Random Access Channel Configuration

Abstract

Configuration of initial access communications, such as a random access channel ("RACH") process, is performed to initialize communications and / or synchronize devices. The RACH format can be modified and configured for improved communications. For example, the RACH preamble can be modified based on multiple groups or measurements using a reference signal. The preamble or format can be modified with modifications to the duration.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] This document is directed generally to wireless communications, and more specifically, wireless communications that utilize initial access configurations, such as random access channel (“RACH”) configurations. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless communication technologies are moving the world toward an increasingly connected and networked society. Wireless communication relies on efficient network resource management and allocation between user mobile stations and radio access network nodes (including, but not limited to, radio base stations). New-generation networks are expected to provide high-speed, low-latency, and ultra-reliable communication capabilities and fulfill requirements from different industries and users, including artificial intelligence ("AI") requirements. As a result, user mobile stations or user equipment ("UE") are becoming more complex, and the amount of data communicated continuously is increasing. Similarly, the number and diversity of devices communicating over networks are also increasing. Initial access communications used to connect UEs to networks are also increasing in complexity. Communication improvements should be made to improve communications for vertical industries, meet reliability requirements, and support new-generation network services. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] This document relates to methods, systems, and devices for configuration of initial access communications, such as a random access channel ("RACH") process, implemented to initialize communications and / or synchronize devices. RACH formats can be modified and configured for improved communications. For example, RACH preambles can be modified based on multiple groups or measurements using reference signals. Preambles or formats can be modified with modifications to duration. In some embodiments, a base station configures PRACH groups, and the UE may then select one of the configured group information based on a threshold or control indication. The configured group information may include PRACH format, PRACH SCS, PRACH format, or other information for transmitting initial access signals that may utilize a preamble.

[0004] In one embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes determining or transmitting a configuration of at least two groups and receiving a signal during initial access. The initial access comprises a physical random access channel ("PRACH") protocol. The configuration comprises at least one of a preamble for the PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. The receiving is performed by a base station from a user equipment ("UE"), the transmitting is performed by the base station to the user equipment ("UE"), and the determining is performed by the base station. The signal establishes communication between the UE and the base station. The at least two groups comprise old information regarding a first group and new information regarding a second group. The configuration of the at least two groups includes a difference between the at least two groups in at least the PRACH format, the PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), the RACH opportunity configuration index, or the PRACH period. The method further includes transmitting a reference signal. The configuration decision is based on measurements of reference signals or control signaling indications. The reference signals comprise at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, a channel state information reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, a phase tracking reference signal, or a sounding reference signal. The measurements of the reference signals or control signaling indications are from another communication node or the core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information.

[0005] In another embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes transmitting a signal during initial access and determining a configuration for initial access based on at least two groups. The initial access comprises a physical random access channel ("PRACH") protocol. The configuration comprises at least one of the following: a preamble for the PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH SCS, a RACH opportunity configuration index, and a PRACH period. The transmitting is performed by a user equipment ("UE") to a base station, and the determining is performed by the UE. The method includes receiving a configuration for initial access from the base station by the UE. The signal establishes communication between the UE and the base station. The at least two groups comprise old information for a first group and new information for a second group. The configuration for the at least two groups includes a difference between the at least two groups in at least a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. The method further includes receiving a reference signal and reporting the measurement result to the base station, the configuration being based on a measurement of a reference signal or a control signaling indication. The reference signal comprises at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, a channel state information reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, a phase tracking reference signal, or a sounding reference signal. The measurement of the reference signal or control signaling indication is from another communication node or the core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information.

[0006] In another embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes inserting a duration into an initial access format or preamble format and forming an updated initial access format or preamble format that includes the duration. The initial access comprises a Physical Random Access Channel ("PRACH") protocol for the format or preamble format. The duration comprises a change to a gap prefix ("GP") or a cyclic prefix ("CP"). The change comprises a symbol level.

[0007] In another embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes receiving a signal during initial access and modifying a configuration for initial access based on comparing to a threshold. The configuration comprises at least one of a preamble for a physical random access channel ("PRACH"), a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. The threshold is configured by a base station or higher layer parameters and compared to measurements of a reference signal. The symbol number of the PRACH format is based on beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information. Modifying the configuration depends on the comparison to the threshold.

[0008] In another embodiment, a method for wireless communication includes transmitting a signal during initial access and receiving a configuration modification for initial access based on comparing a threshold. The threshold is configured by a base station or a higher layer parameter and compared to a measurement result of a reference signal. The configuration modification depends on the comparison to the threshold. The symbol number of the PRACH format is based on beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information.

[0009] In one embodiment, a wireless communications device comprises a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0010] In one embodiment, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement any of the embodiments discussed above.

[0011] In some embodiments, there is a wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and perform any method recited in any of the embodiments. In some embodiments, a computer program product comprises a computer readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by the processor, causing the processor to perform any method recited in any of the embodiments. These and other aspects and implementations thereof are described in more detail in the drawings, description, and claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: determining a configuration based on at least two groups; receiving a signal during initial access to establish communication using said configuration; A method comprising: (Item 2) Item 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial access comprises a Physical Random Access Channel ("PRACH") protocol. (Item 3) Item 3. The method of item 2, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of a preamble for the PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. (Item 4) The receiving is performed by a base station from a user equipment ("UE"), and the determining is performed by the base station, and the method further comprises: transmitting, by the base station, the configuration to the UE; Item 3. The method according to item 2, comprising: (Item 5) 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the signal is used to establish communication between the UE and the base station. (Item 6) Item 3. The method of item 2, wherein the at least two groups comprise a first group of legacy information and a second group of new information. (Item 7) Item 7. The method of item 6, wherein the configuration of the at least two groups includes a difference between the at least two groups in at least a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. (Item 8) transmitting a reference signal; Item 10. The method of item 1, wherein the configuration determination is based on measurements of the reference signal or control signaling indication. (Item 9) Item 9. The method of item 8, wherein the reference signal comprises at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, a channel state information reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, a phase tracking reference signal, or a sounding reference signal. (Item 10) Item 9. The method of item 8, wherein the reference signal or the measurement value of the control signaling indication is from another communication node or a core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information. (Item 11) 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a signal during initial access; utilizing the configuration for initial access based on at least two groups to establish communication; A method comprising: (Item 12) Item 12. The method of item 11, wherein the initial access comprises a Physical Random Access Channel ("PRACH") protocol. (Item 13) Item 13. The method of item 12, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of the following: a preamble for the PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. (Item 14) Item 13. The method of item 12, wherein the transmitting is performed by a user equipment ("UE") to a base station. (Item 15) Item 15. The method of item 14, further comprising receiving, by the UE, a configuration for the initial access from the base station. (Item 16) Item 13. The method of item 12, wherein the at least two groups comprise a first group of legacy information and a second group of new information. (Item 17) Item 17. The method of item 16, wherein the configuration for the at least two groups includes a difference between the at least two groups in at least a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH periodicity. (Item 18) receiving a reference signal or control signaling indication; reporting a measurement result to the base station from the reference signal or from the control signaling indication, and the configuration is based on the measurement result; Item 15. The method of item 14, further comprising: (Item 19) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the reference signal comprises at least one of the following: a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, a channel state information reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, a phase tracking reference signal, or a sounding reference signal. (Item 20) Item 19. The method of item 18, wherein the reference signal or the measurement value of the control signaling indication is from another communication node or a core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information. (Item 21) 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: inserting a duration into an initial access format or a preamble format; forming an updated initial access format or preamble format that includes said duration; A method comprising: (Item 22) 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the initial access comprises a physical random access channel ("PRACH") protocol for the format or preamble format. (Item 23) 22. The method of claim 21, wherein the duration comprises a change to a gap prefix ("GP") or a cyclic prefix ("CP"). (Item 24) Item 24. The method of item 23, wherein the modification comprises a symbol level. (Item 25) 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: receiving a signal during initial access; modifying the configuration for the initial access based on comparing the thresholds; and A method comprising: (Item 26) 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the configuration comprises at least one of a preamble for a physical random access channel ("PRACH"), a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing ("SCS"), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period. (Item 27) 26. The method of claim 25, wherein the threshold is configured by a base station or a higher layer parameter and compared with a measurement result of a reference signal. (Item 28) 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the symbol number of the PRACH format is based on beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information. (Item 29) 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the modification of the configuration depends on a comparison with the threshold. (Item 30) 1. A method for wireless communication, comprising: transmitting a signal during initial access; receiving a configuration modification for the initial access based on comparing a threshold value; and A method comprising: (Item 31) Item 31. The method according to item 30, wherein the threshold is configured by a base station or a higher layer parameter and compared with a measurement result of a reference signal. (Item 32) 32. The method of claim 31, wherein the modification of the configuration depends on a comparison with the threshold. (Item 33) Item 31. The method of item 30, wherein the symbol number of the PRACH format is based on beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information. (Item 34) 34. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and to perform the method of any of items 1-33. (Item 35) 34. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method of any of items 1-33. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary base station.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary random access (“RA”) messaging environment.

[0014] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of initial access signaling.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment of a random access channel (“RACH”) preamble format.

[0016] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a group-based initial access configuration.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an initial access configuration based on a reference signal.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of an initial access configuration with additional time.

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of an initial access configuration with additional time based on a reference signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0020] Detailed Description The present disclosure will now be described in detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and which show, by way of illustration, specific examples of embodiments. It should be noted, however, that the present disclosure may be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is not intended to be construed as limited to any of the embodiments that will be described below.

[0021] Throughout this specification and claims, terms may have nuanced meanings that are suggested or implied in context beyond those explicitly stated. Similarly, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in some embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrases "in another embodiment" or "in other embodiments" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different embodiments. The phrases "in one implementation" or "in some implementations" as used herein do not necessarily refer to the same implementation, and the phrases "in another implementation" or "in other implementations" as used herein do not necessarily refer to different implementations. For example, it is intended that the claimed subject matter include, in whole or in part, a combination of example embodiments or implementations.

[0022] Generally, terminology can be understood, at least in part, from usage in context. For example, terms such as "and," "or," or "and / or," as used herein, can include a variety of meanings that may depend, at least in part, on the context in which such terms are used. Typically, when "or" is used to relate a list such as A, B, or C, it is intended to refer to A, B, and C, which are used herein in an inclusive sense, and to A, B, or C, which are used herein in an exclusive sense. Additionally, the terms "one or more" or "at least one," as used herein, can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or can be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense, depending, at least in part, on the context. Similarly, again, terms such as "a," "an," or "the" can be understood to convey singular use or to convey plural use, depending, at least in part, on the context. Additionally, the terms "based on" or "determined by" may be understood as not necessarily intended to convey an exclusive set of factors, but instead may allow for the existence of additional factors not necessarily explicitly described, again depending at least in part on the context.

[0023] The wireless communication described herein may occur through radio access, including new radio ("NR") access. Radio resource control ("RRC") is a protocol layer between a user equipment ("UE") and a network (e.g., a base station or gNB) at the IP level (network layer). Various radio resource control (RRC) states may exist, such as RRC_CONNECTED, RRC_INACTIVE, and RRC_IDLE. As described, a UE can transmit data through a random access channel ("RACH") protocol scheme or a configured grant ("CG") scheme or grant scheme. The RACH scheme is merely one example of a protocol scheme for communication; other examples, including but not limited to CG, are also possible. The RACH scheme may be used for an initial access process to set up communication, including synchronization of the UE and base station. Figures 1-2 show exemplary radio access network ("RAN") nodes (e.g., base stations) and user equipment and messaging environments.

[0024] Initial access may refer to a process by which a UE and a base station establish uplink synchronization. One example of this initial access may include a random access channel ("RACH") process or protocol. This process may include obtaining an identity for radio access communication. The RACH may include a first message from the UE to the base station in response to powering up. The RACH is a shared channel used by wireless terminals to access mobile networks (TDMA / FDMA and CDMA-based networks) for call setup and data transmission. The UE schedules the RACH each time it desires to make an MO (mobile originated) call. The RACH is a transport layer channel, while the corresponding physical layer channel is the PRACH. The RACH may be part of the initial access for communication between the UE and the network (e.g., a base station).

[0025] In addition to providing uplink synchronization, the RACH can also be used to obtain resources for messaging (e.g., RRC connection requests). Timing between devices may be necessary for proper communication. Therefore, timing synchronization between the UE and the base station is established for communication.

[0026] The PRACH preamble may include a specific pattern, which may be referred to as a signature. The UE includes the specific pattern when transmitting the preamble. There may be a limited number of preamble signatures (e.g., 64), from which the UE selects. The PRACH preamble may include data about the timing and frequency domain. The preamble may include different formats, from which one is selected. For example, a PRACH configuration index may be used to determine the preamble format to use. The PRACH may be used to convey a random access preamble from the UE to the base station to adjust the UE's uplink timing, among other parameters. The RACH process may be required during any of the following conditions: i) initial access from RRC_IDLE, ii) RRC connection re-establishment procedure, iii) handover, iv) DL or UL data arrival while RRC_CONNECTED when the UL synchronization status is "unsynchronized", v) transition from RRC_INACTIVE, vi) to establish time alignment upon SCell addition, vii) request for other system information, and / or viii) beam failure recovery. Figures 1-2 show exemplary base stations and UEs for communication such as during initial access using RACH.

[0027] 1 shows an exemplary base station 102. A base station may also be referred to as a radio network node. The base station 102 may further be identified as a NodeB (NB, e.g., eNB or gNB) in a mobile telecommunications context. The exemplary base station may include radio Tx / Rx circuitry 113 for receiving and transmitting signaling with a user equipment (UE) 104. The base station may also include network interface circuitry 116 for coupling the base station to a core network 110, e.g., optical or wired interconnects, Ethernet, and / or other data transmission media / protocols.

[0028] The base station may also include system circuitry 122. The system circuitry 122 may include a processor 124 and / or a memory 126. The memory 126 may include operations 128 and control parameters 130. The operations 128 may include instructions for execution on one or more of the processors 124 to support the functioning of the base station. For example, the operations may handle random access transmission requests from multiple UEs. The control parameters 130 may include parameters or support the execution of the operations 128. For example, the control parameters may include network protocol settings, random access messaging formatting rules, bandwidth parameters, radio frequency mapping assignments, and / or other parameters.

[0029] 2 illustrates an exemplary random access messaging environment 200. In the random access messaging environment, a UE 104 may communicate with a base station 102 via a random access channel 252. In this example, the UE 104 supports one or more subscriber identity modules (SIMs), such as SIM1 202. An electrical and physical interface 206 connects SIM1 202 to the rest of the user equipment hardware, for example, through a system bus 210.

[0030] The mobile device 200 includes a communications interface 212, system logic 214, and a user interface 218. The system logic (system circuitry) 214 may include any combination of hardware, software, firmware, or other logic. The system logic 214 may be implemented using, for example, one or more systems on a chip (SoC), application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), discrete analog and digital circuits, and other circuitry. The system logic 214 is part of the implementation of any desired functionality within the UE 104. In that regard, system logic 214 may include, by way of example, logic to facilitate decoding and playing music and video, e.g., MP3, MP4, MPEG, AVI, FLAC, AC3, or WAV decoding and playback, launching applications, receiving user input, saving and retrieving application data, establishing, maintaining, and terminating cellular phone calls or data connections, establishing, maintaining, and terminating wireless network connections, Bluetooth connections, or other connections for Internet connectivity, and displaying related information on user interface 218. User interface 218 and input 228 may include a graphical user interface, a touch-sensitive display, tactile feedback or other tactile output, voice or facial recognition input, buttons, switches, speakers, and other user interface elements. Additional examples of input 228 include microphones, video and still image cameras, temperature sensors, vibration sensors, rotation and orientation sensors, headset and microphone input / output jacks, universal serial bus (USB) connectors, memory card slots, radiation sensors (e.g., IR sensors), and other types of inputs.

[0031] The system logic 214 may include one or more processors 216 and a memory 220. The memory 220 stores, for example, control instructions 222 that the processor 216 executes to perform desired functionality for the UE 104. Control parameters 224 provide and define configuration and operating options for the control instructions 222. The memory 220 may also store any BT, Wifi, 3G, 4G, 5G, or other data 226 that the UE 104 will transmit or receive through the communication interface 212. In various implementations, system power may be provided by a power storage device, such as a battery 282.

[0032] In the communications interface 212, radio frequency (RF) transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) circuitry 230 handles the transmission and reception of signals through one or more antennas 232. The communications interface 212 may include one or more transceivers. The transceiver may be a wireless transceiver including modulation / demodulation circuitry, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), shaping tables, analog-to-digital converters (ADCs), filters, waveform shapers, filters, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, and / or other logic for transmitting and receiving through one or more antennas or (for some devices) through a physical (e.g., wired) medium.

[0033] The transmitted and received signals may conform to any of a wide variety of formats, protocols, modulations (e.g., QPSK, 16-QAM, 64-QAM, or 256-QAM), frequency channels, bit rates, and encodings. As one specific example, communication interface 212 may include a transceiver supporting transmission and reception under 2G, 3G, BT, Wi-Fi, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA)+, 4G / Long Term Evolution (LTE), and 5G standards. However, the techniques described below are also applicable to other wireless communication technologies, whether from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), GSM Association, 3GPP2, IEEE, or other partnership or standards body.

[0034] In wireless communications, initial access communications may occur through different protocols. In one embodiment, the RACH is the initial access communication for setting up and synchronizing communications between the base station and the UE. Figures 3-8 illustrate various embodiments for modifications to the initial access communications, such as changes to the RACH.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of initial access signaling. The base station determines the configuration. The configuration in block 302 may be based on information groups, reference signal determinations, thresholds, or other characteristics. In one embodiment, the configuration is for a PRACH information group based on reference signal measurements, AI test data, beam information, or location information. In this embodiment, the configuration is established by the base station. The UE can transmit an initial access signal to the base station. The initial access signal may be transmitted when the UE first powers up and is used to initialize and synchronize communications between the UE and the base station. The initial access signal may utilize the established configuration to establish communications between the UE and the base station in block 304. In other words, the configuration is used for initial access communications, which are initiated in block 302. Initial access configuration is further described below. While communications are described as initial access, RACH is one example of such communications and is described in the examples below.

[0036] 4 shows an embodiment of a random access channel ("RACH") preamble format 400. The initial access configuration 302 from FIG. 3 may include modifications or changes to the RACH preamble format 400. In some embodiments, the RACH preamble format 400 may include a cyclic prefix ("CP") 402, a preamble sequence 404, and / or a guard time ("GT") 406. Further modifications to the preamble are described below. A modified or configured RACH format that includes a preamble may be referred to as an extended format or extended preamble.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of group-based initial access configuration. A configuration including at least two groups is determined in block 502. As described above, the determination may be performed by a base station. Specifically, the group-based determination may include at least two groups for determining or influencing the PRACH format or SCS RACH occasion (“RO”) configuration (e.g., ConfigureIndex periodicity). The first group information may be legacy group information, while the second or additional group information may be new. The group information may be designated as group information N, where N is an integer and group information 0 is the legacy version. Different group information may have differences in at least one of the following parameters: PRACH format, PRACH subcarrier spacing (“SCS”), RACH occasion (“OR”) ConfigureIndex, and / or PRACH periodicity. The mapping ratio of the measurement pool and / or group information may be 1:N, M:1, where N and M are integers, respectively. The measurement pool may include measurements from reference signals, as further discussed with respect to Figure 6. Based on the configuration, the UE transmits a signal for initial access to the base station in block 504. The initial access (e.g., RACH) is used to establish communication between the base station and the UE.

[0038] The following table illustrates various examples of mapping measurement pools to group information. [Table 1]

[0039] In some embodiments, the matching of measurement pools may be to the same group. While Table 1 illustrated each measurement pool being based on a different group, Table 2 illustrates multiple measurement pools being assigned to the same group. [Table 2]

[0040] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of an initial access configuration based on a reference signal. In some embodiments, the base station determining the configuration for initial access communications in block 602 may further base the configuration for the initial access communications on measurements of the reference signal. The reference signal or control signaling indication may be measured and used for comparison to a threshold in block 604. The measurements may be from at least one type of reference signal (“RS”). In some embodiments, the RS may include at least one of the following: SSB RS, Primary Synchronization Signal (“PSS”), Secondary Synchronization Signal (“SSS”), Channel State Information Reference Signal (“CSI-RS”), Demodulation Reference Signal (“DMRS”), Phase Tracking Reference Signal (“PTRS”), and / or Sounding Reference Signal (“SRS”). In other embodiments, the measurements may be from information from other communication nodes or the core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information.

[0041] In some embodiments, the UE may use a base station configuration threshold. The initial access configuration in block 602 is used for measurement or comparison with a threshold in block 604. Based on the configuration, the UE transmits a signal for initial access to the base station. The initial access (e.g., RACH) establishes communication between the base station and the UE.

[0042] Table 3 illustrates how measurements correspond to the PRACH format in one embodiment. The parameters fill one of a measurement pool (measurement set), which is predefined and / or measured by AI (artificial intelligence), and which can be used for radio environment characterization. [Table 3]

[0043] As shown in Table 3, "Result1", "Result2", "ResultX", "ResultY", "ResultP", "ResultZ", "ResultQ" ... refer to different results. "X", "Y", "Z", "W", "P", and "Q" are integers, and "format1", "formatZ", "formatX", "formatY", "formatW", "formatZ", "formatQ" ... refer to different PRACH formats. The measurement result may refer to the result measured at L1 and / or the filtered result.

[0044] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of an initial access configuration with additional time. In block 702, the initial configuration determined for initial access includes at least two group information. As discussed above, this configuration may be implemented by the base station and may include a PRACH format and / or use a threshold for the UE as one of the parameters in the group configuration. This initial access configuration may be modified in block 704 by inserting a duration into the initial access format and / or preamble before the initial access transmission in block 706. The inserted duration may be referred to as a symbol level. The added special duration may be for a gap prefix ("GP") and / or a cyclic prefix ("CP") for the RACH format to form a new PRACH format. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a PRACH format structure according to one embodiment.

[0045] The PRACH format is directly based on the preamble sequence (N in Table 2). u) and CP, but the GT may also be implicit. Figure 4 shows a PRACH structure, where the CP and preamble sequence are the transmission portion and the GT portion is a gap, where no transmission occurs in the GT portion, which is used for two adjacent PRACH transmissions in two PRACH opportunities. In other embodiments, the CP 402 and preamble sequence 404 may be the PRACH transmission portion.

[0046] The added duration may be referred to as a symbol. In some embodiments, a symbol is (2048+144)*K·2 -μ =2192K 2 -μ , (2048+144)K·2 -μ +16 K or (2048+512) K 2 -μ In this embodiment, K may be defined as follows: the size of various fields in the time domain may be expressed as a time unit T c =1 / (Δf max N f ) where Δf max =480 10 3 Hz and N f = 4096. Constant κ = T s / T c =64, where T S =1 / (Δf ref N f,ref ), Δf ref =15 10 3 Hz, and N f,ref = 2048. μ for RACH may be according to Table 4 below. [Table 4]

[0047] In one embodiment, the symbol levels (durations) are added as shown in Table 5. Specifically, Table 5 illustrates the addition of symbol levels to three entries. [Table 5]

[0048] In a further embodiment, symbol levels (durations) are added as shown in Table 6, and TCP uses the [ka] According to the above, TGP is modified by either M or N times the symbol level duration, and TSEQ is the N times in Table 5. u "N*symbol level duration" refers to a duration that is N times the symbol level duration. "M*symbol level duration" refers to a duration that is M times the symbol level duration. N and M are integers and may be determined based on Table 7, discussed below. This is another embodiment of the extended PRACH format. [Table 6-1] [Table 6-2]

[0049] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of initial access configuration by a base station in block 802, including at least two PRACH group information. The UE uses one of the at least two PRACH group information and a duration inserted into the initial access format / preamble in configuration in block 804 based on measurements or comparisons with thresholds. Initial access configuration with a duration is based on measurements or comparisons with thresholds. Alternatively, the configuration is based on measurements from at least one type of reference signal (“RS”). In some embodiments, the RS may include an SSB RS, a primary synchronization signal (“PSS”), a secondary synchronization signal (“SSS”), a channel state information reference signal (“CSI-RS”), a demodulation reference signal (“DMRS”), a phase tracking reference signal (“PTRS”), and / or a sounding reference signal (“SRS”). In other embodiments, the measurements may be from information from other communication nodes or the core network, such as beam information, paging information, or positioning information. In some embodiments, the UE may use a base station configuration threshold. The initial access configuration is modified with a duration based on the measurement or based on a comparison to a threshold in block 804. The duration (e.g., symbol level) is further discussed above with respect to Figure 7. The initial access configuration based on the reference signal may be modified in block 804 by inserting the duration into the initial access format and / or preamble prior to the initial access transmission in block 806.

[0050] Figure 4 was an example of a RACH preamble. The RACH format may be a modified extension in different ways. In one embodiment, the PRACH format may not be fixed. The new additional symbol number or the RSRP / RSRQ threshold may be provided with information by RRC parameters, DCI, system information (SIB1), MAC CE, other upper layer parameters, or other control signaling. The new additional symbol number may be indicated by beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information in one embodiment. Table 7 illustrates a method by which positioning information can be used to calculate the distance between the UE and the serving cell. The distance can be compared to threshold distance values (e.g., X, Y, Z). In other words, the symbol number can be varied based on the distance (i.e., positioning information). Positioning information is simply an example of information (e.g., reference signal) that can be used to modify the RACH or set the symbol number, as in Table 7.

Table 7

[0051] Tables 8 - 9 further show a method by which positioning information can be used to determine the PRACH configuration. Tables 8 and 9 are different examples in which group information is configured. Similar to Table 7, the values for X, Y, and Z follow 0 < X < Y < Z.

Table 8

Table 9

[0052] Tables 10-11 further show how measurement results can be used to determine the PRACH configuration. While Tables 8 and 9 show positioning information (as one example of a measurement result), there are other examples of reference signals or information that can be used to modify or establish the configuration. A new additional symbol number may be implicitly indicated by a parameter, which fills one of the measurement pools in Table 11. [Table 10] [Table 11]

[0053] The systems and processes described above may be encoded in a signal-bearing medium such as a memory, a computer-readable medium, programmed into one or more integrated circuits, one or more processors, or processed by a controller or computer. The data may be analyzed in a computer system and used to generate a spectrum. If the method is implemented by software, the software may reside in a non-volatile or volatile memory that communicates with a memory, synchronizer, communication interface, or transmitter that resides in or interfaces with a storage device. A circuit or electronic device is designed to transmit data to another location. The memory may contain an ordered list of executable instructions for implementing a logical function. The described logical function or any system element may be implemented through optical circuitry, digital circuitry, source code, analog circuitry, analog sources such as analog electrical, audio, or video signals, or a combination. The software may be embodied in any computer-readable or signal-bearing medium for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. Such a system may include a computer-based system, a processor-containing system, or another system that may selectively fetch instructions from an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device that may also execute the instructions.

[0054] A “computer-readable medium,” “machine-readable medium,” “propagating signal” medium, and / or “signal-bearing medium” may comprise any device that contains, stores, communicates, propagates, or transports software for use by or in connection with an instruction-executable system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may alternatively be, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. A non-exhaustive list of examples of machine-readable media would include electrically connected “electronic devices” having one or more wires, portable magnetic or optical disks, volatile memory such as random access memory “RAM,” read-only memory “ROM,” erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), or optical fibers. The machine-readable medium may also include tangible media upon which software is printed so that the software can be stored electronically, as an image or in another format (e.g., through optical scanning), and then compiled and / or interpreted or otherwise processed. The processed media may then be stored in computer and / or machine memory.

[0055] The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the present disclosure. Other embodiments may also be utilized and derived from the present disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representative and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Therefore, the present disclosure and the figures should be considered illustrative, not restrictive.

[0056] One or more embodiments of the present disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and / or collectively, by the term "invention" merely for convenience and without any intention to intentionally limit the scope of the present application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Furthermore, while specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that any subsequent arrangements designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. The present disclosure is intended to cover any subsequent adaptations or modifications of the various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments and other embodiments not specifically described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the description.

[0057] The phrase "coupled with" is defined to mean directly connected or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components. Such intermediate components may include both hardware and software-based components. Variations in the arrangement and type of components may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims as set forth herein. Additional, different, or fewer components may be provided.

[0058] The above disclosed subject matter should be considered illustrative, not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, extensions, and other embodiments that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted by law, the scope of the present invention should be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and should not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various embodiments of the present invention have been described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited except in light of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. 1. A method of utilizing a random access channel (RACH) configuration for initial access in wireless communications, the method comprising: a base station determining a configuration based on at least two groups, the at least two groups including a first physical random access channel (PRACH) group having legacy information and a second PRACH group having new information, the configuration including at least one of a preamble for a PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing (SCS), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period, and a difference between the at least two groups in at least one of the PRACH format, the PRACH SCS, the RACH opportunity configuration index, or the PRACH period; the base station receiving a signal from a user equipment (UE) during the initial access to establish communication between the UE and the base station using the configuration; A method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the initial access comprises a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) protocol.

3. The method further comprising: the base station transmitting the configuration and reference signals to the UE; The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the configuration is further based on measurements of the reference signal or control signaling indication.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the reference signal comprises at least one of a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, a channel state information reference signal, a demodulation reference signal, a phase tracking reference signal, or a sounding reference signal.

5. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the measurement results of the reference signal or the control signaling indication are from another communication node or a core network, and the measurement results include beam information, paging information, or positioning information.

6. The method comprises: the base station inserting a duration into an initial access format or a preamble format; the base station forming an updated initial access format or preamble format that includes the duration; and The method of claim 1 further comprising:

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the duration includes a change to a gap prefix (GP) or a cyclic prefix (CP), and the change includes a symbol number.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the symbol number of the PRACH format is based on beam information, paging information, system information, or positioning information.

9. The method further comprising: the base station modifying a configuration for the initial access based on comparing a threshold; The method of claim 3 , wherein the threshold is configured by the base station or a higher layer parameter and is compared to the measurement of the reference signal.

10. 1. A method of utilizing a random access channel (RACH) configuration for initial access in wireless communications, the method comprising: a user equipment (UE) transmitting a signal to a base station during the initial access; The UE receives, from the base station, a configuration for the initial access based on at least two groups, the at least two groups including a first Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) group having old information and a second PRACH group having new information, the configuration including at least one of a preamble for PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing (SCS), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period, and a difference between the at least two groups in at least one of the PRACH format, the PRACH SCS, the RACH opportunity configuration index, or the PRACH period; the UE utilizing the configuration for the initial access to establish communication between the UE and the base station; A method comprising:

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the initial access comprises a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) protocol.

12. The method further comprising: the UE receiving, from the base station, an updated initial access format or preamble format including a duration; The method of claim 11 , wherein the duration is inserted by the base station into an initial access format or a preamble format.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the duration includes a change to a gap prefix (GP) or a cyclic prefix (CP), and the change includes a symbol level.

14. The method comprising: receiving, by the UE, a reference signal or a control signaling indication from the base station; The UE reports a measurement result of the reference signal or the control signaling indication to the base station, and the configuration is further based on the measurement result; The method of claim 10 further comprising:

15. The method further includes the UE receiving, from the base station, a modification of the configuration for the initial access based on comparing a threshold; The method of claim 14 , wherein the threshold is configured by the base station or a higher layer parameter and is compared to the measurement of the reference signal.

16. A wireless communication device comprising a processor and a memory, the processor configured to read code from the memory and to perform the method of claim 1.

17. A computer-readable storage medium having code stored thereon, the code, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform the method of claim 1.

18. 1. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising: a memory storing instructions; a processor in communication with said memory; Equipped with When the processor executes the instructions, the processor: transmitting a signal to a base station during initial access; receiving, from the base station, a configuration for the initial access based on at least two groups, the at least two groups including a first Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) group having old information and a second PRACH group having new information, the configuration including at least one of a preamble for a PRACH, a PRACH format, a PRACH subcarrier spacing (SCS), a RACH opportunity configuration index, or a PRACH period, and a difference between the at least two groups in at least one of the PRACH format, the PRACH SCS, the RACH opportunity configuration index, or the PRACH period; utilizing the configuration for the initial access to establish communication between the device and the base station; The apparatus is configured to cause the apparatus to perform the following:

19. The processor, receiving a reference signal or control signaling indication from the base station; reporting a measurement result of the reference signal or the control signaling indication to the base station, wherein the configuration for the initial access is further based on the measurement result; 20. The apparatus of claim 18, further configured to cause the apparatus to:

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