Communication method and communication device

Abstract

The present application provides a communication method and a communication device. The method comprises: a first terminal device transmits a PRACH on the basis of a first communication mode or a second communication mode, wherein the first communication mode corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication mode corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

Description

Communication methods and communication equipment Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] With the development of communication technology, communication systems will be able to support an increasing variety of terminal devices. Different types of terminal devices have significantly different capabilities, and therefore, how to handle the initial connection process for these devices is a problem that needs to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a communication method and a communication device. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first terminal device transmitting a first physical random access channel (PRACH) based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0005] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a network device receiving a first PRACH sent by a first terminal device; wherein the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0006] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a first terminal device, the communication device comprising: a communication unit for transmitting a first PRACH based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0007] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being a network device, the communication device comprising: a communication unit for receiving a first PRACH sent by a first terminal device; wherein the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0008] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver, a memory, and a processor, wherein the memory is used to store a program, the processor is used to invoke the program in the memory, and to control the transceiver to receive or transmit signals, so that the communication device performs the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0009] A sixth aspect provides an apparatus including a processor for calling a program from a memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0010] A seventh aspect provides a chip including a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0011] Eighthly, a computer-readable storage medium is provided having a program stored thereon that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0012] Ninth aspect, a computer program product is provided, including a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided that causes a computer to perform the method as described in the first or second aspect.

[0014] This application embodiment clarifies that the terminal device transmits PRACH according to the communication method corresponding to the capability set. In other words, the terminal device can only initiate initial access by sending PRACH when a certain capability set is met, thereby improving the reliability of the initial access. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 is an example architecture diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of this application can be applied.

[0016] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB).

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the transmission and measurement methods of SSB.

[0018] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 5 is an example diagram showing the mapping relationship between random access channel occasion (RO) and SSB.

[0020] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in one embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus applicable to embodiments of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, the communication terms and processes that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will first be introduced with reference to Figures 1 to 9.

[0026] Communication system

[0027] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various communication systems. For example, the embodiments of this application can be applied to Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced Long Term Evolution (LTE-A), New Radio (NR), evolution systems of NR, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), and 5th-generation (5G) systems. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, such as 6th-generation (6G) mobile communication systems, or future communication systems such as satellite communication systems.

[0028] Traditional communication systems support a limited number of connections and are easy to implement. However, with the development of communication technology, communication systems can support not only traditional cellular communication but also one or more other types of communication. For example, a communication system can support one or more of the following communication methods: device-to-device (D2D) communication, machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), enhanced machine-type communication (eMTC), vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, and vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to communication systems that support the above-mentioned communication methods.

[0029] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to carrier aggregation (CA) scenarios, dual connectivity (DC) scenarios, and standalone (SA) network deployment scenarios.

[0030] The communication system in this application embodiment can be applied to unlicensed spectrum. This unlicensed spectrum can also be considered a shared spectrum. Alternatively, the communication system in this application embodiment can also be applied to licensed spectrum. This licensed spectrum can also be considered a dedicated spectrum.

[0031] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can be applied to various Internet of Things (IoT) communication systems. For example, this technical solution can be applied to narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) communication systems. As another example, this technical solution can be applied to ambient IoT (AIoT) communication systems.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates an example system architecture of a communication system 100 applicable to embodiments of this application. The communication system 100 may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120. The network device 110 may be a device that communicates with the terminal device 120. The network device 110 can provide network coverage for a specific geographical area and can communicate with the terminal device 120 located within that coverage area. The terminal device 120 can access a network (such as a wireless network) through the network device 110. Optionally, the wireless communication system 100 may also include other network entities such as a network controller and a mobility management entity; this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0033] The terminal device in this application embodiment can also be referred to as user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device. The terminal device in this application embodiment can be a device that provides voice and / or data connectivity to a user, and can be used to connect people, objects, and machines, such as a handheld device with wireless connectivity, vehicle-mounted device, etc. The terminal devices in the embodiments of this application can be mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, self-driving, remote medical surgery, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, and smart homes, etc. Optionally, the terminal device can act as a base station. For example, the terminal device can act as a scheduling entity, providing sidelink signals between terminal devices in vehicle-to-everything (V2X) or device-to-device (D2D) systems. For instance, cellular phones and cars communicate with each other using sidelink signals. Cellular phones and smart home devices communicate without relaying communication signals through base stations.

[0034] In some embodiments, the terminal device may also be a device in AIoT (such as a reader) to meet the needs of certain scenarios.

[0035] The network device in this application embodiment can also be an access network device or a radio access network device, such as a base station. The network device in this application embodiment can refer to a radio access network (RAN) node or device that connects a terminal device to a wireless network. A base station can broadly encompass, or be replaced by, various names including: NodeB, evolved NodeB (eNB), next-generation NodeB (gNB), relay station, transmitting and receiving point (TRP), transmitting point (TP), master station (MeNB), secondary station (SeNB), multi-mode radio (MSR) node, home base station, network controller, access node, wireless node, access point (AP), transmission node, transceiver node, baseband unit (BBU), remote radio unit (RRU), active antenna unit (AAU), remote radio head (RRH), central unit (CU), distributed unit (DU), positioning node, etc. A base station can be a macro base station, micro base station, relay node, donor node, or similar entities, or combinations thereof. A base station can also refer to a communication module, modem, or chip installed within the aforementioned equipment or apparatus. Base stations can also be mobile switching centers, devices that perform base station functions in device-to-device (D2D), V2X, and M2M communications, network-side devices in 6G networks, and devices that perform base station functions in future communication systems. Base stations can support networks with the same or different access technologies. The embodiments of this application do not limit the specific technologies or device forms used in the network equipment.

[0036] Base stations can be fixed or mobile. For example, a helicopter or drone can be configured to act as a mobile base station, and one or more cells can move depending on the location of the mobile base station. In other examples, a helicopter or drone can be configured as a device to communicate with another base station.

[0037] In some deployments, the network device in this application embodiment may refer to a CU or a DU; or, the network device may include both a CU and a DU. The gNB may also include an AAU.

[0038] Network devices and terminal devices can be deployed on land, including indoors or outdoors, handheld or vehicle-mounted; they can also be deployed on water; and they can also be deployed in the air on airplanes, balloons, and satellites. This application does not limit the scenario in which the network devices and terminal devices are located.

[0039] It should be understood that all or part of the functions of the communication device in this application can also be implemented by software functions running on hardware, or by virtualization functions instantiated on a platform such as a cloud platform.

[0040] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary network device 110 and two terminal devices 120. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple network devices 110, and the communication system 100 may also include other numbers of terminal devices 120.

[0041] It should be understood that devices with communication functions in the network / system of this application embodiment can be referred to as communication devices. Taking the communication system 100 shown in FIG1 as an example, the communication device may include a network device 110 and a terminal device 120 with communication functions. The network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can be the specific devices described above, which will not be repeated here. The communication device may also include other devices in the communication system 100, such as network controllers, mobility management entities, and other network entities. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0042] Initial Access

[0043] The initial access process of an NR system will be used as an example below to illustrate the initial access procedure. It is understood that the initial access procedure described below can also be applied to other communication systems.

[0044] First, a measurement and system information acquisition phase is required. After powering on, the terminal device searches for the SSB (Service Subsystem Block) in the network. For the terminal device, measuring and selecting the optimal SSB serves to obtain downlink time synchronization, determine the uplink beam direction, and decode the PBCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) within the SSB. The PBCH contains the higher-layer master information block (MIB). This MIB contains the scheduling information of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying system information block 1 (SIB1).

[0045] Terminal equipment scans and measures SSBs transmitted from the base station (a transmission and reception point, TRP), evaluates signal quality (such as layer 1-reference signal received power, L1-RSRP) to select the optimal SSB for access. SSBs include the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), PBCH, and PBCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS), as shown in Figure 2. SSBs can indicate cell identifiers (1008), support terminal equipment in achieving time-frequency synchronization, obtaining MIB information, assisting in cell search, and being used for radio resource management (RRM) / radio link monitoring (RLM) measurements, etc.

[0046] In 5G, coverage requirements are met by introducing a beam sweeping mechanism, essentially trading time for space. Therefore, 5G periodically transmits SSBs in the time domain in the form of SSB burst sets. Each SSB burst set contains multiple SSBs, all concentrated within a 5ms range. Different SSBs may have different beam directions, thus achieving coverage in different directions. As shown in Figure 3, SSB burst sets are transmitted at a 20ms period, and each SSB burst set contains 8 SSBs, corresponding to indices #0 to #7. Different SSBs target different beam directions, ensuring that UEs in different directions can receive SSBs with sufficiently high RSRP.

[0047] The period of the SSB burst set ranges from {5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160} ms, and this period can be configured via higher-layer signaling. However, for UEs performing initial cell search, they cannot receive higher-layer signaling regarding the transmission period of the SSB burst set before searching for SSBs; therefore, a default period needs to be defined. In the NR system, the default period for UEs performing initial cell search is defined as 20 ms. When the relevant higher-layer signaling received by the UE contains the period information of the SSB burst set, this information can be used to determine the period of the SSB burst set; otherwise, the UE defaults to a period of 5 ms for the SSB burst set of the serving cell.

[0048] After selecting the optimal SSB, the UE can decode the PBCH to obtain the MIB information. Based on the configuration information in the MIB and the system message transmission method determined in the protocol, the UE blindly detects the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) of system messages from the control resource set (CORESET) #0 and the search space #0. It then decodes the PDSCH carrying SIB1 from the PDCCH, thereby obtaining the configuration information of the random access channel (RACH) in SIB1.

[0049] Next is the RACH stage. In NR Rel.15, a four-step RACH process was supported; in later versions, a two-step RACH process (divided into Step A and Step B) was also supported. Here, we will take the four-step RACH as an example.

[0050] Step 1: Send random access preamble (Message 1)

[0051] The terminal device selects a random access preamble and sends it to a network device (base station or TRP) on PRACH.

[0052] Step 2: Random Access Response (Message 2)

[0053] After receiving the preamble, the network device sends a random access response (RAR), which includes timing advance (TA), uplink resource allocation, and cell-radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI).

[0054] Step 3: Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Request (Message 3)

[0055] The terminal device uses the uplink resources allocated in the RAR to send an RRC connection request message (RRCSetupRequest), which contains the terminal device's identifier and the reason for establishment. This step is part of a contention-based random access procedure.

[0056] Part 4: RRC Connection Setup (Message 4)

[0057] After receiving an RRC connection request, the network device sends an RRC connection setup message (RRCSetup) to confirm the connection request and allocate the necessary resources. This message marks the completion of the initial access process.

[0058] With the development of communication technology, communication systems will be able to support an increasing variety of terminal devices. Different types of terminal devices have significantly different capabilities, and therefore, how to handle the initial connection process for these devices is a problem that needs to be addressed.

[0059] For terminal devices with different capabilities, this application first proposes two concepts: a first capability set and a second capability set. Both the first capability set and the second capability set refer to the capability sets of the terminal devices, and these two capability sets will be described in detail below.

[0060] The first capability set can be used to define one or more capabilities of a terminal device. The capabilities of the terminal device mentioned here may include one or more of the following: receive bandwidth, transmit bandwidth, receive antenna, transmit antenna, number of receive ports, number of transmit ports, number of transmit layers, maximum supported modulation and coding scheme (MCS), maximum data rate, etc. For example, the first capability set may include one or more of the minimum or most basic capabilities required for the terminal device to communicate in a communication system (such as the minimum receive bandwidth required for the terminal device to access the communication system).

[0061] Different terminal devices have different capabilities, and therefore support different functions. Therefore, the first set of capabilities mentioned in this application embodiment can also be called a first set of functions. This first set of functions may include, for example, the minimum or most basic functions required for a terminal device to communicate in a communication system. For instance, if the first set of functions includes initial access functionality, it means the terminal device supports initial access functionality; if the first set of functions does not include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) communication functionality, it means the terminal device cannot perform eMBB communication. Exemplarily, the first set of functions can be referred to as the small functional core of the terminal device.

[0062] Terminal devices have different capabilities, and the signals they can receive / transmit may differ. Therefore, in some implementations, the first capability set mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with a first signal set. That is, the first signal set can define the signals that the terminal device can receive / transmit, and the capabilities of the terminal device can be indirectly reflected through the definition of the first signal set.

[0063] Different terminal devices have different capabilities, and therefore may have different access to resources. Therefore, in some implementations, the first capability set mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with a first resource set. In other words, the first resource set can define the resources that a terminal device can use, and the definition of the first resource set can indirectly reflect the capabilities of the terminal device.

[0064] The second capability set can be used to define one or more capabilities of a terminal device. At least one function in the second capability set differs from the first capability set. The one or more capabilities defined by the second capability set may, for example, be higher than or exceed the one or more capabilities defined by the first capability set. The capabilities of the terminal device mentioned here may include one or more of the following: receive bandwidth, transmit bandwidth, receive antenna, transmit antenna, number of receive ports, number of transmit ports, number of transmit layers, maximum supported MCS, maximum data rate, etc. For example, the maximum receive bandwidth of the terminal device defined by the first capability set and the second capability set may differ. Similarly, the maximum transmit bandwidth of the terminal device defined by the first capability set and the second capability set may differ.

[0065] Terminal devices have different capabilities, and the functions they support may differ. Therefore, the second set of capabilities mentioned in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as a second set of functions. For example, if the second set of functions includes eMBB communication functionality, it means that the terminal device can perform eMBB communication. Exemplarily, the second set of functions can be referred to as the core functionality of the terminal device.

[0066] Terminal devices have different capabilities, and the signals they can receive / transmit may differ. Therefore, in some implementations, the second capability set mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with a second signal set. That is, the second signal set can define the signals that the terminal device can receive / transmit, and the capabilities of the terminal device can be indirectly reflected through the definition of the second signal set. For example, a first signal set and a second signal set can be defined, corresponding to terminal devices with different capabilities. The signals defined in the first signal set and the second signal set are not completely identical. For example, the types of signals in the second signal set are different from the types of signals in the first signal set. Furthermore, the time-frequency resources occupied by the signals in the second signal set are different from those occupied by the signals in the first signal set.

[0067] Terminal devices have different capabilities, and therefore, the resources they can use may differ. Therefore, in some implementations, the second capability set mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with a second resource set. That is, the second resource set can define the resources that the terminal device can use, and the definition of the second resource set can indirectly reflect the capabilities of the terminal device. For example, a first resource set and a second resource set can be defined, corresponding to terminal devices with different capabilities. The time-frequency resources defined in the first resource set and the second resource set are different.

[0068] It should be noted that the second capability set, second signal set, or second resource set mentioned above can be an explicitly defined set of capabilities, signals, or resources. Alternatively, in some implementations, the second capability set, second signal set, or second resource set of the terminal device may not be explicitly defined. If the capabilities used by the terminal device, the signals received or transmitted, or the resources used exceed the scope defined by the first capability set, second signal set, or second resource set, then the terminal device can be considered to have used the second capability set, second signal set, or second resource set.

[0069] Based on the above definitions, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below.

[0070] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method in Figure 4 is described from the perspective of the interaction between a first terminal device and a network device. The first terminal device and the network device can be, for example, the terminal device 120 and the network device 110 in Figure 1.

[0071] Referring to Figure 4, in step S410, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on either the first communication method or the second communication method. The first PRACH can also be referred to as message 1. The first PRACH may carry a preamble.

[0072] Accordingly, the network device receives the first PRACH sent by the first terminal device. For example, the network device may receive the first PRACH based on a first communication method or a second communication method.

[0073] The aforementioned first communication method can correspond to a first capability set of the first terminal device (the description of the first capability set can be found above). In other words, if the first terminal device communicates based on the first capability set (communicating according to the capabilities or parameters defined by the first capability set), then the corresponding communication method is the first communication method. For example, if the first capability set defines the receiving bandwidth or maximum receiving bandwidth of the terminal device, then when the first terminal device uses the first communication method to transmit the first PRACH, the receiving bandwidth or maximum receiving bandwidth it uses conforms to the definition of the first capability set.

[0074] It should be noted that the phrase "the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first communication method" mentioned in various embodiments of this application can also be understood or expressed as one of the following: the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first capability set, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first function set, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first resource set (the first resource set may correspond to the first capability set), or the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH from the first signal set (the first signal set may correspond to the first capability set).

[0075] In some implementations, transmitting PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first set of capabilities) can be understood as the default transmission method for PRACH. For example, regardless of the type of terminal device, it can choose to use the default transmission method to transmit PRACH. Of course, terminal devices with different capabilities can also choose other transmission methods to transmit PRACH. Alternatively, in some implementations, regardless of the type of terminal device, it must use the default transmission method to transmit PRACH.

[0076] The aforementioned second communication method may correspond to the second capability set of the first terminal device (the description of the second capability set can be found above), or to capabilities that exceed the first capability set. In other words, if the first terminal device communicates based on the second capability set (communicating according to the capabilities or parameters defined by the second capability set), or if the first terminal device communicates based on capabilities that exceed the first capability set, then the communication method corresponding to this communication is the second communication method.

[0077] It should be noted that the phrase "the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the second communication method" mentioned in various embodiments of this application can also be understood or expressed as one of the following: the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on a second capability set; the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on capabilities exceeding the first capability set; the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on a second function set; the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on functions exceeding the first function set; the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on a second resource set (the second resource set may correspond to the second capability set); the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on resources exceeding the first resource set; the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH from a second signal set (the second signal set may correspond to the second capability set); and the first PRACH transmitted by the first terminal device does not belong to the first signal set.

[0078] In some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set can be associated with different first parameters. The first parameter mentioned in the embodiments of this application refers to the parameter used for transmitting PRACH. This first parameter may include, for example, one or more of the following parameters: random access channel occasion (RO, which can represent the time-frequency domain resources for the terminal device to transmit PRACH; different ROs correspond to different time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources), and power parameters.

[0079] Furthermore, in some implementations, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first parameter associated with a first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first parameter associated with a second capability set.

[0080] Some communication systems (such as NR systems) define a special mapping relationship between SSBs and ROs. After the terminal device receives an SSB and determines the optimal SSB, it sends a PRACH using the RO corresponding to that optimal SSB. The network device can determine the SSB selected by the terminal device based on the RO of the received PRACH. Figure 5 shows an example of the mapping relationship between SSBs and ROs. As shown in Figure 5, the network device sends 8 SSBs in each SSB cycle, and there is a one-to-one correspondence between SSBs and ROs.

[0081] In this embodiment, an association between capability sets and operating units (ROs) can be established. For example, a first capability set and a second capability set are respectively associated with a first RO and a second RO (ROs associated with different capability sets can be determined based on protocol predefined information and / or network device configuration information). The resources occupied by the first RO and the second RO (including one or more of time-domain resources and frequency-domain resources) are different. On the first RO, the terminal device can only transmit PRACH based on the first capability set; on the second RO, the terminal device can only transmit PRACH through the second capability set. Therefore, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first RO; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second RO. In a specific communication process, the terminal device may, for example, default to sending PRACH on the RO associated with the first capability set based on the first communication method. If the network device is configured with a second RO associated with the second capability set, then the terminal device can send PRACH on the second RO based on the second communication method.

[0082] For example, a first capability set is associated with a first Remote Access Container (RO), and a second capability set is associated with both the first RO and the second RO (ROs associated with different capability sets can be determined based on predefined protocol information and / or network device configuration information). The resources occupied by the first RO and the second RO (which may include one or more of time-domain and frequency-domain resources) are different. On the first RO, the terminal device can only transmit PRACH based on the first capability set; on the second RO, the terminal device can transmit PRACH through both the first and second capability sets. If the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first RO; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on either the first or the second RO.

[0083] For example, a first capability set and a second capability set are respectively associated with a first power parameter and a second power parameter (here, the power parameter refers to the parameter used to determine the transmit power of the PRACH). This power parameter can indicate one or more of the following: power offset, power control mechanism. Accordingly, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first power parameter; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second power parameter. It should be understood that this scheme can also be combined with the previous scheme. For example, the first capability set and the second capability set can be associated with a first RO and a second RO, and respectively associated with the first power parameter and the second power parameter. Alternatively, the two schemes can also be implemented independently of each other.

[0084] Besides associating different first parameters, in some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set can be associated with different preambles. The preamble associated with the second capability set can be completely different from the preamble associated with the first capability set. Alternatively, the preamble associated with the first capability set can be a subset of the preamble associated with the second capability set. In some implementations, the preamble associated with the second capability set can be a dedicated preamble for a terminal device that satisfies the second capability set. If the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on a second communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

[0085] In some implementations, the first terminal device can choose to transmit the first PRACH based on a first communication method or a second communication method. For example, referring to Figure 6, after receiving the SSB sent by the network device (step S610), the first terminal device can select either a first capability set or a second capability set based on its own set of capabilities. If the terminal device selects the first capability set, it can transmit the first PRACH based on the first communication method; if it selects the second capability set, it can transmit the first PRACH based on the second communication method (see step S620 in Figure 6).

[0086] Furthermore, in some implementations, the first terminal device needs to transmit the first PRACH based on the second communication method (or based on the second capability set) under certain conditions (hereinafter referred to as the first condition). The first condition mentioned here may be related to one or more of the following: first indication information sent by the network device, and the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device. The aforementioned first indication information can be used to indicate or determine whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted. This first indication information may, for example, be carried in a system message sent by the network device. In addition, the quality of the downlink signal can be determined based on one or more of the following: the RSRP of the downlink signal (such as the downlink reference signal), the reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and the signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR).

[0087] For example, a network device can send a first indication message to a first terminal device. If the first indication message indicates that PRACH transmission based on a second communication method (or a second capability set) is permitted, then the first terminal device transmits a first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second capability set); and / or, if the first indication message indicates that PRACH transmission based on the second communication method (or the second capability set) is not permitted, then the first terminal device transmits a first PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first capability set). As a more specific example, a first capability set and a second capability set are associated with a first RO and a second RO, respectively. After configuring the first RO and the second RO, the network device can send a first indication message to the first terminal device (e.g., carrying the first indication message via a system message). If the first indication message indicates that PRACH transmission based on the second communication method (or the second capability set) is permitted, then the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH in the second RO via the second communication method (or the second capability set); and / or, if the first indication message indicates that PRACH transmission based on the second communication method (or the second capability set) is not permitted, then the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH in the first RO via the first communication method (or the first capability set). The first instruction information mentioned above can also be referred to as or understood as the activation information of the second RO. That is, if the second RO is activated (meaning that the network device allows the transmission of PRACH based on the second communication method), the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH on the second RO (through the second communication method or the second capability set).

[0088] For example, a network device can send a first indication message to a first terminal device. If the first indication message indicates that a PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method (or a first capability set), then the first terminal device transmits a first PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first capability set); and / or, if the first indication message indicates that a PRACH is transmitted based on a second communication method (or a second capability set), then the first terminal device transmits a first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second capability set). As a more specific example, a first capability set and a second capability set are respectively associated with a first RO and a second RO. After configuring the first RO and the second RO, the network device can send a first indication message to the first terminal device (e.g., carrying the first indication message through a system message). If the first indication message indicates that a PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method (or the first capability set), then the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH in the first RO using the first communication method (or the first capability set); and / or, if the first indication message indicates that a PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method (or the second capability set), then the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH in the second RO using the second communication method (or the second capability set).

[0089] For example, if the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second capability set); and / or, if the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device does not meet the first threshold, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first capability set).

[0090] For example, if the first indication information sent by the network device indicates that PRACH transmission is permitted based on the second communication method (or the second capability set), and the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold, then the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second capability set); otherwise, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first capability set).

[0091] As mentioned above, the first terminal device can choose either a first communication method (or a first capability set) or a second communication method (or a second capability set) to transmit the first PRACH. In other implementations, all terminal devices in the communication system (including the first terminal device) can transmit the PRACH based on the first communication method (such as the default communication method). That is, the terminal devices in the communication system use the same first communication method to initiate random access, or in other words, the terminal devices in the communication system all use the same first capability set to initiate random access. As mentioned earlier, the first capability set can define the most basic capabilities of the terminal devices. Using the most basic capabilities to initiate random access simplifies the complexity of initial access and enables energy saving through the combined efforts of various types of terminal devices. For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first terminal device can receive an SSB sent by the network device (step S710) and determine the RACH resource based on the SSB. After determining the RACH resource, the first terminal device can transmit the first PRACH based on the first communication method (or the first capability set), see step S710 in Figure 7.

[0092] It should be noted that the definition of the first capability set in this application embodiment is not specifically limited. For example, the first capability set can be determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device. The second indication information mentioned here can be carried in a system message sent by the network device. This system message can be, for example, SIB1.

[0093] As mentioned earlier, the first capability set defines the most basic capabilities of a terminal device. Therefore, in some implementations, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH only if it meets the requirements of the first capability set. In other words, the first terminal device may not be allowed to transmit PRACH if it does not meet the requirements of the first capability set.

[0094] Similarly, in some implementations, if a first terminal device wishes to transmit a first PRACH based on a second communication method (or a second set of capabilities), the first terminal device must satisfy the second set of capabilities (or possess capabilities exceeding the first set of capabilities) before allowing the transmission of the first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second set of capabilities). This scheme can be combined with the scheme mentioned above where the network device transmits first indication information. For example, if the network device indicates permission to transmit PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second set of capabilities) through the first indication information mentioned above, then the first terminal device must satisfy the second set of capabilities (or possess capabilities exceeding the first set of capabilities) before allowing the transmission of the first PRACH based on the second communication method (or the second set of capabilities).

[0095] The PRACH transmitted by the terminal device carries a preamble. In the communication system, the preamble is a ZC (Zadoff-Chu) sequence. Based on the length of the ZC sequence, it can be divided into long sequences and short sequences. The long sequence has a length of 839, supporting a subcarrier spacing of 1.25 kHz or 5 kHz in the frequency range 1 (FR1) band; the short sequence has a length of 139, supporting a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz or 30 kHz in the FR1 band.

[0096] The combinations of the above sequences and subcarrier spacings include the following four cases:

[0097] A: For a long sequence of +1.25 kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.00125 * 839 = 1.04875 MHz;

[0098] B: Long sequence + 5kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.005 * 839 = 4.195MHz;

[0099] C: Short sequence +15kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.015 * 139 = 2.085MHz;

[0100] D: Short sequence +30kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.015*139=4.17MHz.

[0101] As communication systems support an increasing variety of terminal devices, the aforementioned combinations may no longer be applicable in certain situations. For example, if the frequency domain bandwidth supported by the first set of functions is 3.5MHz, combinations B and D cannot be satisfied. Therefore, a possible solution is to use only combinations A and C in future communication systems, disabling combinations B and D in certain situations. For instance, a first terminal device receives first configuration information (which may be carried in a system message, for example), which is used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in the PRACH, and the subcarrier spacing configured in the first configuration information does not include 5kHz and / or 30kHz. Exemplarily, the first configuration information includes or only includes 1.25kHz and / or 15kHz.

[0102] When the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method (or the first capability set), if the first terminal device has capabilities exceeding the first capability set (or the first terminal device satisfies the second capability set), then the preamble carried in the first PRACH can indicate that the first terminal device's capabilities are greater than the capabilities corresponding to the first capability set (or indicate that the first terminal device satisfies the second capability set). For example, the preamble can be divided into a first group of preambles and a second group of preambles. If the preamble in the first PRACH transmitted by the first terminal device belongs to the first group of preambles, then it can be considered that the first terminal device does not have capabilities exceeding the first capability set; and / or, if the preamble in the first PRACH transmitted by the first terminal device belongs to the second group of preambles, then it can be considered that the first terminal device has capabilities exceeding the first capability set.

[0103] In some implementations, after transmitting the first PRACH based on the first communication method, the first terminal device can receive a random access response. This random access response may include third indication information, which can be used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method (or the second capability set). For example, if the first terminal device has capabilities exceeding the first capability set (or the first terminal device satisfies the second capability set) when the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first preamble carried in the first PRACH can indicate that the first terminal device's capabilities are greater than the capabilities corresponding to the first capability set (or indicate that the first terminal device satisfies the second capability set). After receiving the first preamble, the network device can send a random access response to the first terminal device. This random access response includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

[0104] The embodiments of this application are described in more detail below with specific examples. It should be noted that in the examples below, the terminal device is a UE, and the UE transmitting PRACH based on the first communication method is described as the UE transmitting PRACH based on the first set of functions / capabilities, and the UE transmitting PRACH based on the second communication method is described as the UE transmitting PRACH based on the second set of functions / capabilities. The examples below are merely to help those skilled in the art understand the embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application to the specific values ​​or scenarios illustrated. Those skilled in the art can obviously make various equivalent modifications or changes based on the given examples, and such modifications or changes also fall within the scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0105] When developing 6G systems, the types of UEs are expected to be very diverse, and the capabilities of different UE types are also expected to vary significantly. For example, low-capability UEs such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices and high-capability UEs such as mobile phones and smartwatches will be integrated into 6G systems. To enable 6G systems to accommodate various types of UEs, 6G UEs should first possess the same set of basic functions / capabilities, allowing them to meet basic communication needs. The 6G system can initially consider building a working system based on this basic set of functions / capabilities, upon which additional optimizations and enhancements can be made for high-capability UEs. Initial access, as the most basic function for UE network entry, should ideally be something the UE can complete using the aforementioned set of basic functions / capabilities. Therefore, the following example designs the initial access process based on the aforementioned set of basic functions / capabilities.

[0106] During the initial access phase, the UE receives SIB1 to obtain RACH configuration information. After obtaining the RACH configuration information, the UE can begin random access. The first step of random access is for the UE to send a PRACH, which carries the preamble selected by the UE. This example demonstrates the method by which the UE sends the PRACH.

[0107] It should be noted that, due to the high degree of uncertainty regarding the elements included in the most basic function / capability set and how to define this set, the description of the first function / capability set is used below to refer to the aforementioned most basic function / capability set. For example, the UE receives or transmits signals through the first function / capability set, or the UE receives / transmits a first signal set, or the UE receives / transmits signals within a first resource set, or the UE receives / transmits signals through a small functional core; for the UE using capabilities outside the aforementioned most basic function / capability set to receive / transmit signals, the following two definition methods can be adopted.

[0108] Method 1: The UE receives or transmits signals through the second UE function / capability set, or the UE receives / transmits the second signal set, or the UE receives / transmits signals within the second resource set, or the UE receives / transmits signals through the large function core.

[0109] At least one function / capability in the second set of functions / capabilities differs from that in the first set of functions / capabilities. For example, the maximum receive or transmit bandwidth defined in the second set of functions / capabilities differs from that in the first set of functions / capabilities. Or, the time-frequency resources occupied by the first and second sets of signals are different. Or, the time-frequency resources contained in the second set of resources differ from those in the first set of resources.

[0110] The same UE can switch between a first function / capability set and a second function / capability set. Alternatively, the UE can support only the first function / capability set. The same UE can receive / transmit different signal sets at different times. Alternatively, the UE can receive / transmit only the first signal set. The same UE can receive / transmit signals in different resource sets at different times. Alternatively, the UE can receive / transmit signals only within the first resource set.

[0111] Method 2: The UE receives or transmits signals using capabilities / functions beyond the first set of functions / capabilities; or, the UE receives / transmits signals outside the first set of signals; or, the UE receives / transmits signals within resources outside the first set of resources. The difference between Method 2 and Method 1 lies in whether a second set of functions / capabilities is explicitly defined.

[0112] It should be understood that the different descriptions above can be used interchangeably. For convenience, the following embodiments mainly use the descriptions of the UE receiving / transmitting signals through the first set of functions / capabilities and the UE receiving / transmitting signals through the second set of functions / capabilities.

[0113] Example 1: The UE sends PRACH through the first function / capability set or the second function / capability set.

[0114] The starting point of this embodiment is that 6G UEs can use different sets of functions / capabilities for initial access. For example, low-capability UEs can access the channel within a narrower bandwidth, while high-capability UEs can switch to a wider bandwidth for channel access. Since the network device does not know the relevant information about the capabilities of UEs within the cell deployment when sending SSB or broadcasting system messages, the network device must first ensure that both low-capability and high-capability UEs can receive the messages. After receiving the system messages, UEs with different capabilities can switch to different functions / capabilities for initial access based on their own capabilities.

[0115] In NR systems, the time-frequency domain resources used by a UE to transmit PRACH are called ROs. Different ROs differ at least in either the time domain or the frequency domain. NR systems define a special mapping relationship between SSBs and ROs. After the UE receives an SSB and determines the optimal SSB, it uses the RO corresponding to that optimal SSB to transmit PRACH. Network devices can determine the SSB selected by the UE based on the RO of the received PRACH.

[0116] In some implementations, the network device configures associated Remote Access Entities (ROs) for a first function / capability set and a second function / capability set, respectively, denoted as the first RO and the second RO. The time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the first RO and the second RO are different. On the first RO, the UE can only transmit PRACH through the first function / capability set. On the second RO, the UE can transmit PRACH through either the first function / capability set or the second function / capability set.

[0117] Alternatively, in some implementations, the network device may configure only one set of ROs, and a UE with a second set of functions / capabilities may transmit a dedicated preamble on these ROs. Alternatively, a UE with a second set of functions / capabilities may transmit PRACH using a different power offset or a different power control mechanism.

[0118] Optionally, after configuring the second RO, the network device requires additional activation information to activate it. The UE can only send PRACH through the second function / capability set after receiving the configuration information for the second RO and the aforementioned activation information. One method for sending activation information is to include an indication in the system message sent by the network device whether the UE is allowed to receive / send signals through the second function / capability set. If allowed, the UE can choose to send PRACH through the second function / capability set; if not allowed, the UE can only send PRACH using the first function / capability set.

[0119] Optionally, after obtaining network configuration information, the UE may determine whether to send PRACH through the second function / capability set based on whether the DL RSRP meets a certain threshold.

[0120] Example 2: UE sends PRACH through the first set of functions / capabilities

[0121] The starting point of this embodiment is to simplify the complexity of initial access. All 6G UEs use the same method for initial access. At this time, the network device assumes that the UE will use the most basic set of functions / capabilities mentioned above for initial access. Only UEs with the most basic set of functions / capabilities mentioned above can perform initial access.

[0122] Similarly, in this embodiment, the description of a first set of functions / capabilities replaces the most basic set of functions / capabilities described above. This first set of functions / capabilities may be determined based on predefined standard information; the 6G UE should possess the first set of functions / capabilities determined by the predefined standard. Alternatively, the first set of functions / capabilities information is indicated to the UE by the network device, and this information may be carried, for example, within a system message sent by the network device (e.g., SIB1). After the UE receives the system information and determines the first set of functions / capabilities information, the UE can only send a PRACH message if the functions / capabilities it supports satisfy the first set of functions / capabilities.

[0123] Furthermore, the UE transmits PRACH to carry the preamble. In 5G systems, the preamble is a ZC sequence, which is divided into long and short sequences based on its length. The long sequence has a length of 839, supporting a subcarrier spacing of 1.25kHz or 5kHz in the FR1 band; the short sequence has a length of 139, supporting a subcarrier spacing of 15kHz or 30kHz in the FR1 band. The combinations of the above sequences and subcarrier spacings include the following four cases:

[0124] A: For a long sequence of +1.25 kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.00125 * 839 = 1.04875 MHz;

[0125] B: Long sequence + 5kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.005 * 839 = 4.195MHz;

[0126] C: Short sequence +15kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.015 * 139 = 2.085MHz;

[0127] D: Short sequence +30kHz, the required frequency domain resources are 0.015*139=4.17MHz.

[0128] In some cases, the above combinations may no longer be used. For example, if the frequency domain bandwidth supported by the first set of functions / capabilities is 3.5MHz, then combinations B and D cannot be satisfied. To solve this problem, one solution is to use only combinations A and C in the 6G system and disable combinations B and D. Specifically, this is reflected in the preamble subcarrier spacing configuration information included in the system messages sent by network devices, which is restricted to 1.5kHz and 30kHz (i.e., 1.5kHz and 30kHz configuration is not allowed).

[0129] Optionally, a UE with capabilities beyond the first set of functions / capabilities can choose a dedicated preamble when sending PRACH, which implicitly informs the network device that it can support a higher set of functions / capabilities.

[0130] Optionally, after receiving the PRACH sent by the UE, the network device instructs the UE to subsequently switch to the second function / capability set and send Msg3 when sending RAR information to the UE.

[0131] The two embodiments described above design a method for 6G UEs to send PRACH. Both network devices and UEs can be assumed to initiate random access with the most basic capabilities to achieve joint energy saving. Additionally, high-capability UEs can also initiate random access with a stronger set of functions / capabilities. This balances the load on initial access and avoids initial access congestion and excessive latency when there are many UEs in the cell.

[0132] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 1 to 7. The apparatus embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 8 to 10. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments. Therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0133] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 can be the first terminal device mentioned above. The communication device 800 includes a communication unit 810. The communication unit 810 is used to transmit a first PRACH based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein, the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0134] In some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

[0135] In some implementations, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

[0136] In some implementations, the first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: RO, power parameter.

[0137] In some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

[0138] In some implementations, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

[0139] In some implementations, the communication unit 810 is configured to: transmit the first PRACH based on the second communication method when a first condition is met; wherein the first condition is related to one or more of the following: first indication information sent by a network device, the first indication information being used to indicate whether transmission of PRACH based on the second communication method is permitted; and the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

[0140] In some implementations, the first condition includes one or more of the following: the first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets a first threshold.

[0141] In some implementations, the first capability set is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

[0142] In some implementations, the second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

[0143] In some implementations, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH if it meets the first capability set; and / or, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH if it does not meet the first capability set.

[0144] In some implementations, the communication unit 810 is further configured to: receive first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in the PRACH, the subcarrier spacing not including 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

[0145] In some implementations, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, and the first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

[0146] In some implementations, the communication unit 810 is further configured to: after transmitting the first PRACH based on the first communication method, receive a random access response, the random access response including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

[0147] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication device 900 shown in Figure 9 can be the network device mentioned above. The communication device 900 includes a communication unit 910. The communication unit 910 is used to receive a first PRACH sent by a first terminal device; wherein the first PRACH is transmitted based on a first communication method or a second communication method; wherein the first communication method corresponds to a first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to a second capability set of the first terminal device.

[0148] In some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

[0149] In some implementations, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

[0150] In some implementations, the first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: RO, power parameter.

[0151] In some implementations, the first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

[0152] In some implementations, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, if the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

[0153] In some implementations, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method when a first condition is met; wherein the first condition is related to one or more of the following: first indication information sent by the network device, the first indication information being used to indicate whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; and the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

[0154] In some implementations, the first condition includes one or more of the following: the first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; the quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets a first threshold.

[0155] In some implementations, the first capability set is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

[0156] In some implementations, the second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

[0157] In some implementations, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH if it meets the first capability set; and / or, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH if it does not meet the first capability set.

[0158] In some implementations, the communication unit 910 is further configured to: send first configuration information, the first configuration information being used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in the PRACH, the subcarrier spacing not including 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

[0159] In some implementations, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, and the first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

[0160] In some implementations, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, and the communication unit is further configured to: send a random access response to the first terminal device, the random access response including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

[0161] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 10 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This device 1000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The device 1000 can be a chip, a terminal device, or a network device.

[0162] Apparatus 1000 may include one or more processors 1010. The processor 1010 may support apparatus 1000 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0163] The apparatus 1000 may further include one or more memories 1020. The memories 1020 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1010, causing the processor 1010 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1020 may be independent of the processor 1010 or integrated within the processor 1010.

[0164] The device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1030. The processor 1010 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030. For example, the processor 1010 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030.

[0165] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0166] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0167] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0168] It should be understood that the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of this application and is not intended to limit this application. The terms "first," "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0169] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0170] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0171] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0172] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including terminal devices and network devices). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0173] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the LTE protocol, the NR protocol, and related protocols applied to future communication systems. This application does not limit this.

[0174] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0175] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0176] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0177] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0178] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0179] In the above 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 program 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 website, computer, server, or data center 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 read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0180] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: include: The first terminal device transmits the first physical random access channel (PRACH) based on the first communication method or the second communication method; The first communication method corresponds to the first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to the second capability set of the first terminal device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameters associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: random access channel timing (RO) and power parameters.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

6. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first terminal device transmits a first PRACH based on a first communication method or a second communication method, including: If the first condition is met, the first terminal device transmits the first PRACH based on the second communication method; The first condition is related to one or more of the following: The network device sends a first indication message, which is used to indicate whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission is permitted based on the second communication method; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first set of capabilities is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, The second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that: If the first terminal device meets the first capability set, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH; and / or If the first terminal device does not meet the first capability set, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first terminal device receives first configuration information, which is used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in PRACH, wherein the subcarrier spacing does not include 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method. The first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that, The method further includes: After transmitting the first PRACH based on the first communication method, the first terminal device receives a random access response, which includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

15. A method of communication, comprising: include: The network device receives the first physical random access channel (PRACH) sent by the first terminal device; The first PRACH is transmitted based on either a first communication method or a second communication method; Wherein, the first communication method corresponds to the first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to the second capability set of the first terminal device.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameters associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

18. The method of claim 16 or 17, wherein, The first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: random access channel timing (RO) and power parameters.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

20. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

21. The method of any one of claims 15-20, wherein, If the first condition is met, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method; The first condition is related to one or more of the following: The network device sends a first indication message, which is used to indicate whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission is permitted based on the second communication method; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold.

23. The method of any one of claims 15-22, wherein, The first capability set is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

25. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 24, characterized in that: If the first terminal device meets the first capability set, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH; and / or If the first terminal device does not meet the first capability set, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH.

26. The method of any one of claims 15-25, wherein, The method further includes: The network device sends first configuration information, which is used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in PRACH, wherein the subcarrier spacing does not include 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

27. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 26, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method. The first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

28. The method according to any one of claims 15 to 27, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, and the method further includes: The network device sends a random access response to the first terminal device. The random access response includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

29. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a first terminal device, and the communication device includes: The communication unit is used to transmit the first physical random access channel (PRACH) based on a first communication method or a second communication method. The first communication method corresponds to the first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to the second capability set of the first terminal device.

30. The communication device according to claim 29, characterized in that, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

31. The communication device according to claim 30, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameters associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

32. The communication device according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that, The first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: random access channel timing (RO) and power parameters.

33. The communication device according to claim 29, characterized in that, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

34. The communication device according to claim 30, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

35. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 34, characterized in that, The communication unit is used for: If the first condition is met, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method; The first condition is related to one or more of the following: The network device sends a first indication message, which is used to indicate whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

36. The communication device according to claim 35, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission is permitted based on the second communication method; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold.

37. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 36, characterized in that, The first set of capabilities is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

38. The communication device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

39. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 38, characterized in that: If the first terminal device meets the first capability set, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH; and / or If the first terminal device does not meet the first capability set, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH.

40. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 39, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: Receive first configuration information, which is used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in PRACH, wherein the subcarrier spacing does not include 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

41. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 40, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method. The first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

42. The communication device according to any one of claims 29 to 41, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: After transmitting the first PRACH based on the first communication method, a random access response is received. The random access response includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

43. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a network device, and the communication device includes: The communication unit is used to receive the first physical random access channel (PRACH) sent by the first terminal device. The first PRACH is transmitted based on either a first communication method or a second communication method; The first communication method corresponds to the first capability set of the first terminal device, and the second communication method corresponds to the second capability set of the first terminal device.

44. The communication device of claim 43, wherein, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different first parameters, which are used to transmit PRACH.

45. The communication device according to claim 44, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameters associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first parameter associated with the second capability set.

46. ​​The communication device according to claim 44 or 45, characterized in that, The first parameter includes one or more of the following parameters: random access channel timing (RO) and power parameters.

47. The communication device according to claim 43, characterized in that, The first capability set and the second capability set are associated with different preambles.

48. The communication device according to claim 44, characterized in that: If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the first capability set; and / or, If the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method, then the preamble carried in the first PRACH is the preamble associated with the second capability set.

49. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 48, characterized in that, If the first condition is met, the first PRACH is transmitted based on the second communication method; The first condition is related to one or more of the following: The network device sends a first indication message, which is used to indicate whether PRACH transmission based on the second communication method is permitted; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device.

50. The communication device according to claim 49, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The first indication information indicates that PRACH transmission is permitted based on the second communication method; The quality of the downlink signal received by the first terminal device meets the first threshold.

51. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 50, characterized in that, The first capability set is determined based on one or more of the following: protocol predefined information, and second indication information sent by the network device.

52. The communication device according to claim 51, characterized in that, The second indication information is carried in a system message sent by the network device.

53. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 52, characterized in that: If the first terminal device meets the first capability set, the first terminal device is allowed to transmit PRACH; and / or If the first terminal device does not meet the first capability set, the first terminal device is not allowed to transmit PRACH.

54. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 53, characterized in that, The communication unit is also used for: Send first configuration information, which is used to configure the subcarrier spacing of the preamble in PRACH, wherein the subcarrier spacing does not include 5kHz and / or 30kHz.

55. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 54, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method. The first PRACH carries a first preamble, which is used to indicate that the capability of the first terminal device is greater than the capability corresponding to the first capability set.

56. The communication device according to any one of claims 43 to 55, characterized in that, The first PRACH is transmitted based on the first communication method. The communication unit is further configured to: send a random access response to the first terminal device, the random access response including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first terminal device to transmit message 3 based on the second communication method.

57. A communications device, characterized by The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

58. An apparatus, comprising: Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

59. A chip, comprising: Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

60. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

61. A computer program product, characterised in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

62. A computer program characterised in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 14 or 15 to 28.

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