Prach transmitting method and apparatus, and prach receiving method and apparatus

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a PRACH transmitting method and apparatus, and a PRACH receiving method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device determines a second number of PRACH occasions (ROs) associated with a time period, wherein the time period comprises a first number of first periods, at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes are mapped to PRACH occasion groups (RO groups) in each first period, and ROs or RO groups in each first period form a repeat pattern; and the terminal device repeatedly transmits a preamble on the second number of ROs.

Description

PRACH sending and receiving method and device Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present application relate to the field of communication technologies. Background Art

[0002] To enhance the uplink coverage of network equipment (such as base stations), NR Rel-18 studies enhancing the power of Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) transmitted by terminal equipment (UE) through multiple PRACH transmissions, thereby enabling network equipment to receive PRACHs sent by terminal equipment in areas with weaker coverage, thereby improving the coverage of the initial access channel and ensuring that terminal equipment at the cell edge can access the cell, thereby improving the coverage capability of the system.

[0003] For the PRACH resource configuration scheme, relevant PRACH resource information is configured in the system information, including rach-ConfigCommon and additionalRACH-ConfigList-r17. Network devices configure PRACH resource information such as frequency domain resources and PRACH configuration index through radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Terminal devices can obtain PRACH opportunity (RO) and other time-frequency resource related information by looking up the PRACH configuration index in the table.

[0004] It should be noted that the above introduction to the technical background is merely intended to provide a clear and complete description of the technical solutions of this application and facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Simply because these solutions are described in the background technology section of this application, it should not be assumed that the above technical solutions are well known to those skilled in the art.

[0005] Summary of the Invention

[0006] The inventors discovered that: when the terminal device performs PRACH transmission, it is necessary to map the synchronization signal block (SSB) to the RO. For single PRACH transmission (single PRACH transmission), the SSB-to-RO association period (SSB-to-RO association period, also referred to as the association period) and the SSB-to-RO association pattern period (SSB-to-RO association pattern period, also referred to as the association pattern period) can be used. The RO resource of PRACH is determined within the SSB-to-RO association pattern period and is repeated at a subsequent time. The SSB-to-RO association pattern period includes one or more SSB-to-RO association periods, wherein the SSB-to-RO association period is determined by the mapping between the SSB and the RO, and the RO without a mapped SSB in the SSB-to-RO association period cannot be used for PRACH transmission (PRACH transmission).

[0007] However, for multiple PRACH transmission, the preamble needs to be repeated on at least multiple ROs in the time domain. For multiple PRACH transmission, the SSB-to-RO group mapping method is introduced. If the SSB-to-RO association pattern period determination method is used, since the SSB-to-RO mapping method is changed to the SSB-to-RO group mapping method, ROs that are not mapped with SSBs in the association period cannot be used to determine the RO group, resulting in a waste of RO resources.

[0008] To address at least one of the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a PRACH sending and receiving method and apparatus.

[0009] According to one aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a PRACH sending method is provided, including:

[0010] The terminal device determines a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeating pattern;

[0011] The terminal device repeatedly sends a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0012] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a PRACH sending apparatus is provided, configured in a terminal device, the apparatus including:

[0013] a processing unit configured to determine a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods are mapped to at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeating pattern;

[0014] A sending unit is configured to repeatedly send a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0015] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a PRACH receiving method is provided, including:

[0016] The network device receives the preamble repeatedly sent by the terminal device on the second number of ROs;

[0017] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0018] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a PRACH receiving apparatus is provided, configured in a network device, the apparatus comprising:

[0019] a receiving unit configured to receive a preamble repeatedly sent by a terminal device on a second number of ROs;

[0020] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0021] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication system is provided, including:

[0022] A terminal device, which determines a second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods are mapped to at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern;

[0023] A network device receives a preamble repeatedly sent by the terminal device on a second number of ROs.

[0024] One of the beneficial effects of the embodiment of the present application is that: the terminal device determines a second number of ROs associated with a time period, the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period forms a repeated pattern. Thus, the terminal device can quickly obtain RO resources for multi-PRACH transmission and ensure that all SSBs in the multi-PRACH transmission are mapped to ROs, which not only improves the coverage capability of the system, but also improves the utilization rate of RO resources.

[0025] With reference to the following description and accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, indicating the manner in which the principles of the present application can be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present application are not limited in scope. Within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the embodiments of the present application include many variations, modifications and equivalents.

[0026] Features described and / or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same or similar manner in one or more other embodiments, combined with features in other embodiments, or substituted for features in other embodiments.

[0027] It should be emphasized that the term "include / comprising" when used herein refers to the presence of features, integers, steps or components, but does not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The elements and features described in one figure or one embodiment of the present application can be combined with the elements and features shown in one or more other figures or embodiments. In addition, in the accompanying drawings, similar reference numerals represent corresponding parts in several figures and can be used to indicate corresponding parts used in more than one embodiment.

[0029] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG3 is an example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG4 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG5 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG6 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG7 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] FIG8 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] FIG9 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] FIG10 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] FIG11 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] FIG12 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] FIG13 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] FIG14 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0043] FIG15 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0044] FIG16 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0045] FIG17 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0046] FIG18 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0047] FIG19 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0048] FIG20 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0049] FIG21 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0050] FIG22 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0051] FIG23 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0052] FIG24 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0053] FIG25 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0054] FIG26 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0055] FIG27 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0056] FIG28 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0057] FIG29 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0058] FIG30 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0059] FIG31 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0060] FIG32 is an example diagram of SSB-to-RO group mapping according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0061] FIG33 is another example diagram of SSB-to-RO group mapping according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0062] FIG34 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0063] FIG35 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0064] FIG36 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0065] FIG37 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0066] FIG38 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG39 is an example diagram of a PRACH configuration according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG40 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH receiving method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG41 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG42 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG43 is a schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] Figure 44 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0073] The above and other features of the present application will become apparent through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description and the accompanying drawings, specific embodiments of the present application are disclosed in detail, which illustrate some embodiments in which the principles of the present application can be adopted. It should be understood that the present application is not limited to the described embodiments. On the contrary, the present application includes all modifications, variations and equivalents that fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0074] In the embodiments of the present application, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to distinguish different elements from the name, but do not indicate the spatial arrangement or temporal order of these elements, and these elements should not be limited by these terms. The term "and / or" includes any one and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed terms. The terms "comprising", "including", "having", etc. refer to the presence of the stated features, elements, components or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components or components.

[0075] In the embodiments of this application, the singular forms "a," "the," etc. include plural forms and should be broadly understood to mean "a" or "a type" rather than being limited to "one." Furthermore, the term "said" should be understood to include both singular and plural forms, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Furthermore, the term "according to" should be understood to mean "at least in part based on...", and the term "based on" should be understood to mean "at least in part based on...", unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "communication network" or "wireless communication network" may refer to a network that complies with any of the following communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), enhanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A, LTE-Advanced), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), etc.

[0077] Furthermore, communication between devices in the communication system may be carried out according to communication protocols of any stage, for example, including but not limited to the following communication protocols: 1G (generation), 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, 4G, 4.5G and 5G, New Radio (NR), future 6G, etc., and / or other communication protocols currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "network device" refers to, for example, a device in a communication system that connects a terminal device to the communication network and provides services to the terminal device. Network devices may include, but are not limited to, the following devices: base station (BS), access point (AP), transmission reception point (TRP), broadcast transmitter, mobile management entity (MME), gateway, server, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), etc.

[0079] Among them, base stations may include but are not limited to: NodeB (NodeB or NB), evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB) and 5G base station (gNB), IAB host, etc., and may also include remote radio head (RRH, Remote Radio Head), remote radio unit (RRU, Remote Radio Unit), relay (relay) or low-power node (such as femeto, pico, etc.). The term "base station" can include some or all of their functions. Each base station can provide communication coverage for a specific geographical area. The term "cell" can refer to a base station and / or its coverage area, depending on the context in which the term is used.

[0080] In the embodiments of the present application, the term "user equipment" (UE) or "terminal equipment" (TE) refers to, for example, a device that accesses a communication network through a network device and receives network services. A terminal device can be fixed or mobile and may also be referred to as a mobile station (MS), a terminal, a subscriber station (SS), an access terminal (AT), a station, and so on.

[0081] The terminal device may include but is not limited to the following devices: cellular phone, personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless modem, wireless communication device, handheld device, machine type communication device, laptop computer, cordless phone, smart phone, smart watch, digital camera, etc.

[0082] For another example, in scenarios such as the Internet of Things (IoT), the terminal device can also be a machine or device for monitoring or measurement, including but not limited to: machine type communication (MTC) terminal, vehicle-mounted communication terminal, device-to-device (D2D) terminal, machine-to-machine (M2M) terminal, and so on.

[0083] In addition, the term "network side" or "network device side" refers to one side of the network, which can be a base station or one or more network devices as described above. The term "user side" or "terminal side" or "terminal device side" refers to the user or terminal side, which can be a UE or one or more terminal devices as described above. Unless otherwise specified herein, "device" can refer to either network equipment or terminal equipment.

[0084] The following describes the scenarios of the embodiments of the present application through examples, but the present application is not limited thereto.

[0085] FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application, schematically illustrating a situation using a terminal device and a network device as an example. As shown in FIG1 , a communication system 100 may include a network device 101 and terminal devices 102 and 103. For simplicity, FIG1 illustrates only two terminal devices and one network device as an example, but the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[0086] In the embodiment of the present application, existing services or future services can be transmitted between the network device 101 and the terminal devices 102 and 103. For example, these services may include but are not limited to: enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (mMTC), and ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC), etc.

[0087] It is worth noting that FIG1 shows that both terminal devices 102 and 103 are within the coverage range of network device 101, but the present application is not limited thereto. Both terminal devices 102 and 103 may not be within the coverage range of network device 101, or one terminal device 102 may be within the coverage range of network device 101 while the other terminal device 103 is outside the coverage range of network device 101.

[0088] In the embodiments of the present application, the high-layer signaling may be, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling; for example, an RRC message, including, for example, an MIB, system information, or a dedicated RRC message; or an RRC information element (RRC IE). The high-layer signaling may also be, for example, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling; or a MAC control element (MAC CE). However, the present application is not limited thereto.

[0089] For PRACH transmission, to facilitate the terminal device to quickly obtain the time domain resources for PRACH transmission, the time domain pattern of SSB-RO mapping for PRACH transmission can be predetermined and repeated in the time domain. Based on the configuration of RO (PRACH occasion), the PRACH configuration period for PARCH transmission can be obtained.

[0090] However, due to conflicts with SSBs or downlink channels, a PRACH configuration period may drop some RO resources and may not be able to map all SSBs. Therefore, an SSB-to-RO association period is defined for single PRACH transmission to ensure that all SSB indices are mapped at least once. However, the SSB-to-RO mapping pattern formed by the SSB-to-RO association period is not guaranteed to be repeatable in the time domain, so an SSB-to-RO association pattern period is defined.

[0091] For multiple PRACH transmissions, the preamble must be repeated on at least multiple ROs in the time domain. If the SSB-to-RO association pattern period determination method is used, since the SSB-to-RO mapping method is changed to the SSB-to-RO group mapping method, ROs that are not mapped with SSBs in the association period cannot be used to determine the RO group, resulting in a waste of RO resources.

[0092] In the following description, without causing confusion, the terms "PRACH" and "physical random access channel" or "random access information" can be interchanged, the terms "PDCCH" and "physical downlink control channel" or "downlink control information" can be interchanged, and the terms "PDSCH" and "physical downlink data channel" or "downlink data" can be interchanged.

[0093] In addition, transmitting or receiving PRACH can be understood as transmitting or receiving random access information carried by PRACH; transmitting or receiving PDCCH can be understood as transmitting or receiving downlink control information carried by PDCCH; transmitting or receiving PDSCH can be understood as transmitting or receiving downlink data carried by PDSCH. The preamble can be called a random access preamble or a PRACH preamble.

[0094] Embodiments of the first aspect

[0095] The present invention provides a method for transmitting a PRACH, which is described from the perspective of a terminal device. FIG2 is a schematic diagram of the method for transmitting a PRACH according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG2 , the method includes:

[0096] 201. The terminal device determines a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods are mapped to at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern;

[0097] 202. The terminal device repeatedly sends a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0098] It is worth noting that FIG2 above is merely a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the execution order of the various operations may be appropriately adjusted, and other operations may be added or some operations may be reduced. Those skilled in the art may make appropriate modifications based on the above description, and are not limited to the description of FIG2 above.

[0099] The PRACH transmissions targeted by the embodiments of the present application may be referred to as multiple PRACH transmissions, but are not limited thereto. Other terms may also be used, such as MSG 1 repetion, PRACH repetition, multiple MSG 1 transmissions, etc. In addition, the repetition number may also be referred to as the number of multiple PRACH transmissions.

[0100] In an embodiment of the present application, valid ROs may follow the definition of valid RO in the 38.213 protocol, for example, ROs that do not conflict with the SSB and whose time interval with the SSB is not less than a threshold, and ROs that do not conflict / overlap with the downlink time domain unit in the TDD configuration; the present application is not limited thereto.

[0101] In some embodiments, the time period X is, for example, in milliseconds (ms). The first period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association pattern period (GRAPP), and the time period includes a first number K of first periods, where the first number K is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0102] The first number may be a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the first number may be a default value or a fixed value, or the first number may be a value determined by the terminal device.

[0103] For example, K can be directly configured and / or indicated by the network device through signaling, or it can be configured by the network device through other parameters, such as the number of SSB indexes in the cell, or it can be a default value or a fixed value, or it can be a value determined by the terminal device according to default rules.

[0104] In some embodiments, the maximum value of the time period is T1, and / or the maximum value of the first period is T2. The unit of the time period is, for example, milliseconds (ms), and the value of the first period is, for example, a multiple of a configuration period.

[0105] In some embodiments, the second number N is a repetition number of PRACH transmissions, where N is a positive integer greater than 1; the terminal device repeatedly transmits the preamble on N ROs, i.e., the N ROs transmit the same preamble. For example, N ROs transmitting the same preamble may be referred to as an RO group, i.e., an RO group includes N ROs, where N is the repetition number of the PRACH transmissions.

[0106] In some embodiments, a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, wherein the third number is a value configured and / or indicated by a network device, and the third number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0107] For example, the third quantity is It can be obtained through ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon. This application is not limited to this and can also be obtained from other parameters. For specific content, please refer to related technologies.

[0108] In some embodiments, the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association pattern period includes a second period of a fourth number L, where the fourth number L is an integer greater than or equal to 1; the fourth number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the fourth number is a default value or a fixed value, or the fourth number is a value determined by the terminal device.

[0109] For example, L can be directly configured and / or indicated by the network device through signaling, or it can be configured by the network device through other parameters, such as the number of SSB indexes in the cell, or it can be a default value or a fixed value, or it can be a value determined by the terminal device according to default rules.

[0110] For example, L is the minimum number of RO group association periods that can map all SSB indexes and form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. For another example, L is the minimum number of RO group association periods that can map all SSB indexes.

[0111] In some embodiments, PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in a first cycle form a repeating pattern. For example, for N1 first cycles, if the time-frequency resource positions of RO groups in any first cycle and another first cycle are the same, such RO groups form a repeating pattern; the present application is not limited thereto.

[0112] The following description uses as an example a first period as a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association pattern period (RGAPP) and a second period as a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period (RGAP). The present application is not limited thereto. For example, other names may be used for the first period and the second period. The PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is determined based on at least a PRACH configuration period.

[0113] The following first describes the case where there is at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period. "At least one RO group" may also be equivalent to "at least a second number of ROs constituting the RO group."

[0114] In some embodiments, the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices and form an SSB to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) mapping pattern.

[0115] In some embodiments, for PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, there is at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0116] For example, the RO group association period starts from system frame 0. For a PRACH transmission with number of multiple PRACH transmission being N, the RO group association period is determined according to the configuration period, and at least one RO group can be determined within one association period.

[0117] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is determined in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0118] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0119] For example, the RO group association period is determined according to the PRACH configuration period, including but not limited to the following methods:

[0120] -The number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is in the candidate value set, and it is guaranteed that at least one RO group can be determined within the RO group association period;

[0121] - The number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a predefined value or is determined by a default rule, for example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is N (the value of the number of multiple PRACH transmissions), or the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the minimum value that ensures that at least one RO group is included in the RO group association period;

[0122] -The number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the value configured by the gNB.

[0123] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of PRACH opportunity groups (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0124] For example, within the RO group association period, if the remaining RO(s) set after determining an integer number of RO groups does not form an RO group or is not in an RO group, the RO(s) in the set will not be mapped to an SSB index or will not send PRACH transmissions on the RO.

[0125] The aforementioned "other ROs" are, for example, ROs that cannot form an RO group with a repetition number of N. For example, N ROs can form an RO group. After multiple ROs within the time period form an integer number of RO groups, one or more ROs may remain. If these ROs cannot form an RO group, SSB indexes are not mapped to these ROs, or PRACH transmission is not performed on these ROs.

[0126] In some embodiments, the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmissions. For example, the ROs are at least not used for multiple PRACH transmissions and may be used for single PRACH transmissions.

[0127] The following uses an example to illustrate how to determine the RO group association period.

[0128] Figure 3 is an example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 3, based on the PRACH configuration configured by the higher layer, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, each subframe has one PRACH slot, and each PRACH slot has one PRACH occasion, so there are 10 ROs in each system frame.

[0129] If the SSB period is 40ms and the uplink and downlink periods do not conflict with the time domain location of the RO, the ROs in the 160ms radio frames numbered 0 to 15 are shown in Figure 3. For example, the number of ROs in the PRACH configuration period containing SSB is 0. Since the SSB period is 40ms and radio frames numbered 0, 4, 8, and 12 contain SSB bursts, there are 0 ROs in these frames.

[0130] Based on the above configuration, different implementation methods for determining RGAP are described below by way of example.

[0131] For example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a candidate value set, and it is guaranteed that at least one RO group can be determined within the RO group association period. For example, the mapping relationship between the RO group association period and the PRACH configuration period is shown in Table 1 below.

[0132] Table 1. Mapping between RGAP and PRACH configuration period

[0133] According to Table 1 above, when the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the value of RGAP can be {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} PRACH configuration periods, and the actual value of RGAP is the minimum value in the candidate value set that the ROs in RGAP can at least guarantee to form an RO group.

[0134] Figure 4 is another example diagram of time periods according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 4, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8, the valid ROs pattern after the RO group association period can be determined. RGAPs 0, 3, 6, and 9 must contain at least two PRACH configuration periods to form an RO group. The remaining RGAPs must contain at least one PRACH configuration period to form an RO group.

[0135] During the RO group association period, if the set of RO(s) remaining after determining an integer number of RO groups does not form an RO group or is not within an RO group, then the RO(s) in that set will not be mapped to an SSB index or will not send PRACH transmissions on that RO. Therefore, after forming an RO group in each RGAP in Figure 4, the two remaining ROs cannot form an RO group and will not be mapped to an SSB index or used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, the number of ROs forming an RO group in an RGAP is 8.

[0136] For another example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a predefined value, such as 8 (the maximum configurable repetition number).

[0137] FIG5 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG5 , for example, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8, the RGAP consists of 8 PRACH configuration periods.

[0138] During the RO group association period, if the remaining RO(s) after determining an integer number of RO groups do not form an RO group or are not within an RO group, the RO(s) in that set will not be mapped to an SSB index or will not send PRACH transmissions on that RO. Therefore, after forming an RO group in each RGAP in Figure 5, the four remaining ROs cannot form an RO group and are not mapped to an SSB index or used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, the number of ROs in an RO group in an RGAP is 56 (7*8), forming an integer number (7) of RO groups.

[0139] For another example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a number configured by the gNB. For example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is directly configured by the gNB, or the gNB configures it from a set of candidate values.

[0140] Figure 6 is another example diagram of time periods in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 6 , for example, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4, the gNB directly configures the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the RGAP to be 2.

[0141] During the RO group association period, if the remaining RO(s) after determining an integer number of RO groups do not form an RO group or are not within an RO group, the RO(s) in that set will not be mapped to an SSB index and will not send PRACH transmissions on that RO. Therefore, after the eight ROs in RGAPs 0, 2, 4, and 6 in Figure 6 form two RO groups, the remaining two ROs cannot form an RO group and are therefore dropped. The number of valid ROs in RGAPs 1, 3, 5, and 7 is 20, and all of these ROs can form RO groups, so no ROs are dropped.

[0142] For another example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period can be obtained through other parameters configured by the gNB, for example, equal to the repetition number configured by the gNB. The configured repetition number may be the repetition number for multiple PRACH transmissions configured in a certain PRACH configuration or feature combination, or may be the maximum repetition number for multiple PRACH transmissions configured with different repetition numbers. For details, please refer to the following embodiments.

[0143] FIG7 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG7 , for example, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4, the RGAP consists of 4 PRACH configuration periods.

[0144] During the RO group association period, if the set of RO(s) remaining after determining an integer number of RO groups does not form an RO group or is not within an RO group, the RO(s) within that set will not be mapped to an SSB index, and PRACH transmissions will not be sent on that RO. Therefore, after forming an RO group in each RGAP in Figure 7, the two remaining ROs cannot form an RO group and are not mapped to an SSB index or used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, the number of ROs within an RO group in an RGAP is 28 (7*4), forming an integer number (7) of RO groups.

[0145] The following further describes the case of determining the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP).

[0146] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods, where L is an integer and is ≥ 1. RO groups in the RO group association pattern period can map all SSB indices at least once, and the ROs / RO groups in the RO group association pattern period can determine a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0147] The following uses the aforementioned RGAP as an example. The L value configured for the gNB ensures that the RGAPP maps all SSB indices at least once, and that the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period can determine a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0148] Figure 8 is another example diagram of a time period in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 8 , if the number of SSB indices is 8, then an RO group association pattern period requires at least 8 groups. For the example in Figure 4 , this PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8. RGAPs 0 to 7 can map all 8 SSB indices, but cannot form a pattern for an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle. However, as shown in Figure 8 , RGAPs 0 to 8 can form a repeatable pattern, so the RGAPP contains 9 RGAPs.

[0149] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of mapping cycles of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0150] For example, as shown in FIG8 , after RGAPs 0 to 7 have mapped all SSB indices, only one RO group remains that cannot be mapped all SSB indices in RGAP 8. The RO group in RGAP 8 is not used for mapping SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions.

[0151] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of SSB indexes to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), a fifth number of SSB indexes are mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO), the fifth number is less than the third number, and the fifth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0152] For example, the fifth number of SSB indexes is the first M SSB indexes in the third number of SSB indexes, or the last M SSB indexes in the third number of SSB indexes, or random M SSB indexes in the third number of SSB indexes, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0153] Fig. 9 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Fig. 9 , the RO group in the RGAP 8 is used to map a certain SSB index (denoted by SSB#N) in the SSB index.

[0154] Figure 10 is another example diagram of the time period according to an embodiment of the present application. For the example in Figure 5 , the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8. RGAP 0 can map all seven SSB indices, but not all SSBs are mapped, and a single SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern cannot be formed. However, as shown in Figure 10 , RGAPs 0 and 1 can form a repeatable pattern. Therefore, RGAPP includes two RGAPs.

[0155] As shown in Figure 10, after RGAP 0 maps 7 SSBs 0 to 6 and RGAP 1 maps SSB 7, the remaining RO groups in RGAP1 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, the remaining RO groups in RGAP 1 are not used to map SSB indices or are not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0156] FIG11 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG11 , the remaining RO groups in RGAP 1 can be used to map certain 6 SSB indices in the SSB index.

[0157] Figure 12 is another example diagram of a time period in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. For the example in Figure 6, the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4. RGAPs 0-2 can map all eight SSB indices, and three RGAPs cannot form a single SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. However, as shown in Figure 12, a total of four RGAPs, RGAPs 0-3, can form a repeatable pattern. Therefore, the RGAPP contains four RGAPs.

[0158] As shown in Figure 12, after RGAPs 0 to 1 map seven SSBs 0 to 6 and RGAP 2 maps SSB 7, the remaining four ROs in RGAP 2 and the ROs in RGAP 3 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, the remaining ROs in RGAPs 2 to 3 are not used to map SSB indices or are not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0159] FIG13 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG13 , the remaining RO groups in RGAPs 2 to 3 can be used to map certain 6 SSB indices in the SSB index.

[0160] Figure 14 is another example diagram of the time period in an embodiment of the present application. For the example in Figure 7, the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4. RGAP 0 can map seven SSBs 0-6. The four ROs in RGAP 1 map to SSB 7, fully mapping the SSB indexes. RGAPs 0-1 form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. Therefore, RGAPP contains two RGAPs.

[0161] As shown in Figure 14, after RGAP 0 maps 7 SSBs 0 to 6 and RGAP 1 maps SSB 7, the remaining 24 ROs in RGAP 1 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, the remaining ROs in RGAP 1 are not used to map SSB indices or are not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0162] FIG15 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG15 , the remaining RO groups in RGAP 1 can be used to map certain 6 SSB indices in the SSB index.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a least common multiple of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0164] For example, the PRACH configuration period is P1, the SSB burst period is P2, and P is the least common multiple of P1 and P2. RGAPP = L*P. For example, L is directly configured by the gNB or the minimum value in a set of candidate values ​​configured by the gNB; another example, L is the minimum value among the candidate values; and another example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern.

[0165] The following still uses Figure 4 as an example to illustrate how to determine the RO group association pattern period. That is, the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8, an SSB burst period of 40ms, and a PRACH configuration period of 10ms. The valid ROs pattern after determining the RO group association period is shown in Figure 4.

[0166] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. RGAPPs must be a multiple of the least common multiple of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period, mapping all SSB indices at least once. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period can define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0167] Figure 16 is another example diagram of time periods in an embodiment of the present application. L is a value directly configured by the gNB or a value from a set of candidate values ​​configured by the gNB. If the number of SSB indices is 8, for the RGAP example in Figure 4, the SSB burst period is 40ms, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the least common multiple of the two is 40ms, then RGAPP must be a multiple of 40ms and form a SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. As shown in Figure 16, the gNB directly configures L to 9, which satisfies the RGAPP SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 40ms.

[0168] As shown in FIG16 , after RGAPs 0 to 7 have mapped all SSB indices, only one RO group remains that cannot be mapped all SSB indices in RGAP 8. The RO group in RGAP 8 is not used for mapping SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions.

[0169] FIG17 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG17 , the RO group in the RGAP 8 can also be used to map a certain SSB index in the SSB index.

[0170] For another example, L is the minimum value required to form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. For example, if the number of SSB indices is 8, and for the RGAP example in Figure 4, the SSB burst period is 40ms, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the least common multiple of the two is 40ms, then RGAPP must be a multiple of 40ms to form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. Therefore, L is a minimum of 9, which satisfies the requirement that RGAPP form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and be a multiple of 40ms.

[0171] Using Figures 16 and 17 as an example, as shown in Figure 16, after RGAPs 0 to 7 have completed mapping of all SSB indices, only one RO group remains that cannot be fully mapped in RGAP 8. In this case, the RO group in RGAP 8 is not used for mapping SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions. As shown in Figure 17, the RO group in RGAP 8 can also be used to map a specific SSB index.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first period is determined based on at least a multiple of a maximum value of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0173] For example, the PRACH configuration period is P1, the SSB burst period is P2, and P = max{P1, P2}. RGAPP = L*P. For example, L is a value directly configured by the gNB or a value from a set of candidate values ​​configured by the gNB; for another example, L is the minimum value among the candidate values; and for another example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern.

[0174] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. RGAPPs must map all SSB indices at least once and must be multiples of the maximum values ​​of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period can define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0175] Figure 18 is another example diagram of time periods in an embodiment of the present application. L is a value directly configured by the gNB or a value from a set of candidate values ​​configured by the gNB. If the number of SSB indices is 4, for the RGAP example in Figure 4, the SSB burst period is 40ms, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the maximum of the two is 40ms, then RGAPP must be a multiple of 40ms and form a SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. As shown in Figure 18, the gNB can directly configure L to 6, which satisfies the RGAPP SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 40ms.

[0176] As shown in FIG18 , after RGAPs 0 to 3 map all SSB indices, the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4 to 5 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4 to 5 are not used for mapping SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions.

[0177] FIG19 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG19 , the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4 to 5 can also be used to map two SSB indices in the SSB index.

[0178] For another example, L is the minimum value required to form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. If the number of SSB indices is 4, for the RGAP example in Figure 4, the SSB burst period is 40ms, and the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, with the maximum of 40ms. Therefore, RGAPP must be a multiple of 40ms to form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. Therefore, L is a minimum of 6, which satisfies the requirement that RGAPP form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and be a multiple of 40ms.

[0179] Still using Figures 18 and 19 as examples, as shown in Figure 18, after RGAPs 0-3 have mapped all SSB indices, the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4-5 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4-5 are not used to map SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions. As shown in Figure 19, the 16 ROs in RGAPs 4-5 can also be used to map two of the SSB indices.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first period is determined at least according to a multiple of a predetermined value (160 ms), where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0181] For example, the RO group association pattern period is L times 160ms. For example, L is directly configured by the gNB or a value in a candidate value set configured by the gNB; for another example, L is the minimum value among the candidate values; for another example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern.

[0182] For example, an RO group association pattern period consists of L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. An RGAPP must be a multiple of 160ms and must map all SSB indices at least once. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period must define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0183] Figure 20 is another example diagram of a time period in an embodiment of the present application. For example, L is a value directly configured by the gNB or a value from a set of candidate values ​​configured by the gNB. If the number of SSB indices is 8, for the RGAP example in Figure 4, the RGAPP must be a multiple of 160ms and form a SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. The gNB directly configures L to 12, which satisfies the RGAPP SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is 160ms.

[0184] As shown in FIG20 , after RGAPs 0 to 7 have mapped all SSB indices, ROs in RGAPs 8 to 11 cannot map all SSB indices. Therefore, ROs in RGAPs 8 to 11 are not used for mapping SSB indices or for PRACH transmissions.

[0185] FIG21 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG21 , ROs in RGAPs 8 to 11 can also be used to map four SSB indices in the SSB index.

[0186] Figure 22 is another example diagram of the time period in an embodiment of the present application. For example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. If the number of SSB indices is 4. For the RGAP example in Figure 4, the RGAPP must be a multiple of 160ms and can form a SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. As shown in Figure 22, L is at least 12, which satisfies the RGAPP SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and 160ms. As shown in Figure 22, after RGAPs 0-11 have mapped three SSB indices, there are no remaining ROs.

[0187] The above description is based on the case where the PRACH configuration is msg1-FDM 1, but the present application is not limited thereto. The following description further describes the case where the third number of SSB indices within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once.

[0188] In some embodiments, the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods mapping the third number of SSB indices.

[0189] In some embodiments, for a PRACH transmission with a second number of repetitions, the third number of SSB indices is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0190] For example, a RO group association period starts from system frame 0 and is determined according to the PRACH configuration periods, so that all SSB indexes are mapped to RO groups at least once.

[0191] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that the third number of SSB indexes is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0192] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0193] For example, the RO group association period is determined according to the PRACH configuration period, including but not limited to the following methods:

[0194] -The number of PRACH configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the minimum value in the candidate value set, and it can be guaranteed that all SSB indexes can be mapped to RO groups at least once within the RO group association period;

[0195] -The number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a predefined value or a value determined by a default rule. For example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is 8 or a default value (a positive integer), or the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the minimum value that can ensure that at least all SSB indexes within the RO group association period can be mapped to RO groups;

[0196] -The number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the value configured by the gNB.

[0197] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0198] For example, if after an integer number of SSB index and RO groups mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining ROs set cannot form an SSB index and RO groups mapping cycle, then the ROs set no longer maps the SSB index or is not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0199] In some embodiments, the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmissions. For example, the ROs are at least not used for multiple PRACH transmissions and may be used for single PRACH transmissions.

[0200] The following uses an example to illustrate how to determine the RO group association period.

[0201] Figure 23 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 23, based on the PRACH configuration configured by the higher layer, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and even and odd frames contain 8 and 6 valid ROs, respectively. The SSB period is 80ms, and the number of ROs in the PRACH configuration period containing the SSB is zero. As shown in Figure 23, there are zero ROs in the radio frames numbered 0 and 8. Figure 23 shows the ROs in the 160ms radio frames numbered 0 to 15.

[0202] Based on the above configuration, different implementation methods for determining RGAP are described below by way of example.

[0203] For example, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the RO group association period is the minimum value in the candidate value set, and it can be guaranteed that at least all SSB indexes can be mapped to RO groups once within the RO group association period. For example, the mapping relationship between the RO group association period and the PRACH configuration period is shown in Table 2 below.

[0204] Table 2. Mapping between RGAP and PRACH configuration period

[0205] According to Table 2 above, when the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the value of RGAP can be {1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32} PRACH configuration periods, and the actual value of RGAP is the minimum value in the candidate value set of all SSB indexes that can be mapped by the RO groups in the RGAP.

[0206] Figure 24 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 24, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8 and an SSB index of 8, the valid ROs pattern after the RO group association period can be determined. The ROs in system frames 0 to 10 and the 2 ROs in system frame 11, consisting of 8 RO groups, can map all 8 SSB indices. The RGAP needs to be the minimum value among {1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32} PRACH configuration periods, and the RGAP is 16 PRACH configuration periods.

[0207] After an integer number of SSB index and RO group mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining set of ROs cannot form a SSB index and RO group mapping cycle, then the set of ROs no longer maps SSB index or is not used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, after the RGAP in Figure 24 determines the ROs mapped with all SSB indices, the remaining four ROs in system frame 11 and the ROs in system frames 12 to 15 cannot form a RO group and SSB index mapping cycle, then these ROs no longer map SSB index or are not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0208] Figure 25 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 25, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4 and an SSB index of 8, the valid ROs pattern after the RO group association period can be determined. The ROs in system frames 0 to 4 and the 4 ROs in system frame 5, consisting of 8 RO groups, can map all 8 SSB indices. The RGAP needs to be the minimum value among {1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32} PRACH configuration periods, and the RGAP is 8 PRACH configuration periods.

[0209] If, after an integer number of SSB index and RO group mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining set of ROs cannot form a SSB index and RO group mapping cycle, then the set of ROs will no longer map SSB indices or will not be used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, after RGAP 0 in Figure 25 determines the ROs to which all SSB indices are mapped, the remaining two ROs in system frame 5 and the ROs in system frames 6 and 7 cannot form a RO group and SSB index mapping cycle, then these ROs will no longer map SSB indices or will not be used for PRACH transmissions.

[0210] For another example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a predefined value or a value determined by a default rule. For example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a default value of 8 or another value (a positive integer), or the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a minimum value that can ensure that at least all SSB indexes within the RO group association period can be mapped to RO groups.

[0211] FIG26 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG26 , if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8 and the number of SSB indices is 8, the RGAP is predefined to consist of 16 PRACH configuration periods.

[0212] If, after an integer number of SSB index and RO group mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining set of ROs cannot form a SSB index and RO group mapping cycle, then the set of ROs no longer maps SSB indexes or is not used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, after the RGAP in Figure 26 determines the ROs that map all SSB indices, the remaining four ROs in system frame 11 and the ROs in system frames 12 to 15 cannot form a RO group and SSB index mapping cycle, then these ROs no longer map SSB indices or are not used for PRACH transmissions.

[0213] Figure 27 is another example diagram of time periods in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 27 , if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4 and a number of SSB indices of 8, the number of PRACH configuration periods in the RGAP is the minimum value required to ensure that at least all SSB indices within the RO group association period are mapped to RO groups. As shown in Figure 27 , RGAP 0,1 contains at least 6 PRACH configuration periods, ensuring that all SSB indices are mapped to RO groups.

[0214] If, after an integer number of SSB index and RO group mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining ROs cannot form a SSB index and RO group mapping cycle, then the ROs set will no longer map SSB indexes or will not be used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, after RGAP 0,1 in Figure 27 determines the ROs that have mapped all SSB indices, the remaining two ROs in system frames 5 and 11 cannot form a RO group and SSB index mapping cycle, then these ROs will no longer map SSB indices or will not be used for PRACH transmissions.

[0215] For another example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is a number configured by the gNB. For example, the number of configuration periods included in the RO group association period is directly configured by the gNB, or the gNB configures it from a set of candidate values.

[0216] FIG28 is another example diagram of time periods in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG28 , for example, if the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4, the gNB directly configures the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the RGAP to 8.

[0217] If, after an integer number of SSB index and RO group mapping cycles in the RO group association period, the remaining set of ROs cannot form a SSB index and RO group mapping cycle, then the set of ROs will no longer map SSB indices or will not be used for PRACH transmissions. Therefore, after RGAP 0 in Figure 28 determines the ROs mapped with all SSB indices, the remaining two ROs in system frame 5 and the ROs in system frames 6 and 7 cannot form a RO group and SSB index mapping cycle, then these ROs will no longer map SSB indices or will not be used for PRACH transmissions.

[0218] The following further describes the case of determining the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP).

[0219] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods, where L is an integer and is ≥ 1. RO groups in the RO group association pattern period can map all SSB indices at least once, and the ROs / RO groups in the RO group association pattern period can determine a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0220] The following uses the RGAP in Figure 25 as an example. This PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4 and an SSB index of 8. The valid ROs pattern after the RO group association period can be determined.

[0221] FIG29 is another example diagram of a time period according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG29 , an RGAPP includes an RGAP, which ensures that ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period determine a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0222] In some embodiments, the "RO group association pattern period" can be determined according to multiples of the least common multiple of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period, or according to multiples of the maximum value of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period, or according to multiples of 160ms.

[0223] Taking the configuration of Figure 23 as an example, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the SSB burst period is 80ms, the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the number of valid ROs in even frames and odd frames is 8 and 6 respectively, and the valid ROs pattern is shown in Figure 23.

[0224] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. RGAPPs must be a multiple of the least common multiple of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period, mapping all SSB indices at least once. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period can define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0225] For example, L is a value directly configured by the gNB or a value from the candidate value set configured by the gNB. This PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8 and an SSB index of 8.

[0226] Figure 30 is another example diagram of time periods in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 30 , the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the SSB burst period is 80ms, and the least common multiple of the two is 80ms. Therefore, RGAPP must be a multiple of 80ms and form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. The gNB directly configures L to 1, ensuring that RGAPP forms an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 80ms.

[0227] For example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. If the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 4 and an SSB index of 8.

[0228] Figure 31 is another example diagram of time periods according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 31 , the SSB burst period is 80ms, and the PRACH configuration period is 10ms. The least common multiple of these two periods is 80ms. Therefore, RGAPP must be a multiple of 80ms and form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. Therefore, L must be at least 1, ensuring that RGAPP forms an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 80ms.

[0229] For example, an RO group association pattern period contains L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. RGAPPs must map all SSB indices at least once and must be multiples of the maximum values ​​of the PRACH configuration period and the SSB burst period. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period must define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0230] For example, L is configured directly by the gNB, or the gNB configures a value from the candidate value set. If this PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8 and an SSB index of 8.

[0231] As shown in Figure 30, the SSB burst period is 80ms and the PRACH configuration period is 10ms. The maximum of the two is 80ms. Therefore, RGAPP must be a multiple of 80ms and form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. The gNB directly configures L to 1 to ensure that RGAPP forms an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 80ms.

[0232] For example, L is the minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern. If the PRACH configuration is used for multiple PRACH transmission with a repetition number of 8 and an SSB index of 8.

[0233] As shown in Figure 30, the SSB burst period is 80ms and the PRACH configuration period is 10ms. The maximum of the two is 80ms. Therefore, RGAPP needs to be a multiple of 80ms and form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle pattern. Therefore, L is at least 1, which satisfies the requirement that RGAPP forms an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern and is a multiple of 80ms.

[0234] For example, an RO group association pattern period consists of L RO group association periods (RGAPs), where L is an integer ≥ 1. An RGAPP is a multiple of 160ms that maps all SSB indices at least once. Furthermore, the ROs / RO groups within the RO group association pattern period must define a repeatable SSB-to-RO group pattern.

[0235] For example, L is a value directly configured by the gNB, or a value in a candidate value set configured by the gNB; for another example, L is a minimum value that can form an SSB-to-RO group mapping pattern.

[0236] The above description is based on the case where the PRACH configuration is msg1-FDM 1, but the present application is not limited thereto. The following further describes the SSB-to-RO group mapping.

[0237] In some embodiments, in the mapping of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is a second number N of PRACH opportunities (RO) with adjacent time domain resources and the same frequency domain resources.

[0238] For example, an RO group is N ROs that are adjacent in the time domain, where N is the repetition number of multiple PRACH transmissions applicable to the PRACH configuration. For example, N ROs that are adjacent in the time domain mean that the N ROs in the RO group are the ROs with the closest time domain resource spacing, or that the ROs have consecutive time domain resource indices. Identical frequency domain resources can also mean identical frequency domain resource indices.

[0239] In some embodiments, the mapping order of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) includes:

[0240] Mapping in increasing order of preamble index within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) or PRACH opportunity (RO);

[0241] For frequency domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of frequency domain resource indexes;

[0242] For time domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of time domain resource index within the PRACH time slot;

[0243] The PRACH time slots are mapped in increasing order of index.

[0244] FIG32 is an example diagram of SSB-to-RO group mapping according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG32 , when the repetition number is 4, SSB0 is mapped to RO group 0, SSB1 is mapped to RO group 1, ..., SSB7 is mapped to RO group 7.

[0245] FIG33 is an example diagram of SSB-to-RO group mapping according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG33 , when the repetition number is 2, SSB0 is mapped to RO group 0, SSB1 is mapped to RO group 1, ..., SSB7 is mapped to RO group 7.

[0246] 3 to 31 above illustrate the case where msg1-FDM is 1, and exemplify the case where the number of resources in the frequency domain is 1. The present application is not limited thereto. The following further illustrates the case where RO is multiplexed in the frequency domain.

[0247] FIG34 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG34 , for frequency domain FDM, the number of RO resources is 4, that is, msg1-FDM=4. For multiple PRACH transmissions with a repetition number of 4, the number of SSB indices is 8.

[0248] For example, consider RGAP, the minimum PRACH configuration period in the candidate value set. The PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the SSB burst period is 80ms. For a 10ms PRACH configuration period, RGAP can contain {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} PRACH configuration periods. For a repetition number of 4, the resulting pattern is shown in Figure 34, with an association pattern period of 160ms.

[0249] FIG35 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG35 , for frequency domain FDM, the number of RO resources is 2, i.e., msg1-FDM = 2. For multiple PRACH transmissions with a repetition number of 4, the number of SSB indices is 8.

[0250] For example, consider RGAP, the minimum PRACH configuration period in the candidate value set. The PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the SSB burst period is 80ms. For a 10ms PRACH configuration period, RGAP can contain {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} PRACH configuration periods. For a repetition number of 4, the resulting pattern is shown in Figure 35.

[0251] As shown in Figure 35, 160ms can form an RGAPP, where the ROs of the last two RGAPs cannot form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle and are no longer used for PRACH transmission.

[0252] Figure 36 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 36, the ROs of the last two RGAPs cannot form an SSB-to-RO group mapping cycle, and 4 more SSBs can be mapped for multiple PRACH transmission.

[0253] FIG37 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG37 , for frequency domain FDM, the number of RO resources is 4, that is, msg1-FDM = 4. For multiple PRACH transmissions with a repetition number of 2, the number of SSB indices is 8.

[0254] For example, consider RGAP, the minimum PRACH configuration period in the candidate value set. The PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the SSB burst period is 80ms. For a 10ms PRACH configuration period, RGAP can contain {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} PRACH configuration periods. For a repetition number of 2, the resulting pattern is shown in Figure 37.

[0255] FIG38 is another example diagram of the time period of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG38 , for frequency domain FDM, the number of RO resources is 4, that is, msg1-FDM=4. For multiple PRACH transmissions with a repetition number of 4, the number of SSB indices is 8.

[0256] For example, consider RGAP, the minimum PRACH configuration period in the candidate value set. The PRACH configuration period is 10ms, and the SSB burst period is 80ms. For a 10ms PRACH configuration period, RGAP can contain {1, 2, 4, 8, 16} PRACH configuration periods. For a repetition number of 4, the resulting pattern is shown in Figure 38.

[0257] The following further describes the PRACH resource configurations of the embodiments of the present application, and the time period X can be determined based on these configurations.

[0258] In some embodiments, for all PRACH configurations in which a feature or feature combination has PRACH transmission in an uplink common configuration, the time period is determined according to the maximum number of repetitions of PRACH transmission in all PRACH configurations; or,

[0259] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and all of the feature combinations correspond to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to all of the feature combinations; or

[0260] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one feature combination corresponds to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, determining the time period according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to the one feature combination; or

[0261] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one of the features corresponds to a PRACH transmission with a different number of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature.

[0262] Figure 39 is an example diagram of a PRACH configuration according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 39, the PRACH configuration may include BWP-UplinkCommon, AdditionalRACH-Config, rach-ConfigCommon, featureCombinationPreambles, etc. For the specific meanings of these configurations, please refer to the relevant technologies.

[0263] For example, for all AdditionalRACH-Configs in BWP-UplinkCommon, one K value or multiple K values ​​may be determined, that is, one time period X or multiple time periods X. The multiple PRACH transmissions applicable to different AdditionalRACH-Configs in BWP-UplinkCommon may have different repetition numbers.

[0264] For another example, for an AdditionalRACH-Config in BWP-UplinkCommon, all featureCombinationPreambles in rach-ConfigCommon in the AdditionalRACH-Config may determine one K value or multiple K values, that is, one time period X or multiple time periods X. The features or feature combinations of different featureCombinationPreambles in rach-ConfigCommon may apply to different multiple PRACH transmissions and have different repetition numbers.

[0265] For another example, for an AdditionalRACH-Config in BWP-UplinkCommon, a featureCombinationPreambles in rach-ConfigCommon in the AdditionalRACH-Config may determine one K value or multiple K values, that is, one time period X or multiple time periods X. The feature combination of a featureCombinationPreambles is multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers.

[0266] In the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device can quickly obtain RO resources for sending multiple PRACH transmissions and ensure the sending of multiple PRACH transmissions, thereby not only improving the coverage capability of the system but also improving the utilization of RO resources.

[0267] In addition, for different multiple PRACH transmissions configurations, different methods for determining the repetition period of the SSB and RO group mapping patterns may be used, or the same method for determining the repetition period of the SSB and RO group mapping patterns may be used.

[0268] In resource-limited scenarios, determining the RO group association period through RO groups can maximize the use of RO resources for multiple PRACH transmissions, thereby improving PRACH transmission resource utilization. Determining the RO group association period through SSB-to-RO group mapping can reduce standardization workload.

[0269] The above embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Appropriate modifications may be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments may be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments may be combined.

[0270] It can be seen from the above embodiment that the terminal device determines a second number of ROs associated with a time period, where the time period includes a first number of first periods, and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period forms a repeated pattern. Thus, the terminal device can quickly obtain the RO resources sent by multiple PRACHs and ensure that all SSBs in the multiple PRACH transmissions are mapped to the RO, which not only improves the coverage capability of the system, but also improves the utilization rate of the RO resources.

[0271] Embodiments of the second aspect

[0272] The embodiment of the present application provides a PRACH receiving method, which is described from the perspective of a network device. The embodiment of the second aspect can be combined with the embodiment of the first aspect, and the same contents as the embodiment of the first aspect will not be repeated.

[0273] FIG40 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH receiving method according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG40 , the method includes:

[0274] 4002, the network device receives a preamble repeatedly sent by the terminal device on a second number of ROs;

[0275] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0276] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG40 , the method may further include:

[0277] 4001. The network device sends PRACH configuration information and / or indication information to the terminal device.

[0278] It is worth noting that FIG40 above is merely a schematic illustration of an embodiment of the present application, and the present application is not limited thereto. For example, the execution order of the various operations may be appropriately adjusted, and other operations may be added or some operations may be reduced. Those skilled in the art may make appropriate modifications based on the above content, and are not limited to the description of FIG40 above.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association pattern period (GRAPP), the second number is the repetition number of the PRACH transmission, and the second number is an integer greater than 1; the third number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, and the third number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0280] In some embodiments, the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period includes a fourth number of second periods, where the fourth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0281] The fourth number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the fourth number is a default value or a fixed value, or the fourth number is a value determined by the terminal device.

[0282] In some embodiments, the second period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period (RGAP), and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is determined at least according to a PRACH configuration period.

[0283] In some embodiments, the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices and form an SSB to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) mapping pattern.

[0284] In some embodiments, for PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, there is at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0285] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of PRACH opportunity groups (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0286] In some embodiments, the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmissions.

[0287] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is determined in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0288] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0289] In some embodiments, the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods mapping the third number of SSB indices.

[0290] In some embodiments, for a PRACH transmission with a second number of repetitions, the third number of SSB indices is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0291] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0292] In some embodiments, the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmissions.

[0293] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that the third number of SSB indexes is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0294] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0295] In some embodiments, for all PRACH configurations in which a feature or feature combination has PRACH transmission in an uplink common configuration, the time period is determined according to the maximum number of repetitions of PRACH transmission in all PRACH configurations; or,

[0296] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and all of the feature combinations correspond to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to all of the feature combinations; or

[0297] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one feature combination corresponds to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, determining the time period according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to the one feature combination; or

[0298] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one of the features corresponds to a PRACH transmission with a different number of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature.

[0299] In some embodiments, the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a least common multiple of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0300] In some embodiments, the first period is determined based on at least a multiple of a maximum value of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0301] In some embodiments, the first period is determined at least according to a multiple of a predetermined value (160 ms), where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0302] In some embodiments, the first number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the first number is a default value or a fixed value, or the first number is a value determined by the terminal device, and the first number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0303] In some embodiments, the maximum value of the time period is T1, and / or the maximum value of the first period is T2.

[0304] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of mapping cycles of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0305] In some embodiments, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of SSB indexes to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), a fifth number of SSB indexes are mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO), the fifth number is less than the third number, and the fifth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0306] In some embodiments, the fifth number of SSB indexes are the first M SSB indexes of the third number of SSB indexes, or, are the last M SSB indexes of the third number of SSB indexes, or, are random M SSB indexes of the third number of SSB indexes, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0307] In some embodiments, in the mapping of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is a second number N of PRACH opportunities (RO) with adjacent time domain resources and the same frequency domain resources.

[0308] In some embodiments, the mapping order of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) includes:

[0309] Mapping in increasing order of preamble index within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) or PRACH opportunity (RO);

[0310] For frequency domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of frequency domain resource indexes;

[0311] For time domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of time domain resource index within the PRACH time slot;

[0312] The PRACH time slots are mapped in increasing order of index.

[0313] The above embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Appropriate modifications may be made based on the above embodiments. For example, the above embodiments may be used alone, or one or more of the above embodiments may be combined.

[0314] It can be seen from the above embodiment that the terminal device determines a second number of ROs associated with a time period, where the time period includes a first number of first periods, and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period forms a repeated pattern. Thus, the terminal device can quickly obtain the RO resources sent by multiple PRACHs and ensure that all SSBs in the multiple PRACH transmissions are mapped to the RO, which not only improves the coverage capability of the system, but also improves the utilization rate of the RO resources.

[0315] Embodiments of the third aspect

[0316] The embodiment of the present application provides a PRACH transmitting device. The device may be, for example, a terminal device, or one or more components or assemblies configured in the terminal device, and the contents that are the same as those in the embodiment of the first aspect are not repeated here.

[0317] FIG41 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH transmitting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG41 , the PRACH transmitting apparatus 4100 includes:

[0318] A processing unit 4101 is configured to determine a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period, wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods are mapped to at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeating pattern;

[0319] The sending unit 4102 is configured to repeatedly send a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0320] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG41 , the PRACH transmitting apparatus 4100 may further include:

[0321] The receiving unit 4103 receives PRACH configuration information and / or indication information sent by the network device.

[0322] It is worth noting that the above only describes the components or modules related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The PRACH transmitting apparatus 4100 may also include other components or modules. For details of these components or modules, reference may be made to related technologies.

[0323] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, FIG41 only illustrates the connection relationship or signal direction between various components or modules. However, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various related technologies such as bus connection can be used. The above-mentioned components or modules can be implemented by hardware facilities such as processors, memories, transmitters, and receivers; the implementation of this application is not limited to this.

[0324] Through the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device determines a second number of ROs associated with a time period, wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period forms a repeated pattern. Thus, the terminal device can quickly obtain RO resources for multi-PRACH transmission and ensure that all SSBs in the multi-PRACH transmission are mapped to ROs, which not only improves the coverage capability of the system, but also improves the utilization rate of RO resources.

[0325] Embodiments of the fourth aspect

[0326] The embodiment of the present application provides a PRACH receiving device. The device may be, for example, a network device, or one or more components or assemblies configured in the network device, and the contents that are the same as those in the first and second aspects of the embodiment are not repeated here.

[0327] FIG42 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH receiving apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG42 , the PRACH receiving apparatus 4200 includes:

[0328] A receiving unit 4201 receives a preamble repeatedly sent by a terminal device on a second number of ROs;

[0329] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0330] In some embodiments, as shown in FIG42 , the PRACH receiving apparatus 4200 may further include:

[0331] The sending unit 4202 sends PRACH configuration information and / or indication information to the terminal device.

[0332] It is worth noting that the above only describes the components or modules related to the present application, but the present application is not limited thereto. The PRACH receiving apparatus 4200 may also include other components or modules. For details of these components or modules, reference may be made to related technologies.

[0333] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, FIG42 only illustrates the connection relationship or signal direction between various components or modules. However, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that various related technologies such as bus connection can be used. The above-mentioned components or modules can be implemented by hardware facilities such as processors, memories, transmitters, and receivers; the implementation of this application is not limited to this.

[0334] Through the embodiment of the present application, the terminal device determines a second number of ROs associated with a time period, wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period forms a repeated pattern. Thus, the terminal device can quickly obtain RO resources for multi-PRACH transmission and ensure that all SSBs in the multi-PRACH transmission are mapped to ROs, which not only improves the coverage capability of the system, but also improves the utilization rate of RO resources.

[0335] Embodiments of the fifth aspect

[0336] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, and reference may be made to FIG1 . The contents that are the same as those in the first to fourth aspects of the embodiments will not be repeated.

[0337] In some embodiments, the communication system 100 may include at least:

[0338] A terminal device, which determines a second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods are mapped to at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern;

[0339] A network device receives a preamble repeatedly sent by the terminal device on a second number of ROs.

[0340] An embodiment of the present application further provides a network device, which may be, for example, a base station, but the present application is not limited thereto and may also be other network devices.

[0341] Figure 43 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 43, network device 4300 may include a processor 4310 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU)) and a memory 4320; the memory 4320 is coupled to the processor 4310. The memory 4320 may store various data and may also store an information processing program 4330, which is executed under the control of the processor 4310.

[0342] For example, the processor 4310 may be configured to execute a program to implement the PRACH reception method as described in the embodiment of the second aspect. For example, the processor 4310 may be configured to perform the following control: the receiving terminal device repeatedly sends a preamble on a second number of ROs;

[0343] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0344] In addition, as shown in Figure 43, network device 4300 may also include: a transceiver 4340 and an antenna 4350; wherein, the functions of the above components are similar to those in the prior art and are not described here in detail. It is worth noting that network device 4300 does not necessarily include all the components shown in Figure 43; in addition, network device 4300 may also include components not shown in Figure 43, and reference may be made to the prior art for details.

[0345] The embodiment of the present application also provides a terminal device, but the present application is not limited thereto and may also be other devices.

[0346] Figure 44 is a schematic diagram of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 44 , terminal device 4400 may include a processor 4410 and a memory 4420. Memory 4420 stores data and programs and is coupled to processor 4410. It should be noted that this diagram is exemplary; other types of structures may be used to supplement or replace this structure to implement telecommunication or other functions.

[0347] For example, the processor 4410 may be configured to execute a program to implement the PRACH transmission method as described in the embodiment of the first aspect. For example, the processor 4410 may be configured to perform the following control: determining a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first period form a repeated pattern; and repeatedly transmitting a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0348] As shown in Figure 44 , the terminal device 4400 may further include: a communication module 4430, an input unit 4440, a display 4450, and a power supply 4460. The functions of these components are similar to those in the prior art and are not described in detail here. It is worth noting that the terminal device 4400 does not necessarily include all of the components shown in Figure 44 , and these components are not essential. Furthermore, the terminal device 4400 may also include components not shown in Figure 44 , for which reference may be made to the prior art.

[0349] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in a terminal device, the program causes the terminal device to execute the PRACH sending method described in the embodiment of the first aspect.

[0350] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program enables a terminal device to execute the PRACH sending method described in the embodiment of the first aspect.

[0351] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program, wherein when the program is executed in a network device, the program causes the network device to perform the PRACH reception method described in the embodiment of the second aspect.

[0352] An embodiment of the present application also provides a storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program enables a network device to execute the PRACH reception method described in the embodiment of the second aspect.

[0353] The above devices and methods of the present application can be implemented by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software. The present application relates to such a computer-readable program that, when executed by a logic component, enables the logic component to implement the devices or components described above, or enables the logic component to implement the various methods or steps described above. The present application also relates to a storage medium for storing the above program, such as a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a DVD, a flash memory, etc.

[0354] The method / device described in conjunction with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware, a software module executed by a processor, or a combination of the two. For example, one or more of the functional block diagrams shown in the figure and / or one or more combinations of functional block diagrams can correspond to various software modules of the computer program flow or to various hardware modules. These software modules can respectively correspond to the various steps shown in the figure. These hardware modules can be implemented by solidifying these software modules, for example, using a field programmable gate array (FPGA).

[0355] The software module may be located in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storage medium may be coupled to a processor so that the processor can read information from the storage medium and write information to the storage medium; or the storage medium may be an integral part of the processor. The processor and the storage medium may be located in an ASIC. The software module may be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or in a memory card that can be inserted into the mobile terminal. For example, if the device (such as a mobile terminal) uses a large-capacity MEGA-SIM card or a large-capacity flash memory device, the software module may be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the large-capacity flash memory device.

[0356] One or more of the functional blocks and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings may be implemented as a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, or any appropriate combination thereof for performing the functions described in this application. One or more of the functional blocks and / or one or more combinations of functional blocks described in the accompanying drawings may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in communication with a DSP, or any other such configuration.

[0357] The present application has been described above in conjunction with specific embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these descriptions are merely illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present application. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and variations to the present application based on the spirit and principles of the present application, and such modifications and variations are also within the scope of the present application.

[0358] Regarding the implementation methods including the above embodiments, the following additional notes are also disclosed:

[0359] 1. A PRACH transmission method, comprising:

[0360] The terminal device determines a second number of PRACH opportunities (ROs) associated with a time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices, and the PRACH opportunities (ROs) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeating pattern;

[0361] The terminal device repeatedly sends a preamble on the second number of ROs.

[0362] 2. The method according to Note 1, wherein the first period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), the second number is the number of repetitions sent by the PRACH (repetition number), and the second number is an integer greater than 1; the third number is a value configured and / or indicated by a network device, and the third number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0363] 3. The method according to Note 2, wherein the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period includes a fourth number of second periods, and the fourth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0364] The fourth number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the fourth number is a default value or a fixed value, or the fourth number is a value determined by the terminal device.

[0365] 4. The method according to Note 3, wherein the second period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period (RGAP), and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is determined at least according to a PRACH configuration period.

[0366] 5. The method according to Note 4, wherein the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices and form an SSB to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) mapping pattern.

[0367] 6. The method according to Note 4, wherein, for PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, there is at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0368] 7. The method according to Note 6, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of PRACH opportunity groups (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0369] 8. The method according to Note 7, wherein the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmission.

[0370] 9. The method according to any one of Notes 5 to 8, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is determined in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0371] 10. The method according to any one of Notes 5 to 8, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0372] 11. The method according to Note 4, wherein the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of SSB indices.

[0373] 12. The method according to Note 4, wherein, for a PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, the third number of SSB indices within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once.

[0374] 13. The method according to Note 12, wherein, within the association period of the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0375] 14. The method according to note 13, wherein the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmission.

[0376] 15. A method according to any one of Notes 11 to 14, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that the third number of SSB indexes in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once.

[0377] 16. The method according to any one of Notes 11 to 14, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0378] 17. The method according to any one of Notes 1 to 16, wherein:

[0379] For all PRACH configurations in the uplink common configuration that have a feature or feature combination with PRACH transmission, the time period is determined according to the maximum number of repetitions of PRACH transmission in all PRACH configurations; or,

[0380] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and all of the feature combinations correspond to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to all of the feature combinations; or

[0381] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one feature combination corresponds to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, determining the time period according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to the one feature combination; or

[0382] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one of the features corresponds to a PRACH transmission with a different number of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature.

[0383] 18. A method according to any one of Notes 1 to 17, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of the least common multiple of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0384] 19. A method according to any one of Notes 1 to 17, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a maximum value of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0385] 20. The method according to any one of Notes 1 to 17, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a predetermined value (160ms), and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0386] 21. The method according to any one of Notes 1 to 20, wherein:

[0387] The first number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the first number is a default value or a fixed value, or the first number is a value determined by the terminal device, and the first number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0388] 22. The method according to any one of Notes 1 to 21, wherein the maximum value of the time period is T1, and / or the maximum value of the first period is T2.

[0389] 23. The method according to Note 3, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of mapping cycles of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0390] 24. The method according to Note 3, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of SSB indexes to PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups), a fifth number of SSB indexes are mapped on the PRACH opportunities (RO), the fifth number is less than the third number, and the fifth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0391] 25. The method according to Note 24, wherein the fifth number of SSB indexes are the first M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, or the last M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, or random M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0392] 26. A method according to any one of Notes 1 to 25, wherein, in the mapping of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is a second number N of PRACH opportunities (RO) with adjacent time domain resources and the same frequency domain resources.

[0393] 27. The method according to Note 26, wherein the mapping order of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) includes:

[0394] Mapping in increasing order of preamble index within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) or PRACH opportunity (RO);

[0395] For frequency domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of frequency domain resource indexes;

[0396] For time domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of time domain resource index within the PRACH time slot;

[0397] The PRACH time slots are mapped in increasing order of index.

[0398] 28. A PRACH receiving method, comprising:

[0399] The network device receives the preamble repeatedly sent by the terminal device on the second number of ROs;

[0400] The terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities (RO) associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes, and the PRACH opportunities (RO) or PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) in the first periods form a repeated pattern.

[0401] 29. The method according to Note 28, wherein the first period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), the second number is the number of repetitions sent by the PRACH (repetition number), and the second number is an integer greater than 1; the third number is a value configured and / or indicated by a network device, and the third number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0402] 30. The method according to note 29, wherein the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period includes a fourth number of second periods, and the fourth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1;

[0403] The fourth number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the fourth number is a default value or a fixed value, or the fourth number is a value determined by the terminal device.

[0404] 31. The method according to Note 30, wherein the second period is a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period (RGAP), and the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is determined at least according to a PRACH configuration period.

[0405] 32. The method according to Note 31, wherein the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of synchronization signal block (SSB) indices and form an SSB to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) mapping pattern.

[0406] 33. The method according to Note 31, wherein, for PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, there is at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0407] 34. The method according to Note 33, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period, for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of PRACH opportunity groups (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0408] 35. The method according to note 34, wherein the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmission.

[0409] 36. A method according to any one of Notes 32 to 35, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that at least one PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is determined in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period.

[0410] 37. The method according to any one of Notes 32 to 35, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0411] 38. The method according to Note 31, wherein the fourth number is the minimum number of PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association periods that map the third number of SSB indices.

[0412] 39. The method according to Note 31, wherein, for a PRACH transmission with a repetition number of the second number, the third number of SSB indices within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once.

[0413] 40. The method according to Note 39, wherein, within the association period of the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of mapping cycles of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0414] 41. The method according to note 40, wherein the PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO) includes at least multiple PRACH transmission.

[0415] 42. A method according to any one of Notes 38 to 41, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is the minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that the third number of SSB indexes in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) at least once.

[0416] 43. The method according to any one of Notes 38 to 41, wherein the number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) association period is a predefined value, or a value configured / indicated by a network device.

[0417] 44. The method according to any one of Notes 28 to 43, wherein:

[0418] For all PRACH configurations in the uplink common configuration that have a feature or feature combination with PRACH transmission, the time period is determined according to the maximum number of repetitions of PRACH transmission in all PRACH configurations; or,

[0419] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and all of the feature combinations correspond to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to all of the feature combinations; or

[0420] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one feature combination corresponds to multiple PRACH transmissions with different repetition numbers, determining the time period according to the maximum value of the different repetition numbers corresponding to the one feature combination; or

[0421] For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one of the features corresponds to a PRACH transmission with a different number of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature.

[0422] 45. A method according to any one of Notes 28 to 44, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of the least common multiple of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0423] 46. ​​A method according to any one of Notes 28 to 44, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a maximum value of a PRACH configuration period and an SSB burst period, and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0424] 47. The method according to any one of Notes 28 to 44, wherein the first period is determined at least based on a multiple of a predetermined value (160ms), and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0425] 48. The method according to any one of Notes 28 to 47, wherein:

[0426] The first number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the first number is a default value or a fixed value, or the first number is a value determined by the terminal device, and the first number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0427] 49. The method according to any one of Notes 28 to 49, wherein the maximum value of the time period is T1, and / or the maximum value of the first period is T2.

[0428] 50. The method according to Note 30, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for one or more PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer number of mapping cycles of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the SSB index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity (RO) or PRACH transmission is not performed on the PRACH opportunity (RO).

[0429] 51. A method according to Note 30, wherein, within the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) associated pattern period (GRAPP), for PRACH opportunities (RO) outside an integer mapping cycle of SSB indexes to PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups), a fifth number of SSB indexes are mapped on the PRACH opportunities (RO), the fifth number is less than the third number, and the fifth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0430] 52. The method according to Note 51, wherein the fifth number of SSB indexes are the first M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, or the last M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, or random M SSB indexes among the third number of SSB indexes, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

[0431] 53. A method according to any one of Notes 28 to 52, wherein, in the mapping of the SSB index to the PRACH opportunity group (RO group), the PRACH opportunity group (RO group) is a second number N of PRACH opportunities (RO) with adjacent time domain resources and the same frequency domain resources.

[0432] 54. The method according to note 53, wherein the mapping order of SSB index to PRACH opportunity group (RO group) includes:

[0433] Mapping in increasing order of preamble index within a PRACH opportunity group (RO group) or PRACH opportunity (RO);

[0434] For frequency domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of frequency domain resource indexes;

[0435] For time domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups (RO groups) or PRACH opportunities (ROs), they are mapped in increasing order of time domain resource index within the PRACH time slot;

[0436] The PRACH time slots are mapped in increasing order of index.

[0437] 55. A terminal device comprises a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to implement the PRACH sending method as described in any one of Notes 1 to 27.

[0438] 56. A network device comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor is configured to execute the computer program to implement the PRACH reception method as described in any one of Notes 28 to 54.

Claims

1. A PRACH sending device, configured in a terminal device, comprising: a processing unit that determines a second number of PRACH opportunities associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, a PRACH opportunity group in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block indexes, and the PRACH opportunities or PRACH opportunity groups in the first period form a repeated pattern; A sending unit is configured to repeatedly send the preamble on the second number of PRACH opportunities.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first period is the PRACH opportunity group associated pattern period, the second number is the number of repetitions sent by the PRACH, and the second number is an integer greater than 1; the third number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, and the third number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein: The PRACH opportunity group association pattern period includes a fourth number of second periods, where the fourth number is an integer greater than or equal to 1; The fourth number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the fourth number is a default value or a fixed value, or the fourth number is a value determined by the terminal device.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein: The second period is a PRACH opportunity group association period, and the PRACH opportunity group association period is determined at least according to a PRACH configuration period.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein: For PRACH transmissions with a second number of repetitions, there is at least one PRACH opportunity group in the PRACH opportunity group association period.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: Within the PRACH opportunity group association period, for PRACH opportunities outside the integer number of PRACH opportunity groups, not mapping a synchronization signal block index on the PRACH opportunity or not performing PRACH transmission on the PRACH opportunity; The PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity at least includes multiple PRACH transmission.

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The number of PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is a minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that at least one PRACH opportunity group is determined in the PRACH opportunity group association period; Alternatively, the number of the PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group association period is a predefined value, or is a value configured / indicated by a network device.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein: For a PRACH transmission with a second number of repetitions, the third number of synchronization signal block indices are mapped to the PRACH opportunity group at least once within the PRACH opportunity group association period.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: Within the PRACH opportunity group association period, for one or more PRACH opportunities outside the integer mapping cycles of the synchronization signal block index to the PRACH opportunity group, not mapping the synchronization signal block index on the PRACH opportunity or not performing PRACH transmission on the PRACH opportunity; The PRACH transmission not performed on the PRACH opportunity at least includes multiple PRACH transmission.

10. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The number of the PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group association period is a value in a candidate value set, and the number is a minimum value in the candidate value set that ensures that the third number of synchronization signal block indexes is mapped to the PRACH opportunity group at least once in the PRACH opportunity group association period; Alternatively, the number of the PRACH configuration periods included in the PRACH opportunity group association period is a predefined value, or is a value configured / indicated by a network device.

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein: For all PRACH configurations in which the feature or feature combination has PRACH transmission in the uplink common configuration, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the number of repetitions of PRACH transmission in all PRACH configurations; or, For a PRACH configuration in which a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration has PRACH transmission, and all the feature combinations correspond to multiple PRACH transmissions with different numbers of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to all the feature combinations; or, For a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration having a PRACH configuration for PRACH transmission, and one of the feature combinations corresponds to multiple PRACH transmissions with different numbers of repetitions, determining the time period according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature combination; or For a PRACH configuration in which a feature or feature combination in the uplink common configuration has PRACH transmission, and one of the features corresponds to a PRACH transmission with a different number of repetitions, the time period is determined according to the maximum value of the different numbers of repetitions corresponding to the one feature.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first period is determined at least according to a multiple of a least common multiple of a PRACH configuration period and a synchronization signal block burst period, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Alternatively, the first period is determined at least according to a multiple of a maximum value of a PRACH configuration period and a synchronization signal block burst period, and the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1; Alternatively, the first period is determined at least according to a multiple of a predetermined value, where the multiple is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The first number is a value configured and / or indicated by the network device, or the first number is a default value or a fixed value, or the first number is a value determined by the terminal device, and the first number is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The maximum value of the time period is T1, and / or the maximum value of the first period is T2.

15. The device according to claim 3, wherein: Within the PRACH opportunity group associated pattern period, for one or more PRACH opportunities outside an integer mapping cycle of a synchronization signal block index to a PRACH opportunity group, the synchronization signal block index is not mapped on the PRACH opportunity or PRACH is not sent on the PRACH opportunity.

16. The device according to claim 3, wherein: In the PRACH opportunity group association pattern period, for a PRACH opportunity outside an integer mapping cycle of a synchronization signal block index to a PRACH opportunity group, mapping a fifth number of synchronization signal block indexes on the PRACH opportunity, the fifth number being less than the third number, and the fifth number being an integer greater than or equal to 1; The fifth number of synchronization signal block indexes are the first M synchronization signal block indexes of the third number of synchronization signal block indexes, or the last M synchronization signal block indexes of the third number of synchronization signal block indexes, or random M synchronization signal block indexes of the third number of synchronization signal block indexes, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 1.

17. The device according to claim 1, wherein: In the mapping of the synchronization signal block index to the PRACH opportunity group, the PRACH opportunity group is a second number of PRACH opportunities with adjacent time domain resources and the same frequency domain resources.

18. The device according to claim 17, wherein: The mapping order of synchronization signal block index to PRACH opportunity group includes: Mapping in increasing order of preamble index within a PRACH opportunity group or PRACH opportunity; For frequency domain multiplexed PRACH opportunity groups or PRACH opportunities, in ascending order of frequency domain resource index Mapping; For a PRACH opportunity group or PRACH opportunity multiplexed in the time domain, the time domain resource index is mapped in increasing order within the PRACH time slot; The PRACH time slots are mapped in increasing order of index.

19. A PRACH receiving device, configured in a network device, the device comprising: A receiving unit, wherein a receiving terminal device repeatedly sends a preamble on a second number of PRACH opportunities; wherein the terminal device determines the second number of PRACH opportunities associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, the PRACH opportunity groups in the first periods map at least a third number of synchronization signal block indexes, and the PRACH opportunities or PRACH opportunity groups in the first periods form a repeating pattern.

20. A communication system comprising: a terminal device that determines a second number of PRACH opportunities associated with the time period; wherein the time period includes a first number of first periods, a PRACH opportunity group in the first period maps at least a third number of synchronization signal block indexes, and the PRACH opportunities or PRACH opportunity groups in the first period form a repeated pattern; A network device that receives a preamble that is repeatedly sent by the terminal device on the second number of PRACH opportunities.

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