Method executed by user equipment, and user equipment

Abstract

Provided in the present invention are a method executed by a user equipment, and a user equipment. The method comprises the following steps: receiving an RRC message sent by a network; on the basis of the received RRC message, initiating a random access procedure; monitoring a PDCCH to receive downlink control information (DCI) sent by the network, wherein the DCI indicates the state of a NES PRACH resource; and on the basis of different states of the NES PRACH resource indicated by the received DCI, executing operations corresponding to the states.

Description

Method performed by user equipment and user equipment TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and more particularly, to a method for network energy saving performed by a user equipment and a corresponding user equipment. BACKGROUND

[0002] Network energy saving is beneficial to reduce the impact on the environment and save operator costs. Generally, a network needs to configure random access resources for terminals to access the network. In the case of low system load, more or denser random resources will cause waste of network resources, and the network can configure sparser random access resources and dynamically adjust the random access resources to adapt to changes in system load. For the above reasons, the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) approved the NES enhancement work item for Release 19 at the RAN plenary, the content of which can be found in the non-patent document: RP-242354 WID: Enhancements of network energy savings for NR. This work item includes that the network can configure sparser random access resources in the case of low system load, and dynamically adapt the random access resources according to the system load changes and UE traffic conditions, so as to achieve the goal of network energy saving. SUMMARY

[0003] In order to solve at least part of the above problems, the present application provides a method performed by a user equipment and a user equipment, so that the UE can correctly select random access resources and PRACH occasions to initiate random access in the case of network energy saving, avoiding affecting the random access success rate and access delay of the UE.

[0004] According to the present application, a method performed by a user equipment UE is provided, comprising the following steps: receiving an RRC message sent by a network; initiating a random access procedure according to the received RRC message; receiving a downlink control information DCI sent by the network by listening to a PDCCH, the DCI indicating the state of a NES PRACH resource; and performing an operation corresponding to the state according to the different states of the NES PRACH resource indicated by the received DCI.

[0005] Preferably, if the DCI indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, the UE judges at least one of the following conditions:

[0006] - there is an ongoing random access procedure;

[0007] - the NES PRACH resource is configured; and

[0008] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is not available,

[0009] In case at least one of the above conditions is met, the operation of starting and / or restarting the first timer is performed.

[0010] Preferably, in case at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is also performed:

[0011] - a first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0012] - a first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters; and

[0013] - a first operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0014] Preferably, if the DCI indicates that the NES PRACH resource is not available or if the first timer expires, the UE checks at least one of the following conditions:

[0015] - there is an ongoing random access procedure;

[0016] - the NES PRACH resource is configured; and

[0017] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is available,

[0018] In case at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0019] - ignoring the NES PRACH resource status indication, and / or continuing the current ongoing random access procedure; and

[0020] - stopping the current ongoing random access procedure, and / or reinitiating a random access procedure;

[0021] and

[0022] - stopping the first timer if it is running.

[0023] Preferably, in case at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is also performed:

[0024] - a second operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0025] - a second operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters; and

[0026] - a second operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0027] In addition, according to the present application, a method performed by a user equipment, UE, is proposed, comprising the steps of: receiving a RRC message sent by a network; receiving a downlink control information, DCI, sent by the network by listening to a PDCCH, the DCI indicating a state of a NES PRACH resource; performing an operation corresponding to the state of the NES PRACH resource according to the different states of the NES PRACH resource indicated by the received DCI; and initiating a random access procedure.

[0028] Preferably, the step of initiating the random access procedure comprises:

[0029] judging at least one of the following first conditions:

[0030] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0031] - the current state of the NES PRACH resource is available;

[0032] - the state of the NES PRACH resource has changed; and

[0033] - the last received NES PRACH resource state indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available,

[0034] performing a first operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set in case at least one of the above first conditions is met.

[0035] Preferably, the step of initiating the random access procedure comprises:

[0036] judging at least one of the following second conditions:

[0037] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0038] - the current state of the NES PRACH resource is unavailable;

[0039] - the state of the NES PRACH resource has changed; and

[0040] - the last received NES PRACH resource state indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable,

[0041] performing a second operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set in case at least one of the above second conditions is met.

[0042] Preferably, the method further comprises:

[0043] receiving a random access response sent by the network; and

[0044] During the running of the random access conflict resolution timer, PDCCH is listened to.

[0045] In addition, according to the present application, a user equipment is provided, comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions perform the above method when executed by the processor.

[0046] According to the present application, the UE can correctly select random access resources and PRACH occasions to initiate random access in the case of network energy saving, avoiding affecting the random access success rate and access delay of the UE. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0047] Fig. 1 is a flow chart showing a method one performed by a user equipment according to the present application.

[0048] Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing a method two performed by a user equipment according to the present application.

[0049] Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing a method three performed by a user equipment according to the present application.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a brief structural block diagram of a user equipment UE related to the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It should be noted that the present application should not be limited to the specific embodiments described below. In addition, for the sake of simplicity, detailed descriptions of well-known technology not directly related to the present application are omitted to prevent confusion in understanding the present application.

[0052] Some terms related to the present application are described below, and the specific meanings of the terms can be found in the latest 3GPP standard specification,

[0053] UE: User Equipment

[0054] NR: New Radio

[0055] AS: Access Stratum

[0056] MAC: Medium Access Control

[0057] MAC CE: MAC control element

[0058] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0059] RRC_CONNECTED: RRC connected state

[0060] RRC_INACTIVE: RRC inactive state

[0061] RRC_IDLE: RRC idle state

[0062] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0063] PDCCH: Physical downlink control channel

[0064] PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0065] PUSCH: Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0066] PRACH: Physical Random Access Channel

[0067] PBCH: Physical broadcast channel

[0068] SFN: System Frame Number

[0069] PDU: Protocol Data Unit

[0070] SSB: SS / PBCH block

[0071] CSI-RS: Channel Status Information-Reference Signal

[0072] DCI: Downlink Control Information

[0073] RNTI: Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0074] C-RNTI: Cell RNTI

[0075] P-RNTI: Paging RNTI

[0076] RA-RNTI: Random Access RNTI

[0077] SI-RNTI: System Information RNTI

[0078] RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0079] RSRQ: Reference Signal Received Quality

[0080] SpCell: Special Cell including PCell and PSCell

[0081] SCell: Secondary Cell

[0082] CA: Carrier Aggregation

[0083] DC: Dual Connectivity

[0084] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0085] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0086] PCell: Primary Cell

[0087] PSCell: Primary SCG Cell

[0088] MIB: Master Information Block

[0089] DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0090] SIB: System Information Block

[0091] gNB: the next Generation Node B

[0092] RLF: Radio Link Failure

[0093] SN: Sequence Number

[0094] CN: Core Network

[0095] UL-SCH: Uplink Shared Channel

[0096] NES: network energy saving

[0097] SI: System Information

[0098] L3: Layer 3

[0099] CE: control element

[0100] RAPID: Random Access Preamble Identifier

[0101] RAR: Random Access Response

[0102] In the present application, network (network or NW), base station (base station or gNB or eNB) and RAN can be used interchangeably, and the network can be a long term evolution (LTE) network, a new radio access technology (New RAT, NR) network, an enhanced long term evolution (eLTE) network, or other networks defined in subsequent evolution versions of 3GPP.

[0103] In the present application, user equipment (UE) can refer to a device supporting network energy saving, a device supporting enhanced network energy saving, a device with (enhanced) network energy saving capability, a device supporting PRACH adaptation, a device with PRACH adaptation capability, or other types of NR devices or LTE devices.

[0104] In the present application, "feedback", "submit", "report", "send", "transmit", "inform", "notify", "indicate", and "provide" can be used interchangeably.

[0105] In the present disclosure, "use", "make available / enable", "apply", "implement", "enable", "active", "perform", "do", "enable" and the like can be used interchangeably.

[0106] In the present disclosure, "non-active / deactive", "disable", "de- enable", "de-activate", "make unavailable" can be used interchangeably.

[0107] In the present disclosure, "active", "available", "valid" and "obtainable" can be used interchangeably.

[0108] In the present disclosure, "de-active", "unavailable", "non-active", "invalid" and "unobtainable" can be used interchangeably.

[0109] In the present disclosure, "associate", "correspond" and "map" can be used interchangeably.

[0110] In the present disclosure, "receive / reception", "detect", "monitor", "acquire / acquisition" and "derive" can be used interchangeably.

[0111] In the present disclosure, "time" can be "time", "duration", "period", "time period" and the like.

[0112] In the present disclosure, "physical layer" and "layer one (L1)" can be used interchangeably. "MAC layer" and "MAC entity" can be used interchangeably. For RRC layer, upper layer(s) means layer above RRC layer, e.g. NAS layer. For MAC layer, upper layer means layer above MAC layer, e.g. RRC layer, lower layer(s) means layer below MAC layer, e.g. physical layer. For physical layer, upper layer means layer above physical layer, e.g. MAC layer and / or RRC layer.

[0113] In the present disclosure, "adaptation PRACH", "PRACH adaptation", "extra PRACH", "NES PRACH", "extra NES PRACH", "extra adaptation PRACH", "extra PRACH adaptation" can be used interchangeably.

[0114] In the present application, "PRACH", "RACH" and "random access" can be used interchangeably.

[0115] In the present application, "random access parameter (configuration)", "random access resource (configuration)", "random access resource set (configuration)" can be used interchangeably.

[0116] It should be noted that in the present specification, two connected by "and", "or", "and / or" can represent different expressions of the same intention in different application scenarios, there may be a relationship between inclusion and being included, not necessarily refer to completely different content.

[0117] The related art of the present application is described below.

[0118] Random access

[0119] The network broadcasts the random access resource parameters (also referred to as random access resource set) used by the cell through system information, each random access resource set corresponds to a PRACH configuration index. Random access resource can refer to physical frequency domain resource and / or time domain resource and / or code domain resource (such as preamble) used for random access, and random access resource configuration contains some parameters of random access resource. The network can configure one or more random access resources, and the random access resource can be associated with one or more features or can be independent of the feature.

[0120] RACH can refer to both the transmission channel RACH and the PRACH, and there is no distinction. Random access parameter / configuration refers to the wireless configuration for implementing random access function, including the related configuration of PRACH.

[0121] The random access procedure can be divided into contention based random access (CBRA) and contention free random access (CFRA). CBRA is divided into four steps: first, the UE sends message 1 (i.e. random access preamble) to the network; second, the UE receives message 2 (i.e. random access response, RAR) from the network; third, the UE sends message 3 (uplink transmission scheduled by the uplink grant in message 2), which is generally used to send the UE identity to the network, RRC message for RRC connection establishment / resume / reestablishment, UE contention resolution identity for random access contention resolution, etc.; fourth, the UE receives message 4 (i.e. contention resolution message) from the network. The PRACH resource used in CBRA is shared by many UEs, and when the UE completes the above four steps of CBRA random access and the contention resolution is successful, the random access procedure is successfully completed. CFRA is divided into two steps: first, the UE sends message 1 (i.e. random access preamble) to the network; second, the UE receives message 2 (i.e. random access response, RAR) from the network. After successfully receiving message 2 associated with message 1, the UE considers the CFRA procedure to be successfully completed. CFRA generally allocates a dedicated PRACH resource such as a preamble to the UE in advance, so there is no contention.

[0122] Two-step random access procedure is introduced in R16 and later NR. The first step and the third step in the above four-step random access procedure are combined into the same step, and the message sent is called message A. That is, message A contains a random access preamble and a subsequent associated PUSCH payload, and the content of the PUSCH payload is consistent with the content contained in message 3, which can include RRC messages, user plane data, MAC CEs such as buffer status reports, and UE identities, etc. The second step and the fourth step are combined into the same step, and the message sent is called message B. Message B is a response to message A in the two-step random access procedure, and its content is similar to that of message 2 and message 4, which can include a response for contention resolution and an uplink grant, etc., or it can include a response RRC message corresponding to the RRC message contained in message A. Compared with four-step random access, two-step random access procedure can shorten the latency of random access. Generally, the network side can configure different random access resource configurations for two-step random access and four-step random access.

[0123] UE can trigger random access procedure in multiple cases, such as initial access performed when transitioning from RRC idle state or RRC inactive state (RRC_INACTIVE) to RRC connected state, beam recovery request, handover (also known as synchronous reconfiguration), etc. UE in RRC connected state has uplink data arrival while uplink is not synchronized, UE in RRC connected state has no available PUCCH source, etc. After UE triggers random access procedure, it selects the initiated random access procedure to be two-step random access or four-step random access, CBRA or CFRA, according to the network side configuration and UE measurement results. In addition, UE can fall back to four-step random access procedure when two-step random access attempts to send message A more than a configured maximum number of times. The random access procedure described in this disclosure includes but is not limited to the above random access procedures.

[0124] Random access resource selection

[0125] When UE initiates random access procedure, it selects random access resource according to network configuration and UE traffic situation, etc.

[0126] First, UE selects a random access resource set according to the trigger reason of random access (such as random access initiated by message 1 repetition, random access initiated for small data transmission, etc.). Then, according to the parameter configuration of the selected random access resource set, initialize the parameters, determine whether to use two-step random access or four-step random access according to the trigger reason of random access and cell quality, etc. Next, select random access resource, i.e. select the associated SSB, PRACH occasion and preamble in the selected random access set.

[0127] PRACH adaptation

[0128] In addition to broadcasting the random access resource configuration used by the cell through system information, the network can also broadcast the NES PRACH resource configuration used by the cell. NES PRACH resource can provide more PRACH occasions for the terminal, thereby reducing the access delay of the terminal. The network dynamically indicates through physical layer DCI whether NES PRACH resource is available, i.e. activates or deactivates NES PRACH resource.

[0129] This disclosure discusses how UE initializes related parameters and how to handle ongoing random access procedure when receiving network indication of NES PRACH resource availability or unavailability. This enables UE to correctly select random access resource and PRACH occasion to initiate random access in the case of network energy saving, avoiding affecting the random access success rate and access delay of UE.

[0130] Embodiments

[0131] Figure 1 is a flow chart illustrating a method one performed by a user equipment according to the present application. The UE can perform one or more steps in Figure 1. Figure 1 comprises steps S101-S104.

[0132] Optionally, in step S101, the UE receives a RRC message sent by the network. The RRC message is system information, and / or RRC dedicated signaling such as: RRCReconfiguration (RRC reconfiguration) message, RRCResume (RRC resume) message, etc.

[0133] Optionally, the RRC message contains at least one of the following information:

[0134] - PRACH resource configuration;

[0135] - NES PRACH resource configuration;

[0136] - NES PRACH resource status indication.

[0137] The NES PRACH resource configuration can or can not be contained in the PRACH resource configuration.

[0138] Optionally, the (all) parameters in each PRACH resource configuration can be regarded / termed as one random access parameter / resource set.

[0139] Optionally, the PRACH resource configuration is used to configure the parameters of random access. Optionally, each PRACH resource configuration contains one PRACH configuration index, each PRACH configuration index corresponds to some protocol specified information, such as: PRACH period / duration, starting symbol, the number of PRACH occasions in time domain in one PRACH slot, preamble format, etc. Optionally, the PRACH configuration index can be used to refer to the corresponding PRACH resource configuration, or to indicate the random access resource set.

[0140] Optionally, the NES PRACH resource configuration is used to configure the parameters of random access in the NES scenario. Optionally, the NES PRACH resource is a special PRACH resource dedicated to the NES scenario, and the PRACH resource is a general PRACH resource applicable to various scenarios. Optionally, the NES PRACH resource configuration contains a PRACH configuration index, which can be the same as or different from the PRACH configuration index contained in the random access resource. Optionally, the random access resource set corresponding to (or referred to by) the same PRACH configuration index is the same, that is, if the PRACH configuration index in the PRACH resource and the NES PRACH resource takes the same value, the PRACH resource and the NES PRACH resource correspond to the same random access resource set. Optionally, the random access resource set corresponding to (or referred to by) different PRACH configuration indexes is different, that is, if the PRACH configuration index in the PRACH resource and the NES PRACH resource takes different values, the PRACH resource and the NES PRACH resource correspond to different random access resource sets.

[0141] Optionally, the NES PRACH resource configuration further contains at least one of the following parameters:

[0142] - NES PRACH period;

[0143] - NES PRACH occasion parameters, including but not limited to: NES PRACH occasion and time offset of PRACH occasion corresponding to random access resource, mask of PRACH occasion, etc.

[0144] Optionally, the NES PRACH resource can be configured with a shorter PRACH period than the PRACH resource, or more PRACH occasions. Optionally, the PRACH occasions contained in the NES PRACH resource and the PRACH occasions contained in the PRACH resource have two cases: case one: the PRACH occasions contained in the NES PRACH resource completely cover the PRACH occasions contained in the PRACH resource, case two: the PRACH occasions contained in the NES PRACH resource cannot completely cover the PRACH occasions contained in the PRACH resource.

[0145] Optionally, the NES PRACH resource state indication is used to indicate the state of the NES PRACH resource, that is, whether the NES PRACH resource is available or unavailable. The NES PRACH resource state indication can be contained in the NES PRACH resource configuration or not. Optionally, the RRC layer indicates the NES PRACH resource state to the lower layer.

[0146] Optionally, when the NES PRACH resource status indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, it is considered that the NES PRACH resource is activated (or: available), and / or the first timer is started (or restarted). Optionally, when the NES PRACH resource status indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable, it is considered that the NES PRACH resource is deactivated (or: unavailable), and / or the first timer is stopped. The first timer is used to indicate the valid time of the NES PRACH resource. During the running of the first timer, the NES PRACH resource is available. In the case of timeout of the first timer, it is considered that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable, and / or it is considered that the NES PRACH resource is deactivated. Optionally, the starting / stopping of the first timer and the processing are performed at the RRC layer or the MAC layer.

[0147] Optionally, another implementation is that when the NES PRACH resource is configured or reconfigured, the NES PRACH resource (initial state) is available (or unavailable) by default. Optionally, if the NES PRACH resource is available by default, it is considered that the NES PRACH resource is activated, and / or the first timer is started (or restarted).

[0148] Optionally, at step S102, the UE initiates a random access procedure, and the trigger cause of the random access procedure is as described in the related art above.

[0149] Optionally, in sub-step S102-1, a random access resource set is selected for the random access procedure. Optionally, in sub-step S102-2, parameters are initialized according to the parameter values of the selected random access resource set, and / or it is determined whether two-step random access or four-step random access is adopted. Optionally, in sub-step S102-3, the associated SSB, PRACH occasion and PRACH preamble are selected in the selected random access set, and PRACH preamble transmission is performed.

[0150] Optionally, at step S103, the UE monitors the PDCCH and receives the DCI sent by the network, and the DCI indicates the NES PRACH resource status. For example: when a bit (which can be referred to as NES PRACH resource (status) indication) in the DCI is set to 1, it indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, and when the bit in the DCI is set to 0, it indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable. Optionally, the physical layer indicates the NES PRACH resource status to the upper layer (i.e. the MAC layer).

[0151] Optionally, at step S104, the UE MAC entity receives a NES PRACH resource (status) indication from lower layer (i.e. physical layer), and performs corresponding operation according to different status of the indicated NES PRACH resource.

[0152] Optionally, if the NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions:

[0153] - there is an ongoing random access procedure;

[0154] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0155] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is unavailable.

[0156] Optionally, in case at least one of the above conditions is met, the UE performs at least one of the following operations:

[0157] - a first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0158] - a first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters;

[0159] - a first operation of selecting a random access resource;

[0160] - a first operation of starting and / or restarting a timer.

[0161] Optionally, the "first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0162] - stopping / giving up a PRACH occasion (associated with the selected set of random access resources);

[0163] - stopping / giving up a previously selected PRACH occasion;

[0164] - stopping / giving up transmission / retransmission of a PRACH preamble;

[0165] - (optionally, for case one) selecting a set of NES random access resources;

[0166] - (optionally, for case one) selecting a set of NES random access resources associated with the current set of random access resources;

[0167] - (optionally, for case two) selecting both a set of NES random access resources and the current set of random access resources;

[0168] - (Optionally, for case two) selecting both the NES random access resource set and the current random access resource set as the random access resource set;

[0169] - selecting any one of both the NES random access resource set and the current random access resource set.

[0170] wherein, optionally, the NES random access resource set refers to a random access resource set corresponding to the NES PRACH resource.

[0171] Optionally, before performing the "select / reselect random access resource set first operation" and / or the "select random access resource first operation", at least one of the following conditions is judged, and the "select / reselect random access resource set first operation" and / or the "select random access resource first operation" is performed only when at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0172] - the PRACH preamble of the random access procedure has not been transmitted / retransmitted;

[0173] - the DCI is received before the selected closest PRACH occasion (or before the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble);

[0174] - the NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicating that the NES PRACH resource is available is received before the selected closest PRACH occasion (or before the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble).

[0175] wherein, optionally, the "initialize and / or reinitialize random access parameters first operation" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0176] - initializing and / or reinitializing the NES random access parameters, i.e. initializing and / or reinitializing the parameters contained in the NES PRACH resource configuration, such as: NES PRACH period, NES PRACH occasion);

[0177] - initializing and / or reinitializing the random access parameters according to the NES PRACH parameter values of the selected random access resource set;

[0178] - initializing and / or reinitializing the random access parameters according to the parameter values of the selected random access resource set;

[0179] - initializing and / or reinitializing the random access parameters according to the parameter values of the selected NES random access resource set.

[0180] wherein, optionally, the "select random access resource first operation" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0181] - select a PRACH occasion among PRACH occasions in the NES PRACH resource configuration (among the selected set of random access resources);

[0182] - select a PRACH occasion among PRACH occasions in both the NES PRACH resource configuration and the PRACH resource configuration (among the selected set of random access resources);

[0183] - if a PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration and / or the NES PRACH resource configuration has been selected as PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue to select a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration and / or the NES PRACH resource configuration as before. In particular, if a PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration has been selected as PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue to select a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration; if a PRACH occasion in the NES PRACH resource configuration has been selected as PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue to select a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the NES PRACH resource configuration; if a PRACH occasion in both the NES PRACH resource configuration and the PRACH resource configuration has been selected as PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue to select a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in both the NES PRACH resource configuration and the PRACH resource configuration.

[0184] Optionally, if the NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is not available (or if the first timer expires), the UE judges at least one of the following conditions:

[0185] - there is an ongoing random access procedure;

[0186] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0187] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is available.

[0188] Optionally, in case at least one of the above conditions is fulfilled, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0189] - ignore the NES PRACH resource (status) indication, and / or continue the current ongoing random access procedure, i.e. do not change the random access resource and / or the set of random access resources and / or the PRACH occasion in the (one) random access procedure;

[0190] - stop the ongoing random access procedure, and / or re-initiate the random access procedure;

[0191] - select / re-select a second set of random access resources;

[0192] - initialize and / or re-initialize random access parameters;

[0193] - select a second set of random access resources;

[0194] - stop the first timer (if the first timer is running).

[0195] wherein, optionally, the "select / re-select a second set of random access resources" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0196] - stop / abort the PRACH occasion (associated with the selected set of random access resources);

[0197] - stop / abort the previously selected PRACH occasion;

[0198] - stop / abort the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble;

[0199] - select the set of random access resources corresponding to the PRACH resource;

[0200] - select the set of random access resources corresponding to the PRACH resource associated with the current set of random access resources.

[0201] Optionally, before performing the "select / re-select a second set of random access resources" and / or the "select a second set of random access resources", at least one of the following conditions is checked, and the "select / re-select a second set of random access resources" and / or the "select a second set of random access resources" is performed only if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0202] - the PRACH preamble of the random access procedure has not been transmitted / retransmitted;

[0203] - the DCI is received before the selected closest PRACH occasion (or before the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble);

[0204] - the NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicating that the NES PRACH resource is not available is received before the selected closest PRACH occasion (or before the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble);

[0205] - the first timer expires before the selected closest PRACH occasion (or before the transmission / retransmission of the PRACH preamble).

[0206] wherein optionally the "initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters second operation" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0207] - initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters, i.e. initializing and / or re-initializing parameters contained in the PRACH resource configuration;

[0208] - initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters according to the PRACH parameter values of the selected random access resource set;

[0209] - initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters according to the parameter values of the selected random access resource set.

[0210] wherein optionally the "selecting random access resources second operation" comprises at least one of the following operations:

[0211] - selecting a PRACH occasion in a PRACH occasion in the (selected random access resource set's) PRACH resource configuration;

[0212] - if a PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration and / or the NES PRACH resource configuration has been selected as the PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue selecting a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration and / or the NES PRACH resource configuration as before. In particular, if a PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration has been selected as the PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue selecting a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the PRACH resource configuration; if a PRACH occasion in the NES PRACH resource configuration has been selected as the PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue selecting a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in the NES PRACH resource configuration; if a PRACH occasion in both the NES PRACH resource configuration and the PRACH resource configuration has been selected as the PRACH occasion in the random access procedure, continue selecting a PRACH occasion in the PRACH occasion in both the NES PRACH resource configuration and the PRACH resource configuration.

[0213] Fig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method two performed by a user equipment according to the present application. The UE can perform one or more steps in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 comprises steps S201-S204.

[0214] Optionally, step S201 is the same as step S101.

[0215] Optionally, step S202 is the same as step S103.

[0216] Optionally, step S203 is the same as step S104.

[0217] Optionally, in step S204, the UE initiates a random access procedure, and the trigger cause of the random access procedure is as described in the related art above.

[0218] Optionally, in sub-step S204-1, a random access resource set is selected for the random access procedure.

[0219] Optionally, at least one of the following first conditions is judged:

[0220] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0221] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is available;

[0222] - the status of the NES PRACH resource has changed;

[0223] - the last received NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available.

[0224] Optionally, in the case where at least one of the above first conditions is met, a first operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set is performed.

[0225] The first operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set is the same as the first operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set in step S104.

[0226] Optionally, at least one of the following second conditions is judged:

[0227] - the NES PRACH resource is configured;

[0228] - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is unavailable;

[0229] - the status of the NES PRACH resource has changed;

[0230] - the last received NES PRACH resource (status) indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable.

[0231] Optionally, in the case where at least one of the above second conditions is met, a second operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set is performed.

[0232] The second operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set is the same as the second operation of selecting / reselecting a random access resource set in step S104.

[0233] Optionally, in sub-step S204-2, parameters are initialized according to the parameter values of the selected random access resource set, and / or it is determined whether two-step random access or four-step random access is adopted.

[0234] Optionally, in the case where at least one of the first conditions is met, the first operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters is performed. The first operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters is the same as the first operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters in step S104.

[0235] Optionally, in the case where at least one of the second conditions is met, the second operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters is performed. The second operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters is the same as the second operation of initializing and / or re-initializing random access parameters in step S104.

[0236] Optionally, in sub-step S204-3, an associated SSB, PRACH occasion and PRACH preamble are selected in the selected random access set, a PRACH preamble transmission is performed, and a random access response window is started. The random access response window is a time window for listening to a random access response. The random access response is a specific format of MAC PDU sent by the network, which contains a RAPID used to identify the transmitted random access preamble.

[0237] Optionally, in the process of selecting an associated SSB and / or PRACH occasion in the selected random access set, the UE determines the first conditions. Optionally, in the case where at least one of the first conditions is met, the first operation of selecting random access resources is performed. Optionally, in the process of selecting an associated SSB and / or PRACH occasion in the selected random access set, the UE determines the second conditions. Optionally, in the case where at least one of the second conditions is met, the second operation of selecting random access resources is performed.

[0238] The first operation of selecting random access resources is the same as the first operation of selecting random access resources in step S104, and the second operation of selecting random access resources is the same as the second operation of selecting random access resources in step S104.

[0239] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method three performed by a user equipment according to the present application. The UE can perform one or more steps in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 includes steps S301-S306.

[0240] Optionally, step S301 is the same as step S101.

[0241] Optionally, step S302 is the same as step S103.

[0242] Optionally, step S303 is the same as step S104.

[0243] Optionally, step S304 is the same as step S204, including the sub-steps therein.

[0244] Optionally, in step S305, the UE receives a random access response sent by the network.

[0245] Optionally, if a random access response is received containing a RAPID matching the PRACH preamble that the UE has sent (i.e. the RAPID contained in the received random access response matches the PRACH preamble that the UE has sent), the random access response window is stopped, the reception of the random access response is considered successful, a message 3 is sent to the network according to the uplink grant in the random access response, and a random access contention resolution timer is started.

[0246] Optionally, if the random access response window expires, and / or if a random access response is not received containing a RAPID matching the PRACH preamble that the UE has sent (i.e. the RAPID contained in the received random access response does not match the PRACH preamble that the UE has sent), the reception of the random access response is considered unsuccessful, the random access procedure is considered not to have been successfully completed (i.e. it was completed but unsuccessful, or can be considered to have failed) if the number of PRACH preamble transmissions has reached a maximum value, and the random access procedure is considered not to have been completed and the PRACH preamble can be retransmitted if the number of PRACH preamble transmissions has not reached a maximum value.

[0247] Optionally, if the random access procedure is not completed, at least one of the following operations is performed in the case that at least one of the first conditions is met:

[0248] - a first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0249] - a first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters;

[0250] - a first operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0251] Optionally, if the random access procedure is not completed, at least one of the following operations is performed in the case that at least one of the second conditions is met:

[0252] - a second operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0253] - a second operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters;

[0254] - a second operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0255] Optionally, in step S306, the UE monitors PDCCH during the running of the random access conflict resolution timer. Optionally, upon receiving the PDCCH, the physical layer notifies the upper layer (i.e. MAC layer) of the PDCCH transmission reception.

[0256] Optionally, if the UE MAC entity receives the notification of the PDCCH transmission reception from the lower layer (i.e. physical layer), considers the conflict resolution successful and stops the random access conflict resolution timer. Optionally, if the random access conflict resolution timer expires, considers the conflict resolution unsuccessful. Optionally, if the conflict resolution is unsuccessful: if the number of PRACH preamble transmissions reaches the maximum value, considers that the random access procedure is not successfully completed (i.e. completed but unsuccessful, also considered as failed), otherwise (i.e. the number of PRACH preamble transmissions does not reach the maximum value) considers that the random access procedure is not completed and the PRACH preamble can be retransmitted.

[0257] Optionally, if the conflict resolution is unsuccessful (and / or if the random access procedure is not completed), in case at least one of the first conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0258] - the first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0259] - the first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters;

[0260] - the first operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0261] Optionally, if the conflict resolution is unsuccessful (and / or if the random access procedure is not completed), in case at least one of the second conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is performed:

[0262] - the second operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources;

[0263] - the second operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters;

[0264] - the second operation of selecting a random access resource.

[0265] wherein the “first conditions” are the “first conditions” in step S204-1, the “first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources” is the “first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources” in step S104, the “first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters” is the “first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters” in step S104, the “first operation of selecting a random access resource” is the “first operation of selecting a random access resource” in step S104.

[0266] wherein the "second condition" in the step S204-1 of "second condition", the "select / reselect random access resource set second operation" in the step S104 of "select / reselect random access resource set second operation", the "initialize and / or reinitialize random access parameter second operation" in the step S104 of "initialize and / or reinitialize random access parameter second operation", the "select random access resource second operation" in the step S104 of "select random access resource second operation".

[0267] In addition, the UE can perform one or more steps in the method four according to the present application. The method four comprises steps S401-S406.

[0268] Optionally, the two-step PRACH resource configuration is used for configuring PRACH resource when the random access type is two-step random access. Optionally, the two-step NES PRACH resource configuration is used for configuring NES PRACH resource when the random access type is two-step random access. While the PRACH resource configuration and the NES PRACH resource configuration are both used for four-step random access.

[0269] Optionally, the step S402 is the same as the step S103.

[0270] Optionally, the step S403 is the same as the step S104.

[0271] Optionally, the step S404 is the same as the step S204, including the sub-steps in the step S404 are the same as the sub-steps in the step S204.

[0272] Optionally, the step S405 is the same as the step S305.

[0273] Optionally, the difference between the step S406 and the step S306 is described as follows.

[0274] Optionally, if the conflict resolution is not successful (and / or if the random access procedure is not completed), and / or if the random access type is set to two-step random access (2-step RA), and / or if the currently selected random access resource set is a two-step NES random access resource set, and / or if the currently selected random access resource set is both a two-step NES random access resource set and a two-step random access resource set, the UE performs at least one of the following operations in the case that at least one of the first conditions is met:

[0275] - select a two-step random access resource set, i.e. select a random access resource set corresponding to the two-step PRACH resource

[0276] - select a four-step NES random access resource set, i.e. select a random access resource set corresponding to the NES PRACH resource

[0277] - selecting a four-step random access resource set, i.e., a random access resource set corresponding to a PRACH resource;

[0278] - selecting both a four-step NES random access resource set, i.e., a random access resource set corresponding to a NES PRACH resource, and a four-step random access resource set, i.e., a random access resource set corresponding to a PRACH resource.

[0279] The judgment and operation in each step in the embodiments can be independent of the execution order, i.e., the execution order of the judgment and operation can be changed, unless otherwise specified.

[0280] FIG. 4 is a brief structural block diagram of a user equipment UE related to the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, the user equipment UE 400 includes a processor 401 and a memory 402. The processor 401 can include, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, an embedded processor, etc. The memory 402 can include, for example, a volatile memory (such as a random access memory RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a non-volatile memory (such as a flash memory), or other memory, etc. The memory 402 stores program instructions. When the program instructions are executed by the processor 401, the above-mentioned method performed by the user equipment can be executed.

[0281] The program running on the device according to the present application can be a program for enabling a computer to implement the functions of the embodiments of the present application by controlling a central processing unit (CPU). The program or information processed by the program can be temporarily stored in a volatile memory (such as a random access memory RAM), a hard disk drive (HDD), a non-volatile memory (such as a flash memory), or other memory systems.

[0282] The program for implementing the functions of the embodiments of the present application can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. The corresponding functions can be implemented by causing a computer system to read the program recorded on the recording medium and execute the program. The so-called "computer system" here can be a computer system embedded in the device, and can include an operating system or hardware (such as a peripheral device). The "computer-readable recording medium" can be a semiconductor recording medium, an optical recording medium, a magnetic recording medium, a short-time dynamic storage program recording medium, or any other computer-readable recording medium.

[0283] The various features or functions of the devices used in the above-described embodiments can be implemented or performed by circuitry (e.g., a single chip or multiple chips). The circuitry designed to perform the functions described in this specification can include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the general-purpose processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The circuitry can be a combination of digital and analog circuitry. Where a new integrated circuit technology replaces existing integrated circuit technology, one or more embodiments of the present application can employ the new integrated circuit technology to implement the circuitry.

[0284] Furthermore, the present application is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Although various examples of the embodiments have been described, the present application is not limited thereto. Fixed or non-mobile electronic devices installed indoors or outdoors can be used as terminal devices or communication devices, such as AV devices, kitchen devices, cleaning devices, air conditioners, office devices, vending machines, and other home appliances.

[0285] As described above, the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and the present application includes any design modification without departing from the gist of the present application. In addition, various modifications can be made to the present application within the scope of the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in the different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present application. Furthermore, components described in the above-described embodiments having the same effect can be substituted for each other.

Claims

1.A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the steps of: receiving a RRC message transmitted by a network; initiating a random access procedure according to the received RRC message; receiving a downlink control information (DCI) transmitted by the network by monitoring PDCCH, the DCI indicating a status of a NES PRACH resource; and performing an operation corresponding to the status of the NES PRACH resource according to the different status of the NES PRACH resource indicated by the received DCI. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein, if the DCI indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions: a random access procedure is ongoing; the NES PRACH resource is configured; and a current status of the NES PRACH resource is unavailable, in a case where at least one of the above conditions is met, an operation of starting and / or restarting a first timer is performed. 3.The method of claim 2, wherein, in a case where at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is further performed: a first operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources; a first operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters; and a first operation of selecting a random access resource. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein, if the DCI indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable or if the first timer expires, the UE determines at least one of the following conditions: a random access procedure is ongoing; the NES PRACH resource is configured; and a current status of the NES PRACH resource is available, in a case where at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is performed: ignoring the NES PRACH resource status indication, and / or continuing the current ongoing random access procedure; and stopping the current ongoing random access procedure, and / or reinitiating a random access procedure; and stopping the first timer if the first timer is running. 5.The method of claim 4, wherein, in a case where at least one of the above conditions is met, at least one of the following operations is further performed: a second operation of selecting / reselecting a set of random access resources; a second operation of initializing and / or reinitializing random access parameters; and a second operation of selecting a random access resource. 6.A method performed by a user equipment (UE), comprising the steps of: receiving a RRC message transmitted by a network; receiving a downlink control information (DCI) transmitted by the network by monitoring PDCCH, the DCI indicating a status of a NES PRACH resource; performing an operation corresponding to the status of the NES PRACH resource according to the different status of the NES PRACH resource indicated by the received DCI; and initiating a random access procedure. 7.The method of claim 6, wherein, the step of initiating a random access procedure comprises: determining at least one of the following first conditions: the NES PRACH resource is configured; a current status of the NES PRACH resource is available. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ - the status of the NES PRACH resource has changed; and - the last received NES PRACH resource status indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is available, performing the selecting / reselecting random access resource set first operation in case at least one of the above first conditions is met. 8.The method of claim 6, wherein, the step of initiating a random access procedure comprises: determining at least one of the following second conditions: - the NES PRACH resource is configured; - the current status of the NES PRACH resource is unavailable; - the status of the NES PRACH resource has changed; and - the last received NES PRACH resource status indication indicates that the NES PRACH resource is unavailable, performing the selecting / reselecting random access resource set second operation in case at least one of the above second conditions is met. 9.The method of claim 6, further comprising: receiving a random access response sent by the network; and listening to a PDCCH during a random access conflict resolution timer is running. 10.A user equipment comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processor, perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

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