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The network device is also configured to send to the terminal device a standard for the terminal device to determine the profile index from at least one supporting profile index.

[0179] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by the network device. The network device is also configured to: send a standard for the terminal device to determine the profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and send the first profile index to the terminal device such that the terminal device uses the first profile index to overwrite the second profile index.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by the network device. The network device is also configured to send the first profile index to the terminal device.

[0181] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to: receive from the terminal device at least one recommendation profile determined by the terminal device; and determine a first profile index based on the at least one recommendation profile.

[0182] In some embodiments, the network device is configured to send at least one support profile index to the terminal device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0183] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to send a dedicated configuration to the terminal device, wherein the dedicated configuration is specific to the terminal device.

[0184] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0185] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 900 (e.g., network device 110) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 900. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0186] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: means for transmitting at least one support profile index of a network device to a terminal device such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index. The first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first profile index is selected by the terminal device. The apparatus includes components for sending to the terminal device a standard for determining the profile index from at least one supporting profile index.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by a network device. The apparatus includes: components for transmitting a standard for a terminal device to determine the profile index from at least one supporting profile index; and components for transmitting the first profile index to the terminal device such that the terminal device uses the first profile index to override a second profile index.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first profile index is determined by a network device. The apparatus includes components for sending the first profile index to a terminal device.

[0190] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving from a terminal device at least one recommendation profile determined by the terminal device; and components for determining a first profile index based on the at least one recommendation profile.

[0191] In some embodiments, the component for sending at least one supporting profile index to the terminal device includes: a component for sending at least one supporting profile index to the terminal device via SIB1 or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0192] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for transmitting a dedicated configuration to a terminal device, wherein the dedicated configuration is specific to the terminal device.

[0193] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0194] Figure 10 A flowchart illustrating a method 1000 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Method 1000 is described from the perspective of terminal device 120.

[0195] At box 1010, terminal device 120 may send message 3 (Msg3) of the Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure to network device.

[0196] At box 1020, terminal device 120 can receive a first message from the network device. The first message includes a first profile index indicating an RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0197] At box 1030, terminal device 120 can establish an RRC connection based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first message includes Msg4 of the RACH procedure. The terminal device is enabled to receive the first message from the network device via Msg4: receiving a first profile index from the network device.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first message includes a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) having a first profile index. The terminal device is configured to receive the first message from the network device by receiving the first profile index from the distributed unit (DU) of the network device via the MAC-CE.

[0200] In some embodiments, the terminal device is also configured to receive at least one support profile index of the network device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0201] In some embodiments, the terminal device is configured to: determine at least one suggested profile index from at least one support profile index based on the type of service required by the terminal device.

[0202] In some embodiments, the terminal device is configured to send Msg3 to the network device by sending at least one suggestion profile index via Msg3.

[0203] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0204] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: receive terminal device-specific configuration from the network device, and wherein the terminal device is configured to establish an RRC connection based on an RRC connection establishment configuration profile by: establishing a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile and the terminal device-specific configuration.

[0205] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0206] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0207] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 1000 (e.g., terminal device 120) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 1000. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0208] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for sending message 3 (Msg3) of a random access channel (RACH) procedure to a network device; components for receiving a first message from the network device, wherein the first message includes a first profile index instructing a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment configuration profile; and components for establishing an RRC connection based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first message includes Msg4 of the RACH procedure. The components for receiving the first message from the network device include components for receiving a first profile index from the network device via Msg4.

[0210] In some embodiments, the first message includes a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) having a first profile index. The components for receiving the first message from the network device include components for receiving the first profile index from a Distributed Unit (DU) of the network device via the MAC-CE.

[0211] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one component supporting profile indexing for receiving network devices via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0212] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for determining at least one suggested profile index from at least one support profile index based on the type of service required by the terminal device.

[0213] In some embodiments, the component for sending Msg3 to the network device includes a component for sending at least one suggestion profile index to the network device via Msg3.

[0214] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for determining the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0215] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for receiving terminal device-specific configuration from a network device. The component for establishing an RRC connection based on an RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes: a component for establishing a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile and the terminal device-specific configuration.

[0216] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0217] Figure 11 A flowchart illustrating a method 1100 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Method 1100 is described from the perspective of network device 110.

[0218] At box 1110, network device 110 can receive message 3 (Msg3) of the Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure from the terminal device.

[0219] At box 1120, network device 110 may send a first message to terminal device, the first message including a first profile index instructing an RRC connection establishment configuration profile.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first message includes Msg4 of the RACH procedure. The network device is configured to send the first message to the terminal device via Msg4 by sending a first profile index to the terminal device.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first message includes a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) having a first profile index. The network device is configured to send the first message to the terminal device via the MAC-CE by sending the first profile index to the terminal device.

[0222] In some embodiments, the network device is also configured to transmit at least one support profile index of the network device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0223] In some embodiments, the network device is configured to receive Msg3 from the terminal device via Msg3: receiving at least one suggestion profile index determined by the terminal device via Msg3.

[0224] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to send a dedicated configuration to the terminal device, wherein the dedicated configuration is specific to the terminal device.

[0225] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0226] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 1100 (e.g., network device 110) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 1100. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0227] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for receiving message 3 (Msg3) of a random access channel (RACH) procedure from a terminal device; and components for sending a first message to the terminal device, wherein the first message includes a first profile index instructing a radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment configuration profile.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first message includes Msg4 of the RACH procedure. The components for sending the first message to the terminal device include components for sending a first profile index to the terminal device via Msg4.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first message includes a Media Access Control-Control Element (MAC-CE) having a first profile index. The components for sending the first message to the terminal device include components for sending the first profile index to the terminal device via the MAC-CE.

[0230] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one component supporting profile indexing for transmitting network devices via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0231] In some embodiments, the component for receiving Msg3 from the terminal device includes: a component for receiving, via Msg3, at least one suggestion profile index determined by the terminal device.

[0232] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for transmitting a dedicated configuration to a terminal device, wherein the dedicated configuration is specific to the terminal device.

[0233] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0234] Figure 12 A flowchart illustrating a method 1200 implemented at a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Method 1200 is described from the perspective of terminal device 120.

[0235] At box 1210, terminal device 120 can receive at least one support profile index and profile selection criteria from network device.

[0236] At box 1220, terminal device 120 can select a first profile index from at least one supporting profile index based on profile selection criteria. The first profile index indicates a first radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment configuration profile.

[0237] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: establish an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index.

[0238] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: receive a second profile index from the network device via message 2 (Msg2); overwrite the first profile index with the second profile index; and establish an RRC connection based on the second RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the second profile index.

[0239] In some embodiments, the terminal device is configured to receive at least one support profile index from the network device by receiving at least one support profile index via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0240] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to receive a terminal device-specific configuration from the network device via Msg4, and wherein the terminal device is configured to establish an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index by establishing a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) based on the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and the terminal device-specific configuration.

[0241] In some embodiments, the terminal device is further configured to: determine the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0243] In some embodiments, the profile selection criteria are associated with at least one of the following: the type of service required by the terminal device; the type of terminal device; or the Synchronization Block-Reference Signal Received Power (SSB-RSRP) value.

[0244] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 1200 (e.g., terminal device 120) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 1200. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0245] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: components for receiving from a network device at least one supporting profile index and a profile selection criterion of the network device; and components for selecting a first profile index from at least one supporting profile index based on the profile selection criterion, wherein the first profile index indicates a first radio resource control (RRC) connection establishment configuration profile.

[0246] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: a component for establishing an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index.

[0247] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: components for receiving a second profile index from a network device via message 2 (Msg2); components for overwriting a first profile index with the second profile index; and components for establishing an RRC connection based on a second RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the second profile index.

[0248] In some embodiments, the component for receiving at least one supporting profile index from a network device includes: a component for receiving at least one supporting profile index via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0249] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include: a component for receiving a terminal device-specific configuration from a network device via Msg4. The component for establishing an RRC connection based on a first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by a first profile index includes: a component for establishing a signaling radio bearer 1 (SRB1) based on the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and the terminal device-specific configuration.

[0250] In some embodiments, the apparatus may include a component for determining the cell to be accessed based on at least one support profile index.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0252] In some embodiments, the profile selection criteria are associated with at least one of the following: the type of service required by the terminal device; the type of terminal device; or the Synchronization Block-Reference Signal Received Power (SSB-RSRP) value.

[0253] Figure 13 A flowchart illustrating a method 1300 implemented at a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 1 Method 1300 is described from the perspective of network device 110.

[0254] At box 1310, network device 110 may send at least one support profile index of the network device and a profile selection criterion for determining the profile index from the at least one support profile index to the terminal device.

[0255] In some embodiments, the network device is further configured to send a second profile index to the terminal device, such that the terminal device uses the second profile index to overwrite the first profile index.

[0256] In some embodiments, the network device is also configured to send terminal-specific configurations to the terminal device.

[0257] In some embodiments, the network device is configured to send at least one support profile index to the terminal device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0258] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0259] In some embodiments, the profile selection criteria are associated with at least one of the following: the type of service required by the terminal device; the type of terminal device; or the Synchronization Block-Reference Signal Received Power (SSB-RSRP) value.

[0260] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing any of the methods 1300 (e.g., network device 110) may include components for performing the corresponding steps of method 1300. These components may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit system or a software module.

[0261] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: components for transmitting at least one support profile index of a network device to a terminal device and for determining a profile selection criterion from the at least one support profile index.

[0262] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes: a component for sending a second profile index to a terminal device such that the terminal device uses the second profile index to overwrite the first profile index.

[0263] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a component for transmitting a terminal device-specific configuration to the terminal device.

[0264] In some embodiments, the component for sending at least one supporting profile index to the terminal device includes: a component for sending at least one supporting profile index to the terminal device via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

[0265] In some embodiments, the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing an RRC connection.

[0266] In some embodiments, the profile selection criteria are associated with at least one of the following: the type of service required by the terminal device; the type of terminal device; or the Synchronization Block-Reference Signal Received Power (SSB-RSRP) value.

[0267] Figure 14 This is a simplified block diagram of a device 1400 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1400 can be provided to implement a communication device, such as... Figure 1 The terminal device 120 shown is included. As shown, the device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410, one or more memories 1420 coupled to the processors 1410, and one or more communication modules 1440 coupled to the processors 1410.

[0268] Communication module 1440 is used for bidirectional communication. Communication module 1440 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface can represent any interface required for communication with other network elements.

[0269] Processor 1410 can be of any type suitable for a local technology network, and by way of non-limiting example, can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1400 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0270] Memory 1420 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1424, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1422 and other volatile memories that do not persist during power outages.

[0271] Computer program 1430 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1410. Program 1430 may be stored in ROM 1424. Processor 1410 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1430 into RAM 1422.

[0272] Embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented via program 1430, enabling device 1400 to execute reference... Figures 2 to 7 Any process discussed in this disclosure. Embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0273] In some embodiments, program 1430 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 1400 (such as memory 1420) or other storage device accessible to device 1400. Device 1400 may load program 1430 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1422 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

[0274] Figure 15 An example of a computer-readable medium 1500 in the form of a CD or DVD is shown. A program 1430 is stored on the computer-readable medium.

[0275] Generally, the various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented using hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented using hardware, while others can be implemented using firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0276] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions included in a program module, which execute in a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the above-referenced... Figures 2-7 The method described is 800-1300. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of a program module can be executed on a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, a program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0277] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0278] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0279] Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer floppy disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The term "non-transient" as used herein is a limitation on the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not signaling), not a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM and ROM).

[0280] Furthermore, although operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring the operations to be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or to perform all of the shown operations to obtain the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while several specific implementation details are included in the foregoing discussion, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0281] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to at least: Receive at least one support profile index of the network device from the network device; as well as A Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection is established based on a first profile index in the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by the terminal device.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the first profile index is selected by the terminal device, and wherein the terminal device is further configured to: Receive from the network device a standard for determining a profile index from the at least one supporting profile index; and Based on the aforementioned criteria, the first profile index is determined.

3. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device, and wherein the terminal device is further configured to perform at least one of the following: The method includes receiving a standard for determining a profile index from at least one supporting profile index to establish an RRC connection; determining a second profile index based on the standard; receiving a first profile index from the network device; and overwriting the second profile index with the first profile index. Receive the first profile index from the network device; or Send at least one suggestion profile determined by the terminal device to the network device.

4. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal device is configured to receive at least one support profile index from the network device by means of: Receive at least one supporting profile index via System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) or an SIB other than SIB1.

5. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the terminal device is further configured to perform at least one of the following: Based on the at least one supporting profile index, determine the cell to be accessed; or The terminal device receives configuration specific to the network device from the network device, wherein the terminal device is configured to establish an RRC connection based on the first profile index by means of the following: The RRC connection is established based on the RRC connection establishment configuration profile indicated by the first profile index and the configuration specific to the terminal device.

6. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the RRC connection establishment configuration profile includes a low-level configuration for establishing the RRC connection.

7. A network device, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network device to at least: At least one support profile index of the network device is sent to the terminal device so that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

8. The network device of claim 7, wherein the first profile index is selected by the terminal device, and wherein the network device is further configured to: Send to the terminal device a standard for the terminal device to determine the profile index from the at least one supporting profile index.

9. A method for communication, comprising: Receive at least one support profile index of the network device from the network device; as well as A Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection is established based on a first profile index in the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is determined based on an instruction from the network device or selected by the terminal device.

10. A method for communication, comprising: At least one support profile index of a network device is sent to a terminal device, such that the terminal device establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection based on a first profile index among the at least one support profile index, wherein the first profile index indicates an RRC connection establishment configuration profile, and the first profile index is indicated by the network device or selected by the terminal device.

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