Additional contiguous prach resources associated to legacy resources for nes

Abstract

A method includes receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource. The UE determines whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

Description

ADDITIONAL CONTIGUOUS PRACH RESOURCES ASSOCIATED TO LEGACY RESOURCES FOR NESFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, for additional contiguous physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated to legacy resources for network energy savings (NES).BACKGROUND

[0002] In order to address network energy savings (NES) issues, additional physical random access channel (PRACH) resources may be provided to NES capable user equipments (UEs) to supplement the PRACH resources of legacy UEs.

[0003] By adding additional PRACH resources on top of the legacy PRACH resources, RACH occasion (RO) periodicity may be increased. From a network energy consumption point of view, in turn an increased RO period may result in a higher energy consumed.SUMMARY

[0004] According to an aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource; determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource, or the third PRACH resource; and performing random access by using the determined PRACH resource.

[0005] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0006] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0007] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0008] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the HE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0009] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

[0010] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

[0011] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

[0012] In an embodiment, the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

[0013] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0014] In an embodiment, the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

[0015] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the frequency domain.

[0016] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the time domain.

[0017] In an embodiment, the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0018] Further according to the aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel, PRACH, configurationinformation from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division- multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource timedivision-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0019] Further according to the aspect, there is provided user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource; and determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

[0020] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0021] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0022] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0023] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0024] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

[0025] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

[0026] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

[0027] In an embodiment, the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

[0028] Further according to the aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0029] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a UE includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE at least to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0030] In an aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus includes at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0031] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a processor -readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0032] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network system and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a network system, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0036] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment of physical random access channel (PRACH) resources, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0037] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a cell and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0038] FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method of transmitting physical random access channel (PRACH) resources, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure; and

[0039] FIG. 6 is a diagram of an example embodiment of components of a UE or of a network apparatus, according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0041] Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one aspect” or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0042] Embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking apparatuses, such as, without limitation, apparatuses utilizing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications(GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband- code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advance, 6G (and beyond) and 802.11 ax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term ‘eLTE’ here denotes the LTE evolution that connects to a 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0043] The present disclosure may use the term “serving network device” to refer to a network node or network device (or a portion thereof) that services a UE. As used herein, the terms “transmit to,” “receive from,” and “cooperate with,” (and their variations) include communications that may or may not involve communications through one or more intermediate devices or nodes. The term “acquire” (and its variations) includes acquiring in the first instance or reacquiring after the first instance. The term “connection” may mean a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0044] The present disclosure uses 5G NR as an example of a wireless network and may use smartphones and / or extended reality headsets as an example of UEs. It is intended and shall be understood that such examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is applicable to other wireless networks and user equipment.

[0045] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example of wireless networking between a network system 100 and a user equipment (UE) 150. The network system 100 may include one or more network nodes 120, one or more servers 110, and / or one or more network equipment 130 (e.g., test equipment). The network nodes 120 will be described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “network apparatus” may refer to any component of the network system 100, such as the server 110, the network node 120, the network equipment 130, any component(s) of the foregoing, and / or any other component(s) of the network system 100. Examples of network apparatuses include, without limitation, apparatuses implementing aspects of 5G NR, among others. The present disclosure describes embodiments related to 5G NR and embodiments that involve aspects defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3 GPP). However, it is contemplated that embodiments relating to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0046] The following description provides further details of examples of network nodes. In a 5G NR network, a gNodeB (also known as gNB) may include, e.g., a node that provides new radio (NR) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and that is connected via a NG interface to the 5G core (5GC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 3.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0047] A gNB supports various protocol layers, e.g., Layer 1 (LI) - physical layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 3 (L3).

[0048] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), where, e.g.: o The physical layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels; o The MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels; o The RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels; o The PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers; o The SDAP sublayer offers to 5GC quality of service (QoS) flows; o Control channels include broadcast control channel (BCCH) and physical control channel (PCCH).

[0049] Layer 3 (L3) includes, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 VI 6.6.0 (2021-06) section 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0050] A gNB central unit (gNB-CU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, that controls the operation of one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs). The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. A gNB-CU may also be referred to herein as a CU, a central unit, a centralized unit, or a control unit.

[0051] A gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers of the gNB or en- gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-CU. A gNB-DU may also be referred to herein as DU or a distributed unit.

[0052] As used herein, the term “network node” may refer to any of a gNB, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-DU, or any combination of them. A RAN (radio access network) node or network node such as, e.g., a gNB, gNB-CU, or gNB-DU, or parts thereof, may be implemented using, e.g., an apparatus with at least one processor and / or at least one memory with processor-readable instructions (“program”) configured to support and / or provision and / or process CU and / or DU related functionality and / or features, and / or at least one protocol (sub-)layer of a RAN (radio access network), e.g., layer 2 and / or layer 3. Different functional splits between the central and distributed unit are possible. An example of such an apparatus and components will be described in connection with FIG. 6 below.

[0053] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU parts may, e.g., be co-located or physically separated. The gNB-DU may even be split further, e.g., into two parts, e.g., one including processing equipment and one including an antenna. A central unit (CU) may also be called baseband unit / radio equipment controller / cloud-RAN / virtual-RAN (BBU / REC / C-RAN / V-RAN), open- RAN (O-RAN), or part thereof. A distributed unit (DU) may also be called remote radio head / remote radio unit / radio equipment / radio unit (RRH / RRU / RE / RU), or part thereof. Hereinafter, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a network node, which supports at least one of central unit functionality or a layer 3 protocol of a radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-CU. Similarly, a network node, which supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of the radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-DU.

[0054] A gNB-CU may support one or multiple gNB-DUs. A gNB-DU may support one or multiple cells and, thus, could support a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) or support a candidate cell for handover, dual connectivity, and / or carrier aggregation, among other procedures.

[0055] The user equipment (UE) 150 may be or include a wireless or mobile device, an apparatus with a radio interface to interact with a RAN (radio access network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle apparatus, an loT device, or a M2M device, among other types of user equipment. Such UE 150 may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform certain operations, such as, e.g., RRC connection to the RAN. An example of components of a UE will be described in connection with FIG. 6. In embodiments, the UE 150 may be configured to generate a message(e.g., including a cell ID) to be transmitted via radio towards a RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). In embodiments, the UE 150 may generate and transmit and receive RRC messages containing one or more RRC PDUs (packet data units). Persons skilled in the art will understand RRC protocol as well as other procedures a UE may perform.

[0056] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the network system 100 provides one or more cells, which define a coverage area of the network system 100. As described above, the network system 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network or may include any other apparatus configured to control radio communication and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources, such as a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. In embodiments, the network node 120 may be called a base station.

[0057] FIG. 1 provides an example and is merely illustrative of a network system 100 and a UE 150. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the network system 100 includes components not illustrated in FIG. 1 and will understand that other user equipment may be in communication with the network system 100.

[0058] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of the network system 100 of FIG. 1. A 5G NR network may be described as an example of the network system 100, and it is intended that aspects of the following description shall be applicable to other types of network systems, as well. The network system may operate in accordance with the signals and connections shown in FIG. 1 such that the UE 150 is in communication with the network system 100 through the radio access network 225. Additionally, the network system may be divided into user plane components and functions and control plane components and functions, as shown and described herein. Unless indicated otherwise, the terms “component”, “function”, and “service” may be used interchangeably herein, and they may refer to and be implemented by instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0059] Example functions of the components are described below. The example functions are merely illustrative, and it shall be understood that additional operations and functions may be performed by the components described herein. Additionally, the connections between components may be virtual connections over service-based interfaces such that any component may communicate with any other component. In this manner, any component may act as aservice “producer,” for any other component that is a service “consumer,” to provide services for network functions.

[0060] For example, a core network 210 is described in the control plane of the network system. The core network 210 may include an authentication server function (AUSF) 211, an access and mobility function (AMF) 212, and a session management function (SMF) 213. The core network 210 may also include a network slice selection function (NSSF) 214, a network exposure function (NEF) 215, a network repository function (NRF) 216, and a unified data management function (UDM) 217, which may include a uniform data repository (UDR) 224.

[0061] Additional components and functions of the core network 210 may include an application function 218, policy control function (PCF) 219, network data analytics function (NWDAF) 220, analytics data repository function (ADRF) 221, management data analytics function (MDAF) 222, and operations and management function (0AM) 223.

[0062] The user plane includes the UE 150, a radio access network (RAN) 225, a user plane function (UPF) 226, and a data network (DN) 227. The RAN 225 may include one or more components described in connection with FIG. 1, such as one or more network nodes. However, the RAN 225 may not be limited to such components. The UPF 226 provides connection for data being transmitted over the RAN 225. The DN 226 identifies services from service providers, Internet access, and third party services, for example.

[0063] The AMF 212 processes connection and mobility tasks. The AUSF 211 receives authentication requests from the AMF 212 and interacts with UDM 217 to authenticate and validate network responses for determination of successful authentication. The SMF 213 conducts packet data unit (PDU) session management, as well as manages session context with the UPF 226.

[0064] The NSSF 214 may select a network slicing instance (NSI) and determine the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). This selection and determination is utilized to set the AMF 212 to provide service to the UE 150. The NEF 215 secures access to network services for third parties to create specialized network services. The NRF 216 acts as a repository to store network functions to allow the functions to register with and discover each other.

[0065] The UDM 217 generates authentication vectors for use by the AUSF 211 and ADM 212 and provides user identification handling. The UDM 217 may be connected to the UDR 224which stores data associated with authentication, applications, or the like. The AF 218 provides application services to a user (e.g., streaming services, etc.). The PCF 219 provides policy control functionality. For example, the PCF 219 may assist in network slicing and mobility management, as well as provide quality of service (QoS) and charging functionality.

[0066] The NWDAF 220 collects data (e.g., from the UE 150 and the network system) to perform network analytics and provide insight to functions that utilize the analytics in the providing of services. The ADRF 221 allows the storage, retrieval, and removal of data and analytics by consumers. The MDAF 222 provides additional data analytics services for network functions. The 0AM 223 provides provisioning and management processing functions to manage elements in or connected to the network (e.g., UE 150, network nodes, etc.).

[0067] FIG. 2 is merely an example of components of a network system, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the network system may include other components not illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the network system may not include every component illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the components and connections may be implemented with different connections than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] Although further detail will be provided below, a method is described herein, which in various embodiments enables additional physical random access channel (PRACH resources) for network energy savings (NES) gains. In various embodiments, a cell may be operating under low load (e.g., low PRACH load, low U-plane load) and is broadcasting a legacy PRACH configuration index that provides a relatively small PRACH capacity, (e.g. having few ROs).

[0069] In various embodiments, the cell broadcasts a configuration comprising at least one additional (e.g., second) PRACH resource associated with one legacy (e.g., first) PRACH resource (e.g., associated with the same PRACH configuration index of the legacy PRACH resource configuration), and which is contiguous in frequency domain and / or time domain to the legacy PRACH resource. In various embodiments, a reference to a starting time may refer to an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM) symbol in which the RO starts or can refer to the start of the timeslot in which the RO is contained.

[0070] In various embodiments, UEs may select an additional PRACH resource (or resources) instead of a legacy PRACH resource, based on network defined rules / configuration.

[0071] In various embodiments, methods described herein may provide for the PRACH capacity to increase if PRACH load increases, based on need, and at the same time enabling the clustering in time of the UEs that access the network for improved network energy saving (e.g., longer sleeping opportunities for the network are ensured).

[0072] As used herein, a communication with a radio access network (RAN) may refer to and mean a communication with a portion of a RAN, such as with a network node (e.g., a DU and / or a CU), or another portion of a RAN. As used herein, a communication with a core network may refer to and mean a communication with one or more services / applications of the core network, such as AMF or another service of a core network.

[0073] As used herein, the terms “first” and “second”, or the like, may refer to a first or second instance of a message being transmitted / received by a component (e.g., UE, apparatus, etc.), or a first or second component in a sequence of described components. As such, the terms are used in a non-limiting manner, and can refer to any message, operation, device, component, or the like.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a diagram of an example embodiment of PRACH resources 300, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. The PRACH resources 300 include at least one first (primary) PRACH resources and at least one second (secondary) PRACH resources. In various embodiments, the first PRACH resources may include legacy PRACH resources and may be applicable to any UE, while the second PRACH resources may apply only to UEs capable of NES functionality (e.g., UEs compatible for 3GPP Release 19). In various embodiments, any UE may encompass UEs capable of NES functionality and UEs not capable of the NES functionality (e.g., substantially all UEs of the system). Accordingly, described herein in some embodiments, UEs are capable of supporting PRACH resource adaptation e.g., by adaptively making a selection between using legacy PRACH resources or using the secondary PRACH resources for the random access.

[0075] As shown, in FIG. 3, the first resources and the second resources are provided in the time and frequency domain as shown. Also shown in FIG. 3 is the RO periodicity.

[0076] The second PRACH resources may be provided along with their associated first PRACH resources in a number of example embodiments. In one example embodiment, shown in 310, the second (additional) PRACH resources may be provided using a same time instance and frequency division multiplexed (FDMed) with first (legacy) resources, but using differentpreambles that identify the additional PRACH resources. In various embodiments, the first PRACH resources may have a first preamble identifier and the second PRACH resources may have a second preamble identifier.

[0077] In various embodiments, the first and second resources shown in 310 use the same time and frequency resources of legacy PRACH resources but a different set of preambles. Accordingly, in various embodiments, this may incur close to zero energy cost increase for monitoring for the additional PRACH resources compared to a baseline (only legacy PRACH resources).

[0078] In various embodiments, the first and second resources may be provided as shown in 320, where the additional PRACH resources are contiguous or directly adjacent in the frequency domain. In various embodiments, the at least one additional PRACH resource uses the same time domain resources of legacy PRACH resources but different frequency resources (e.g., is FDMed in one ‘legacy’ time instance). In various embodiments, this may incur close to zero energy cost increase for monitoring for the additional PRACH resources compared to the baseline (only legacy PRACH resources).

[0079] In various embodiments, the first and second resources may be provided as shown in 330, where additional PRACH resources are provided contiguous in the frequency-domain and time-domain. In various embodiments, there may be least one additional PRACH resource that uses the same time domain resources of legacy PRACH resources but different frequency resources, and there may be at least one additional PRACH resource that uses different time domain resources of legacy PRACH resources (and same or different frequency resources). In various embodiments, frequency domain resources may be prioritized.

[0080] In various embodiments, the first and second resources may be provided as shown in 340, where additional PRACH resources are contiguous or directly adjacent in the time-domain with legacy PRACH resources.

[0081] To summarize, the legacy PRACH resources and the additional PRACH resources may be provided as directly adjacent to one another and / or overlapping one another. The two types of PRACH resources may overlap in one of the time domain and frequency domain and be directly adjacent in the other of the time domain and frequency domain. In an embodiment, the two types of PRACH resources are directly adjacent in both time and frequency domain.

[0082] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a cell and a UE, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 4 may correspond to similar components described above in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations and a described operation may have associated signals.

[0083] At operation 401, the UE may be in an RRC idle, RRC inactive, or RRC connected mode.

[0084] At operation 402, the cell (e.g., network node managing the cell) transmits a system information block (SIB) 1 to the UE and the UE receives the SIB1. In various embodiments, the SIB1 includes legacy PRACH configuration information, and further includes additional PRACH configuration information defining at least one additional PRACH resource associated with a legacy PRACH resource in the frequency / preamble / time domain (e.g., as in 310, 320, 330, or 340 described above.

[0085] At operation 403, the UE stores the received SIB1.

[0086] At operation 404, if the RACH procedure is triggered, the UE selects an additional PRACH resource using the stored SIB1.

[0087] At operation 405, the UE transmits a PRACH transmission to the cell by using the selected additional PRACH resource, and the cell receives the PRACH transmission.

[0088] At operation 406, RACH procedure continues.

[0089] As described above, the legacy PRACH configuration information may include at least one PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and the additional PRACH configuration information may define PRACH resource(s) applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0090] Further as described above, the additional PRACH resource(s) may be associated with the PRACH resources of the legacy PRACH configuration. In an embodiment, the additional PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequencydivision-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource. The frequency-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing may follow the meaning in the art. The second PRACH resource may be allocated to frequencies occupied by none of the PRACH resources of the legacy PRACH configuration so that a transmission on the second PRACH resource may beperformed at least partially at the same time as a transmission on a legacy PRACH resource. The third PRACH resource may be allocated to a time interval occupied by none of the PRACH resources of the legacy PRACH configuration so that a transmission on the third PRACH resource may be performed at least partially on the same frequency / frequencies as a transmission on a legacy PRACH resource.

[0091] In various embodiments, a UE will use both the legacy PRACH configuration and the configuration of additional PRACH resources but may prefer an additional PRACH resource if available. This configuration may be configured by the network. In various embodiments legacy UEs may be provided a larger PRACH capacity for them.

[0092] An embodiment combines the features of the previous two paragraphs. Accordingly, the additional PRACH resources may comprise at least one of a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the legacy PRACH resource(s), a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the legacy PRACH resource(s), or a fourth PRACH resource comprising at least one random access preamble comprised in none of the legacy PRACH resource(s). Additionally, the additional PRACH resources are assigned a higher priority than the legacy PRACH resource(s).

[0093] Let us then describe some embodiments of situations where the prioritization of the additional PRACH resources over the legacy PRACH resources may be performed. In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the additional PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending. Pending uplink transmission may be detected by the UE on the basis of a non-empty uplink transmission buffer. As a consequence, the UE may trigger a RACH procedure for connection setup / resume or for small-data transmission (SDT). In an embodiment the UE determines to use an additional PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged. The UE may determine to use the additional PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message comprising an information element indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource. The paging can be based on the UE detecting its UE identifier in a paging message. As a consequence, the UE may use the additional PRACH resources without a specific indication of the additional PRACH resources in the paging message, but it may also depend on such a specific indication in the paging message or another message such as Paging Early Indication, paging DCI, or the System Information broadcast (system information block). The particular additional PRACH resource determined by the UEmay be dependent on the situation, e.g. the UE may determine to use a different additional PRACH when paged than when it has a pending uplink transmission.

[0094] In various embodiments, the specifications or network configuration described above at operation 402 may contain information on how to prioritize between additional PRACH resources in different domains if available. In various embodiments, relative priorities between them may be indicated in the specifications (e.g., hard-coded) or configured at operation 402. In one example, network configuration could include DRBs eligible to use additional PRACH resources and / or whether additional PRACH resources can be used for UL-triggered RACH only, for DL-triggered RACH only, or both.

[0095] The operations of FIG. 4 are merely illustrative, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include other operations not illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 4. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that, although various example components are described as perform various functions, other components may perform those functions described in FIG. 4.

[0096] In various embodiments, signaling may be in accordance with the table below, where a parameter configuring a time offset expressed in number of slots or (positive or negative) number of symbols may also be provided to inform the UE that legacy and additional PRACH resources are separated by such time offset, when not adjacent. In one embodiment, 0 may be a candidate value for such time offset to express adjacency of legacy and additional PRACH resources.

[0097] When a UE is triggered to perform PRACH it will usually first identify the next available time domain resource, then select a resource in the frequency domain within the time domain resource and then finally select a preamble to use in the selected time and frequency domain resources.

[0098] When a UE is triggered to perform PRACH it will utilize the first available (in time) resource. Therefore, a negative time offset for the additional PRACH resources relative to the legacy PRACH resources, will cause the UE to utilize the additional PRACH resources, becausethey appear earlier in time than the legacy PRACH resources due to the negative offset. Thus, the negative offset is useful to steer the UE to use the additional PRACH resource.

[0099] When the time offset is zero the UE will proceed with selecting a resource in the frequency domain. If the legacy and additional PRACH resources are adjacent in the frequency domain, but in the same time domain resources, the UE can be configured to either prioritize (i.e. select) a resource in the additional PRACH resources or randomly select between the legacy and additional resource. If the legacy and additional PRACH resources are completely overlapping in the frequency and time domains, the UE will select a preamble. The UE can be configured to either prioritize (i.e. select) a preamble in the additional PRACH resources or randomly select between the legacy and additional resources.

[0100] In accordance with the brief description, FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of an example method 500 of transmitting PRACH resources, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. At block 510, a gNB transmits (or broadcasts) a PRACH configuration the includes the first PRACH resources described above to a UE. In various embodiments, the gNB broadcasts only legacy PRACH resources.

[0101] At block 520, the gNB determines whether an event is detected for transmitting the second PRACH resources (e.g., additional PRACH resources). If an event is not detected at block 520, then the method continues to loop to block 520.

[0102] If, at block 520, an event is detected for transmitting the second PRACH resources(e.g., there is an increased load on the PRACH resources), then the method proceeds to block 530, where the gNB transmits a PRACH configuration that includes the first PRACH resources and the second PRACH resources to the UE.

[0103] At block 540, the gNB monitors for detection of an event for returning to only transmitting the first PRACH resources. If an event is not detected at block 540, then the method continues to loop to block 540. If an event is detected at block 540 (e.g., there is a decreased load on PRACH resources), then the method proceeds to block 510.

[0104] It should be noted that the blocks including the example method 500 are example blocks, and that more or less blocks may make up the method 500. Additionally, although an order is shown in method 500, it should be noted that certain blocks may be performed in other orders and / or omitted entirely. In various embodiments, the first PRACH resources (e.g., legacy PRACH resources) may include PRACH resources that a 3 GPP pre-release 19 UE may support, and the second PRACH resources (e.g., additional resources) may include PRACH resources that a 3 GPP release- 19 UE may support.

[0105] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include receiving, by the UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource, and determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

[0106] The following describes operations from the perspective of a gNB. From such a perspective, a method may include transmitting, by a first apparatus, a PRACH configuration information to a UE supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource.

[0107] Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of example components of a UE or a network apparatus (e.g., of a RAN or a core network). The apparatus includes an electronic storage 610, a processor 620, a network interface 640, and a memory 650. The various components may be communicatively coupled with each other. The processor 620 may be and may include any type of processor, such as a single-core central processing unit (CPU), a multicore CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a System-on-Chip (SoC), or any other type of processor. The memory 650 may be a volatile type of memory, e.g., RAM, or anon-volatile type of memory, e.g., NAND flash memory. The memory 650 includes processor- readable instructions that are executable by the processor 620 to cause the apparatus to perform various operations, including those mentioned herein, such as the operations described in FIGS. 3A-4B.

[0108] The electronic storage 610 may be and include any type of electronic storage used for storing data, such as hard disk drive, solid state drive, optical disc, and / or other non-transitory computer-readable mediums, among other types of electronic storage. The electronic storage 610 stores processor-readable instructions for causing or configured for causing the apparatus to perform its operations and also stores data associated with such operations, such as storing data relating to 5G NR standards, among other data. The network interface 640 may implement wireless networking technologies such as 5G NR and / or other wireless networking technologies.

[0109] The components shown in FIG. 6 are merely examples, and persons skilled in the art will understand that an apparatus includes other components not illustrated and may include multiples of any of the illustrated components. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a transmitter and a receiver may be included as components for transmitting and receiving signals.

[0110] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following aspects.

[0111] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource; and determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

[0112] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time and same frequency resource of the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0113] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource and at a different frequency resource than the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0114] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located in a part of a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located in a part of a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, and the at least one second PRACH resource is received at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0115] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located in a part of a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located in a part of a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource, and at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0116] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the HE, using the at least one second PRACH resource by using the at least one second PRACH resource whenever the at least one second PRACH resource is available.

[0117] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0118] In an embodiment, the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

[0119] In an embodiment, the at least one set of second PRACH resources is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain.

[0120] In an embodiment, the received configuration information includes an indication that at least one first PRACH resource and at least one of the second PRACH resources are separated by a time offset.

[0121] In an embodiment, the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0122] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource and at a same frequency resource as the at least one first PRACH resource, and wherein a first set of preambles identifies the at least one first PRACH resource and a second set of preambles identifies the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0123] Further according to the first aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration information to a user equipment (UE) supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource.

[0124] Further according to the first aspect, there is provided user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource; and determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

[0125] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time and same frequency resource of the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0126] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource and at a different frequency resource than the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0127] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located in a part of a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located in a part of a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, and the at least one second PRACH resource is received at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0128] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located in a part of a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located in a part of a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource, at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource, and at least a part of the at least one second PRACH resource is located at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0129] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the HE, using the at least one second PRACH resource by using the at least one second PRACH resource whenever the at least one second PRACH resource is available.

[0130] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0131] In an embodiment, the at least one set of second PRACH resources is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least one of a time domain or a frequency domain.

[0132] In an embodiment, the received configuration information includes an indication that at least one first PRACH resource and at least one of the second PRACH resources are separated by a time offset.

[0133] In an embodiment, the at least one set comprises at least one second PRACH resource that is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource and at a same frequency resource as the at least one first PRACH resource, and wherein a first set of preambles identifies the at least one first PRACH resource and a second set of preambles identifies the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0134] Further according to the first aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by a firstapparatus, a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration information to a user equipment (UE) supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource.

[0135] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource; determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource, or the third PRACH resource; and performing random access by using the determined PRACH resource.

[0136] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0137] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0138] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0139] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0140] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

[0141] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

[0142] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

[0143] In an embodiment, the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

[0144] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0145] In an embodiment, the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

[0146] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the frequency domain.

[0147] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the time domain.

[0148] In an embodiment, the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0149] Further according to the second aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division- multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource timedivision-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0150] Further according to the second aspect, there is provided user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, thePRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource; and determining, by the HE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

[0151] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0152] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0153] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0154] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0155] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

[0156] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

[0157] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

[0158] In an embodiment, the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

[0159] Further according to the second aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, thePRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0160] According to a third aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, HE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least one of a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, or a fourth PRACH resource comprising at least one random access preamble comprised in none of the at least one first PRACH resource, wherein the further PRACH resources are assigned a higher priority than the at least one first PRACH resource; determining, by the UE based on the higher priority, to use one of the second PRACH resource, the third PRACH resource, or fourth PRACH resource; and performing random access by using the determined PRACH resource.

[0161] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0162] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0163] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0164] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0165] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0166] In an embodiment, the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

[0167] In an embodiment, the priority is received from the first apparatus, preferably in the PRACH configuration information.

[0168] In an embodiment, the UE determines to use the at least one first PRACH resource for random access only if there are no other PRACH resources configured by the first apparatus.

[0169] In an embodiment, the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0170] Further according to the third aspect, there is provided a method, comprising: transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least one of a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division- multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, a third PRACH resource timedivision-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, or a fourth PRACH resource comprising at least one random access preamble comprised in none of the at least one first PRACH resource, wherein the further PRACH resources are assigned a higher priority than the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0171] Further according to the third aspect, there is provided user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise atleast one of a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, or a fourth PRACH resource comprising at least one random access preamble comprised in none of the at least one first PRACH resource, wherein the further PRACH resources are assigned a higher priority than the at least one first PRACH resource; determining, by the UE based on the higher priority, to use one of the second PRACH resource, the third PRACH resource, or fourth PRACH resource; and performing random access by using the determined PRACH resource.

[0172] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0173] In an embodiment, the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0174] In an embodiment, the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0175] In an embodiment, the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0176] In an embodiment, the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

[0177] In an embodiment, the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

[0178] In an embodiment, the user equipment is configured to receive the priority from the first apparatus, preferably in the PRACH configuration information.

[0179] In an embodiment, the UE is configured to determine to use the at least one first PRACH resource for random access only if there are no other PRACH resources configured by the first apparatus.

[0180] In an embodiment, the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

[0181] Further according to the third aspect, there is provided an apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least one of a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource, or a fourth PRACH resource comprising at least one random access preamble comprised in none of the at least one first PRACH resource, wherein the further PRACH resources are assigned a higher priority than the at least one first PRACH resource.

[0182] Further, there is provided a processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to any of the above-described first, second, or third aspect.

[0183] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0184] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects in accordance with this present disclosure. The phrase “a plurality of’ may refer to two or more.

[0185] In various embodiments, the terms “first message” and “second message”, as well as any subsequent messages may refer to any messages that are transmitted or received in an order and are not necessarily limited to any particular message.

[0186] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same ordifferent embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C) ”

[0187] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta-languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0188] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource; determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource, or the third PRACH resource; and performing random access by using the determined PRACH resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

4. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

5. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the UE determines to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

7. The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the UE determines to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

9. The method of any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

10. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the physical resource adaptation encompasses temporary increase of PRACH resources via provision of the at least one second PRACH resource.

11. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first apparatus is a network node operating at least one cell.

12. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the frequency domain.

13. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the third PRACH resource is directly adjacent to the first PRACH resource in at least the time domain.

14. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the first PRACH resource is applicable to both UEs supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access and to UEs not supporting the physical resource adaptation for initial access.

15. A method, comprising:transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

16. A user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform: receiving, by a user equipment, UE, supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information from a first apparatus, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and at least one set of second PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the at least one set of second PRACH resources is associated with the first PRACH resource; and determining, by the UE, whether to use the at least one first PRACH resource or at least one of the second PRACH resources from the at least one set based at least on the PRACH configuration information.

17. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the second PRACH resource is located at a same starting time as the at least one first PRACH resource.

18. The user equipment of claim 16, wherein the second PRACH resource is located in only partly in a same timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly in a different timeslot as the at least one first PRACH resource.

19. The user equipment of any preceding claim 16 to 18, wherein the third PRACH resource is located only partly at a same frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource and partly at a different frequency as the at least one first PRACH resource.

20. The user equipment of any preceding claim 16 to 19, wherein the determining includes prioritizing, by the UE, using the at least one second PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource over the at least one first PRACH resource.

21. The user equipment of claim 20, wherein the UE is configured to determine to use the second PRACH resource based on determining an uplink transmission is pending.

22. The user equipment of claim 20 or 21, wherein the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on determining the UE was paged.

23. The user equipment of claim 22, wherein the UE is configured to determine to use the third PRACH resource based on receiving paging downlink control information or a paging message indicating that the UE shall use the third PRACH resource.

24. The user equipment of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein the prioritization is based on receiving a configuration for said prioritization in system information from the first apparatus.

25. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus at least to perform: transmitting, by a first apparatus, a physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration information, the PRACH configuration information including at least one first PRACH resource applicable to any UEs and further PRACH resources applicable only to UEs supporting physical resource adaptation for initial access, wherein the further PRACH resources comprise at least a second PRACH resource that is frequency-division-multiplexed with the atleast one first PRACH resource and a third PRACH resource time-division-multiplexed with the at least one first PRACH resource.

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