Communication methods and devices

Abstract

This application discloses a communication method and apparatus in the field of communication technology. The method includes a terminal repeatedly transmitting a random access preamble to a network device, receiving a response message from the network device to the preamble, and repeatedly transmitting a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, wherein a first parameter for repeatedly transmitting the first uplink message corresponds to a first number of repetitions of the preamble. According to this method, the terminal may repeatedly transmit a random access preamble and repeatedly transmit the first uplink message in a random access procedure, that is, the repeated transmission of the preamble and the repeated transmission of the uplink message may coexist, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal will successfully access the network device in a weak coverage scenario.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202310533950.X, titled "Communication Method and Device", filed with the China National Intellectual Property Administration on May 11, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular, to communication methods and devices.

Background Art

[0002] Random access is the procedure from when a terminal starts attempting network access by transmitting a random access signal until a basic signaling connection to a network device is established. A terminal can exchange information with a network device via random access to perform uplink synchronization. Optionally, the terminal can further perform resource requests or data transmissions via random access.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] However, the related implementations of random access still need to be further studied.

[0004] This application provides a communication method and device for repeatedly transmitting a random access preamble to increase the probability that a terminal can successfully access a network device in a weak coverage scenario.

[0005] According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to a terminal or a module within a terminal (e.g., a chip or circuit). An example in which the method is applied to a terminal is used. In the method, the terminal repeatedly transmits a random access preamble to a network device, the number of repetitions of the preamble being a first number of repetitions, the terminal receives a response message for the preamble from the network device and repeatedly transmits a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, the first parameter for repeatedly transmitting the first uplink message corresponding to the first number of repetitions.

[0006] According to the method described above, the terminal may repeatedly send a random access preamble and repeatedly send the first uplink message, that is, the repeated sending of the preamble and the repeated sending of the uplink message may coexist, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal will successfully access the network device in a weak coverage scenario.

[0007] In a possible design, the method further includes the steps of: receiving first configuration information from a network device, wherein the first configuration information is used to constitute M candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a first number of repetitions, where M is a positive integer; and receiving first information from a network device, wherein the first information is used to determine a first parameter from the M candidate parameters.

[0008] In this way, the network device uses the configuration information to configure M candidate parameters corresponding to the first number of iterations, eliminating the need to further specify the M candidate parameters, thereby reducing transmission resources.

[0009] In a possible design, the step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device includes the steps of receiving a PDCCH command from the network device, wherein the PDCCH command indicates a first number of repetitions, and sending a preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions indicated by the PDCCH command, or receiving a downlink signal from the network device and repeatedly sending a preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions, provided that the signal quality of the downlink signal is within a threshold range corresponding to the first number of repetitions.

[0010] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message.

[0011] In a possible design, the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble, where N candidate parameters are different from M candidate parameters, and N is a positive integer.

[0012] In a possible design, the method further includes the steps of: receiving second configuration information from a network device, the second configuration information being used to configure W candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages; and receiving first and second information from a network device, the second information being used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters, and the first information being used to determine a first parameter from the M candidate parameters, where W and M are both positive integers.

[0013] In this way, the network device configures W candidate parameters at the terminal and may cause the terminal to repeatedly send uplink messages based on the first parameter among the W candidate parameters by using first and second instruction information, so that the network device can manage and control the terminal. In addition, to reduce instruction overhead, the network device may indicate M candidate parameters by using second information and indicate the first parameter among the M candidate parameters by using first information.

[0014] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message, and the second piece of information is carried in either a response message or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) command, which is used to trigger repeated transmission of a random access preamble to the network device.

[0015] In possible designs, the PDCCH command further indicates the first number of repetitions.

[0016] In a possible design, the step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device includes the step of repeatedly sending a preamble to a network device on the same beam.

[0017] In a possible design, the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and the modulation coding scheme (MCS).

[0018] According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to a network device or a chip within a network device. An example is used in which the method is applied to a network device. In the method, the network device receives a random access preamble from a terminal, the number of repetitions of the preamble being a first number of repetitions, the network device transmits first information to the terminal, the first information indicating first parameters for repeatedly transmitting a first uplink message, the network device receives a first uplink message based on the first parameters, the first parameters corresponding to a first number of repetitions.

[0019] In a possible design, the method further includes the step of sending first configuration information to a terminal, the first configuration information being used to constitute M candidate parameters for repeatedly sending an uplink message, corresponding to a first number of repetitions, where M is a positive integer. The first information indicating a first parameter includes the first information being used to determine a first parameter from the M candidate parameters.

[0020] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message.

[0021] In a possible design, the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble, where N candidate parameters are different from M candidate parameters, and N is a positive integer.

[0022] In a possible design, the method further includes: a step of transmitting second configuration information to the terminal, where the second configuration information is used to configure W candidate parameters for repeatedly transmitting uplink messages; and a step of transmitting second information to the terminal, where the second information is used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters. That the first information indicates the first parameter includes that the first information is used to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters. Both W and M are positive integers.

[0023] In a possible design, the first information is carried in a response message, the second information is carried in a response message or a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command is used to trigger repeated transmission of a random access preamble to a network device.

[0024] In a possible design, the method further includes a step of transmitting a PDCCH command to the terminal, where the PDCCH command indicates a first number of repetitions.

[0025] In a possible design, the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and a modulation and coding scheme (MCS).

[0026] It can be understood that the method recited in the claims in the second aspect corresponds to the first aspect. For the beneficial effects of the related technical features in the second aspect, please refer to the description of the first aspect. Details will not be described again.

[0027] According to a third aspect, an embodiment of this application provides a communication method. The method can be applied to a terminal or a module within the terminal (for example, a chip or a circuit). An example where the method is applied to a terminal is used. In the method, the terminal repeatedly transmits a random access preamble to a network device and receives indication information from the network device. The indication information indicates that an uplink message corresponding to the number of repetitions of the preamble is transmitted once. Also, the terminal transmits a first uplink message to the network device based on the indication information.

[0028] According to the foregoing method, the terminal can repeatedly transmit a random access preamble in a random access procedure, but does not repeatedly transmit an uplink message in random access, thereby reducing resource overhead while increasing the probability that the terminal successfully accesses the network device.

[0029] In a possible design, the indication information is carried by any one of the following, that is, a radio resource control (RRC) message, a response message for the preamble, and a PDCCH command. The PDCCH command is used to trigger the repeated transmission of a random access preamble to the network device.

[0030] In a possible design, the PDCCH command further indicates the number of repetitions of the preamble. Repeatedly transmitting a random access preamble to the network device includes repeatedly transmitting the preamble to the network device based on the number of repetitions of the preamble indicated by the PDCCH command.

[0031] In a possible design, the step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device includes the steps of receiving a downlink signal from the network device and repeatedly sending a random access preamble to the network device based on the number of preamble repetitions, provided that the signal quality of the downlink signal is within a threshold range corresponding to the number of preamble repetitions.

[0032] In a possible design, the step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device includes repeatedly sending the preamble to the network device on different beams.

[0033] According to a fourth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a communication method. The method may be applied to a terminal or a module within a terminal (e.g., a chip or circuit). An example in which the method is applied to a terminal is used. In the method, instruction information is transmitted to the terminal, the instruction information indicates that an uplink message corresponding to the number of repetitions of a preamble will not be transmitted repeatedly, and an uplink message is received.

[0034] In a possible design, instruction information is carried by one of the following: an RRC message, a response message to the preamble, and a PDCCH command. The PDCCH command is used to trigger repeated transmission of the preamble to the network device.

[0035] In possible designs, the PDCCH command further indicates the number of times the preamble is repeated.

[0036] According to a fifth aspect, the application provides a communication device having functions for carrying out the first to fourth aspects. For example, the communication device includes corresponding modules, units, or means for performing the operations of the first to fourth aspects. The functions, units, or means may be implemented using software, using hardware, or using hardware that runs the corresponding software.

[0037] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processing unit and a communication unit. The communication unit may be configured to receive and transmit signals in order to carry out communication between the communication device and another device. For example, the communication unit may be configured to transmit system information to a terminal. The processing unit may be configured to perform some of the internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the processing unit and the communication unit may correspond to the operations of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0038] In possible designs, the communication device may include a processor, which may be configured to be coupled to memory. The memory may store computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions of the first through fourth embodiments. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in memory. When a computer program is executed or an instruction is executed, the communication device is made to perform the methods of any conceivable design or implementation of the first through fourth embodiments.

[0039] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and memory, the memory being capable of storing computer programs or instructions necessary to implement the functions of the first through fourth embodiments. The processor is capable of executing the computer programs or instructions stored in memory. When a computer program is executed or an instruction is executed, the communication device is made to implement a method in any conceivable design or implementation of the first through fourth embodiments.

[0040] In a possible design, the communication device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device via the interface circuit and to perform methods in any conceivable design or implementation of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0041] In a fifth embodiment, it may be understood that the processor may be implemented in hardware or in software. When the processor is implemented in hardware, it may be a logic circuit, an integrated circuit, etc. When the processor is implemented in software, it may be a general-purpose processor and is implemented by reading software code stored in memory. In addition, there may be one or more processors and one or more memories. The memory may be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor may be arranged separately. In a particular implementation procedure, the memory and processor may be incorporated into a single chip, or they may be arranged on different chips. The type of memory and the manner in which the memory and processor are arranged are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0042] According to a sixth aspect, the application provides a communication system, which may include a terminal and a network device. The terminal is configured to perform the method according to the first aspect, and the network device is configured to perform the method according to the second aspect. Alternatively, the terminal is configured to perform the method according to the third aspect, and the network device is configured to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0043] According to the seventh aspect, the application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer storage medium stores computer-readable instructions. When a computer reads and executes a computer-readable instruction, it causes the computer to perform a method in any conceivable design of the first to fourth aspects.

[0044] According to the eighth aspect, the application provides a computer program product. When a computer reads and executes the computer program product, it causes the computer to execute any conceivable design method of the first to fourth aspects.

[0045] According to the ninth aspect, the application provides a chip comprising a processor. To implement any conceivable design method of the first to fourth aspects, the processor is coupled to memory and configured to read and execute software programs stored in memory. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0046] [Figure 1] This is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which one embodiment of this application can be applied. [Figure 2A] This is a diagram of a random access procedure according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 2B] This is a diagram of another random access procedure according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 3] This is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 1 of this application. [Figure 4] This is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 2 of this application. [Figure 5] This is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 3 of this application. [Figure 6] This is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 4 of this application. [Figure 7] This is a block diagram of a possible example of the apparatus according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 8] This is a diagram showing the structure of a network device according to one embodiment of this application. [Figure 9] This is a diagram showing the structure of a terminal according to one embodiment of this application. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0047] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application.

[0048] Figure 1 is a diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which one embodiment of this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 1000 includes a radio access network 100 and optionally further includes a core network 200 and the Internet 300. The radio access network 100 may include at least one network device (e.g., a radio access network device or an access network device), for example, 110a and 110b in Figure 1, and may further include at least one terminal, for example, 120a to 120j in Figure 1. 110a is a base station, 110b is a micro base station, 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j are mobile phones, 120b is a vehicle, 120c is a fuel dispenser, 120d is a home access point (HAP) deployed indoors or outdoors, 120g is a notebook computer, 120h is a printer, and 120i is an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0049] In Figure 1, terminals may be connected to network devices, and network devices may be connected to core network devices within a core network. Core network devices and network devices may be separate physical devices independent of each other, and the functions of core network devices and logical functions of network devices may be incorporated into the same physical device, or some functions of core network devices and some functions of network devices may be incorporated into a single physical device. Terminals may be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner, and network devices may be connected to each other in a wired or wireless manner. Figure 1 is merely a diagram. The communication system may further include other devices, such as wireless relay devices and wireless backhaul devices not shown in Figure 1.

[0050] The following sections describe network devices and terminals.

[0051] (1) Network devices The network device is a device located on the network side of the aforementioned communication system and having wireless transceiver functionality, or a chip or chip system that may be located within the device.

[0052] For example, the network device in this embodiment of this application may be an access point (AP) in a Wi-Fi system, such as a home gateway, router, server, switch, or bridge; a base station, evolved NodeB (eNB), radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), base transceiver station (BTS), home base station, baseband unit (BBU), radio relay node, radio backhaul node, transmission and reception point (TRP), or transmission point (TP). Alternatively, the network device may be a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a 5G system, or a network node forming a gNB, such as a central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), or roadside unit (RSU) having base station functionality, or various forms of future satellites or base stations.

[0053] In embodiments of this application, the device configured to implement the functions of a network device may be a network device, or a device capable of supporting a network device when implementing its functions, such as a chip system. The device may be attached to a network device. The chip system may include a chip, or include a chip and another discrete device. In the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application, an example in which the device configured to implement the functions of a network device is a network device is used to illustrate the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application.

[0054] (2) terminal The terminal may be a terminal that accesses the aforementioned communication system and has wireless transceiver functionality, or it may be a chip or chip system that can be placed in the terminal. The terminal may also be referred to as user equipment (UE), terminal device, user equipment, access terminal, subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal unit, terminal station, terminal equipment, wireless communication device, user agent, or user equipment.

[0055] For example, the terminal in the embodiments of this application may be a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer (Pad), an unmanned aerial vehicle, a computer with wireless transceiver functionality, a machine type communication (MTC) terminal, a virtual reality (VR) terminal, an augmented reality (AR) terminal, an Internet of Things (IoT) terminal, a wireless terminal for industrial control, a wireless terminal for self-driving, a wireless terminal for remote medical care, a wireless terminal for a smart grid, a wireless terminal for transportation safety, a wireless terminal for a smart city, a wireless terminal for a smart home (e.g., a game console, a smart TV, a smart speaker, a smart refrigerator, or a health device), an in-vehicle terminal, or an RSU with terminal functionality.

[0056] In embodiments of this application, the device configured to implement the functions of a terminal may be a terminal, or it may be a device capable of supporting a terminal when implementing functions, such as a chip system. The device may be attached to a terminal. In the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application, an example in which the device configured to implement the functions of a terminal is a terminal is used to illustrate the technical solutions provided in embodiments of this application.

[0057] In addition, the same terminal or network device may provide different functions in different application scenarios. For example, the mobile phones in Figure 1 include 120a, 120e, 120f, and 120j. Mobile phone 120a can access base station 110a to connect to vehicle 120b and communicate directly with mobile phone 120e to access HAP. Mobile phone 120e can access HAP and communicate directly with mobile phone 120a. Mobile phone 120f can access micro base station 110b to connect to notebook computer 120g and also to printer 120h. Mobile phone 120j can control unmanned aerial vehicle 120i.

[0058] The roles of network devices and terminals may be relative. The helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle 120i in Figure 1 may be configured as a mobile base station. In the case of terminal 120j accessing the radio access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station, while in the case of base station 110a, 120i is a terminal; in other words, 110a and 120i communicate with each other based on the radio air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i may, alternatively, be performed based on the interface protocol between base stations. In this case, for 110a, 120i is also a base station. Therefore, both the radio access network and terminals may be collectively referred to as communication devices, 110a and 110b in Figure 1 may be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality, and 120a to 120j in Figure 1 may be referred to as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0059] Network devices and terminals may be in a fixed location or may be mobile. Network devices and terminals may be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, and may be handheld or vehicle-mounted, deployed on water, or deployed on airplanes, balloons, and aerial satellites. The application scenarios for network devices and terminals are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0060] Communication between network devices and terminals, between network devices, or between terminals may be carried out over licensed spectrum, over unlicensed spectrum, or over both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. Communication may be carried out over spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), or over spectrum above 6 GHz. Alternatively, communication may be carried out over both spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The spectral resources used for wireless communication are not limited to the embodiments of this application.

[0061] The communication system shown in Figure 1 may support various radio access technologies (RATs). For example, the communication system shown in Figure 1 may be a 4th generation (4G) communication system (also known as a long-term evolution (LTE) communication system), a 5G communication system (also known as a new radio (NR) communication system), a 6G communication system, or a future-oriented evolutionary system. The communication systems and service scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are intended to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, with the evolution of communication systems and the emergence of new service scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0062] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, a terminal can establish uplink synchronization with a network device via random access and obtain a unique terminal identifier, such as a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), so that the terminal can perform uplink transmissions with the network device.

[0063] The following describes the technical features related to random access in the embodiments of this application.

[0064] 1. Triggering random access Random access is the procedure from when a terminal begins attempting to access a network by sending a random access signal until it establishes a basic signaling connection to a network device. A random access signal may be used to initiate random access. For example, a random access signal may be a random access preamble. In embodiments of this application, random access may also be referred to as a random access procedure or a random access channel procedure.

[0065] For example, there may be multiple events (or scenarios) that trigger random access. Some possible events (or scenarios) are described below. (1) The terminal performs initial access, that is, it switches from the radio resource control (RRC) idle (RRC_idle) state to the RRC connected (RRC_connected) state; (2) RRC connection re-establishment procedure; (3) Handover, where the terminal is in an RRC connection state, in which case the terminal needs to establish uplink synchronization with the new cell; (4) In the RRC connection state, the uplink synchronization state is set to "asynchronous" when downlink data arrives; or, in the RRC connection state, the uplink synchronization state is set to "asynchronous" when uplink data arrives; (5) In an RRC connection state, when uplink data arrives, the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource is not available for sending a scheduling request (SR); (6) SR failure necessitates random access to reacquire PUCCH resources; (7) Requests by RRC during synchronous reconstruction; (8) Access in RRC inactive state: The terminal switches from RRC inactive state to RRC connected state; (9) Establish time alignment when secondary cells are added; (10) Request on-demand system information (SI) (system information is classified into minimum SI and on-demand SI in 5G communication systems; minimum SI must be received by all terminals, and on-demand SI may be requested based on the terminal requirements); and (11) Beam failure recovery (BFR)

[0066] 2. Random Access Steps For example, random access can be classified into contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA) depending on whether the preamble sent by the terminal is selected by the terminal. In contention-based random access, the terminal can select a preamble. Contention-based random access may be used if the event triggering random access is one of the aforementioned (2) / (3) / (4) / (5) / (6) / (8) / (10) / (11). In contention-free random access, the network device can assign a preamble to the terminal. Contention-free random access may be used if the event triggering random access is one of the aforementioned (3) / (4) / (7) / (9) / (10) / (11).

[0067] In addition, it can be understood that in the case of competition-based random access, a terminal typically initiates random access in the primary cell, while in the case of non-competition random access, a terminal may initiate random access in the primary cell or in the secondary cell.

[0068] Referring to Figures 2A and 2B, some steps included in random access will be described. Figure 2A is a diagram of a competition-based random access procedure according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2A, random access may include the following steps:

[0069] S200-a: The network device may send random access configuration information to a terminal, and the terminal may receive random access configuration information from the network device. This step may be preparatory before random access, or it may not be a step included in random access.

[0070] For example, random access configuration information may be used to configure random access resources, which may include random access resources corresponding to CBRA (i.e., CBRA resources) and random access resources corresponding to CFRA (i.e., CFRA resources). CBRA resources may correspond to all synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) blocks (SSBs) actually transmitted within the cell. CFRA resources may correspond to several SSBs or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

[0071] S201-a: A terminal sends a random access request to a network device, which may include a random access preamble, and the network device receives the random access preamble from the terminal. The random access request is also referred to as the first message in random access or message 1 (MSG1).

[0072] For example, a terminal may select an SSB with relatively good signal quality based on the signal quality of multiple SSBs in the cell to be accessed, and send a preamble to the network device on the CBRA resource corresponding to the SSB. The preamble may be selected by the terminal. Signal quality may include received power, which may be reference signal received power (RSRP).

[0073] S202-a: After detecting the preamble sent by the terminal, the network device sends a response message to the preamble, i.e., a random access response (RAR), to the terminal. The terminal receives the random access response from the network device. The random access response is also referred to as the second message or message 2 (MSG2) in the random access procedure.

[0074] For example, message 2 may include an uplink grant, a timing advance command, and a temporary C-RNTI.

[0075] S203-a: A terminal sends a random access uplink message to a network device, and the network device receives an uplink message from the terminal. The uplink message is also called the third message in random access or message 3 (MSG3).

[0076] S204-a: When the network device detects message 3, it sends a conflict resolution message to the terminal, and the terminal receives the conflict resolution message from the network device, which is also called the fourth message or message 4 (MSG4).

[0077] For example, message 4 may include part of the content of message 3, or message 4 may include the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of the C-RNTI, that is, message 4 may be scheduled by using the C-RNTI.

[0078] Figure 2B is a diagram of a non-conflicting random access procedure according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2B, the random access may include the following steps:

[0079] S200-b: The network device may send random access configuration information to a terminal, and the terminal may receive random access configuration information from the network device. This step may be preparatory before random access, or it may not be a step included in random access.

[0080] S201-b: A terminal sends a random access request to a network device, which may include a random access preamble, and the network device receives the random access preamble from the terminal. The random access request is also referred to as the first message in random access or message 1 (MSG1).

[0081] For example, a terminal may select SSB or CSI-RS with relatively good quality and send a preamble to a network device over a CFRA resource corresponding to SSB or CSI-RS. The preamble may be assigned to the terminal by the network device.

[0082] S202-b: After detecting the preamble sent by the terminal, the network device sends a response message to the preamble, i.e., a random access response (RAR), to the terminal. The terminal receives the random access response from the network device. The random access response is also referred to as the second message or message 2 (MSG2) in the random access procedure.

[0083] For example, message 2 may include an uplink grant, a timing advance command, and a temporary C-RNTI.

[0084] In the case of uncontested random access, it can be understood that the random access may be considered successful as long as the terminal receives message 2. Furthermore, after message 2, the terminal may send an uplink message to the network device based on the uplink grant in message 2. The uplink message does not belong to the steps included in random access.

[0085] As described above regarding the relevant technical features, competition-based random access is used as an example. Since the information carried by the random access preamble (i.e., message 1) is clearly less than the information carried by the uplink message (i.e., message 3), the coverage of the preamble is better than that of the uplink message. To match the coverage of the uplink message with that of the preamble, coverage improvement techniques that involve repeatedly sending the uplink message are now being implemented; that is, by sending the uplink message multiple times, the coverage of the uplink message can be matched with that of the preamble.

[0086] However, the aforementioned method only supports repeated transmission of uplink messages and does not support repeated transmission of preambles. Therefore, embodiments of this application provide several communication methods for performing repeated transmission of preambles. For example, embodiments of this application provide two possible solutions, namely Solution 1 and Solution 2.

[0087] In Solution 1, only repeated transmission of uplink messages is supported, and repeated transmission of preambles is not, so the probability of successfully accessing network devices cannot be effectively increased. For example, in some scenarios (e.g., scenarios where the terminal is far from the network device, i.e., weak coverage scenarios), preamble coverage is also limited, and the terminal may not receive the preamble sent to the network device. As a result, the terminal cannot access the network device. Alternatively, even if the terminal can successfully receive the preamble sent to the network device, it may not receive the uplink messages repeatedly sent by the terminal (the coverage of repeatedly sent uplink messages is usually only matched to, or slightly weaker than, the coverage of the preamble). As a result, the terminal cannot access the network device. Therefore, in Solution 1, the terminal may repeatedly send both the preamble and the uplink message; that is, the repeated sending of the preamble and the repeated sending of the uplink message may coexist, thereby increasing the probability that the terminal will successfully access the network device in a weak coverage scenario.

[0088] In Solution 2, the terminal may repeatedly send preambles but not uplink messages, thereby reducing resource overhead while increasing the probability of successful access to the network device. For example, in some scenarios (e.g., the terminal is close to the network device, i.e., in a strong coverage scenario), the terminal may repeatedly send preambles on different beams (e.g., three repetitions, where the terminal sends a preamble once on beam 1, once on beam 2, and once on beam 3), and the network device may then select a relatively good beam to send a response message to the terminal for the preamble. Correspondingly, after receiving the response message on a beam, the terminal may send an uplink message to the network device on that beam. Because the beam is a relatively good beam, the terminal only needs to send the uplink message once, without repeatedly sending the uplink message. This helps reduce resource overhead.

[0089] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Embodiments 1 to 4.

[0090] Embodiment 1 Embodiment 1 describes a possible implementation process for Solution 1.

[0091] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 1 of this application. As shown in Figure 3, the method includes the following steps.

[0092] S300: The network device sends configuration information 1 to the terminal, which corresponds to the first number of repetitions of the preamble and is used to configure M candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages. In response, the terminal receives configuration information 1.

[0093] For example, configuration information 1 may be for constructing W candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, where W and M are both positive integers. Here, the uplink message is the message corresponding to the uplink grant in the random access response; in other words, the uplink message is carried on the resource indicated by the uplink grant. For example, the uplink message may be message 3 in a conflict-based random access, or it may be a message sent by the terminal based on the uplink grant in the response message to the preamble (i.e., the response message in a non-conflict random access).

[0094] Each of the W candidate parameters may include the number of repetitions of the uplink message and may further include other possible information, such as the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the uplink message. Different candidate parameters may include different numbers of repetitions of the uplink message, and the information other than the number of repetitions included in different candidate parameters may be the same or different. For illustrative purposes, an example in which the candidate parameter includes the number of repetitions of the uplink message will be used below.

[0095] For example, W candidate parameters may be divided into multiple lists (where "list" can be replaced with "set" or "group"). For example, W candidate parameters may be divided into three lists: List 1, List 2, and List 3. Different lists contain different candidate parameters. List 1 contains M candidate parameters. For example, M candidate parameters include uplink message repetition counts 8 and 16 (i.e., M=2). List 2 contains N candidate parameters. For example, N candidate parameters include uplink message repetition counts 32 and 64 (i.e., N=2). List 3 contains P candidate parameters. For example, P candidate parameters include uplink message repetition counts 2 and 4 (i.e., P=2). Furthermore, configuration information 1 is used to further construct the correspondence between different lists and the repetition counts of the preamble. For example, configuration information 1 is further used to configure List 1 (i.e., M candidate parameters) to correspond to the first number of iterations of the random access preamble, List 2 (i.e., N candidate parameters) to correspond to the second number of iterations of the random access preamble, and List 3 (i.e., P candidate parameters) to correspond to no repeated transmissions of the random access preamble (i.e., one transmission), as shown in Table 1.

[0096] [Table 1]

[0097] The above example uses one instance of the preamble where one iteration corresponds to one list. In another possible example, one list may alternatively correspond to multiple iterations of the preamble. For example, both the first and second iterations of the preamble might correspond to list 1 (i.e., M candidate parameters).

[0098] In addition, configuration information 1 may optionally be used to further construct other possible information. For example, configuration information 1 may be used to further construct threshold ranges corresponding to different number of repetitions of the preamble, as shown in Table 1 (see explanation below). For example, threshold range 2 is (a, b), threshold range 1 is (b, c), and threshold range 0 is (c, d), where a is less than b, b is less than c, and c is less than d. In other words, threshold range 0 may be greater than threshold range 1, and threshold range 1 may be greater than threshold range 2. That is, a higher number of repetitions of the preamble may result in a smaller value for the corresponding threshold range (i.e., weaker coverage).

[0099] In another example, configuration information 1 is further used to configure random access resources corresponding to different repetition counts of the preamble, which may specifically include a first random access resource corresponding to a first repetition count of the preamble, a second random access resource corresponding to a second repetition count of the preamble, and a third random access resource that does not correspond to repeated transmission of the preamble. There are multiple ways to configure the correspondence between random access resources and different repetition counts of the preamble. For example, the repetition count of the preamble corresponding to a random access resource (e.g., the first random access resource) is indicated in the configuration of the random access resource. In this way, a network device can know the repetition count of the preamble based on the random access resource on which the preamble is received. For example, if a network device receives a preamble on the first random access resource, the network device can know that the repetition count of the preamble is the first repetition count.

[0100] It should be noted that S300 is an optional step, meaning that S300 does not have to be performed. If S300 is not performed, the content configured using configuration information 1 may be predefined in the protocol.

[0101] S301: The terminal repeatedly sends a random access preamble to the network device. For example, the number of repetitions of the preamble is the first repetition count.

[0102] The terminals described herein may determine the number of repetitions of a preamble and repeatedly transmit the preamble to a network device based on the number of repetitions. For example, if the number of repetitions of the preamble determined by the terminal is a first number of repetitions (e.g., 4), the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble to the network device four times. For example, the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble to a network device on the same beam to improve uplink coverage.

[0103] There can be multiple implementations in which the terminal determines the number of preamble repetitions. For example, the terminal may determine the number of preamble repetitions based on the signal quality of the downlink signal (e.g., RSRP). The downlink signal may be SSB or another possible signal. The RSRP of the downlink reference signal may be a cell-level RSRP, for example, the average of the RSRPs of multiple downlink reference signals in a cell. This embodiment is applicable to CBRA or CFRA. Specifically, different preamble repetition counts may correspond to different threshold ranges. If the terminal determines that the RSRP is within the threshold range corresponding to a particular number of preamble repetitions, it may determine that the number of preamble repetitions is that particular number. For example, a first number of preamble repetitions corresponds to threshold range 1, and a second number of preamble repetitions corresponds to threshold range 2. If the RSRP is within threshold range 1, the terminal may determine that the number of preamble repetitions is the first number and transmit the preamble based on the first number of repetitions.

[0104] In another example, the terminal may determine the number of repetitions of the preamble based on instructions from the network device. This embodiment is applicable to CFRA. For example, the network device may send a PDCCH command to the terminal, which indicates a first number of repetitions. In this case, the terminal may determine, based on the PDCCH command, that the number of repetitions of the preamble is the first number of repetitions, and then send the CFRA preamble based on the first number of repetitions.

[0105] Optionally, the PDCCH command may further include resource indication information, which indicates the random access resource carrying the preamble. As previously mentioned, the first iteration count corresponds to the first random access resource. The first random access resource may include multiple resources, each used to send the preamble once, and the resource indication information may indicate some of the multiple resources. Furthermore, the terminal may repeatedly send the preamble based on the resources indicated by the resource indication information.

[0106] S302: After receiving the preamble, the network device sends a response message to the terminal. In response, the terminal receives a response message to the preamble.

[0107] S303: The terminal repeatedly sends a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, and the first parameter for repeatedly sending the first uplink message corresponds to the first number of repetitions in the preamble.

[0108] If the random access initiated by the terminal herein is a competition-based random access, the first uplink message may be message 3. If the random access initiated by the terminal is a non-competition random access, the first uplink message may be a message sent by the terminal based on the uplink grant in the response message.

[0109] For example, a terminal may determine a first parameter from M candidate parameters corresponding to a first repetition count, and repeatedly send a first uplink message to a network device based on the first parameter. For example, if the first parameter includes the repetition count of the uplink message (e.g., 8), the terminal may repeatedly send the first uplink message 8 times based on the repetition count. In another example, if the first parameter includes the MCS of the uplink message, the terminal may repeatedly send the first uplink message based on that MCS (i.e., the MCS used each time the first uplink message is sent). Correspondingly, the network device may repeatedly receive the first uplink message based on the first parameter.

[0110] There are multiple implementations in which a terminal determines a first parameter from M candidate parameters. For example, the terminal may receive first information from a network device and determine the first parameter from M candidate parameters based on the first information. In other words, the first information is used to determine the first parameter from M candidate parameters. For example, the M candidate parameters may include repetition counts of 8 and 16, and the first information may include 1 bit. When the bit value is 0, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 8. When the bit value is 1, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 16. The first information may be carried in a response message or another possible message, which is not specifically limited.

[0111] In this case, the first parameter may be determined by the network device from M candidate parameters based on the reception status of the preamble and shown to the terminal by using the first information. For example, if the reception quality of the preamble is relatively good, the network device may select a relatively small number of repetitions from the M candidate parameters as the first parameter. If the reception quality of the preamble is relatively poor, the network device may select a relatively large number of repetitions from the M candidate parameters as the first parameter. In this way, the determined first parameter is appropriate and can reduce transmission resource overhead while ensuring successful transmission.

[0112] Optionally, in the case of CBRA, the method further includes the network device sending a conflict resolution message to the terminal. See the above description for details.

[0113] According to the method described above, the network device uses configuration information to establish a correspondence for the terminal between the number of times the preamble is repeated and candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, and the terminal can then send uplink messages using the corresponding parameters based on the number of times the preamble is repeated. In this way, the terminal may repeatedly send both random access preambles and uplink messages, that is, repeated sending of preambles and repeated sending of uplink messages may coexist, thereby effectively increasing the probability that the terminal will successfully access the network device in weak coverage scenarios.

[0114] Embodiment 2 Embodiment 2 describes an alternative possible implementation process for Solution 1.

[0115] Figure 4 is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 2 of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the method includes the following steps.

[0116] S400: The network device sends configuration information 2 to the terminal, which is used to configure W candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages. In response, the terminal receives configuration information 2.

[0117] For example, the difference between Configuration Information 2 and Configuration Information 1 mentioned above is that Configuration Information 2 may not be used to establish a correspondence between candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages and the number of times the preamble is repeated. For details other than the differences, please refer to the explanation of Configuration Information 1 for Configuration Information 2.

[0118] S401: The terminal repeatedly sends a random access preamble to the network device. For example, the number of repetitions of the preamble is the first repetition count.

[0119] For example, please refer to the explanation of S301 for details on the specific implementation of S401.

[0120] S402: After receiving the preamble, the network device sends a response message to the terminal. In response, the terminal receives a response message to the preamble.

[0121] S403: The terminal repeatedly sends a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, and the first parameter for repeatedly sending the first uplink message corresponds to the first number of repetitions in the preamble.

[0122] The terminal described herein can determine a first parameter from W candidate parameters and repeatedly send uplink messages to a network device based on the first parameter. There are multiple implementations in which the terminal determines the first parameter from W candidate parameters. Two possible implementations, namely Implementation 1 and Implementation 2, are described below.

[0123] (1) Implementation form 1 The terminal may receive second information from the network device, which is used to determine M candidate parameters from W candidate parameters, or in other words, the second information is used to determine one target list from a plurality of lists configured in configuration information 2, and the terminal may receive first information from the network device, which is used to determine a first parameter from M candidate parameters (i.e., a target list). Furthermore, the terminal may determine a first parameter from W candidate parameters based on the second and first information.

[0124] For example, W candidate parameters are divided into three lists: List 1 (M candidate parameters), List 2 (N candidate parameters), and List 3 (P candidate parameters). The second piece of information may contain 2 bits. If the 2-bit value is 00, the terminal may determine that the target list is List 1. If the 2-bit value is 01, the terminal may determine that the target list is List 2. If the 2-bit value is 10, the terminal may determine that the target list is List 3.

[0125] If the second piece of information indicates that the target list is List 1, and List 1 contains two candidate parameters (repetition counts of 8 and 16), then the first piece of information may contain 1 bit. When the bit's value is 0, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 8. When the bit's value is 1, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 16.

[0126] For example, the first piece of information and the second piece of information may be carried in the same message, or they may be carried in different messages. For example, both the first piece of information and the second piece of information may be carried in a response message, or the first piece of information may be carried in a response message and the second piece of information may be carried in a PDCCH command.

[0127] (2) Implementation form 2 The terminal may receive third information from the network device, which is used to determine the first parameter from W candidate parameters. For example, the third information may be carried in a response message.

[0128] For example, if the W candidate parameters include the six candidate parameters shown in Table 1, the third piece of information may include 3 bits. If the value of the 3 bits is 000, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 2. If the value of the 3 bits is 001, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 4. If the value of the 3 bits is 010, the terminal may determine that the first parameter is 8, and so on.

[0129] According to the method described above, the network device may not need to configure in its configuration information a correspondence between candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages and the number of times the preamble is repeated. Instead, when the terminal initiates or is about to initiate random access, the network device may present the terminal with a range of first parameters (i.e., M candidate parameters) to allow for more flexibility in specifying the first parameters for repeatedly sending the first uplink message.

[0130] Embodiment 3 Embodiment 3 describes a possible implementation process for Solution 2.

[0131] Figure 5 is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 3 of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes the following steps.

[0132] S500: The network device sends configuration information 3 to the terminal, which is used to configure the uplink message to be sent only once, corresponding to at least one repetition of the preamble (i.e., no repetitions). In response, the terminal receives configuration information 3.

[0133] For example, configuration information 3 is used to configure the third and fourth repetition counts of the preamble, with instruction information 1 corresponding to the third repetition count and instruction information 2 corresponding to the fourth repetition count. Instruction information 1 indicates that the uplink message corresponding to the third repetition count will not be sent repeatedly, and instruction information 2 indicates that the uplink message corresponding to the fourth repetition count will not be sent repeatedly. Table 2 shows an example of what is configured in configuration information 3.

[0134] [Table 2]

[0135] It can be understood that Configuration Information 3 may be further composed of other conceivable information. For example, Configuration Information 3 may be further used to configure threshold ranges corresponding to different numbers of repetitions of the preamble, as shown in Table 2. In another example, Configuration Information 3 may be further used to configure random access resources corresponding to different numbers of repetitions of the preamble. For further details, please refer to the description of Embodiment 1.

[0136] S501: The terminal repeatedly sends a random access preamble to the network device, and the number of repetitions of the preamble is the third repetition count.

[0137] The terminals described herein may determine the number of repetitions of a preamble and repeatedly transmit the preamble to network devices based on the number of repetitions of the preamble on different beams. For example, if the number of repetitions of the preamble determined by the terminal is a third number of repetitions, the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble to network devices on different beams.

[0138] There can be multiple implementations in which the terminal determines the number of preamble repetitions. For example, the terminal may determine the number of preamble repetitions based on the RSRP of the downlink signal, and the RSRP of the downlink signal may be the cell-level RSRP. For example, the third number of preamble repetitions corresponds to threshold range 3, and the fourth number of preamble repetitions corresponds to threshold range 4. If the RSRP of the downlink signal is within threshold range 3, the terminal may determine that the number of preamble repetitions is the third number and transmit the preamble based on the third number of repetitions. In another example, the terminal may determine the number of preamble repetitions based on instructions from a network device. For further details, see the description of Embodiment 1.

[0139] S502: After receiving the preamble, the network device sends a response message to the terminal. In response, the terminal receives a response message to the preamble.

[0140] S503: Based on configuration information 3, the terminal may determine that the uplink message corresponding to the third number of repetitions will not be repeatedly sent and may send the first uplink message to the network device.

[0141] According to the method described above, the terminal can repeatedly send random access preambles in the random access procedure, but not uplink messages, thereby reducing resource overhead while increasing the probability that the terminal will successfully access the network device.

[0142] Embodiment 4 Embodiment 4 describes an alternative possible implementation process for Solution 2.

[0143] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart corresponding to the communication method according to Embodiment 4 of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the method includes the following steps.

[0144] S600: The network device sends configuration information 4 to the terminal, which is used to configure the number of repetitions of the preamble at least once. In response, the terminal receives configuration information 4.

[0145] For example, the number of repetitions of the preamble at least once may include the third and fourth repetitions. The difference between configuration information 4 and the aforementioned configuration information 3 is that in configuration information 4, the uplink messages corresponding to the third and fourth repetitions are not configured to be sent repeatedly.

[0146] S601: The terminal repeatedly sends a random access preamble to the network device, and the number of repetitions of the preamble is the third repetition count.

[0147] For example, please refer to the explanation for S501 for details on the specific implementation of S601.

[0148] S602: After receiving the preamble, the network device sends a response message to the terminal, which includes instruction information indicating that the uplink message corresponding to the third repetition of the preamble will not be sent again. In response, the terminal receives the response message to the preamble.

[0149] For example, if a network device receives a preamble transmitted by a terminal on multiple beams, the network device may select a relatively good beam (e.g., a beam with relatively good reception quality, or a beam with reception quality above a specified threshold) and send a response message to the terminal on that beam. Because the beam selected by the network device is a relatively good beam, the network device may use instruction information to instruct it not to repeatedly send uplink messages in order to reduce transmission resources.

[0150] S603: The terminal sends a first uplink message to the network device based on the instruction information.

[0151] When a terminal in this specification receives a response message on beam 1, the terminal may send a first uplink message to the network device once on beam 1 without repeated transmission.

[0152] It can be understood that the above explanation is provided by using an example in which instruction information is carried in a response message. In another embodiment, instruction information may, alternatively, be carried in another possible message, such as a PDCCH command.

[0153] According to the method described above, the fact that uplink messages corresponding to the number of preamble repetitions are not repeatedly sent does not need to be configured within the configuration information, but can be further indicated by the network device, resulting in greater implementation flexibility.

[0154] The following points should be noted regarding Embodiments 1 to 4.

[0155] (1) Embodiments 1 to 4 described above may be implemented separately or in combination. For example, Embodiment 1 may be combined with Embodiment 3. In this case, the contents configured by the configuration information may be shown in Table 3, that is, Table 1 of Embodiment 1 may be replaced with Table 3, or Table 2 of Embodiment 2 may be replaced with Table 3.

[0156] [Table 3]

[0157] Optionally, the configuration information may further configure whether the number of preamble repetitions corresponds to the same beam or to different beams, as shown in Table 3. For example, the first and second preamble repetitions may correspond to the same beam, and the third and fourth preamble repetitions may correspond to different beams. Specifically, the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble on the same beam based on the first or second repetition, or the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble on different beams based on the third or fourth repetition.

[0158] For example, the threshold range value corresponding to the same beam may be smaller than the threshold range value corresponding to different beams. For instance, repeatedly transmitting a preamble on the same beam is applicable to weak coverage scenarios, while repeatedly transmitting a preamble on different beams is applicable to strong coverage scenarios.

[0159] Furthermore, the third and fourth number of iterations corresponding to different beams may be the same as or different from the first and second number of iterations corresponding to the same beam.

[0160] (2) In Embodiments 1 and 2, the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble on the same beam, for example, by repeatedly transmitting the preamble over K1 cycles. In this case, the preamble transmitted over K1 cycles may be the same preamble. In Embodiments 3 and 4, the terminal may repeatedly transmit the preamble on different beams, for example, by repeatedly transmitting the preamble over K2 cycles. In this case, the preamble transmitted over K2 cycles may be the same preamble or different preambles.

[0161] (3) Embodiments 1 to 4 described above illustrate several possible implementation processes in which a terminal repeatedly transmits a random access preamble. The above explanation has focused on the differences between Embodiments 1 to 4. For content other than the differences, Embodiments 1 to 4 can be cross-referenced. Furthermore, within the same embodiment, cross-referencing may be performed between different implementation forms or between different examples.

[0162] (4) The step numbers in the flowcharts described in Embodiments 1 to 4 are merely examples of the execution process and do not constitute a limitation on the execution order of the steps. In the embodiments of this application, there is no strict execution order between steps that do not have a chronological dependency on each other. Furthermore, not all steps shown in each flowchart are necessarily performed, and some steps may be added or deleted from each flowchart based on actual requirements.

[0163] The above primarily describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application from the perspective of the interaction between a terminal and a network device. It can be understood that, in order to implement the aforementioned functions, a terminal or network device may include corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for performing the functions. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, the embodiments of this application may be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and computer software, in combination with the example units and algorithmic steps described in the embodiments disclosed in this specification. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or by hardware driven by computer software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may implement the functions described in various ways for specific applications, but such implementations should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0164] In embodiments of this application, the division into functional units may be performed in terminals and network devices based on the examples of the methods described above. For example, the division into each functional unit may be based on each corresponding function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one unit. The aforementioned integrated units may be implemented in hardware form or in the form of software functional units.

[0165] When an integrated unit is used, Figure 7 is a block diagram of a possible example of the apparatus according to one embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the apparatus 700 may include a processing unit 702 and a communication unit 703. The processing unit 702 is configured to control and manage the operation of the apparatus 700. The communication unit 703 is configured to support communication between the apparatus 700 and another device. Optionally, the communication unit 703 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit and may include a receiving unit and / or a transmitting unit, which are configured to perform receiving and transmitting operations, respectively. The apparatus 700 may further include a storage unit 701 configured to store program code and / or data of the apparatus 700.

[0166] (1) The device 700 may be the terminal in the embodiment described above. The processing unit 702 may support the device 700 when performing the terminal operations in the example of the method described above. Alternatively, the processing unit 702 may mainly perform the internal operations of the terminal in the example of the method, and the communication unit 703 may support communication between the device 700 and another device.

[0167] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 703 is configured to repeatedly transmit a random access preamble to a network device, receive a response message from the network device to the preamble, repeatedly transmit a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, and a first parameter used to repeatedly transmit the first uplink message corresponds to a first number of repetitions of the preamble.

[0168] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to receive first configuration information from a network device, which is used to construct M candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a first number of repetitions, where M is a positive integer, and to receive first information from a network device, which is used to determine a first parameter from the M candidate parameters.

[0169] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 may be further configured to receive a PDCCH command from a network device, the PDCCH command may indicate a first number of repetitions, and to transmit a preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions indicated by the PDCCH command, or to receive a downlink signal from a network device, and to repeatedly transmit a preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions when the signal quality of the downlink signal is within a threshold range corresponding to the first number of repetitions.

[0170] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message.

[0171] In a possible design, the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble, where N candidate parameters are different from M candidate parameters, and N is a positive integer.

[0172] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to receive second configuration information from a network device, the second configuration information being used to configure W candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, receive first and second information from the network device, the second information being used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters, and the first information being used to determine a first parameter from the M candidate parameters, such that W and M are both positive integers.

[0173] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message, and the second piece of information is carried in either a response message or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) command, which is used to trigger repeated transmission of a random access preamble to the network device.

[0174] In possible designs, the PDCCH command further indicates the first number of repetitions.

[0175] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to repeatedly transmit preambles to network devices on the same beam.

[0176] In a possible design, the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and the modulation coding scheme (MCS).

[0177] (2) The device 700 may be the network device in the embodiment described above. The processing unit 702 may support the device 700 when performing the operation of the network device in the example of the method described above. Alternatively, the processing unit 702 may mainly perform the internal operation of the network device in the example of the method, and the communication unit 703 may support communication between the device 700 and another device.

[0178] For example, in one embodiment, the communication unit 703 is configured to receive a random access preamble from a terminal, the number of repetitions of the preamble being a first repetition count, transmit first information to the terminal, the first information indicating first parameters for repeatedly transmitting a first uplink message, receive a first uplink message based on the first parameters, and the first parameters corresponding to a first repetition count.

[0179] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to transmit first configuration information to a terminal, the first configuration information being used to constitute M candidate parameters for repeatedly transmitting an uplink message, where M is a positive integer and the first information indicates a first parameter, the first information being used to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters.

[0180] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message.

[0181] In a possible design, the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters for repeatedly sending uplink messages, corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble, where N candidate parameters are different from M candidate parameters, and N is a positive integer.

[0182] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to include transmitting a second configuration information to a terminal, which is used to configure W candidate parameters for repeatedly transmitting uplink messages; transmitting a second information to a terminal, which is used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters; the first information indicating a first parameter; and the first information indicating a first parameter from the M candidate parameters, such that W and M are both positive integers.

[0183] In a possible design, the first piece of information is carried in a response message, and the second piece of information is carried in either a response message or a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) command, which is used to trigger repeated transmission of a random access preamble to the network device.

[0184] In a possible design, the communication unit 703 is further configured to send a PDCCH command to the terminal, which indicates a first repetition count.

[0185] In a possible design, the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and the modulation coding scheme (MCS).

[0186] It should be understood that the division of units in the aforementioned device is merely a logical functional division. In actual implementation, all or part of the units may be incorporated into a single physical entity, or they may be physically separated. In addition, all units in the device may be implemented in the form of software called by processing elements, or in the form of hardware, or some units may be implemented in the form of software called by processing elements, and some units may be implemented in the form of hardware. For example, each unit may be an individually located processing element, or it may be incorporated into the device's chip for implementation. In addition, each unit may be alternatively stored in memory in the form of a program to be called by the device's processing elements to perform the unit's function. In addition, all or part of the units may be integrated, or they may be implemented independently. Processing elements in this document may also be referred to as processors, and may be integrated circuits with signal processing capabilities. In implementation procedures, the methods described above or the operation in the aforementioned units may be implemented by using hardware integrated logic circuits within the processor element, or by processing elements calling software.

[0187] In one example, a unit in any one of the aforementioned devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to carry out the method described above, for example, one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these forms of integrated circuits. In another example, if a unit in the device may be implemented in a manner in which a processing element schedules a program, that processing element may be a processor, for example, a general-purpose central processing unit (CPU), or another processor capable of calling a program. In yet another example, the unit may be integrated and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

[0188] The aforementioned receiving unit is an interface circuit of the device and is configured to receive signals from another device. For example, if the device is implemented in a chip manner, the receiving unit is an interface circuit of the chip configured to receive signals from another chip or device. The aforementioned transmitting unit is an interface circuit of the device and is configured to transmit signals to another device. For example, if the device is implemented in a chip manner, the transmitting unit is an interface circuit of the chip and is configured to transmit signals to another chip or device.

[0189] Figure 8 is a diagram showing the structure of a network device according to one embodiment of this application. The network device (or base station) may be used in the communication system shown in Figure 1 to perform the functions of the network device in the method embodiment described above. As shown in Figure 8, the network device 80 may include one or more DUs 801 and one or more CUs 802. The DU 801 may include at least one antenna 8011, at least one radio frequency unit 8012, at least one processor 8013, and at least one memory 8014. The DU 801 is mainly configured to receive and transmit radio frequency signals, perform conversion between radio frequency signals and baseband signals, and perform partial baseband processing. The CU 802 may include at least one processor 8022 and at least one memory 8021.

[0190] CU 802 is primarily configured to perform baseband processing, control network devices, and so on. DU 801 and CU 802 may be physically located together or physically located separately, i.e., distributed base stations. CU 802 is a control center for network devices, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, and is primarily configured to complete baseband processing functions. For example, CU 802 may be configured to control network devices to perform the operational processes associated with network devices in the embodiments of the method described above.

[0191] In addition, the network device 80 may optionally include one or more radio frequency units, one or more DUs, and one or more CUs. The DU may include at least one processor 8013 and at least one memory 8014, the radio frequency unit may include at least one antenna 8011 and at least one radio frequency unit 8012, and the CU may include at least one processor 8022 and at least one memory 8021.

[0192] For example, CU 802 may include one or more boards. Multiple boards may jointly support a radio access network (e.g., a 5G network) with a single access instruction, or they may separately support radio access networks with different access standards (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or another network). Memory 8021 and processor 8022 may serve one or more boards. In other words, memory and processor may be located on each board. Alternatively, multiple boards may share the same memory and the same processor. In addition, each board may have further necessary circuitry. DU 801 may include one or more boards. Multiple boards may jointly support a radio access network (e.g., a 5G network) with a single access instruction, or they may separately support radio access networks with different access standards (e.g., an LTE network, a 5G network, or another network). Memory 8014 and processor 8013 may serve one or more boards. In other words, memory and processor may be located on each board. Alternatively, multiple boards may share the same memory and the same processor. In addition, each board may have further necessary circuits placed on it.

[0193] The network device shown in Figure 8 can perform the procedures related to the network device in the embodiments of the method described above. The operation and / or functions of the modules within the network device shown in Figure 8 are used, respectively, to perform the corresponding processes in the embodiments of the method described above. For details, please refer to the description of the embodiments of the method described above. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0194] Figure 9 is a diagram of the structure of a terminal according to one embodiment of this application. The terminal may be used in the communication system shown in Figure 1 to perform the operations of the terminal in the above-described embodiment. As shown in Figure 9, the terminal includes an antenna 910, a radio frequency unit 920, and a signal processing unit 930. The antenna 910 is connected to the radio frequency unit 920. In the downlink direction, the radio frequency unit 920 receives information transmitted by a network device via the antenna 910 and transmits the information transmitted by the network device to the signal processing unit 930 for processing. In the uplink direction, the signal processing unit 930 processes the information from the terminal and transmits the information to the radio frequency unit 920. The radio frequency unit 920 processes the information from the terminal and then transmits the processed information to the network device via the antenna 910.

[0195] The signal processing unit 930 may include a modem subsystem configured to process data at each communication protocol layer, and may further include a central processing subsystem configured to perform processing at the terminal's operating system layer and application layer. In addition, the signal processing unit 930 may further include other subsystems, such as a multimedia subsystem and a peripheral subsystem. The multimedia subsystem is configured to control the terminal's camera, screen display, etc. The peripheral subsystem is configured to perform connections to other devices. The modem subsystem may be a separately located chip.

[0196] The modem subsystem may include one or more processing elements 931, for example, one main control CPU and another integrated circuit. In addition, the modem subsystem may further include a storage element 932 and an interface circuit 933. The storage element 932 is configured to store data and programs. However, the programs used to perform the methods executed by the terminal in the aforementioned method do not have to be stored in the storage element 932, but are stored in memory outside the modem subsystem and loaded and used by the modem subsystem when needed. The interface circuit 933 is configured to communicate with another subsystem.

[0197] The modem subsystem may be implemented using a chip. This chip includes at least one processing element and an interface circuit. The processing element is configured to perform steps of any method performed by the terminal. The interface circuit is configured to communicate with other devices. In one implementation, the unit in the terminal for performing the steps of the aforementioned method may be implemented such that the processing element schedules a program. For example, the device used in the terminal includes a processing element and a storage element. The processing element invokes a program stored in the storage element to perform the method performed by the terminal in the aforementioned method embodiment. The storage element may be a storage element located on the same chip as the processing element, i.e., an on-chip storage element.

[0198] In a different implementation, the program used to execute the method performed by the terminal in the manner described above may reside in a storage element located on a different chip from the processing element, i.e., in an off-chip storage element. In this case, the processing element calls or loads the program from the off-chip storage element to the on-chip storage element in order to call and execute the method performed by the terminal in the embodiment of the method described above.

[0199] In yet another implementation, the unit within the terminal for carrying out the steps of the method described above may be configured as one or more processing elements. These processing elements are located on the modem subsystem. These processing elements may be integrated circuits, such as one or more ASICs, one or more DSPs, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of these types of integrated circuits. These integrated circuits may be integrated together to form a chip.

[0200] The units within the terminal for performing the steps of the aforementioned method may be integrated together and implemented in the form of an SoC, the SoC chip being configured to perform the aforementioned method. At least one processing element and a storage element may be incorporated into the chip, the processing element calling a program stored in the storage element to perform the aforementioned method performed by the terminal. Alternatively, at least one integrated circuit may be incorporated into the chip to perform the aforementioned method performed by the terminal. Alternatively, in relation to the aforementioned implementation configuration, the functions of some units may be implemented in a manner in which the processing element calls a program, and the functions of some units may be implemented by an integrated circuit.

[0201] It can be seen that the aforementioned device used in a terminal may include at least one processing element and an interface circuit. The at least one processing element is configured to perform any method performed by the terminal in the method embodiments described above. The processing element may perform some or all of the steps performed by the terminal in a first manner, i.e., by calling a program stored in a memory element, or in a second manner, i.e., by combining instructions with hardware integrated logic circuits in a processor element. Naturally, some or all of the steps performed by the terminal may alternatively be performed by combining the first and second manners.

[0202] The processing elements in this specification are the same as those described above and may be implemented by a processor. The function of the processing elements may be the same as the function of the processing unit described in Figure 7. For example, the processing elements may be a general-purpose processor, such as a CPU, or one or more integrated circuits configured to carry out the methods described above, such as one or more ASICs, one or more microprocessor DSPs, one or more FPGAs, or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms. The storage elements may be implemented by memory, and the function of the storage elements may be the same as the function of the storage unit described in Figure 7. The storage elements may be memory, or a collective term for multiple memories.

[0203] The terminal shown in Figure 9 can perform the procedures related to the terminal in the previously described method embodiment. The operation and / or functions of the modules within the terminal shown in Figure 9 are used, respectively, to perform the corresponding processes in the previously described method embodiment. For further details, please refer to the description of the previously described method embodiment. To avoid repetition, detailed descriptions are appropriately omitted here.

[0204] In embodiments of this application, the terms “system” and “network” may be used interchangeably. “At least one” means one or more, and “multiple” means two or more. The term “and / or” describes the relationship between related objects and indicates that three relationships may exist. For example, A and / or B can indicate the following three cases: that only A exists, that both A and B exist, and that only B exists, where A and B may be singular or plural. The letter “ / ” generally indicates an “or” relationship between related objects. At least one item (part) of the following or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of singular or plural items (parts). For example, “at least one of A, B, and C” includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC, or ABC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, ordinal numbers such as “first” and “second” in embodiments of this application are used to distinguish multiple objects rather than to limit the order, chronological order, priority, or importance of multiple objects.

[0205] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, this application may take the form of hardware-only embodiments, software-only embodiments, or embodiments involving a combination of software and hardware. Furthermore, this application may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, magnetic disk memory, CD-ROM, optical memory, etc.) that include computer-usable program code.

[0206] This application is described with reference to flowcharts and / or block diagrams of methods, devices (systems), and computer program products relating to this application. It should be understood that each process and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and combinations of processes and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, can be implemented using computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, an embedded processor, or a processor of any other programmable data processing device to generate a machine, thereby generating a machine configured to implement a particular function in one or more processes in the flowchart and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams, by using instructions executed by a computer or processor of any other programmable data processing device.

[0207] These computer program instructions may, alternatively, be stored in computer-readable memory that can instruct the computer or another programmable data processing device to operate in a specific manner, and as a result, instructions stored in computer-readable memory generate artifacts including an instruction unit. The instruction unit implements specific functions in one or more processes in a flowchart and / or one or more blocks in a block diagram.

[0208] Computer program instructions may instead be loaded onto a computer or another programmable data processing device, resulting in a series of operations and steps being performed on the computer or other programmable device, thereby generating computer execution processes. Therefore, instructions executed on a computer or other programmable device provide steps for implementing specific functions in one or more processes of a flowchart and / or one or more blocks of a block diagram.

[0209] It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. In this case, if the modifications and alterations made to this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and the equivalent art, this application is intended to include these modifications and alterations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0210] 1000 Communication Systems 100 Wireless Access Networks 200 Core Network 300 Internet 110a base station 110b Microbase Station 120a, 120e, 120f, 120j mobile phones 120b Vehicle 120c Fuel Dispenser 120d Home Access Point 120g Notebook Computer 120h printer 120i aircraft 700 equipment 701 Memory Unit 702 Processing Unit 703 Communication Unit 80 Network Devices 801 Distributed Unit (DU) 802 Central Unit (CU) 8011 Antenna 8012 Radio frequency unit 8013 Processor 8014 memory 8021 memory 8022 Processor 920 Radio frequency section 930 Signal Processing Unit 931 Processing elements 932 Memory Elements 933 Interface Circuit

Claims

1. A method of communication, A step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device, wherein the number of times the preamble is repeated is a first number of repetitions. The steps include receiving a response message for the preamble from the network device, The steps include repeatedly sending a first uplink message to the network device based on the response message, and Includes, The first parameter for repeatedly sending the first uplink message corresponds to the first number of repetitions. Communication method.

2. A step of receiving first configuration information from the network device, wherein the first configuration information is used to configure M candidate parameters, the M candidate parameters correspond to the first number of repetitions and are parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, and M is a positive integer; A step of receiving first information from the network device, wherein the first information is used to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device is: A step of receiving a PDCCH command from the network device, wherein the PDCCH command indicates the first number of repetitions; The steps include: transmitting the preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions indicated by the PDCCH command; Includes or The steps include receiving a downlink signal from the network device, The steps include: repeatedly transmitting the preamble to the network device based on the first number of repetitions, when the signal quality of the downlink signal is within a threshold range corresponding to the first number of repetitions; The method according to claim 2, including the method described in claim 2.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the first information is conveyed in the response message.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters, the N candidate parameters corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble and parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, the N candidate parameters being different from the M candidate parameters, and N being a positive integer.

6. A step of receiving second configuration information from the network device, wherein the second configuration information is used to constitute W candidate parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, A step of receiving first information and second information from the network device, wherein the second information is used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters, and the first information is used to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters. It further includes, W and M are both positive integers. The method according to claim 1.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first information is carried in the response message, and the second information is carried in the response message or in a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, the PDCCH command being used to trigger repeated transmission of the random access preamble to the network device.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the PDCCH command further indicates the first number of repetitions.

9. The step of repeatedly sending a random access preamble to a network device is: The step of repeatedly transmitting the preamble to the network device on the same beam. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and a modulation coding scheme (MCS).

11. A method of communication, A step of receiving a random access preamble from a terminal, wherein the number of repetitions of the preamble is a first number of repetitions; A step of transmitting first information to the terminal, wherein the first information indicates first parameters for repeatedly transmitting a first uplink message; The steps of receiving the first uplink message based on the first parameter and Includes, The first parameter corresponds to the first number of repetitions. Communication method.

12. A step of transmitting first configuration information to the terminal, wherein the first configuration information is used to constitute M candidate parameters, the M candidate parameters correspond to the first number of repetitions and are parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, and M is a positive integer. It further includes, The fact that the first information indicates the first parameter includes the use of the first information to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters. The method according to claim 11.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first information is conveyed in the response message.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein the first configuration information is further used to construct N candidate parameters, the N candidate parameters corresponding to a second number of repetitions of the preamble and parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, the N candidate parameters being different from the M candidate parameters, and N being a positive integer.

15. A step of transmitting second configuration information to the terminal, wherein the second configuration information is used to constitute W candidate parameters for repeatedly transmitting the uplink message, A step of transmitting second information to the terminal, wherein the second information is used to determine M candidate parameters from the W candidate parameters, and W and M are both positive integers. It further includes, The fact that the first information indicates the first parameter includes the use of the first information to determine the first parameter from the M candidate parameters. The method according to claim 11.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the first information is carried in the response message, the second information is carried in the response message or a PDCCH command, and the PDCCH command is used to trigger repeated transmission of the random access preamble to a network device.

17. A step of transmitting the PDCCH command to the terminal, wherein the PDCCH command indicates the first number of repetitions. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 16, further comprising:

18. The method according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the first parameter includes the number of repetitions of the first uplink message and a modulation coding scheme (MCS).

19. A communication device comprising a module configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

20. A communication device comprising a processor, wherein the processor is coupled to a memory, the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to call the computer program in the memory to cause the communication device to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 18.

21. A communication system comprising a network device and a terminal, wherein the terminal is configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 10, and the network device is configured to perform the method described in any one of claims 11 to 18.

22. A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instruction, wherein when the computer program or instruction is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1 to 18 is performed.

23. A computer program product wherein, when a computer reads and executes the computer program product, the computer is made to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 18.

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