Communication method and related apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and a related apparatus. The method comprises: determining third PRACH resources from among second PRACH resources on the basis of first PRACH resources, wherein the third PRACH resources do not overlap with the first PRACH resources, the second PRACH resources are associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resources are associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination; and sending a random access preamble on the third PRACH resources. By using the method, random access efficiency can be improved, and implementation complexity of a terminal device can be reduced.

Description

A communication method and related apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510075533.4, filed on January 16, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Apparatus", and Chinese Patent Application No. 202510390030.6, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled "A Communication Method and Related Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and related apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] Random access (RA) is the process of establishing a wireless link between a terminal device and a network device. In random access technology, the network device can configure a physical random access channel (PRACH) for the terminal device. Furthermore, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the PRACH occasion (RO) included in the PRACH resource to perform random access.

[0004] With the continuous evolution of standard protocols, the New Radio (NR) protocol has evolved from the first version, Release 15 (R15), to the current Release 19 (R19). If the terminal device supports R19 and other traditional protocol versions, such as R15, Release 16 (R16), Release 17 (R17), or Release 18 (R18), the network device can configure PRACH resources corresponding to different protocol versions. The terminal device can then send random access preambles through the R19 ROs included in the R19 PRACH resources and the traditional ROs included in the PRACH resources of traditional protocol versions. Since the period of traditional ROs is relatively large and the period of R19 ROs is relatively small, the time-frequency resources of R19 ROs and traditional ROs may overlap. However, when there is overlap, the R19 RO will be considered an invalid RO, meaning it cannot be used to send random access preambles, which may affect the random access efficiency of the terminal device. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the aforementioned issues, this application provides a communication method and related apparatus that can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of terminal devices.

[0006] The following sections describe this application from multiple perspectives. It is easy to understand that the implementation methods of these multiple aspects can be referenced from each other.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applicable to a terminal device or a device within a terminal device. The method includes: determining a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource based on a first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. A random access preamble is transmitted on the third PRACH resource.

[0008] In this embodiment, the terminal device can perform overlap determination between the first PRACH resource associated with the second feature combination and the second PRACH resource associated with the first feature combination to identify the third PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, and then send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, avoiding sending a random access preamble on PRACH resources that overlap with the first PRACH resource, thus improving the random access efficiency of the terminal device. Furthermore, the terminal device only needs to perform overlap determination between the second PRACH resource associated with different feature combinations and the first PRACH resource, instead of performing overlap determination between the second PRACH resource and all PRACH resources configured by the network device, which simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes a PRACH adjustment feature or a sub-band full-duplex feature. It should be noted that, in possible scenarios, the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature can be a feature associated with an R19 PRACH resource. That is, the second PRACH resource associated with the first feature combination can be understood as an R19 PRACH resource.

[0010] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features. It should be noted that NR features can be features associated with PRACH resources of R15, R16, R17, or R18. That is, the first PRACH resource associated with the second feature combination can be understood as a PRACH resource of R15, R16, R17, or R18.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource includes: determining the fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first time period from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource within a first time period. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The third PRACH resource is determined based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0012] In the above implementation, since both the first and second PRACH resources are periodic, the terminal device only needs to determine overlap based on the first and second PRACH resources within the first time period. In the next time period, which is the same length as the first time period, the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources is consistent with the overlap within the first time period, thus eliminating the need for the terminal device to repeat the overlap determination. In other words, using this method, the terminal device does not need to continuously perform overlap determination in the time domain; it only needs to determine overlap between the first and second PRACH resources within the first time period. This improves the random access efficiency of the terminal device and simplifies its implementation complexity.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource. If the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource is identified as the third PRACH resource.

[0014] In the above implementation, when the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, the terminal device does not need to make an overlap judgment between the second PRACH resource and the first PRACH resource to determine the third PRACH resource. It can directly determine that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource based on the first information from the network device, and determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource. This can improve the efficiency of random access and help simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0017] In the above implementation, the terminal device can determine whether the second PRACH resource overlaps only with the first PRACH resource with higher priority, instead of determining whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with all PRACH resources configured by the network device. This can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0019] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0020] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applicable to network devices or apparatus within network devices. The method includes: determining a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource based on a first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. A random access preamble is received on the third PRACH resource.

[0021] In this embodiment, the network device can perform overlap determination between the first PRACH resource associated with the second feature combination and the second PRACH resource associated with the first feature combination to identify the third PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, and then receive the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the network device can receive the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, avoiding receiving the random access preamble on PRACH resources that overlap with the first PRACH resource, thus improving random access efficiency. Furthermore, the network device only needs to perform overlap determination between the second PRACH resource associated with different feature combinations and the first PRACH resource, instead of performing overlap determination between the second PRACH resource and all its configured PRACH resources, which simplifies the implementation complexity of the network device.

[0022] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0023] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features.

[0024] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource includes: determining the fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first time period from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource within a first time period. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The third PRACH resource is determined based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0025] In the above implementation, since both the first and second PRACH resources are periodic, the network device only needs to determine overlap between the first and second PRACH resources within the first time period. In the next time period, which is the same length as the first time period, the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources is consistent with the overlap within the first time period, thus eliminating the need for repeated overlap determination. In other words, using this method, the network device does not need to continuously perform overlap determination in the time domain; it only needs to determine overlap between the first and second PRACH resources within the first time period. This improves the efficiency of random access and simplifies the implementation complexity of the network device.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource.

[0027] In the above implementation, after determining overlap based on the first and second PRACH resources, the network device can send first information to the terminal device to indicate the overlap between the second and first PRACH resources. This allows the terminal device to directly determine the non-overlapping nature of the second and first PRACH resources based on the first information, and then designate the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource, without requiring the terminal device to perform an overlap determination, thus improving the efficiency of random access.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0030] In the above implementation, the terminal device can determine whether the second PRACH resource overlaps only with the first PRACH resource with higher priority, instead of determining whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with all PRACH resources configured by the network device. This can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes sending third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0033] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applicable to a terminal device or a device within a terminal device. The method includes: receiving second information. Here, the second information is used to configure a seventh PRACH resource. A third PRACH resource is determined from a second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. A random access preamble is transmitted on the third PRACH resource.

[0034] In this embodiment, the terminal device can determine the overlap between the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource configured by the network device to identify a third PRACH resource within the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, and then send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the terminal device can send the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, thus avoiding sending the random access preamble on PRACH resources that overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, which helps improve the efficiency of random access.

[0035] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0036] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource includes: determining the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period based on the seventh PRACH resource within the second time period. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The third PRACH resource is determined based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0037] In the above implementation, since both the seventh and second PRACH resources are periodic, the terminal device only needs to determine overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources within the second time period. In the next time period, which is the same length as the second time period, the overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources is consistent with that within the second time period, thus eliminating the need for repeated overlap determination by the terminal device. In other words, using this method, the terminal device does not need to continuously perform overlap determination in the time domain; it only needs to determine overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources within the second time period. This improves the random access efficiency of the terminal device and simplifies its implementation complexity.

[0038] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving fourth information. Here, the fourth information indicates whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. If the fourth information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource is identified as the third PRACH resource.

[0039] In the above implementation, when the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource do not overlap, the terminal device does not need to make an overlap judgment on the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource to determine the third PRACH resource. It can directly determine that the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource do not overlap based on the fourth information from the network device, and determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource. This can improve the efficiency of random access and help simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0040] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0041] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

[0042] In the above implementation, the terminal device can determine whether the second PRACH resource overlaps only with the higher-priority seventh PRACH resource, instead of determining whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with all PRACH resources configured by the network device. This can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0043] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0044] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with a seventh PRACH resource.

[0045] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0046] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 3, the number of repetitions of message 3 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 3 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0047] In the above implementation, the seventh PRACH resource associated with it can be determined based on the first feature. That is, the terminal device can determine the seventh PRACH resource that overlaps with the second PRACH resource based on the first feature. In this way, when configuring the second PRACH resource, it can overlap with other PRACH resources (including the seventh PRACH resource) without restricting the second PRACH resource from overlapping with other PRACH resources. This is beneficial for configuring the second PRACH resource more flexibly.

[0048] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling. This can reduce signaling overhead.

[0049] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applicable to a network device or a device within a network device. The method includes: determining a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource based on a seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. A random access preamble is received on the third PRACH resource.

[0050] In this embodiment, the network device can determine the overlap between the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource to identify a third PRACH resource within the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, and then receive the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the terminal device can receive the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, thus avoiding receiving the random access preamble on PRACH resources that overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, which helps improve the efficiency of random access.

[0051] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0052] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource includes: determining the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period based on the seventh PRACH resource within the second time period. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The third PRACH resource is determined based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0053] In the above implementation, since both the seventh and second PRACH resources are periodic, the network device only needs to determine overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources within the second time period. In the next time period, which is the same length as the second time period, the overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources is consistent with the overlap within the second time period, thus eliminating the need for repeated overlap determination. In other words, using this method, the network device does not need to continuously perform overlap determination in the time domain; it only needs to determine overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources within the second time period. This improves the efficiency of random access and simplifies the implementation complexity of the network device.

[0054] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes sending fourth information. Here, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0055] In the above implementation, after determining overlap based on the seventh and second PRACH resources, the network device can send fourth information to the terminal device to indicate the overlap between the second and seventh PRACH resources. This allows the terminal device to directly determine that the second and first PRACH resources do not overlap, and to designate the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource, without requiring the terminal device to perform an overlap determination, thus improving the efficiency of random access.

[0056] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0057] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

[0058] In the above implementation, the network device can determine whether the second PRACH resource overlaps only with the higher-priority seventh PRACH resource, instead of determining whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with all configured PRACH resources. This can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of the network device.

[0059] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes: sending second information. Here, the second information is used to configure the seventh PRACH resource, which is used by the terminal device to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource.

[0060] In the above implementation, the network device can configure the seventh PRACH resource for overlap determination for the terminal device through the second information. Since the network device can configure the second PRACH resource, which overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource used for overlap determination, and the configuration of the second PRACH resource does not overlap with other PRACH resources, while the seventh PRACH resource can be additionally configured by the network device and is not agreed upon by the protocol, it is beneficial for the network device to configure the second PRACH resource more flexibly.

[0061] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes sending third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0062] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0063] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0064] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

[0065] It should be understood that the communication method provided in the first aspect above is also applicable to functional components within a terminal device, such as processors, chips, chip systems, circuits, etc., and this application does not specifically limit them. Similarly, the communication methods provided in the second, third, or fourth aspects above are also applicable to the corresponding functional components within the device, and to avoid redundancy, they will not be repeated here.

[0066] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device as mentioned in the first aspect. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0067] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (also called a transceiver module) and a processing unit (also called a processing module). The processing unit is used to determine a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource based on a first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. The transceiver unit is used to transmit a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0068] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0069] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features.

[0070] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine, within a first time period, a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0071] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to, if the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource.

[0072] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0073] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0074] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0075] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to receive third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0076] Sixthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be the network device or a device within a network device mentioned in the second aspect above. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0077] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (also called a transceiver module) and a processing unit (also called a processing module). The processing unit is used to determine a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource based on a first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. The transceiver unit is used to receive a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0078] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0079] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features.

[0080] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine, within a first time period, a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0081] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to transmit first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource.

[0082] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0083] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0084] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0085] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to send third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0086] Seventhly, this application provides a communication device, which can be a terminal device or a device within a terminal device as mentioned in the third aspect above. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0087] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (also called a transceiver module) and a processing unit (also called a processing module). The transceiver unit receives second information. Here, the second information is used to configure a seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit determines a third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. The transceiver unit is also used to transmit a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0088] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0089] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period from the second PRACH resources based on the seventh PRACH resource within the second time period. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to determine the third PRACH resource based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0090] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive fourth information. Here, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource if the fourth information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0091] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0092] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

[0093] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to receive third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0094] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0095] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0096] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

[0097] Eighthly, this application provides a communication device, which can be the network device or a device within a network device mentioned in the fourth aspect above. The communication device includes modules, units, or means that implement the methods described above. These modules, units, or means can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0098] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a transceiver unit (also called a transceiver module) and a processing unit (also called a processing module). The processing unit is used to determine a third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. The transceiver unit is used to receive a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0099] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the sub-band full-duplex feature.

[0100] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processing unit is further configured to determine the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period from the second PRACH resources based on the seventh PRACH resource within the second time period. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit is further configured to determine the third PRACH resource based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0101] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to transmit fourth information. Here, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0102] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, where the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0103] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the seventh PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0104] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to send second information. Here, the second information is used to configure the seventh PRACH resource, which is used by the terminal device to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource.

[0105] In conjunction with aspect eight, in one possible implementation, the transceiver unit is also used to send third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0106] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0107] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0108] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

[0109] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program product comprising instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of the first aspects or any possible implementations of the first aspect, or to perform the method of any one of the second aspects or any possible implementations of the second aspect, or to perform the method of any one of the third aspects or any possible implementations of the third aspect, or to perform the method of any one of the fourth aspects or any possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0110] Tenthly, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed, performs the method of any one of the first aspects or any possible implementations of the first aspect, or performs the method of any one of the second aspects or any possible implementations of the second aspect, or performs the method of any one of the third aspects or any possible implementations of the third aspect, or performs the method of any one of the fourth aspects or any possible implementations of the fourth aspect.

[0111] Eleventhly, this application provides a communication device including at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute the method described in any of the preceding aspects or any possible implementation thereof. The communication device may be a terminal device as described in the first or third aspect, or a device including the aforementioned terminal device, or a device included in the aforementioned terminal device, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the second or fourth aspect, or a device including the aforementioned network device, or a device included in the aforementioned network device, such as a chip.

[0112] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data (i.e., computer programs).

[0113] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the memory can be coupled to the processor, or it can be independent of the processor.

[0114] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a chip system comprising at least a processor. The processor is configured to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device mounted on the chip system to perform the method of any one of the first aspects or any possible implementations thereof, or to perform the method of any one of the second aspects or any possible implementations thereof, or to perform the method of any one of the third aspects or any possible implementations thereof, or to perform the method of any one of the fourth aspects or any possible implementations thereof.

[0115] In conjunction with aspect 12, in one possible implementation, the chip system may further include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0116] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a communication device comprising a processor and an interface circuit. The interface circuit is configured to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices besides the communication device. The processor is configured to implement the method described in any of the preceding aspects through logic circuits or by executing computer programs or instructions. The communication device may be a terminal device as described in the first or third aspect, or a device comprising the aforementioned terminal device, or a device included in the aforementioned terminal device, such as a chip system; or, the communication device may be a network device as described in the second or fourth aspect, or a device comprising the aforementioned network device, or a device included in the aforementioned network device.

[0117] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a communication system. The communication system includes at least a terminal device and a network device. The terminal device is configured to perform the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to perform the communication method provided by the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The network device is configured to perform the communication method provided by the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, or to perform the communication method provided by the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0118] In summary, the communication method provided in this application can improve the efficiency of random access and simplify the implementation complexity of terminal devices. Attached Figure Description

[0119] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0121] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a mapping relationship provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0122] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0125] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0126] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0127] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0128] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0129] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0130] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0131] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0132] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0133] The technical solutions in the embodiments of this application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0134] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects. "Including at least one of A, B, and C" can mean: including A; including B; including C; including A and B; including A and C; including B and C; including A, B, and C.

[0135] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems, or new radio (NR) systems. In addition, they can also be applied to future communication systems, such as 6th generation (6G) communication systems.

[0136] The system architecture used in the embodiments of this application is described below. It should be noted that the system architecture and business scenarios described in this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0137] Please refer to Figure 1, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be understood that Figure 1 shows a terrestrial communication system to which the technical solution provided in this application applies. As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 10 may include a radio access network (RAN) 100. The RAN 100 includes at least one RAN node (110a and 110b in Figure 1) and at least one terminal (120a-120j in Figure 1). The RAN 100 may also include other RAN nodes, such as wireless relay devices and / or wireless backhaul devices (not shown in Figure 1). The terminal is connected to the RAN node wirelessly. Optionally, the communication system 10 may also include a core network (CN) 130. The RAN nodes are connected to the core network 130 wirelessly or via wired means. The core network devices in the core network 130 and the RAN nodes in the RAN 100 may be different physical devices, or they may be the same physical device integrating core network logical functions and radio access network logical functions. In possible scenarios, the communication system 10 may also include Operation Administration and Maintenance (OAM), and the RAN node may also connect to the OAM wirelessly or via wired means.

[0138] RAN 100 can be a cellular system related to the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 4G, 5G mobile communication systems, or future-oriented evolution systems. RAN 100 can also be an open RAN (O-RAN or ORAN), a cloud radio access network (CRAN), or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) system. RAN 100 can also be a communication system that integrates two or more of the above systems.

[0139] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, RAN nodes, sometimes also referred to as access network devices, network equipment, RAN entities, or access nodes, constitute part of the communication system and are used to help terminals achieve wireless access. Multiple RAN nodes in communication system 10 can be of the same type or different types. In some scenarios, the roles of RAN nodes and terminals are relative. For example, network element 120i in Figure 1 can be a helicopter or drone, which can be configured as a mobile base station. For terminals 120j accessing RAN 100 through network element 120i, network element 120i is a base station. However, for base station 110a, network element 120i is a terminal. RAN nodes and terminals are sometimes both referred to as communication devices. For example, network elements 110a and 110b in Figure 1 can be understood as communication devices with base station functions, and network elements 120a-120j can be understood as communication devices with terminal functions.

[0140] In one possible scenario, the RAN node can be a base station, an evolved NodeB (eNodeB), an access point (AP), a transmission reception point (TRP), a next-generation NodeB (gNB), a base station in a future mobile communication system, or an access node in a WiFi system. The RAN node can be a macro base station (as shown in Figure 1, 110a), a micro base station or indoor station (as shown in Figure 1, 110b), a relay node or donor node, or a radio controller in a CRAN scenario. Optionally, the RAN node can also be a server, wearable device, vehicle, or in-vehicle equipment. For example, the access network equipment in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology can be a roadside unit (RSU). All or part of the functions of the RAN node in this application can also be implemented through software functions running on hardware, or through virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform). The RAN node can also be equipped with communication modules, circuits, or chips that perform corresponding communication functions. The RAN node can also be configured with program instructions for performing corresponding communication functions, as well as corresponding program instructions. The RAN node in this application can also be a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the RAN node's functions.

[0141] In another possible scenario, multiple RAN nodes collaborate to assist the terminal in achieving wireless access, with each RAN node performing a portion of the base station's functions. For example, RAN nodes can be central units (CUs), distributed units (DUs), CU-control plane (CPs), CU-user plane (UPs), or radio units (RUs), etc. CUs and DUs can be separate entities or included in the same network element, such as a baseband unit (BBU). RUs can be included in radio frequency equipment or radio frequency units, such as remote radio units (RRUs), active antenna units (AAUs), or remote radio heads (RRHs).

[0142] In the communication system shown in Figure 1, the terminal can be a device or module that accesses the communication system and has corresponding communication functions. The terminal can also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE), mobile station, mobile terminal, etc. Terminals can be widely used in various scenarios, such as device-to-device (D2D), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), Internet of Things (IoT), virtual reality, augmented reality, industrial control, autonomous driving, telemedicine, smart grids, smart furniture, smart offices, smart wearables, smart transportation, smart cities, etc. Terminals can be mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, wearable devices, vehicles, drones, helicopters, airplanes, ships, robots, robotic arms, smart home devices, transportation vehicles with wireless communication capabilities, communication modules, etc. The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The terminal typically contains a communication module, circuit, or chip that performs the corresponding communication function. The terminal can also be configured with program instructions for performing the corresponding communication function.

[0143] Please refer to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be understood that Figure 2 illustrates a non-terrestrial communication system, or satellite communication system, to which the technical solution provided in this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 2, the communication system 20 may include at least one terminal device 210 and at least one network device 220. Exemplarily, terminal device 210 may include terminal device 210a and / or terminal device 210b, and network device 220 may include satellite 220a and / or satellite 220b. Network device 220 can communicate directly with terminal device 210, or it can communicate with terminal device 210 through a relay station, such as a relay satellite. It should be understood that network device 220 may include one or more satellites. Satellites can provide communication services, navigation services, and positioning services to terminal devices through multiple beams. Satellites use multiple beams to cover the service area, and different beams can communicate through one or more of time division, frequency division, and space division. Inter-satellite links can be established between satellites, and satellites can process and forward data according to protocols. The communication system 20 may also include a connection device 230, such as a gateway, wherein the network device 220 can communicate with the connection device 230. Optionally, the communication system 20 may also include a core network 240, with which the connection device 230 can communicate. It should be understood that Figure 2 is only an example; in real-world scenarios, the communication system 20 may also include other types of network devices and / or other types of terminal devices, or it may include more or fewer satellites and more or fewer terminal devices. In possible scenarios, the network devices may also include other non-ground devices (or flying devices), such as drones.

[0144] In this application embodiment, the satellite communication system may include a transparent transmission mode and a non-transparent transmission mode. Transparent transmission, also known as bend-tube relay transmission, means that the signal only undergoes frequency conversion and signal amplification on the satellite. Non-transparent transmission can be called regenerative (on-board access / processing) transmission, meaning the satellite has some or all of the base station functions. The satellite involved in this application embodiment refers to an artificial satellite. The satellite can be a satellite base station, or it may include an orbital receiver or repeater for relaying information, or network equipment carried on the satellite; the satellite can be a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a middle Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, or a non-geostationary orbit (NGEO) satellite, etc. This application does not impose any limitations on this. It should be understood that the solutions in this application embodiment can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0145] In the communication system shown in Figure 2, network devices can be devices that access the network using 3GPP technology or other narrowband satellite communication technologies, including but not limited to: base stations, NodeBs (or NBs), evolved NodeBs (eNodeBs, eNBs, or eNBs), gNBs or TRPs in 5G (such as NR) systems, next-generation base stations in 6G mobile communication systems, base stations in future mobile communication systems, and base stations evolved from 3GPP systems. They can also be modules or units that perform some functions of a base station, such as CUs or DUs. Network devices can also be: macro base stations, micro base stations, pico base stations, small cells, relay stations, indoor stations, balloon stations, satellite stations, wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc. Network devices can also be devices that access the network using non-3GPP technologies, such as, but not limited to, access points (APs), wireless relay nodes, wireless backhaul nodes, etc., in Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) systems. Network devices can also be servers, wearable devices, or vehicle-mounted devices, etc. Network devices can also be network devices in cloud radio access network (CRAN) scenarios. Network devices can also be network devices in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), such as relay satellites or satellites with base station functions. A network device can contain one or more co-located or non-co-located TRPs.

[0146] The terminal device 210 in the communication system shown in Figure 2 can also be referred to as UE, access terminal, vehicle-mounted terminal, industrial control terminal, UE unit, UE station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal device, mobile device, UE terminal device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, UE agent, or UE device, etc. It is a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, which can be fixed or mobile. Terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water (such as on ships); and they can also be deployed in the air (e.g., on airplanes, balloons, and satellites). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to: mobile phones, tablets, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminal devices, augmented reality (AR) terminal devices, mixed reality (MR) terminal devices, extended reality (XR) terminal devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, haptic terminal devices, vehicle-mounted terminal devices, wireless terminals in autonomous driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, wearable terminal devices, etc. Terminal devices can support communication with multiple network devices using different technologies. For example, a terminal device can support communication with base stations supporting LTE networks, as well as base stations supporting 5G networks, and can also support dual connections with both LTE and 5G network base stations.

[0147] It should be understood that, in conjunction with the communication system 10 shown in Figure 1, the solution provided in this application embodiment can be specifically implemented by the RAN node and the terminal in the communication system 10. In conjunction with the communication system 20 shown in Figure 2, the solution provided in this application can be specifically implemented by the terminal device 210 and the network device 220 in the communication system 20. For ease of understanding, in this application embodiment, network devices and terminal devices will be used as examples for explanation.

[0148] It should be noted that in this application, the network devices and terminal devices can be fixed in location or mobile. Specifically, the network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors, handheld, or vehicle-mounted, or on water, or in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not impose specific limitations on the application scenarios of the network devices and terminal devices.

[0149] Network devices and terminal devices, as well as terminal devices communicating with each other, can communicate using licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum, or both simultaneously. They can also communicate using spectrum below 6 GHz, spectrum above 6 GHz, or both simultaneously. This application does not impose specific restrictions on the spectrum resources used between network devices and terminal devices.

[0150] It should also be noted that the embodiments of this application can be applied to downlink signal transmission, uplink signal transmission, and device-to-device (D2D) signal transmission. For downlink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a network device, and the corresponding receiving device is a terminal device. For uplink signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is a network device. For D2D signal transmission, the transmitting device is a terminal device, and the corresponding receiving device is also a terminal device. The embodiments of this application do not impose specific limitations on the coarse function direction of the signal.

[0151] It should be understood that multiple terminal devices can exist in a communication system. That is, a network device can establish communication connections with multiple terminal devices. Similarly, multiple network devices can exist in a communication system. That is, a terminal device can simultaneously establish communication connections with multiple network devices. In the embodiments of this application, no specific limitation is made on the number of network devices and terminal devices in the communication system. For ease of understanding, the following description uses one network device and one terminal device as an example to illustrate the communication method provided in this application.

[0152] To facilitate understanding of this application, some terms or concepts used in this application will be explained below.

[0153] 1. Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) Resources

[0154] Network devices can configure PRACH resources for terminal devices using the PRACH configuration information contained in System Information Block (SIB) 1. This PRACH configuration information includes a PRACH configuration index (i.e., the parameter `prach-ConfigurationIndex`). After receiving the PRACH configuration index, the terminal device can query the PRACH table based on it. The PRACH table can include: preamble format, period, radio frame offset, subframe number within the radio frame, start symbol within the subframe, number of PRACH slots within the subframe, number of PRACH occasions (ROs) within each PRACH slot, and RO duration. In other words, by querying the PRACH table using the PRACH configuration index, the terminal device can determine PRACH configuration information such as the RO period, time-domain offset, RO start symbol, RO time-domain length, and preamble format. For example, please refer to Table 1, which is a PRACH table provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Table 1, taking PRACH configuration index 86 as an example, the contents of the PRACH table are shown.

[0155] Table 1. A PRACH table

[0156] Optionally, the PRACH configuration information may also include the frequency domain configuration information of the ROs, namely the frequency domain start position (configurable via the parameter msg1-FrequencyStart) and the number of ROs in the frequency domain (configurable via the parameter msg1-FDM). The PRACH configuration information may also include other information, such as the number of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) mapped on an RO, the total number of preambles on an RO, or the number of contention-based preambles associated with each SSB, etc.

[0157] In the first version of the NR protocol (R15), only one set of PRACH resources, i.e., one rach-ConfigCommon signaling, was configured in the uplink bandwidth part (BWP). With the continuous evolution of the standard protocol, multiple sets of PRACH resources, i.e., multiple rach-ConfigCommon signaling, can be configured in the uplink BWP for different features or feature combinations (FC). Here, features can be understood as functions or characteristics. For example, R16 introduced the 2-step random access channel (RACH) feature. Another example is R17, which introduced lightweight UE, i.e., reduced capability (RedCap), small data transmission (SDT), and msg3 repetition. Yet another example is R18, which introduced msg1 repetition and enhanced RedCap. The uplink BWP also includes the initial uplink BWP.

[0158] To enable network devices to identify whether terminal devices support these feature combinations as early as possible, the standard uses PRACH resources to distinguish different feature combinations. In other words, different PRACH resources can correspond to different feature combinations, or different PRACH resources can be associated with different feature combinations. It should be understood that a terminal device supporting a certain feature combination can receive the PRACH resource configured by the network device and associated with that feature combination.

[0159] For example, the feature combination corresponding to the R15 PRACH resources may include features that support NR. It is understood that NR-enabled terminal devices can receive the R15 PRACH resources configured by the network.

[0160] The feature combinations corresponding to R16 PRACH resources can include 2-step PRACH features. It can be understood that terminal devices supporting 2-step PRACH can receive the R16 PRACH resources configured by the network device.

[0161] The feature combinations corresponding to the R17 PRACH resources can include msg3 repetition and / or RedCap features. It is understood that terminal devices supporting msg3 repetition and / or RedCap can receive the R17 PRACH resources configured by the network device.

[0162] The characteristic combinations corresponding to the R18 PRACH resources can include the repeat feature of msg1. It can be understood that terminal devices that support the repeat of msg1 can receive the R18 PRACH resources configured by the network device.

[0163] 2. Physical Random Access Channel Occasion (PRACH occasion, RO)

[0164] In the random access procedure, the random access preamble (also known as the random access preamble or preamble) is sent in the RO (Real Access Resource). Network devices can configure the RO for terminal devices, and the terminal devices can send the random access preamble in the RO configured by the network device. The RO can be understood as the time-frequency resource used by the terminal device for random access, and it can be configured by the network device through the parameter `prach-ConfigurationIndex`.

[0165] Specifically, in the time domain, network devices can configure which time slots have ROs within a configuration period, how many PRACH time slots are contained in a time slot, and how many ROs are contained in a PRACH time slot, etc., using the parameter `prach-ConfigurationIndex`. The configuration period can be 10 milliseconds (ms), 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms. In the frequency domain, network devices can configure the number of ROs in the frequency domain using the parameter `msg1-FDM`, which can also be understood as the number of ROs in frequency division multiplexing (FDM), for example, 1, 2, 4, or 8.

[0166] ROs can be categorized into valid ROs and invalid ROs. Valid ROs can be associated with Service Business Providers (SSBs), meaning an SSB is associated with or mapped to a valid RO. Invalid ROs are not associated with SSBs. Whether an RO is valid or invalid can be determined by a rule (e.g., rule 1). For example, rule 1 might include the following rule:

[0167] Rule 1-1: All ROs in an FDD system are valid ROs.

[0168] Rule 1-2: In a TDD system, if the network device is not configured with uplink / downlink common configuration information (which can be configured via the tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon parameter), within the PRACH time slot, if a certain RO is not before an SSB, and the time-domain interval between the RO and the last symbol of the SSB is greater than or equal to a preset interval (Ngap symbols), then the RO is a valid RO. If the network device is configured with uplink / downlink common configuration information, if a certain RO is within an uplink symbol (which can be denoted as a UL symbol), then the RO is a valid RO. Alternatively, within the PRACH time slot, if a certain RO is not before an SSB, and the time-domain interval between the RO and the last symbol of the SSB is greater than or equal to a preset interval (Ngap symbols), and the time-domain interval between the RO and the downlink symbol (which can be denoted as a DL symbol) is also greater than or equal to a preset interval (Ngap symbols), then the RO is a valid RO.

[0169] It should be understood that the terminal device only transmits the random access preamble on valid ROs. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, RO in the embodiments of this application refers to valid ROs.

[0170] 3. Mapping relationship between RO and SSB

[0171] The number of Service Servants (SSBs) mapped to a single Return Array (RO) (denoted as N) can be 1 / 8, 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc. That is, one SSB can be mapped to one or more ROs, or multiple SSBs can be mapped to one RO. For example, when N = 1 / 4, it can be understood that the number of SSBs mapped to one RO is 0.25, or that one SSB is mapped to four ROs, meaning four ROs share one SSB. Alternatively, it can be understood as one SSB being mapped to four ROs. As another example, when N = 2, it can be understood that the number of SSBs mapped to one RO is 2, or that two SSBs are mapped to one RO.

[0172] In this embodiment, the SSB is mapped to the RO, or the RO is mapped to an SSB, which can be understood as the SSB being associated with the RO. Furthermore, the SSB can also be associated with a preamble in the RO.

[0173] For example, the process of mapping an SSB to a RO, or mapping an SSB to a preamble in a RO, can satisfy the following rules:

[0174] The first step is to map within a RO in ascending order of the preamble index. One RO can correspond to multiple SSBs, and each SSB corresponds to a different preamble.

[0175] The second step is to map the frequencies in ascending order according to the RO index.

[0176] The third step is to map the data in chronological order within a PRACH time slot.

[0177] The fourth step is to map multiple PRACH slots in ascending order according to their PRACH slot indices, that is, according to their chronological order.

[0178] In summary, the process of mapping SSB to RO can be performed by first mapping in an RO in ascending order of the random access preamble index, and then mapping in the order of frequency domain first and then time domain. When mapping SSB to RO, the mapping can be performed sequentially in ascending order of SSB index.

[0179] To facilitate understanding, the process of mapping SSB to RO will be illustrated in Figure 3 below.

[0180] For example, suppose the network device sends 4 SSBs, which are represented as SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3. Assume there are 4 ROs, RO0, RO1, RO2, and RO3. Taking an RO with 2 mapped SSBs and 1 RO in the frequency domain as an example, the mapping result according to the above rules can be shown in Figure 3(a). That is, RO0 maps SSB0 and SSB1, RO1 maps SSB2 and SSB3, RO2 maps SSB0 and SSB1, and RO3 maps SSB2 and SSB3.

[0181] For example, suppose the network device sends 4 SSBs, denoted as SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, and SSB3. Assume there are 4 ROs: RO0, RO1, RO2, and RO3. Taking an RO with 1 mapped SSB and 2 ROs in the frequency domain as an example, the mapping result according to the above rules is shown in Figure 3(b). That is, RO0 maps to SSB0, RO1 maps to SSB1, RO2 maps to SSB2, and RO3 maps to SSB3.

[0182] For example, suppose the network device sends 5 SSBs, which are represented as SSB0, SSB1, SSB2, SSB3, and SSB4. Assume there are 8 ROs: RO0, RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4, RO5, RO6, and RO7. Taking an RO with 2 mapped SSBs and 2 ROs in the frequency domain as an example, the mapping result according to the above rules is shown in Figure 3(c). That is, RO0 maps SSB0 and SSB1, RO1 maps SSB2 and SSB3, RO2 maps SSB4 and SSB0, RO3 maps SSB1 and SSB2, RO4 maps SSB3 and SSB4, RO5 maps SSB0 and SSB1, RO6 maps SSB2 and SSB3, and RO7 maps SSB4.

[0183] It should be noted that valid ROs can participate in the SSB-to-RO mapping, while invalid ROs do not.

[0184] With the continuous evolution of standard protocols, the New Radio (NR) protocol has evolved from the first version, Release 15 (R15), to the current Release 19 (R19). If the terminal device supports R19 and other traditional protocol versions, such as R15, Release 16 (R16), Release 17 (R17), or Release 18 (R18), the network device can configure PRACH resources corresponding to different protocol versions. The terminal device can then send random access preambles through the R19 ROs included in the R19 PRACH resources and the traditional ROs included in the PRACH resources of traditional protocol versions. Since the period of traditional ROs is relatively large and the period of R19 ROs is relatively small, the time-frequency resources of R19 ROs and traditional ROs may overlap. However, when there is overlap, the R19 RO will be considered an invalid RO, meaning it cannot be used to send random access preambles, which may affect the random access efficiency of the terminal device. Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by this application is: how to improve the random access efficiency of terminal devices.

[0185] Based on the above, the communication method of this application embodiment will be described below by way of example.

[0186] Please refer to Figure 4, which is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be understood that the communication method shown in Figure 4 is applicable to the communication systems shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. This communication method can be executed interactively by a terminal device and a network device, or it can be executed interactively by a chip, chip system, or processor in the terminal device and the network device; this application does not impose specific limitations in this regard. The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as the executing entities. As shown in Figure 4, the communication method may include the following steps:

[0187] S401, the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource.

[0188] In some feasible implementations, the terminal device can determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource can be associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource can be associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination.

[0189] It is understood that the aforementioned first PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource used to determine overlap with the second PRACH resource, so as to identify a third PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource.

[0190] In this context, a feature combination, also known as a characteristic combination, can include one or more features or characteristics. A PRACH resource associated with a feature combination can also be understood as a PRACH resource corresponding to a feature combination. It should be understood that a terminal device configured with PRACH resources can support one, more, or all of the features included in the feature combination corresponding to that PRACH resource. Furthermore, a terminal device configured with PRACH resources can be understood as being able to receive or be able to receive that PRACH resource.

[0191] It should be noted that the terminal device of this application can be a terminal device configured with the second PRACH resource, that is, the terminal device of this application can be a terminal device that supports the first feature combination.

[0192] Optionally, the features included in the feature combination can be features from the same protocol version or features from different protocol versions.

[0193] It should be noted that, since different PRACH resources correspond to different feature combinations, the protocol versions corresponding to the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource can be the same or different.

[0194] Optionally, the first feature combination may include a PRACH adaptation feature or a subband full-duplex feature. In possible scenarios, the PRACH adaptation feature or the subband full-duplex feature can be a feature associated with the PRACH resource of R19. That is, the second PRACH resource associated with the first feature combination can be understood as the PRACH resource of R19. It should be understood that the first feature combination may also include other features, that is, the PRACH resource of R19 may also be associated with other features, such as at least one of the following: NR feature, 2-step PRACH feature, repeating feature of msg3, RedCap feature, repeating feature of msg1, enhanced RedCap feature, SDT feature, etc. This application is not limited in this respect.

[0195] In the case where the first feature combination includes PRACH adjustment features, the second PRACH resource is associated with the first feature combination, that is, the second PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH adjustment features. This can be understood as terminal devices that support PRACH adjustment features being able to use the second PRACH resource, or in other words, terminal devices that support dynamic adjustment of PRACH resources being able to use the second PRACH resource. It should be noted that PRACH adjustment, or dynamic adjustment of PRACH resources, can be understood as the network device informing the terminal device whether the PRACH resource (i.e., the second PRACH resource) is available through downlink control information (DCI) or other signaling. In other words, DCI and other signaling can indicate whether the PRACH resource (i.e., the second PRACH resource) can be used to transmit random access preambles, thereby enabling dynamic adjustment of PRACH resources.

[0196] Optionally, the second feature combination may include NR features, or it may include only NR features, i.e., excluding other features. It should be understood that a terminal device supporting NR features can support PRACH resources in the R15 protocol version, and the feature combination corresponding to these PRACH resources can be understood as NR features. In this case, the first PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource in the R15 protocol version, or it may include R15 PRACH resources, or it may include only R15 PRACH resources. Specifically, R15 PRACH resources can be understood as PRACH resources configured by the `rach-ConfigCommon` signaling.

[0197] In this embodiment, the protocol can be understood as a protocol of the 3GPP Technical Specification (TS) 38 series, such as TS 38.331. The protocol version can be understood as different versions of the protocol. For example, the R15 protocol may include TS 38.331 version 15.x.0 or TS 38.331 version 15.x.1. Similarly, the R16 protocol may include TS 38.331 version 16.x.0 or TS 38.331 version 16.x.1. Likewise, the R17 protocol may include TS 38.331 version 17.x.0 or TS 38.331 version 17.x.1, and so on. x is a non-negative integer.

[0198] It should be noted that, with the evolution of standard protocols, although terminal devices supporting R16, R17, or R18 introduce some new terminal capabilities compared to terminal devices supporting R15, terminal devices supporting R16, R17, or R18 can still support NR. That is, terminal devices supporting NR features can also support certain features in the R16, R17, or R18 protocol versions, and thus can receive the PRACH resources corresponding to those features. The feature combination corresponding to the PRACH resource can include NR features. In this case, the first PRACH resource can be any PRACH resource in the R16, R17, or R18 protocol versions, or it can include PRACH resources from R16, R17, or R18, or it can include only any PRACH resource from R16, R17, or R18.

[0199] In other words, the first PRACH resource associated with the second feature combination can be understood as a PRACH resource of R15, R16, R17 or R18, or the first PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource of a traditional protocol version.

[0200] Optionally, the second feature combination may also include other features. For example, the second feature combination may also include a 2-step RACH feature, in which case the first PRACH resource may also include PRACH resources associated with the 2-step RACH feature. As another example, the second feature combination may also include the repeating feature of msg1, in which case the first PRACH resource may also include PRACH resources associated with the repeating feature of msg1. The second feature combination may also include at least one of the following: RedCap feature, SDT feature, repeating feature of msg3, and enhanced RedCap (eRedCap) feature.

[0201] In one possible implementation, when the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource can be associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource can be associated with the second sub-feature combination. The first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination are different. It is understood that the first sub-PRACH resource and the second sub-PRACH resource can correspond to different protocol versions, or they can correspond to the same protocol version.

[0202] In other words, the first PRACH resource used for overlapping determination with the second PRACH resource can include two PRACH resources. For example, the first PRACH resource can include the PRACH resource of R16 and the PRACH resource of R18. As another example, the first PRACH resource can include the PRACH resource of R15 and the PRACH resource associated with the repeating feature of msg1.

[0203] It should be understood that the first PRACH resource may also include three or more PRACH resources, but this application does not limit this.

[0204] In summary, in the embodiments of this application, the first PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource of a conventional protocol version associated with the second feature combination, that is, it can be one or more of the PRACH resources of R15, R16, R17, or R18 associated with the second feature combination, and the second PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource of R19. It should be understood that the second PRACH resource can also be a PRACH resource corresponding to a protocol version in a future communication standard protocol, such as a PRACH resource of R20, and this application is not limited to this.

[0205] It should be added that, in addition to the first and second PRACH resources, network devices in the communication system can also configure PRACH resources of other traditional protocol versions, such as R16, R17, or R18 PRACH resources. However, these other traditional protocol versions of PRACH resources are not used for overlap determination with the second PRACH resource. It should be understood that network devices can pre-configure or the protocol can stipulate that these other traditional protocol versions of PRACH resources cannot overlap with the second PRACH resource. In this way, the terminal device only needs to determine the overlap between the second PRACH resource and the first PRACH resource, instead of checking for overlap with all PRACH resources configured by the network device, thus simplifying the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0206] Optionally, PRACH resources may include at least one RO, or in other words, time-frequency resources that may include at least one RO, which can be used to transmit random access preambles. In the embodiments of this application, PRACH resources can be understood as (or equivalent to) RO or time-frequency resources of RO.

[0207] In other words, the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. This can also be understood as the terminal device determining the time-frequency resource of the third RO (Resource Occurring in the Second PRACH Resource) that does not overlap with the time-frequency resource of the first RO (Resource Occurring in the First PRACH Resource) from the time-frequency resource of the second RO (Resource Occurring in the Second PRACH Resource). Alternatively, the terminal device can determine at least one third RO that does not overlap with the first RO from at least one second RO included in the second PRACH resource, based on at least one first RO included in the first PRACH resource. This at least one third RO can be understood as any RO included in the third PRACH resource. In this case, the second RO can be associated with a first feature combination, which can be understood as the preamble in the second RO being associated with the first feature combination. The first RO can be associated with a second feature combination, which can be understood as the preamble in the first RO being associated with the second feature combination.

[0208] It should be understood that the aforementioned third RO can be used to transmit random access preambles, and it can be referred to as a valid RO, an available RO, or an RO that is permitted to be used. It is understood that the fourth RO, which overlaps with the first RO in the aforementioned second RO, cannot be used to transmit random access preambles, and it can be referred to as an invalid RO, an unavailable RO, or an RO that is not permitted to be used. Alternatively, it can be understood that the preambles in the fourth RO, which overlaps with the first RO in the aforementioned second RO, are not associated with the first feature combination. Here, "the preambles in the fourth RO are not associated with the first feature combination" can mean that all the preambles in the fourth RO are not associated with the first feature combination, or it can mean that some of the preambles in the fourth RO are not associated with the first feature combination.

[0209] In one alternative implementation, the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource do not overlap, which may include at least one of the following: the first time-domain resource of the first PRACH resource does not overlap with the second time-domain resource of the third PRACH resource; or, the first frequency-domain resource of the first PRACH resource does not overlap with the second frequency-domain resource of the third PRACH resource; or, the first time-frequency resource of the first PRACH resource does not overlap with the second time-frequency resource of the third PRACH resource.

[0210] In other words, the non-overlapping of the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource can mean that the time domain resources of the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource do not overlap, or it can mean that the frequency domain resources of the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource do not overlap, or it can mean that the time domain resources and the frequency domain resources of the first PRACH resource and the third PRACH resource do not overlap.

[0211] Since PRACH resources include the time-frequency resources of RO, the non-overlapping of the first PRACH resources and the third PRACH resources can mean that the time-domain resources of the first RO included in the first PRACH resources do not overlap with the time-domain resources of the third RO included in the third PRACH resources, or it can mean that the frequency-domain resources of the first RO do not overlap with the frequency-domain resources of the third RO, or it can mean that neither the time-frequency resources of the first RO nor the time-frequency resources of the third RO overlap.

[0212] In the embodiments of this application, the non-overlapping of two PRACH resources can mean that the time-domain resources of the two PRACH resources do not overlap, or that the frequency-domain resources do not overlap, or that neither the time-domain resources nor the frequency-domain resources overlap. Alternatively, the non-overlapping of two PRACH resources can mean that the time-domain resources of the ROs included in the two PRACH resources do not overlap, or that the frequency-domain resources do not overlap, or that neither the time-domain resources nor the frequency-domain resources overlap.

[0213] It can be understood that the overlap of two PRACH resources can refer to the overlap of time-domain resources or frequency-domain resources of the two PRACH resources, or it can refer to the overlap of time-frequency domain resources of the ROs included in the two PRACH resources.

[0214] Resource overlap can refer to complete resource overlap or partial resource overlap; this application does not limit this.

[0215] In one optional implementation, the terminal device can determine the fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource within the first time period. Here, the fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0216] The duration of the first time period can be greater than or equal to the larger of the first time domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time domain period of the second PRACH resource.

[0217] It should be noted that the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource can be understood as the period of the first RO included in the first PRACH resource, and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource can be understood as the period of the second RO included in the second PRACH resource. For example, if the period of the first RO is 160ms, then the first time-domain period can be 160ms. As another example, if the period of the second RO is 80ms, then the second time-domain period can be 80ms. In other words, the duration of the first time segment can be greater than or equal to the larger of the periods of the first and second ROs.

[0218] In other words, the terminal device can determine overlap within a time period corresponding to a preset duration (such as the first time period), that is, determine the fourth PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. The preset duration can be greater than or equal to the larger of the first and second time-domain periods. Since both the first and second PRACH resources are periodic, the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources in other time periods corresponding to the preset duration is consistent with the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources in the first time period. Therefore, the terminal device does not need to determine overlap in other time periods; it only needs to combine the position of the fourth PRACH resource in the first time period to determine the position of the PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource in other time periods, and thus determine the third PRACH resource.

[0219] For example, if the preset duration T = 160ms, the terminal device can determine overlap within the time frame of 0ms to 160ms, that is, determine the fourth PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Since the overlap of PRACH resources in the next preset duration T, i.e., the time frame of 161ms to 320ms, is consistent with the overlap of PRACH resources in the time frame of 0ms to 160ms, the terminal device does not need to repeat the overlap determination. By combining the fourth PRACH resource with the corresponding first and second PRACH resources in this time frame, the PRACH resources that do not overlap with the first PRACH resource in this time frame can be determined. Similarly, in other time frames corresponding to the preset duration, the resource overlap is consistent with the overlap of PRACH resources in the time frame of 0ms to 160ms.

[0220] For ease of understanding, the process of determining the third PRACH resource will be illustrated below with reference to Figure 5.

[0221] Please refer to Figure 5, which is a schematic diagram of a PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. Here, we take an example where the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource have the same frequency domain resources, and the first time domain period T1 of the first PRACH resource is 160ms, and the second time domain period T2 of the second PRACH resource is 80ms. Assume the duration of the first time segment is 160ms. As shown in Figure 5, each square represents a RO corresponding to the PRACH resource. The first row shows the ROs corresponding to the first PRACH resource in the time domain, and the second row shows the ROs corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the time domain. Blank-filled squares represent valid ROs, which can participate in the SSB-to-RO mapping. Slash-filled squares represent invalid ROs, which cannot participate in the SSB-to-RO mapping.

[0222] It should be understood that the valid and invalid ROs involved in this application are described in relation to PRACH resources. For example, signaling 1 in SIB1 (e.g., prach-ConfigurationIndex 1) configures PRACH resources. The PRACH resources configured by signaling 1 include valid and invalid ROs (the determination of valid and invalid ROs refers to the previous description of ROs, specifically rule 1). The first PRACH resource may include valid ROs in the PRACH resources configured by signaling 1. Alternatively, the first PRACH resource may include valid ROs in the PRACH resources configured by signaling 1 that are associated with an SSB. That is, if a valid RO is not associated with an SSB, then that valid RO does not belong to the first PRACH resource. Or, the first PRACH resource may include both valid and invalid ROs in the PRACH resources configured by signaling 1. That is, as long as it is an RO configured by signaling 1, regardless of whether it is valid or not, it belongs to the first PRACH resource, and they can all be used to determine the third PRACH resource by overlapping with the second PRACH resource.

[0223] It should be understood that the same applies to the second and third PRACH resources. For example, signaling 2 in SIB1 (e.g., prach-ConfigurationIndex 2) configures PRACH resources. This configured PRACH resource includes valid ROs and invalid ROs. The second PRACH resource can include valid ROs from the PRACH resource configured by signaling 2. It should be noted that for the PRACH resource configured by signaling 2, the validity of an RO can be determined according to rule 1 described above, thus allowing the valid ROs from the PRACH resource configured by signaling 2 to be identified as the second PRACH resource.

[0224] The third PRACH resource can include valid ROs (Restricted Roots) in the PRACH resource configured by signaling 2 that do not overlap with the first PRACH resource. That is, if a valid RO in the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource, then that valid RO does not belong to the third PRACH resource; in other words, for the third PRACH resource, that RO is an invalid RO. If a valid RO does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, then that valid RO belongs to the third PRACH resource; in other words, for the third PRACH resource, that RO is still a valid RO. Simply put, signaling 2 in SIB1 (e.g., prach-ConfigurationIndex 2) configures PRACH resources, and the valid ROs in the PRACH resources configured by signaling 2 are the third PRACH resources. However, in this case, when determining valid and invalid ROs for the PRACH resources configured by signaling 2, in addition to considering rule 1 above, it is also necessary to consider whether they overlap with the first PRACH resource. If there is overlap, it is an invalid RO; if there is no overlap, it is a valid RO. This rule of determining whether an RO is valid based on whether it overlaps with the first PRACH resource can be understood as Rule 2. Rule 2 can also be understood as ROs that do not overlap with the first PRACH resource being valid ROs. In other words, for the PRACH resources configured in Signaling 2, the terminal device can combine Rule 1 and Rule 2 to determine the valid ROs in the PRACH resources configured in Signaling 2, and can identify these valid ROs as the third PRACH resource. Combining Rule 1 and Rule 2, it can be understood that for FDD, ROs that do not overlap with the first PRACH resource are valid ROs; for TDD, both Rule 1-2 and Rule 2 must be satisfied.

[0225] Referring to Figure 5, in the first time period, the first PRACH resource corresponds to one RO, and the second PRACH resource corresponds to two ROs. Since the time-domain and frequency-domain resources of the first RO corresponding to the first PRACH resource overlap with those of the first RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the first time period, their time-frequency resources overlap. However, the frequency-domain resources of the first RO corresponding to the first PRACH resource overlap with those of the second RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource, but their time-domain resources do not overlap. Therefore, their time-frequency resources do not overlap. In other words, when the terminal device makes an overlap determination based on the first and second PRACH resources in the first time period, it can determine that the first RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first RO corresponding to the first PRACH resource. Therefore, in the first time period, the first RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource does not belong to the third PRACH resource; that is, for the third PRACH resource, this RO is an invalid RO. Furthermore, since the second RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first RO corresponding to the first PRACH resource, in the first time period, the second RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource belongs to the third PRACH resource; that is, for the third PRACH resource, this RO is a valid RO. It should be noted that the first RO corresponding to the first PRACH resource here is a valid RO.

[0226] Since PRACH resources are periodic, the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources in the second time period is similar to that in the first time period. That is, in the second time period, if the first RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first RO of the first PRACH resource, then the first RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the second time period does not belong to the third PRACH resource; in other words, for the third PRACH resource, this RO is an invalid RO. Furthermore, in the second time period, if the second RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first RO of the first PRACH resource, then the second RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the second time period belongs to the third PRACH resource; in other words, for the third PRACH resource, this RO is a valid RO. In other words, in the time domain, the third RO corresponding to the second PRACH resource does not belong to the third PRACH resource, while the fourth RO does.

[0227] Similarly, within the same duration after the second time period, it is also possible to determine the ROs belonging to the third PRACH resource and the ROs not belonging to the third PRACH resource among the multiple ROs contained in the second PRACH resource. In other words, it is possible to determine the valid and invalid ROs for the third PRACH resource among the multiple ROs contained in the second PRACH resource. That is, in the time domain, the fifth and seventh ROs corresponding to the second PRACH resource are invalid ROs, and the sixth RO is a valid RO.

[0228] Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, in the time domain, the first, second, third, and fourth ROs corresponding to the first PRACH resource are all valid ROs, and the second, fourth, and sixth ROs corresponding to the second PRACH resource all belong to the third PRACH resource. That is, for the third PRACH resource, these three ROs are all valid ROs. Furthermore, in the time domain, the first, third, fifth, and seventh ROs corresponding to the second PRACH resource do not belong to the third PRACH resource; that is, for the third PRACH resource, these four ROs are all invalid ROs.

[0229] In summary, within the first time period, the terminal device can determine the fourth PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. The ROs included in the fourth PRACH resource are the second ROs corresponding to the second PRACH resource shown in Figure 5. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource. The ROs included in the third PRACH resource are the blank-filled squares shown in the second row of Figure 5.

[0230] In the above implementation, since both the first and second PRACH resources are periodic, the terminal device only needs to perform overlap judgment based on the first and second PRACH resources within a single time period corresponding to a preset duration. In the next preset time period, the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources is consistent with the overlap in the previous time period, thus eliminating the need for the terminal device to repeatedly perform overlap judgment. In other words, using this method, the terminal device does not need to continuously perform overlap judgment in the time domain; it only needs to judge the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources within a single time period. This improves the random access efficiency of the terminal device and simplifies its implementation complexity.

[0231] In another alternative implementation, the terminal device may receive first information from the network device. Here, the first information can be used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource. Furthermore, if the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, the terminal device can directly determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource, without needing to determine overlap to identify the third PRACH resource. This improves the efficiency of random access and simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0232] If the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, the terminal device can determine the valid RO based solely on Rule 1, and thus determine the third PRACH resource. For example, if the network device configures PRACH resources via signaling 2 (e.g., prach-ConfigurationIndex 2), the terminal device can determine the valid RO in the PRACH resource according to Rule 1. This valid RO is then the second PRACH resource. Furthermore, if the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, this valid RO is also the third PRACH resource. That is, in this case, the terminal device does not need to combine Rule 2 to determine whether the multiple ROs included in the PRACH resource configured by signaling 2 are valid ROs.

[0233] It should be noted that the first information can also be understood as an instruction to the terminal device on whether to determine the valid RO and invalid RO according to rule 2.

[0234] It should be understood that when the first information indicates that the first PRACH resource overlaps with the second PRACH resource, the terminal device needs to determine the overlap, that is, to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. The specific process can be found in the relevant content above, and will not be repeated here.

[0235] Optionally, the first information may include 1 bit of information, i.e., 0 or 1. For example, when the first information is 0, it can be used to indicate that the first PRACH resource overlaps with the second PRACH resource. When the first information is 1, it can be used to indicate that the first PRACH resource does not overlap with the second PRACH resource.

[0236] It should be noted that in actual implementation, the ROs included in the second PRACH resource can exist as multiple ROs in the frequency domain. That is, one RO can contain other ROs in frequency division multiplexing (FDM). The fact that one RO can contain other FDM ROs can be understood as these ROs having the same time-domain resources but different frequency-domain resources; hence, they are called other FDM ROs. The third PRACH resource determined when the ROs included in the second PRACH resource contain other FDM ROs will be described below.

[0237] In one possible implementation, if the second PRACH resource includes a fifth PRACH resource and a sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth and sixth PRACH resources have the same temporal domain resources, then the fifth PRACH resource may not be included in the third PRACH resource. It should be understood that the sixth PRACH resource here can be the PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource as determined by the terminal device in the aforementioned overlap determination.

[0238] It can be understood that the fifth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, and the frequency domain resources of the fifth PRACH resource are different from those of the sixth PRACH resource. However, the time domain resources of the fifth PRACH resource are the same as those of the sixth PRACH resource. Therefore, the ROs included in the fifth PRACH resource can be understood as frequency-division multiplexed ROs of the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource. In this case, if the sixth PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource, that is, if the sixth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource, then the fifth PRACH resource is also not included in the third PRACH resource. In other words, if the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource cannot be used to transmit random access preambles, then other ROs frequency-division multiplexed with that RO, that is, the ROs included in the fifth PRACH resource, also cannot be used to transmit random access preambles. That is, in addition to ROs overlapping with the first PRACH resource (e.g., RO 1) not belonging to the third PRACH resource, ROs in the second PRACH resource that have the same time domain resources as RO 1 also do not belong to the third PRACH resource.

[0239] For ease of understanding, the fifth PRACH resource will be illustrated below with reference to Figure 6.

[0240] Please refer to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, each square represents a RO corresponding to the PRACH resource. The first row shown in the figure represents the ROs sequentially corresponding to the first PRACH resource in the time domain, and the second and third rows represent the ROs sequentially corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the time domain. The multiple ROs corresponding to the third row can be understood as frequency-division multiplexed ROs of the multiple ROs corresponding to the second row. The second PRACH resource in the second row has the same frequency domain resource as the first PRACH resource, for example, it can be f1. The frequency domain resource corresponding to the second PRACH resource in the third row is different from the frequency domain resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource, for example, it can be f2. Among them, blank-filled squares represent valid ROs, slash-filled squares represent ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource, and grid-filled squares represent ROs included in the fifth PRACH resource.

[0241] Referring to Figure 6, the terminal device, based on the overlap determination of the first and second PRACH resources, can identify the ROs (Representative Roots) in the second PRACH resource that overlap with the ROs in the first PRACH resource, as shown in the slash-filled squares in the figure. These are the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource. It should be understood that the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource are invalid ROs and cannot be used to transmit random access preambles. Since the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource and the ROs represented by the grid-filled squares have the same time-domain resources but different frequency-domain resources, the ROs represented by the grid-filled squares can be called the frequency division multiplexing ROs of the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource, i.e., the ROs included in the fifth PRACH resource. Because the ROs included in the sixth PRACH resource are invalid ROs, the ROs included in the fifth PRACH resource are also invalid ROs.

[0242] In summary, when determining overlap based on the first and second PRACH resources, in the frequency domain, some ROs of the second PRACH resource may overlap with ROs of the first PRACH resource (as shown in the slash-filled squares in Figure 6), while other ROs of the second PRACH resource may not overlap with ROs of the first PRACH resource (as shown in the grid-filled squares in Figure 6). Since overlapping ROs are considered invalid ROs, and non-overlapping ROs are considered valid ROs, the number of valid ROs in the frequency domain will differ at different times, increasing the complexity of the SSB-to-RO mapping. Therefore, using the above method, in the frequency domain, the frequency division multiplexing ROs of overlapping ROs can also be considered invalid ROs, i.e., the ROs represented by the grid-filled squares in Figure 6 are also invalid ROs. Consequently, these invalid ROs will not participate in the SSB-to-RO mapping, ensuring that the number of valid ROs is the same in the time domain, which helps reduce the complexity of the SSB-to-RO mapping.

[0243] In one optional implementation, the priority of the first PRACH resource can be higher than the priority of the second PRACH resource. That is, the priority of the PRACH resource used for overlap determination with the second PRACH resource can be higher than the second PRACH resource.

[0244] In specific implementations, network devices can configure multiple sets of PRACH resources, and each set of PRACH resources can be associated with a priority level. It should be understood that the configuration information of these multiple sets of PRACH resources is different. The protocol versions corresponding to these multiple sets of PRACH resources can be the same or different; this application does not limit this. Furthermore, the terminal device can obtain the PRACH resource (i.e., the second PRACH resource) corresponding to a feature combination it supports. Then, the terminal device can combine the priorities corresponding to the above multiple sets of PRACH resources to obtain a PRACH resource with a higher priority than the second PRACH resource, and further determine this PRACH resource as the first PRACH resource for overlap determination.

[0245] Optionally, there can be multiple sets of PRACH resources with higher priority than the second PRACH resource. The terminal device can acquire all PRACH resources with higher priority than the second PRACH resource for overlap determination. Alternatively, the terminal device can acquire a portion of the PRACH resources with higher priority than the second PRACH resource according to preset rules for overlap determination. For example, it can acquire the highest priority PRACH resource, or acquire PRACH resources with a preset priority level higher than the second PRACH resource. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0246] For example, suppose the network device is configured with four different sets of PRACH resources and the priorities associated with these four sets of PRACH resources. Taking the first, second, third, and fourth sets of PRACH resources as examples, assume the first set of PRACH resources is associated with priority 0 and feature combination 1; the second set of PRACH resources is associated with priority 1 and feature combination 2; the third set of PRACH resources is associated with priority 2 and feature combination 3; and the fourth set of PRACH resources is associated with priority 3 and feature combination 4. The smaller the priority index, the higher the priority. That is, the priorities of these four sets of PRACH resources, from highest to lowest, are: the first set of PRACH resources, the second set of PRACH resources, the third set of PRACH resources, and the fourth set of PRACH resources.

[0247] Specifically, when the terminal device supports feature combination 2, the terminal device can obtain the second set of PRACH resources (i.e., the second PRACH resource). Furthermore, the terminal device can also obtain PRACH resources with higher priority. Since the first set of PRACH resources has a higher priority than the second set of PRACH resources, the terminal device can also obtain the first set of PRACH resources (i.e., the first PRACH resource), and then determine the third PRACH resource from the second set of PRACH resources based on the first set of PRACH resources.

[0248] If the terminal device supports feature combination 3, the terminal device can obtain a third set of PRACH resources. Furthermore, the terminal device can also obtain higher priority PRACH resources, namely the first set of PRACH resources and the second set of PRACH resources, for use in overlapping determination with the third set of PRACH resources.

[0249] If the terminal device supports feature combination 4, the terminal device can obtain a fourth set of PRACH resources. Furthermore, the terminal device can also obtain higher priority PRACH resources, namely the first set of PRACH resources, the second set of PRACH resources, and the third set of PRACH resources, for use in overlapping determination with the fourth set of PRACH resources.

[0250] In the above implementation, the terminal device can obtain a first PRACH resource with a higher priority than the second PRACH resource, and determine the third PRACH resource by performing an overlap judgment based on the first and second PRACH resources. Using this method, the terminal device does not need to determine overlap between the second PRACH resource and all the multiple PRACH resources configured by the network device; it can only determine overlap with PRACH resources with a higher priority than the second PRACH resource. This improves the efficiency of random access and simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0251] It should be noted that a communication system may have multiple terminal devices supporting the first feature combination. Each of these terminal devices can be configured with a set of second PRACH resources, meaning there can be multiple sets of second PRACH resources in the communication system. In possible scenarios, these multiple sets of second PRACH resources may each correspond to a first PRACH resource used for determining overlap. For example, assuming there are a first set of second PRACH resources and a second set of second PRACH resources, the first PRACH resource corresponding to the first set of second PRACH resources could be a PRACH resource of R15, and the first PRACH resource corresponding to the second set of second PRACH resources could be a PRACH resource of R17. Alternatively, these multiple sets of second PRACH resources can also share a single first PRACH resource used for determining overlap; for example, the first PRACH resources corresponding to these multiple sets of second PRACH resources can all be PRACH resources of R15. This application does not limit this.

[0252] In this application embodiment, a set of PRACH resources can be understood as a PRACH resource configured by a prach-ConfigurationIndex signaling, which may have one or more ROs in the frequency domain.

[0253] S402, the network device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource.

[0254] In some feasible implementations, the network device can determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource.

[0255] Here, the specific process by which the network device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource is similar to the process by which the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant description of step S401 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0256] Optionally, after determining the overlap between the first and second PRACH resources, the network device can generate first information and send it to the terminal device. Here, the first information can be used to indicate whether the second and first PRACH resources overlap. Using this approach, if the first and second PRACH resources do not overlap, the terminal device can directly determine that they do not overlap based on the first information, without needing to perform an overlap determination. This simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0257] S403, the terminal device sends a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Correspondingly, the network device receives the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0258] In some feasible implementations, after determining the third PRACH resource, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0259] Optionally, the random access preambles sent by the terminal device on one or more ROs included in the third PRACH resource may be the same or different, and this application does not limit this.

[0260] Accordingly, after determining the third PRACH resource, the network device can receive the random access preamble from the terminal device on the third PRACH resource.

[0261] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the terminal device can determine the overlap between the first PRACH resource associated with the second feature combination and the second PRACH resource associated with the first feature combination, thereby identifying a third PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, and then sending a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on a third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the first PRACH resource, avoiding sending a random access preamble on a PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource. This improves the random access efficiency of the terminal device.

[0262] It should be noted that in the communication method shown in Figure 4, the first PRACH resource can be a resource agreed upon in the protocol for overlapping determination with the second PRACH resource. For example, the first PRACH resource for overlapping determination can be agreed upon in the protocol as PRACH resource R15, or it can be agreed upon in the protocol as both PRACH resource R15 and PRACH resource R17. That is to say, the terminal device only needs to determine the overlap between the second PRACH resource and the agreed-upon first PRACH resource, and does not need to determine the overlap between the second PRACH resource and all PRACH resources configured in the network device, which simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0263] In some feasible implementations, please continue to refer to Figure 4, where the communication method may also include step S404. It should be understood that step S404 may be performed before step S401.

[0264] S404, the network device sends third information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information.

[0265] In some feasible implementations, the network device can also generate third information and send it to the terminal device. Here, the third information can be used to configure the aforementioned second PRACH resource.

[0266] In one optional implementation, the configuration information of the second PRACH resource includes all parameters, except for the time-frequency domain configuration parameters, which can be the same as those included in the configuration information of the first PRACH resource. This reduces signaling overhead. That is, the third information can include only the time-frequency domain related configuration information of the second PRACH resource.

[0267] In one possible implementation, the third information can be broadcast by the network device via SIB1. Alternatively, the third information can also be sent by the network device to the terminal device via other signaling methods; this application is not limited to this.

[0268] SIB1 can include configuration information for PRACH resources corresponding to various protocol versions, such as PRACH resources for R15, R16, R17, R18, and R19. It should be noted that while the PRACH resources for different protocol versions can be understood as being sent to the terminal device via SIB1, these PRACH resources may be sent to the terminal device using different signaling methods.

[0269] It should be understood that all or some terminal devices within a cell in a communication system (including the terminal devices described in this application) can receive third information sent by the network device through SIB1. However, since different terminal devices support different feature combinations, different terminal devices can obtain the PRACH resources associated with their corresponding supported feature combinations through SIB1. For example, assuming a terminal device supports the PRACH adaptation feature, the terminal device can obtain the PRACH resources associated with the PRACH adaptation feature through SIB1. As another example, assuming a terminal device supports both the NR feature and the PRACH adaptation feature, the terminal device can obtain the R15 PRACH resources and the PRACH resources associated with the PRACH adaptation feature through SIB1.

[0270] Using the communication method shown in Figure 4, the terminal device and network device can determine a non-overlapping third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource agreed upon in the protocol. A random access preamble is then sent on the third PRACH resource to achieve random access. This avoids sending the random access preamble on overlapping PRACH resources, only sending it on the non-overlapping third PRACH resource, thus improving the efficiency of random access. Simultaneously, it avoids the situation where the same preamble in one RO maps to different SSBs during the mapping process between SSB and RO, leading to random access failure. Next, we will discuss another communication method shown in Figure 7. The terminal device can determine a non-overlapping third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource pre-configured by the network device, and send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource to achieve random access. This also avoids sending the random access preamble on overlapping PRACH resources, only sending it on the non-overlapping third PRACH resource, thus improving the efficiency of random access.

[0271] Please refer to Figure 7, which is a schematic diagram of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. It should be understood that the communication method shown in Figure 7 is applicable to the communication system shown in Figure 1 or Figure 2. This communication method can be executed interactively by a terminal device and a network device, or it can be executed interactively by a chip, chip system, or processor in the terminal device and the network device; this application does not impose specific limitations in this regard. The following description uses a terminal device and a network device as the executing entities. As shown in Figure 7, this communication method may include the following steps:

[0272] S701, the network device sends the second information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the second information.

[0273] In some feasible implementations, the network device can generate second information and send it to the terminal device. Here, the second information can be used to configure the seventh PRACH resource. Specifically, the second information can be used only to configure the time-frequency resources of the seventh PRACH resource. The second information does not include configuration information for the preamble of the seventh PRACH resource, the number of SSBs mapped in the RO, etc. The second information is configured for terminal devices that support the first feature combination and is carried in SIB1.

[0274] Optionally, the second information includes configuration information for the seventh PRACH resource, specifically including at least one of the following: the PRACH configuration index of the seventh PRACH resource, the frequency domain start position of the ROs included in the seventh PRACH resource, and the number of ROs in the frequency domain. For example, it may include the RACH configuration index and the frequency domain start position of the ROs. The aforementioned three types of configuration information for the seventh PRACH resource can be configured using the three parameters prach-ConfigurationIndex, msg1-FrequencyStart, and msg1-FDM, respectively.

[0275] It should be noted that network devices can send only the configuration information of the aforementioned three types of seventh PRACH resources to terminal devices so that terminal devices can determine the time and frequency resources of the RO included in the seventh PRACH resources, without sending other configuration information of the seventh PRACH resources. This can reduce indication overhead.

[0276] Accordingly, the terminal device can receive the second information sent from the network device and obtain the content contained in the second information.

[0277] S702, the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource.

[0278] In some feasible implementations, after determining the seventh PRACH resource based on the second information, the terminal device can determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource can be associated with the first feature combination.

[0279] It can be understood that the seventh PRACH resource can be a PRACH resource used to determine overlap with the second PRACH resource, in order to identify the third PRACH resource within the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. Alternatively, it can be understood that the seventh PRACH resource corresponds to the second PRACH resource. Furthermore, some parameters of the second PRACH resource are the same as those of the seventh PRACH resource when the base station is not configured.

[0280] Optionally, the first feature combination may include a PRACH adaptation feature or a subband full-duplex feature. As described in step S401 above, the first feature combination may also include at least one other feature.

[0281] Optionally, if the first feature combination includes a PRACH adaptation feature, and if the first feature combination also includes other features besides the PRACH adaptation feature (hereinafter referred to as the first feature for ease of explanation), then the first feature can also be associated with the seventh PRACH resource, that is, the seventh PRACH resource can be associated with the first feature. For example, the first feature may include at least one of the following: NR feature, 2-step PRACH feature, repeating feature of msg3, RedCap feature, repeating feature of msg1, SDT feature, enhanced RedCap feature, etc.

[0282] In other words, at least one feature included in the third feature combination of the seventh PRACH resource association may be the same as or identical to at least one feature in the first feature combination of the second PRACH resource association, excluding the PRACH adaptation feature. Alternatively, it can be understood that all features included in the third feature combination of the seventh PRACH resource association may be the same as or identical to all features in the first feature combination of the second PRACH resource association, excluding the PRACH adaptation feature (i.e., the first feature). Therefore, it can be understood that all features included in the third feature combination may be the same as or identical to all features included in the first feature combination.

[0283] It should be noted that the third feature combination may include at least one of the following: NR feature, 2-step PRACH feature, repeating feature of msg3, RedCap feature, repeating feature of msg1, SDT feature, enhanced RedCap feature, etc. Here, the third feature combination is similar to the second feature combination described above, and the relevant content described in step S401 above can be found, so it will not be repeated here.

[0284] The association of the second PRACH resource with the first feature combination can be understood as follows: a terminal device supporting the first feature combination can use the second PRACH resource, for example, when the second PRACH resource is available (i.e., DCI indicates that the second PRACH resource is available) or when the second PRACH resource is activated. Supporting the first feature combination can be understood as the terminal device supporting each feature in the first feature combination. For example, if the first feature combination includes the PRACH adaptation feature and the first feature, then the terminal device supporting the first feature combination can be understood as the terminal device supporting PRACH adaptation, and also supporting the first feature. For example, if the first feature is the SDT feature, then the terminal device also supports SDT. Or, for example, if the first feature contains SDT and Msg3 repetition, then the terminal device also supports SDT and Msg3 repetition. Supporting the first feature combination can also be understood as the terminal device supporting the PRACH adaptation feature in the first feature combination. If the first feature combination also includes other features, then the terminal device supports at least one of the other features.

[0285] The association between the first feature and the seventh PRACH resource is similar; that is, terminal devices supporting the first feature can use the seventh PRACH resource, which is available by default. A terminal device supporting the first feature can be understood as a terminal device that supports each feature included in the first feature, or as a terminal device that supports at least one feature included in the first feature.

[0286] It is understood that, in this case, the terminal device can determine the PRACH resource associated with the first feature from at least one PRACH resource configured in the communication system based on the first feature mentioned above, and use the PRACH resource as the seventh PRACH resource for subsequent determination of the third PRACH resource based on the overlap judgment between the seventh PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource.

[0287] For example, please refer to Figure 8, which is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. Here, we take a communication system configured with four sets of PRACH resources as an example. Assume that these four sets of PRACH resources can be configured using the `prach-ConfigurationIndex` parameter in SIB1, namely, the PRACH resource of R15 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=A`, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=B`, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=C`, and the PRACH resource of R19 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=D`. The features associated with these four sets of PRACH resources are respectively NR feature, RedCap feature, SDT feature, and NR feature. It should be noted that the PRACH resource of R19 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=D` is also associated with the PRACH adaptation feature. It should be understood that the R19 PRACH resource here is the second PRACH resource, and its associated NR feature is the first feature mentioned above.

[0288] Assume there are three terminal devices (UEs) in the communication system: UE1, UE2, and UE3. UE1 supports NR and PRACH adaptation features, UE2 supports RedCap features, and UE3 supports SDT features. Therefore, UE1 can obtain (or use) PRACH resources configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=A (R15) and prach-ConfigurationIndex=D (R19). UE2 can obtain (or use) PRACH resources configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=B (R17). UE3 can obtain (or use) PRACH resources configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=C (R17).

[0289] As shown in Figure 8, since both the PRACH resources of R19 and R15 are associated with NR features, UE1 can identify the PRACH resource of R15 as the seventh PRACH resource. Then, it can compare the seventh PRACH resource with the PRACH resource of R19 (i.e., the second PRACH resource) to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0290] Alternatively, since both the PRACH resources of R19 and R15 are associated with NR features (the first feature or a combination of the third feature), it can be understood that the PRACH resources of R15 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=A correspond to the PRACH resources of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D. That is, UE1 can determine the PRACH resources of R15 as the seventh PRACH resource, and then compare the seventh PRACH resource with the PRACH resources of R19 (i.e., the second PRACH resource) to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0291] For example, please refer to Figure 9, which is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. Here, we take a communication system configured with four sets of PRACH resources as an example. Assume that these four sets of PRACH resources can be configured using the `prach-ConfigurationIndex` parameter in SIB1, namely, the PRACH resource of R15 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=A`, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=B`, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=C`, and the PRACH resource of R19 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=D`. The features associated with these four sets of PRACH resources are respectively NR feature, RedCap feature, SDT feature, and RedCap feature. It should be noted that the PRACH resource of R19 configured by `prach-ConfigurationIndex=D` is also associated with the PRACH adaptation feature. It should be understood that the R19 PRACH resource here is the second PRACH resource, and its associated RedCap feature is the first feature mentioned above.

[0292] Assume there are three terminal devices (UEs) in the communication system: UE1, UE2, and UE3. UE1 supports NR features, UE2 supports RedCap and PRACH adaptation features, and UE3 supports SDT features. Therefore, UE1 can obtain (or use) the R15 PRACH resource configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=A. UE2 can obtain (or use) the R17 PRACH resource configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B, and also obtain (or use) the R19 PRACH resource configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D. UE3 can obtain (or use) the R17 PRACH resource configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=C.

[0293] As shown in Figure 9, since the PRACH resource of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D and the PRACH resource of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B are both associated with RedCap features, UE2 can determine the PRACH resource of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B as the seventh PRACH resource. Then, it can compare the seventh PRACH resource with the PRACH resource of R19 (i.e., the second PRACH resource) to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0294] Alternatively, since the PRACH resources of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D and the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B are both associated with RedCap features, it can be understood that the PRACH resources of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D correspond to the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B. That is, UE2 can determine the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B as the seventh PRACH resource, and then compare the seventh PRACH resource with the PRACH resources of R19 (i.e., the second PRACH resource) to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0295] Regarding the previously described method of determining the seventh PRACH resource associated with the first feature based on the first feature, it can also be understood that, for the terminal device, the second PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter, and its corresponding PRACH resource (the seventh PRACH resource), that is, the seventh PRACH resource used to determine overlap with the second PRACH resource, can be the PRACH resource that the terminal device can use when the second PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter is unavailable or deactivated.

[0296] To facilitate understanding, the following explanation will continue with examples from Figures 8 and 9 above.

[0297] Please refer to Figure 8. Assuming that prach-ConfigurationIndex=D is unavailable or deactivated, then for UE1, the R19 PRACH resource (i.e., the second PRACH resource) configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter is unavailable. Since UE1 supports NR features, and the R15 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=A parameter is associated with NR features, this R15 PRACH resource is the PRACH resource that UE1 can use at this time. Therefore, it can be determined that the R15 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=A parameter corresponds to the R19 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter. That is, UE1 can perform overlap judgment between the R15 PRACH resource and the R19 PRACH resource.

[0298] Please refer to Figure 9. Assuming that prach-ConfigurationIndex=D is unavailable or deactivated, then for UE2, the R19 PRACH resource (i.e., the second PRACH resource) configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter is unavailable. Since UE2 supports the RedCap feature, and the R17 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=B parameter is associated with the RedCap feature, this R17 PRACH resource is the PRACH resource that UE2 can use at this time. Therefore, it can be determined that the R17 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=B parameter corresponds to the R19 PRACH resource configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter. That is, UE2 can perform overlap judgment between the R17 PRACH resource and the R19 PRACH resource.

[0299] It should be noted that if the first feature combination associated with the second PRACH resource includes the PRACH adaptation feature and also includes the first feature, the third feature combination associated with the seventh PRACH resource can also include all the features in the first feature. It should be understood that if a PRACH resource configured in the communication system only includes some of the features in the first feature, then that PRACH resource cannot be used as the seventh PRACH resource, or in other words, it cannot be used for overlap determination with the second PRACH resource.

[0300] For example, please refer to Figure 10, which is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. Here, we take a communication system configured with four sets of PRACH resources as an example for illustration. It is assumed that these four sets of PRACH resources can be configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter in SIB1, namely, the PRACH resource of R15 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=A parameter, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=B parameter, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=C parameter, and the PRACH resource of R19 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter.

[0301] Specifically, the PRACH resource of R15 configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=A is associated with the NR feature; the PRACH resource of R17 configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=B is associated with the RedCap feature; the PRACH resource of R17 configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=C is associated with the SDT feature; and the PRACH resource of R19 configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=D is associated with both the NR and RedCap features. It should be noted that the PRACH resource of R19 configured with prach-ConfigurationIndex=D is also associated with the PRACH adaptation feature. It should be understood that the PRACH resource of R19 here is the second PRACH resource, and its associated NR and RedCap features are the first features mentioned above.

[0302] As shown in Figure 10, since the PRACH resource of R19 can be associated with both NR and RedCap features, and there are no other PRACH resources configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter that are associated with both NR and RedCap features, it can be understood that there is no PRACH resource that corresponds to the PRACH resource of R19, that is, there is no PRACH resource that can be used to determine overlap with the PRACH resource of R19.

[0303] Alternatively, for a UE supporting the NR feature, it can use both R15 and R19 PRACH resources and can perform overlap judgments between these two sets of PRACH resources. However, for a UE supporting the RedCap feature, it can use both R17 and R19 PRACH resources and can perform overlap judgments between these two sets of PRACH resources. In this case, for the R19 PRACH resources, it may lead to confusion in the mapping relationship between ROs and SSBs; therefore, network equipment should avoid this configuration.

[0304] Optionally, when the first feature is a repeating feature of msg 1, or when the first feature includes a repeating feature of msg 1, determining the seventh PRACH resource associated with the first feature requires not only that the seventh PRACH resource is associated with the repeating feature of msg 1, but also that the repeating frequency of msg 1 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 1 is the same, or that the set of repeating frequencies of msg 1 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 1 is the same. "Same" means that the repeating frequency of msg 1 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 1 associated with the second PRACH resource is the same, or that the set of repeating frequencies of msg 1 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 1 is the same. It should be noted that a similar approach can be taken when the first feature is a repeating feature of msg 3, or when it includes a repeating feature of msg 3; that is, the seventh PRACH resource not only needs to be associated with the repeating feature of msg 3, but also that the repeating frequency of msg 3 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 3 is the same, or that the set of repeating frequencies of msg 3 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 3 is the same. "Same" means that the repeating frequency of msg 3 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 3 associated with the second PRACH resource is the same, or that the set of repeating frequencies of msg 3 corresponding to the repeating feature of msg 3 is the same.

[0305] For example, please refer to Figure 11, which is a schematic diagram of another PRACH resource provided in an embodiment of this application. Here, we take a communication system with three sets of PRACH resources as an example for illustration. Assume that these three sets of PRACH resources can be configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex parameter in SIB1, namely, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=B parameter, the PRACH resource of R17 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=C parameter, and the PRACH resource of R19 configured by the prach-ConfigurationIndex=D parameter. These three sets of PRACH resources are all associated with the repeat feature and RedCap feature of msg 1, but the message repetition counts corresponding to the repeat feature of msg 1 associated with these three sets of PRACH resources are n2, n4, and n2, respectively.

[0306] As shown in Figure 11, since the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B and the PRACH resources of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D are both associated with the repetition feature and RedCap feature of message 1, and the message repetition count corresponding to the repetition feature of msg 1 is n2, it can be understood that the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B correspond to the PRACH resources of R19 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=D. That is, the PRACH resources of R17 configured with the parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex=B can be determined as the seventh PRACH resource. The seventh PRACH resource is then compared with the PRACH resources of R19 (i.e., the second PRACH resource) to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0307] It should be noted that the specific process by which the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource is similar to the process described above of the terminal device determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant content of step S401 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0308] In one optional implementation, the terminal device can determine the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period from the second PRACH resources based on the seventh PRACH resource within the second time period. Here, the eighth PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource do not overlap. Furthermore, the terminal device can determine the third PRACH resource based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0309] The duration of the second time period can be greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource.

[0310] It should be noted that the specific process by which the terminal device determines the eighth PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource in the second time period, and further determines the third PRACH resource, is similar to the process described above where the terminal device determines the fourth PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource in the first time period, and further determines the third PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant content of step S401 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0311] In another alternative implementation, the terminal device may receive fourth information from the network device. Here, the fourth information can be used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. Furthermore, if the fourth information indicates that the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource do not overlap, the terminal device can directly determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource, without needing to determine overlap. This improves the efficiency of random access and simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0312] It should be understood that when the fourth information indicates that the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, the terminal device needs to determine the overlap, that is, to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. The specific process can be found in the same description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0313] Optionally, if the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource which overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the time domain resources of the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource are the same, the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0314] Here, the specific process by which the terminal device determines that the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource is similar to the process described above for the terminal device to determine that the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant description of step S401 above, and it will not be repeated here.

[0315] Optionally, the priority of the seventh PRACH resource can be higher than the priority of the second PRACH resource. That is, the priority of the PRACH resource used for overlap determination with the second PRACH resource can be higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

[0316] Here, the priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource, similar to the previous statement that the priority of the first PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant description of step S401 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0317] S703, the network device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource.

[0318] In some feasible implementations, the network device can determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource.

[0319] Here, the specific process by which the network device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource is similar to the process by which the terminal device determines the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. For details, please refer to the relevant content above, and it will not be repeated here.

[0320] Optionally, after determining the overlap between the seventh and second PRACH resources, the network device can generate fourth information and send it to the terminal device. Here, the fourth information can indicate whether the second and seventh PRACH resources overlap. Using this approach, if the seventh and second PRACH resources do not overlap, the terminal device can directly determine that they do not overlap based on the fourth information, without needing to perform an overlap determination. This simplifies the implementation complexity of the terminal device.

[0321] In S704, the terminal device transmits a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Correspondingly, the network device receives the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0322] In some feasible implementations, after determining the third PRACH resource, the terminal device can send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0323] Here, the specific process of the terminal device sending the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource can be found in the relevant content of step S403 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0324] Accordingly, after determining the third PRACH resource, the network device can receive the random access preamble from the terminal device on the third PRACH resource.

[0325] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the terminal device can perform overlap determination between the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource configured by the network device to identify the third PRACH resource within the second PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, and then send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource. Using this method, the terminal device can send the random access preamble on the third PRACH resource that does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, avoiding sending the random access preamble on PRACH resources that overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, thus improving the efficiency of random access. Furthermore, the network device can configure the second PRACH resource to overlap with the seventh PRACH resource used for overlap determination, and configure the second PRACH resource to not overlap with other PRACH resources. Since the seventh PRACH resource can be additionally configured by the network device rather than being pre-defined by the protocol, the network device can also configure the second PRACH resource more flexibly.

[0326] In some feasible implementations, please continue to refer to Figure 7, where the communication method may also include step S705. It should be understood that step S705 may be performed before step S701.

[0327] S705, the network device sends third information to the terminal device. Correspondingly, the terminal device receives the third information.

[0328] In some feasible implementations, the network device can also generate third information and send it to the terminal device. Here, the third information can be used to configure the aforementioned second PRACH resource.

[0329] The specific process of the network device sending third information to the terminal device can be found in the relevant description of step S404 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0330] Optionally, the third information used to configure the second PRACH resource and the second information used to configure the seventh PRACH resource can be carried in the same configuration signaling, such as the Random Access Channel Configuration Common Information (RACH-ConfigCommon) signaling.

[0331] It should be noted that when two sets of PRACH resources are configured through the same configuration signaling, and one of them is the second PRACH resource, when the terminal device receives the configuration signaling, it can identify the other set of PRACH resources (excluding the second PRACH resource) as the PRACH resource corresponding to the second PRACH resource. That is, it can identify this other set of PRACH resources as the seventh PRACH resource, and can make an overlap judgment between the seventh PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource to determine the third PRACH resource.

[0332] In the above implementation, since the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource can be configured through the same configuration signaling, when the terminal device receives the configuration signaling, it can determine that the second PRACH resource and the seventh PRACH resource correspond. That is, the two sets of PRACH resources can be overlapped and judged, thus avoiding the need to configure the seventh PRACH resource through additional signaling and reducing signaling overhead.

[0333] It should be understood that the communication method shown in Figure 4 or Figure 7 is mainly applicable to terminal devices in an idle state. This is because the network device is unaware of the capabilities of the idle terminal device at this time. Therefore, the terminal device can perform overlap judgment between the second PRACH resource and the first PRACH resource, which is agreed upon by the protocol or pre-configured by the network device, to determine the third PRACH resource. It should be noted that when the terminal device enters the connected state, it can report its capabilities to the network device. At this time, the network device can determine the PRACH resource used for overlap judgment based on the reported capabilities of the terminal device. In other words, for a terminal device in the connected state, in addition to the first PRACH resource, it can also perform overlap judgment between the second PRACH resource and other PRACH resources.

[0334] The communication method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 to 11. The communication device provided by the embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to Figures 12 and 13. It should be understood that the description of the embodiments of the communication device corresponds to the description of the embodiments of the communication method; therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the method embodiments above.

[0335] Please refer to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 120 may include a processing unit 1201 and a transceiver unit 1202.

[0336] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 120 may correspond to the terminal device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device.

[0337] In a specific implementation, processing unit 1201 is used to determine a third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. Transceiver unit 1202 is used to transmit a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0338] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the subband full-duplex feature.

[0339] In one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features.

[0340] In one possible implementation, processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine, within a first time period, a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. Processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0341] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to receive first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource. The processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource if the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource.

[0342] In one possible implementation, if the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, then the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0343] In one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0344] In one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0345] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to receive third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0346] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 120 may correspond to the network device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device.

[0347] In a specific implementation, processing unit 1201 is used to determine a third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination. Transceiver unit 1202 is used to receive a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0348] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the subband full-duplex feature.

[0349] In one possible implementation, the second feature combination includes NR features.

[0350] In one possible implementation, processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine, within a first time period, a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the first time-domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource. Processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0351] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to transmit first information. Here, the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource.

[0352] In one possible implementation, if the second PRACH resource includes the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same temporal domain resources, then the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0353] In one possible implementation, the first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0354] In one possible implementation, where the first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. Here, the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to send third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0356] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 120 may correspond to the terminal device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the terminal device.

[0357] In a specific implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is used to receive second information. Here, the second information is used to configure the seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit 1201 is used to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. The transceiver unit 1202 is also used to send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0358] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the subband full-duplex feature.

[0359] In one possible implementation, processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine, within the second time period, an eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period from the second PRACH resources based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. Processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0360] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to receive fourth information. Here, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. The processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource if the fourth information indicates that the second PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0361] In one possible implementation, if the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource which overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, then the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0362] In one possible implementation, the seventh PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0363] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to receive third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0364] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with a seventh PRACH resource.

[0365] In one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0366] In one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

[0367] In some feasible implementations, the communication device 120 may correspond to the network device described above, or a component (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) configured in the network device.

[0368] In a specific implementation, processing unit 1201 is used to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. The second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination. Transceiver unit 1202 is used to receive a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

[0369] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination includes either the PRACH adjustment feature or the subband full-duplex feature.

[0370] In one possible implementation, processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine, within the second time period, an eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period from the second PRACH resources based on the seventh PRACH resource. Here, the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger of the third time-domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time-domain period of the second PRACH resource. The eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource. Processing unit 1201 is further configured to determine a third PRACH resource based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

[0371] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to transmit fourth information. Here, the fourth information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource.

[0372] In one possible implementation, if the second PRACH resource includes the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource which overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource, and the ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same temporal resources, then the ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

[0373] In one possible implementation, the seventh PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

[0374] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is further configured to send second information. Here, the second information is used to configure a seventh PRACH resource, which is used by the terminal device to determine a third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource.

[0375] In one possible implementation, the transceiver unit 1202 is also used to send third information. Here, the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource.

[0376] In one possible implementation, the first feature combination also includes a first feature associated with a seventh PRACH resource.

[0377] In one possible implementation, when the first feature includes the repetition feature of message 1, the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the seventh PRACH resource is the same as the number of repetitions of message 1 corresponding to the second PRACH resource.

[0378] In one possible implementation, the second and third information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

[0379] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication device 130 can be used to implement the operations performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments, or, the communication device 130 can be the terminal device or network device described above. The communication device 130 includes: a processor 1301, a memory 1302, and a bus system 1303.

[0380] The memory 1302 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). The memory 1302 is used to store related instructions and data. The memory 1302 stores executable modules or data structures, or subsets thereof, or extended sets thereof:

[0381] Operation instructions: This includes various operation instructions used to perform various operations.

[0382] Operating system: includes various system programs used to implement various basic business functions and handle hardware-based tasks.

[0383] Figure 13 shows only one memory, but of course, multiple memories can be set as needed.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the communication device 130 may include only the processor 1301 and the bus system 1303, that is, it may exclude the memory 1302.

[0385] The communication device 130 may further include a transceiver 1304. The transceiver 1304 may be a communication module or a transceiver circuit. In the embodiments of this application, the transceiver 1304 is used to perform the message sending and receiving operations described in the above embodiments.

[0386] Processor 1301 may be configured with at least one, specifically it may be a controller, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. Processor 1301 may also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of DSP and microprocessor, etc.

[0387] In specific applications, the various components of the communication device 130 are coupled together through a bus system 1303. This bus system 1303 includes not only a data bus but may also include a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus. However, for clarity, all buses are labeled as bus system 1303 in Figure 13. For ease of illustration, Figure 13 is only schematically shown.

[0388] In specific implementation, the communication device 130 can execute the steps of the method performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments. Specifically, when the communication device 130 is used to implement the various steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the communication method provided in the embodiments, the processor 1301 can implement the function of the processing unit 1201, and the transceiver 1304 can implement the function of the transceiver unit 1202.

[0389] It should be noted that in practical applications, the processor in the embodiments of this application can be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. During implementation, each step of the above method embodiments can be completed by the integrated logic circuitry in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor can be a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied as being executed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. This storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads the information in the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above methods.

[0390] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be RAM, which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory described in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0391] This application also provides a computer-readable medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments.

[0392] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, implements the method steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments.

[0393] This application also provides a chip including at least one processor. The at least one processor is configured to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method steps executed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments.

[0394] Optionally, the chip may also include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0395] This application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting the apparatus on which the chip system is installed to implement the method steps performed by the terminal device or network device in the above embodiments, such as generating or processing the data and / or information involved in the above methods. In one possible design, the chip system further includes a memory for storing program instructions and data necessary for the data transmission device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0396] Optionally, the chip system may also include interface circuitry. This interface circuitry can be used to receive computer-executed instructions and transmit them to the processor.

[0397] Please refer to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 140 may include a processor 1401 and an interface circuit 1402. The interface circuit 1402 can be used to receive signals from other communication devices besides the communication device 140 and transmit them to the processor 1401, or to send signals from the processor 1401 to other communication devices besides the communication device 140. The processor 1401 can be used to execute computer programs or instructions through logic circuits to implement the communication methods described in the preceding embodiments.

[0398] In some possible designs, the communication device 140 may be the terminal device described above, or a device including the terminal device described above, or a device contained in the terminal device described above, such as a chip system. The communication device 140 may also be the network device described above, or a device including the network device described above, or a device contained in the network device described above.

[0399] This application also provides a communication system, which includes at least the terminal device and network device described above. The terminal device and network device work together to implement the communication method described in the preceding embodiments.

[0400] In the above method embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., digital video disc (DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0401] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0402] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

[0403] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the technical solution of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a terminal device or an apparatus in the terminal device, and comprises: determining a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource according to a first PRACH resource, wherein the third PRACH resource is non-overlapping with the first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination; sending a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first feature combination comprises a PRACH adjustment feature or a sub-band full-duplex feature.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The determining of the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource according to the first PRACH resource comprises: determining a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to a first time period from the second PRACH resource according to the first PRACH resource within the first time period, wherein a length of the first time period is greater than or equal to a larger value of a first time domain period of the first PRACH resource and a second time domain period of the second PRACH resource, and the fourth PRACH resource is non-overlapping with the first PRACH resource; determining the third PRACH resource according to the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource and the second PRACH resource.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method further comprises: receiving first information, wherein the first information is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource is non-overlapping with the first PRACH resource; in a case where the first information indicates that the second PRACH resource is non-overlapping with the first PRACH resource, determining the second PRACH resource as the third PRACH resource.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The second PRACH resource comprises a fifth PRACH resource and a sixth PRACH resource overlapping with the first PRACH resource, the fifth PRACH resource has the same time domain resource as the sixth PRACH resource, and the fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first PRACH resource comprises a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, the second feature combination comprises a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination, the first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination, and the first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination comprise different features.

8. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a network device or an apparatus in the network device, and comprises: determining a third PRACH resource from a second PRACH resource according to a first PRACH resource, wherein the third PRACH resource is non-overlapping with the first PRACH resource, the second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination, and the first PRACH resource is associated with a second feature combination other than the first feature combination; Receive random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first feature combination includes PRACH adjustment features or sub-band full-duplex features.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The step of determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource includes: Within a first time period, a fourth PRACH resource corresponding to the first time period is determined from the second PRACH resource based on the first PRACH resource, wherein the duration of the first time period is greater than or equal to the larger value between the first time domain period of the first PRACH resource and the second time domain period of the second PRACH resource, and the fourth PRACH resource does not overlap with the first PRACH resource; The third PRACH resource is determined based on the fourth PRACH resource, the first PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first message, wherein the first message is used to indicate whether the second PRACH resource overlaps with the first PRACH resource.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The second PRACH resource includes a fifth PRACH resource and a sixth PRACH resource that overlaps with the first PRACH resource. The fifth PRACH resource and the sixth PRACH resource have the same time-domain resources. The fifth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The first PRACH resource has a higher priority than the second PRACH resource.

14. The method according to any one of claims 8-13, characterized in that, The first PRACH resource includes a first sub-PRACH resource and a second sub-PRACH resource, and the second feature combination includes a first sub-feature combination and a second sub-feature combination. The first sub-PRACH resource is associated with the first sub-feature combination, and the second sub-PRACH resource is associated with the second sub-feature combination. The first sub-feature combination and the second sub-feature combination include different features.

15. A method of communication, comprising: A device applied to a terminal device or a device in a terminal device, the method comprising: Receive second information, wherein the second information is used to configure the seventh physical random access channel (PRACH) resources; The third PRACH resource is determined from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource, wherein the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource is associated with the first feature combination; Send a random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first feature combination includes PRACH adjustment features or sub-band full-duplex features.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the second PRACH resource is a PRACH resource of Release 19.

18. The method according to any one of claims 15-17, characterized by, The method further includes: Receive third information, wherein the third information is used to configure the second PRACH resource, and the third information and the second information are carried in the same configuration signaling.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The third information and the second information are carried in the Random Access Channel Configuration Common Information (RACH-ConfigCommon) signaling.

20. The method according to any one of claims 15-19, characterized by, In the Physical Random Access Channel (RO) included in the second PRACH resource, the ROs that overlap with the ROs included in the seventh PRACH resource are invalid.

21. The method according to any one of claims 15-20, characterized by, The seventh PRACH resource is available by default, and the availability of the second PARCH resource is indicated by downlink control information (DCI).

22. The method according to any one of claims 15-21, characterized in that, The step of determining the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource includes: During the second time period, the eighth PRACH resource corresponding to the second time period is determined from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh PRACH resource, wherein the duration of the second time period is greater than or equal to the larger value between the third time domain period of the seventh PRACH resource and the second time domain period of the second PRACH resource, and the eighth PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource; The third PRACH resource is determined based on the eighth PRACH resource, the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource.

23. The method according to any one of claims 15-22, characterized by, The second PRACH resource includes a ninth PRACH resource and a tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. The ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same time-domain resources. The ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

24. The method according to any one of claims 15-23, characterized by, The priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

25. A method of communication, comprising: A method comprising: (the method being applied to or in a network device) The third PRACH resource is determined from the second PRACH resource based on the seventh physical random access channel (PRACH) resource, wherein the third PRACH resource does not overlap with the seventh PRACH resource, and the second PRACH resource is associated with a first feature combination; Receive random access preamble on the third PRACH resource.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein, The first feature combination includes PRACH adjustment features or sub-band full-duplex features.

27. The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein, The second PRACH resource is the PRACH resource of Release 19.

28. The method of any one of claims 25-27, wherein, The method further includes: Send a second message, wherein the second message is used to configure the seventh PRACH resource, and the seventh PRACH resource is used by the terminal device to determine the third PRACH resource from the second PRACH resource.

29. The method of any one of claims 25-28, wherein, The method further includes: Send a third message, wherein the third message is used to configure the second PRACH resource, and the third message and the second message are carried in the same configuration signaling.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein, The third information and the second information are carried in the Random Access Channel Configuration Common Information (RACH-ConfigCommon) signaling.

31. The method of any one of claims 25-30, wherein, In the Physical Random Access Channel (RO) included in the second PRACH resource, the ROs that overlap with the ROs included in the seventh PRACH resource are invalid.

32. The method of any one of claims 25-31, wherein, The seventh PRACH resource is available by default, and the availability of the second PARCH resource is indicated by downlink control information (DCI).

33. The method of any one of claims 25-32, wherein, The second PRACH resource includes a ninth PRACH resource and a tenth PRACH resource that overlaps with the seventh PRACH resource. The ninth PRACH resource and the tenth PRACH resource have the same time-domain resources. The ninth PRACH resource is not included in the third PRACH resource.

34. The method of any one of claims 25-33, wherein, The priority of the seventh PRACH resource is higher than that of the second PRACH resource.

35. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a unit for implementing the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 25 to 34.

36. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program that, when the computer program is run, implements the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 25 to 34.

37. A chip system, characterized by Including the processor; The processor is configured to execute computer execution instructions to cause a device equipped with the chip system to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 25 to 34.

38. The chip system of claim 37, wherein, The chip system also includes an interface circuit, which is used to receive computer execution instructions and transmit them to the processor.

39. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product is executed by a computer using the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 14, or the communication method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, or the communication method according to any one of claims 25 to 34.

40. A communications device, characterized by It includes at least one processor for executing a computer program stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 15 to 24, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 25 to 34.

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