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WO2025174320A1 - User equipment, radio network node and methods for prach configuration - Google Patents

User equipment, radio network node and methods for prach configuration

Info

Publication number
WO2025174320A1
WO2025174320A1 PCT/SE2025/050133 SE2025050133W WO2025174320A1 WO 2025174320 A1 WO2025174320 A1 WO 2025174320A1 SE 2025050133 W SE2025050133 W SE 2025050133W WO 2025174320 A1 WO2025174320 A1 WO 2025174320A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
prach
configuration
prach configuration
network node
radio network
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
PCT/SE2025/050133
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Magnus ÅSTRÖM
Peter Alriksson
Johan AXNÄS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Original Assignee
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB filed Critical Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
Publication of WO2025174320A1 publication Critical patent/WO2025174320A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/08—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA
    • H04W74/0808—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
    • H04W74/0816—Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA] with collision avoidance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0048—Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0053—Allocation of signalling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0058—Allocation criteria
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/14—Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/002—Transmission of channel access control information
    • H04W74/006—Transmission of channel access control information in the downlink, i.e. towards the terminal

Definitions

  • UEs also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN).
  • the RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cells, with each service area or cell being served by a radio network node such as an access node, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB.
  • the service area or cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node.
  • the radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node.
  • the radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.
  • DL downlink
  • UL uplink
  • a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM).
  • the UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment.
  • WCDMA wideband code division multiple access
  • HSPA High-Speed Packet Access
  • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
  • telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and investigate e.g. enhanced data rate and radio capacity.
  • 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
  • radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto.
  • RNC radio network controller
  • BSC base station controller
  • the RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.
  • the Evolved Packet System comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network.
  • E-UTRAN also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network
  • EPC also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network.
  • E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network.
  • the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.
  • Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions.
  • a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions.
  • NR is connected to the 5G Core Network (5GC) which comprises a number of Network Functions (NF) such as Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Manager (UDM), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), just to mention some.
  • NFs can discover other NFs by using a discovery service provided by the Network Repository Function (NRF).
  • Transmission and reception from a node can be multiplexed in the frequency domain or in the time domain, or combinations thereof.
  • Frequency Division Duplex as illustrated to the left in Fig. 1 implies that downlink and uplink transmission take place in different, sufficiently separated, frequency bands.
  • Time Division Duplex as illustrated to the right in Fig. 1 , implies that downlink and uplink transmission take place in different, non-overlapping time slots.
  • TDD can operate in unpaired spectrum
  • FDD requires paired spectrum.
  • Fig. 1 shows a Frequency- and time-division duplex.
  • the structure of the transmitted signal in a communication system is organized in the form of a frame structure.
  • the pattern at the top of the diagram is what it assumes.
  • the network can make use of the 'F' symbols flexibly, by scheduling and/or triggering either an uplink or a downlink signal and/or channel in a UE specific manner. This allows for very dynamic behavior: the direction is not known to the UE a priori; rather, the direction becomes known once the UE detects a DCI scheduling and/or triggering a particular DL or UL signal and/or channel.
  • TDD-DL-UL- ConfigCommon configures the cell-specific pattern
  • TDD-DL-UL-ConfigDedicated if provided, UE-specifically configures the direction for some or all of the 'F' symbols in the cell-specific pattern.
  • Fig. 3 shows a Conventional TDD carrier or carrier systems.
  • Fig. 5 shows exemplary configurations of 3 RB sets in an SBFD symbol configured as (a) D - II - D and (b) as II - D - II.
  • PRACH physical random access channel
  • the cell-specific (common) TDD LIL/DL pattern is assumed as D-D-D-D- II, which is also shown in Fig. 6.
  • the UE assumes that a RACH occasion is valid if it is within UL symbols according to the following text extract:
  • ROs are configured in the frequency domain via two parameters: msg1-FDM which indicates the number of ROs in the frequency domain (1 , 2, 4, or 8) within an OFDM symbol, and msg 1 -Frequencystart which indicates the lowest indexed RB in the active BWP of the first RO in the frequency domain.
  • RACH-ConfigGeneric :: SEQUENCE ⁇ prach-Configurationlndex INTEGER (0..255), msg1 -FDM ENUMERATED ⁇ one, two, four, eight ⁇ , msg1 -Frequencystart INTEGER (0..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1), zeroCorrelationZoneConfig INTEGER(0..15), preambleReceivedTargetPower INTEGER (-202..-60),
  • a value of 1/8, 1/4, or 1/2 means that 1 SS/PBCH block (SSB) is mapped to either 8, 4 or 2 consecutive ROs, respectively.
  • a value of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 means that 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SSBs, respectively, are mapped to a single RO.
  • SS stands for synchronization signal
  • PBCH stands for physical broadcast channel.
  • the ordering of SSB to RO mapping is defined in 3GPP TS 38.213 Section 8.1 according to the following text extract:
  • SS/PBCH block indexes provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or in ServingCellConfigCommon are mapped to valid PRACH occasions in the following order where the parameters are described in [4, TS 38.211],
  • mapping is performed based on valid ROs, and follows a frequency first, time second ordering.
  • PRACH configuration example with the following additional configuration:
  • SSB-RO mapping results in the SSB-RO mapping shown in Fig. 7.
  • the association period is equal to 1, i.e., a complete cycle of SSB indices occurs within a single PRACH configuration period.
  • Fig. 7 shows an exemplary SSB-RO mapping assuming 4 FDM'd ROs with each SSB mapped to a single RO.
  • the preamble received target power is configured via the parameter: preambleReceivedTargetPower which indicates the target power level at the receiver side.
  • preambleReceivedTargetPower which indicates the target power level at the receiver side.
  • the UE uses this parameter together with a pathloss estimate and maximum output power compute the transmission power for the PRACH.
  • RACH occasions (RO) in SBFD symbols and ROs in regular TDD symbols differ in terms of the expected signal to interference plus noise ratio (SI NR) at the receiver.
  • SI NR expected signal to interference plus noise ratio
  • SBFD symbols are subject to higher interference levels than regular TDD symbols.
  • the PRACH format configured in SBFD symbols may differ from the one configured in regular TDD symbols.
  • the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network.
  • the UE receives an indication of a first PRACH configuration.
  • the UE obtains an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
  • the UE selects an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission from the first and/or second PRACH configuration, and performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
  • a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
  • a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
  • the object is achieved by providing a UE, and a radio network node configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.
  • the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network.
  • the UE is configured to receive an indication of a first PRACH configuration.
  • the UE is configured to obtain an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
  • the UE is configured to select an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission from the first and/or second PRACH configuration, and perform a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
  • a UE for transmitting a PRACH preamble to a network node, where both the UE and radio network node may be capable of SBFD operation.
  • the UE receives a first PRACH configuration such as a legacy PRACH configuration, and then the UE obtains a second PRACH configuration such as a SBFD PRACH configuration.
  • the configurations may include, e.g., RO locations, PRACH format, SSB-to-PRACH mapping etc.
  • the UE determines or selects a RO and an associated PRACH preamble.
  • the UE uses the RO and preamble when performing a random access (RA).
  • RA random access
  • embodiments herein handle an efficient communication, for example, by using PRACH configuration for SBFD, in a wireless communication network.
  • Fig. 1 shows FDD according to prior art
  • Fig. 4 shows a portion of a wide bandwidth carrier according to prior art
  • Fig. 5 shows two exemplary RB set configurations according to prior art
  • Fig. 6 shows an example of a PRACH configuration according to prior art
  • Fig. 7 shows an SSB-RO mapping according to prior art
  • Fig. 8 shows an overview depicting a wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 9 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a UE according to embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 12 is a schematic overview depicting a method according to some embodiments herein;
  • Fig. 13 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a UE according to embodiments herein.
  • Fig. 14 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a radio network node according to embodiments herein.
  • one or more UEs such as a user equipment (UE) 10 exemplified herein as a wireless device such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non- AP) station (STA), a STA and/or a wireless terminal, are comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. radio access network (RAN), to one or more core networks (CN).
  • AN e.g. radio access network
  • CN core networks
  • UE is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, narrowband internet of things (NB- loT) device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g.
  • the wireless communication network 1 comprises a first radio network node 12, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar.
  • the first radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, A NG-RAN node, e.g.
  • a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a NG-RAN-CU-UP node, base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within the area served by the first radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used.
  • gNB gNodeB
  • eNB evolved Node B
  • NodeB a NodeB
  • a base transceiver station such as a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a NG-RAN-CU-UP node, base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA),
  • the first radio network node may be referred to as a primary node, primary radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a primary serving cell, and the primary node communicates with the wireless device in form of DL transmissions to the wireless device and UL transmissions from the wireless device.
  • a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.
  • the wireless communication network 1 comprises a second radio network node 13, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area 14 or second cell, of a second radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar.
  • the second radio network node 13 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g.
  • a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, a NG-RAN-CU-CP node, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a wireless device within the area served by the second radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used.
  • gNB gNodeB
  • eNB evolved Node B
  • eNode B evolved Node B
  • NodeB a NodeB
  • a base transceiver station such as a radio remote unit, a NG-RAN-CU-CP node, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (W
  • the second radio network node may be referred to as a secondary or secondary serving radio network node, wherein the service area may be referred to as a secondary cell or secondary serving cell, and the second radio network node communicates with the UE in form of DL transmissions to the UE and UL transmissions from the UE.
  • a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.
  • Fig. 9 is combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein.
  • the UE 10 selects or determines the RO and the PRACH preamble for transmission.
  • the UE 10 selects the RO and the PRACH preamble from the first and/or second PRACH configuration. The selection may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or the capability of the UE 10.
  • the RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more prioritization rules.
  • the one or more prioritization rules may define that:
  • ⁇ An estimated geographical position
  • ⁇ An estimate of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, at a first RO and/or a second RO;
  • CBRA Contention-based random access
  • CFRA Contention-free random access
  • the UE 10 may receive a selection indication from the radio network node 12, which selection indicates which of the two PRACH configurations should be prioritized.
  • the UE 10 then performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
  • A5. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, and where the UE 10 selects a SBFD RO or SBFD PRACH format based on one or more of: a.
  • a specification specifying the PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats b.
  • An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to the network node c.
  • An estimated geographical position (from GNSS) d.
  • a previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration f.
  • the radio network node 12 transmits to the UE 10 the indication, such as a value or an index value, indicating the first PRACH configuration.
  • the radio network node 12 transmits to the UE 10, the indication of the second PRACH configuration.
  • the second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration.
  • the radio network node 12 may further inform the UE 10 about one or more prioritization rules to use between the legacy PRACH and the novel SBFD PRACH.
  • Fig. 12 presents a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment herein.
  • the UE 10 receives a first (legacy) PRACH configuration, including, e.g., an indication of a set of ROs, PRACH format to use, SSB-to-PRACH mapping etc.
  • the PRACH configuration may be received in a system information block, particularly in a SIB1 message.
  • the UE 10 receives a configuration of a second (SBFD) PRACH configuration, including, e.g., an indication of a set of ROs, PRACH format and SSB-to-PRACH mapping.
  • SBFD second
  • Parts of the second PRACH configuration may be inherited from the first PRACH configuration, such that some of the information from the first configuration is also used for the second configuration.
  • This PRACH configuration may also be received in a SIB1 message or alternatively by UE specific RRC signaling.
  • the UE 10 determines a preferred SSB to which the PRACH should be associated.
  • the preferred SSB is the strongest received SSB, i.e. , the SSB with the best reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ), among the received SSBs of a cell.
  • RSRP reference signal received power
  • RSRQ reference signal received quality
  • the preferred SSB may further be selected among different cells such that the strongest SSB over all cells is selected.
  • valid and/or related ROs for both PRACH configurations are determined.
  • Validation may depend on the slot or symbol being an UL slot or UL symbol or an UL subband slot or an UL subband symbol.
  • Validation may further depend on a time frequency location in relation to an SSB, or an order among all valid ROs in relation to SSBs such that, e.g., the first and second ROs are associated with the first SSB, the third and fourth ROs to the second SSB, and so on.
  • the SSB-to-RO mapping may be provided as a part of the PRACH configuration.
  • the UE 10 determines in which RO to transmit and which PRACH preamble to transmit. The selection may be done based on one or more of the following one or more prioritization rules or criteria: a. A specification, in which an order of prioritization is specified based on the first and second PRACH configurations. b. An estimate of distance and/or pathloss to the node such that a longer distance or a higher pathloss implies using the longer PRACH format of the first and second PRACH configurations. c. A received signal level such as RSRP, of a DL signal, such as an SSB. If the signal level is below a threshold the UE selects the longer PRACH format. d.
  • RSRP received signal level
  • a DL signal such as an SSB
  • An estimated location such that a certain (more distant) location implies using the longer PRACH format of the first and second PRACH configurations.
  • An estimated SI NR at previous ROs associated to the first and second PRACH configurations such that the previous ROs associated to the first or the second PRACH configuration with a higher SINR compared to the other implies a preference to use such a later RO.
  • a previous attempt at transmitting a PRACH preamble at a previous RO associated to the first or the second PRACH configuration such that a failed attempt for an RO associated to one PRACH configuration implies attempting to transmitting a PRACH preamble in an RO associated with the other PRACH configuration.
  • the duration to an RO associated with the first and second PRACH configurations such that an earlier RO and its associated PRACH format is preferred to a later RO.
  • Contention-based random access (CBRA) or contention-free random access (CFRA) such that an RO is selected based on whether it is one or the other.
  • CBRA Contention-based random access
  • CFRA contention-free random access
  • an extra bit is used to indicate whether to use the UL subband or the UL slot for CFRA.
  • Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to obtain the indication of the second PRACH configuration.
  • the second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration.
  • the second PRACH configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 or be determined based on the first PRACH configuration.
  • the second PRACH configuration may be deduced automatically by the UE 10 based on first PRACH configuration.
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to receive the preferred SSB.
  • the preferred SSB may be the strongest received SSB.
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to determine one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB. This may be determined based on both PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to select or determine the RO and PRACH preamble for transmission. This may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or capability of the UE.
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to select the RO and the PRACH preamble from the first and/or second PRACH configuration. The selection may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or the capability of the UE.
  • the RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more prioritization rules.
  • the one or more prioritization rules may define that:
  • the UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to perform a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
  • the computer program product 1307 may be stored on a computer- readable storage medium 1308, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar.
  • the computer-readable storage medium 1308, having stored thereon the computer program product may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10.
  • the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
  • embodiments herein may disclose the UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein UE comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said UE is operative to perform any of the methods herein.
  • the radio network node 12 may comprise processing circuitry 1401 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.
  • processing circuitry 1401 e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.
  • the radio network node 12 and/or the processing circuitry 1401 is configured to transmit to the UE 10, the indication of the second PRACH configuration.
  • the second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration.
  • wireless device or user equipment refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system.
  • UE refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system.
  • Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), loT capable device, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.
  • computing devices described herein may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.
  • processing circuitry may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.
  • processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.
  • some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner.
  • the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and/or by end users and a wireless network generally.
  • a method performed by a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network comprising receiving an indication of a first PRACH configuration; obtaining an indication of a second PRACH configuration. determining an RO and PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and performing a random access using the determined RO and PRACH preamble.
  • a method performed by a radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network comprising transmitting an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration to a UE; and transmitting to the UE, an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
  • a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network wherein the UE is configured to: receive an indication of a first PRACH configuration; obtain an indication of a second PRACH configuration; determine an RO and PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and perform a random access using the determined RO and PRACH preamble.
  • a radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network wherein the radio network node is configured to transmit an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration to a UE; and transmit to the UE, an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
  • a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, and B1-B2, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.

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  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
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Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to, for example, a method performed by a UE (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE (10) receives an indication of a first PRACH configuration. The UE (10) obtains an indication of a second PRACH configuration. The UE (10) selects an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission from the first and/or second5 PRACH configuration, and performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.

Description

USER EQUIPMENT, RADIO NETWORK NODE AND METHODS FOR PRACH CONFIGURATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
Embodiments herein relate to a user equipment (UE), a radio network node, and methods performed therein regarding wireless communication. Furthermore, a computer program product and a computer readable storage medium are also provided herein. In particular, embodiments herein relate to handling communication in a wireless communication network, such as handling access to the wireless communication network.
BACKGROUND
In a typical wireless communication network, UEs, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or wireless devices, communicate via a Radio Access Network (RAN) with one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cells, with each service area or cell being served by a radio network node such as an access node, e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be called, for example, a NodeB, a gNodeB, or an eNodeB. The service area or cell is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node operates on radio frequencies to communicate over an air interface with the UEs within range of the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over a downlink (DL) to the UE and the UE communicates over an uplink (UL) to the radio network node.
A Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) is a third generation (3G) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (2G) Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). The UMTS terrestrial radio access network (UTRAN) is essentially a RAN using wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) and/or High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA) for communication with user equipment. In a forum known as the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), telecommunications suppliers propose and agree upon standards for present and future generation networks and investigate e.g. enhanced data rate and radio capacity. In some RANs, e.g. as in UMTS, several radio network nodes may be connected, e.g., by landlines or microwave, to a controller node, such as a radio network controller (RNC) or a base station controller (BSC), which supervises and coordinates various activities of the plural radio network nodes connected thereto. The RNCs are typically connected to one or more core networks.
Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS) have been completed within the 3GPP and coming 3GPP releases, such as New Radio (NR), are worked on. The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a 3GPP radio access technology wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network. As such, the Radio Access Network (RAN) of an EPS has an architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.
With the emerging 5G technologies such as NR, the use of very many transmit- and receive-antenna elements may be of great interest as it makes it possible to utilize beamforming, such as transmit-side and receive-side beamforming. Transmit-side beamforming means that the transmitter can amplify the transmitted signals in a selected direction or directions, while suppressing the transmitted signals in other directions. Similarly, on the receive-side, a receiver can amplify signals from a selected direction or directions, while suppressing unwanted signals from other directions. NR is connected to the 5G Core Network (5GC) which comprises a number of Network Functions (NF) such as Session Management Function (SMF), User Plane Function (UPF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Authentication Service Function (AUSF), Policy Control Function (PCF), Unified Data Manager (UDM), Network Repository Function (NRF), Network Exposure Function (NEF), just to mention some. In the 5GC, NFs can discover other NFs by using a discovery service provided by the Network Repository Function (NRF).
Transmission and reception from a node, e.g. a UE in a cellular system, can be multiplexed in the frequency domain or in the time domain, or combinations thereof. Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) as illustrated to the left in Fig. 1 implies that downlink and uplink transmission take place in different, sufficiently separated, frequency bands. Time Division Duplex (TDD), as illustrated to the right in Fig. 1 , implies that downlink and uplink transmission take place in different, non-overlapping time slots. Thus, TDD can operate in unpaired spectrum, whereas FDD requires paired spectrum.
Fig. 1 shows a Frequency- and time-division duplex.
Typically, the structure of the transmitted signal in a communication system is organized in the form of a frame structure.
In more detail, the following two information elements (IE) are defined in current specifications. The TDD pattern is typically configured with at least the first IE and optionally the 2nd IE:
• TDD-DL-UL-ConfigCommon (cell-specific)
• TDD-DL-UL-Config Dedicated (UE-specific)
The first IE is cell specific, i.e. , common to all UEs, and is provided by broadcast signaling. It provides the number of slots in the TDD pattern via a reference subcarrier spacing (SCS) and a periodicity such that the S-slot pattern repeats every S slots. This IE allows for very flexible configuration of the pattern characterized as follows:
A number of full downlink slots at the beginning of the pattern configured by the parameter nDownlinkSlots • A number of full uplink slots at the end of the pattern configured by the parameter nUplinkSlots
• A number of downlink (' D') symbols following the full downlink slots configured by the parameter nDownlinkSymbols
• A number of uplink (' U') symbols preceding the full downlink slots configured by the parameter nUplinkSlots
• If there is a gap between the last downlink symbol and the first uplink symbol, then all symbols in the gap are characterized as flexible ('F'). A symbol classified as 'F' can be used for downlink or uplink. A UE determines the direction in one of the following two ways: o Detecting a downlink control information (DCI) that schedules/triggers a DL signal/channel, e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) or schedules and/or triggers an UL signal and/or channel, e.g. physical uplink shared channel (PLISCH), sounding reference signal (SRS), etc. o By dedicated, i.e., UE-specific, signaling of the information element (IE) TDD-DL- UL-ConfigDedicated. This parameter overrides some or all of the 'F' symbols in the pattern, thus providing a semi-static indication of whether a symbol is classified as 'D' or 'U'
• Optionally, a 2nd pattern that is concatenated to the first pattern can be configured as above. If a 2nd pattern is configured, the constraint is that the sum of the periodicities of the two patterns must evenly divide 20 ms.
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary TDD DL/LIL pattern configured by TDD-DL-UL-ConfigCommon. It consists of 3 full ' D' slots, 1 full 'll' slot, with a mixed slot in between consisting of 4 ' D' symbols and 3 ' U' symbols. The remaining 7 symbols in the mixed slot are classified as 'F', flexible.
If a UE is not configured with TDD-DL-UL-ConfigDedicated, then the pattern at the top of the diagram is what it assumes. As stated above, the network can make use of the 'F' symbols flexibly, by scheduling and/or triggering either an uplink or a downlink signal and/or channel in a UE specific manner. This allows for very dynamic behavior: the direction is not known to the UE a priori; rather, the direction becomes known once the UE detects a DCI scheduling and/or triggering a particular DL or UL signal and/or channel.
In contrast, the DL/UL direction for some or all of the 'F' symbols in a particular slot can be provided to the UE in a semi-static manner by radio resource control (RRC) configuring the UE with TDD-DL-UL-ConfigDedicated. The lower part of Fig. 2 shows 3 exemplary configurations for overriding 'F' symbols in Slot 3. If the IE indicates 'allDownlink' or 'allUplink' for a particular slot (or slots), then all 'F' symbols in the slot are converted to either 'D' or 'U,' respectively. If the IE indicates 'explicit,' then a number of symbols at the beginning of the slot and/or a number of symbols at the end of the slot are indicated as 'D' and 'U,' respectively. In the example below, the first 7 and the last 5 are indicated as ' D' and 'll', which converts some of the 'F' symbols, but not all in this example, to 'D' and 'U.'
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary TDD DL/UL pattern consisting of S = 5 slots. TDD-DL-UL- ConfigCommon configures the cell-specific pattern, and TDD-DL-UL-ConfigDedicated, if provided, UE-specifically configures the direction for some or all of the 'F' symbols in the cell-specific pattern.
The key behavior in the above is that the UE-specific IE TDD-DL-UL-ConfigDedicated can only override, i.e. , specify 'D' or 'U', for symbols that are configured as 'F' by the cell-specific IE TDD-DL-UL-ConfigCommon. In other words, a UE does not expect to have a 'D' symbol converted to 'U' or vice versa.
As described in the last section, in a conventional TDD system, entire carrier bandwidth (BW) or all carriers in the same frequency band need to be utilizing the same DL transmission or UL reception directions. This is further illustrated in Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 shows a Conventional TDD carrier or carrier systems.
For the Rel-18 evolution of the NR system, the 3GPP has decided to study the technical feasibilities and potential benefits of subband full duplex (SBFD) systems.
• In such a system, a portion of a wide bandwidth carrier may be used for a different direction than that of the rest of the carrier. This is illustrated in the left-hand side of Fig. 4. That is, unlike a conventional TDD system as shown on the left-hand side of Fig. 3, where the entire bandwidth is used for DL transmission in the first three slots, the center portion of the SBFD carrier is used for UL reception while the rest of the carrier continues to be used for DL transmission as shown in the left-hand side of Fig. 4.
• Similarly, instead of utilizing all carriers for the same DL or UL directions in a conventional TDD system as shown in the right-hand side of Fig. 3, some carriers in the SBFD system can be used for a different direction than that of the other carriers as shown in the righthand side of Fig. 4.
In the 3GPP Rel-18 study, the scope has been limited such that in SBFD operation, only gNBs transmit DL and receive UL simultaneously. An individual UE is scheduled in only one direction, such as DL or UL, at a time. Fig. 4 shows Subband full duplex systems.
Methods may be disclosed for configuration of one or more orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a slot with two or more "resource block (RB) sets" where each RB set corresponds to a frequency domain subband and has a defined transmission direction (' D' or ' U'). The RB sets may have gaps between them that serve as guardbands where neither DL or UL transmission occurs. Fig. 5 shows two exemplary RB set configurations, one with D - U - D configuration and the other with U - D - U configuration. The RB sets are configured either by introduction of new RRC parameter(s) or enhancement of an existing RRC parameter, e.g., TDD- UL-DL-ConfigDedicated. In either case, the parameter(s) signal the size and frequency domain location of the RB sets as well as which symbols/slots in the TDD LIL/DL pattern are configured with RB sets.
Fig. 5 shows exemplary configurations of 3 RB sets in an SBFD symbol configured as (a) D - II - D and (b) as II - D - II.
An exemplary physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration according to existing, such as release 17 (Rel-17), specifications is described here. The example is for frequency range 1 (FR1) for unpaired spectrum, and uses PRACH configuration index 118 from the existing (Rel-17) 3GPP TS 38.211 18.1.0 specification as follows:
Table 6.3.3.2-3: Random access configurations for FR1 and unpaired spectrum.
Fig. 6 illustrates the example PRACH configuration assuming the PRACH subcarrier spacing (SCS) is 30 kHz. The value x = 1 in Table 6.3.3.2-3 above means that the PRACH configuration period is 2 radio frames (20 ms), and the value y = 1 means that the random access channel (RACH) occasions, denoted as RO, occur in the 2nd frame of this period. Within this frame, the ROs occur in subframes 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9. With 30 kHz SCS, there are two slots per subframe. Since the number of PRACH slots within a subframe is equal to 1 for this example, the 2nd slot of the subframe contains the ROs according to current specifications. This means that the ROs are contained in slots 5,6,9, 14, 17, and 19. In this example PRACH format A3, i.e., 6 symbol duration, is used, hence there are two back-to-back ROs per slot starting at symbol 0 of the slot.
Fig. 6 shows an example PRACH configuration from existing (Rel-17) spec.
For this example, the cell-specific (common) TDD LIL/DL pattern is assumed as D-D-D-D- II, which is also shown in Fig. 6. In the existing 3GPP TS 38.213 v.18.1.0 specification, the UE assumes that a RACH occasion is valid if it is within UL symbols according to the following text extract:
3GPP TS 38.213 Section 8.1 : For unpaired spectrum, if a UE is not provided tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, a PRACH occasion in a PRACH slot is valid if it does not precede a SS/PBCH block in the PRACH slot and starts at least (Vgap symbols after a last SS/PBCH block reception symbol, where /Vgap is provided in Table 8.1-2 and, if channelAccessMode = "semiStatic" is provided, does not overlap with a set of consecutive symbols before the start of a next channel occupancy time where the UE does not transmit [15, TS 37.213 v.18.0.0], the candidate SS/PBCH block index of the SS/PBCH block corresponds to the SS/PBCH block index provided by ssb-PositionsinBurst in SIB1 or in ServingCellConfigCommon , as described in clause 4.1
If a UE is provided tdd-UL-DL-ConfigurationCommon, a PRACH occasion in a
PRACH slot is valid if it is within UL symbols, or it does not precede a SS/PBCH block in the PRACH slot and starts at least /Vgap symbols after a last downlink symbol and at least /Vgap symbols after a last SS/PBCH block symbol, where /Vgap is provided in Table 8.1-2, and if channelAccessMode = "semi Static" is provided, does not overlap with a set of consecutive symbols before the start of a next channel occupancy time where there shall not be any transmissions, as described in [15, TS 37.213] the candidate SS/PBCH block index of the SS/PBCH block corresponds to the SS/PBCH block index provided by ssb-PositionsinBurst in SIB1 or in ServingCellConfigCommon, as described in clause 4.1.
With the D-D-D-D-U pattern, it turns out that only slots 9 and 19 contain valid ROs. The ROs in slots in 5, 7, 15, and 17 are invalidated, as indicated by the red X's in Fig. 6.
In the current 3GPP TS 38.331 specification, ROs are configured in the frequency domain via two parameters: msg1-FDM which indicates the number of ROs in the frequency domain (1 , 2, 4, or 8) within an OFDM symbol, and msg 1 -Frequencystart which indicates the lowest indexed RB in the active BWP of the first RO in the frequency domain.
RACH-ConfigGeneric information element
RACH-ConfigGeneric ::= SEQUENCE { prach-Configurationlndex INTEGER (0..255), msg1 -FDM ENUMERATED {one, two, four, eight}, msg1 -Frequencystart INTEGER (0..maxNrofPhysicalResourceBlocks-1), zeroCorrelationZoneConfig INTEGER(0..15), preambleReceivedTargetPower INTEGER (-202..-60),
In the current 3GPP TS 38.331 specification, a configurable number of SSBs are mapped to the ROs defined in the time and frequency domains. This is controlled by the RRC parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB as shown here:
RACH-ConfigCommon information element RACH-ConfigCommon ::= SEQUENCE { rach-ConfigGeneric RACH-ConfigGeneric, totalNumberOfRA-Preambles INTEGER (1 ..63) OPTIONAL, - Need
S ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB CHOICE { oneEighth ENUMERATED
{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64}, oneFourth ENUMERATED
{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64}, oneHalf ENUMERATED
{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64}, one ENUMERATED
{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64}, two ENUMERATED {n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32}, four INTEGER (1 ..16), eight INTEGER (1 ..8), sixteen INTEGER (1 ..4)
} }
A value of 1/8, 1/4, or 1/2 means that 1 SS/PBCH block (SSB) is mapped to either 8, 4 or 2 consecutive ROs, respectively. A value of 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 means that 1, 2, 4, 8, or 16 SSBs, respectively, are mapped to a single RO. SS stands for synchronization signal and PBCH stands for physical broadcast channel. The ordering of SSB to RO mapping is defined in 3GPP TS 38.213 Section 8.1 according to the following text extract:
3GPP TS 38.213 Section 8.1:
SS/PBCH block indexes provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or in ServingCellConfigCommon are mapped to valid PRACH occasions in the following order where the parameters are described in [4, TS 38.211],
First, in increasing order of preamble indexes within a single PRACH occasion Second, in increasing order of frequency resource indexes for frequency multiplexed PRACH occasions
Third, in increasing order of time resource indexes for time multiplexed PRACH occasions within a PRACH slot
Fourth, in increasing order of indexes for PRACH slots
Essentially, the mapping is performed based on valid ROs, and follows a frequency first, time second ordering. For example, using the above PRACH configuration example with the following additional configuration:
• 8 SSBs
• msg1-FDM = 4
• ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB = 'one'
Results in the SSB-RO mapping shown in Fig. 7. In this example, the association period is equal to 1, i.e., a complete cycle of SSB indices occurs within a single PRACH configuration period. Fig. 7 shows an exemplary SSB-RO mapping assuming 4 FDM'd ROs with each SSB mapped to a single RO.
In the current 3GPP TS 38.331 v.18.0.0 specification, the preamble received target power is configured via the parameter: preambleReceivedTargetPower which indicates the target power level at the receiver side. RACH-ConfigGeneric information element
According to current 38.213 v.18.0.0 specification, the UE then uses this parameter together with a pathloss estimate and maximum output power compute the transmission power for the PRACH.
SUMMARY
As part of developing embodiments herein one or more problems have been identified.
RACH occasions (RO) in SBFD symbols and ROs in regular TDD symbols differ in terms of the expected signal to interference plus noise ratio (SI NR) at the receiver. Typically, SBFD symbols are subject to higher interference levels than regular TDD symbols. In addition, the PRACH format configured in SBFD symbols may differ from the one configured in regular TDD symbols. Thus, there is a need for the UE to determine which type of RO to use in which situation.
An object of embodiments herein is to handle communication in a wireless communication network in an efficient manner.
According to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE receives an indication of a first PRACH configuration. The UE obtains an indication of a second PRACH configuration. The UE selects an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission from the first and/or second PRACH configuration, and performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a method performed by a radio network node, such as gNB, for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The radio network node transmits to a UE, an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration, and transmits to the UE, an indication of the second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration.
It is furthermore provided herein a computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively. It is additionally provided herein a computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the methods herein, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
According to another aspect the object is achieved by providing a UE, and a radio network node configured to perform the methods herein, respectively.
Thus, according to an aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to receive an indication of a first PRACH configuration. The UE is configured to obtain an indication of a second PRACH configuration. The UE is configured to select an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission from the first and/or second PRACH configuration, and perform a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
According to another aspect the object is achieved, according to some embodiments herein, by providing a radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network. The radio network node is configured to transmit to a UE, an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration, and to transmit to the UE, an indication of the second PRACH configuration.
According to embodiments herein it is herein provided a UE for transmitting a PRACH preamble to a network node, where both the UE and radio network node may be capable of SBFD operation. First, the UE receives a first PRACH configuration such as a legacy PRACH configuration, and then the UE obtains a second PRACH configuration such as a SBFD PRACH configuration. The configurations may include, e.g., RO locations, PRACH format, SSB-to-PRACH mapping etc. Based on the first and second configurations, the UE determines or selects a RO and an associated PRACH preamble. Finally, the UE uses the RO and preamble when performing a random access (RA). Thus, the determined/selected PRACH preamble is transmitted at the determined/selected RO.
Thus, embodiments herein handle an efficient communication, for example, by using PRACH configuration for SBFD, in a wireless communication network.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Embodiments will now be described in more detail in relation to the enclosed drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows FDD according to prior art;
Fig. 2 shows an exemplary TDD DL/UL pattern according to prior art; Fig. 3 shows a Conventional TDD carrier or carrier systems according to prior art;
Fig. 4 shows a portion of a wide bandwidth carrier according to prior art; Fig. 5 shows two exemplary RB set configurations according to prior art; Fig. 6 shows an example of a PRACH configuration according to prior art; Fig. 7 shows an SSB-RO mapping according to prior art;
Fig. 8 shows an overview depicting a wireless communication network according to embodiments herein;
Fig. 9 is a combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein;
Fig. 10 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a UE according to embodiments herein;
Fig. 11 is a schematic flowchart depicting a method performed by a radio network node according to embodiments herein;
Fig. 12 is a schematic overview depicting a method according to some embodiments herein;
Fig. 13 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a UE according to embodiments herein; and
Fig. 14 shows a block diagram depicting embodiments of a radio network node according to embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Embodiments herein relate to wireless communication networks in general. Fig. 8 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communication network 1. The wireless communication network 1 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communication network 1 may use one or a number of different technologies. Embodiments herein relate to recent technology trends that are of particular interest in a New Radio (NR) context, however, embodiments are also applicable in further development of existing wireless communications systems such as e.g. LTE or Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA).
In the wireless communication network 1 , one or more UEs such as a user equipment (UE) 10 exemplified herein as a wireless device such as a mobile station, a non-access point (non- AP) station (STA), a STA and/or a wireless terminal, are comprised communicating via e.g. one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. radio access network (RAN), to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communications terminal, user equipment, narrowband internet of things (NB- loT) device, Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station capable of communicating using radio communication with a radio network node within an area served by the radio network node. The wireless communication network 1 comprises a first radio network node 12, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area 11 or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The first radio network node 12 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, A NG-RAN node, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a NG-RAN-CU-UP node, base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a UE within the area served by the first radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The first radio network node may be referred to as a primary node, primary radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a primary serving cell, and the primary node communicates with the wireless device in form of DL transmissions to the wireless device and UL transmissions from the wireless device. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.
The wireless communication network 1 comprises a second radio network node 13, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a second service area 14 or second cell, of a second radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The second radio network node 13 may be a transmission and reception point such as an access node, an access controller, a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a gNodeB (gNB), an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), a NodeB, a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, a NG-RAN-CU-CP node, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point or any other network unit or node capable of communicating with a wireless device within the area served by the second radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The second radio network node may be referred to as a secondary or secondary serving radio network node, wherein the service area may be referred to as a secondary cell or secondary serving cell, and the second radio network node communicates with the UE in form of DL transmissions to the UE and UL transmissions from the UE. It should be noted that a service area may be denoted as cell, beam, beam group or similar to define an area of radio coverage.
The first RAT may be the same RAT as the second RAT or the first RAT may be a different RAT than the second RAT.
The wireless communication network 1 may further comprise a number of network nodes providing network functions (NF) or actually instantiations of NFs also referred to as NF instances, such as a first network node 15, for example, an AMF. The different NF instances may have different tasks. Other functions may be for LTE such as MME or similar.
The respective node may be a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or processing resources in a server farm or same node. Embodiments herein may be implemented as physical bare metal, virtual or cloud native such as Kubernetes environment in, e.g., hyper-cloud networks.
Present PRACH implementation in unpaired spectrum suffers from not being able to use sufficiently long PRACH formats. As a result, cell coverage and/or cell range may be limited since the PRACH preamble may either be too weak or may not be received in time for certain cell deployments, typically with good channel conditions. Alternatively, or additionally, latency and/or capacity may suffer from too few PRACH occasions, limiting e.g., industrial or other low latency deployments. In order to mitigate these problems, a new PRACH is specified for SBFD capable networks and UEs. Hence, in order to operate with dual PRACH configurations, prioritization rules between the legacy PRACH and the novel SBFD PRACH may be used, in order to have a predictable and coherent network behavior.
Examples of network nodes are NodeB, base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, MeNB, SeNB, location measurement unit (LMU), integrated access backhaul (I AB) node, network controller, radio network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), Central Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Distributed Unit (e.g. in a gNB), Baseband Unit, Centralized Baseband, C- RAN, access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, transmission reception point (TRP), RRU, RRH, nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), core network node (e.g. MSC, MME etc), O&M, OSS, SON, positioning node (e.g. E-SMLC),etc.
The non-limiting term UE refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another UE in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, vehicular to vehicular (V2V), machine type UE, MTC UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, PDA, tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipment (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.
The term radio access technology, or RAT, may refer to any RAT e.g. UTRA, E-UTRA, narrow band internet of things (NB-loT), WiFi, Bluetooth, next generation RAT, New Radio (NR), 4G, 5G, etc. Any of the equipment denoted by the term node, network node or radio network node may be capable of supporting a single or multiple RATs.
The term signal or radio signal used herein can be any physical signal or physical channel. Examples of DL physical signals are reference signal (RS) such as primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), CSI-RS, demodulation reference signal (DMRS) signals in SS/PBCH block (SSB), discovery reference signal (DRS), cell specific reference signal (CRS), positioning reference signal (PRS) etc. Reference signal (RS) may be periodic e.g. RS occasion carrying one or more RSs may occur with certain periodicity e.g. 20 ms, 40 ms etc. The RS may also be aperiodic. Each SSB carries NR-PSS, NR-SSS and NR-PBCH in 4 successive symbols. One or multiple SSBs are transmit in one SSB burst which is repeated with certain periodicity e.g. 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms. The UE is configured with information about SSB on cells of certain carrier frequency by one or more SS/PBCH block measurement timing configuration (SMTC) configurations. The SMTC configuration comprising parameters such as SMTC periodicity, SMTC occasion length in time or duration, SMTC time offset with regards to reference time, e.g., serving cell’s system frame number (SFN) etc. Therefore, SMTC occasion may also occur with certain periodicity, e.g., 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms and 160 ms. Examples of UL physical signals are reference signal such as SRS, DMRS etc. The term physical channel refers to any channel carrying higher layer information e.g. data, control etc. Examples of physical channels are PBCH, narrowband (N)PBCH, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), PDSCH, shortened (s)PUCCH, sPDSCH, sPDCCH, sPUSCH, MTC(M)PDCCH, NPDCCH, NPDSCH, E-PDCCH, PUSCH, physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), NPUSCH etc.
Fig. 9 is combined flowchart and signalling scheme according to some embodiments herein.
Action 901. The radio network node 12 transmits to the UE 10 an indication such as a value or an index value indicting a first PRACH configuration. The indication may be transmitted in system information.
Action 902. The UE 10 obtains an indication of a second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 or be determined based on the first PRACH configuration. For example, the second PRACH configuration may be deduced automatically by the UE 10 based on first PRACH configuration.
Action 903. The UE 10 determines or selects an RO and a PRACH preamble for transmission. This may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or a capability of the UE. Prioritization rules between the legacy PRACH (first PRACH configuration) and the novel SBFD PRACH (second PRACH configuration) may be used.
Action 904. The UE 10 then performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
The method actions performed by the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 10. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.
Action 1001. The UE 10 receives the indication of the first PRACH configuration. The indication may comprise a value, an index value or similar. The first PRACH configuration may be received from the radio network node 12. The indication may comprise the first PRACH configuration.
Action 1002. The UE 10 obtains the indication of the second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 or be determined based on the first PRACH configuration. For example, the second PRACH configuration may be deduced automatically by the UE 10 based on first PRACH configuration. The indication may comprise the second PRACH configuration. The indication may comprise a value, an index value or similar.
Action 1003. The UE 10 may receive a preferred SSB. The preferred SSB may be the strongest (in signal strength) received SSB.
Action 1004. The UE 10 may determine one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB. This may be determined based on first and/or second PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB. Thus, this may be based on both PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
Action 1005. The UE 10 selects or determines the RO and the PRACH preamble for transmission. The UE 10 selects the RO and the PRACH preamble from the first and/or second PRACH configuration. The selection may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or the capability of the UE 10. The RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more prioritization rules. The one or more prioritization rules may define that:
• always select an RO and PRACH format associated with the second PRACH configuration;
• always start with selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with one PRACH configuration and unless successful selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with the other PRACH configuration; and/or
• select the PRACH configuration with a longer preamble format if a received signal level of a DL signal is below a threshold.
A prioritization rule may be provided by signalling configuration of the UE 10, or may be included in a specification.
It should be noted that the RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more of:
■ A specification specifying a PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats;
■ An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to a radio network node;
■ An estimated geographical position; ■ An estimate of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, at a first RO and/or a second RO;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous power level ;
■ A duration until a first and a second RO, respectively; and/or
■ Whether Contention-based random access, CBRA, or Contention-free random access, CFRA, is used.
The UE 10 may receive a selection indication from the radio network node 12, which selection indicates which of the two PRACH configurations should be prioritized.
Action 1006. The UE 10 then performs a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
Embodiments herein disclose one or more of the following:
A1.A method in a wireless network device, i.e., the UE 10, for transmitting a PRACH preamble to a network node capable of subband full duplex communication, the method comprising:
Receiving a first (legacy) PRACH configuration
Receiving a second (SBFD) PRACH configuration
Determining an RO and PRACH preamble for transmission
Transmitting the determined PRACH preamble at the determined RO
A2. The method according to embodiment A1, and prior to determining, Receiving a preferred SSB
Determining valid ROs for the preferred SSB.
A3. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A2, where the first (legacy) PRACH configuration includes information about one or more of
- A first set of ROs
- A first PRACH format
A4. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A3, where the second (SBFD) PRACH configuration includes information about one or more of:
- A second set of ROs
- A second PRACH format
What prioritization rule(s) among a set of prioritization rules (see A5) the device is expected to follow
A5. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, and where the UE 10 selects a SBFD RO or SBFD PRACH format based on one or more of: a. A specification specifying the PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats b. An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to the network node c. An estimated geographical position (from GNSS) d. An estimate of SI NR at the first (legacy) RO and/or the second (SBFD) RO e. A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration f. A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous power level g. The duration until the first and second RO, respectively h. CBRA or CFRA
A6. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A5, comprising always selecting the second PRACH configuration, and/or firstly, selecting one PRACH configuration and unless successful then selecting the other PRACH configuration
The method actions performed by the radio network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network according to embodiments herein will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in Fig. 11. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Actions performed in some embodiments are marked with dashed boxes.
Action 1101. The radio network node 12 transmits to the UE 10 the indication, such as a value or an index value, indicating the first PRACH configuration.
Action 1102. The radio network node 12 transmits to the UE 10, the indication of the second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration. The radio network node 12 may further inform the UE 10 about one or more prioritization rules to use between the legacy PRACH and the novel SBFD PRACH.
As an example of the method performed by the UE 10 for transmitting a PRACH preamble to the radio network node 12, where both the UE 10 and the radio network node 12 are capable of SBFD operation, Fig. 12 presents a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment herein.
In a first action of the method (2100), the UE 10, also referred to as the device, receives a first (legacy) PRACH configuration, including, e.g., an indication of a set of ROs, PRACH format to use, SSB-to-PRACH mapping etc. The PRACH configuration may be received in a system information block, particularly in a SIB1 message.
In a second action (2110), the UE 10 receives a configuration of a second (SBFD) PRACH configuration, including, e.g., an indication of a set of ROs, PRACH format and SSB-to-PRACH mapping. Parts of the second PRACH configuration may be inherited from the first PRACH configuration, such that some of the information from the first configuration is also used for the second configuration. This PRACH configuration may also be received in a SIB1 message or alternatively by UE specific RRC signaling.
In an optional third action (2120), the UE 10 determines a preferred SSB to which the PRACH should be associated. Typically, the preferred SSB is the strongest received SSB, i.e. , the SSB with the best reference signal received power (RSRP) or reference signal received quality (RSRQ), among the received SSBs of a cell. For the case of RRC DLE mode random access, the preferred SSB may further be selected among different cells such that the strongest SSB over all cells is selected.
In an optional fourth action (2130), based on the determined preferred SSB, valid and/or related ROs for both PRACH configurations are determined. Validation may depend on the slot or symbol being an UL slot or UL symbol or an UL subband slot or an UL subband symbol. Validation may further depend on a time frequency location in relation to an SSB, or an order among all valid ROs in relation to SSBs such that, e.g., the first and second ROs are associated with the first SSB, the third and fourth ROs to the second SSB, and so on. As mentioned previously, the SSB-to-RO mapping may be provided as a part of the PRACH configuration.
In a fifth action (2140), the UE 10 determines in which RO to transmit and which PRACH preamble to transmit. The selection may be done based on one or more of the following one or more prioritization rules or criteria: a. A specification, in which an order of prioritization is specified based on the first and second PRACH configurations. b. An estimate of distance and/or pathloss to the node such that a longer distance or a higher pathloss implies using the longer PRACH format of the first and second PRACH configurations. c. A received signal level such as RSRP, of a DL signal, such as an SSB. If the signal level is below a threshold the UE selects the longer PRACH format. d. An estimated location such that a certain (more distant) location implies using the longer PRACH format of the first and second PRACH configurations. e. An estimated SI NR at previous ROs associated to the first and second PRACH configurations, such that the previous ROs associated to the first or the second PRACH configuration with a higher SINR compared to the other implies a preference to use such a later RO. f. A previous attempt at transmitting a PRACH preamble at a previous RO associated to the first or the second PRACH configuration, such that a failed attempt for an RO associated to one PRACH configuration implies attempting to transmitting a PRACH preamble in an RO associated with the other PRACH configuration. g. The duration to an RO associated with the first and second PRACH configurations, such that an earlier RO and its associated PRACH format is preferred to a later RO. h. Contention-based random access (CBRA) or contention-free random access (CFRA) such that an RO is selected based on whether it is one or the other. Additionally, or alternatively, in case of CFRA, an extra bit is used to indicate whether to use the UL subband or the UL slot for CFRA.
Which of the above selection rule(s) to use may be determined by the specification and/or be configurable by the network, e.g. as part of the PRACH configuration. It could also depend on UE class or which specification release the UE adheres to.
In case the prioritization is determined from a specification (2140a) or prioritization rule, the specification or prioritization rule may further indicate one or more of the following: a. The UE 10 should always select an RO and PRACH format associated with the second PRACH configuration. b. The UE 10 should always start with selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with one PRACH configuration and unless successful selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with the other PRACH configuration. c. The UE 10 should select the longer format if a received signal level, such as RSRP, of a DL signal, such as an SSB is below a threshold. The threshold can be RRC configured.
In a sixth and final action (2150), the UE 10 transmits the determined PRACH preamble at the determined RO.
Fig. 13 is a block diagram depicting the UE 10 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.
The UE 10 may comprise processing circuitry 1301 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to receive the indication of the first PRACH configuration. The indication may comprise a value, an index value or similar.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to obtain the indication of the second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may be received from the radio network node 12 or be determined based on the first PRACH configuration. For example, the second PRACH configuration may be deduced automatically by the UE 10 based on first PRACH configuration.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to receive the preferred SSB. The preferred SSB may be the strongest received SSB.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to determine one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB. This may be determined based on both PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to select or determine the RO and PRACH preamble for transmission. This may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or capability of the UE. The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 may be configured to select the RO and the PRACH preamble from the first and/or second PRACH configuration. The selection may be based on the first and second PRACH configurations and/or the capability of the UE. The RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more prioritization rules. The one or more prioritization rules may define that:
• always select an RO and PRACH format associated with the second PRACH configuration;
• always start with selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with one PRACH configuration and unless successful selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with the other PRACH configuration; and/or
• select the PRACH configuration with a longer preamble format if a received signal level of a DL signal is below a threshold.
It should be noted that the RO and PRACH preamble may be selected based on one or more of:
■ A specification specifying a PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats;
■ An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to a radio network node;
■ An estimated geographical position;
■ An estimate of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, at a first RO and/or a second RO;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous power level ;
■ A duration until a first and a second RO, respectively; and/or
■ Whether Contention-based random access, CBRA, or Contention-free random access, CFRA, is used.
The UE 10 and/or the processing circuitry 1301 is configured to perform a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
The UE 10 may comprise a memory 1305. The memory 1305 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, PRACH configurations, one or more prioritization rules, reference signal information, assistance information, application information, messages, measurement, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the UE 10 may comprise a communication interface 1306 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or one or more antennas. The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the UE 10 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 1307 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10. The computer program product 1307 may be stored on a computer- readable storage medium 1308, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1308, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the UE 10. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein UE comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said UE is operative to perform any of the methods herein.
Fig. 14 is a block diagram depicting the radio network node 12 for handling communication in the wireless communication network 1 according to embodiments herein.
The radio network node 12 may comprise processing circuitry 1401 , e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.
The radio network node 12 and/or the processing circuitry 1401 is configured to transmit the indication such as a value or an index value indicating the first PRACH configuration to the UE 10.
The radio network node 12 and/or the processing circuitry 1401 is configured to transmit to the UE 10, the indication of the second PRACH configuration. The second PRACH configuration may comprise a SBFD PRACH configuration.
The radio network node 12 may comprise a memory 1405. The memory 1405 comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, indications, PRACH configurations, one or more prioritization rules, reference signal information, assistance information, application information, messages, measurement, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the radio network node 12 may comprise a communication interface 1406 such as comprising a transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver and/or one or more antennas.
The methods according to the embodiments described herein for the radio network node 12 are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product 1407 or a computer program, comprising instructions, i.e. , software code portions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 12. The computer program product 1407 may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium 1408, e.g., a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium 1408, having stored thereon the computer program product, may comprise the instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the actions described herein, as performed by the radio network node 12. In some embodiments, the computer-readable storage medium may be a transitory or a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. Thus, embodiments herein may disclose the radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein radio network node comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said radio network node is operative to perform any of the methods herein.
In some embodiments a more general term “network node” or “radio network node” is used and it can correspond to any type of radio-network node or any network node, which communicates with a UE and/or with another network node.
In some embodiments the non-limiting term wireless device or user equipment (UE) is used and it refers to any type of wireless device communicating with a network node and/or with another wireless device in a cellular or mobile communication system. Examples of UE are target device, device to device (D2D) UE, proximity capable UE (aka ProSe UE), loT capable device, machine type UE or UE capable of machine to machine (M2M) communication, Tablet, mobile terminals, smart phone, laptop embedded equipped (LEE), laptop mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles etc.
Embodiments are applicable to any RAT or multi-RAT systems, where the wireless device receives and/or transmit signals (e.g. data) e.g. NR, Wi-Fi, LTE, LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.
As will be readily understood by those familiar with communications design, that functions means or circuits may be implemented using digital logic and/or one or more microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other digital hardware. In some embodiments, several or all of the various functions may be implemented together, such as in a single application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or in two or more separate devices with appropriate hardware and/or software interfaces between them. Several of the functions may be implemented on a processor shared with other functional components of a wireless device or network node, for example.
Alternatively, several of the functional elements of the processing means discussed may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware, while others are provided with hardware for executing software, in association with the appropriate software or firmware. Thus, the term “processor” or “controller” as used herein does not exclusively refer to hardware capable of executing software and may implicitly include, without limitation, digital signal processor (DSP) hardware and/or program or application data. Other hardware, conventional and/or custom, may also be included. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices. Any appropriate steps/actions, methods, features, functions, or benefits disclosed herein may be performed through one or more functional units or modules of one or more virtual apparatuses. Each virtual apparatus may comprise a number of these functional units. These functional units may be implemented via processing circuitry, which may include one or more microprocessor or microcontrollers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), special-purpose digital logic, and the like. The processing circuitry may be configured to execute program code stored in memory, which may include one or several types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc. Program code stored in memory includes program instructions for executing one or more telecommunications and/or data communications protocols as well as instructions for carrying out one or more of the techniques described herein. In some implementations, the processing circuitry may be used to cause the respective functional unit to perform corresponding functions according one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.
Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes, hosts) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and/or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non- computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.
In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and/or by end users and a wireless network generally.
Modifications and other embodiments of the disclosed embodiments will come to mind to one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiment(s) is/are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure. Although specific terms may be employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
Embodiments
A1. A method performed by a UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising receiving an indication of a first PRACH configuration; obtaining an indication of a second PRACH configuration. determining an RO and PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and performing a random access using the determined RO and PRACH preamble.
A2. The method according to embodiment A1 , further comprising receiving a preferred SSB; and determining one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB.
A3. The method according to embodiment A2, wherein the one or more valid Ros are determined based on first and/or second PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
A4. The method according to any of the embodiments A1-A3 wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a SBFD PRACH configuration.
B1. A method performed by a radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising transmitting an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration to a UE; and transmitting to the UE, an indication of a second PRACH configuration. B2. The method according to embodiment B1 , wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a SBFD PRACH configuration.
C1. A UE for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the UE is configured to: receive an indication of a first PRACH configuration; obtain an indication of a second PRACH configuration; determine an RO and PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and perform a random access using the determined RO and PRACH preamble.
D1. A radio network node for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the radio network node is configured to transmit an indication indicating a first PRACH configuration to a UE; and transmit to the UE, an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
E1. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, and B1-B2, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
F1. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the embodiments A1-A4, and B1-B2, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.

Claims

CLAIMS Embodiments
1. A method performed by a user equipment, UE, (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising receiving (1001) an indication of a first physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration; obtaining (1002) an indication of a second PRACH configuration; selecting (1005) a random access channel occasion, RO, and a PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and
- performing (1006) a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising receiving (1003) a preferred synchronization signal and/or physical broadcast channel block, SSB; and determining (1004) one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB.
3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the one or more valid ROs are determined based on first and/or second PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
4. The method according to any of the claims 1-3, wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a subband full duplex, SBFD, PRACH configuration.
5. The method according to any of the claims 1-4, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on one or more prioritization rules.
6. The method according to any of the claims 5, wherein the one or more prioritization rules defines that:
• always select an RO and PRACH format associated with the second PRACH configuration;
• always start with selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with one PRACH configuration and unless successful selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with the other PRACH configuration; and/or
• select the PRACH configuration with a longer preamble format if a received signal level of a DL signal is below a threshold.
7. The method according to any of the claims 1-6, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on a capability of the UE.
8. The method according to any of the claims 1-7, wherein the indication of the second PRACH configuration is obtained by being received from a radio network node (12) or by being determined based on the first PRACH configuration.
9. The method according to any of the claims 1-8, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on one or more of:
■ A specification specifying a PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats;
■ An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to a radio network node;
■ An estimated geographical position;
■ An estimate of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, at a first RO and/or a second RO;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous power level ;
■ A duration until a first and a second RO, respectively; and/or
■ Whether Contention-based random access, CBRA, or Contention-free random access, CFRA, is used.
10. A method performed by a radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising transmitting (1101) an indication indicating a first physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration to a user equipment, UE, (10); and transmitting (1102) to the UE (10), an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a a subband full duplex, SBFD, PRACH configuration.
12. A user equipment, UE, (10) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the UE is configured to: receive an indication of a first physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration; obtain an indication of a second PRACH configuration; select a random access channel occasion, RO, and a PRACH preamble for transmission based on the first and/or second PRACH configuration; and perform a random access using the selected RO and PRACH preamble.
13. The UE (10) according to claim 12, wherein the UE is configured to: receive a preferred synchronization signal and/or physical broadcast channel block, SSB; and determine one or more valid ROs for the preferred SSB.
14. The UE (10) according to claim 13, wherein the one or more valid ROs are determined based on first and/or second PRACH configurations and the preferred SSB.
15. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 12-14, wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a subband full duplex, SBFD, PRACH configuration.
16. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 12-15, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on one or more prioritization rules.
17. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 16, wherein the one or more prioritization rules defines that:
• always select an RO and PRACH format associated with the second PRACH configuration.
• always start with selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with one PRACH configuration and unless successful selecting an RO and PRACH format associated with the other PRACH configuration; and/or
• select the PRACH configuration with a longer preamble format if a received signal level of a DL signal is below a threshold.
18. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 12-17, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on a capability of the UE.
19. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 12-18, wherein the indication of the second PRACH configuration is obtained by being received from a radio network node (12) or by being determined based on the first PRACH configuration.
20. The UE (10) according to any of the claims 12-19, wherein the RO and PRACH preamble is selected based on one or more of:
■ A specification specifying a PRACH prioritization order among ROs and PRACH formats;
■ An estimate of a distance and/or pathloss to a radio network node;
■ An estimated geographical position;
■ An estimate of signal to interference plus noise ratio, SI NR, at a first RO and/or a second RO;
■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous RO or PRACH configuration; ■ A previous attempt at PRACH at a previous power level ;
■ A duration until a first and a second RO, respectively; and/or
■ Whether Contention-based random access, CBRA, or Contention-free random access, CFRA, is used.
21. A radio network node (12) for handling communication in a wireless communication network, wherein the radio network node (12) is configured to: transmit an indication indicating a first physical random access channel, PRACH, configuration to a user equipment, UE, (10); and transmit to the UE (10), an indication of a second PRACH configuration.
22. The radio network node (12) according to claim 21, wherein the second PRACH configuration comprises a subband full duplex, SBFD, PRACH configuration.
23. A computer program product comprising instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-11, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
24. A computer-readable storage medium, having stored thereon a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out the method according to any of the claims 1-11, as performed by the UE and the radio network node, respectively.
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