Prach resource state indication method and apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a PRACH resource state indication method and apparatus, and a storage medium. In the present disclosure, a terminal receives first indication information sent by a network device and used to indicate a silence condition of a PRACH resource within a first time period, such that the terminal can determine, on the basis of the first indication information, whether the PRACH resource is silenced within the first time period, thereby achieving the purpose of quickly and flexibly changing the configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available, and matching network coverage conditions of different beam positions.

Description

Method and device for indicating state of PRACH resource, and storage medium TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to a method and device for indicating state of PRACH resource, and a storage medium. BACKGROUND

[0002] In modern mobile communications, Non Terrestrial Network (NTN) as a kind of communication network without relying on ground-based settings, not only can provide a wider coverage and stronger anti-interference ability, its deployment is more flexible and convenient. And, with the continuous progress of satellite technology and air communication technology, the development prospect of NTN will be more and more broad, and in the future, it is expected to become an important part of global communication infrastructure, and contribute to the popularization and network quality improvement of global communication network. In NTN network, Beam Hopping can be considered to solve the problem of imbalance between supply and demand in satellite coverage area.

[0003] SUMMARY

[0004] In order to be able to indicate that the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resource is available or non-available due to beam hopping, so that the configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available can be quickly and flexibly changed to adapt to the network coverage of different beams, the present disclosure provides a method and device for indicating state of PRACH resource, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for indicating state of PRACH resource is provided, applied to a terminal, and the method comprises:

[0006] receiving first indication information sent by a network device, the first indication information being used to indicate PRACH resource muting in a first time.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a method for indicating state of PRACH resource is provided, applied to a network device, and the method comprises:

[0008] sending first indication information to a terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate PRACH resource muting in a first time.

[0009] According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0010] The transceiver module is configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0012] The transceiver module is configured to send first indication information to the terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

[0013] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal is provided, comprising:

[0014] one or more processors;

[0015] The terminal is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method according to the first aspect.

[0016] According to a sixth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device is provided, comprising:

[0017] one or more processors;

[0018] The network device is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method according to the second aspect.

[0019] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a communication system is provided, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method according to the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method according to the second aspect.

[0020] According to an eighth aspect of the embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the PRACH resource state indication method according to the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0021] According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal, the terminal receives the first indication information sent by the network device, and the first indication information is used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time, so that the terminal can determine whether the PRACH resource is muted in the first time based on the first indication information, to achieve the purpose of quickly and flexibly changing the configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available, thereby realizing the matching of network coverage of different wave positions.

[0022] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are only exemplary and explanatory, and cannot limit the present disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0023] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of the specification, illustrate implementations consistent with the present disclosure and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a beam hopping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 3 is an interaction schematic diagram of a state indication method of PRACH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 4A is an operation mechanism of PRACH resource muting using bitmap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 4B is a schematic diagram of different PRACH resource muting mechanisms of UEs of different beams according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 5 is an interaction schematic diagram of a state indication method of PRACH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 6A is a flow schematic diagram of a state indication method of PRACH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 6B is a flow schematic diagram of a state indication method of PRACH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 7A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 7B is a schematic diagram of a structure of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 8A is a schematic diagram of a structure of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 8B is a schematic diagram of a structure of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein below with reference to the drawings. The following description is with reference to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all of the implementations in accordance with the present disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as detailed in the appended claims.

[0037] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting thereof. As used in this disclosure and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0038] It is to be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various messages, these messages should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one message from another. For example, a first message can also be termed a second message, and, similarly, a second message can also be termed a first message, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Depending on the context, the word "if' as used herein can be interpreted as meaning "when" or "in response to determining".

[0039] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a PRACH resource state indication method and device, and a storage medium.

[0040] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a PRACH resource state indication method applied to a terminal, comprising:

[0041] Receiving first indication information sent by a network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

[0042] In the above embodiment, by receiving the first indication information sent by the network device by the terminal, the first indication information is used to indicate the PRACH resource muting condition in the first time, so that the terminal can determine whether the PRACH resource is muted in the first time based on the first indication information, so as to achieve the purpose of quickly and flexibly changing the configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available, thereby realizing the matching of network coverage conditions of different wave positions.

[0043] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0044] In the above embodiment, an optional form of the first indication information is provided, that is, the bitmap is used as the first indication information, so as to represent whether the PRACH resource in each time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted by each bit in the bitmap, thereby realizing the indication of the PRACH resource muting condition in the first time.

[0045] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, a first value of the bit indicates that a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by the first time division is not muted, and a second value of the bit indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is muted.

[0046] In the above embodiments, the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is indicated as not muted by the first value of the bit, and the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is indicated as muted by the second value of the bit, so that the indication of the muting of the PRACH resource in the first time can be realized by the bitmap.

[0047] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, or the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted or the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted are indicated by the first indication information, so that the division of the first time can be realized more flexibly while the muting of the PRACH resource in the first time is indicated.

[0049] In some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, including:

[0050] The first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

[0051] The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted, including:

[0052] The first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0053] In the above embodiment, the first information indicates a period in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time and a length of each occurrence, so that the indication of the periodic time resource occupied by the PRACH resource which is not muted can be realized by the first indication information; the first information indicates a period in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time and a length of each occurrence, so that the indication of the periodic time resource occupied by the PRACH resource which is muted can be realized by the first indication information.

[0054] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the time resource includes any one of the following:

[0055] at least one PRACH configuration period;

[0056] at least one association period;

[0057] at least one synchronization signal block (SSB) period;

[0058] a statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0059] In the above embodiment, various optional forms of time resources are provided, so that the type of time resource included in the first time can be flexibly selected as needed, thereby improving the flexibility of the division of the first time.

[0060] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period is the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0061] In the above embodiment, by providing optional forms of the statistical period of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period, the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period can be taken as a single time resource to realize the division of the first time.

[0062] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time have the same index; or,

[0063] The SSBs generated in the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time are quasi-co-located.

[0064] In the above embodiments, by configuring the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time to have the same index, or the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time to be quasi-co-sited, it is ensured that the SSBs generated in the first time are more in line with the actual situation of beam frequency hopping in the NTN, so as to ensure the smooth progress of the subsequent communication process.

[0065] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

[0066] In the above embodiments, by configuring different first indication information for SSBs of different indexes or beams of different indexes, the dwell time length of different beams can be configured as needed to meet the network requirements of different areas.

[0067] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the receiving of the first indication information sent by the network device comprises:

[0068] receiving a first message sent by the network device, the first message being used for initial access of the terminal, and the first indication information being included in the first message.

[0069] In the above embodiments, by taking the first message used for initial access of the terminal as the carrier of the first indication information, the network device and the terminal can interact the first message to realize the interaction of the first indication information, so that the terminal can learn the muting situation of the PRACH resources in the first time when initially accessing, thereby improving the success rate of the initial access process.

[0070] In combination with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first message comprises any of the following:

[0071] a system information block (SIB) message;

[0072] a radio resource control (RRC) message;

[0073] a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE);

[0074] a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) shared by multiple terminals.

[0075] In the above embodiments, multiple optional message types of the first message are provided, so that the type of the first message can be flexibly selected as needed, thereby improving the flexibility and diversity of the state indication process of the PRACH resources.

[0076] In a second aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a PRACH resource state indication method applied to a network device, the method comprising:

[0077] sending first indication information to the terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate PRACH resource muting in the first time.

[0078] In the above embodiments, by sending the first indication information to the terminal by the network device, the first indication information is used to indicate PRACH resource muting in the first time, so that the terminal can determine whether the PRACH resource is muted in the first time based on the first indication information, so as to achieve the purpose of quickly and flexibly changing the configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available, thereby realizing the matching of network coverage of different wave positions.

[0079] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0080] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, a bit value of a first value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is not muted, and a bit value of a second value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0081] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, or the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0082] In combination with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, comprising:

[0083] the first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted;

[0084] the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted, comprising:

[0085] the first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0086] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the time resource comprises any one of the following:

[0087] at least one PRACH configuration period;

[0088] at least one association period;

[0089] at least one SSB period;

[0090] a statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0091] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period is the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0092] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time have the same index; or,

[0093] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time are quasi-co-located.

[0094] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

[0095] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the sending the first indication information to the terminal comprises:

[0096] sending a first message to the terminal, the first message being used for initial access of the terminal, and the first indication information being included in the first message.

[0097] In some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first message comprises any one of the following:

[0098] a system information block (SIB) message;

[0099] a radio resource control (RRC) message;

[0100] a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE);

[0101] a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) shared by multiple terminals.

[0102] In a third aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal, comprising:

[0103] The transceiver is configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

[0104] In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, comprising:

[0105] The transceiver is configured to send first indication information to the terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

[0106] In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a terminal, comprising:

[0107] one or more processors;

[0108] The terminal is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect.

[0109] In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a network device, comprising:

[0110] one or more processors;

[0111] The network device is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0112] In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a communication system, comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method in the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, and the network device is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method in the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0113] In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, when the instructions are run on a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0114] In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present disclosure provides a program product, when the program product is executed by a communication device, causing the communication device to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0115] In a tenth aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a computer program which, when running on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method for indicating the state of PRACH resource according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0116] In an eleventh aspect, the embodiments of the present disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system comprises processing circuitry configured to perform the method for indicating the state of PRACH resource according to the first aspect and any one of the embodiments of the first aspect, the second aspect and any one of the embodiments of the second aspect.

[0117] It can be understood that the terminal, the network device, the communication system, the storage medium, the program product, the computer program, the chip or the chip system are all used to perform the method proposed in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can refer to the beneficial effects in the corresponding method, which will not be described here.

[0118] The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method and device for indicating the state of PRACH resource, and a storage medium. In some embodiments, the method for indicating the state of PRACH resource, the information processing method, the communication method, the PRACH resource muting method, and other terms can be replaced with each other, the PRACH resource state indication device, the information processing device, the communication device, the PRACH resource muting device, and other terms can be replaced with each other, and the information processing system and the communication system can be replaced with each other.

[0119] The embodiments of the present disclosure are not exhaustive, but only illustrate some embodiments, and are not specific limitations on the protection scope of the present disclosure. In the case of no contradiction, each step in an embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the scheme after removing some steps in an embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in an embodiment can be exchanged arbitrarily, in addition, the optional implementation manners in an embodiment can be combined arbitrarily; in addition, the embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, for example, the steps of different embodiments or part or all of the steps of different embodiments can be combined arbitrarily, and an embodiment can be combined with the optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0120] In each embodiment of the present disclosure, the terms and / or descriptions between the embodiments are consistent if there is no special description and logical conflict, and can be referred to each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form a new embodiment according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0121] The terms used in the embodiments of the present disclosure are only for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, and not as a limitation on the present disclosure.

[0122] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, an element expressed in singular form, such as "a", "an", "the", "said", "the aforementioned", "the foregoing", "this", and the like, unless otherwise specified, can represent "one and only one", or can represent "one or more", "at least one", and the like. For example, in the case of using articles such as "a", "an", "the" in English, the noun after the article can be understood as a singular expression, or can be understood as a plural expression.

[0123] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, "plurality" refers to two or more.

[0124] In some embodiments, the terms "at least one of", "one or more", "a plurality of", "multiple", and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0125] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "at least one of A, B", "A and / or B", "A in one case and B in another case", "in response to a case A, in response to a case B", and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B; in some embodiments, A and B are executed (A and B are both executed). When there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0126] In some embodiments, the description modes such as "A or B" and the like can include the following technical solutions according to the case: in some embodiments, A is executed regardless of B; in some embodiments, B is executed regardless of A; in some embodiments, A and B are selectively executed from A and B; when there are more branches such as A, B, C, and the like, it is similar to the above.

[0127] The prefix words of "first", "second" and the like in the embodiments of the present disclosure are merely used to distinguish different description objects, and do not constitute limitation on the position, order, priority, quantity or content of the description objects. The description objects are described in the claims or embodiments, and should not be construed as redundant limitation because of the use of the prefix words. For example, the description object is "field", and the ordinal words before "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not limit the position or order between "fields", and "first" and "second" do not limit whether the "fields" modified thereby are in the same message or not, nor limit the order of "first field" and "second field". For another example, the description object is "level", and the ordinal words before "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not limit the priority between "levels". For another example, the quantity of the description object is not limited by the ordinal words, and can be one or more. For example, "first device", wherein the quantity of "device" can be one or more. In addition, the objects modified by different prefix words can be the same or different, for example, the description object is "device", and "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and the types thereof can be the same or different. For another example, the description object is "information", and "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and the contents thereof can be the same or different.

[0128] In some embodiments, "including A", "containing A", "for indicating A", "carrying A" can be interpreted as directly carrying A, or indirectly indicating A.

[0129] In some embodiments, the terms of "in response to", "in response to determining", "in the case of", "when", "when", "if", "if" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0130] In some embodiments, the terms of "greater than", "greater than or equal to", "not less than", "more than", "more than or equal to", "not less than", "higher than", "higher than or equal to", "not lower than", "above" and the like can be replaced with each other, and the terms of "less than", "less than or equal to", "not greater than", "less than", "less than or equal to", "not more than", "lower than", "lower than or equal to", "not higher than", "below" and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0131] In some embodiments, the apparatuses and devices can be interpreted as entities, and also as virtual, whose names are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and in some cases can also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "subject", and the like.

[0132] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as an apparatus contained in the network, for example, an access network device, a core network device, and the like.

[0133] In some embodiments, "access network device (AN device)" can also be referred to as "radio access network device (RAN device)", "base station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", and in some embodiments can also be understood as "node", "access point", "transmission point (TP)", "reception point (RP)", "transmission / reception point (TRP)", "panel", "antenna panel", "antenna array", "cell", "macro cell", "small cell", "femto cell", "pico cell", "sector", "cell group", "serving cell", "carrier", "component carrier", "bandwidth part (BWP)", and the like.

[0134] In some embodiments, a "terminal" or "terminal device" can be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE), a "user terminal," a "mobile station" (MS), a "mobile terminal" (MT), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, and / or the like.

[0135] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained in compliance with laws and regulations of a country in which data is obtained.

[0136] In some embodiments, data, information and / or the like can be obtained after obtaining consent of a user.

[0137] In addition, each element, each row, or each column in a table of embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and a combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0138] FIG. 1 is an architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 100 includes a terminal 101 and a network device 102.

[0139] In some embodiments, the terminal 101 includes at least one of a mobile phone, a wearable device, an Internet of Things device, a communication-capable automobile, a smart automobile, a tablet (Pad), a wireless-transmitting computer, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, a wireless terminal device in a smart home, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0140] In some embodiments, the network device 102 includes at least one of an access network device and a core network device.

[0141] In some embodiments, the access network device is at least one of a node or a device that accesses a terminal to a wireless network, for example, and can include at least one of a satellite in a satellite communication system, an evolved NodeB (eNB) in a 5G communication system, a next generation eNB (ng-eNB), a next generation NodeB (gNB), a node B (NB), a home node B (HNB), a home evolved node B (HeNB), a wireless backhaul device, a radio network controller (RNC), a base station controller (BSC), a base transceiver station (BTS), a base band unit (BBU), a mobile switching center, a base station in a 6G communication system, an Open RAN, a Cloud RAN, a base station in other communication systems, an access node in a Wi-Fi system, and the like, but is not limited thereto.

[0142] In some embodiments, the technical solutions of the present disclosure can be applicable to an Open RAN architecture, at this time, the interfaces between or within the access network devices involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can become internal interfaces of the Open RAN, and the processes and information interactions between these internal interfaces can be implemented through software or programs.

[0143] In some embodiments, the access network device can be composed of a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU), where the CU can also be referred to as a control unit. The CU-DU structure can split the protocol layers of the access network device, and some of the protocol layers are controlled by the CU, and the rest or all of the protocol layers are distributed in the DU and controlled by the CU, but not limited thereto.

[0144] In some embodiments, the core network device can be one device including multiple network elements, etc., or can be multiple devices or device groups, each including all or part of multiple network elements. The network element can be virtual or physical. The core network includes at least one of an evolved packet core (EPC), a 5G core network (5GCN), and a next-generation core (NGC), for example.

[0145] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a first network element, which is an access and mobility management function (AMF), for example.

[0146] In some embodiments, the first network element is used for access management and mobility management of users, but is not limited thereto.

[0147] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a second network element, which is a session management function (SMF), for example.

[0148] In some embodiments, the second network element is used for session management of the control plane and the user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0149] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a third network element, which is a user plane function (UPF), for example.

[0150] In some embodiments, the third network element is configured to perform data forwarding, traffic statistics, Quality of Service (QoS) management, etc. for a user plane, but is not limited thereto.

[0151] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fourth network element, e.g., a Policy Control Function (PCF).

[0152] In some embodiments, the fourth network element is configured to implement control policy management for a user, including but not limited to control of QoS, service access control, etc.

[0153] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a fifth network element, e.g., a Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0154] In some embodiments, the fifth network element is configured to implement subscription data management, roaming control, etc. for a user, but is not limited thereto.

[0155] In some embodiments, the core network device can include a sixth network element, e.g., an Authentication Server Function (AUSF).

[0156] In some embodiments, the sixth network element is configured to implement user identity authentication, but is not limited thereto.

[0157] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements can be independent of the core network device.

[0158] In some embodiments, each of the above network elements can be part of the core network device.

[0159] It can be understood that the communication system described in the embodiments of the present disclosure is for more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art can know that, as the system architecture evolves and new business scenarios appear, the technical solutions proposed by the embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0160] The following embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1, or part of the subjects, but are not limited thereto. The subjects shown in FIG. 1 are illustrative, and the communication system can include all or part of the subjects in FIG. 1, or other subjects other than those in FIG. 1. The number and form of each subject is arbitrary, each subject can be physical or virtual, the connection relationship between each subject is illustrative, each subject can not be connected or can be connected, and the connection can be in any manner, can be direct connection or indirect connection, can be wired connection or wireless connection.

[0161] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-Beyond (LTE-B), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), 5G new radio (NR), Future Radio Access (FRA), New-Radio Access Technology (RAT), New Radio (NR), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM (registered trademark)), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (Bluetooth (registered trademark)), Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) network, Device-to-Device (D2D) system, Machine to Machine (M2M) system, Internet of Things (IoT) system, Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), system using other communication methods, next-generation system expanded based thereon, and the like in an NTN (e.g., a satellite communication system). Further, a plurality of systems can be combined (e.g., combination of LTE or LTE-A and 5G, etc.).

[0162] In the related art, a very small aperture terminal (VSAT) antenna can be used in an NTN network. In more possible implementation manners, a phase array antenna can also be considered to be used in the NTN network, so that beamforming can be used for data transmission in the NTN network.

[0163] By using beams to implement data transmission in the NTN network, not only can more flexible beam scheduling be provided based on different service requirements, but also signal energy can be concentrated in a specific direction (i.e., from a wide beam to a narrow beam) to enhance beam coverage, obtain beamforming gain, and reduce interference and improve spectrum efficiency.

[0164] In some embodiments, using a beam hopping technology to solve the imbalance between supply and demand of a satellite coverage area is a research direction in the evolution of the NTN. During scanning of a group of predefined beam hopping patterns, beams have different activity times in different areas, thereby meeting service requirements.

[0165] In some embodiments, the beam hopping technology can use all available satellite resources to provide services for specific locations or users. By adjusting the on time and period of a beam, different capacity values can be provided to balance the requirements of different beam coverage areas.

[0166] Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of beam hopping according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. By using the beam hopping technology, beams emitted by a satellite can light up different areas at different times to meet the requirements of different services in different areas. As shown in FIG. 2, at a certain time, the area lighted up by the beam can include an area related to handset services and an area related to Internet of Things (IoT) services. At other times, the beam can light up areas related to other services. In addition, the beam can light up different areas for different lengths of time to provide different network capacities for different areas to balance the requirements of different beam coverage areas.

[0167] For an NTN system that uses the beam hopping technology, a terminal needs to complete an access process within the dwell time of a current beam, otherwise, time delay and resource waste problems will occur. Therefore, how to flexibly configure the dwell time of different beams to meet the different service time requirements of different beams without changing the existing ground network protocol is a problem to be solved.

[0168] Therefore, embodiments of the present disclosure expect to provide a muting mechanism of PRACH resource to indicate that the PRACH resource is available or non-available due to beam hopping without making great changes to the existing protocol, so as to be able to quickly and flexibly change the pattern configuration of whether the PRACH resource is available or not to adapt to different service requirements of different beams.

[0169] FIG. 3 is an interaction schematic diagram of a PRACH resource state indication method according to embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PRACH resource state indication method, and the method comprises:

[0170] In step S3101, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal.

[0171] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first indication information sent by the network device.

[0172] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the muting situation of the PRACH resource in the first time.

[0173] It should be noted that in the NTN network, by using the beam hopping technology, the network device can emit beams to different areas at different times, and the beams can stay in different areas for different lengths of time to balance the network requirements of different areas. Therefore, for the terminal, due to the different radiation of the beams at different times, the PRACH resource provided by the network device to the terminal may appear the switching of available (i.e. the PRACH resource is not muted) and non-available (i.e. the PRACH resource is muted) in a period of time (such as the first time). By the network device and the terminal interacting to indicate the first indication information of the muting situation of the PRACH resource in the first time, the terminal can learn the muting situation of the PRACH resource in the first time in time.

[0174] In some embodiments, the terms “beam”, “beam width”, “beam angular degree”, “precoding”, “precoder”, “weight”, “precoding weight”, “quasi-co-location (QCL)”, “transmission configuration indication (TCI) state”, “spatial relation”, “spatial domain filter”, “transmission power”, “phase rotation”, “antenna port”, “antenna port group”, “layer”, “the number of layers”, “rank”, “resource”, “resource set”, “resource group”, “antenna”, “antenna element”, “panel”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0175] In some embodiments, the name of the first indication information is not limited, which is, for example, “state indication information”, “resource state indication”, and the like.

[0176] In some embodiments, the names of information and the like are not limited to the names described in the embodiments, and the terms “information”, “message”, “signal”, “signaling”, “report”, “configuration”, “indication”, “instruction”, “command”, “channel”, “parameter”, “domain”, “field”, “symbol”, “symbol”, “codebook”, “codeword”, “codepoint”, “bit”, “data”, “program”, “chip”, and the like can be replaced with each other.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be a bitmap, each bit in the bitmap representing whether a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by first time division is muted, or in other words, each bit in the bitmap representing whether a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by first time division is available.

[0178] In some embodiments, the first time can be equally divided into a plurality of time resources, so as to indicate by the bitmap whether a PRACH resource in each time resource is muted.

[0179] In some embodiments, the time resource can be at least one PRACH configuration period, or the time resource can be at least one association period, or the time resource can be at least one Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) period (i.e., SSB-Periodicity), or the time resource can be a statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period and at least one SSB period.

[0180] That is, each bit in the bitmap can represent whether a PRACH resource in one or more PRACH configuration periods is muted, or each bit in the bitmap can represent whether a PRACH resource in one or more association periods is muted, or each bit in the bitmap can represent whether a PRACH resource in one or more SSB-Periodicity is muted, or each bit in the bitmap can represent whether a PRACH resource in a statistical period of one or more PRACH configuration periods, one or more association periods and one or more SSB-Periodicity is muted.

[0181] Wherein, the PRACH configuration period can be associated with a PRACH configuration index, and different PRACH configuration periods correspond to different PRACH configuration indexes.

[0182] In some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period and at least one SSB period can be the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period and the at least one SSB period, but is not limited thereto.

[0183] It should be noted that each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in one or more of the above periods is muted, that is, if the length of the bitmap is N and each bit represents M periods, the bitmap can indicate whether the corresponding PRACH resource is muted in M*N periods.

[0184] In some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, the bit value of the first value indicates that the PRACH resource in one time resource obtained by the first time division is not muted, and the bit value of the second value indicates that the PRACH resource in one time resource obtained by the first time division is muted. In other words, the bit value of the first value indicates that the PRACH resource in one time resource obtained by the first time division is available, and the bit value of the second value indicates that the PRACH resource in one time resource obtained by the first time division is unavailable.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first value can be 1 and the second value can be 0; or the first value can be 0 and the second value can be 1.

[0186] Taking the first value as 1 and the second value as 0 as an example, that is, the bit value of 1 indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is not muted (i.e., available), and the bit value of 0 indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is muted (i.e., unavailable).

[0187] Taking the example that each bit in the bitmap can represent whether the PRACH resource in one or more association periods is muted, referring to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4A is an operation mechanism for PRACH resource muting using a bitmap according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4A, the bitmap is 11001, wherein the PRACH resource in the association period corresponding to the bit value of 1 is not muted, and the PRACH resource in the association period corresponding to the bit value of 0 is muted.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the period in which the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted appears in the first time, and the time length of each occurrence of the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

[0190] For example, the first indication information can be used to indicate that every X ms produces Y ms of PRACH resource corresponding to one bit, wherein X is greater than or equal to Y.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted occur in the first time, and a length of time in which the time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted occur each time.

[0193] For example, the first indication information can be used to indicate that the PRACH resource is muted for Y ms every X ms, where X is greater than or equal to Y.

[0194] It should be noted that the introduction of the time resources can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

[0195] In some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time have the same index; or the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time are Quasi Concurrent Location (QCL).

[0196] For the case where the first indication information is a bitmap, that is, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the bit value is the first value in the bitmap have the same index; or even if the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the bit value is the first value in the bitmap have different indexes, it can be considered that the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the bit value is the first value in the bitmap are QCL.

[0197] It should be noted that the coverage of the beam in the NTN network can generally reach tens of kilometers, so the terminal generally does not occur beam switching in the first time corresponding to the first indication information, and thus the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time can have the same index or be QCL.

[0198] In some embodiments, the terms “time”, “moment”, “time point”, “time position” can be replaced with each other, and the terms “time”, “length of time”, “time period”, “time window”, “window” can be replaced with each other.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs with different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams with different indexes is different.

[0200] That is, different PRACH resource muting schemes can be configured for different SSB indexes (SSB index#) or different beam indexes (beam index#), so that the dwell time of different beams can be configured on demand to meet the network requirements of different areas.

[0201] Taking the first indication information as a bitmap as an example, referring to FIG. 4B, which is a schematic diagram of different PRACH resource muting mechanisms of different beam positions of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, as shown in FIG. 4B, for UE#1 in beam area#1, the bitmap sent to UE#1 can be 11001, and for UE#2 in beam area#2, the bitmap sent to UE#2 can be 00110, wherein the PRACH resources in the association period corresponding to the bit value 1 are not muted, and the PRACH resources in the association period corresponding to the bit value 0 are muted, so that UE#1 and UE#2 can communicate with the network device in the time resources in which the respective corresponding PRACH resources are not muted.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first message for the terminal to perform initial access can be used as a carrier of the first indication information.

[0203] That is, in some embodiments, the network device can send the first message to the terminal, and the first message can include the first indication information.

[0204] In some embodiments, the terminal can receive the first message sent by the network device to achieve the reception of the first indication information sent by the network device.

[0205] By using the first message for the terminal to perform initial access as a carrier of the first indication information, the terminal can complete the initial access process based on the first indication information carried by the first message. In addition, by using the first message for the terminal to perform initial access as a carrier of the first indication information, the muting of the PRACH resources generated by the current beam can be quickly updated.

[0206] In some embodiments, the first message can be any one of a System Information Block (SIB) message, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), a group common physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), but not limited thereto.

[0207] At step S3102, the terminal determines the PRACH resource muting condition in the first time based on the first indication information.

[0208] In some embodiments, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal can determine the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted and the time resources in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time based on the indication of the first indication information, so that the subsequent communication process can be performed on the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

[0209] In some embodiments, "obtain", "get", "receive", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other, which can be interpreted as receiving from other subjects, obtaining from protocols, obtaining from high layers, processing by itself, and the like.

[0210] In some embodiments, the terms "send", "transmit", "report", "issue", "transmit", "bidirectional transmission", "send and / or receive" can be replaced with each other.

[0211] In some embodiments, the terms "certain", "preset", "preset", "set", "indicated", "one", "any", "first" and the like can be replaced with each other. "Certain A", "preset A", "preset A", "set A", "indicated A", "one A", "any A", "first A" can be interpreted as A specified in advance in protocols and the like, or can be interpreted as A obtained by setting, configuring, or indicating, or can be interpreted as certain A, one A, any A, or first A, but not limited thereto.

[0212] In some embodiments, the determining or judging can be performed by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), a true or false value (Boolean) represented by true or false, or a comparison of numerical values (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0213] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on the time domain resource and / or the frequency domain resource, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data, etc. after receiving the data, etc.; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the content of the sending.

[0214] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S3101-S3102. For example, step S3101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, steps S3101+S3102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0215] In some embodiments, step S3102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0216] In some embodiments, reference can be made to the other optional implementation modes described before or after the corresponding description of FIG. 3.

[0217] FIG. 5 is an interaction schematic diagram of a PRACH resource state indication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 5, the embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a PRACH resource state indication method, and the method includes:

[0218] In step S5101, the network device sends first indication information to the terminal.

[0219] The optional implementation mode of step S5101 can refer to the optional implementation mode of step S3101 of FIG. 3 and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3, which will not be described here.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the PRACH resource muting condition in the first time.

[0221] In some embodiments, the first indication information can be a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted, or in other words, whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is available.

[0222] In some embodiments, the time resource can be at least one PRACH configuration period, or the time resource can be at least one association period, or the time resource can be at least one SSB period, or the time resource can be a statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0223] In some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period can be a least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period, but not limited thereto.

[0224] In some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, the bit value of the first value indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is not muted, and the bit value of the second value indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is muted. Or, the bit value of the first value indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is available, and the bit value of the second value indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is unavailable.

[0225] In some embodiments, the first value can be 1, and the second value can be 0; or the first value can be 0, and the second value can be 1.

[0226] Taking the first value as 1 and the second value as 0 as an example, that is, the bit value of 1 indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is not muted (that is, available), and the bit value of 0 indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by the first time division is muted (that is, unavailable).

[0227] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time.

[0228] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the period in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, and the length of time in which the PRACH resource is not muted each time.

[0229] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time.

[0230] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate the period in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time, and the length of time in which the PRACH resource is muted each time.

[0231] It should be noted that the introduction of the time resource can be referred to the above, and will not be repeated here.

[0232] In some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time have the same index; or, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time are Quasi Concurrent Location (QCL).

[0233] In some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs with different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams with different indexes is different.

[0234] In some embodiments, the first message can be taken as a carrier of the first indication information, and the first message is a message for the terminal to perform initial access.

[0235] That is, in some embodiments, the network device can send the first message to the terminal, and the first message can include the first indication information.

[0236] In some embodiments, the first message can be any one of an SIB message, an RRC message, a MAC CE, and a PDCCH shared by multiple terminals, but is not limited thereto.

[0237] Step S5102, the terminal receives the first indication information sent by the network device.

[0238] The optional implementation of step S5102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 and step S3102 in FIG. 3 and other related parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0239] In some embodiments, the terminal can receive the first message sent by the network device, and the first message includes the first indication information, so as to achieve the reception of the first indication information sent by the network device. The introduction of the first message can be referred to step S5101, which will not be repeated here.

[0240] In some embodiments, after receiving the first indication information, the terminal can determine the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time and the time resources in which the PRACH resources are muted in the first time based on the indication of the first indication information, so that the subsequent communication process can be performed on the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted.

[0241] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S5101-S5102. For example, step S5101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S5101+S5102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0242] In some embodiments, step S5101 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0243] In some embodiments, step S5102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0244] According to the scheme provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, a PRACH resource muting mechanism is provided.

[0245] In some embodiments, the indication of the PRACH resource muting mechanism can be implemented in bitmap.

[0246] In some embodiments, each bit in the bitmap represents one or more PRACH configuration periods (associated with the configuration index), or one or more association periods, or SSB-Periodicity, or the least common multiple of them.

[0247] In some embodiments, each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in one or more of the above periods is muted, i.e., if the length of the bitmap is N and each bit represents M periods, it indicates whether the corresponding resource is muted within M*N periods.

[0248] In some embodiments, a bit value of "1" represents that the PRACH resource is available, and a bit value of "0" represents that the PRACH resource is non-available.

[0249] It should be noted that the actual significance of the PRACH resource muting mechanism is that the muted resource currently performs beam hopping to other beams corresponding to non-current wave positions, but from the perspective of the protocol, it can be invisible.

[0250] In some embodiments, all SSBs configured as "1" in a bitmap have the same index; or even if they have different indexes, they are considered to be quasi-co-located.

[0251] In some embodiments, different muting schemes can be configured for different SSB indexes or different beam indexes, and then the dwell time length of different beams can be configured as needed to meet the needs of different areas.

[0252] In some embodiments, the muting bitmap can be carried in a SIB message, or can be carried in an RRC message to configure the UE individually, or can be carried in a MAC CE to quickly update the available resources of the current beam of the UE.

[0253] In some embodiments, the muting bitmap can also be carried in a group common PDCCH to quickly update the available resources of the current beam.

[0254] In some embodiments, it can also be configured more generally as a period + length, that is, every X ms produces Y ms of resources corresponding to one beam (X is greater than or equal to Y).

[0255] In some embodiments, the above scheme can be used in the initial access process.

[0256] FIG. 6A is a flow diagram of a state indication method of a PRACH resource according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6A, the present disclosure relates to a state indication method of a PRACH resource, and the above method comprises:

[0257] Step S6101: obtaining first indication information.

[0258] The optional implementation of step S6101 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S5101 in FIG. 5, and other associated parts in the embodiments related to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0259] In some embodiments, the terminal receives the first indication information sent by the network device, but is not limited thereto, and can also receive the first indication information sent by other subjects.

[0260] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first indication information specified by the protocol.

[0261] In some embodiments, the terminal obtains the first indication information from the upper layer(s).

[0262] In some embodiments, the terminal processes to obtain the first indication information.

[0263] In some embodiments, step S6101 is omitted, and the terminal autonomously implements the function indicated by the first indication information, or the above function is default or default.

[0264] In some embodiments, the terminal receives a first message sent by the network device, the first message is used for the terminal to perform initial access, and the first message includes the first indication information.

[0265] In some embodiments, the first message includes any of the following: an SIB message; an RRC message; a MAC CE; and a PDCCH shared by multiple terminals.

[0266] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in the first time.

[0267] In some embodiments, the first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0268] In some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, a bit value of a first value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is not muted, and a bit value of a second value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0269] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, or the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, which can be a period in which the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, and a time length of each occurrence of the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

[0271] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time, which can be a period in which the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time, and a time length of each occurrence of the time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0272] In some embodiments, the time resource includes any of the following:

[0273] At least one PRACH configuration period;

[0274] At least one association period;

[0275] At least one SSB period;

[0276] The statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0277] In some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period is the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0278] In some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time have the same index; or, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time are quasi-co-located.

[0279] In some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

[0280] Step S6102, determining the muting condition of the PRACH resources in the first time based on the first indication information.

[0281] The optional implementation of step S6102 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3102 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S5102 in FIG. 5, and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0282] The communication method involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure can include at least one of steps S6101-S6102. For example, step S6101 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and steps S6101+S6102 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

[0283] In some embodiments, step S6102 is optional, and can be omitted or replaced in different embodiments.

[0284] FIG. 6B is a flow diagram of a PRACH resource state indication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 6B, the present disclosure relates to a PRACH resource state indication method, and the above method includes:

[0285] Step S6201, sending first indication information.

[0286] The optional implementation of step S6201 can refer to the optional implementation of step S3101 in FIG. 3, the optional implementation of step S5101 in FIG. 5, and other associated parts in the embodiments involved in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0287] In some embodiments, the network device sends the first indication information to a terminal, but is not limited thereto, and can also send the first indication information to other subjects.

[0288] In some embodiments, the network device sends a first message to the terminal, the first message being used for initial access of the terminal, and the first indication information being included in the first message.

[0289] In some embodiments, the first message includes any of the following: an SIB message; an RRC message; a MAC CE; and a PDCCH shared by multiple terminals.

[0290] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in the first time.

[0291] In some embodiments, the first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0292] In some embodiments, for any bit in the bitmap, a first value of the bit represents that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by dividing the first time is not muted, and a second value of the bit represents that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, or the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time.

[0294] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted in the first time, and can be used to indicate a period in which the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted appears in the first time and a time length of each appearance of the time resource in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used to indicate a time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted in the first time, and can be used to indicate a period in which the time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted appears in the first time and a time length of each appearance of the time resource in which the PRACH resource is muted.

[0296] In some embodiments, the time resource includes any of the following:

[0297] at least one PRACH configuration period;

[0298] at least one association period;

[0299] at least one SSB period;

[0300] The statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0301] In some embodiments, the statistical period determined based on the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period is the least common multiple of the at least one PRACH configuration period, the at least one association period, and the at least one SSB period.

[0302] In some embodiments, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time have the same index; or, the SSBs generated in the time resources in which the PRACH resources are not muted in the first time are quasi-co-located.

[0303] In some embodiments, the first indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

[0304] In some embodiments, the first indication information is used by the terminal to determine the muting of the PRACH resources in the first time.

[0305] The communication method related to the embodiments of the present disclosure can at least include step S6201, and step S6201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0306] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, step S6201 can be combined with step S6101 of FIG. 6A.

[0307] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, part or all of the steps, and optional implementation manners thereof, can be combined with part or all of the steps in other embodiments, or can be combined with optional implementation manners of other embodiments.

[0308] The embodiments of the present disclosure also propose an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods, for example, an apparatus including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. For another example, another apparatus is proposed, including units or modules for implementing each step performed by the network device (such as an access network device, a core network function node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0309] It should be understood that the division of each unit or module in the above apparatus is only a logical function division, and all or part of them can be integrated into a physical entity or physically separated in actual implementation. In addition, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of processor calling software: for example, the apparatus includes a processor, the processor is connected with a memory, the memory stores instructions, and the processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to realize the functions of any of the above methods or the units or modules of the above apparatus, wherein the processor is a general processor such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory is a memory in the apparatus or a memory outside the apparatus. Alternatively, the units or modules in the apparatus can be implemented in the form of hardware circuit, and the functions of part or all of the units or modules can be realized by the design of the hardware circuit. The above hardware circuit can be understood as one or more processors; for example, in one implementation, the above hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and the functions of part or all of the units or modules are realized by the design of the logical relationship between the elements in the circuit; for another example, in another implementation, the above hardware circuit is a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable gate array (FPGA) is taken as an example, which can include a large number of logic gate circuits, and the connection relationship between the logic gate circuits is configured by a configuration file, so as to realize the functions of part or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above apparatus can be all implemented in the form of processor calling software, or all implemented in the form of hardware circuit, or part implemented in the form of processor calling software and the remaining part implemented in the form of hardware circuit.

[0310] In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capability. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction reading and running capability, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), a digital signal processor (DSP), and the like. In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through a logical relationship of hardware circuit, and the logical relationship of the hardware circuit is fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In the reconfigurable hardware circuit, the processor loads a configuration document to implement the configuration of the hardware circuit. It can be understood that the processor loads instructions to implement the functions of the above part or all units or modules. In addition, the hardware circuit can also be designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a neural network processing unit (NPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a deep learning processing unit (DPU), and the like.

[0311] FIG. 7A is a structural schematic diagram of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7A, the terminal 7100 can at least include a transceiver module 7101. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7101 is configured to receive first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time. Optionally, the transceiver module 7101 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again. In some embodiments, the terminal 7100 can further include a processing module. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited thereto) performed by the terminal in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again.

[0312] FIG. 7B is a structural schematic diagram of a network device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7B, the network device 7200 can at least include a transceiver module 7201. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to send, to a terminal, first indication information used to indicate PRACH resource muting in a first time. Optionally, the transceiver module 7201 is configured to perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again. In some embodiments, the network device 7200 can further include a processing module. Optionally, the processing module is configured to perform at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited thereto) performed by the network device in any of the above methods, details of which are not described herein again.

[0313] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can include a sending module and / or a receiving module, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the transceiver module can be mutually replaced with a transceiver.

[0314] In some embodiments, the processing module can be one module or include multiple sub-modules. Optionally, the multiple sub-modules perform all or part of the steps required to be performed by the processing module. Optionally, the processing module can be mutually replaced with a processor.

[0315] FIG. 8A is a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 8100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication device 8100 can be a network device (for example, an access network device, a core network device, etc.), a terminal (for example, a user equipment, etc.), a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the network device to implement any of the above methods, or a chip, a chip system, or a processor supporting the terminal to implement any of the above methods. The communication device 8100 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and details can be referred to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0316] As shown in FIG. 8A, the communication device 8100 includes one or more processors 8101. The processor 8101 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, for example, a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (for example, a base station, a baseband chip, a terminal device, a terminal device chip, a DU or a CU, etc.), execute programs, and process data of the programs. The communication device 8100 is used to execute any of the above methods.

[0317] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more memories 8102 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memory 8102 can also be outside the communication device 8100.

[0318] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 further includes one or more transceivers 8103. When the communication device 8100 includes one or more transceivers 8103, the transceiver 8103 performs at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited to) in the above-described methods, and the processor 8101 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited to).

[0319] In some embodiments, the transceiver can include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which can be separate or integrated together. Optionally, the terms of transceiver, transceiving unit, transceiver, transceiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, the terms of transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other, and the terms of receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0320] In some embodiments, the communication device 8100 can include one or more interface circuits 8104. Optionally, the interface circuit 8104 is connected with the memory 8102, and the interface circuit 8104 can be used to receive signals from the memory 8102 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to the memory 8102 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 8104 can read the instructions stored in the memory 8102 and send the instructions to the processor 8101.

[0321] The communication device 8100 described in the above embodiments can be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 8100 described in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device 8100 can not be limited by Figure 8A. The communication device can be a standalone device or can be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device can be: 1) a standalone integrated circuit (IC), or a chip, or a chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, which can optionally also include storage components for storing data, programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a Modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, a terminal device, a smart terminal device, a cellular phone, a wireless device, a handset, a mobile unit, a vehicle-mounted device, a network device, a cloud device, an artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0322] Figure 8B is a structural schematic diagram of a chip 8200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For the case where the communication device 8100 is a chip or a chip system, the structural schematic diagram of the chip 8200 shown in Figure 8B can be referred to, but is not limited to this.

[0323] The chip 8200 includes one or more processors 8201, and the chip 8200 is configured to execute any of the above methods.

[0324] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more interface circuits 8202. Optionally, the interface circuits 8202 are connected with the memory 8203, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to receive signals from the memory 8203 or other devices, and the interface circuits 8202 can be configured to send signals to the memory 8203 or other devices. For example, the interface circuits 8202 can read instructions stored in the memory 8203 and send the instructions to the processor 8201.

[0325] In some embodiments, the interface circuits 8202 perform at least one of the communication steps (for example, step S3101, but not limited thereto) in the above-described methods, and the processor 8201 performs at least one of the other steps (for example, step S3102, but not limited thereto).

[0326] In some embodiments, the terms of interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc. can be replaced with each other.

[0327] In some embodiments, the chip 8200 further includes one or more memories 8203 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 8203 can be outside the chip 8200.

[0328] The disclosure also proposes a storage medium, and the above-mentioned storage medium stores instructions, and when the above-mentioned instructions run on the communication device 8100, the communication device 8100 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium is a computer readable storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the above-mentioned storage medium can be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto, and it can also be a transitory storage medium.

[0329] The disclosure also proposes a program product, and the above-mentioned program product is executed by the communication device 8100, so that the communication device 8100 executes any one of the above methods. Optionally, the above-mentioned program product is a computer program product.

[0330] The disclosure also proposes a computer program, and when it runs on a computer, it makes the computer execute any one of the above methods.

[0331] Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the features disclosed herein. It is intended that the disclosure be construed as including any paterns of this disclosure that can be derived from the description and illustrations presented herein without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The specification and examples given are considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of the disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0332] It is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the precise structures herein described and illustrated, and that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is limited only by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method for indicating the status of Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources, characterized in that, The method applied to a terminal comprises: receiving first indication information sent by a network device, the first indication information being used to indicate PRACH resource muting in a first time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, For any bit in the bitmap, a bit value of a first value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is not muted, and a bit value of a second value indicates that the PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by dividing the first time is muted.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, or the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is muted.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, comprising: the first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted; The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted, comprising: the first indication information is used to indicate a period in which the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted appear, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which the PRACH resource is not muted.

6. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that, The time resources comprise any of the following: at least one PRACH configuration period; at least one association period; at least one synchronization signal block SSB period; a statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period is the least common multiple of at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The SSBs generated in the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted have the same index; or The SSBs generated in the time resources in the first time in which the PRACH resource is not muted are quasi-co-located.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or the first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The receiving of the first indication information sent by the network device comprises: receiving a first message sent by the network device, the first message being used for initial access of the terminal, and the first indication information being included in the first message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first message comprises any of the following: a system information block SIB message; a radio resource control RRC message; a medium access control MAC control element CE; a physical downlink control channel PDCCH shared by multiple terminals. 12.A method for indicating a state of PRACH resource, characterized in that, The method applied to a network device comprises: sending first indication information to a terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate PRACH resource muting in a first time.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first indication information is a bitmap, and each bit in the bitmap represents whether a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by time division is muted.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein, For any bit in the bitmap, a bit value of a first value indicates that a PRACH resource in a time resource obtained by time division is not muted, and a bit value of a second value indicates that the PRACH resource in the time resource obtained by time division is muted.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted in the first time, or the first indication information is used to indicate time resources in which PRACH resources are muted in the first time.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted in the first time, including: The first indication information is used to indicate a period in which time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted appear in the first time, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted. The first indication information is used to indicate time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted in the first time, including: The first indication information is used to indicate a period in which time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted appear in the first time, and a time length of each appearance of the time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted.

17. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 16, characterized in that, The time resources include any of the following: At least one PRACH configuration period; At least one association period; At least one SSB period; A statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein, The statistical period determined based on at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period is a least common multiple of at least one PRACH configuration period, at least one association period, and at least one SSB period.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, SSBs generated in the time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted in the first time have the same index; or SSBs generated in the time resources in which PRACH resources are not muted in the first time are quasi-co-located.

20. The method of any one of claims 12-19, wherein, First indication information corresponding to SSBs of different indexes is different, or first indication information corresponding to beams of different indexes is different.

21. The method of any one of claims 12-20, wherein, The first indication information is sent to the terminal, including: A first message is sent to the terminal, the first message is used for initial access of the terminal, and the first indication information is included in the first message.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The first message includes any of the following: A system information block (SIB) message; A radio resource control (RRC) message; A medium access control (MAC) control element (CE); A physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) shared by multiple terminals.

23. A terminal, characterized by Including: A transceiver module configured to receive first indication information sent by a network device, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

24. A network device, comprising: Including: A transceiver module configured to send first indication information to a terminal, the first indication information being used to indicate a PRACH resource muting condition in a first time.

25. A terminal, characterized by Including: One or more processors; The terminal is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in any one of claims 1-11.

26. A network device, comprising: comprising: one or more processors; The network device is configured to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in any one of claims 12-22.

27. A communication system, characterized by comprising a terminal and a network device, wherein the terminal is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method in any one of claims 1-11, and the network device is configured to implement the PRACH resource state indication method in any one of claims 12-22.

28. A storage medium, the storage medium storing instructions, wherein, The instructions, when executed on the communication device, cause the communication device to perform the PRACH resource state indication method in any one of claims 1-11 or 12-22.

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