Improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions

Abstract

There are provided measures for improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions. Such measures exemplarily comprise determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

Description

[0001] Title

[0002] Improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions

[0003] Field

[0004] Various example embodiments relate to improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions. More specifically, various example embodiments exemplarily relate to measures (including methods, apparatuses and computer program products) for realizing improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions.

[0005] Background

[0006] The present specification generally relates to interference mitigation / cancellation.

[0007] Noise whitening (interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation) is a technique applied for removal of interference from e.g. neighboring cells (inter-cell interference).

[0008] Heretofore, a disturbance matrix representing the interference is estimated, and noise whitening is applied to a received signal to potentially mitigate / remove the interference from the received signal.

[0009] For a terminal to achieve initial access to a mobile network, a random access technology is known, where the terminal transmits a random access preamble towards a network access entity (e.g. base station (BS), and in return, the network access entity responds with parameters necessary for establishing a connection. The random access preamble may be transmitted in a random access channel (RACH), e.g. a physical random access channel (PRACH), in RACH occasions (RO).

[0010] To further improve uplink system efficiency / spectral efficiency, other physical channels (e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc.) can be allocated overlapping in time and frequency resources with ROs to allow the BS scheduler to schedule other physical uplink (UL) channels (e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc.) using complete uplink resources including the PRACH resources.

[0011] When other physical (uplink (UL)) channels are multiplexed on PRACH subcarriers, these other physical channels are considered as a substantial interference to the PRACH and in particular random access preambles transmitted in PRACH.

[0012] Hence, PRACH receivers are expected to apply noise (interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation) algorithms to mitigate interference for example caused by multiplexed transmissions on other physical channels.

[0013] In particular, to unleash the potential from spatial multiplexing of other physical channels with PRACH transmission(s), advanced receivers are required in order to mitigate or cancel interference from simultaneous other physical channels with target received power significantly higher than for PRACH preambles before PRACH detection stage.

[0014] If the PRACH receiver is aware of (scheduled) transmissions on other physical channels, the resource sharing situation can be identified, and the interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation (whitening) can be triggered. In particular, a disturbance matrix can be calculated, and noise whitening can be applied based on the thus known resource sharing situation. If the PRACH receiver is not aware of the (scheduled) transmissions on other physical channels, random access preamble detection performance can be impacted. The impact may depends on whether there is scheduling overlapping PRACH and the overlap is full or partial.

[0015] Random access preamble detection performance thus depends on performance of interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation, and the performance of interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation depends on suitability of the estimated disturbance matrix representing the expected interference.

[0016] Improving suitability of the estimated disturbance matrix representing the expected interference thus leads to improvement of performance of interference rejection / mitigation / cancellation.

[0017] There is a need to provide for improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions.

[0018] Hence, the problem arises that means and measures are sought which enable improvement of the estimation of the disturbance matrix representing the expected interference.

[0019] Summary

[0020] Various example embodiments aim at addressing at least part of the above issues and / or problems and drawbacks.

[0021] Various aspects of example embodiments are set out in the appended claims.

[0022] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and means for transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0023] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, means for determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and means for transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0024] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0025] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0026] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a method comprising determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0027] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a method comprising receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0028] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0029] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0030] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0031] According to an exemplary aspect, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0032] Any one of the above aspects enables an efficient and improved determination / estimation of a disturbance matrix representing an expected interference to thereby solve at least part of the problems and drawbacks identified in relation to the prior art.

[0033] By way of example embodiments, there is provided improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions. More specifically, by way of example embodiments, there are provided measures and mechanisms for realizing improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions.

[0034] Thus, improvement is achieved by methods, apparatuses and computer program products enabling / realizing improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions.

[0035] Brief description of the drawings

[0036] In the following, the present disclosure will be described in greater detail by way of non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments,

[0037] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments,

[0038] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments,

[0039] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments,

[0040] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to example embodiments,

[0041] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to example embodiments,

[0042] FIG. 7 (FIG. 7(a) to (c)) shows a schematic diagram of random access channel occasions relative to a bandwidth part according to example embodiments, and

[0043] FIG. 8 is a block diagram alternatively illustrating apparatuses according to example embodiments.

[0044] Detailed description

[0045] The present disclosure is described herein with reference to particular nonlimiting examples and to what are presently considered to be conceivable embodiments. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the disclosure is by no means limited to these examples, and may be more broadly applied. It is to be noted that the following description of the present disclosure and its embodiments mainly refers to specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. Namely, the present disclosure and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications being used as non-limiting examples for certain exemplary network configurations and deployments. As such, the description of example embodiments given herein specifically refers to terminology which is directly related thereto. Such terminology is only used in the context of the presented non-limiting examples, and does naturally not limit the disclosure in any way. Rather, any other communication or communication related system deployment, etc. may also be utilized as long as compliant with the features described herein.

[0046] Hereinafter, various embodiments and implementations of the present disclosure and its aspects or embodiments are described using several variants and / or alternatives. It is generally noted that, according to certain needs and constraints, all of the described variants and / or alternatives may be provided alone or in any conceivable combination (also including combinations of individual features of the various variants and / or alternatives).

[0047] As used herein, "at least one of the following: " and "at least one of " and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by "and" or "or", mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0048] According to example embodiments, in general terms, there are provided measures and mechanisms for (enabling / realizing) improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions.

[0049] If no signal (preamble) is present in a RO but other physical (uplink (UL)) channels are transmitted on the corresponding resources, these received resources can be (additionally) used to obtain a better estimate of the disturbance matrix for processing the other ROs.

[0050] Hence, according to example embodiments, the network (i.e., network access entity) is provided with the possibility of increasing the number of frequency resources that can be used to improve the estimate of the disturbance matrix and thus to improve the interference rejection performance.

[0051] Example embodiments are described in relation to for the Msgl-FDM scenarios. Here, Msgl-FDM specifies the number of ROs in one time instance, multiplexed in frequency domain (e.g. the number of ROs in one time instance in a bandwidth part).

[0052] Hence, in brief, according to example embodiments, to further assist an interference cancellation (IC) algorithm at the network access entity (e.g. PRACH receiver of the network access entity), the possibility for the network to introduce a gap between consecutive RACH Occasions (ROs) in frequency is provided.

[0053] In particular, according to example embodiments, a configurable frequency offset is introduced between adjacent ROs.

[0054] According to example embodiments, such gap is indicated and configured by the network, and is considered by the terminal when deciding on random access resources to be used.

[0055] According to example embodiments, the network (i.e., network access entity (e.g. PRACH receiver of the network access entity)) is able to configure a frequency domain offset between a last subcarrier of the (N-l)th RO and a first subcarrier of the Nth RO in frequency domain.

[0056] By means of this configurable offset, the network (i.e., network access entity (e.g. PRACH receiver of the network access entity)) can allocate frequency domain resources between ROs for enhancing the interference covariance matrix estimation processing from the overlapping other physical channels (e.g., physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), etc.).

[0057] According to example embodiments, a terminal (e.g. user equipment (UE) considers the offset for determining the exact RO location in frequency domain and for generation of the PRACH signal.

[0058] According to example embodiments, if the frequency domain offset is so that the number of configured ROs in frequency (via Msgl-FDM) do not fit anymore within the initial / active bandwidth part (BWP), the terminal transmits the PRACH (also) using the one or more RO partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application).

[0059] According to alternative example embodiments, if the frequency domain offset is so that the number of configured ROs in frequency (via Msgl-FDM) do not fit anymore within the initial / active bandwidth part (BWP), the terminal considers such ROs (partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application)) as invalid for PRACH transmission, i.e., the terminal transmits the PRACH not using the one or more RO partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application).

[0060] Example embodiments are specified below in more detail.

[0061] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments. The apparatus may be a network entity 10 such as a base station (e.g. eNB, gNB) comprising means for determining 11 and means for transmitting 12. The means for determining 11 determines, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions. The means for transmitting 12 transmits a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to example embodiments. The apparatus according to FIG. 1 may perform the method of FIG. 5 but is not limited to this method. The method of FIG. 5 may be performed by the apparatus of FIG. 1 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, a procedure according to example embodiments comprises an operation of determining (S51), based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and an operation of transmitting (S52) a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0063] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments. In particular, FIG. 2 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. The apparatus according to FIG. 2 may thus further comprise means for estimating 21.

[0064] In an embodiment at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 (or 2) may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.

[0065] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a first subcarrier of a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion. According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

[0066] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers.

[0067] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

[0068] According to a variation of the procedure shown in FIG. 5, exemplary additional operations are given, which are inherently independent from each other as such. According to such variation, an exemplary method according to example embodiments may comprise an operation of estimating, based on received frequency resources corresponding to said frequency offset, a disturbance matrix for interference cancellation processing and / or noise whitening processing for received random access transmissions.

[0069] According to further example embodiments, said frequency consecutive random access occasions are to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions.

[0070] According to further example embodiments, said frequency consecutive random access occasions are random access channel occasions.

[0071] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments. The apparatus may be a terminal 30 such as a user equipment comprising means for receiving 31, means for determining 32, and means for transmitting 33. The means for receiving 31 receives a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions. The means for determining 32 determines, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion. The means for transmitting 33 transmits a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a procedure according to example embodiments. The apparatus according to FIG. 3 may perform the method of FIG. 6 but is not limited to this method. The method of FIG. 6 may be performed by the apparatus of FIG. 3 but is not limited to being performed by this apparatus.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 6, a procedure according to example embodiments comprises an operation of receiving (S61) a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, an operation of determining (S62), based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and an operation of transmitting (S63) a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0073] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus according to example embodiments. In particular, FIG. 4 illustrates a variation of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3. The apparatus according to FIG. 4 may thus further comprise means for detecting 41 and / or means for performing 42. In an embodiment at least some of the functionalities of the apparatus shown in FIG. 3 (or 4) may be shared between two physically separate devices forming one operational entity. Therefore, the apparatus may be seen to depict the operational entity comprising one or more physically separate devices for executing at least some of the described processes.

[0074] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of said first random access occasion and a first subcarrier of said second random access occasion.

[0075] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

[0076] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers.

[0077] According to further example embodiments, said frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

[0078] According to a variation of the procedure shown in FIG. 6, exemplary details of the transmitting operation (S63, transmitting said random access transmission) are given, which are inherently independent from each other as such. Such exemplary transmitting operation (S63) according to example embodiments may comprise an operation of detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and an operation of performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

[0079] According to a variation of the procedure shown in FIG. 6, exemplary details of the transmitting operation (S63, transmitting said random access transmission) are given, which are inherently independent from each other as such. Such exemplary transmitting operation (S63) according to example embodiments may comprise an operation of detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and an operation of performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and omitting each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

[0080] According to further example embodiments, said frequency consecutive random access occasions are to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions.

[0081] According to further example embodiments, said frequency consecutive random access occasions are random access channel occasions.

[0082] Example embodiments outlined and specified above are explained below in more specific terms.

[0083] According to example embodiments, a single frequency domain offset between two consecutive ROs is provided in the common RACH configuration signaled in system information or via dedicated signaling. In the New Radio (NR) framework, according to example embodiments, this is implemented by having a new parameter, e.g., "RO-Offset-FDM", indicating possible offset values that map to specific number of:

[0084] - resource blocks (RB) between ROs,

[0085] - subcarriers between RO.

[0086] In the latter case, the number of subcarriers may be an integer divisor of 12.

[0087] The new parameter, e.g., "RO-Offset-FDM", may be embedded in a RACH configuration as follows:

[0088] RACH-ConfigGeneric : : = SEQUENCE { prach-Configurationlndex INTEGER (0..255), msgl-FDM ENUMERATED {one, two, four, eight}, msgl-FrequencyStart INTEGER (0..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-l), zeroCorrelationZoneConfig INTEGER(0..15), preambleReceivedTargetPower INTEGER (-202.. -60), preambleTransMax ENUMERATED

[0089] {n3, n4, n5, n6, n7, n8, nlO, n20, n50, nlOO, n200}, powerRampingStep ENUMERATED {dBO, dB2, dB4, dB6}, ra-ResponseWindow ENUMERATED

[0090] {si 1, sl2, sl4, sl8, sIlO, sl20, sl40, sl80},

[0091] ■ ■ ■ /

[0092] [[ prach-ConfigurationPeriodScaling-IAB-rl6 ENUMERATED {scfl,scf2,scf4,scf8,scfl6,scf32,scf64} OPTIONAL, -- Need R prach-ConfigurationFrameOffset-IAB-rl6 INTEGER (0..63) OPTIONAL, - Need R prach-ConfigurationSOffset-IAB-rl6 INTEGER (0..39) OPTIONAL, - Need R ra-ResponseWindow-vl610 ENUMERATED { sl60, sll60} OPTIONAL, - Need R prach-ConfigurationIndex-vl610 INTEGER. (256..262) OPTIONAL - Need R

[0093] ]],

[0094] [[ ra-ResponseWindow-vl700 ENUMERATED

[0095] {sl240, sl320, sl640, sl960, SI1280, SI1920, SI2560} OPTIONAL -- Need R

[0096] ]]

[0097] RO-Offset-FDM INTEGER{offsetl, offset2, offsets}

[0098] }

[0099] A field description of the new parameter, e.g., "RO-Offset-FDM", may read "Configured offset between adjacent ROs in FDM. After applying the offset, a UE does not transmit PRACH using any RO that does not fit within the initial / active BWP."

[0100] FIG. 7 (FIG. 7(a) to (c)) shows a schematic diagram of random access channel occasions relative to a bandwidth part according to example embodiments in case of Msgl-FDM=2.

[0101] In particular, FIG. 7(a) illustrates an arrangement of ROs (RO #1 and RO #2) within a BWP in case of Msgl-FDM = 2 before or without after frequency domain offset application.

[0102] Further, FIG. 7(b) illustrates an arrangement of the same ROs (RO #1 and RO #2) relative to the BWP in case of Msgl-FDM=2 (after frequency domain offset application) in a case where the terminal transmits the PRACH (also) using the one or more RO partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application).

[0103] That is, FIG. 7(b) shows an example in which the frequency domain offset is so that the number of configured ROs in frequency (via Msgl-FDM) do not fit anymore within the initial / active BWP, and UE transmits PRACH using the one or more RO partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application).

[0104] Still further, FIG. 7(c) illustrates an arrangement of the same ROs (RO #1 and RO #2) relative to the BWP in case of Msgl-FDM = 2 (after frequency domain offset application) in a case where the terminal considers such ROs (partly or fully outside of the initial / active BWP (after frequency domain offset application)) as invalid for PRACH transmission.

[0105] That is, FIG. 7(c) shows an example in which the frequency domain offset is so that the number of configured ROs in frequency (via Msgl-FDM) do not fit anymore within the initial / active BWP, and UE considers such ROs as invalid for PRACH transmission (making the RO #2 invalid and not usable by the UE for PRACH transmission, i.e., the UE does not transmit PRACH using such RO).

[0106] In the scenario illustrated in FIG. 7, Msgl-FDM=2, so that two ROs can be found within the initial or active BWP and it is assumed that the ROs would perfectly fit within the BWP without frequency offset among them.

[0107] The above-described procedures and functions may be implemented by respective functional elements, processors, or the like, as described below.

[0108] In the foregoing exemplary description of the network entity, only the units that are relevant for understanding the principles of the disclosure have been described using functional blocks. The network entity may comprise further units that are necessary for its respective operation. However, a description of these units is omitted in this specification. The arrangement of the functional blocks of the devices is not construed to limit the disclosure, and the functions may be performed by one block or further split into sub-blocks. When in the foregoing description it is stated that the apparatus, i.e. network entity (or some other means) is configured to perform some function, this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that a (i.e. at least one) processor or corresponding circuitry, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function. Also, such function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured circuitry or means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression "unit configured to" is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as "means for").

[0109] In FIG. 8, an alternative illustration of apparatuses according to example embodiments is depicted. As indicated in FIG. 8, according to example embodiments, the apparatus (network entity) 10' (corresponding to the network entity 10) comprises a processor 81, a memory 82 and an interface 83, which are connected by a bus 84 or the like. Further, according to example embodiments, the apparatus (terminal) 30' (corresponding to the terminal 30) comprises a processor 85, a memory 86 and an interface 87, which are connected by a bus 88 or the like, and the apparatuses may be connected via link 89, respectively.

[0110] The processor 81 / 85 and / or the interface 83 / 87 may also include a modem or the like to facilitate communication over a (hardwire or wireless) link, respectively. The interface 83 / 87 may include a suitable transceiver coupled to one or more antennas or communication means for (hardwire or wireless) communications with the linked or connected device(s), respectively. The interface 83 / 87 is generally configured to communicate with at least one other apparatus, i.e. the interface thereof.

[0111] The memory 82 / 86 may store respective programs assumed to include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the respective processor, enables the respective electronic device or apparatus to operate in accordance with the example embodiments. In general terms, the respective devices / apparatuses (and / or parts thereof) may represent means for performing respective operations and / or exhibiting respective functionalities, and / or the respective devices (and / or parts thereof) may have functions for performing respective operations and / or exhibiting respective functionalities.

[0112] When in the subsequent description it is stated that the processor (or some other means) is configured to perform some function, this is to be construed to be equivalent to a description stating that at least one processor, potentially in cooperation with computer program code stored in the memory of the respective apparatus, is configured to cause the apparatus to perform at least the thus mentioned function. Also, such function is to be construed to be equivalently implementable by specifically configured means for performing the respective function (i.e. the expression "processor configured to [cause the apparatus to] perform [. ,.]-ing" is construed to be equivalent to an expression such as "means for [,..]-ing" and to an expression such as "circuitry configured to [...]").

[0113] According to example embodiments, an apparatus representing the network entity 10 comprises at least one processor 81, at least one memory 82 including computer program code, and at least one interface 83 configured for communication with at least another apparatus. The processor (i.e. the at least one processor 81, with the at least one memory 82 and the computer program code) is configured to perform determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for determining), and to perform transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting). According to example embodiments, an apparatus representing the terminal 30 comprises at least one processor 85, at least one memory 86 including computer program code, and at least one interface 87 configured for communication with at least another apparatus. The processor (i.e. the at least one processor 85, with the at least one memory 85 and the computer program code) is configured to perform receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for receiving), to perform determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for determining), and to perform transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion (thus the apparatus comprising corresponding means for transmitting).

[0114] For further details regarding the operability / functionality of the individual apparatuses, reference is made to the above description in connection with any one of FIGs. 1 to 7, respectively.

[0115] For the purpose of the present disclosure as described herein above, it should be noted that

[0116] - method steps likely to be implemented as software code portions and being run using a processor at a network server or network entity (as examples of devices, apparatuses and / or modules thereof, or as examples of entities including apparatuses and / or modules therefore), are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language as long as the functionality defined by the method steps is preserved;

[0117] - generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the embodiments and its modification in terms of the functionality implemented;

[0118] - method steps and / or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as hardware components at the above-defined apparatuses, or any module(s) thereof, (e.g., devices carrying out the functions of the apparatuses according to the embodiments as described above) are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., using for example ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components;

[0119] - devices, units or means (e.g. the above-defined network entity or network register, or any one of their respective units / means) can be implemented as individual devices, units or means, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device, unit or means is preserved;

[0120] - an apparatus like the user equipment and the network entity / network register may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution / being run on a processor;

[0121] - a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example.

[0122] In general, it is to be noted that respective functional blocks or elements according to above-described aspects can be implemented by any known means, either in hardware and / or software, respectively, if it is only adapted to perform the described functions of the respective parts. The mentioned method steps can be realized in individual functional blocks or by individual devices, or one or more of the method steps can be realized in a single functional block or by a single device.

[0123] Generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the present disclosure. Devices and means can be implemented as individual devices, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device is preserved. Such and similar principles are to be considered as known to a skilled person.

[0124] Software in the sense of the present description comprises software code as such comprising code means or portions or a computer program or a computer program product for performing the respective functions, as well as software (or a computer program or a computer program product) embodied on a tangible medium such as a computer-readable (storage) medium having stored thereon a respective data structure or code means / portions or embodied in a signal or in a chip, potentially during processing thereof.

[0125] The present disclosure also covers any conceivable combination of method steps and operations described above, and any conceivable combination of nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements described above, as long as the above-described concepts of methodology and structural arrangement are applicable. In view of the above, there are provided measures for improvement of interference mitigation / cancellation for random access transmissions. Such measures exemplarily comprise determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0126] Even though the disclosure is described above with reference to the examples according to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not restricted thereto. Rather, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure can be modified in many ways without departing from the scope of the inventive idea as disclosed herein.

[0127] Example embodiments may be implemented according to at least the following Items:

[0128] Item 1. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform : determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0129] Item 2. The apparatus according to Item 1, wherein said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a first subcarrier of a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion.

[0130] Item 3. The apparatus according to Item 1 or 2, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

[0131] Item 4. The apparatus according to Item 1 or 2, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers, wherein optionally said frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

[0132] Item 5. The apparatus according to any of Items 1 to 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: estimating, based on received frequency resources corresponding to said frequency offset, a disturbance matrix for interference cancellation processing and / or noise whitening processing for received random access transmissions.

[0133] Item 6. The apparatus according to any of Items 1 to 5, wherein said frequency consecutive random access occasions are at least one of the following: to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions, or random access channel occasions.

[0134] Item 7. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform : receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0135] Item 8. The apparatus according to Item 7, wherein said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of said first random access occasion and a first subcarrier of said second random access occasion.

[0136] Item 9. The apparatus according to Item 7 or 8, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

[0137] Item 10. The apparatus according to Item 7 or 8, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers, wherein optionally said frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

[0138] Item 11. The apparatus according to any of Items 7 to 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

[0139] Item 12. The apparatus according to any of Items 7 to 10, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform: detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and omitting each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

[0140] Item 13. The apparatus according to any of Items 7 to 12, wherein said frequency consecutive random access occasions are at least one of the following: to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions, or random access channel occasions. Item 14. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0141] Item 15. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0142] Item 16. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

[0143] Item 17. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out steps: receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

[0144] List of acronyms and abbreviations

[0145] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0146] BS base station

[0147] BWP bandwidth part

[0148] CFAM common feature analysis module

[0149] CP3 check point 3 (CFAM phase in which domain interfaces are defined) DU distributed unit eCPRI enhanced common public radio interface

[0150] IC interference cancellation

[0151] ICAI interference cancellation assistance information

[0152] IFFT Inverse Fast Fourier Transform

[0153] IMR interference measurement resources IQ in phase & quadrature phase

[0154] L1 / L2 / L3 Layer 1 / 2 / 3

[0155] NR. New Radio

[0156] PRACH physical random access channel

[0157] PRB physical resource block

[0158] PUCCH physical uplink control channel

[0159] PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

[0160] RACH random access channel

[0161] RB resource block

[0162] RO RACH occasion

[0163] RU radio unit

[0164] SNR signal to noise ratio

[0165] SR scheduling request

[0166] SRS sounding reference signal

[0167] TCI transmission configuration indication

[0168] UE user equipment

[0169] UL uplink

Claims

32Claims1. An apparatus comprising means for determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and means for transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a first subcarrier of a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers, wherein optionally said frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for estimating, based on received frequency resources corresponding to said frequency offset, a disturbance matrix for interference cancellation processing and / or noise whitening processing for received random access transmissions.

336. The apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said frequency consecutive random access occasions are at least one of the following: to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions, or random access channel occasions.

7. An apparatus comprising means for receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, means for determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and means for transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said frequency offset indicates a frequency interval between a last subcarrier of said first random access occasion and a first subcarrier of said second random access occasion.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of resource blocks.

10. The apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein said frequency offset is set in units of subcarriers, wherein optionallysaid frequency offset is set in an integer multiple of 12 units of subcarriers.

11. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said means for transmitting said random access transmission further comprises means for detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and means for performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

12. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein said means for transmitting said random access transmission further comprises means for detecting, based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, for each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, whether said respective random access occasion is fully within an initial / active bandwidth part or is partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part, and means for performing transmission of a random access channel signal utilizing each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion fully within said initial / active bandwidth part and omitting each of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion partly or fully outside said initial / active bandwidth part.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 7 to 12, wherein said frequency consecutive random access occasions are at least one of the following: to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled physical uplink shared channel transmissions and / or scheduled physical uplink control channel transmissions, or random access channel occasions.

14. A method comprising determining, based on an interference condition related to receipt of random access transmissions, a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, and transmitting a random access configuration indicative of said frequency offset.

15. A method comprising receiving a random access configuration indicative of a frequency offset between frequency consecutive random access occasions to be frequency domain multiplexed with scheduled uplink transmissions, determining, based on said frequency offset, a frequency domain arrangement of a first random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions and a second random access occasion of said frequency consecutive random access occasions with said frequency offset between said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion, said second random access occasion being frequency consecutive to said first random access occasion, and transmitting a random access transmission based on said frequency domain arrangement of said first random access occasion and said second random access occasion.

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