Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and a related apparatus, used for reducing the time delay of a random access process. The method comprises: when a terminal device receives first information that is used for indicating a first PRACH resource, the terminal device transmits a random access preamble on the basis of N RO resources comprised in the first PRACH resource, wherein the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located on one or more time domain units that are used for uplink and downlink communication, that is, the one or more time domain units can be used for uplink communication, and can also be used for downlink communication. In this way, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble on the basis of the first PRACH resource that is used for uplink and downlink communication, so that the terminal device can initiate, in a random access process, random access by means of a resource that is used for uplink and downlink communication, thereby reducing the time delay of the random access process while improving the uplink coverage.

Description

Communication method and related device

[0001] This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on February 6, 2024, with application number 202410174822.5 and invention name “Communication Method and Related Devices”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related devices. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication can be the transmission communication between two or more communication nodes without propagating through conductors or cables. The communication nodes generally include network devices and terminal devices.

[0004] Currently, in communication systems, terminal devices can communicate using time division duplex (TDD). This means that, based on network device scheduling, terminal devices divide time domain resources into uplink (UL) time domain resources and downlink (DL) time domain resources. Generally, for UL time domain resources, terminal devices can send uplink signals but cannot receive downlink signals; for DL ​​time domain resources, terminal devices can receive downlink signals but cannot send uplink signals.

[0005] However, in a TDD system, the downlink typically occupies the majority of the time resources. In this case, as the terminal device has fewer time domain resources for uplink transmission, it is easy to cause poor uplink coverage, which also leads to increased communication delays. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The present application provides a communication method and related devices for reducing the delay of a random access process.

[0007] In a first aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a terminal device, or by a component (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system) in the terminal device, or by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the terminal device's functions. In the first aspect and its possible implementations, the communication method is described as being executed by a terminal device. In the method, a terminal device receives first information, which is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, and the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access occasion (RO) resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L synchronization signals / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB or S-SS / PSBCH block) and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the terminal device sends a random access preamble based on the N RO resources.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, after the terminal device receives the first information indicating the first PRACH resource, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource. The time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communications, that is, the one or more time domain units can be used for both uplink and downlink communications. In this way, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the first PRACH resource for uplink and downlink communications, so that the terminal device can initiate random access through the resources used for uplink and downlink communications during the random access process, which can improve the uplink coverage while reducing the delay of the random access process.

[0009] In addition, the basis for determining the resources for sending the random access preamble includes at least N RO resources in the first PRACH resource, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, where M is a positive integer. Each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, that is, the RO resources in each mapping cycle are mapped once in sequence to L different SSB indexes corresponding to the L SSBs, and any SSB can be associated (or mapped) with one or more ROs. In other words, on the first PRACH resource for uplink and downlink communications, the N RO resources for sending the random access preamble include an integer number of mapping cycles, that is, the N RO resources for sending the random access preamble are associated with L SSBs to form an integer number of mapping cycles. Since the beam directions of different SSBs can be different when the network device sends L SSBs, the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam directions of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource in the above manner. Therefore, in each mapping cycle, the terminal device can determine the corresponding RO resource based on the SSB index of any SSB selected based on the L SSBs, so as to improve the success rate of the random access process, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0010] In this application, the process of a terminal device sending a random access preamble can be understood as the terminal device sending message 1 (MSG1) or message A (MSGA) containing a random access preamble. The random access preamble can be replaced by other terms, such as preamble, preamble sequence, preamble signal, random access preamble sequence, random access signal, random access preamble signal, etc.

[0011] Optionally, in the RO resources of M mapping cycles, the RO resources contained in each mapping cycle can be used for one mapping of L different SSB indexes corresponding to L SSBs. In other words, N RO resources are the RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, which can be understood as the N RO resources that can be used for M mappings of L different SSB indexes corresponding to L SSBs.

[0012] In the present application, resources used for uplink and downlink communications may include resources used for uplink transmission and resources used for downlink transmission. For example, taking the resource as a subband as an example, the resource used for uplink and downlink communications may include a subband for uplink transmission and a subband for downlink transmission, wherein the subband for uplink transmission and the subband for downlink transmission are located on the same component carrier.

[0013] Optionally, the subband used for uplink transmission and the subband used for downlink transmission contain at least one identical subcarrier, or one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for uplink transmission are different from one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for downlink transmission, or one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for uplink transmission are the same (or all the same) as one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for downlink transmission.

[0014] Exemplarily, the resources used for uplink and downlink communications may be subband full duplex (SBFD) resources, single frequency full duplex (SFFD) resources, and the like.

[0015] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first PRACH resource further includes K RO resources, where K is an integer; wherein the K RO resources satisfy at least one of the following:

[0016] The K RO resources are not used for random access; or,

[0017] The K RO resources are not used to carry random access preambles; or,

[0018] The K RO resources are invalid RO resources.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, if the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource meet at least one of the above conditions, the terminal device will not send a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Accordingly, the network device will not receive and / or detect a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Since the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam direction of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource, the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource can not be used to transmit a random access preamble, which can avoid resource waste and reduce implementation complexity.

[0020] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, K is less than integer, It represents N / M rounded up. The number of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource is Z, and Z satisfies: Z=N+K.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, when K is less than When the number of RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource is an integer and Z=N+K, the other K RO resources in the first PRACH resource are insufficient to form a complete mapping cycle with the L SSBs. In other words, the association of at most M mapping cycles is completed among the Z RO resources in the first PRACH resource. Therefore, N RO resources in the Z RO resources can be associated with as many mapping cycles as possible, and as many RO resources as possible can be provided in the first PRACH resource to improve the success rate of the random access process.

[0022] It should be understood that in M ​​mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources. For example, parameters such as the total number Z of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource, the number Y of SSB indexes associated with any RO resource (the number of SSB indexes associated with different RO resources can be the same), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device (i.e., the value of L) can be configured through information sent by the network device. Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, M is determined based on these parameters, and N can also be determined (for example express (rounded up to the nearest integer).

[0023] Optionally, the value of M satisfies: Indicates that the value of M is less than or equal to the result of rounding down Z / (L / Y), that is, the maximum value of M is

[0024] Optionally, the value of M is determined by other means.

[0025] For example, after mapping Z ROs to L SSBs, all integer mapping cycles are taken, and the ROs that cannot complete a subsequent mapping cycle are regarded as invalid ROs (the meaning of an invalid RO is that this RO is not used to send a preamble, there is no mapping of SSB and RO on it, and it does not affect the subsequent mapping of RO and SSB), that is, M is the maximum integer obtained by mapping Z ROs to L SSBs.

[0026] For another example, after mapping Z ROs to L SSBs, the first one or more mapping cycles are taken and the subsequent ROs are considered invalid. That is, the value of M is the number of mapping cycles.

[0027] As an example, taking Z as 8, Y as 1, and L as 4 as an example, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that among the 8 (i.e., Z=8) RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource, the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 1 (i.e., Y=1), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 4 (i.e., L=4). Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 2 (i.e., the maximum value of M satisfies: ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 8 (i.e. ) RO resources.

[0028] As another example, taking Z as 8, Y as 2, and L as 5 as an example, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that among the 8 (i.e., Z=8) RO resources included in the first PRACH resource, the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 2 (i.e., Y=2), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 5 (i.e., L=5). Accordingly, for the terminal device or the network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 3 (i.e., ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 8 (i.e. ) RO resources, the number of SSB indexes mapped to the last RO resource among the 8 RO resources is 1.

[0029] As another example, taking Z as 10, Y as 2, and L as 6 as an example, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that the first PRACH resource contains 10 (i.e., Z=10) RO resources, the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 2 (i.e., Y=2), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 6 (i.e., L=6). Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 3 (i.e., ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 9 (i.e. ) RO resources, the last RO resource among the 10 RO resources is not mapped to an SSB index or the last RO resource is an invalid RO resource.

[0030] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, time domain resources of a second PRACH resource subsequent to the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer. And / or time domain resources of a third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer.

[0031] In which, the terminal device sends a random access preamble based on the N RO resources, including: the terminal device sends the random access preamble based on the P RO resources and at least one of the Q RO resources, and the N RO resources; in which, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the P RO resources; and / or, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the Q RO resources.

[0032] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the resources used for uplink and downlink communications (such as the first PRACH resource), and can also send a random access preamble on the resources used for uplink communications (such as the second PRACH resource and / or the third PRACH resource), thereby increasing the uplink resources used for random access, improving uplink coverage by providing more random access resources, and reducing random access delay.

[0033] In addition, on the second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource, the SSB index associated with any of the two resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first PRACH. Since a terminal device (such as a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method enables a terminal device (such as a second terminal device) that supports communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication to reuse the SSB index associated with the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource. Thus, while reducing the configuration overhead, it is also possible to avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indexes on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0034] In the present application, the resources used for uplink communication are resources used for uplink transmission. For example, the resources used for uplink communication may be a frequency band, subband, etc. used for uplink transmission. Exemplarily, the resources used for uplink communication may be UL resources.

[0035] Optionally, the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource may be adjacent resources, and / or the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource may be adjacent resources. For example, the first PRACH resource satisfies any one or more of the following:

[0036] A start time unit index of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and an end time unit index of the time domain resource of the third PRACH resource are continuous;

[0037] The end time unit index of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the start time unit index of the time domain resource of the second PRACH resource are continuous;

[0038] Other resources between the start time unit of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the end time unit of the time domain resource of the third PRACH resource are any non-PRACH resources (for example, DL resources);

[0039] Other resources between the end time unit of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the start time unit of the time domain resource of the second PRACH resource are any non-PRACH resources (eg, DL resources).

[0040] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the time domain resources of the second PRACH resource following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; wherein the second PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the second PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a device that supports communication on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication.

[0041] And / or, the time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; wherein the third PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the third PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device.

[0042] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink and downlink communication (e.g., a first PRACH resource), and the terminal device does not send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink communication (e.g., a second PRACH resource and / or a third PRACH resource). Since a terminal device (e.g., a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources used for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method can avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indices on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0043] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first association period and the second association period are the same; the first association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication.

[0044] Alternatively, the association period may indicate a time concept in which the SSB and RO mapping patterns repeatedly appear in the time domain.

[0045] Based on the above technical solution, the first association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication and the second association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner. That is, the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication can follow the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association period and reduce the implementation complexity.

[0046] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the first association pattern period and the second association pattern period are the same; the first association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the second association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

[0047] Based on the above technical solution, the first association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication and the second association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner. That is, the association pattern period on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner as the association pattern period on the time domain resources used for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association pattern period and reduce implementation complexity.

[0048] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the terminal device receives second information, the second information being used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on a fourth PRACH resource and the SSB, the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource being located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication, the first random access preamble set being used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device being a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0049] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can receive the second information and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid conflicts caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource.

[0050] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0051] Optionally, the second information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0052] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: the terminal device receives third information, where the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0053] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0054] Optionally, the third information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0055] In a possible implementation of the first aspect, the method also includes: the terminal device receives fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set and an SSB carried on the first PRACH resource, and the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0056] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0057] Optionally, the fourth information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0058] Optionally, the third random access preamble set satisfies any one of the following:

[0059] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0060] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are the same as the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; or,

[0061] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set.

[0062] In a possible implementation manner of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate a number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following:

[0063] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0064] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0065] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0066] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device may further receive fifth information and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device can send the X random access preambles specified based on the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0067] Optionally, the fifth information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0068] The second aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a network device, or the method is executed by some components in the network device (such as a processor, chip or chip system, etc.), or the method can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the network device functions. In the second aspect and its possible implementation, the communication method is described as being executed by a network device. In this method, the network device determines first information, and the first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel PRACH resource. The time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity RO resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles. Each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L synchronization signals / physical broadcast channel blocks SSB and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the network device sends the first information.

[0069] Based on the above technical solution, after the terminal device receives the first information sent by the network device to indicate the first PRACH resource, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource. The time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications, that is, the one or more time domain units can be used for both uplink and downlink communications. In this way, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the first PRACH resource used for uplink and downlink communications, so that the terminal device can initiate random access through the resources used for uplink and downlink communications during the random access process, which can improve the uplink coverage while reducing the delay of the random access process.

[0070] In addition, the basis for the terminal device to send a random access preamble includes at least N RO resources in the first PRACH resource, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, where M is a positive integer. Each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, that is, the RO resources in each mapping cycle are mapped once in sequence to L different SSB indexes corresponding to the L SSBs, and any SSB can be associated (or mapped) with one or more ROs. In other words, on the first PRACH resource used for uplink and downlink communications, the N RO resources used to send a random access preamble include an integer number of mapping cycles, that is, the N RO resources used to send a random access preamble are associated with L SSBs to form an integer number of mapping cycles. Since the beam directions of different SSBs can be different when the network device sends L SSBs, the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam directions of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource in the above manner. Therefore, in each mapping cycle, the terminal device can determine the corresponding RO resource based on the SSB index of any SSB selected based on the L SSBs, so as to improve the success rate of the random access process, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0071] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first PRACH resource further includes K RO resources, where K is an integer; wherein the K RO resources satisfy at least one of the following:

[0072] The K RO resources are not used for random access; or,

[0073] The K RO resources are not used to carry random access preambles; or,

[0074] The K RO resources are invalid RO resources.

[0075] Based on the above technical solution, if the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource meet at least one of the above conditions, the terminal device will not send a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Accordingly, the network device will not receive and / or detect a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Since the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam direction of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource, the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource can not be used to transmit a random access preamble, which can avoid resource waste and reduce implementation complexity.

[0076] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, K is an integer less than , representing rounding up, and the number of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource is Z, where Z satisfies: Z=N+K.

[0077] Based on the above technical solution, when K is less than When the number of RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource is an integer and Z=N+K, the other K RO resources in the first PRACH resource are insufficient to form a complete mapping cycle with the L SSBs. In other words, the association of at most M mapping cycles is completed among the Z RO resources in the first PRACH resource. Therefore, N RO resources in the Z RO resources can be associated with as many mapping cycles as possible, and as many RO resources as possible can be provided in the first PRACH resource to improve the success rate of the random access process.

[0078] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the time domain resources of the second PRACH resource after the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; and / or, the time domain resources of the third PRACH resource before the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer.

[0079] The sending of the random access preamble based on the N RO resources includes: sending the random access preamble based on the P RO resources and at least one of the Q RO resources, as well as the N RO resources; wherein, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the P RO resources, or, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the Q RO resources.

[0080] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the resources used for uplink and downlink communications (such as the first PRACH resource), and can also send a random access preamble on the resources used for uplink communications (such as the second PRACH resource and / or the third PRACH resource), thereby increasing the uplink resources used for random access, improving uplink coverage by providing more random access resources, and reducing random access delay.

[0081] In addition, on the second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource, the SSB index associated with any of the two resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first PRACH. Since a terminal device (such as a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method enables a terminal device (such as a second terminal device) that supports communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication to reuse the SSB index associated with the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource. Thus, while reducing the configuration overhead, it is also possible to avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indexes on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0082] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the time domain resources of the second PRACH resource following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; wherein the second PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the second PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a device that supports communication on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication.

[0083] And / or, the time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; wherein the third PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the third PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device.

[0084] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink and downlink communication (e.g., a first PRACH resource), and the terminal device does not send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink communication (e.g., a second PRACH resource and / or a third PRACH resource). Since a terminal device (e.g., a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources used for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method can avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indices on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0085] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first association period and the second association period are the same; the first association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication.

[0086] Based on the above technical solution, the first association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication and the second association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner. That is, the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication can follow the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association period and reduce the implementation complexity.

[0087] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the first association pattern period and the second association pattern period are the same; the first association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the second association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

[0088] Based on the above technical solution, the first association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication and the second association pattern period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner. That is, the association pattern period on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same manner as the association pattern period on the time domain resources used for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association pattern period and reduce implementation complexity.

[0089] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends second information, the second information being used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on a fourth PRACH resource and the SSB, the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource being located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication, the first random access preamble set being used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device being a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0090] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can receive the second information from the network device, and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid conflicts caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource.

[0091] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0092] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends third information, where the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0093] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0094] In a possible implementation of the second aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set and an SSB carried on the first PRACH resource, and the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0095] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0096] In a possible implementation manner of the second aspect, the method further includes: the network device sending fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate a number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following:

[0097] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0098] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0099] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0100] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device may further receive fifth information from the network device, and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each of the one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device can send the X random access preambles specified by the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0101] A third aspect of the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a terminal device, or is executed by some components (such as a processor, chip, or chip system) in the terminal device, or can also be implemented by a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the terminal device functions. In the third aspect and its possible implementations, the communication method is described as being executed by a terminal device. In the method, a terminal device receives configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the terminal device receives second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB. The random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, which is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, which is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0102] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can receive the second information and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid conflicts caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource.

[0103] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0104] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the method also includes: the terminal device receives third information, and the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0105] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0106] In a possible implementation of the third aspect, the method also includes: the terminal device receives fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on the first PRACH resource and the SSB, and the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0107] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0108] Optionally, the third random access preamble set satisfies any one of the following:

[0109] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0110] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are the same as the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; or,

[0111] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set.

[0112] In a possible implementation manner of the third aspect, the method further includes: receiving, by the terminal device, fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate a number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following:

[0113] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0114] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0115] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0116] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device may further receive fifth information and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device can send the X random access preambles specified based on the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0117] In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication method, which is executed by a network device, or by a component of the network device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or by a logic module or software that implements all or part of the network device's functions. In the second aspect and its possible implementations, the communication method is described as being executed by a network device. In the method, a network device sends configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the network device sends second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB. The random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, which is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, which is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0118] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can receive the second information from the network device, and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid conflicts caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource.

[0119] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0120] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends third information, where the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0121] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0122] In a possible implementation of the fourth aspect, the method also includes: the network device sends fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on the first PRACH resource and the SSB, and the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

[0123] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0124] In a possible implementation manner of the fourth aspect, the method further includes: the network device sending fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate a number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following:

[0125] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0126] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0127] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0128] Based on the above technical solution, the terminal device may further receive fifth information from the network device, and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each of the one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device can send the X random access preambles specified by the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0129] In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device functions. In the fifth aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as an example of a terminal device.

[0130] The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the transceiver unit is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first PRACH resource, and the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N RO resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the processing unit is used to send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources.

[0131] In the fifth aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the first aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the first aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0132] In a sixth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a network device, or a component of a network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the network device functions. In the sixth aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as a network device.

[0133] The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the processing unit is used to determine first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, and the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity (RO) resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the transceiver unit is used to send the first information.

[0134] In the sixth aspect of this application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the second aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the second aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0135] In a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device, which is a terminal device, or a component of a terminal device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the terminal device functions. In the seventh aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as an example of a terminal device.

[0136] The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the transceiver unit is used to receive configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the processing unit is used to determine the fourth PRACH resource based on the configuration information; the transceiver unit is also used to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate the association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB. The random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, which is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, which is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0137] In the seventh aspect of the present application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the third aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the third aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0138] In an eighth aspect of the present application, a communication device is provided. The device is a network device, or the device is a component of the network device (such as a processor, chip, or chip system), or the device can also be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the network device functions. In the eighth aspect and its possible implementations, the communication device is described as an example of a network device.

[0139] The device includes a processing unit and a transceiver unit; the processing unit is used to determine configuration information and second information of a fourth PRACH resource; the transceiver unit is used to send configuration information of the fourth PRACH resource, and the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication; the transceiver unit is also used to send second information, and the second information is used to indicate the association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB. The random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0140] In the eighth aspect of the present application, the constituent modules of the communication device can also be used to execute the steps performed in each possible implementation method of the fourth aspect and achieve corresponding technical effects. For details, please refer to the fourth aspect and will not be repeated here.

[0141] In a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device, comprising at least one processor coupled to at least one memory; the at least one memory is used to store programs or instructions; the at least one processor is used to execute the program or instructions so that the device implements the method described in any possible implementation method of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0142] In a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device comprising at least one logic circuit and an input / output interface; the logic circuit is used to execute the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

[0143] In the eleventh aspect of the present application, a communication system is provided, which includes the above-mentioned terminal device and network device.

[0144] A twelfth aspect of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which is used to store one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method described in any possible implementation of any aspect of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0145] The thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product (or computer program). When the computer program in the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0146] A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a chip or chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the method described in any possible implementation of any one of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0147] In one possible design, the chip or chip system may further include at least one memory, at least one memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the communication device. The chip or chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete components. Optionally, the chip or chip system also includes an interface circuit that provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor.

[0148] Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth to fourteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by the different design methods in the above-mentioned first to fourth aspects, and will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0149] Figures 1a to 1d are schematic diagrams of some communication resources involved in this application;

[0150] FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided by the present application;

[0151] FIG3a and FIG3b are schematic diagrams of a random access process involved in this application;

[0152] Figures 4a to 4i are some schematic diagrams of PRACH resources involved in this application;

[0153] FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a communication method provided by the present application;

[0154] Figures 6 to 8 are some schematic diagrams of RO resources involved in this application;

[0155] FIG9 is another schematic diagram of the communication method provided by the present application;

[0156] 10 to 13 are some schematic diagrams of the communication device provided in this application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0157] First, some of the terms used in the embodiments of the present application are explained to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0158] (1) Configuration and pre-configuration: In this application, configuration and pre-configuration will be used at the same time. Configuration refers to the network equipment such as base stations or servers sending some parameter configuration information or parameter values ​​to the terminal through messages or signaling, so that the terminal can determine the communication parameters or resources during transmission based on these values ​​or information. Pre-configuration is similar to configuration. It can be a way for network equipment such as base stations or servers to send parameter information or values ​​to the terminal through a communication link or carrier; it can also be a way to give the definition of corresponding parameters or parameter values ​​in the standard, or by setting the relevant parameters or values ​​in the terminal device in advance. This application does not limit this. Furthermore, these values ​​and parameters can be changed or updated.

[0159] (2) In this application, “used for indication” can include direct indication and indirect indication. When describing that a certain indication information is used to indicate A, it can be understood that the indication information carries A, directly indicates A, or indirectly indicates A.

[0160] In this application, the information indicated by the indication information is referred to as the information to be indicated. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be indicated. For example, it can be implemented by direct indication, such as by indicating the information to be indicated itself or the index of the information to be indicated. It can also be implemented by indirectly indicating other information, wherein there is an association between the other information and the information to be indicated. It is also possible to indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, while the other parts of the information to be indicated are known or agreed in advance. For example, the indication of specific information can also be achieved with the help of the arrangement order of each information agreed in advance (for example, stipulated in the protocol), thereby reducing the indication overhead to a certain extent.

[0161] The information to be indicated can be sent as a whole, or divided into multiple sub-information and sent separately, and the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application. Among them, the sending period and / or sending time of these sub-information can be predefined, for example, predefined according to a protocol, or configured by the transmitting device by sending configuration information to the receiving device. Among them, the configuration information can, for example, but not limited to, include one or a combination of at least two of RRC signaling, medium access control (MAC) layer signaling and physical layer signaling. Among them, MAC layer signaling, for example, includes a medium access control control element (MAC CE); physical layer signaling, for example, includes downlink control information (DCI).

[0162] (3) The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of the present application can be used interchangeably. "At least one" means one or more, and "more" means two or more. "And / or" describes the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the previous and next associated objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, "at least one of A, B and C" includes A, B, C, AB, AC, BC or ABC. In addition, unless otherwise specified, the ordinal numbers such as "first" and "second" mentioned in the embodiments of the present application are used to distinguish multiple objects, and are not used to limit the order, timing, priority or importance of multiple objects.

[0163] In addition, in this application, unless otherwise specified, the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can refer to each other. In the various embodiments of this application, and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment, if there is no special explanation and logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment are consistent and can be referenced to each other. The technical features in different embodiments and the various methods / designs / implementations in each embodiment can be combined to form new embodiments, methods, or implementations according to their inherent logical relationships. The implementation methods of this application described below do not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection of this application.

[0164] (4) "Sending" and "receiving" in the embodiments of the present application indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, the communication process between entity A and entity B is taken as an example. In the present application, when entity A sends information to entity B, it can be that A sends it directly to B, or that A sends it indirectly to B through other entities. Similarly, when entity B receives information from entity A, it can be that entity B directly receives the information sent by entity A, or that entity B indirectly receives the information sent by entity A through other entities. Entities A and B here can be RAN nodes or terminals, or modules inside RAN nodes or terminals. The sending and receiving of information can be information interaction between a RAN node and a terminal, for example, information interaction between a base station and a terminal; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between two RAN nodes, for example, information interaction between a CU and a DU; the sending and receiving of information can also be information interaction between different modules inside a device, for example, information interaction between a terminal chip and other modules of the terminal, or information interaction between a base station chip and other modules in the base station. "Sending" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receiving" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface.

[0165] (5) Sub-band full-duplex.

[0166] With the rapid development of New Radio (NR), the fifth-generation mobile communication technology, a variety of communication needs have emerged. Emerging services such as virtual reality (VR) and Industry 4.0 require NR to support low-latency, high-capacity uplink services. However, in widely used time division duplexing (TDD) systems, the downlink (DL) typically occupies the majority of time resources, resulting in poor uplink (UL) coverage and high latency, which may not meet the needs of emerging services such as VR and Industry 4.0.

[0167] For example, as shown in Figure 1a, the horizontal direction represents the time domain (denoted as Time), the vertical direction represents the frequency domain (denoted as Freq), the rectangular block "DL" represents a group of time-frequency resources used for downlink data or control information transmission, and the time domain range occupied by it is called a downlink time slot (DL slot), and the rectangular block "UL" represents a group of time-frequency resources used for uplink data or control information transmission, and the time domain range occupied by it is called an uplink time slot (UL slot).

[0168] In one possible implementation, subband full duplex (SBFD) and single frequency full duplex (SFFD) solutions are used to improve uplink coverage and reduce latency in TDD systems. In SBFD, a component carrier (CC) is divided into multiple non-overlapping subbands, and the transmission directions of different subbands can be different. The following examples illustrate these two approaches.

[0169] As shown in Figures 1b and 1c, the horizontal direction represents the time domain, and the vertical direction represents the frequency domain. "DL" blocks represent downlink resources, used for downlink data or control information transmission, and "UL" blocks represent uplink resources, used for uplink data or control information transmission. The time period containing both DL and UL is called an SBFD time slot or symbol, while the time period containing only uplink resources is called an uplink time slot or uplink symbol. Simply put, in SBFD, the uplink and downlink use different frequency domain resources (subbands), while in SFFD, the uplink and downlink use the same frequency domain resources.

[0170] As shown in Figure 1d, in the SFFD scheme, the entire CC can be used for both transmission and reception within a symbol. In Figure 1d, the horizontal direction represents the time domain, and the vertical direction represents the frequency domain. The "DL & UL" rectangles in the figure represent a set of time-frequency resources used for both downlink and uplink data or control information transmission.

[0171] (6)Other terms.

[0172] 1. Subcarrier: In an OFDM system, frequency domain resources are divided into several sub-resources. Each sub-resource in the frequency domain is called a subcarrier. A subcarrier can also be understood as the minimum granularity of frequency domain resources.

[0173] 2. Subcarrier Spacing: In an OFDM system, the spacing between the center or peak positions of two adjacent subcarriers in the frequency domain. For example, the subcarrier spacing in an LTE system is 15 kHz, while the subcarrier spacing in a 5G NR system can be 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, or 120 kHz.

[0174] 3. Resource Block: N consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain are called a resource block. For example, a resource block in the LTE system includes 12 subcarriers, and a resource block in the NR system also includes 12 subcarriers. As communication systems evolve, the number of subcarriers in a resource block can also be different.

[0175] 4. Time slot: In the NR system, a time slot consists of 14 OFDM symbols. The time slot length corresponding to the 15kHz subcarrier spacing is 1ms, and the time slot length corresponding to the 30kHz subcarrier spacing is 0.5ms.

[0176] 5. Subframe: The duration of a subframe in the NR system is 1ms.

[0177] 6. OFDM symbol: the smallest time unit in the time domain in the OFDM system.

[0178] 7. Time-frequency resource unit: The smallest resource granularity in the OFDM system, which is an OFDM symbol in the time domain and a subcarrier in the frequency domain.

[0179] 8. RO: RO can be understood as the time-frequency resources used by terminal devices for random access.

[0180] 9. Preamble: Preamble is the access sequence sent by the UE during random access.

[0181] 10. PRACH: Physical random access channel that carries the Preamble sequence.

[0182] 11. RO-SSB Mapping: To improve performance, the base station broadcasts SSB using different beams. The terminal measures the received signal strength of the SSB in different beams and selects the best beam. To facilitate the terminal's feedback of the selected beam, the base station binds the SSB and RO to form an SSB-RO mapping. This allows the terminal to determine the selected beam based on the RO position where the terminal sends the preamble. The beam can be an analog beam, a digital beam, or other similar beams.

[0183] 12. RO-SSB mapping cycle: The minimum time interval for completing the mapping of all SSBs to ROs is called the SSB-RO mapping cycle.

[0184] The present application can be applied to a long term evolution (LTE) system, a new radio (NR) system, or other communication systems, wherein the communication system includes a network device and a terminal device, the network device serves as a configuration information sending entity, and the terminal device serves as a configuration information receiving entity. Specifically, in the communication system, there is an entity that sends configuration information to another entity, and sends data to another entity, or receives data sent by another entity; another entity receives the configuration information, and sends data to the configuration information sending entity according to the configuration information, or receives data sent by the configuration information sending entity. Among them, the present application can be applied to a terminal device in a connected state or an active state (ACTIVE), and can also be applied to a terminal device in a non-connected state (INACTIVE) or an idle state (IDLE).

[0185] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system 1000 used in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system includes a radio access network (RAN) 100 and a core network 200. Optionally, the communication system 1000 may also include the Internet 300. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (such as 110a and 110b in Figure 2, collectively referred to as 110), and may also include at least one terminal (such as 120a-120j in Figure 2, collectively referred to as 120). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal 120 is connected to the RAN node 110 via a wireless connection, and the RAN node 110 is connected to the core network 200 via a wireless or wired connection. The core network device in the core network 200 and the RAN node 110 in the RAN 100 may be independent and different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device that integrates the logical functions of the core network device and the logical functions of the RAN node. Terminals and RAN nodes may be connected to each other via wired or wireless means.

[0186] RAN100 may be an evolved universal terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) system, a NR system, or a future radio access system defined in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). RAN100 may also include two or more of the aforementioned different radio access systems. RAN100 may also be an open RAN (O-RAN).

[0187] A RAN node, also known as a radio access network device, RAN entity, or access node, facilitates wireless access to a communication system by a terminal. In one application scenario, a RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB) in a fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication system, a next-generation base station in a sixth-generation (6G) mobile communication system, or a base station in a future mobile communication system. A RAN node can be a macro base station (such as 110a in Figure 2), a micro base station, an indoor station (such as 110b in Figure 2), a relay node, or a donor node.

[0188] In another application scenario, multiple RAN nodes can collaborate to help terminals achieve wireless access, with different RAN nodes implementing portions of the base station's functions. For example, a RAN node can be a centralized unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), or a radio unit (RU). The CU implements the base station's radio resource control protocol and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) functions, and can also implement the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) functions; the DU implements the base station's radio link control layer and MAC layer functions, and can also implement some or all of the physical layer functions. For detailed descriptions of each of the above protocol layers, please refer to the relevant technical specifications of 3GPP. The RU can be used to implement the transmission and reception of radio frequency signals. The CU and DU can be two independent RAN nodes, or they can be integrated into the same RAN node, such as in a baseband unit (BBU). The RU can be included in radio frequency equipment, such as a remote radio unit (RRU) or an active antenna unit (AAU). The CU can be further divided into two types of RAN nodes: CU-control plane and CU-user plane.

[0189] In different systems, CU (or CU-CP and CU-UP), DU or RU may also have different names, but those skilled in the art can understand their meanings. For example, in an open access network (open RAN, O-RAN or ORAN) system, CU may also be called O-CU (open CU), DU may also be called O-DU, CU-CP may also be called O-CU-CP, CU-UP may also be called O-CU-UP, and RU may also be called O-RU. For the convenience of description, this application takes CU, CU-CP, CU-UP, DU and RU as examples for description. Any unit of CU (or CU-CP, CU-UP), DU and RU in this application can be implemented by a software module, a hardware module, or a combination of a software module and a hardware module.

[0190] The communication between the access network device and the terminal device follows a certain protocol layer structure. The protocol layer may include a control plane protocol layer and a user plane protocol layer. The control plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: a radio resource control (RRC) layer, a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, a radio link control (RLC) layer, a media access control (MAC) layer, or a physical (PHY) layer. The user plane protocol layer may include at least one of the following: a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) layer, a PDCP layer, an RLC layer, a MAC layer, or a physical layer.

[0191] For the correspondence between network elements in the ORAN system and their achievable protocol layer functions, please refer to Table 1 below.

[0192] Table 1

[0193] For ease of description, a base station is taken as an example of a RAN node for description below.

[0194] A terminal is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities that can send signals to a base station or receive signals from a base station. A terminal may also be referred to as a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grid, smart furniture, smart office, smart wearable, smart transportation, smart city, etc. A terminal can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable device, vehicle, airplane, ship, robot, robotic arm, smart home device, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technology and specific device form adopted by the terminal.

[0195] Base stations and terminals can be fixed or mobile. They can be deployed on land, indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; on water; or on aircraft, balloons, and satellites. The embodiments of this application do not limit the application scenarios of base stations and terminals.

[0196] The roles of base stations and terminals can be relative. For example, the helicopter or drone 120i in Figure 2 can be configured as a mobile base station. To terminals 120j accessing the wireless access network 100 via 120i, terminal 120i is a base station. However, to base station 110a, 120i is a terminal, meaning that communication between 110a and 120i occurs via a wireless air interface protocol. Of course, communication between 110a and 120i can also occur via a base station-to-base station interface protocol. In this case, 120i is also a base station relative to 110a. Therefore, base stations and terminals can be collectively referred to as communication devices. 110a and 110b in Figure 2 can be referred to as communication devices with base station functionality, while 120a-120j in Figure 2 can be referred to as communication devices with terminal functionality.

[0197] Communication between base stations and terminals, between base stations, and between terminals can be carried out through authorized spectrum, unauthorized spectrum, or both; communication can be carried out through spectrum below 6 gigahertz (GHz), spectrum above 6 GHz, or spectrum below 6 GHz and spectrum above 6 GHz. The embodiments of the present application do not limit the spectrum resources used for wireless communication.

[0198] In the embodiments of the present application, the functions of the base station may also be performed by a module (such as a chip) in the base station, or by a control subsystem that includes the base station functions. The control subsystem that includes the base station functions here may be a control center in the above-mentioned application scenarios such as smart grid, industrial control, smart transportation, and smart city. The functions of the terminal may also be performed by a module (such as a chip or modem) in the terminal, or by a device that includes the terminal functions.

[0199] The embodiments of the present application mainly relate to a random access process, which will be exemplarily described below.

[0200] In LTE and NR, the terminal completes uplink time synchronization with the base station through the random access (RA) process, and establishes an RRC connection with the base station through the random access process. After the terminal and the base station establish an RRC connection, uplink and downlink service data can be transmitted. In addition, generally, before initiating uplink random access, the terminal also detects and receives the downlink synchronization signal sent by the base station to complete downlink time synchronization and frequency synchronization. The downlink synchronization signal generally includes the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS). In NR, the PSS and SSS are carried in the synchronization / broadcast block (SSB).

[0201] Currently, in NR, there are two types of random access procedures: Type-1 RA and Type-2 RA. Type-1 RA is also known as the 4-step RA process, and Type-2 RA is also known as the 2-step RA process. Depending on whether there is a conflict in the transmission of preambles between UEs, Type-1 / Type-2 RA procedures include contention-based random access (CBRA) and contention-free random access (CFRA). The CBRA and CFRA processes are basically the same.

[0202] As an example, the following takes the terminal device as a UE and the network device as a gNB as an example, and combines the example shown in Figure 3a to introduce the contention-based random access process.

[0203] Msg1 transmission: The terminal randomly selects a random access opportunity (RACH occasion, RO) associated with the SSB index (RO can be understood as the time-frequency resource used by the terminal device for random access, and the network device preconfigures the association between RO and SSB index) to send the preamble (that is, Msg1) in the selected RO according to the system message sent by the network device and the index of the selected SSB. After determining the time-frequency resource, that is, RO, the UE selects a Preamble sequence in the selected RO (up to 64 Preambles can be transmitted simultaneously on an RO, and the UE selects one Preamble sequence among the 64 Preamble sequences) and sends it. The terminal then sends the Preamble sequence to the network device, which is carried by the physical random access channel (PRACH).

[0204] Msg2 transmission: After receiving the Preamble, the network device sends a random access response (RAR) message to the terminal. The random access response RAR, namely Msg2, includes scheduling information for allocating Msg3, i.e., RAR UL grant information. After sending Msg1, the terminal starts the random access response window and listens for Msg2 sent by the network side within the window. If the terminal successfully detects its own RAR, the random access is successful, and the terminal continues to send Msg3 according to the instructions of the RAR. The main function of Msg3 is to send an RRC connection establishment request. If the terminal does not receive its own RAR, the random access fails, and the terminal re-initiates the random access process according to the backoff parameters indicated by the base station until the maximum number of random access times is reached.

[0205] Msg3 transmission: Msg3 is sent on the time-frequency resources specified by Msg2 and is carried by the PUSCH channel.

[0206] Msg4 transmission: Msg4 is mainly used for conflict resolution. When multiple terminals access the network at the same time, it is necessary to determine which terminal to select for random access. Specifically, after sending Msg3, the terminal listens for and receives Msg4 sent by the network side. Msg4 carries a conflict resolution identifier and the air interface parameter configuration for the terminal. If the terminal successfully receives Msg4, the random access is successful, otherwise the random access fails. If successful, the terminal continues to send Msg5. Msg5 is mainly used to send the RRC establishment completion command. If it fails, the terminal re-initiates the random access process according to the fallback parameters indicated by the base station until the maximum number of random access times is reached.

[0207] For example, as shown in Figure 3b, using CBRA as an example, the Type-2 RA process combines the first four steps of the Type-1 RA process into two. The terminal simultaneously sends Msg1 and Msg3, referred to as MsgA. After detecting MsgA, the base station provides feedback and sends MsgB.

[0208] In addition, during the random access process, the UE can send a preamble sequence (preamble) on a random access occasion (RACH occasion, RO). An RO can be considered as a time-frequency resource for transmitting the preamble. An RO can support code division multiplexing transmission of multiple preamble sequences, and an NR cell supports multiple ROs. Unlike LTE, NR introduces multi-beam operation, so the random access process of NR is based on beam transmission. For UEs in the initial access phase, its transmission is mainly based on SSB beams. For UEs in the connected state, it can also be based on channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) beams. NR can support the base station to send SSBs in multiple beam directions. For example, in FR1, it can support up to 8 SSBs. The UE can select one of the SSBs and use the SSB beam to send PRACH. Regarding how the UE selects the SSB to send PRACH, if the base station does not configure the reference signal received power (RSRP) threshold value, the UE can select any SSB to send PRACH. Otherwise, it can select any SSB among the SSB(s) (if any) that exceeds the RSRP threshold value to send PRACH.

[0209] Exemplarily, the network device may configure the PRACH in the UL time slot via a random access channel generic configuration (RACH-ConfigGeneric) information element in a broadcast message, and thereafter, the terminal device may perform random access using the PRACH in the UL time slot.

[0210] As shown in Figure 4a, the horizontal direction represents the time domain, and the vertical direction represents the frequency domain. The left side of the figure represents the full-duplex time slot (FD slot), and the right side represents the uplink time slot (UL slot). The dashed box of the UL time slot represents a PRACH resource specified by RACH-ConfigGeneric. For example, by looking up the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex in the higher-layer information element RACH-ConfigGeneric in Tables 6.3.3.2-2 to 6.3.3.2-4, the PRACH's time-domain distribution period, frame number, subframe number, time slot number, and the number of ROs in the time slot can be obtained.

[0211] As shown in Figure 4b, the three black squares in the top layer are the frames where the PRACH is located, and the time domain distance between any two purple squares is the PRACH period. The middle layer is composed of the subframes of the frame where the PRACH is located, where each square filled with a slash (for example, the squares corresponding to indexes 4 and 9) is the subframe where the PRACH is located. The bottom layer shows the time slot structure of the subframe where the PRACH is located, where the first black square is the time slot where the PRACH is located, called the PRACH slot, which contains 6 small squares, each of which is 1 RO, that is, the PRACH slot contains 6 ROs.

[0212] Optionally, the starting position and the number of frequency division multiplexing of the PRACH in the frequency domain can be obtained respectively according to the parameters msg1-FrequencyStart and msg1-FDM in the higher-layer information element RACH-ConfigGeneric, which also determines the frequency domain position of the PRACH.

[0213] As shown in FIG4c , the vertical direction represents the frequency domain, each block is one RO, and four ROs are arranged starting from the frequency domain position specified by msg1-FrequencyStart.

[0214] During Msg1 transmission, the UE can select an RO to transmit the Preamble sequence based on the index of the selected SSB. Therefore, in the current NR standard, in addition to specifying the PRACH location, the network equipment also needs to specify the RO-SSB mapping relationship (one SSB index can be associated with multiple ROs, or multiple SSB indices can be associated with one RO).

[0215] Specifically, the network device can configure the mapping relationship between Y SSBs and 1 RO through the high-level parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB. When Y is less than 1, 1 SSB is associated with 1 / Y ROs; when Y is greater than 1, Y SSBs are associated with 1 RO (1 SSB is associated with 1 / Y ROs).

[0216] For example, as shown in Figure 4d, when Y = 1 / 2, one SSB is associated with two ROs, and when Y = 2, one RO is associated with two SSBs (the two SSBs on one RO are associated with different preambles). Therefore, when one SSB index is associated with multiple ROs, the UE selects one of the multiple ROs and selects the preamble sequence to be transmitted on the RO. After determining the association between the RO and the SSB, the RO-SSB mapping can be started, and the order is frequency domain first, then time domain, first same slot, then same frame, and finally different frame.

[0217] As an example, as shown in Figure 4e, the horizontal direction represents the time domain and the vertical direction represents the frequency domain. When the SSB set used by the base station is {SSBi, SSBi+1, SSBi+2, SSBi+3}, msg1-FDM=4 and Y=1 / 4, 1 SSB is associated with 4 ROs, and the RO set is recorded as {RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4}. 16 ROs complete a complete RO-SSB mapping cycle. The specific RO-SSB mapping order is arranged starting from the frequency domain corresponding to a certain RO time domain position, that is, RO1-RO4 corresponding to SSBi occupy the first RO time domain of the starting PRACH time slot of the same frame. The position corresponds to the 4 RO positions in the frequency domain, RO1-RO4 corresponding to SSBi+1 occupies the second RO time domain position of the starting PRACH time slot corresponding to the 4 RO positions in the frequency domain, RO1-RO4 corresponding to SSBi+1 occupies the second RO time domain position of the starting PRACH time slot of the same frame corresponding to the 4 RO positions in the frequency domain, RO1-RO4 corresponding to SSBi+2 occupies the first RO time domain position of the second PRACH time slot of the same frame corresponding to the 4 RO positions in the frequency domain, RO1-RO4 corresponding to SSBi+3 occupies the second RO time domain position of the second PRACH time slot of the same frame corresponding to the 4 RO positions in the frequency domain.

[0218] In addition, the concepts of mapping cycle and association cycle may also be involved in the random access process, which will be introduced below respectively.

[0219] Mapping cycle: The process of mapping all SSBs sent by base stations to ROs is called a mapping cycle.

[0220] For example, as shown in FIG4f , it is assumed that the value of ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB is 1 (i.e., the mapping relationship of configuration Y=1 SSB to 1 RO, in other words, the RO and SSB index are one-to-one), and the value of msg1-FDM is 2 (i.e., the number of ROs in one time unit is 2, and the number of frequency-division ROs (FDM-ROs) is 2). (That is, the number of different SSB indexes in the SSB sent by the network device is 4). In Figure 4f, taking the four SSB indexes SSB 0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3 as an example, mapping these four SSBs once is a mapping cycle. It should be understood that in this example, a mapping cycle includes 4 ROs. For example, RO 0 to RO3 is one mapping cycle, and RO 4 to RO7 is another mapping cycle. Optionally, in this example, the SSB index can be other values, such as SSB index 5, SSB index 7, SSB index 8, SSB index 10, depending on the configuration of the base station.

[0221] Association period: The association period is an integer multiple of the PRACH configuration period. When the PRACH configuration period is 10ms, the association period can be 10ms, 20ms, 40ms, 80ms, or 160ms (see Table 2 below, see 38211, 8.1-1). The specific value is the minimum value among these values ​​that maps all transmitted SSBs at least once.

[0222] For example, in the example shown in FIG4g, it is assumed that the value of ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB is 2 (ie, the mapping relationship of Y=2 SSBs to 1 RO is configured), and the value of msg1-FDM is 2 (ie, the number of ROs in one time unit is 2). (That is, the number of different SSB indices in the SSB sent by the network device is 5.) Assuming that the first PRACH configuration cycle only contains RO 0 and RO 1, it cannot map all SSBs once, so a second PRACH configuration cycle is required. Assuming that the second PRACH configuration cycle contains RO2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, these two PRACH configuration cycles can map all SSBs at least once, which is an association cycle (for example, 2 configuration cycles are 20ms).

[0223] In addition, in the association period shown in Figure 4g, after the SSB is mapped once, there are still some ROs left (for example, ROs 3 to 7, and there is still a position for an SSB left in RO 2). In these remaining ROs, the SSB can be mapped 2 more times, so a total of 3 times are mapped, which can also be understood as 3 rounds of mapping, with 3 mapping cycles. At this time, if there are still ROs left, and these remaining ROs cannot map all SSBs once, then the SSBs are not mapped. If there are still some preamble indexes left in the remaining ROs that are not mapped with SSBs, then the SSBs are not mapped either. For example, RO 7 in Figure 4g has only 1 SSB mapped, and there is still one position that can be mapped with SSBs, so the SSBs are not mapped.

[0224] For example, as shown in FIG4h, it is assumed that the value of ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB is 2 (ie, the mapping relationship of Y=2 SSBs to 1 RO is configured), and the value of msg1-FDM is 2 (ie, the number of ROs in one time unit is 2). (That is, the number of different SSB indices in the SSB sent by the network device is 6.) Assuming that the first PRACH configuration cycle only contains RO 0 and RO 1, it cannot map all SSBs once, so a second PRACH configuration cycle is required. Assuming that the second PRACH configuration cycle contains RO2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, these two PRACH configuration cycles can map all SSBs at least once, which is an association cycle (for example, 2 configuration cycles are 20ms).

[0225] In addition, in the association period shown in FIG4h, after the SSB is mapped once, there are still some ROs (for example, ROs 3 to 9) left. In these remaining ROs, the SSB can be mapped 2 more times, so a total of 3 mappings are made, which can also be understood as 3 rounds of mapping, with 3 mapping cycles. At this time, if there are still ROs left, and these remaining ROs cannot map all SSBs once, then the SSBs are not mapped. If there are still some preamble indexes left in the remaining ROs that are not mapped with SSBs, then the SSBs are not mapped either. In this case, in the association period that includes the first PRACH configuration period and the second PRACH configuration period, since there are only two positions left that can be used to map SSBs, which is less than For this reason, RO 9 does not map SSB.

[0226] Table 2

[0227] Association pattern period: The association pattern period consists of one or more association periods, with a maximum length of 160ms. The mapping between SSB and RO is identical, i.e., repeated, within the association pattern period.

[0228] As an example, as shown in Figure 4i, an SSB period and an association pattern period corresponding to the SSB period are both 80ms. The association pattern period includes three association periods, namely, one 40ms association period and two 20ms association periods.

[0229] In the example shown in Figure 4i, the value of ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB is 1 (that is, the mapping relationship of configuration Y = 1 SSB to 1 RO, in other words, the RO and SSB index are one-to-one), and the value of msg1-FDM is 1 (that is, the number of ROs in one time unit is 1).

[0230] In the example shown in Figure 4i, a solid-line box represents an RO, where a solid-line box filled with diagonal lines is an invalid RO (invalid RO), a solid-line box with a number is an RO mapped with an SSB index, and the number in the box indicates the SSB index mapped by the RO, and a solid-line box with a gray fill pattern is the remaining RO, that is, the RO without an SSB mapping. Among them, the RO without an SSB mapping is considered an invalid RO, that is, the terminal device cannot use this RO to send a preamble, and the base station will not receive and detect the preamble on this RO.

[0231] For example, taking the 40ms association period as an example, there are a total of 40 RO positions. Excluding the 5 invalid ROs in the first 10ms, there are 35 RO positions left that can be used to map SSB indexes. When the number of SSB indexes is 16 (i.e., SSB 1 to SSB 16), these 35 ROs can be used to map two complete rounds of SSB indexes. The remaining three ROs are insufficient to map a complete SSB index. Therefore, in the last 10ms of the 40ms association period, the last three ROs have no SSB indexes mapped.

[0232] For example, taking any 20ms association period as an example, there are a total of 20 RO positions. When the number of SSB indexes is 16 (i.e., SSB 1 to SSB 16), these 20 ROs can be used to map a complete round of SSB indexes. The remaining four ROs are insufficient to map a complete SSB index. Therefore, in any 20ms association period, the last four ROs in the last 10ms have no SSB index mapped.

[0233] As can be seen from the above introduction, in a TDD system, the downlink usually occupies most of the time resources. In this case, since the terminal device has fewer time domain resources to perform uplink transmission, it is easy to cause poor uplink coverage, which in turn leads to increased communication delay. In addition, although related concepts such as SBFD / SFFD have been proposed (as described in Figures 1a to 1d above), in the current random access process, the various parameters configured by the network device are configured for resources used only for uplink. Therefore, how to achieve random access through resources used for uplink and downlink communications during the random access process is a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

[0234] To solve the above problems, the present application provides a communication method and related devices for reducing the delay of the random access process, which will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0235] Please refer to FIG5 , which is a schematic diagram of an implementation of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0236] It should be noted that, in FIG5 , the method is illustrated by taking the terminal device and the network device as the execution subjects of the interaction diagram as an example, but the present application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction diagram. For example, the terminal device that executes S501-S502 in FIG5 and the corresponding implementation method can be the terminal device, or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device to implement the method, or it can be a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the terminal device. The network device that executes S501-S502 in FIG5 and the corresponding implementation method can be the network device, or it can be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device to implement the method, and it can also be replaced by a logic module or software that can realize all or part of the functions of the network device.

[0237] Similarly, in the implementation process shown in Figure 9 below, it can be executed by a terminal device and a network device, or by a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal device and the network device to implement the method, or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the terminal device and the network device.

[0238] S501. A network device sends first information, and correspondingly, a terminal device receives the first information. The first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, and the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access occasion (RO) resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by an association relationship between L synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB or S-SS / PSBCH block) and N RO resources, and L, N, and M are all positive integers.

[0239] S502. The terminal device sends a random access preamble based on the N RO resources.

[0240] In the present application, the process of a terminal device sending a random access preamble can be understood as the terminal device sending message 1 (message 1, MSG1) or message A (message A, MSGA) containing a random access preamble, such as the signals involved in the random access process described in Figures 3a and 3b above. The random access preamble can be replaced by other terms, such as preamble, preamble sequence, preamble signal, random access preamble sequence, random access signal, random access preamble signal, etc.

[0241] Optionally, in the RO resources of M mapping cycles, the RO resources contained in each mapping cycle can be used for one mapping of L different SSB indexes corresponding to L SSBs. In other words, N RO resources are the RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, which can be understood as the N RO resources that can be used for M mappings of L different SSB indexes corresponding to L SSBs.

[0242] In the present application, resources used for uplink and downlink communications may include resources used for uplink transmission and resources used for downlink transmission. For example, taking the resource as a subband as an example, the resource used for uplink and downlink communications may include a subband for uplink transmission and a subband for downlink transmission, wherein the subband for uplink transmission and the subband for downlink transmission are located on the same component carrier.

[0243] Optionally, the subband used for uplink transmission and the subband used for downlink transmission contain at least one identical subcarrier, or one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for uplink transmission are different from one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for downlink transmission, or one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for uplink transmission are the same as one or more subcarriers contained in the subband used for downlink transmission.

[0244] For example, the resources used for uplink and downlink communications may be subband full duplex (SBFD) resources, single frequency full duplex (SFFD) resources, etc. Taking SBFD resources as an example, for one carrier, the frequency resource configuration may include at least a DL subband and a UL subband.

[0245] Optionally, in order to avoid cross-link interference between downlink transmission on the DL subband and uplink transmission on the UL subband, a guard band may be defined between the DL subband and the UL subband. This application does not specify whether the guard band should be explicitly defined or whether transmission can be performed on the guard band. In addition, there is no limitation on whether a guard band exists between the DL subband and the UL subband, and if a guard band exists, whether transmission can be performed on the guard band. In addition, this application does not specify whether the DL subband and the UL subband can overlap.

[0246] Optionally, regarding the configuration of SBFD, depending on whether a time slot contains both SBFD symbols and non-SBFD (non-SBFD) symbols, there are the following two possible configuration methods. In this application, there is no limitation on the following two configuration methods, where SBFD symbols can be considered as symbols configured with SBFD, and non-SBFD symbols can be considered as symbols not configured with SBFD.

[0247] For example, SBFD is configured at a time slot level, that is, all symbols contained in a time slot are configured as SBFD symbols or all symbols are configured as non-SBFD symbols.

[0248] For another example, SBFD is configured at the symbol level, that is, a portion of the symbols contained in a time slot can be configured as SBFD symbols, and the other portion can be configured as non-SBFD symbols.

[0249] In a possible implementation, the first PRACH resource further includes K RO resources, where K is an integer; wherein the K RO resources satisfy at least one of the following:

[0250] The K RO resources are not used for random access; or,

[0251] The K RO resources are not used to carry random access preambles; or,

[0252] The K RO resources are invalid RO resources.

[0253] Specifically, if the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource meet at least one of the above conditions, the terminal device will not send a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Accordingly, the network device will not receive and / or detect a random access preamble based on the K RO resources. Since the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam direction of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource, the other K RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource can not be used to transmit a random access preamble, which can avoid resource waste and reduce implementation complexity.

[0254] Optionally, K is less than integer, It represents N / M rounded up. The number of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource is Z, and Z satisfies: Z=N+K.

[0255] Specifically, when K is less than When the number of RO resources other than the N RO resources in the first PRACH resource is an integer and Z=N+K, the other K RO resources in the first PRACH resource are insufficient to form a complete mapping cycle with the L SSBs. In other words, the association of at most M mapping cycles is completed among the Z RO resources in the first PRACH resource. Therefore, N RO resources in the Z RO resources can be associated with as many mapping cycles as possible, and as many RO resources as possible can be provided in the first PRACH resource to improve the success rate of the random access process.

[0256] It should be understood that in M ​​mapping cycles, each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources. For example, parameters such as the total number Z of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource, the number Y of SSB indexes associated with any RO resource (the number of SSB indexes associated with different RO resources can be the same), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device (i.e., the value of L) can be configured through information sent by the network device. Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, M is determined based on these parameters, and N can also be determined (for example express (rounded up to the nearest integer).

[0257] Optionally, the value of M satisfies: Indicates that the value of M is less than or equal to the result of rounding down Z / (L / Y), that is, the maximum value of M is

[0258] Optionally, the value of M is determined by other means.

[0259] For example, after mapping Z ROs to L SSBs, all integer mapping cycles can be taken, and ROs that cannot complete a subsequent mapping cycle are considered invalid. That is, M is the maximum integer obtained by mapping Z ROs to L SSBs. Among them, invalid RO means that this RO is not used to send preambles, there is no SSB-RO mapping on it, and it does not affect subsequent RO-SSB mapping.

[0260] For another example, after mapping Z ROs to L SSBs, the first one or more mapping cycles are taken and the subsequent ROs are considered invalid. That is, the value of M is the number of mapping cycles.

[0261] As an example, the value of Z is 8, the value of Y is 1 (the value of Y can be determined by ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB), and the value of L is 4 (the value of L can be determined by As shown in Figure 4f, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource in the 8 (i.e., Z=8) RO resources (i.e., RO 0 to RO 7 in Figure 4f) included in the first PRACH resource is 1 (i.e., Y=1), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 4 (i.e., L=4). Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 2 (i.e., the maximum value of M satisfies: ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 8 (i.e. ) RO resources.

[0262] As another example, the value of Z is 8, the value of Y is 2 (the value of Y can be determined by ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB), and the value of L is 5 (the value of L can be determined by As shown in Figure 4g, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that the first PRACH resource contains 8 (i.e., Z=8) RO resources (i.e., RO 0 to RO 7 in Figure 4g), the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 2 (i.e., Y=2), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 5 (i.e., L=5). Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 3 (i.e., ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 8 (i.e. ) RO resources, the number of SSB indexes mapped to the last RO resource among the 8 RO resources is 1.

[0263] As another example, the value of Z is 10, the value of Y is 2 (the value of Y can be determined by ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB), and the value of L is 6 (the value of L can be determined by As shown in Figure 4h, the terminal device can determine based on these parameters that among the 10 (i.e., Z=10) RO resources included in the first PRACH resource, the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 2 (i.e., Y=2), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 6 (i.e., L=6). Accordingly, for the terminal device or network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 3 (i.e., ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 9 (i.e. ) RO resources, the last RO resource among the 10 RO resources is not mapped to an SSB index or the last RO resource is an invalid RO resource.

[0264] Based on the technical solution shown in Figure 5, after the terminal device receives the first information indicating the first PRACH resource in step S501, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource in step S502. The time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communications, that is, the one or more time domain units can be used for both uplink and downlink communications. In this way, the terminal device can send a random access preamble based on the first PRACH resource for uplink and downlink communications, so that the terminal device can initiate random access through the resources used for uplink and downlink communications during the random access process, which can improve the uplink coverage while reducing the delay of the random access process.

[0265] In addition, the basis for the terminal device to send a random access preamble includes at least N RO resources in the first PRACH resource, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, where M is a positive integer. Each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, that is, the RO resources in each mapping cycle are mapped once in sequence to L different SSB indexes corresponding to the L SSBs, and any SSB can be associated (or mapped) with one or more ROs. In other words, on the first PRACH resource used for uplink and downlink communications, the N RO resources used to send a random access preamble include an integer number of mapping cycles, that is, the N RO resources used to send a random access preamble are associated with L SSBs to form an integer number of mapping cycles. Since the beam directions of different SSBs can be different when the network device sends L SSBs, the terminal device can traverse / poll the beam directions of each SSB in each mapping cycle of the first PRACH resource in the above manner. Therefore, in each mapping cycle, the terminal device can determine the corresponding RO resource based on the SSB index of any SSB selected based on the L SSBs, so as to improve the success rate of the random access process, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0266] In the implementation process shown in Figure 5, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the first PRACH resource used for uplink and downlink communication. In order to be compatible with other terminal devices that do not support communication on the resources used for uplink and downlink communication (hereinafter referred to as first terminal devices), the network device may also need to configure RO resources in addition to the first PRACH resources used for uplink and downlink communication, so that these first terminal devices can achieve random access based on the RO resources.

[0267] As an example, as shown in Figure 6, in the time domain, the resources used for uplink communication include time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3; on these two time resources, the first terminal device can achieve random access based on one or more ROs included. Correspondingly, in the time domain, the resources used for uplink communication include time domain resource_2 and time domain resource_4. The terminal device that supports communication on the resources used for uplink and downlink communication (hereinafter referred to as the second terminal device) can achieve random access based on the technical solution shown in Figure 5 using the RO resource on the first PRACH resource (the first PRACH resource includes time domain resource_2 and / or time domain resource_4).

[0268] For example, the first PRACH resource includes time domain resource_2. In Figure 6, the value of Z is 8, the value of Y is 1 (the value of Y can be determined by ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB), and the value of L is 3 (the value of L can be determined by Based on these parameters, the terminal device can determine that among the 8 (i.e., Z=8) RO resources (i.e., RO 0 to RO 7 in FIG6 ) included in the first PRACH resource, the number of SSB indexes associated with each RO resource is 1 (i.e., Y=1), and the number of different SSBs sent by the network device is 3 (i.e., L=3). Accordingly, for the terminal device or the network device, based on these parameters, it can be determined that the first PRACH resource contains at most 2 (i.e., ) mapping cycles, and the N RO resources contained in the first PRACH resource are at most 6 (i.e. In other words, the second terminal device will not send a random access preamble on RO 6 or RO 7 on time domain resource_2, that is, RO 6 or RO 7 is an invalid RO.

[0269] In one possible implementation, to minimize random access latency, an effective solution is to provide more RO resources. For example, in addition to initiating random access based on the RO resources on time domain resource_2 and time domain resource_4 shown in FIG6 , the second terminal device also has the ability to communicate on time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3 shown in FIG6 . Therefore, the terminal device can also initiate random access based on the RO resources on time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3 shown in FIG6 .

[0270] For example, as shown in FIG7 , the number of RO resources on each of time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3 is 6 (i.e., RO 0 to RO 5). Continuing with the communication method shown in FIG6 , for the second terminal device, the second terminal device can send random access preambles on the six RO resources included in time domain resource_1. For example, the random access preamble corresponding to SBB 0 is sent on the RO 0 resource, and the random access preamble corresponding to SBB 1 is sent on the RO 1 resource. In this way, the random access delay of the second terminal device can be further reduced.

[0271] However, in the example shown in Figure 7, the first terminal device may also send a random access preamble on time domain resource_1. However, as shown in the examples shown in Figures 1b and 1c above, the resource size and resource location of the resources used for uplink communication (i.e., UL resources) and the resources used for uplink and downlink communication (i.e., SBFD or FD resources) can be configured independently. This results in the SSB-RO mapping result of the first terminal device on the UL resources being different from the SSB-RO mapping result of the second terminal device on the UL resources, which will cause a conflict.

[0272] For example, in the example shown in FIG7 , it is assumed that for the first terminal device, the first terminal device determines that in the time domain resource_1, the value of Z is 6, the value of Y is 1 (the value of Y can be determined by ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB), and the value of L is 3 (the value of L can be determined by Determined) as an example.

[0273] Among them, it is possible that in RO 0 of time domain resource_1, the SSB index mapped by the first terminal device is SSB 1, while the SSB index mapped by the second terminal device is SSB 0. For example, the first terminal device believes that the communication quality of the beam direction corresponding to SSB 1 is higher, and the second terminal device believes that the communication quality of the beam direction corresponding to SSB 0 is higher. Since the available preamble sequence on an RO resource is the same, it is possible for the first terminal device and the second terminal device to use the same preamble sequence on the RO 0 to initiate random access.

[0274] However, for the network device, since the network device cannot identify whether the terminal device supports uplink and downlink communications during the transmission of the random access preamble, the network device may subsequently respond based on the beam direction of SSB 0 (for example, sending MSG 2), which will cause the first terminal device to determine that the random access failed based on the response and then re-initiate random access; the network device may also respond based on the beam direction of SSB 1 (for example, sending MSG 2), which will cause the second terminal device to determine that the random access failed based on the response and then re-initiate random access. Regardless of the response made by the network device, the first terminal device or the second terminal device may not be able to obtain the response based on the corresponding beam, which will cause the random access to fail and then re-initiate random access, which will greatly increase the random access delay. Similarly, similar problems may occur for any RO resource of time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3.

[0275] Therefore, in order to solve the above problems, the technical solution shown in FIG5 will be further described below through some implementation methods.

[0276] In one possible implementation, in the technical solution shown in FIG5 , the time domain resources of the second PRACH resource following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer. And / or, the time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer.

[0277] In which, the terminal device sends a random access preamble based on the N RO resources, including: the terminal device sends the random access preamble based on the P RO resources and at least one of the Q RO resources, and the N RO resources; in which, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the P RO resources; and / or, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the first RO resource in the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the last RO resource in the Q RO resources.

[0278] Specifically, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on resources used for uplink and downlink communications (such as the first PRACH resource), and can also send a random access preamble on resources used for uplink communications (such as the second PRACH resource and / or the third PRACH resource), thereby increasing the uplink resources used for random access, improving uplink coverage by providing more random access resources, and reducing random access delay.

[0279] In addition, on the second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource, the SSB index associated with any of the two resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first PRACH. Since a terminal device (such as a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method enables a terminal device (such as a second terminal device) that supports communication on resources for uplink and downlink communication to reuse the SSB index associated with the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource. Thus, while reducing the configuration overhead, it is also possible to avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indexes on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0280] In the present application, the resources used for uplink communication are resources used for uplink transmission. For example, the resources used for uplink communication may be a frequency band, subband, etc. used for uplink transmission. Exemplarily, the resources used for uplink communication may be UL resources.

[0281] Optionally, the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource may be adjacent resources, and / or the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource may be adjacent resources. For example, the first PRACH resource satisfies any one or more of the following:

[0282] A start time unit index of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and an end time unit index of the time domain resource of the third PRACH resource are continuous;

[0283] The end time unit index of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the start time unit index of the time domain resource of the second PRACH resource are continuous;

[0284] Other resources between the start time unit of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the end time unit of the time domain resource of the third PRACH resource are any non-PRACH resources (for example, DL resources);

[0285] Other resources between the end time unit of the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource and the start time unit of the time domain resource of the second PRACH resource are any non-PRACH resources (eg, DL resources).

[0286] Exemplarily, as shown in FIG8 , the first PRACH resource is time domain resource_2 in FIG8 , the second PRACH resource is time domain resource_3, and the third PRACH resource is time domain resource_1 as an example.

[0287] On time domain resource_1, the SSB-RO mapping method of the second terminal device is the same as that of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device, on time domain resource_2, while mapping an integer multiple of mapping cycles, the SSB index (i.e., SSB 0) mapped on the last RO resource (i.e., RO 5) of time domain resource_1 and the SSB index (i.e., SSB 1) mapped on the first RO resource (i.e., RO 0) of time domain resource_2 are continuous.

[0288] Similarly, on time domain resource_3, the SSB-RO mapping method of the second terminal device is the same as that of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device, on time domain resource_2, while mapping an integer multiple of mapping cycles, the SSB index (i.e., SSB 0) mapped on the last RO resource (i.e., RO 5) of time domain resource_2 and the SSB index (i.e., SSB 1) mapped on the first RO resource (i.e., RO 0) of time domain resource_3 are continuous.

[0289] In this way, the SSO-RO mapping method of the first terminal device and the second terminal device on time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3 will be the same, which can provide more RO resources for the second terminal device to reduce the uplink access delay, and can also solve the conflict problem mentioned in the process shown in Figure 7 above.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the time domain resources of the second PRACH resource following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resource includes P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; wherein the second PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the second PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a device that supports communication on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication.

[0291] And / or, the time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; wherein the third PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the third PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device.

[0292] Specifically, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink and downlink communication (e.g., a first PRACH resource), and the terminal device does not send a random access preamble on a resource used for uplink communication (e.g., a second PRACH resource and / or a third PRACH resource). Since a terminal device (e.g., a first terminal device) that does not support communication on resources used for uplink and downlink communication can send a random access preamble on the second PRACH resource or the third PRACH resource, the above method can avoid conflicts caused by the first terminal device and the second terminal device being associated with different SSB indices on the second PRACH resource (or the third PRACH resource), thereby reducing the uplink access delay.

[0293] For example, taking the scenario shown in FIG7 as an example, in the above implementation process, the second terminal device will not send a random access preamble on time domain resource_1 and time domain resource_3. In this way, the conflict problem mentioned in the process shown in FIG7 can be solved.

[0294] In one possible implementation, the first association period and the second association period are the same (wherein, the definition of the association period can refer to the description shown in Figures 4g and 4h above); the first association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the first association period is the association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication. Specifically, the first association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink communication and the second association period between the RO resources and the SSB on one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same way. That is, the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication can follow the method for determining the association period on the time domain resources used for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association period and reduce the implementation complexity.

[0295] In one possible implementation, the first association pattern period (association pattern period) and the second association pattern period are the same (wherein, the definition of the association period can refer to the previous description); the first association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resource and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the second association pattern period is the association pattern period between the RO resource and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication. Specifically, the first association pattern period between the RO resource and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication and the second association pattern period between the RO resource and the SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication can be determined in the same way. That is, the method for determining the association pattern period on the time domain resources for uplink and downlink communication can follow the method for determining the association pattern period on the time domain resources for uplink communication, which can reduce the configuration overhead of the association pattern period and reduce the implementation complexity.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the method also includes: the terminal device receives second information, the second information being used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on a fourth PRACH resource and the SSB, the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource being located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication, the first random access preamble set being used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device being a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0297] Specifically, the terminal device can receive the second information and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid conflicts caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource.

[0298] Optionally, the second information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0299] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0300] Exemplarily, taking the scenario shown in Figure 7 as an example, in the above implementation process, the first terminal device and the second terminal device may map different SSB indexes on the same RO of time domain resource_1 or time domain resource_3. However, when the second random access preamble set used by the second terminal device contains at least one random access preamble that is different from the at least one random access preamble set used by the first terminal device, the network device can distinguish different terminal devices through different random access preambles. For example, when the random access preamble parsed by the network device on RO 0 of time domain resource_1 is located in the first random access preamble set, the network device can subsequently respond based on SSB 1 and can subsequently communicate with the first terminal device through SSB 1. For another example, when the random access preamble parsed by the network device on RO 0 of time domain resource_1 is located in the second random access preamble set, the network device can subsequently respond based on SSB 0 and can subsequently communicate with the second terminal device through SSB 0. In this way, more RO resources can be provided to the second terminal device to reduce the uplink access delay, and the conflict problem mentioned in the process shown in FIG. 7 can also be solved.

[0301] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG5 , the method further includes: the terminal device receives third information, where the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined. Specifically, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the transmission of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0302] Optionally, the third information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0303] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG5 , the method further includes: the terminal device receives fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set and an SSB carried on the first PRACH resource, the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set being used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined. Specifically, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0304] Optionally, the fourth information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0305] Optionally, the third random access preamble set satisfies any one of the following:

[0306] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0307] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are the same as the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; or,

[0308] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set.

[0309] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG5 , the method further includes: the terminal device receiving fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; wherein X satisfies any of the following:

[0310] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0311] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0312] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0313] Specifically, the terminal device may further receive fifth information and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device may send the X random access preambles specified based on the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0314] Optionally, the fifth information and the first information may be carried in the same message / signaling, or in different messages / signalings, which is not limited here.

[0315] Please refer to FIG9 , which is another schematic diagram of an implementation of the communication method provided in this application. The method includes the following steps.

[0316] S901. The network device sends configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, and correspondingly, the terminal device receives the configuration information of the fourth PRACH resource, wherein the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication.

[0317] S902. The network device sends second information, and the terminal device receives the second information accordingly. The second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB, wherein the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access by a first terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource.

[0318] In addition, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0319] S903. The terminal device sends a random access preamble.

[0320] Among them, step S903 is an optional step.

[0321] Optionally, any random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from any random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set, that is, the second random access preamble set and the first random access preamble set are different from each other. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can achieve random access on time domain resources used for uplink communication using different random access preambles, thereby avoiding the above-mentioned conflicts as much as possible.

[0322] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG9 , the method further includes: the terminal device receives third information, where the third information is used to indicate the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined. Specifically, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the transmission of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the fourth PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0323] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG9 , the method further includes: the terminal device receives fourth information, the fourth information being used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on the first PRACH resource and the SSB, the random access preambles contained in the third random access preamble set being used for random access of the second terminal device; or, the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined. Specifically, the terminal device can determine the association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB through any of the above methods, and implement the sending of the random access preamble based on the association relationship on the first PRACH resource, so that the network device can determine the beam direction corresponding to the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the received random access preamble, which is beneficial to the subsequent beam-based communication process.

[0324] Optionally, the third random access preamble set satisfies any one of the following:

[0325] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0326] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are the same as the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; or,

[0327] The random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set include at least the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set.

[0328] In one possible implementation, in the method shown in FIG9 , the method further includes: the terminal device receiving fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; wherein X satisfies any of the following:

[0329] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set;

[0330] X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource;

[0331] X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

[0332] Specifically, the terminal device may further receive fifth information and determine, based on the fifth information, the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource. In addition, the number X may satisfy any of the above items. In this way, the terminal device may send the X random access preambles specified based on the fifth information, thereby improving the success rate of the random access process.

[0333] Based on the technical solution shown in Figure 9, the terminal device can receive the second information in step S902, and determine the association relationship between the first random access preamble set and the SSB transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource based on the second information. In addition, the fourth PRACH resource can also be used to transmit a second random access preamble set, wherein the first random access preamble set is used for random access of the first terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource. Moreover, the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set. In this way, terminal devices with different communication capabilities can all initiate random access on the PRACH resource used for uplink communication, and different terminal devices can be distinguished by different random access preamble sets, which can avoid the conflict caused by the use of the same random access preamble when the first terminal device and the second terminal device are associated with different SSB indexes on the fourth PRACH resource (for example, the conflict problem described in Figure 7 above).

[0334] It should be noted that, in the method shown in FIG9 , the processes executed by the terminal device and the network device may also refer to the descriptions of other embodiments above.

[0335] Referring to Figure 10, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1000. The communication device 1000 can implement the functions of the terminal device (or network device) in the above method embodiment, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiment. In the embodiment of the present application, the communication device 1000 can be a terminal device (or network device), or it can be an integrated circuit or component inside the terminal device (or network device), such as a chip. The following embodiments are described using the communication device 1000 as an example of a terminal device or network device.

[0336] In one possible implementation, when the apparatus 1000 is used to execute the method executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment, the apparatus 1000 includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002; the transceiver unit 1002 is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first PRACH resource, and the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N RO resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and each mapping cycle is determined by an association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the processing unit 1001 is used to send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources.

[0337] In one possible implementation, when the device 1000 is used to execute the method executed by the network device in the aforementioned embodiment, the device 1000 includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002; the processing unit 1001 is used to determine the first information, and the first information is used to indicate the first physical random access channel PRACH resource, and the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity RO resources, and the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and each mapping cycle is determined by the association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, and L, N and M are all positive integers; the transceiver unit 1002 is used to send the first information.

[0338] In one possible implementation, when the apparatus 1000 is used to execute the method executed by the terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment, the apparatus 1000 includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002; the transceiver unit 1002 is used to receive configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where the time domain resource of the fourth PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the processing unit 1001 is used to determine the fourth PRACH resource based on the configuration information; the transceiver unit 1002 is further used to receive second information, where the second information is used to indicate the first random access prefix transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource. The association relationship between the preamble set and the SSB: the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0339] In one possible implementation, when the apparatus 1000 is used to execute the method executed by the network device in the aforementioned embodiment, the apparatus 1000 includes a processing unit 1001 and a transceiver unit 1002; the processing unit 1001 is used to determine the configuration information and second information of the fourth PRACH resource; the transceiver unit 1002 is used to send the configuration information of the fourth PRACH resource, where the time domain resource of the fourth PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the transceiver unit 1002 is also used to send the second information, where the second information is used to indicate the first random access resource transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource. The association relationship between the preamble set and the SSB: the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

[0340] It should be noted that, for details of the information execution process and other contents of the units of the above-mentioned communication device 1000, please refer to the description in the method embodiment shown above in this application, and will not be repeated here.

[0341] Please refer to Figure 11, which is another schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in this application. The communication device 1100 at least includes a logic circuit 1101 and an input / output interface 1102. The communication device 1100 may be a chip or an integrated circuit.

[0342] The transceiver unit 1002 shown in FIG10 may be a communication interface, which may be the input / output interface 1102 in FIG11 , which may include an input interface and an output interface. Alternatively, the communication interface may be a transceiver circuit, which may include an input interface circuit and an output interface circuit.

[0343] Optionally, the input / output interface 1102 is used to receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first PRACH resource, where the time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N RO resources, where the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and each mapping cycle is determined by an association relationship between L SSBs and N RO resources, where L, N, and M are all positive integers; and the logic circuit 1101 is used to send a random access preamble based on the N RO resources. The logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 may also perform other steps performed by the terminal device in the aforementioned embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0344] Optionally, the logic circuit 1101 is used to determine first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, where the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink and downlink communications; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity (RO) resources, where the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and each mapping cycle is determined by an association between L SSBs and N RO resources, where L, N, and M are all positive integers; and the input / output interface 1102 is used to send the first information. The logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 may also perform other steps performed by the network device in the aforementioned embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be repeated here.

[0345] Optionally, the input-output interface 1102 is used to receive configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource being located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the logic circuit 1101 is used to determine the fourth PRACH resource based on the configuration information; the input-output interface 1102 is also used to receive second information, the second information being used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB. The random access preambles contained in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein, the random access preambles contained in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; and the at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. The logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 may also execute other steps executed by the terminal device in any of the aforementioned embodiments and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0346] Optionally, the logic circuit 1101 is used to determine the configuration information and second information of the fourth PRACH resource; the input-output interface 1102 is used to send the configuration information of the fourth PRACH resource, and the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; the input-output interface 1102 is also used to send the second information, and the second information is used to indicate the association relationship between the first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and the SSB. The random access preambles contained in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, and the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; wherein, the random access preambles contained in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; at least one random access preamble contained in the second random access preamble set is different from at least one random access preamble contained in the first random access preamble set. The logic circuit 1101 and the input / output interface 1102 may also execute other steps executed by the network device in the aforementioned embodiment and achieve corresponding beneficial effects, which will not be described in detail here.

[0347] In a possible implementation, the processing unit 1001 shown in FIG10 may be the logic circuit 1101 in FIG11 .

[0348] Optionally, the logic circuit 1101 may be a processing device, and the functions of the processing device may be partially or entirely implemented by software. The functions of the processing device may be partially or entirely implemented by software.

[0349] Optionally, the processing device may include a memory and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor reads and executes the computer program stored in the memory to perform corresponding processing and / or steps in any one of the method embodiments.

[0350] Alternatively, the processing device may include only a processor. A memory for storing the computer program is located outside the processing device, and the processor is connected to the memory via circuits / wires to read and execute the computer program stored in the memory. The memory and processor may be integrated or physically separate.

[0351] Optionally, the processing device may be one or more chips, or one or more integrated circuits. For example, the processing device may be one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), system-on-chips (SoCs), central processor units (CPUs), network processors (NPs), digital signal processors (DSPs), microcontroller units (MCUs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or other integrated chips, or any combination of the above chips or processors.

[0352] Please refer to Figure 12, which shows the communication device 1200 involved in the above-mentioned embodiments provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1200 can specifically be a communication device serving as a terminal device in the above-mentioned embodiments. The example shown in Figure 12 is that the terminal device is implemented through the terminal device (or a component in the terminal device).

[0353] Herein, a possible logical structure diagram of the communication device 1200 is shown. The communication device 1200 may include but is not limited to at least one processor 1201 and a communication port 1202 .

[0354] Further optionally, the device may also include at least one of a memory 1203 and a bus 1204. In an embodiment of the present application, the at least one processor 1201 is used to control and process the actions of the communication device 1200.

[0355] In addition, the processor 1201 can be a central processing unit, a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, and so on. Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that for the sake of convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0356] It should be noted that the communication device 1200 shown in Figure 12 can be specifically used to implement the steps implemented by the terminal device in the aforementioned method embodiment and achieve the corresponding technical effects of the terminal device. The specific implementation methods of the communication device shown in Figure 12 can refer to the description in the aforementioned method embodiment and will not be repeated here.

[0357] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a structural diagram of the communication device 1300 involved in the above-mentioned embodiments provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1300 can specifically be a communication device as a network device in the above-mentioned embodiments. The example shown in Figure 13 is that the network device is implemented through the network device (or a component in the network device), wherein the structure of the communication device can refer to the structure shown in Figure 13.

[0358] The communication device 1300 includes at least one processor 1311 and at least one network interface 1314. Further optionally, the communication device also includes at least one memory 1312, at least one transceiver 1313 and one or more antennas 1315. The processor 1311, the memory 1312, the transceiver 1313 and the network interface 1314 are connected, for example, via a bus. In an embodiment of the present application, the connection may include various interfaces, transmission lines or buses, etc., which are not limited in this embodiment. The antenna 1315 is connected to the transceiver 1313. The network interface 1314 is used to enable the communication device to communicate with other communication devices through a communication link. For example, the network interface 1314 may include a network interface between the communication device and the core network device, such as an S1 interface, and the network interface may include a network interface between the communication device and other communication devices (such as other network devices or core network devices), such as an X2 or Xn interface.

[0359] Processor 1311 is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process software program data, for example, to support the communication device in performing the actions described in the embodiments. The communication device may include a baseband processor and a central processing unit. The baseband processor is primarily used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the central processing unit is primarily used to control the entire terminal device, execute software programs, and process software program data. Processor 1311 in Figure 13 may integrate the functions of both a baseband processor and a central processing unit. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the baseband processor and the central processing unit may also be independent processors interconnected via a bus or other technology. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that a terminal device may include multiple baseband processors to accommodate different network standards, multiple central processing units to enhance its processing capabilities, and various components of the terminal device may be connected via various buses. The baseband processor may also be referred to as a baseband processing circuit or a baseband processing chip. The central processing unit may also be referred to as a central processing circuit or a central processing chip. The functionality for processing communication protocols and communication data may be built into the processor or stored in memory as a software program, which is executed by the processor to implement the baseband processing functionality.

[0360] The memory is primarily used to store software programs and data. Memory 1312 can exist independently and be connected to processor 1311. Alternatively, memory 1312 can be integrated with processor 1311, for example, within a single chip. Memory 1312 can store program code for executing the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, and execution is controlled by processor 1311. The various computer program codes executed can also be considered drivers for processor 1311.

[0361] Figure 13 shows only one memory and one processor. In an actual terminal device, there may be multiple processors and multiple memories. The memory may also be referred to as a storage medium or a storage device. The memory may be a storage element on the same chip as the processor, i.e., an on-chip storage element, or an independent storage element, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0362] The transceiver 1313 can be used to support the reception or transmission of radio frequency signals between the communication device and the terminal. The transceiver 1313 can be connected to the antenna 1315. The transceiver 1313 includes a transmitter Tx and a receiver Rx. Specifically, one or more antennas 1315 can receive radio frequency signals. The receiver Rx of the transceiver 1313 is used to receive the radio frequency signal from the antenna, convert the radio frequency signal into a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal, and provide the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to the processor 1311 so that the processor 1311 can further process the digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal, such as demodulation and decoding. In addition, the transmitter Tx in the transceiver 1313 is also used to receive a modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal from the processor 1311, convert the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal into a radio frequency signal, and transmit the radio frequency signal through one or more antennas 1315. Specifically, the receiver Rx can selectively perform one or more stages of down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion on the RF signal to obtain a digital baseband signal or a digital intermediate frequency signal. The order of the down-mixing and analog-to-digital conversion processes is adjustable. The transmitter Tx can selectively perform one or more stages of up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion on the modulated digital baseband signal or digital intermediate frequency signal to obtain a RF signal. The order of the up-mixing and digital-to-analog conversion processes is adjustable. The digital baseband signal and the digital intermediate frequency signal may be collectively referred to as digital signals.

[0363] The transceiver 1313 may also be referred to as a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. Optionally, a device in the transceiver unit that implements a receiving function may be referred to as a receiving unit, and a device in the transceiver unit that implements a transmitting function may be referred to as a transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit may also be referred to as a receiver, an input port, a receiving circuit, etc., and the transmitting unit may be referred to as a transmitter, a transmitter, or a transmitting circuit, etc.

[0364] It should be noted that the communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 can be specifically used to implement the steps implemented by the network device in the aforementioned method embodiment, and to achieve the corresponding technical effects of the network device. The specific implementation method of the communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 can refer to the description in the aforementioned method embodiment, and will not be repeated here one by one.

[0365] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing one or more computer-executable instructions. When the computer-executable instructions are executed by a processor, the processor executes the method described in the possible implementation method of the communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device) in the above embodiment.

[0366] An embodiment of the present application also provides a computer program product (or computer program). When the computer program product is executed by the processor, the processor executes the method of the possible implementation method of the above-mentioned communication device (such as a terminal device or a network device).

[0367] An embodiment of the present application also provides a chip system, which includes at least one processor for supporting a communication device to implement the functions involved in the possible implementation methods of the above-mentioned communication device. Optionally, the chip system also includes an interface circuit, which provides program instructions and / or data to the at least one processor. In one possible design, the chip system may also include a memory, which is used to store the necessary program instructions and data for the communication device. The chip system can be composed of chips, or it can include chips and other discrete devices, wherein the communication device can specifically be a terminal device or a network device in the aforementioned method embodiment.

[0368] An embodiment of the present application also provides a communication system, and the network system architecture includes the terminal device and network device in any of the above embodiments.

[0369] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

[0370] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0371] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of the present application can be integrated into a processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The above-mentioned integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit. If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application is essentially or the contributing part or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which can be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in the various embodiments of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media that can store program code, such as a USB flash drive, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk or an optical disk.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Receive first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, where a time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity (RO) resources, where the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, where each mapping cycle is determined by an association relationship between L synchronization signals / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) and N RO resources, where L, N, and M are all positive integers; A random access preamble is sent based on the N RO resources.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that The resources used for uplink and downlink communications include a subband for uplink transmission and a subband for downlink transmission, and the subband for uplink transmission and the subband for downlink transmission are located on a same component carrier.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first PRACH resource further includes K RO resources, where K is an integer; wherein the K RO resources satisfy at least one of the following: The K RO resources are not used for random access; or, The K RO resources are not used to carry random access preambles; or, The K RO resources are invalid RO resources.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that K is less than integer, It represents N / M rounded up, the number of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource is Z, and Z satisfies: Z=N+K.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The time domain resources of the second PRACH resources subsequent to the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resources are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resources include P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; and / or, The time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; The sending a random access preamble based on the N RO resources includes: The random access preamble is sent based on the P RO resources and at least one of the Q RO resources, and the N RO resources; wherein, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the last RO resource among the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first RO resource among the P RO resources; and / or, in the time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the first RO resource among the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the last RO resource among the Q RO resources.

6. The method according to claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The time domain resources of the second PRACH resources following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resources are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resources include P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; wherein the second PRACH resources are not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the second PRACH resources are not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a device that supports communication on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication; and / or, The time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; wherein the third PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the third PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The first correlation period and the second correlation period are identical; The first association period is an association period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the first association period is an association period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that The first correlation pattern period and the second correlation pattern period are the same; The first association pattern period is an association pattern period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the second association pattern period is an association pattern period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on a fourth PRACH resource and an SSB, where a time domain resource of the fourth PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the first random access preamble set is used for random access of a first terminal device, where the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; Among them, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information, where the third information is used to indicate an association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, The association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on the first PRACH resource and the SSB, where the random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or The association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following: X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource; X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

13. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Determine first information, where the first information is used to indicate a first physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, where a time domain resource of the first PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication; wherein the first PRACH resource includes N random access opportunity (RO) resources, where the N RO resources are RO resources occupied by M mapping cycles, and each mapping cycle is determined by an association relationship between L synchronization signals / physical broadcast channel blocks (SSBs) and N RO resources, where L, N, and M are all positive integers; The first information is sent.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The resources used for uplink and downlink communications include a subband for uplink transmission and a subband for downlink transmission, and the subband for uplink transmission and the subband for downlink transmission are located on a same component carrier.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that The first PRACH resource further includes K RO resources, where K is an integer; wherein the K RO resources satisfy at least one of the following: The K RO resources are not used for random access; or, The K RO resources are not used to carry random access preambles; or, The K RO resources are invalid RO resources.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that K is an integer less than , representing rounding up. The number of RO resources included in the first PRACH resource is Z, and Z satisfies: Z=N+K.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that The time domain resources of the second PRACH resources subsequent to the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resources are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resources include P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; and / or, The time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; Among them, the P RO resources and at least one of the Q RO resources, and the N RO resources are used to send random access preambles; in time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the last RO resource among the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the first RO resource among the P RO resources; and / or, in time domain resources, the SSB index associated with the first RO resource among the N RO resources is continuous with the SSB index associated with the last RO resource among the Q RO resources.

18. The method according to claims 13 to 17, characterized in that The time domain resources of the second PRACH resources following the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resources are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the second PRACH resources include P RO resources, where P is a positive integer; wherein the second PRACH resources are not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the second PRACH resources are not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a device that supports communication on the time domain resources used for uplink and downlink communication; and / or, The time domain resources of the third PRACH resource preceding the time domain resources occupied by the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication, and the third PRACH resource includes Q RO resources, where Q is a positive integer; wherein the third PRACH resource is not used for random access of the second terminal device, or the third PRACH resource is not used to carry the random access preamble of the second terminal device.

19. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 18, characterized in that The first correlation period and the second correlation period are identical; The first association period is an association period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the first association period is an association period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

20. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that The first correlation pattern period and the second correlation pattern period are the same; The first association pattern period is an association pattern period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the second association pattern period is an association pattern period between RO resources and SSB on one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication.

21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on a fourth PRACH resource and the SSB, where the time domain resources of the fourth PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication, and the first random access preamble set is used for random access of a first terminal device, where the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; Among them, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that The method further comprises: sending third information, where the third information is used to indicate an association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, The association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

23. The method according to claim 21 or 22, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on the first PRACH resource and the SSB, where the random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of the second terminal device; or, The association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

24. The method according to any one of claims 21 to 23, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following: X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource; X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

25. A communication method, characterized in that: include: receiving configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where a time domain resource of the fourth PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units for uplink communication; receiving second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and an SSB, where the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, where the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; Among them, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving third information, where the third information is used to indicate an association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, The association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that The method further comprises: receiving fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on a first PRACH resource and an SSB, where the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication; the random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of a terminal device communicating on the first PRACH resource; or, The association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

28. The method according to any one of claims 25 to 27, characterized in that The method further comprises: Receive fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following: X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource; X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

29. A communication method, characterized in that: include: Sending configuration information of a fourth PRACH resource, where a time domain resource of the fourth PRACH resource is located in one or more time domain units used for uplink communication; Sending second information, where the second information is used to indicate an association relationship between a first random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource and the SSB, where the random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set are used for random access of a first terminal device, where the first terminal device is a terminal device that does not support communication on the first PRACH resource; Among them, the random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set transmitted on the fourth PRACH resource are used for random access of a second terminal device, and the second terminal device is a terminal device that supports communication on the first PRACH resource; the at least one random access preamble included in the second random access preamble set is different from the at least one random access preamble included in the first random access preamble set.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein The method further comprises: sending third information, where the third information is used to indicate an association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB; or, The association relationship between the second random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

31. The method according to claim 29 or 30, characterized in that The method further comprises: Sending fourth information, where the fourth information is used to indicate an association relationship between a third random access preamble set carried on a first PRACH resource and the SSB, where the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource are located in one or more time domain units for uplink and downlink communication; the random access preambles included in the third random access preamble set are used for random access of a terminal device communicating on the first PRACH resource; or, The association relationship between the third random access preamble set and the SSB is predefined.

32. The method according to any one of claims 29 to 31, characterized in that The method further comprises: Send fifth information, where the fifth information is used to indicate the number X of random access preambles corresponding to each RO resource in one or more RO resources included in the fourth PRACH resource; where X satisfies any of the following: X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles included in the first random access preamble set and the number of random access preambles included in the second random access preamble set; X is greater than or equal to the sum of the number of random access preambles corresponding to the first SSB set and the number of random access preambles corresponding to the second SSB set, where the first SSB set is the set of SSBs of the first terminal device in each RO resource, and the second SSB set is the set of SSBs of the second terminal device in each RO resource; X is greater than or equal to the number of random access preambles corresponding to the third SSB set, and the third SSB set is the union of the first SSB set and the second SSB set.

33. A communication device, characterized in that: Comprising means for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

34. A communication device, characterized in that: comprising at least one processor; the at least one processor being configured to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

35. The communication device according to claim 34, characterized in that The communication device is a chip or a chip system.

36. A readable storage medium, characterized in that The storage medium stores a computer program or instruction, and when the computer program or instruction is executed by the communication device, the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32 is implemented.

37. A computer program product, characterized in that The device comprises a computer program or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 32.

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