Methods to enhance prach configuration index tables for SBFD operation

Abstract

A method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a first message from a first apparatus, the first message including a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration index (PCI) related information enabling determination of at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion, and a first parameter enabling determination of at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion, determining, by the UE, the allocated and additional allocated PRACH resource occasion in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols based upon the PCI information and the first parameter, determining, by the UE, an event to start a PRACH preamble transmission, selecting, by the UE, at least one of the determined PRACH resource occasions, and transmitting, by the UE, a determined PRACH preamble on the selected at least one RACH occasion (RO).

Description

METHODS TO ENHANCE PRACH CONFIGURATION INDEX TABLES FOR SBFD OPERATIONFIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, for a method and apparatus to enhance PRACH configuration index tables for SBFD operation.BACKGROUND

[0002] In 5G new radio (NR), two contention based random access (CBRA) procedures are supported, namely 4-step RACH and 2-step RACH, and one contention-free random-access procedure (CFRA). A step in all these procedures is the transmission of a suitable message by a user equipment (UE) to the network (NW).SUMMARY

[0003] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0004] In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a first message from a first apparatus, the first message including a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration index (PCI) related information enabling determination of at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion, and a first parameter enabling determination of at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion, determining, by the UE, the allocated and additional allocated PRACH resource occasion in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols based upon the PCI information and the first parameter, determining, by the UE, an event to start a PRACH preamble transmission, selecting, by the UE, at least one of the determined PRACH resource occasions, and transmitting, by the UE, a determined PRACH preamble on the selected at least one RACH occasion (RO). The at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion and the at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion are disjunct and are in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols.

[0005] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter is an Additional SBFD Slots or an Additional SBFD Subframes parameter.

[0006] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter is for a first frequency range.

[0007] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter is for a second frequency range.

[0008] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter indicates a row index of a table.

[0009] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter indicates one or more SBFD slot numbers or SBFD subframes in a table.

[0010] In an aspect of the method, rows of a table contain the additional SBFD slot numbers or additional SBFD subframes to be configured.

[0011] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter indicates one or more combinations of SBFD slots as additional SBFD slots or additional SBFD subframes.

[0012] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter includes any one of two bits for indicating a row of a table, three bits for indicating a row of the table, or four bits for indicating a row of the table.

[0013] In an aspect of the method, the method further includes determining, by the UE, a table and additional SBFD slots or additional SBFD subframes.

[0014] In an aspect of the method, the PRACH is a long format PRACH.

[0015] In an aspect of the method, the PRACH is a short format PRACH.

[0016] In an aspect of the method, the first parameter is for a first frequency range and a second parameter is for a second frequency range.

[0017] In an aspect of the method, one or more bits are used to indicate the SBFD subframes with one or more slots for any location within a frame.

[0018] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0019] In an aspect of the present disclosure, a processor-readable medium stores instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0020] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network system and a user equipment (UE), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram of example components of a network system, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 3 is an example diagram of subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD) slots and non-SBFD slots, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0025] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a user equipment (UE) and a network entity (NW), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0026] FIG. 5 is an example representation of subframes and slots, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0027] FIG. 6 is another example representation of subframes and slots, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0028] FIG. 7 is an example representation of an example PRACH configuration index (PCI) along with subframes and slots, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 8 is an example representation of another example PCI along with subframes and slots, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 9 is a diagram of an example block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., network node (such as gNB), user node or UE, relay node, or other node), according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of disclosed aspects. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognize that aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring descriptions of the aspects.

[0032] Reference throughout this specification to “one aspect” or “an aspect” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the aspect is included in at least one aspect. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one aspect” or “in an aspect” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same aspect. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more aspects.

[0033] Embodiments described in the present disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking apparatuses, such as, without limitation, apparatuses utilizing Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile communications (GSM, 2G), GSM EDGE radio access Network (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GRPS), Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband-code division multiple access (W-CDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE- Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advance, 6G (and beyond) and 802.1 lax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term ‘eLTE’ here denotes the LTE evolution that connects to a 5G core. LTE is also known as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access (EUTRA) or as evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN).

[0034] The present disclosure may use the term “serving network device” to refer to a network node or network device (or a portion thereof) that services a UE. As used herein, the terms “transmit to,” “receive from,” and “cooperate with,” (and their variations) include communications that may or may not involve communications through one or more intermediate devices or nodes. The term “acquire” (and its variations) includes acquiring in the first instance or reacquiring after the first instance. The term “connection” may mean a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0035] The present disclosure uses 5G NR as an example of a wireless network and may use smartphones and / or extended reality headsets as an example of UEs. It is intended and shall be understood that such examples are merely illustrative, and the present disclosure is applicable to other wireless networks and user equipment.

[0036] FIG. 1 is a diagram depicting an example of wireless networking between a network system 100 and a user equipment (UE) 150. The network system 100 may include one or more network nodes 120, one or more servers 110, and / or one or more network equipment 130 (e.g., test equipment). The network nodes 120 will be described in more detail below. As used herein, the term “network apparatus” may refer to any component of the network system 100, such as theserver 110, the network node 120, the network equipment 130, any component(s) of the foregoing, and / or any other component(s) of the network system 100. Examples of network apparatuses include, without limitation, apparatuses implementing aspects of 5G NR, among others. The present disclosure describes embodiments related to 5GNR and embodiments that involve aspects defined by 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). However, it is contemplated that embodiments relating to other wireless networking technologies are encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0037] The following description provides further details of examples of network nodes. In a 5G NR network, a gNodeB (also known as gNB) may include, e.g., a node that provides new radio (NR) user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE and that is connected via a NG interface to the 5G core (5GC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 3.2, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0038] A gNB supports various protocol layers, e.g., Layer 1 (LI) - physical layer, Layer 2 (L2), and Layer 3 (L3).

[0039] The layer 2 (L2) of NR is split into the following sublayers: Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) and Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), where, e.g.: o The physical layer offers to the MAC sublayer transport channels; o The MAC sublayer offers to the RLC sublayer logical channels; o The RLC sublayer offers to the PDCP sublayer RLC channels; o The PDCP sublayer offers to the SDAP sublayer radio bearers; o The SDAP sublayer offers to 5GC quality of service (QoS) flows; o Control channels include broadcast control channel (BCCH) and physical control channel (PCCH).

[0040] Layer 3 (L3) includes, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), e.g., according to 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.6.0 (2021-06) section 6, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

[0041] A gNB central unit (gNB-CU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), and packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB, that controls the operation of one or more gNB distributed units (gNB-DUs). The gNB-CU terminates the Flinterface connected with the gNB-DU. A gNB-CU may also be referred to herein as a CU, a central unit, a centralized unit, or a control unit.

[0042] A gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) includes, e.g., a logical node hosting, e.g., radio link control (RLC), media access control (MAC), and physical (PHY) layers of the gNB or en- gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by the gNB-CU. One gNB-DU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-CU. A gNB-DU may also be referred to herein as DU or a distributed unit.

[0043] As used herein, the term “network node” may refer to any of a gNB, a gNB-CU, or a gNB-DU, or any combination of them. A RAN (radio access network) node or network node such as, e.g., a gNB, gNB-CU, or gNB-DU, or parts thereof, may be implemented using, e.g., an apparatus with at least one processor and / or at least one memory with processor-readable instructions (“program”) configured to support and / or provision and / or process CU and / or DU related functionality and / or features, and / or at least one protocol (sub-)layer of a RAN (radio access network), e.g., layer 2 and / or layer 3. Different functional splits between the central and distributed unit are possible. An example of such an apparatus and components will be described in connection with FIG. 5 below.

[0044] The gNB-CU and gNB-DU parts may, e.g., be co-located or physically separated. The gNB-DU may even be split further, e.g., into two parts, e.g., one including processing equipment and one including an antenna. A central unit (CU) may also be called baseband unit / radio equipment controller / cloud-RAN / virtual-RAN (BBU / REC / C-RAN / V-RAN), open-RAN (O- RAN), or part thereof. A distributed unit (DU) may also be called remote radio head / remote radio unit / radio equipment / radio unit (RRH / RRU / RE / RU), or part thereof. Hereinafter, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, a network node, which supports at least one of central unit functionality or a layer 3 protocol of a radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-CU. Similarly, a network node, which supports at least one of distributed unit functionality or a layer 2 protocol of the radio access network, may be, e.g., a gNB-DU.

[0045] A gNB-CU may support one or multiple gNB-DUs. A gNB-DU may support one or multiple cells and, thus, could support a serving cell for a user equipment (UE) or support a candidate cell for handover, dual connectivity, and / or carrier aggregation, among other procedures.

[0046] The user equipment (UE) 150 may be or include a wireless or mobile device, an apparatus with a radio interface to interact with a RAN (radio access network), a smartphone, an in-vehicle apparatus, an loT device, or a M2M device, among other types of user equipment. Such UE 150 may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory including program code; where the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform certain operations, such as, e.g., RRC connection to the RAN. An example of components of a UE will be described in connection with FIG. 9. In embodiments, the UE 150 may be configured to generate a message (e.g., including a cell ID) to be transmitted via radio towards a RAN (e.g., to reach and communicate with a serving cell). In embodiments, the UE 150 may generate and transmit and receive RRC messages containing one or more RRC PDUs (packet data units). Persons skilled in the art will understand RRC protocol as well as other procedures a UE may perform.

[0047] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, in the example of a 5G NR network, the network system 100 provides one or more cells, which define a coverage area of the network system 100. As described above, the network system 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network or may include any other apparatus configured to control radio communication and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources, such as a resource block (RB), a physical resource block (PRB), a radio frame, a subframe, a time slot, a sub-band, a frequency region, a sub-carrier, a beam, etc. In embodiments, the network node 120 may be called a base station.

[0048] FIG. 1 provides an example and is merely illustrative of a network system 100 and a UE 150. Persons skilled in the art will understand that the network system 100 includes components not illustrated in FIG. 1 and will understand that other user equipment may be in communication with the network system 100.

[0049] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example components of the network system 100 of FIG. 1. A 5G NR network may be described as an example of the network system 100, and it is intended that aspects of the following description shall be applicable to other types of network systems, as well. The network system may operate in accordance with the signals and connections shown in FIG. 1 such that the UE 150 is in communication with the network system 100 through the radio access network 225. Additionally, the network system may be divided into user plane components and functions and control plane components and functions, as shown and described herein. Unlessindicated otherwise, the terms “component”, “function”, and “service” may be used interchangeably herein, and they may refer to and be implemented by instructions executed by one or more processors.

[0050] Example functions of the components are described below. The example functions are merely illustrative, and it shall be understood that additional operations and functions may be performed by the components described herein. Additionally, the connections between components may be virtual connections over service-based interfaces such that any component may communicate with any other component. In this manner, any component may act as a service “producer,” for any other component that is a service “consumer,” to provide services for network functions.

[0051] For example, a core network 210 is described in the control plane of the network system. The core network 210 may include an authentication server function (AUSF) 211, an access and mobility function (AMF) 212, and a session management function (SMF) 213. The core network 210 may also include a network slice selection function (NSSF) 214, a network exposure function (NEF) 215, a network repository function (NRF) 216, and a unified data management function (UDM) 217, which may include a uniform data repository (UDR) 224.

[0052] Additional components and functions of the core network 210 may include an application function 218, policy control function (PCF) 219, network data analytics function (NWDAF) 220, analytics data repository function (ADRF) 221, management data analytics function (MDAF) 222, and operations and management function (0AM) 223.

[0053] The user plane includes the UE 150, a radio access network (RAN) 225, a user plane function (UPF) 226, and a data network (DN) 227. The RAN 225 may include one or more components described in connection with FIG. 1, such as one or more network nodes. However, the RAN 225 may not be limited to such components. The UPF 226 provides connection for data being transmitted over the RAN 225. The DN 226 identifies services from service providers, Internet access, and third party services, for example.

[0054] The AMF 212 processes connection and mobility tasks. The AUSF 211 receives authentication requests from the AMF 212 and interacts with UDM 217 to authenticate and validate network responses for determination of successful authentication. The SMF 213 conducts packet data unit (PDU) session management, as well as manages session context with the UPF 226.

[0055] The NSSF 214 may select a network slicing instance (NSI) and determine the allowed network slice selection assistance information (NSSAI). This selection and determination is utilized to set the AMF 212 to provide service to the UE 150. The NEF 215 secures access to network services for third parties to create specialized network services. The NRF 216 acts as a repository to store network functions to allow the functions to register with and discover each other.

[0056] The UDM 217 generates authentication vectors for use by the AUSF 211 and ADM 212 and provides user identification handling. The UDM 217 may be connected to the UDR 224 which stores data associated with authentication, applications, or the like. The AF 218 provides application services to a user (e.g., streaming services, etc.). The PCF 219 provides policy control functionality. For example, the PCF 219 may assist in network slicing and mobility management, as well as provide quality of service (QoS) and charging functionality.

[0057] The NWDAF 220 collects data (e.g., from the UE 150 and the network system) to perform network analytics and provide insight to functions that utilize the analytics in the providing of services. The ADRF 221 allows the storage, retrieval, and removal of data and analytics by consumers. The MDAF 222 provides additional data analytics services for network functions. The 0AM 223 provides provisioning and management processing functions to manage elements in or connected to the network (e.g., UE 150, network nodes, etc.).

[0058] FIG. 2 is merely an example of components of a network system, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the network system may include other components not illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the network system may not include every component illustrated in FIG. 2. In embodiments, the components and connections may be implemented with different connections than those illustrated in FIG. 2. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0059] As mentioned above, in 5G new radio (NR), two contention based random access (CBRA) procedures are supported, namely 4-step RACK and 2-step RACK, and two contention-free random-access procedure (CFRA) (e.g., 2-step and 4-step). A step in all these procedures is the transmission of a suitable message by a user equipment (UE) to the network (NW).

[0060] 3GPP 5G NR currently supports two duplexing modes: FDD for paired bands and TDD for unpaired bands. Irrespective of the duplexing mode, uplink and downlink phases are separatedin the time domain. In some cases, this may create unnecessary latency, possibly reduce coverage and capacity depending on the considered layout. In TDD deployments, the situation may be further exacerbated by the fact that the scheduling offers lower dynamism (e.g., the slot structure is fixed and does not change very often in practice). This may result in rather limited time duration for the uplink in TDD.

[0061] In various embodiments, alleviation of the above limitations may be overcome by allowing the gNB to do simultaneous DL transmission and UL reception on different physical resource blocks (PRBs) / subbands within an unpaired wideband NR cell. Described herein, this may be referred to as subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD). In various embodiments, this duplexing scheme may be referred to as cross-division duplexing (xDD) scheme or Flexible Duplexing (FDU).

[0062] FIG. 3 is an example diagram of SBFD slots and non- SBFD slots 300, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, there are two band types for both DL and UL transmissions: SBFD slots, during which the non- overlapping DL subband(s) and UL subband(s) both exist, and Non-SBFD slots, during which the entire band is used for either DL or UL (i.e., legacy / full DL / UL slots).

[0063] In SBFD slots, a guardband is placed between DL and UL resource blocks (RBs) in various embodiments. The guardband may provide better isolation between UL and DL transmissions and reduce the impact of the self-interference (e.g., due to the gNB’s own DL transmissions and the gNB’s own UL reception) as well as cross-link interference (CLI) between UE to UE links, and gNB to gNB links.

[0064] Although further detail will be provided below, with the parameters indicated by the prach-Configurationlndex (PCI), the UE determines the preamble format for the PRACH and applies the procedure specified in, for example, TS 38.211 to find RACH occasions (ROs) in the time-domain.

[0065] In various embodiments, there is a long PRACH preamble format and a short PRACH preamble format, which may be known to persons of skill in the art. Based on tables for the PCI for the frequency ranges FR2 and FR1 unpaired spectrum, time domain resources (slot / subframe indices) are designed with the target of the uplink slot in the TDD pattern. Accordingly, the PCI table for FR2 and FR1 may be extended for SBFD ROs, which are located on non-UL slots.

[0066] Accordingly, as described in more detail below, new information, in form of higher- layer parameters, may be signaled from the NW to the UE so that the NW can have some additional flexibility regarding the time domain configuration of the SBFD ROs. The new parameters are valid for the short and long PRACH format preamble for frequency ranges FR1 and FR2.

[0067] In various embodiments, The NW sends to the UE a PCI and an additional parameter, (e.g., a first parameter "Additional SBFD Slots" or “Additional SBFD Subframes”). The Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes parameter indicates a row to a hardcoded table, where this table contains partial / all possible sets of slots / subframes from a defined set of numbers. In various embodiments, the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes parameter indicates directly the slot / subframe numbers. For example, for FR2, the set of numbers could be: {0,1, 6, 8}, and for FR1, the set could be: {0,1, 5, 6} for short PRACH format, and {4,9} for long PRACH format.

[0068] In various embodiments, the UE determines the valid time domain configuration (slots / subframes, starting symbol of the RO, number of ROs, etc.) using the parameters received from the NW: PCI and the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes.

[0069] In various embodiments, the UE transmits a PRACH preamble on at least one RO configured with the time domain slots / subframe determined.

[0070] In various embodiments, the signaled new parameter Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes, indicates a row of a hardcoded table of additional slots / subframes for each frequency range FR1 andFR2 (or one unified table for the two frequency ranges at least for the short PRACH format), providing flexibility to the NW to support a higher number of slot / subframe sets for different number of slots / subframes in a set. In various embodiments, the more slot / subframe sets that are supported, the higher the number of bits are used in Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes.

[0071] In various embodiments, for a time domain duplex (TDD) pattern of “DXXXU”, the NW may choose any set of slots from the slot numbers: “0,1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9”. The slot numbers 2 and 7 may not be counted since they do not cover any SBFD slot: “X”. Accordingly, all possible 8 sets from a set of one slot: “0,1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9” can be covered. The table below depicts a number of sets of a different number of slots supported by a legacy FR2 PCI (third column) and, legacy PCI with an additional parameter (last column).

[0072] As shown in the table above, the first row of the table: For a set with only one slot, there may be eight sets: {0},{l },{3},{4},{5},{6},{8} and {9}. From these sets, the legacy PCI supports only five sets out of eight (row:l colum:3). These sets are {1}, {3},{4},{5}, and {9}.

[0073] Referring to the second row of the table: For a set with two slots, 28 sets may exist. The legacy PCI may be supported, but only seven sets out of 28 from these sets.

[0074] FIG. 4 is a diagram of an example embodiment of signals and operations among a user equipment (UE) and a network entity (NW), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. In various embodiments, the components depicted in FIG. 4 may correspond to similar components described above in FIGS. 1-2. It will be understood that a described signal may have associated operations and a described operation may have associated signals. In various embodiments, the NW entity may be any network entity.

[0075] At operation 401, the UE receives a PCI along with at least an additional parameter (first parameter) from the NW entity. In various embodiments, the additional parameter is an Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes parameter that enable additional RACH occasions in SBFD symbols / slots. The Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes parameter indicates the index of a row in a table, where this table contains the sets of additional slots / subframes supported alongside the slots / subframes sets indicated in the PCI.

[0076] The example table below shows all different sets of slots from a set of four numbers: “{0,1, 6, 8}”. These numbers are the number of slots which are not covered by the sets of slots of the existing FR2 PCI table.

[0077] In various embodiments, the first four rows are hard coded in specifications and the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicates using only two bits one of these rows. Accordingly, all possible 8 sets for a set of one slot (first row in the first table above) as described above, and 23 sets out of 28 from the second row, as described in the first table above. This may indicate most of the sets with reduced signaling overhead for NW in need for a low number of SBFD slots (one or two slot).

[0078] In various embodiments, the first four rows of the table above alongside any three rows from the conventional PCI table may maximize the number of possible covered sets. These rows are hard coded in specifications and are indicated using Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes using three bits. For the NW requiring support of a set of slots higher than two, these additional rows can give an additional flexibility to the NW, while using, in various embodiments, three bits for the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes.

[0079] In various embodiments, all possible rows of the table above are hard coded in the specifications and the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicates using four bits one of these rows. This may give full flexibility to the NW to cover more than 80% of the possible sets as described above, while, in various embodiments, using four bits to indicate the additional slots.

[0080] In various embodiments, the received message at operation 401 also includes a second parameter Additional SBFD Slots Repetition. Since for FR2 the slot number can cover from 0 to39 and the additional SBFD slots may, in various embodiments, number from 0 to 9, The Additional SBFD Slots Repetition indicates if the indicated new additional SBFD slots using the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes are repeated (e.g., each 10 slots or not). For example, with Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicating “00”, the additional slot supported by the NW alongside the PCI slots is slot number “0”. If the parameter Additional SBFD Slots Repetition is equal to “0”, or if the parameter Additional SBFD Slots Repetition is not indicated, the new slot “0” will be supported for only the first 10 slots out of the 40 slots. In case the Additional SBFD Slots Repetition being equal to 1, the new slot “0” will be supported for each 10 slots in the 40 slots (e.g., 0,10,20,30). In an additional case, a legacy PCI may indicate some slots and their repetition in the 40 slots. In this example, even without the addition Additional SBFD Slots Repetition parameter, the UE may consider the additional slots and repetition.

[0081] In various embodiments, for FR1 (short PRACH format) a table may be similar to FR2, but for a different set of four numbers: {0,1, 5, 6}. These numbers are the number of subframes which are not covered by the sets of subframes of the FR1 PCI table (e.g., subframes: 0 and 6) or they can be found in only one PCI configuration (e.g., subframes: 1 and 5).

[0082] The table below covers all possible combinations from these four numbers: {0,1, 5, 6}.

[0083] For FR1, all alternatives considered for FR2 are also possible for FR1. Since for FR1 and for FR2, the two sets of missing numbers cover the number of slots / subframes: 0,1 and 6, a unified table might include that the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicates the rows of a unified table that cover all sets of slots / subframes that cover the three number 0, 1 and 6.

[0084] In various embodiments, all possible rows of a table (shown below) are hard coded in specifications and the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicates using two bits for one of these rows. The last row of the table below can be one of the sets: {0,1}, {0,6} and {1,6}. For purposes of example, (1,6) is selected to give the highest number of sets for the sets of one, two and three slots / subframes per set.

[0085] In various embodiments, the utilization described for the above table may indicate some sufficient number of sets with reduced overhead for NW in need for a low number of SBFD slots (one, two and three slots / subframe).Only one hard coded table for FR1 and FR2 for short PRACH format.

[0086] With regard to the Long PRACH format for FR1 , the first three rows of the table below are hard coded in specifications and the Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes indicates using only two bits one of these rows. The table below includes all possible set combination using a set of: {4,9}.

[0087] By supporting, for example, subframes 4 and 9, better detection performance for the long PRACH format may be achieved, since the subframes 4 and 9 support one SBFD slot and one subsequent UL slot or two consecutive UL slots based on one of the TDD pattern selected.Accordingly, FIG. 5 is an example representation of subframes and slots 500 (e.g., for particular TDD patterns), according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure using subframes 4 and 9.

[0088] In various embodiments, several bits “Z>” may be used to indicate the subframes with UU slots or XU slots for any location within a frame. FIG. 6 is another example representation of subframes and slots 600, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure that depicts two subframes: “4,9” with XU slots. With two bits, the first subframe “b=00”, the second subframe “b=01 ”, and the two subframes together “b=l 0” can be indicated as shown. Accordingly, in various embodiments, any subframe number without being constrained by the TDD pattern may be supported. The condition to turn the subframe on or off is to have two UL slots or one SBFD slot with subsequent UL.

[0089] At operation 402, the UE determines the valid time domain configuration (e.g., slots / subframes, starting ROs symbols, number of valid ROs, etc.). For FR2, the UE may make this determination based upon Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes and Additional SBFD Slots Repetition (if provided), while for FR1, the UE may make the determination based upon Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes.

[0090] FIG. 7 is an example representation of an example PCI along with subframes and slots 700, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 7 is an example for FR2 PCI “2”. The valid SBFD slot are: 9,19,29 and 39. (In example only the first 10 slots are presented).

[0091] FIG. 8 is an example representation of another example PCI along with subframes and slots 800, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. As shown in FIG. 8, is an example for FR2 PCI “2” and Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes “0100”. The valid SBFD slots are: 0,1, 9,19,29 and 39. With the PCI parameter alongside Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes andAdditional SBFD Slots Repetition. for an example of FR2 with PCI “2”, Additional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes “0100” andAdditional SBFD Slots / Additional SBFD Subframes “1”, the valid SBFD slots are: 0,1, 9,10,11,19, 20, 21, 29, 30, 31 and 39.

[0092] Once the UE has determined the valid time domain configuration at operation 402, at operation 403, the UE transmits a PRACH preamble on at least one of the ROs configured withthe time domain time slots / subframes determined to the NW entity and the NW entity receives the PRACH preamble.

[0093] The operations of FIG. 4 are merely illustrative, and variations are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. In embodiments, the operations may include other operations not illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may not include every operation illustrated in FIG. 4. In embodiments, the operations may be implemented in a different order than that illustrated in FIG. 4. Such and other embodiments are contemplated to be within the scope of the present disclosure. Persons of skill in the art will appreciate that, although various example components are described as perform various functions, other components may perform those functions described in FIG. 4.

[0094] The following describes operations from the perspective of a UE. From such a perspective, a method may include receiving, by the UE, a first message from a first apparatus, the first message including a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration index (PCI) related information enabling determination of at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion, and a first parameter enabling determination of at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion, determining, by the UE, the allocated and additional allocated PRACH resource occasion in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols based upon the PCI information and the first parameter, determining, by the UE, an event to start a PRACH preamble transmission; selecting, by the UE, at least one of the determined PRACH resource occasions, and transmitting, by the UE, a determined PRACH preamble on the selected at least one RACH occasion (RO). The at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion and the at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion are disjunct and are in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols.

[0095] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user device, AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP, or other node) 900, according to one illustrated aspect of the present disclosure. The wireless station 900 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., two as shown in FIG. 9) RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 902A, 902B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 904 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 906 to store data and / or instructions.

[0096] Processor 904 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets ormessages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 904, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 602 (902A or 902B). Processor 904 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 602, for example). Processor 904 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 904 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 904 and transceiver 602 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter / receiver system, for example.

[0097] In addition, referring to FIG. 9, a controller (or processor) 908 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 900, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 9, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 900, such as, for example, an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.

[0098] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 904, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0099] According to another example embodiment, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 902A / 902B may receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 904 (and possibly transceivers 902A / 902B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 902A or 902B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0100] Example embodiments are provided or described for each of the example methods, including: An apparatus (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) including means (e.g., processor 904, RF transceivers 902A and / or 902B, and / or memory 906, in FIG. 9) for carrying out any of the methods; a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium (e.g., memory 906, FIG. 9) comprising instructions stored thereon that, when executed by at least one processor (processor 904, FIG. 9), are configuredto cause a computing system (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) to perform any of the example methods; and an apparatus (e.g., 900, FIG. 9) including at least one processor (e.g., processor 904, FIG. 9), and at least one memory (e.g., memory 906, FIG. 9) including computer program code, the at least one memory (906) and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor (904), cause the apparatus (e.g., 900) at least to perform any of the example methods.

[0101] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0102] Example 1.1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: means for receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a first message from a first apparatus, the first message including a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration index (PCI) related information enabling determination of at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion, and a first parameter enabling determination of at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion; wherein the at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion and the at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion are disjunct and are in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols; means for determining, by the UE, the allocated and additional allocated PRACH resource occasion in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols based upon the PCI information and the first parameter; means for determining, by the UE, an event to start a PRACH preamble transmission; means for selecting, by the UE, at least one of the determined PRACH resource occasions; and means for transmitting, by the UE, a determined PRACH preamble on the selected at least one RACH occasion (RO).

[0103] Example 1.2. The UE of example 1.1, wherein the first parameter is an Additional SBFD Slots or an Additional SBFD Subframes parameter.

[0104] Example 1.3. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 or 1.2, wherein the first parameter is for a first frequency range.

[0105] Example 1.4. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 or 1.2, wherein the first parameter is for a second frequency range.

[0106] Example 1.5. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.4, wherein the first parameter indicates a row index of a table.

[0107] Example 1.6. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.4, wherein the first parameter indicates one or more SBFD slot numbers or SBFD subframes in a table.

[0108] Example 1.7. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.6, wherein rows of a table contain the additional SBFD slot numbers or additional SBFD subframes to be configured.

[0109] Example 1.8. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.7, wherein the first parameter indicates one or more combinations of SBFD slots as additional SBFD slots or additional SBFD subframes.

[0110] Example 1.9. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.8, wherein the first parameter includes any one of: two bits for indicating a row of a table, three bits for indicating a row of the table, or four bits for indicating a row of the table.

[0111] Example 1.10. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.9, further comprising: means for determining, by the UE, a table and additional SBFD slots or additionalSBFD subframes.

[0112] Example l.i l. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.10, wherein the PRACH is a long format PRACH.

[0113] Example 1.12. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.10, wherein the PRACH is a short format PRACH.

[0114] Example 1.13. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.12, wherein the first parameter is for a first frequency range and a second parameter is for a second frequency range.

[0115] Example 1.14. The UE of any one of examples 1.1 to 1.13, wherein one or more bits are used to indicate the SBFD subframes with one or more slots for any location within a frame.

[0116] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of the present disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For instance, although certain embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. Specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Like reference numerals may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the figures.

[0117] The phrases “in an aspect,” “in aspects,” “in various aspects,” “in some aspects,” or “in other aspects” may each refer to one or more of the same or different aspects in accordance with this present disclosure. The phrase “a plurality of’ may refer to two or more.

[0118] In various embodiments, the terms “first message” and “second message”, as well as any subsequent messages may refer to any messages that are transmitted or received in an order and are not necessarily limited to any particular message.

[0119] The phrases “in an embodiment,” “in embodiments,” “in various embodiments,” “in some embodiments,” or “in other embodiments” may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure. A phrase in the form “A or B” means “(A), (B), or (A and B).” A phrase in the form “at least one of A, B, or C” means “(A); (B); (C); (A and B); (A and C); (B and C); or (A, B, and C) ”

[0120] Any of the herein described methods, programs, algorithms or codes may be converted to, or expressed in, a programming language or computer program. The terms “programming language” and “computer program,” as used herein, each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, and include (but is not limited to) the following languages and their derivatives: Assembler, Basic, Batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages which themselves specify programs, and all first, second, third, fourth, fifth, or further generation computer languages. Also included are database and other data schemas, and any other meta- languages. No distinction is made between languages which are interpreted, compiled, or use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, reference to a program, where the programming language could exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked) is a reference to any and all such states. Reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0121] While aspects of the present disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the present disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the present disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular aspects. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a first message from a first apparatus, the first message including a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration index (PCI) related information enabling determination of at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion, and a first parameter enabling determination of at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion; wherein the at least one allocated PRACH resource occasion and the at least one additional allocated PRACH resource occasion are disjunct and are in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols; determining, by the UE, the allocated and additional allocated PRACH resource occasion in sub-band full duplex (SBFD) symbols based upon the PCI information and the first parameter; determining, by the UE, an event to start a PRACH preamble transmission; selecting, by the UE, at least one of the determined PRACH resource occasions; and transmitting, by the UE, a determined PRACH preamble on the selected at least one RACH occasion (RO).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first parameter is an Additional SBFD Slots or an Additional SBFD Subframes parameter.

3. The method as in any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the first parameter is for a first frequency range.

4. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the first parameter is for a second frequency range.

5. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first parameter indicates a row index of a table.

6. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first parameter indicates one or more SBFD slot numbers or SBFD subframes in a table.

227. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein rows of a table contain the additional SBFD slot numbers or additional SBFD subframes to be configured.

8. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first parameter indicates one or more combinations of SBFD slots as additional SBFD slots or additional SBFD subframes.

9. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the first parameter includes any one of: two bits for indicating a row of a table, three bits for indicating a row of the table, or four bits for indicating a row of the table.

10. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising determining, by the UE, a table and additional SBFD slots or additional SBFD subframes.

11. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the PRACH is a long format PRACH.

12. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the PRACH is a short format PRACH.

13. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the first parameter is for a first frequency range and a second parameter is for a second frequency range.

14. The method as in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein one or more bits are used to indicate the SBFD subframes with one or more slots for any location within a frame.

15. A user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the UE at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A processor-readable medium storing instructions which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform a method as in any one of claims 1 to 14.

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