Method for a two-step random access procedure, base station and terminal device

Abstract

To provide a method, a base station, and a terminal device for two-step random access procedure by which a base station can detect a preamble and / or decode PUSCH during receiving a request message in two-step random access procedure.SOLUTION: A method in a base station includes: transmitting a signaling message indicating a waveform of at least one of a preamble and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) which are to be used for a request message in two-step random access procedure, through a radio interface; and receiving the request message based on the waveform of the at least one of the preamble and the PUSCH through the radio interface in two-step random access procedure.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a method, a base station, and a terminal device for a two-step random access procedure.

Background Art

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate a better understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the description in this section should be read from this perspective and should not be construed as an admission of what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

[0003] In a New Radio (NR) system, a four-step approach as shown in FIG. 1 may be used for the random access procedure. In this approach, a User Equipment (UE) detects a Synchronization Signal (SS), decodes the system information broadcast in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, and then transmits a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) preamble (Message 1) uplink. The Next Generation Node B (gNB) responds with a Random Access Response (RAR, Message 2). Next, the UE transmits UE identification information (Message 3) on the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH).

[0004] The UE transmits PUSCH (Message 3) after receiving a timing advance command in the RAR, enabling the PUSCH to be received with timing accuracy within the Cyclic Prefix (CP). Without this timing advance, a very large CP would be required to enable the PUSCH to be demodulated and detected, unless the system is applied to a cell where the distance between the UE and the gNB is very short. Since NR further involves the need to provide timing advance to the UE to support larger cells, a four-step approach is required for the random access procedure.

[0005] In the 4-step Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure, the waveform configuration of message 3 PUSCH is carried by the RACH-ConfigCommon information element (IE), as defined in NR release 15, as follows: msg3-transformPrecoder Enables the conversion precoder for Msg3 transmission. If the field does not exist, the UE disables the conversion precoder (see Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) Technical Specification (TS) 38.213 V15.3.0, Section 8.3). [Overview of the project]

[0006] This summary of the invention is provided in a simplified form to introduce a selection of concepts that will be further described in the following detailed description. This summary of the invention is not intended to identify any important or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0007] One of the purposes of this disclosure is to provide an improved solution for a two-step random access procedure.

[0008] A first aspect of this disclosure provides a method at a base station. The method may include transmitting a signaling message through a radio interface, which shows at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include receiving a request message through a radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may include at least one of a first parameter indicating the waveform of the preamble and a second parameter indicating the waveform of PUSCH.

[0010] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the signaling message may be an RRC message.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter may be a parameter within a RACH-ConfigCommon information element (IE).

[0012] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first parameter may be configured such that the presence of the first parameter in the signaling message results in a Discrete Fourier Transform Spreading Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) waveform.

[0013] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the second parameter may be configured such that the presence of the second parameter in the signaling message results in a DFT-S-OFDM waveform.

[0014] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the first parameter may be configured to have the same value as the second parameter.

[0015] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a signaling message may represent the waveform of a preamble. A request message may be received based on a waveform of PUSCH, which is predetermined to be fixed or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0016] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may represent a PUSCH waveform. The request message may be received based on a preamble waveform that is predetermined to be fixed or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0017] A second aspect of this disclosure provides a method for performing operations in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device. The method may include providing user data in the host computer. The method may further include initiating a transmission in the host computer to carry user data to a terminal device via a cellular network including a base station. The base station may transmit a signaling message via a radio interface, indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The base station may receive a request message via a radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0018] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include transmitting user data at a base station.

[0019] In one embodiment of this disclosure, user data may be provided by running a host application on a host computer. The method may further include running a client application associated with the host application on a terminal device.

[0020] A third aspect of this disclosure provides a method in a terminal device. The method includes receiving, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include transmitting a request message via a radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0021] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may include at least one of a first parameter indicating the waveform of the preamble and a second parameter indicating the waveform of the PUSCH.

[0022] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may be an RRC message.

[0023] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the first parameter and the second parameter may be a parameter within the RACH-ConfigCommon IE.

[0024] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the request message may be transmitted by using the DFT-S-OFDM waveform as the preamble according to the presence of the first parameter in the signaling message.

[0025] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the request message may be transmitted by using the DFT-S-OFDM waveform as the PUSCH according to the presence of the second parameter in the signaling message.

[0026] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first parameter may be configured to have the same value as the second parameter.

[0027] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may indicate the waveform of the preamble. The request message may be transmitted further based on the waveform of the PUSCH, which is fixed or predetermined, or the same as the waveform used for message 3 in the 4-step random access procedure, or is related to the PRACH configuration used in the 2-step or 4-step random access procedure.

[0028] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the signaling message may indicate the waveform of the PUSCH. The request message may be transmitted further based on the waveform of the preamble, which is predetermined to be fixed or the same as the waveform used for Message 1 in the four-step random access procedure.

[0029] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a method is provided that is executed in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device. The method may include providing user data at the host computer. The method may further include starting, at the host computer, a transmission to carry the user data to the terminal device via a cellular network including the base station. The terminal device may receive, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one of the waveforms of the preamble and the PUSCH used for the request message in the two-step random access procedure. The terminal device may transmit, via the radio interface in the two-step random access procedure, a request message based on at least one of the SCSs of the preamble and the PUSCH.

[0030] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include receiving, at the terminal device, user data from the base station.

[0031] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a method at the base station is provided. The method may include receiving, via a radio interface in the two-step random access procedure, a request message based on the waveform of the PUSCH. The waveform of the PUSCH may be predetermined to be fixed, or the same as the waveform used for Message 3 in the four-step random access procedure, or may be related to the PRACH configuration used in the two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0032] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the waveform of the PUSCH may be the same as the waveform of the preamble in the two-step random access procedure.

[0033] A sixth aspect of this disclosure provides a method for performing actions in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device. The method may include the host computer receiving user data from the base station resulting from a transmission received by the base station from the terminal device. The base station may receive a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0034] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include receiving user data from a terminal device at a base station.

[0035] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include, at a base station, initiating the transmission of received user data to a host computer.

[0036] A seventh aspect of this disclosure provides a method in a terminal device. The method may include transmitting a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0037] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the PUSCH waveform may be the same as the preamble waveform in a two-step random access procedure.

[0038] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include providing user data. The method may further include transferring user data to a host computer via transmission to a base station.

[0039] An eighth aspect of this disclosure provides a method for performing actions in a communication system including a host computer, a base station, and a terminal device. The method may include the host computer receiving user data transmitted from the terminal device to the base station. The terminal device may transmit a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0040] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the method may further include providing user data to a base station in a terminal device.

[0041] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the Method may further include providing user data to be transmitted by running a client application on a terminal device. The Method may further include running a host application associated with the client application on a host computer.

[0042] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the method may further include running a client application on a terminal device. The method may further include receiving input data for the client application on the terminal device. The input data may be provided on a host computer by running a host application associated with the client application. User data to be transmitted may be provided by the client application in accordance with the input data.

[0043] A ninth aspect of this disclosure provides a method at a base station. This method may include receiving a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a preamble waveform. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0044] A tenth aspect of this disclosure provides a method in a terminal device. The method may include transmitting a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a preamble waveform. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0045] According to an eleventh aspect of this disclosure, a method at a base station is provided. The method may include receiving a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0046] A method in a terminal device is provided according to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure. The method may include transmitting a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0047] A method in a base station is provided according to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure. The base station may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the base station may operate via a radio interface to transmit a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The base station may further operate via a radio interface to receive a request message based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0048] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may operate to perform the method according to the first embodiment described above.

[0049] A fourteenth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may include processing circuits configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to transfer the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a terminal device. The cellular network may include a base station having a radio interface and processing circuits. The base station's processing circuits may be configured to transmit a signaling message through the radio interface, indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The base station's processing circuits may further operate to receive a request message through the radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0050] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station.

[0051] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device, which may be configured to communicate with a base station.

[0052] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the processing circuit of a host computer may be configured to provide user data by executing a host application. A terminal device may include processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0053] A terminal device is provided according to a 15th aspect of the present disclosure. The terminal device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the terminal device may operate via a radio interface to receive a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The terminal device may further operate via a radio interface to transmit a request message based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0054] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal device may operate to perform the method according to the third aspect described above.

[0055] A sixteenth aspect of this disclosure provides a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may include processing circuits configured to provide user data and a communication interface configured to transfer the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a terminal device. The terminal device may include a radio interface and processing circuits. The processing circuits of the terminal device may operate to receive, via the radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The processing circuits of the terminal device may operate to transmit a request message via the radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0056] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include terminal devices.

[0057] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the cellular network may further include base stations configured to communicate with terminal devices.

[0058] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the processing circuit of a host computer may be configured to provide user data by executing a host application. The processing circuit of a terminal device may be configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[0059] A base station is provided according to a 17th aspect of the present disclosure. The base station may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the base station may operate to receive request messages via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0060] According to a 18th aspect of this disclosure, a communication system including a host computer is provided. The host computer may have a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmissions from terminal devices to a base station. The base station may have a radio interface and processing circuitry. The base station's processing circuitry may be configured to receive a request message through the radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0061] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station.

[0062] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a terminal device, which may be configured to communicate with a base station.

[0063] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the processing circuit of a host computer may be configured to run a host application. A terminal device may be configured to provide user data received by the host computer by running a client application associated with the host application.

[0064] A terminal device is provided according to a 19th aspect of the present disclosure. The terminal device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, thereby enabling the terminal device to operate to transmit a request message over a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0065] A 20th aspect of this disclosure provides a communication system including a host computer. The host computer may have a communication interface configured to receive user data resulting from transmissions from a terminal device to a base station. The terminal device may have a radio interface and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry of the terminal device may be configured to transmit a request message through the radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0066] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include terminal devices.

[0067] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the communication system may further include a base station. The base station may include a radio interface configured to communicate with a terminal device and a communication interface configured to transfer user data, which is carried by transmission from the terminal device to the base station, to a host computer.

[0068] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the processing circuit of a host computer may be configured to run a host application. The processing circuit of a terminal device may be configured to provide user data by running a client application associated with the host application.

[0069] In one embodiment of this disclosure, the processing circuit of a host computer may be configured to provide request data by executing a host application. The processing circuit of a terminal device may be configured to provide user data in response to the request data by executing a client application associated with the host application.

[0070] A base station is provided according to a 21st aspect of the present disclosure. The base station may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the base station may operate to receive request messages via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. The waveform of the preamble may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0071] A terminal device is provided according to a 22nd aspect of the present disclosure. The terminal device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the terminal device may operate to transmit a request message over a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a preamble waveform. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0072] A base station is provided according to a 23rd aspect of the present disclosure. The base station may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the base station may operate to receive request messages via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0073] A terminal device is provided according to a 24th aspect of the present disclosure. The terminal device may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may contain instructions executable by at least one processor, so that the terminal device may operate to transmit a request message over a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or may be related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0074] A computer program product is provided according to a 25th aspect of the present disclosure. The computer program product may include instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform any of the methods described in the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth aspects of the present disclosure.

[0075] According to a 26th aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided. The computer-readable storage medium may include instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform any of the methods described in the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh, and twelfth aspects above.

[0076] A base station is provided according to a 27th aspect of the present disclosure. The base station may include a transmitting module that transmits, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The base station may further include a receiving module that receives a request message via a radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0077] A terminal device is provided according to a 28th aspect of the present disclosure. The terminal device may include a receiving module that receives, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The terminal device may further include a transmitting module that transmits a request message via a radio interface based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH in a two-step random access procedure.

[0078] According to a 29th aspect of this disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station is a receiving module that receives request messages through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a PUSCH. Ru The PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a 4-step random access procedure, or it may be related to the PRACH setting used in a 2-step or 4-step random access procedure.

[0079] According to a 30th aspect of this disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device is a transmitting module that transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a PUSCH. RuThe PUSCH waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 3 in a 4-step random access procedure, or it may be related to the PRACH setting used in a 2-step or 4-step random access procedure.

[0080] According to a 31st aspect of this disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station is a receiving module that receives a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. Ru It may have the following features. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 1 in a 4-step random access procedure.

[0081] According to a 32nd aspect of this disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device is a transmitting module that transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. Ru It may have the following features. The preamble waveform may be predetermined to be fixed, or it may be the same waveform used for message 1 in a 4-step random access procedure.

[0082] According to a 33rd aspect of this disclosure, a base station is provided. The base station is a receiving module that receives a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of PUSCH and the waveform of a preamble. Ru The following may be included: The waveform of PUSCH may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a 4-step random access procedure, or may be related to the PRACH setting used in a 2-step or 4-step random access procedure. The waveform of the preamble may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a 4-step random access procedure.

[0083] According to a 34th aspect of this disclosure, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device is a transmitting module that transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of PUSCH and the waveform of a preamble. Ru The following may be included: The waveform of PUSCH may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a 4-step random access procedure, or may be related to the PRACH setting used in a 2-step or 4-step random access procedure. The waveform of the preamble may be predetermined to be fixed, or may be the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a 4-step random access procedure.

[0084] A 35th aspect of this disclosure provides a method to be performed in a communication system including a base station and a terminal device. The method may include the base station transmitting a signaling message via a radio interface, indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include the terminal device receiving a signaling message via a radio interface, indicating at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include the terminal device transmitting a request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH. The method may further include the base station receiving a request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH.

[0085] Some embodiments described herein can facilitate the implementation of a two-step random access procedure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0086] These and other purposes, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description of its exemplary embodiments, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0087] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows a four-step random access procedure in NR.

[0088] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a two-step random access procedure in NR.

[0089] [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing a method in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0090] [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing a method in a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0092] [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method in a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0093] [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an apparatus suitable for use in carrying out some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0094] [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows a communication network connected to a host computer via an intermediate network, according to several embodiments.

[0095] [Figure 9]Figure 9 shows a host computer communicating with user equipment via a base station, according to several embodiments.

[0096] [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing how a communication system is implemented according to several embodiments.

[0097] [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing how methods are implemented in communication systems according to several embodiments.

[0098] [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing how a communication system is implemented according to several embodiments.

[0099] [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing how a communication system is implemented in several embodiments. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0100] For illustrative purposes and to provide a complete understanding of the disclosed embodiments, details are provided in the following description. However, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the embodiments may be implemented without these specific details or using equivalent configurations.

[0101] The two-step RACH procedure has been approved as a work item for NR Release 16. As shown in Figure 2, initial access is completed in just two steps. In the first step, the UE sends Message A, which contains a random access preamble, along with higher-layer data such as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request, which may have some small payload on PUSCH. In the second step, the gNB sends RAR (actually called Message B), which contains the assignment of the UE identifier, timing advance information, conflict resolution messages, etc.

[0102] In a two-step RACH procedure, the UE sends a preamble and a PUSCH message (message 3) in a single message called message A before the UE receives a random access response (message B). Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a solution for determining (or specifying) the waveform of the preamble for decoding the PUSCH and / or the preamble in this message A.

[0103] This disclosure proposes improved solutions for a two-step random access procedure. These solutions may be applied to wireless communication systems including terminal devices and base stations. Terminal devices may communicate with base stations via a radio access communication link. Base stations may provide radio access communication links to terminal devices within their communication service cells. A base station may be, for example, a gNB in ​​NR. Communication may be performed between terminal devices and base stations according to any suitable communication standards and protocols. Terminal devices may also be called, for example, devices, access terminals, user equipment (UEs), mobile stations, mobile units, subscriber stations, etc. It may refer to any end device that can access and receive services from a wireless communication network. Exemplary but not limited, terminal devices may include portable computers, digital cameras and other image-capturing terminal devices, game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wearable devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), etc.

[0104] In an Internet of Things (IoT) scenario, a terminal device may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurement and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurement to another terminal device and / or network equipment. In this case, the terminal device may also be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may also be called a machine-type communication (MTC) device in the context of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Specific examples of such machines or devices may include sensors, measuring devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, motorcycles, vehicles, or household or personal devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, personal wearables such as watches).

[0105] Here, several embodiments are described to illustrate an improved solution for a two-step random access procedure. In the first embodiment, an additional parameter may be introduced within a signaling message (or multiple messages), such as an RRC message, to indicate the waveform of PUSCH in message A. As an exemplary example, a new parameter "msgA-transformPrecoder" may be defined within the RACH-ConfigCommon information element (IE) as follows: msgA-transformPrecoder Enable the transformer precoder for sending PUSCH in message A. If the field does not exist, the UE will transform exchange Disable the precoder (see 3GPP TS 38.213, Section 8.3). The conversion precoder described above is used to apply a DFT conversion to generate a signal or channel with a DFT-S-OFDM waveform. When the conversion precoder is disabled, a cyclic prefix-quadrature frequency division multiplexing (CP-OFDM) waveform is generated. For more information on conversion precoding, see section 6.3.1.4 of 3GPP TS 38.211 V15.3.0.

[0106] For example, an updated RACH-ConfigCommon IE might look like this: New parameters are highlighted with an underline. TIFF0007855632000001.tif139158TIFF0007855632000002.tif95158

[0107] In a second embodiment, the waveform of PUSCH in message A in a two-step RACH procedure may always be the same as the waveform of message 3 in a four-step RACH procedure.

[0108] In a third embodiment, a fixed setting for the waveform of PUSCH in message A may always be used. For example, CP-OFDM may always be used for PUSCH in message A in a two-step RACH procedure.

[0109] In a fourth embodiment, waveform determination may also depend on other PRACH settings (meaning parameters other than "msg3-transformPrecoder"). For example, if a short sequence is set for the PRACH preamble, the PRACH waveform may only be discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM).

[0110] In a fifth embodiment, the first to fourth embodiments described above may also be applied to determining the waveform for the preamble in message A. In a sixth embodiment, the same waveform may be required for the PUSCH and preamble in message A in order to facilitate the reception of both the PUSCH and the preamble in message A.

[0111] The solution will be further described below with reference to Figures 3 to 13. Figure 3 is a flowchart of a method in a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 302, the base station transmits a signaling message via a radio interface that shows at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The request message may refer to message A in a two-step random access procedure. The signaling message may show waveforms in various ways. For example, the signaling message may include at least one of a first parameter showing the waveform of the preamble and a second parameter showing the waveform of the PUSCH. That is, there may be three options. As a first option, the signaling message includes both the first and second parameters. As a second option, the signaling message includes the second parameter but does not include the first parameter. As a third option, the signaling message includes the first parameter but does not include the second parameter. Optionally, the first parameter may be configured to indicate a DFT-S-OFDM waveform by the presence of the first parameter in the signaling message. Similarly, the second parameter may be configured to indicate a DFT-S-OFDM waveform by the presence of the second parameter in the signaling message. Optionally, the first parameter may be configured to have the same value as the second parameter.

[0112] If the signaling message is an RRC message, then at least one of the first and second parameters may be a parameter within a RACH-ConfigCommon information element (IE). Note that the RRC message is merely an illustrative example, and the signaling message may take any other appropriate form depending on the specific application scenario.

[0113] In block 304, the base station receives a request message via the radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH. In the first option above, where the signaling message shows both the preamble and PUSCH waveforms, the request message may be received based on the two waveforms shown by the signaling message. In the second option above, where the signaling message shows the PUSCH waveform, the request message may be received based on the shown PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform that is fixed or the same as the preamble waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure. In the third option above, where the signaling message shows the preamble waveform, the request message may be received based on the shown preamble waveform and a PUSCH waveform that is fixed or the same as the PUSCH waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or the PUSCH waveform associated with a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. In this way, the base station can detect the preamble and / or decode the PUSCH while receiving the request message in a two-step random access procedure.

[0114] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 402, the terminal device receives a signaling message via a radio interface, which shows at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. Block 402 corresponds to block 302, the details of which are omitted here for brevity.

[0115] In block 404, the terminal device transmits a request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH. In the first option above, where the signaling message shows both the preamble waveform and the PUSCH waveform, the request message may be transmitted based on the two waveforms shown by the signaling message. In the second option above, where the signaling message shows the PUSCH waveform, the request message may be transmitted based on the shown PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform that is fixed or the same as the preamble waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure. In the third option above, where the signaling message shows the preamble waveform, the request message may be transmitted based on the shown preamble waveform and a PUSCH waveform that is fixed or the same as the PUSCH waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or the PUSCH waveform associated with a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. Optionally, the request message may be transmitted by using a DFT-S-OFDM waveform in the preamble, depending on the presence of a first parameter in the signaling message. Similarly, the request message may be transmitted by using a DFT-S-OFDM waveform in the PUSCH, depending on the presence of a second parameter in the signaling message. Optionally, the first parameter may be configured to have the same value as the second parameter.

[0116] Based on the above description, in at least one embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method to be performed in a communication system including a base station and a terminal device. The method may include the base station transmitting a signaling message via a radio interface, which shows at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include the terminal device receiving a signaling message via a radio interface, which shows at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH used in a request message in a two-step random access procedure. The method may further include the terminal device transmitting a request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH. The method may further include the base station receiving a request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of a preamble and a PUSCH.

[0117] Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method in a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 502, the base station receives a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of PUSCH. The waveform of PUSCH is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. Since the waveform of PUSCH is predetermined for the base station, it is not necessary to introduce additional signaling for message A. Optionally, the waveform of PUSCH may be the same as the waveform of the preamble in a two-step random access procedure.

[0118] Figure 6 is a flowchart of a method in a terminal device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In block 602, the terminal device transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform. The PUSCH waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. Since the PUSCH waveform is predetermined for the terminal device, it is not necessary to introduce additional signaling for message A. Optionally, the PUSCH waveform may be the same as the preamble waveform in a two-step random access procedure. Note that the two blocks shown consecutively in the figure may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or, depending on the function contained in the blocks, may be executed in reverse order.

[0119] In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method at a base station, in which the base station receives a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. The waveform of the preamble is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0120] In another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method in a terminal device in which the terminal device transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a preamble waveform. The preamble waveform is predetermined to be fixed or is the same waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0121] Furthermore, any combination of the above embodiments is possible. For example, as another embodiment, this disclosure provides a method at a base station. In this method, the base station receives a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0122] Similarly, in another embodiment, the Disclosure provides a method in a terminal device. In this method, the terminal device transmits a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to a PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0123] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an apparatus suitable for use in carrying out some embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, either the terminal device or the base station described above may be implemented through the apparatus 700. As shown, the apparatus 700 may include a processor 710, a memory 720 for storing programs, and optionally a communication interface 730 for communicating data with other external devices via wired and / or wireless communication.

[0124] The program includes program instructions that, when executed by the processor 710, enable the device 700 to operate in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure as described above. That is, embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented at least partially by computer software executable by the processor 710, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0125] The memory 720 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The processor 710 may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may, in non-limiting examples, include one or more of the following: general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multi-core processor architectures.

[0126] In another embodiment, the base station may comprise a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be configured to transmit, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH used in the request message in a two-step random access procedure, as described above with respect to block 302. The receiving module may be configured to receive the request message via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH, as described above with respect to block 304.

[0127] In another embodiment, the terminal device may comprise a receiving module and a transmitting module. The receiving module may be configured to receive, via a radio interface, a signaling message indicating at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH used in the request message in the two-step random access procedure, as described above with respect to step 402. The transmitting module may be configured to transmit, via a radio interface, the request message in the two-step random access procedure based on at least one waveform of the preamble and PUSCH, as described above with respect to block 404.

[0128] In another embodiment, the base station may include a receiving module. The receiving module may be configured to receive a request message through the radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of PUSCH, as described above with respect to step 502. The waveform of PUSCH is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to the PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0129] In another embodiment, the terminal device may include a transmitting module. The transmitting module may be configured to transmit a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of PUSCH, as described above with respect to step 602. The waveform of PUSCH is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to the PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure.

[0130] In another embodiment, the base station may include a receiving module. The receiving module may be configured to receive a request message through a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. The waveform of the preamble is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0131] In another embodiment, the terminal device may include a transmitting module. The transmitting module may be configured to transmit a request message over a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the waveform of a preamble. The waveform of the preamble is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0132] In another embodiment, the base station may include a receiving module. The receiving module may be configured to receive request messages via a radio interface in a two-step random access procedure based on the PUSCH waveform and the preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to the PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure.

[0133] In another embodiment, the terminal device may include a transmitting module. The transmitting module may be configured to transmit a request message in a two-step random access procedure over a radio interface based on a PUSCH waveform and a preamble waveform. The PUSCH waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure, or is related to the PRACH setting used in a two-step or four-step random access procedure. The preamble waveform is predetermined to be fixed, or is the same as the waveform used for message 1 in a four-step random access procedure. The above-described module may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0134] Referring to Figure 8, according to the embodiment, the communication system includes a communication network 3210 such as a 3GPP type cellular network, which includes an access network 3211 such as a radio access network and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs, or other types of radio access points, each defining corresponding coverage areas 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network 3214 via a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first UE 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to or be paged by the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. Although multiple UEs 3291, 3292 are shown in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to situations where a single UE is located within a coverage area, or where a single UE is connected to a corresponding base station 3212.

[0135] The communication network 3210 itself is connected to a host computer 3230, which may be implemented as hardware and / or software for a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server, or as a processing resource within a server farm. The host computer 3230 may be owned or controlled by a service provider, or operated by or on behalf of a service provider. Connections 3221 and 3222 between the communication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230, or they may extend via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one or more combinations of a public network, a private network, or a host network, and the intermediate network 3220 may be a backbone network or the internet, if any, and in particular the intermediate network 3220 may include two or more subnets (not shown).

[0136] The communication system in Figure 8, as a whole, provides connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230. This connectivity can be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and / or signaling over the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, an optional intermediate network 3220, and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 can be transparent in the sense that participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of the routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 3212 does not need to be informed of the past routing of incoming downlink communications that have data originating from host computer 3230 and are forwarded (e.g., handed over) to the connected UE 3291. Similarly, base station 3212 does not need to know the future routing of outgoing uplink communications from UE 3291 to host computer 3230.

[0137] Referring to Figure 9, an implementation example of the UE, base station, and host computer embodiments described in the previous paragraph is described below. In the communication system 3300, the host computer 3310 includes hardware 3315, including a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain wired or wireless connections of the communication system 3300 to the interfaces of different communication devices. The host computer 3310 further includes a processing circuit 3318 which may have storage and / or processing capabilities. Specifically, the processing circuit 3318 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or a combination thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further includes software 3311 which is stored in the host computer 3310 or accessible by the host computer 910 and executable by the processing circuit 3318. The software 3311 includes a client application 3312. The host application 3312 may be capable of operating to provide services to remote users, such as the UE3330, via an OTT connection 3350 that terminates at the UE3330 and the host computer 3310. When providing services to remote users, the host application 3312 may provide user data transmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

[0138] The communication system 3300 may further include a base station 3320 equipped with hardware 3325 that is located within the communication system and enables communication with the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining wired or wireless connections of the communication system 3300 with interfaces of different communication devices, and a wireless interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with the UE 3330 located within a coverage area (not shown in Figure 9) serviced by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or may pass through the core network of the communication system (not shown in Figure 9) and / or one or more intermediate networks outside the communication system. In the illustrated embodiment, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 may include one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or combinations thereof (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. road The base station 3320 further includes software 3321 which is stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

[0139] The communication system 3300 further includes the UE630 already mentioned. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a radio connection 3370 with a base station that serves the coverage area in which the UE3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE3330 may include one or more programmable processors adapted to execute instructions, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, or a combination thereof (not shown). roadThe UE3330 further includes 3338. The UE3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored within or accessible to the UE3330 and executable by the processing circuit 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operated to provide services to human or non-human users via the UE3330 with the support of the host computer 3310. On the host computer 3310, a running host application 3312 may communicate with the running client application 3332 via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE3330 and the host computer 3310. When providing services to a user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in accordance with the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data it provides.

[0140] It should be noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320, and UE3330 shown in Figure 9 may be similar to or identical to the host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, or 3212c, and one of the UE3291 or 3292, respectively, in Figure 8. That is, the internal operation of these entities may be as shown in Figure 9, and independently, the surrounding network topology may be as shown in Figure 8.

[0141] In Figure 9, without explicitly mentioning any intermediate devices and the precise routing of messages through those devices, the OTT connection 3350 is abstractly depicted to show communication between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 via the base station 3320. The network infrastructure may determine routing that can be configured to hide it from the UE 3330, from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure (e.g., load Balancing Further decisions may be made to dynamically change routing (based on considerations or network reconfiguration).

[0142] The radio connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 follows the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments may improve the performance of the OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the radio connection 3370 forms the final segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve latency, thereby providing benefits such as reduced user latency.

[0143] In some embodiments, a measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency, and other factors that are improved by one or more embodiments. Furthermore, there may be an optional network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and the UE 3330 in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and / or network function for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 and hardware 3315 of the host computer 3310, or in the software 3331 and hardware 3335 of the UE 3330, or both. In some embodiments, a sensor (not shown) may be located in or in connection with a communication device through which the OTT connection 3350 passes. The sensor may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying a value of the monitored quantity as exemplified above, or by supplying a value of another physical quantity from which the software 3311, 3331 can calculate or estimate the monitored quantity. The reconfiguration of the OTT connection 3350 may include message formatting, retransmission settings, preferred routing, etc., and such reconfiguration does not need to affect the base station 3320, and may be unknown to or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functions may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may include proprietary UE signaling of the host computer 3310 to facilitate measurements of throughput, propagation time, latency, etc. Measurements may be performed by having software 3311 and 3331 send messages (in particular empty messages or "dummy" messages) using the OTT connection 3350 while monitoring propagation time, errors, etc.

[0144] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For the sake of simplicity, only drawing references to Figure 10 are included in this section. In step 3410, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep 3411 of step 3410, the host computer provides user data by executing a host application. In step 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission that carries the user data to the UE. In an optional step 3430, the base station transmits the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the host computer to the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional step 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[0145] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and an UE, which may be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For the sake of simplicity, only drawing references to Figure 11 are included in this section. In step 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown), the host computer provides user data by running a host application. In step 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission that carries user data to the UE. The transmission may pass through a base station as taught in the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In (optionally) step 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[0146] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and an UE, which may be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For the sake of simplicity of this disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 12 are included in this section. In (optional) step 3610, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in step 3620, the UE provides user data. In (optional) substep 3621 of step 3620, the UE provides user data by running a client application. In (optional) substep 3611 of step 3610, the UE runs a client application that provides user data in response to received input data provided by the host computer. When providing user data, the client application being run may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the particular way the user data is provided, in (optional) substep 3630, the UE begins transmitting the user data to the host computer. In step 3640 of this method, the host computer receives user data transmitted from the UE in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[0147] Figure 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method performed in a communication system according to one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station, and a UE, which may be described with reference to Figures 8 and 9. For the sake of simplicity, only drawing references to Figure 13 are included in this section. In (optional) step 3710, the base station receives user data from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In (optional) step 3720, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In (optional) step 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[0148] In general, various exemplary embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the disclosure is not limited to these. Various embodiments of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using any other graphic representation, but it should be understood that these blocks, devices, systems, techniques or methods described herein may, in non-limiting examples, be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or any combination thereof.

[0149] Therefore, it should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. Accordingly, it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in a device embodied as an integrated circuit, which may include circuits (and possibly firmware) for implementing at least one of the following: a data processor, a digital signal processor, a baseband circuit, and a radio frequency circuit, which can be configured to operate according to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[0150] It should be understood that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented by computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, which are executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc., that, when executed by a processor in a computer or other device, perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. Computer-executable instructions may be stored on computer-readable media such as hard disks, optical discs, removable storage media, solid-state memory, RAM, etc. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the functions of program modules may be combined or distributed as needed in various embodiments. Furthermore, the functions may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware equivalents such as integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), etc.

[0151] References to "one embodiment," "embodiment," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that all embodiments include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such expressions do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, if a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to an embodiment, it is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to implement such feature, structure, or characteristic in relation to other embodiments, whether or not it is explicitly stated.

[0152] Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing the scope of this disclosure, the first element may be called the second element, and similarly, the second element may be called the first element. As used herein, the terms “and / or” include any combination of one or more of the related enumerated terms.

[0153] The terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the disclosure. Where used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural form unless the context explicitly indicates otherwise. Where used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” and / or “including” (“comprises / includes / ha

[0154] This disclosure includes any novel features or combinations of features disclosed herein, either expressly or in any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the art when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, taking into account the foregoing description. However, any and all modifications still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method in a base station (700, 3320), (302) Transmitting an RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling message that indicates the waveform of PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used to transmit message A from the terminal device in a two-step random access procedure, using a converted precoder field, while timing advance information has not yet been transmitted to the terminal device in message B, In the two-step random access procedure described above, the message A is received using the waveform of the PUSCH (304), Methods that include...

2. The method according to claim 1, The method by which message A is received based on a preamble waveform that is predetermined to be fixed or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a DFT-S-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform Spreading Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) waveform is used when the transform precoder is activated by the transform precoder field.

4. A method in terminal devices (700, 3330), Receiving an RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling message from the base station (402), which indicates the waveform of the PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used to transmit message A in a two-step random access procedure, via a converted precoder field, while timing advance information has not yet been received from the base station in message B, In the two-step random access procedure described above, the message A is transmitted using the waveform of PUSCH (404), Methods that include...

5. The method according to claim 4, The method by which message A is received based on a preamble waveform that is predetermined to be fixed or is the same as the waveform used for message 3 in a four-step random access procedure.

6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein message A is transmitted by using a DFT-S-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform Spreading Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) waveform in the PUSCH when the conversion precoder is enabled by the conversion precoder field.

7. Base stations (700, 3320), At least one processor (710), The base station (700) comprises at least one memory (720), the at least one memory (720) contains instructions that can be executed by the at least one processor (710), and thereby the base station (700) Sending an RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling message that, while timing advance information has not yet been sent to the terminal device in message B, indicates the waveform of PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used for sending message A from the terminal device in a two-step random access procedure, using a converted precoder field; In the two-step random access procedure described above, the message A is received using the waveform of the PUSCH, A base station that operates to perform the following actions.

8. A base station (700, 3320) according to claim 7, wherein the base station (700) operates to perform the method described in claim 2 or 3.

9. Terminal devices (700, 3320), At least one processor (710), The terminal device (700) comprises at least one memory (720), wherein the at least one memory (720) contains instructions that can be executed by the at least one processor (710), and thereby the terminal device (700) Receiving an RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling message from the base station, which indicates the waveform of the PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used to transmit message A in a two-step random access procedure, using a converted precoder field, while timing advance information has not been received from the base station in message B, In the two-step random access procedure described above, the message A is transmitted using the waveform of PUSCH, A terminal device that operates to perform the following actions.

10. A terminal device (700, 3330) according to claim 9, wherein the terminal device (700) operates to perform the method described in claim 5 or 6.

11. A computer program which, when executed by at least one processor (710), includes instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. A computer program which, when executed by at least one processor (710), includes instructions that cause the at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

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