Method for setting path loss configuration, user equipment, and base station

Abstract

A method for a path loss configuration. The method is executed in a user equipment, and comprises: receiving a path loss configuration or a path loss indication, and determining a path loss value on the basis of the path loss configuration or the path loss indication. By means of the path loss value determined on the basis of the path loss configuration or the path loss indication, the user equipment can determine transmit power used for an auxiliary base station. By controlling the power of the auxiliary base station only used for uplink transmission, the uplink performance of a wireless communication system can be improved, the interference of the wireless communication system can be reduced, and the power consumption of the wireless communication system can be saved.

Description

Method for setting path loss configuration, user equipment and base station Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of communication systems, and more particularly to a method for setting path loss configuration, user equipment, and a base station. Background Art

[0002] Wireless communication systems and networks have evolved into broadband and mobile systems. In cellular wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) is connected to the radio access network (RAN) via a radio link. The RAN consists of a set of base stations (BSs), which provide radio links to UEs located within the base station coverage area, and an interface with the core network (CN), which provides overall network control. As can be understood, the RAN and CN each perform their own functions for the entire network. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) developed the so-called Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, or Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Territorial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), for mobile access networks, in which one or more macro cells are supported by base stations called eNodeBs or eNBs (evolved NodeBs). LTE is further evolving into so-called 5G or New Radio (NR) systems, in which one or more cells are supported by base stations called gNBs.

[0003] NR systems utilize incoherent transmission between multiple base stations and user equipment (UEs) to improve downlink reliability and cell-edge throughput. Due to limitations on UE transmit power and the number of antennas, uplink performance has always been a significant bottleneck. UEs located at the cell edge typically use path loss compensation to control transmit power, further degrading their uplink performance. Furthermore, current commercial networks generally utilize TDD patterns with abundant downlink resources, further limiting uplink performance.

[0004] Therefore, to improve uplink performance, the density of base station deployment can be increased. However, since downlink performance is sufficient, it is possible to consider adding base stations dedicated solely to uplink transmission. Base stations dedicated solely to uplink transmission only need to receive signals, not transmit, thus saving energy. Furthermore, base stations dedicated solely to uplink transmission reduce the number of transmission systems, thereby saving hardware costs. Technical issues

[0005] In existing standards, the UE obtains path loss by measuring the downlink reference signal and then compensates for the transmit power when transmitting uplink signals. The path loss obtained by measuring the downlink signal can be used to compensate for uplink power because the base station can both transmit and receive signals, and the uplink and downlink of the UE when communicating with the same base station are reciprocal. However, a base station used only for uplink transmission does not transmit downlink signals to the UE. Therefore, the UE cannot accurately obtain the path loss between the UE and the base station used only for uplink transmission by measuring the downlink reference signal of the base station used only for uplink transmission. Although the UE can obtain the path loss between the UE and the macro base station by measuring the downlink reference signal of the macro base station, and then use this path loss as the path loss between the UE and the base station used only for uplink transmission, for UEs close to the macro base station, this path loss may be too small, and the signal power transmitted by the UE to the base station used only for uplink transmission may be insufficient, resulting in uplink performance that does not meet expectations. For UEs far from the macro eNB, this path loss is excessive, and the signal power transmitted by the UE to the eNB used solely for uplink transmission will be too high, resulting in excessive interference. In general, if the UE uses the path loss between the UE and the macro eNB to compensate for the transmit power between the UE and the eNB used solely for uplink transmission, not only will the advantages of the eNB used solely for uplink transmission not be effectively utilized, but system performance will also be degraded.

[0006] Therefore, it is necessary to study a mechanism for obtaining the path loss between the UE and the base station used only for uplink transmission.

[0007] Technical Solution

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for setting path loss configuration, a user equipment, and a base station to solve the above technical problems.

[0009] A first aspect of the present invention provides a method for configuring path loss. The method, executed in a user equipment (UE), includes receiving a path loss configuration or a path loss indication, and determining a path loss amount based on the path loss configuration or the path loss indication. The UE may use the path loss amount determined by the path loss configuration or the path loss indication to determine the transmit power used for a secondary base station (SB). By controlling the power of a secondary base station used only for uplink transmission, the uplink performance of a wireless communication system may be improved, interference in the wireless communication system may be reduced, and power consumption of the wireless communication system may be saved.

[0010] The second aspect of the present invention provides a method for path loss configuration, which is executed in a base station on the network side and includes: sending a path loss configuration or a path loss indication, so that the user equipment determines the path loss amount according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication.

[0011] The method disclosed in the present invention can be implemented in a chip. The chip may include a processor configured to call and run a computer program stored in a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes the method disclosed in the present application.

[0012] The method disclosed in the present invention can be programmed as computer-executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium. When the non-transitory computer-readable medium is loaded into a computer, it instructs the processor of the computer to execute the method disclosed in the present invention.

[0013] The non-transitory computer readable medium may include at least one of the following readable media: a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory, an erasable programmable read-only memory, an EPROM, an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, and a flash memory.

[0014] The methods disclosed in the present invention may be programmed as a computer program product, which causes a computer to execute the methods disclosed in the present application.

[0015] The methods disclosed in the present invention may be programmed as computer programs, which cause a computer to execute the methods disclosed in the present application. Beneficial effects

[0016] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for configuring path loss. The method, executed in a user equipment (UE), includes receiving a path loss configuration or a path loss indication, and determining a path loss amount based on the path loss configuration or the path loss indication. Based on the path loss amount determined by the path loss configuration or the path loss indication, the UE can determine the path loss amount between the UE and a secondary base station (SBS), thereby determining the UE's transmit power. By controlling the power of a secondary base station used only for uplink transmission, the uplink performance of a wireless communication system can be improved, interference in the wireless communication system can be reduced, and power consumption of the wireless communication system can be saved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the description of the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0018] FIG1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture of a wireless communication system according to the present invention.

[0019] FIG2 is a block diagram illustrating a wireless communication system according to the present invention including a UE, a macro base station, an auxiliary base station, and network entity equipment.

[0020] FIG3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for path loss configuration performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 4A is a flow chart illustrating a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG4B is a flowchart of a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG4C is a flowchart illustrating a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG5A , FIG5B and FIG5C illustrate three MAC CE structures used by the network side to dynamically instruct the UE to use the path loss amount. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0025] The embodiments of the present application describe in detail the technical matters, structural features, implementation objectives and effects with reference to the accompanying drawings. Specifically, the terms in the embodiments of the present application are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, rather than limiting the disclosure.

[0026] In the present invention, "A or B" may mean "only A", "only B" or "both A and B".

[0027] In other words, in the present invention, "A or B" can be interpreted as "A and / or B". For example, in the present invention, "A, B or C" can mean "only A", "only B", "only C" or "any combination of A, B, and C".

[0028] A slash ( / ) or a comma used in the present invention may mean "and / or". For example, "A / B" may mean "A and / or B". Thus, "A / B" may mean "only A", "only B", or "both A and B". For example, "A, B, C" may mean "A, B, or C".

[0029] In the present invention, “at least one of A and B” may mean “only A”, “only B”, or “both A and B”. In addition, in the present invention, the expression “at least one of A or B” or “at least one of A and / or B” may be interpreted as “at least one of A and B”.

[0030] In addition, in the present invention, "at least one of A, B, and C" may mean "only A", "only B", "only C", or "any combination of A, B, and C". In addition, "at least one of A, B, or C" or "at least one of A, B, and / or C" may mean "at least one of A, B, and C".

[0031] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the described features. Throughout the description of this application, "plurality" means two or more, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0032] Those skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate that the details of the described examples are merely illustrative of some embodiments and that the teachings set forth herein are applicable to various alternative arrangements.

[0033] The technical solution of the present invention can be applied to various wireless communication systems, such as: Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) system, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) system, 5G communication system or future wireless communication system. 5G communication system or 5G network can also be called New Radio (NR) system or NR network.

[0034] For example, a wireless communication system 100 to which the present invention is applied is shown in FIG1 . The wireless communication system 100 may include a core network 130, a macro base station 200, multiple auxiliary base stations 400, and user equipment 10a, 10b. The macro base station 200 and the multiple auxiliary base stations 400 may be devices that communicate with user equipment (UE) 10a, 10b. The macro base station 200 and the multiple auxiliary base stations 400 may provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and may communicate with user equipment 10a, 10b located within the coverage area.

[0035] The core network 130 may be an IP mobile communications network operated by a mobile communications operator. For example, the core network 130 may be a core network used by a mobile communications operator that operates and manages the wireless communication system 100, or may be a core network used by a virtual mobile communications operator such as a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO). The core network 130 may be connected to the macro base station 200 and multiple auxiliary base stations 400, serving as a relay device for transmitting user data. User devices 10a and 10b transmit and receive user data via the core network 130. It should be noted that user data communication is not limited to IP communication and may also involve non-IP communication.

[0036] Optionally, the macro base station 200 and the multiple auxiliary base stations 400 can be evolved base stations (eNBs) in the LTE system, or the base station can be a mobile switching center, a relay station, an access point, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a hub, a switch, a bridge, a router, a network side device in a 5G network, or a base station in a future communication system, etc.

[0037] Optionally, UE 10a and 10b can be stationary or mobile. User equipment 10a, 10b includes, but is not limited to, a connection via a wired line, such as via a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), a digital cable, a direct cable connection; and / or another data connection / network; and / or via a wireless interface, such as for a cellular network, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), a digital television network such as a DVB-H network, a satellite network, an AM-FM broadcast transmitter; and / or a device of another user equipment configured to receive / send communication signals; and / or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. User equipment configured to communicate via a wireless interface may be referred to as a "wireless communication terminal," "wireless terminal," or "mobile terminal." Examples of mobile terminals include, but are not limited to, satellite or cellular telephones; Personal Communications System (PCS) terminals that can combine cellular radio telephones with data processing, fax, and data communications capabilities; may include radiotelephones, pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, wireless communication devices, handheld devices, laptop computers, tablet devices, cameras, gaming devices, netbooks, smartbooks, ultrabooks, medical devices or apparatuses, wearable devices (smart watches, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wristbands), entertainment devices (music or video devices), vehicle-mounted components or sensors, smart meters / sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment, Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, or any other appropriate device configured to communicate via wireless or wired media. The access terminal can be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a user device in a 5G network, or a user device in a future evolved PLMN, etc.

[0038] Alternatively, two or more UEs (e.g., UEs 10a and 10b) may communicate directly using one or more sidelink channels (e.g., without using a base station as an intermediary for communicating with each other). For example, UEs 10a and 10b may communicate using point-to-point (P2P) communication, device-to-device (D2D) communication, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) protocols (which may include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) protocols, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) protocols, or similar protocols), mesh networks, or similar networks, or a combination thereof. In this case, UEs 10a and 10b may perform scheduling operations, resource selection operations, and other operations described elsewhere herein as being performed by a base station.

[0039] Figure 1 exemplarily illustrates a macro base station 200, two auxiliary base stations 400, two user devices 10a and 10b, and a core network 130. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may include multiple macro base stations 200, multiple auxiliary base stations 400, and multiple user devices, and each base station may include a different number of user devices within its coverage area, which is not limited in the present invention. Within the coverage area of ​​a cell where a macro base station 200 is located, more than one auxiliary base station 400 may be deployed, and the macro base station 200 and multiple auxiliary base stations 400 form an ideal backhaul. In one embodiment, the macro base station 200 only transmits downlink signals, and the auxiliary base station 400 only receives signals. In another embodiment, the macro base station 200 both transmits and receives signals, and the auxiliary base station 400 only receives signals.

[0040] Please note that in this embodiment of the present invention, the macro base station 200 can perform both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions with the user devices 10a and 10b. However, the secondary base station 400 only performs uplink transmissions with the user devices 10a and 10b, but not downlink transmissions. Because the secondary base station 400 and the user devices do not perform downlink (DL) transmissions, the user devices 10a and 10b are also referred to as uplink-only base stations. Since the secondary base station 400 and the user devices only need to receive signals, not transmit signals, the number of transmission systems can be reduced, thereby saving hardware costs and energy consumption. As shown in Figure 1, in this embodiment of the present invention, because the distance between the user device 10a and the macro base station 200 is much greater than the distance between the user device 10a and the secondary base station 400, the path loss value between the user device 10a and the macro base station 200 is greater than the path loss value between the user device 10a and the secondary base station 400. Therefore, the user device 10a can perform uplink transmissions through the secondary base station 400. If the path loss between the user equipment 10b and the macro base station 200 is smaller than the path loss between the user equipment 10b and the secondary base station 400, the user equipment 10b can directly perform uplink transmission through the macro base station 200, or selectively perform uplink transmission through the secondary base station 400. For ease of explanation, in the following embodiments, when the user equipment 10a is used as an example, this represents a scenario in which the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200 is larger than the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400. When the user equipment 10b is used as an example, this represents a scenario in which the path loss between the user equipment 10b and the macro base station 200 is smaller than the path loss between the user equipment 10b and the secondary base station 400.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2, a communications system includes user equipment (UE) 10a and 10b, a macro base station 200, an auxiliary base station 400, and a network entity device 300. Connections between devices and device components are shown as lines and arrows in the figure. UE 10a may include a processor 11a, a memory 12a, and a transceiver 13a. UE 10b may include a processor 11b, a memory 12b, and a transceiver 13b. Macro base station 200 may include a processor 201, a memory 202, and a transceiver 203. Assisted base station 400 may include a processor 401, a memory 402, and a transceiver 403. Network entity device 300 may include a processor 301, a memory 302, and a transceiver 303. Each processor 11a, 11b, 201, 301, and 401, upon execution, may implement the functions, processes, and / or methods provided in the embodiments. The radio interface protocol layer may be implemented in processors 11a, 11b, 201, 301, and 401. Each memory 12a, 12b, 202, 302, and 402 may store various programs and information to coordinate the operation of the connected processor. Each transceiver 13a, 13b, 203, 303, and 403 is coupled to the processor and is configured to transmit and / or receive radio signals or wired signals. The macro base station 200 and the secondary base station 400 may be one of an eNB, a gNB, an access point (AP), a transmit-receive point (TRP), or other types of wireless nodes, and may configure wireless resources for the UEs 10a and 10b. The macro base station 200 and the secondary base station 400 may have different transmit power levels, different coverage areas, and different impacts on interference in the wireless network 100. For example, the macro base station 200 may have a high transmit power level (e.g., 5 to 40 watts), while the secondary base station 400 may have a lower transmit power level (e.g., 0.1 to 2 watts).

[0042] Each processor 11a, 11b, 201, 301 and 401 may include an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), other chipsets, logic circuits and / or data processing devices. Each memory 12a, 12b, 202, 302 and 402 may include a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, a memory card, a storage medium and / or other storage devices. Each transceiver 13a, 13b, 203, 303 and 403 may include baseband circuitry and radio frequency (RF) circuitry to process radio frequency signals. When the embodiments are implemented in software, the techniques described herein may be implemented using functional modules, processes, functions, entities, etc. described herein. The modules may be stored in memory and executed by the processor. The memory may be implemented inside or outside the processor, and various devices known in the art may be coupled to the processor.

[0043] The network entity device 300 can be a node in the LTE core network or the 5G core network 130, which includes a user plane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), a mobility management function (AMF), a unified data management (UDM), a policy control function (PCF), a control plane (CP) / user plane (UP) separation (CUPS), an authentication server (AUSF), a network slice selection function (NSSF) and a network exposure function (NEF).

[0044] Example 1

[0045] 1 to 3 , FIG3 is a flow chart of a method for path loss configuration performed by a user equipment according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes steps S300 to S308 .

[0046] Step S300: Receive a downlink reference signal from a macro base station.

[0047] Step S301: Determine a measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

[0048] Step S302: Receive a path loss configuration or a path loss indication.

[0049] Step S304: Determine the path loss amount according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication.

[0050] Step S306: The user equipment determines the transmit power according to the path loss or the measured path loss.

[0051] Step S308: The user equipment uses the channel resources according to the transmit power to perform transmission with the secondary base station.

[0052] Before initially accessing the macro base station 200, the user equipment 10a receives a downlink reference signal from the macro base station 200 and measures the downlink reference signal strength (step S300). The downlink reference signal can be a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS). Based on the downlink reference signal strength, the user equipment 10a determines the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200 (step S301).

[0053] When the user equipment 10a is at the edge of a cell, which means it is far from the macro base station 200 but close to the secondary base station 400, the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400 will be smaller than the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200. In this case, the user equipment 10a will cooperate with the secondary base station 400 for PRACH. Although the path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200 is obtained by measuring the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), the secondary base station 400 cannot transmit SSBs to the UE 10a. Moreover, since the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 is much smaller than the path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200, the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 cannot be obtained by measuring SSBs. At this time, the UE 10a receives a path loss configuration or a path loss indication associated with a channel resource (eg, a physical random access channel PRACH resource) from the macro base station 200 (step S302 ).

[0054] Since the user equipment 10a can use different transmit powers when using different channel resources, and the transmit power of the user equipment 10a is related to the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400, the user equipment 10a determines the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400 according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication (step S304).

[0055] Next, the UE 10a determines the path loss amount between the UE 10a and the SeNB 400 according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication (step S304).

[0056] In one embodiment, the path loss amount can be directly determined by the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue (for 4-step random access) or msgA-PreamblePathLossValue (for 2-step random access). The path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue or msgA-PreamblePathLossValue is used to indicate the path loss amount between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400. This is because the system information block (SIB1) carries key information required for the UE 10a to access the cell, such as random access parameters and PRACH configuration to request the required system information (SI). Moreover, SIB1 is transmitted via the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH), which contains information defined when evaluating whether the UE 10a is allowed to access the cell, as well as radio resource allocation information (RACH-ConfigGeneric) that is common to the UE. In this way, the path loss configuration can be carried by the system information block SIB1.

[0057] The path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue is used to indicate the path loss of the PRACH for 4-step random access. Its value range is [A, B], where A and B are both positive integers and the unit is dB. If the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue is not configured, the path loss of the PRACH for 4-step random access uses the path loss measured by the SSB. For the configuration of the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue, please refer to the following settings:

[0058] The path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossValue is used to indicate the path loss of the PRACH with 2-step random access. Its value range is [A',B'], where A' and B' are both positive integers and the unit is dB. If the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossValue is not configured, the path loss of the PRACH with 2-step random access uses the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue. If neither msgA-PreamblePathLossValue nor preamblePathLossValue is configured, the path loss of the PRACH with 2-step random access uses the path loss of the measured SSB. For the configuration of the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossValue, please refer to the following settings:

[0059] The network side may determine the configuration values ​​of the parameters preamblePathLossValue and msgA-PreamblePathLossValue according to the farthest coverage distance or the average coverage distance of the auxiliary base station 400.

[0060] In one embodiment, the path loss amount is determined by the measured path loss amount and the path loss parameter preamblePathLossOffset (for 4-step random access), or by the measured path loss amount and msgA-PreamblePathLossOffset (for 2-step random access). The path loss parameter preamblePathLossOffset or msgA-PreamblePathLossOffset can be carried by SIB1 and is used to indicate the path loss compensation amount for PRACH when performing random access between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400.

[0061] The path loss parameter preamblePathLossOffset is used to indicate the amount of PRACH path loss compensation when performing four-step random access between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400. Its value range is [A, B], where A and B are both positive integers and the unit is dB. If the path loss parameter preamblePathLossOffset is not configured, the path loss compensation for four-step random access PRACH defaults to 0. For the configuration of the path loss parameter preamblePathLossOffset, please refer to the following settings:

[0062] The path loss parameter msgA-preamblePathLossOffset is used to indicate the path loss compensation amount of PRACH when performing two-step random access between the user equipment 10a and the auxiliary base station 400. Its value range is [A, B], where A and B are both positive integers and the unit is dB. If msgA-PreamblePathLossOffset is not configured, the path loss compensation amount for two-step random access PRACH uses preamblePathLossOffset. If neither msgA-PreamblePathLossOffset nor preamblePathLossOffset is configured, the path loss compensation amount for two-step random access PRACH defaults to 0. For the configuration of the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossOffset, please refer to the following settings:

[0063] In step S308, after UE 10a receives the configured path loss parameter associated with the path loss amount or the path loss compensation amount, UE 10a needs to determine the transmit power when using PRACH based on the measured path loss amount (measurement type) or the configured path loss parameter (configuration type) obtained by measuring the SSB.

[0064] In one embodiment, when the signal strength of the downlink reference signal measured by UE 10b is greater than a threshold, it indicates that UE 10b is at the center of the cell. UE 10b can communicate directly with the macro base station 200 and measure the signal strength of the SSB (measurement type) to determine the path loss amount of the PRACH (the path loss amount). When the signal quality of the downlink reference signal measured by UE 10a is less than a threshold, it indicates that UE 10a is at the edge of the cell. UE 10a can communicate with the auxiliary base station 400 and use the configured path loss parameter (configuration type) to determine the path loss amount of the PRACH (the path loss amount) between the user equipment UE 10a and the auxiliary base station 400. The downlink reference signal can be an SSB, and the signal strength can be the Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) of the downlink reference signal. Optionally, this threshold can be configured by a high-level parameter or can be predefined.

[0065] In one embodiment, when UE 10a or UE 10b receives the configured path loss parameter (configuration type), UE 10a or UE 10b prioritizes using the configured path loss parameter to determine the PRACH path loss. If UE 10a or UE 10b does not receive the configured path loss parameter, it measures the SSB to determine the PRACH path loss (measurement type).

[0066] In one embodiment, the path loss configuration includes a path loss indicator preamblePathLossIndicator (corresponding to 4-step random access) or msgA-PreamblePathLossIndicator (corresponding to 2-step random access).

[0067] The path loss indicator preamblePathLossIndicator or msgA-PreamblePathLossIndicator can be carried by SIB1 to indicate whether the path loss amount of PRACH adopts the configuration type (config) or the measurement type (meas) when random access is performed between the user equipment 10a and the auxiliary base station 400. For PRACH with 4-step random access, when the path loss indicator preamblePathLossIndicator is not configured, and the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue has been configured, the path loss amount of PRACH with 4-step random access adopts the configuration type. If neither the path loss indicator preamblePathLossIndicator nor the path loss parameter preamblePathLossValue is configured, the path loss amount of PRACH with 4-step random access adopts the measurement type. The configuration of the path loss parameter preamblePathLossIndicator can refer to the following settings:

[0068] For 2-step random access PRACH, when the path loss indicator msgA-PreamblePathLossIndicator is not configured and the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossValue is configured, the path loss amount of the 2-step random access PRACH adopts the configuration type. If the path loss indicator msgA-PreamblePathLossIndicator and the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossValue are not configured, the path loss amount of the 2-step random access PRACH adopts the measurement type. The configuration of the path loss parameter msgA-PreamblePathLossIndicator can be referred to as follows:

[0069] In one embodiment, from the perspective of saving bits of SIB1, the parameters indicating the target receive power and the path loss amount can be merged, so the transmit power of the PRACH is configured by high-level parameters. Specifically, the path loss configuration includes the target receive power parameter preambleReceivedTargetPower (for 4-step random access) or msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower (for 2-step random access). Configure the target receive power parameter preambleReceivedTargetPower to indicate the configured transmit power of the PRACH for 4-step random access. Configure the target receive power parameter msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower to indicate the configured transmit power of the PRACH for 2-step random access. If the target receive power parameter msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower is not configured, the transmit power of the PRACH for 2-step random access uses the target receive power parameter preambleReceivedTargetPower.

[0070] The actual transmit power P of the PRACH of UE 10a is PRACH,b,f,c (i) Determine according to the following formula: PRACH，b，f，c (i) = min{P CMAX，f，c (i), P PRACH，target，f，c +PL b，f，c},

[0071] Among them, P CMAX ,f,c(i) represents the maximum power that UE 10a can configure, and the configured transmit power of PRACH is P PRACH,configured, b,f,c is the target received power P PRACH,target,f,c and path loss P PRACH,target,f,c The sum of PPRACH configured, b, f, c = P PRACH，target，f，c +PL b，f，c Target received power P PRACH,target,f,c It can be configured by a higher layer parameter, such as the base station's target received power parameter preambleReceivedTargetPower (for 4-step random access) or msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower (for 2-step random access). Actual path loss compensation power PL b,f,c It is obtained by measuring the SSB associated with PRACH. Note that the subsequent target received power P PRACH,target,f,c The MAC layer will be based on the channel power climbing parameter (Δ rampup) and the number of climbs, that is, the PRACH power after climbing N times is PPRACH,configured,b,f,c+N·Δ rampup , Δ rampup Configured by higher-layer parameters, this can save SIB1 bits.

[0072] In one embodiment, the path loss configuration includes a power category parameter preamblePowerType, which is used to indicate whether the target receive power parameter (preambleReceivedTargetPower or msgA-PreambleReceivedTargetPower) indicates the transmit power (initialTransmit) or the target receive power (receivedTarget) configured for the PRACH (channel resource). The configuration of the power category parameter preamblePowerType can be set as follows:

[0073] After the UE 10a determines the transmit power for the Assist BS 400 according to the path loss, the UE 10a uses the PRACH channel resources to perform transmission with the Assist BS 400 according to the transmit power (step S308).

[0074] Example 2

[0075] When the user equipment 10a is at the edge of a cell, which means it is far from the macro base station 200 but close to the secondary base station 400, the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400 will be smaller than the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200. In this case, for Msg3 PUSCH, the user equipment 10a will cooperate with the secondary base station 400. Although the path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200 is obtained by measuring the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), the secondary base station 400 cannot transmit SSBs to the UE 10a. Moreover, since the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 is much smaller than the path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200, the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 cannot be obtained by measuring SSBs. At this time, the UE 10a receives a path loss configuration associated with a channel resource (eg, the physical uplink shared channel Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH) from the macro base station 200 (step S302 ).

[0076] Before initially accessing the macro base station 200, the user equipment 10a measures the signal strength of a downlink reference signal from the macro base station 200 (step S300). The downlink reference signal can be a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0077] The user equipment 10a determines the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200 according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

[0078] Since the user equipment 10a can use different transmit powers when using different channel resources, and the transmit power of the user equipment 10a is related to the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the auxiliary base station 400, the user equipment 10a determines the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the auxiliary base station 400 according to the path loss configuration (step S304).

[0079] Next, the UE 10a determines the path loss amount between the UE 10a and the assisting BS 400 according to the path loss configuration (step S306).

[0080] In one embodiment, the path loss amount in the Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH power control is directly set to the same path loss amount as the above-mentioned PRACH.

[0081] In one embodiment, the path loss amount in Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH power control is configured by a higher layer parameter. If the higher layer parameter is not configured, Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH uses the same path loss amount as the above-mentioned PRACH.

[0082] In one embodiment, the path loss amount used in Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH power control is obtained by measuring the path loss amount of the SSB and the compensation amount configured by the higher-layer parameters. If the higher-layer parameters are not configured, the path loss amount used in Msg3 PUSCH or MsgA PUSCH power control uses the same path loss amount as the PRACH described above.

[0083] In one embodiment, the path loss amount in Msg3 PUSCH power control is a path loss indicator carried in a random access response (RAR).

[0084] In one embodiment, the transmit power control (TPC) command of the uplink scheduling of the RAR can be used to indicate the path loss of the msg3 PUSCH. Table 1 shows the correspondence between the indication value of the TPC area and the path loss of the msg3 PUSCH, where the path loss PL_i (i=1,...,8) is a positive integer in dB. The TPC area stores multiple indication values, each of which corresponds to a path loss. Therefore, when the UE 10a receives the RAR from the macro base station 200, it will directly select the corresponding msg3 PUSCH path loss PL_1-PL_8 as the path loss between the user equipment 10a and the auxiliary base station 400 based on the signal strength value of the measured downlink reference signal according to the indication value of the TPC area.

[0085] Table 1

[0086] In another embodiment, as shown in Table 2, the TPC of the uplink scheduling of RAR can be used to indicate the path loss amount and power adjustment amount δ of msg3 PUSCH Msg2 The path loss PL_i (i=1,...,8) is a positive integer in dB. The TPC area stores multiple indication values, each of which corresponds to a path loss and a power adjustment value. Therefore, when UE 10a receives the RAR from the macro base station 200, it will directly select the corresponding msg3 PUSCH path loss PL_1-PL_8 and / or power adjustment value δ based on the TPC area indication value according to the signal strength value of the downlink reference signal. Msg2 The path loss between the user equipment 10a and the assisting base station 400 is determined.

[0087] Table 2

[0088] When the PRACH path loss is of the measurement type, the UE 10a receives the TPC region indication msg3 in the RAR and the PUSCH power adjustment amount δ Msg2 (Using the power adjustment amount in Table 2), the path loss amount for UE 10a to transmit msg3 PUSCH adopts the path loss of measuring SSB. When the path loss amount of PRACH adopts the configuration type, UE 10a receives the TPC area in the RAR indicating the path loss amount of msg3 PUSCH (using the path loss amount in Table 1 or Table 2), and the path loss amount for UE 10a to transmit msg3 PUSCH adopts the path loss amount indicated by the TPC area, δ Msg2 The default is 0.

[0089] In another embodiment, the path loss indication is determined by the path loss indication of the uplink scheduling of the random access response RAR. As shown in Table 3, the path loss indication is a newly added field in the uplink scheduling of the RAR, which consists of N bits, and the N bits are used to represent multiple path loss amounts.

[0090] Table 3

[0091] The corresponding relationship between the path loss indication and the path loss amount of msg3 PUSCH is shown in Table 4, where the path loss amount PL_i (i=1,...,2 N ) are all positive integers, with the unit being dB.

[0092] Table 4

[0093] In another embodiment, the path loss configuration is determined by a path loss area of ​​a random access response (RAR).

[0094] The path loss area in Table 5 is a new area in the RAR, with a bit count of N. The RAR length is a fixed number of bytes, each containing 8 bits. Therefore, the total number of bits in all RAR areas must be a multiple of 8: M + 12 + 3 + 16 + N > = 8 * Q, where Q is a positive integer greater than 7. The path loss amount for the MSG3 PUSCH indicated by the path loss area is shown in the error! Reference source not found.

[0095] Table 5

[0096] If the path loss area of ​​the RAR does not indicate the above path loss amount or power adjustment amount δ Msg2 , msg3 PUSCH uses the same path loss as PRACH.

[0097] The path loss indicated by the RAR is obtained by measuring the PRACH transmitted by UE 10a. The network can determine the initial PRACH transmit power using the configured path loss and target received power. However, it is difficult to determine the actual PRACH transmit power of UE 10a because the actual PRACH transmit power may be several times higher than the initial transmit power. The following analyzes how to measure path loss using PRACH:

[0098] Assume that the initial transmit power of PRACH is P PRACH,initial =P target +PL config Assume that after several PRACH transmissions, a RAR response is obtained. At this time, the PRACH transmission power is PPRACH,final =P target +PL config +ΔP rampup,actual , that is, the power rises by ΔP relative to the initial emission rampup,actual If the power of PRACH received by the auxiliary base station 400 is P receive , then the actual path loss is PL actual =P receive -P transmit =P receive -(P target +ΔP rampup,actual +PL config Although the assisting base station 400 does not know the amount of PRACH power ramp-up, the assisting base station 400 will set ΔP rampup,actual =0, the auxiliary base station 400 will calculate the estimated path loss power PL estimate =P receive -P transmit =P receive -(P target +PL config ), that is, to estimate the path loss power PL estimate Ratio to actual path loss power PL actual Less ΔP rampup,actual Therefore, the actual path loss power PL used by UE 10a when transmitting msg3 PUSCH is actual It will be PL estimate Add ΔP rampup,actual .

[0099] In one embodiment, the path loss amount (ie, path loss configuration) in Msg3 PUSCH power control is determined by the path loss field included in the downlink control information (DCI). The path loss field indication includes N bits, and the N bits are used to represent multiple path loss amounts.

[0100] This embodiment uses reserved bits in the RA-RNTI-scrambled DCI to indicate the path loss amount for the MSG3 PUSCH. Regional path loss is added to the RA-RNTI-scrambled DCI, occupying N reserved bits. Table 4 shows the path loss amount for the MSG3 PUSCH indicated by the path loss regional indication.

[0101] Therefore, for Example 2, when the path loss of msg3 PUSCH is indicated by RAR or DCI, the network side will set the PRACH transmit power to the target received power without ramping when estimating the path loss power. When UE 10a uses msg3 PUSCH, it will need to add the PRACH ramp power ΔP rampup,actual .

[0102] Example 3

[0103] In existing standards, for uplink signals in a connected state, the path loss between the UE and the macro base station 200 is obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal, which typically uses the SSB or CSI-RS. However, the secondary base station 400 cannot transmit a downlink reference signal, and because the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 is much smaller than the path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200, the path loss between the UE 10a and the secondary base station 400 cannot be calculated using the path loss obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal. Therefore, in embodiments of the present invention, the path loss for uplink signals in a connected state can also be configured by higher-layer parameters or dynamically indicated by the network. The path loss dynamically indicated by the network is obtained by the network-side base station through uplink signal measurement.

[0104] In the application scenario of the embodiment of the present invention, when UE 10a is in the connected state after initial access or reconfiguration, the base station on the network side will determine the path loss amount of the uplink path loss reference signal transmitted by UE 10a for the first time, or the path loss amount of the uplink signal in the connected state.

[0105] In one embodiment, the path loss amount for the first transmission of the uplink path loss reference signal after initial access or reconfiguration can be configured by a higher layer parameter. If the higher layer parameter is not configured, the path loss amount for the uplink path loss reference signal uses the same path loss amount as the PRACH.

[0106] In one embodiment, the path loss amount for the first transmission of an uplink path loss reference signal after initial access or reconfiguration can be obtained by measuring the path loss amount of the SSB and the compensation amount configured by higher-layer parameters. If higher-layer parameters are not configured, the path loss amount for the uplink path loss reference signal uses the same path loss amount as that for the PRACH.

[0107] In one embodiment, the path loss amount for the first transmission of an uplink path loss reference signal after initial access or reconfiguration may be indicated by information carried by the RAR. If the RAR does not indicate the path loss amount, the path loss amount for the uplink path loss reference signal uses the same path loss amount as the PRACH. The difference between the estimated path loss amount and the actual path loss amount is also added when calculating the transmit power of the uplink path loss reference signal.

[0108] In one embodiment, the path loss of the uplink signal in the connected state is configured by a higher layer parameter. If the higher layer parameter is not configured, the path loss of the uplink signal in the connected state is the path loss obtained by measuring the SSB.

[0109] In one embodiment, the path loss of the uplink signal in the connected state is obtained by measuring the path loss of the downlink reference signal and the compensation amount configured by the higher-layer parameters. If the higher-layer parameters are not configured, the path loss of the uplink signal in the connected state is the path loss obtained by measuring the downlink reference signal.

[0110] In one embodiment, the path loss amount of the uplink signal in the connected state is dynamically indicated by the network side. The network side dynamically indicates the path loss amount to the UE 10a via a MAC CE.

[0111] Please refer to Figures 5A, 5B, and 5C, which illustrate three MAC CE structures used by the network to dynamically indicate to the UE the path loss amount to be used. The first MAC CE shown in Figure 5A includes at least one of the following fields: a cell ID, a BWP ID, and a path loss field 601 for recording absolute path loss. Path loss field 601 has N bits, and the absolute path loss amount of the uplink signal recorded in path loss field 601 may be as shown in Table 2.

[0112] The second MAC CE shown in FIG5B includes at least one of the following fields: a cell ID, a BWP ID, and a path loss field 602 for recording the change in path loss. The path loss field 602 has M bits. The change in path loss recorded in the path loss field 602 is the difference between the path loss indicated this time and the path loss indicated last time. The change in path loss is Delta_PL_i (i=1,...,2 M ) is a positive or negative integer, in dB. The mapping relationship is shown in Table 6.

[0113] Table 6

[0114] The third MAC CE shown in FIG5C includes at least one of the following fields: a cell ID, a BWP ID, a path loss type 604, and a path loss field 605. When the path loss type field 604 is set to 0, the path loss field 605 indicates the absolute path loss amount; when the path loss type field 604 is set to 1, the path loss field 605 indicates the path loss change amount.

[0115] When the initially transmitted information (path loss indication) indicates an absolute path loss, each subsequently transmitted MAC CE information (path loss indication) indicates a change in path loss. The initially transmitted information may be one of the following: the path loss indicated by information in the RAR, the path loss indicated by the first MAC CE transmitted after initial access, or the path loss indicated by the first MAC CE transmitted after reconfiguration. When the initially transmitted MAC CE uses the first MAC CE in Figure 5A , each subsequently transmitted MAC CE may use the second MAC CE in Figure 5B . Alternatively, the initially transmitted MAC CE may use the third MAC CE in Figure 5C , with the Path Loss Type field 604 of the third MAC CE set to 0, such that the Path Loss field 605 indicates an absolute path loss. Each subsequently transmitted MAC CE may also use the third MAC CE in Figure 5C , with the Path Loss Type field 604 of the third MAC CE set to 1, such that the Path Loss field 605 indicates a change in path loss.

[0116] In addition to using MAC CE, the network dynamically indicates the path loss to UE 10a via DCI. For example, the initial path loss indication (path loss indication) is the absolute path loss, while subsequent DCI indicates the change in path loss. A new path loss field is added to the DCI to indicate the change in path loss. The number of bits in the path loss field is M, and the mapping relationship is shown in Table 6.

[0117] 1 and 4A , FIG4A is a flow chart of a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method includes steps S400 and S406 .

[0118] Step S400: Transmit a connection state path loss indication parameter to a user equipment, where the connection state path loss indication parameter is used to indicate to the user equipment a path loss amount configured using the path loss configuration or a path loss amount measured by the user equipment.

[0119] Step S406: Transmitting a path loss configuration associated with the channel resources to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines a path loss amount between the user equipment and the secondary base station according to the path loss configuration, determines a transmit power for the secondary base station according to the path loss amount, and uses the channel resources for transmission with the secondary base station according to the transmit power.

[0120] In one embodiment, a base station on the network side (eg, the macro base station 200 ) sets a connection state path loss indicator parameter pathLossIndicator to the path loss configuration and sends it to the UE 10a or UE 10b via the MAC control element CE.

[0121] When UE 10a or UE 10b receives the transmitted connection-state path loss indicator parameter pathLossIndicator, UE 10a or UE 10b determines whether to use the configured path loss (corresponding to measULRS) or the measured path loss (corresponding to measDLRS) for the path loss of the connected uplink signal based on the transmitted connection-state path loss indicator parameter pathLossIndicator. If pathLossIndicator is not configured, UE 10a or UE 10b uses the measured path loss. The configuration of the path loss parameter pathLossIndicator can be referred to as follows:

[0122] The path loss configuration method performed by the network-side base station shown in Figure 4A uses a higher-layer parameter (i.e., the connection-state path loss indication parameter pathLossIndicator) to instruct UE 10a to use the indicated path loss or the measured path loss. When UE 10a is configured to use the indicated path loss, UE 10a no longer measures the path loss of the downlink reference signal. When UE 10a is configured to use the measured path loss, the network-side base station no longer measures the path loss of the uplink path loss reference signal. Therefore, this configuration allows UE 10a to measure and use only one path loss, reducing complexity and saving energy.

[0123] In another embodiment, the connection state path loss indication parameter pathLossIndicator may also be configured in different uplink signal configurations, such as SRS-Config, PUSCH-Config, and PUCCH-Config.

[0124] 1 and 4B , FIG4B is a flow chart of a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method includes steps S401 to S406 .

[0125] Step S401: Measure the signal strength from the uplink reference signal.

[0126] Step S402: Determine the measured path loss amount according to the signal strength of the uplink reference signal.

[0127] Step S403: Determine whether the measured path loss between the user equipment and the secondary base station is greater than a threshold.

[0128] Step S404: When the measured path loss between the user equipment and the secondary base station is greater than a threshold, the base station on the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration.

[0129] Step S405: When the measured path loss between the user equipment and the secondary base station is less than or equal to the threshold, the base station on the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss measured by the user equipment.

[0130] Step S406: Transmitting a path loss configuration associated with the channel resources to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines a path loss amount between the user equipment and the secondary base station according to the path loss configuration, determines a transmit power for the secondary base station according to the path loss amount, and uses the channel resources for transmission with the secondary base station according to the transmit power.

[0131] In step S401, first, the base station on the network side (such as the macro base station 200) measures the signal strength of the uplink reference signal from the user equipment 10a. The uplink reference signal can be a sounding reference signal (SRS). There are many uses of SRS, and the SRS used to measure the signal strength of the uplink reference signal from the user equipment 10a can include an SRS for beam management, an SRS for codebook, an SRS for non-codebook, an SRS for antenna switching, or a new SRS for path loss. Regarding the new SRS for path loss, its configuration can refer to the following settings:

[0132] In step S402 , the network-side base station 200 determines the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the assisting base station 400 according to the signal strength of the uplink reference signal.

[0133] To further determine the distance between the UE 10a and the assisting base station 400, in step S403, the network-side base station 200 determines whether the measured path loss between the UE 10a and the assisting base station 400 is greater than a threshold.

[0134] When the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400 is greater than the threshold, it indicates that the UE 10a is far from the secondary base station 400 and closer to the macro base station 200. The network-side base station 200 instructs the user equipment 10a to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration. When the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the secondary base station 400 is less than or equal to the threshold, it indicates that the UE 10a is far from the macro base station 200 and closer to the secondary base station 400. The network-side base station 200 instructs the user equipment 10a to use the path loss measured by the user equipment 10a. The threshold can be configured by a higher-layer parameter or can be predefined.

[0135] In step S406, the network transmits a path loss configuration associated with the channel resource to user equipment 10a. The network uses DCI and / or MAC CE to dynamically instruct UE 10a whether to use the indicated path loss or the measured path loss. The MAC CE is issued one of the following times: upon completion of measurement of an uplink path loss reference signal resource set; or when the change in the indicated path loss relative to the previously indicated path loss exceeds a set threshold.

[0136] FIG4B illustrates a method for configuring path loss, performed by a network-side base station. The network dynamically instructs UE 10a to adopt or measure a specific path loss. Even if the path loss between UE 10a and macro base station 200 and between UE 10a and secondary base station 400 changes due to UE 10a's mobility, the network dynamically instructs UE 10a to adopt or measure the specific path loss. This allows for flexible adjustment of the path loss configuration, minimizing interference and saving energy.

[0137] 1 and 4C , FIG4C is a flowchart of a method for path loss configuration performed by a base station on the network side according to another embodiment of the present invention. The method includes steps S501 to S504 and step S406 .

[0138] Step S501: Receive an uplink reference signal from a user equipment or receive a measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station, wherein the measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

[0139] Step S502: Determine whether the measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station is less than a threshold.

[0140] Step S503: When the measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station is less than a threshold, the base station on the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss measured by the user equipment.

[0141] Step S504: When the measured path loss between the user equipment and the macro base station is greater than or equal to the threshold, the base station on the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration.

[0142] Step S406: Transmitting a path loss configuration associated with the channel resources to the user equipment, so that the user equipment determines a path loss amount between the user equipment and the secondary base station according to the path loss configuration, determines a transmit power for the secondary base station according to the path loss amount, and uses the channel resources for transmission with the secondary base station according to the transmit power.

[0143] To further determine the distance between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200, in step S502, the network-side base station 200 determines whether the measured path loss between the UE 10a and the macro base station 200 is less than a threshold.

[0144] When the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200 is less than the threshold, it indicates that the UE 10a is far from the auxiliary base station 400 and closer to the macro base station 200. The network-side base station 200 instructs the user equipment 10a to use the measured path loss of the user equipment. When the measured path loss between the user equipment 10a and the macro base station 200 is greater than or equal to the threshold, it indicates that the UE 10a is far from the macro base station 200 and closer to the auxiliary base station 400. The network-side base station 200 instructs the user equipment 10a to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration. The preset threshold can be configured by a higher-layer parameter or can be predefined.

[0145] In step S406, the network transmits a path loss configuration associated with the channel resource to user equipment 10a. The network uses DCI and / or MAC CE to dynamically instruct UE 10a whether to use the indicated path loss or the measured path loss. The MAC CE is issued one of the following times: upon completion of measurement of an uplink path loss reference signal resource set; or when the change in the indicated path loss relative to the previously indicated path loss exceeds a set threshold.

[0146] In another embodiment, after UE 10a makes a judgment based on the measured path loss amount and the threshold, if the type of path loss used remains unchanged, UE 10a does not report to the network side; if the type of path loss used changes, UE 10a reports to the network side, and the network side then uses DCI and / or MAC CE to instruct the UE which path loss amount to use.

[0147] FIG4C illustrates a method for configuring path loss, performed by a network-side base station. The UE instructs UE 10a to use a designated path loss amount or a measured path loss amount based on the path loss amount obtained by measuring a downlink path loss reference signal. Even if the path loss between UE 10a and macro base station 200 and between UE 10a and secondary base station 400 changes due to UE 10a's mobility, the network dynamically instructs UE 10a to use the designated path loss amount or the measured path loss amount. This allows for flexible adjustment of the path loss configuration, thereby reducing interference and saving energy.

[0148] An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for configuring path loss. The method, executed in a user equipment (UE), includes receiving a path loss configuration or a path loss indication, and determining a path loss amount based on the path loss configuration or the path loss indication. The UE can use the path loss amount determined by the path loss configuration or the path loss indication to determine the transmit power used for a secondary base station (ASB). By controlling the power of an ASB used only for uplink transmission, the uplink performance of a wireless communication system can be improved, interference in the wireless communication system can be reduced, and power consumption of the wireless communication system can be saved.

[0149] According to an example embodiment, a chip is provided, comprising: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, so that a device equipped with the chip executes a method according to any one of the above embodiments, examples, or exemplary embodiments.

[0150] According to an example embodiment, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program, wherein the computer program causes a computer to execute a method according to any one of the above-mentioned embodiments, examples, or exemplary embodiments.

[0151] According to an example embodiment, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program / instruction, which, when executed by a processor (e.g., by the processor or an apparatus, device, computer or machine comprising the processor),

[0152] Implement a method according to any one of the above embodiments, examples, or example embodiments.

[0153] Embodiments of the present invention are a combination of techniques / procedures that may be employed in 3GPP specifications to create a final product.

[0154] While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment, but is intended to cover various arrangements embodied within the broadest interpretation of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for configuring path loss, the method being performed in a user equipment, comprising: receiving a path loss configuration or a path loss indication; as well as A path loss amount is determined according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication. 2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the received path loss configuration or the path loss indication is associated with a channel resource.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: The transmission power is determined according to the path loss. 4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the path loss configuration comprises a path loss parameter, the path loss parameter is used to indicate the path loss amount, and the path loss configuration is carried by a system information block SIB1 of system information SI.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: receiving a downlink reference signal; and The measured path loss is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal. 6 . The method according to claim 5 , wherein the path loss configuration includes a loss compensation amount, and the path loss amount is determined by the measured path loss amount and the loss compensation amount.

7. The method according to claim 5, wherein the path loss configuration includes a path loss indicator, and determining the path loss amount according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indicator comprises: When the path loss indicator points to a configuration type, determining the path loss amount according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal and / or the path loss configuration; and When the path loss indicator points to a measurement type, the path loss amount is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

8. The method according to claim 5, wherein determining the measured path loss according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal comprises: When the signal strength of the downlink reference signal is less than a threshold, the measured path loss is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the threshold is predefined or configured by a high-level parameter.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein when the signal strength of the downlink reference signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, the path loss is equal to the measured path loss.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein the path loss configuration includes a target receive power parameter, and determining the transmit power based on the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss and the target receive power parameter.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the path loss configuration includes a channel power ramp parameter, and determining the transmit power based on the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss, the target receive power parameter, and the channel power ramp parameter.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein the path loss configuration comprises a power category parameter for indicating whether the target receive power parameter is the transmit power or the target receive power of the channel resource allocation.

14. The method according to claim 3, wherein the channel resource is a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource.

15. The method according to claim 3, wherein the channel resource is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource or a MsgA PUSCH resource. The method according to claim 15 , wherein the path loss indication is information included in a random access response (RAR).

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a power control command TPC of uplink scheduling of the random access response RAR, and an indication value of an area of ​​the power control command TPC corresponds to a plurality of path loss amounts.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the indication value of the region of the power control command TPC corresponds to multiple path loss amounts and multiple target power adjustment amounts, wherein the multiple path loss amounts and the multiple target power adjustment amounts are in a one-to-one correspondence.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a path loss indication of uplink scheduling of a random access response (RAR), and the path loss indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

20. The method according to claim 16, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a path loss area of ​​a random access response (RAR), and the path loss area indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

21. The method according to claim 15, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a path loss area included in downlink control information (DCI), the path loss area indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

22. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 21, wherein the path loss configuration includes a channel power ramp parameter, and determining the transmit power based on the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss, the target receive power parameter, and the channel power ramp parameter.

23. The method according to claim 5, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS).

24. The method of claim 5, further comprising: When the path loss configuration does not exist or is disabled, the path loss amount is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

25. The method according to claim 2, wherein only uplink transmission is performed between the user equipment and the secondary base station, but downlink transmission is not performed.

26. A method for path loss configuration, the method being executed in a base station on a network side, comprising: A path loss configuration or a path loss indication is sent, so that the user equipment determines a path loss amount according to the path loss configuration or the path loss indication.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the received path loss configuration or the path loss indication is associated with a channel resource.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the path loss configuration comprises a path loss parameter, the path loss parameter is used to indicate the path loss amount, and the path loss configuration is carried by a system information block SIB1 of system information SI.

29. The method of claim 28, further comprising: A measured path loss is received, wherein the user equipment receives a downlink reference signal and determines the measured path loss according to a signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the path loss configuration includes a loss compensation amount, the path loss amount being determined by the measured path loss amount and the loss compensation amount.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the path loss configuration includes a path loss indicator, and determining the path loss amount according to the path loss configuration comprises: When the path loss indicator points to a configuration type, determining the path loss amount according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal and / or the path loss configuration; and When the path loss indicator points to a measurement type, the path loss amount is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

32. The method according to claim 29, wherein determining the measured path loss according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal comprises: When the signal strength of the downlink reference signal is less than a threshold, the measured path loss is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the threshold is predefined or configured by a high-level parameter.

34. The method according to claim 32, wherein when the signal strength of the downlink reference signal is greater than or equal to the threshold, the path loss amount is equal to the measured path loss amount.

35. The method according to claim 27, wherein the path loss configuration includes a target receive power parameter, and determining the transmit power according to the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss and the target receive power parameter.

36. The method according to claim 35, wherein the path loss configuration includes a channel power ramp parameter, and determining the transmit power according to the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss, the target receive power parameter, and the channel power ramp-up parameter.

37. The method according to claim 34, wherein the path loss configuration includes a power category parameter for indicating whether the target receive power parameter is the transmit power or the target receive power of the channel resource allocation.

38. The method according to claim 27, wherein the channel resource is a physical random access channel (PRACH) resource.

39. The method according to claim 27, wherein the channel resource is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource or a MsgA PUSCH resource.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the path loss indication is information included in a random access response (RAR).

41. The method according to claim 40, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a power control command TPC of uplink scheduling of the random access response RAR, and an indication value of an area of ​​the power control command TPC corresponds to a plurality of path loss amounts.

42. The method according to claim 41, wherein the indication value of the area of ​​the power control command TPC corresponds to multiple path loss amounts and multiple target power adjustment amounts, wherein the multiple path loss amounts and the multiple target power adjustment amounts are in a one-to-one correspondence.

43. The method according to claim 40, wherein the path loss indication is determined by the path loss indication of uplink scheduling of a random access response (RAR), and the path loss indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

44. The method according to claim 40, wherein the path loss indication is determined by a path loss area of ​​a random access response (RAR), and the path loss area indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

45. The method according to claim 39, wherein the path loss configuration is determined by a path loss area included in downlink control information (DCI), the path loss area indication comprises N bits, and the N bits are used to represent a plurality of the path loss amounts.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 39 to 45, wherein the path loss configuration includes a channel power ramp parameter, and determining the transmit power based on the path loss comprises: The transmit power is determined according to the path loss, the target receive power parameter, and the channel power ramp-up parameter.

47. The method according to claim 29, wherein the downlink reference signal comprises a synchronization signal block (SSB) or a channel start information reference signal (CSI-RS).

48. The method of claim 29, further comprising: When the path loss configuration does not exist or is disabled, the path loss amount is determined according to the signal strength of the downlink reference signal.

49. The method according to claim 27, wherein only uplink (UL) transmission is performed between the UE and the secondary base station, but no downlink (DL) transmission is performed.

50. The method according to claim 27, wherein the path loss indication comprises an absolute path loss amount or a change in path loss, and the change in path loss represents a difference between a currently indicated path loss amount and a last indicated path loss amount.

51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the path loss indication is sent by the network side via a MAC control element CE.

52. The method according to claim 41, wherein the MAC CE includes a path loss type area and a path loss record area, and when the path loss type area is set to a first value, the path loss record area records the absolute path loss amount; when the path loss type area is set to a second value, the path loss record area records the change in the path loss.

53. The method according to claim 50, wherein the absolute path loss amount is sent by the network side through a first MAC CE, and the change in path loss is sent by the network side through a second MAC CE.

54. The method according to claim 50, wherein the path loss indication is recorded in a path loss area of ​​downlink control information DCI, and the path loss area indication includes M bits, and the M bits are used to represent multiple absolute path loss amounts or multiple path loss changes.

55. The method of claim 50, further comprising: A connection state path loss indication parameter is transmitted to the user equipment, where the connection state path loss indication parameter is used to indicate the path loss amount configured by the user equipment using the path loss configuration or the path loss amount measured by the user equipment.

56. The method of claim 50, further comprising: Measuring the signal strength from the uplink reference signal; determining a measured path loss amount according to the signal strength of the uplink reference signal; When the measured path loss is greater than a threshold, the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration; and When the measured path loss is less than or equal to the threshold, the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss measured by the user equipment.

57. The method of claim 50, further comprising: receiving a measured path loss from a downlink reference signal or the user equipment, wherein the measured path loss is determined according to a signal strength of the downlink reference signal; When the measured path loss is less than a threshold, the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss measured by the user equipment; and When the measured path loss is greater than or equal to the threshold, the network side instructs the user equipment to use the path loss configured by the path loss configuration.

58. A wireless communication device comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 25.

59. A wireless communication device comprising: A processor and a memory, the memory being used to store a computer program, the processor being used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to execute the method according to any one of claims 26 to 57.

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