Patent Description:
In a typical wireless communications 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 (<NUM>) telecommunication network, which evolved from the second generation (<NUM>) 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 essentially "flat" architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks.

With the emerging <NUM> technologies such as new radio (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.

In order to be able to carry the data across the <NUM> NR RAN, data and information is organized into a number of data channels. By organizing the data into various channels, a <NUM> communications system is able to manage the data transfers in an orderly fashion and the system is able to understand what data is arriving and hence it is able to process the data in the required fashion. As there are many different types of data that need to be transferred - user data obviously needs to be transferred, but so does control information to manage the radio communications link, as well as data to provide synchronization, access, and the like. All of these functions are essential and require the transfer of data over the RAN.

In order to group the data to be sent over the <NUM> NR RAN, the data is organized in a very logical way. As there are many different functions for the data being sent over the radio communications link, they need to be clearly marked and have defined positions and formats. To ensure this happens, there are several different forms of data "channel" that are used. The higher level ones are "mapped" or contained within others until finally at the physical level, the channel contains data from higher level channels.

In this way there is a logical and manageable flow of data from the higher levels of the protocol stack down to the physical layer.

There are three main types of data channels that are used for a <NUM> RAN, and accordingly the hierarchy is given below.

The physical channels often have higher level channels mapped onto them for providing a specific service. Additionally, the physical channels carry payload data or details of specific data transmission characteristics like modulation, reference signal multiplexing, transmit power, RF resources, etc..

The <NUM> physical channels are used to transport information over the actual radio interface. They have the transport channels mapped into them, but they also include various physical layer data required for the maintenance and optimization of the radio communications link between a UE and a base station (BS).

There are three physical channels for each of the uplink and downlink: Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) for downlink, and Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) for uplink.

Two types of random access (RA) procedures are supported in NR release (Rel) - <NUM>, where a MsgA PUSCH or a Msg3 PUSCH transmissions are used for transmission of radio resource control (RRC) setup request message in <NUM>-step RACH RA type and <NUM>-step RA type respectively. Neither Msg3 PUSCH nor MsgA PUSCH can be repeated in NR up to Rel-<NUM>.

The <NUM> types of RA procedures are described in the following sub-clauses.

<NUM>-step random access procedure in NR.

A <NUM>-step approach is used for the random access procedure, see <FIG>. In this approach, the UE detects a synchronization signal (SS) and decodes the broadcasted system information, which may be distributed over multiple physical channels, such as PBCH and PDSCH, to acquire random access transmission parameters, followed by transmitting a PRACH preamble (message <NUM>) in the uplink.

The gNB detects message <NUM> and replies with a Random Access Response (RAR) message (message <NUM>). The UE then transmits a UE identification (message <NUM>) on PUSCH. The UE transmits PUSCH (message <NUM>) after receiving a timing advance command in the RAR and after adjusting the timing of the PUSCH transmission, allowing PUSCH to be received at gNB with a timing accuracy within the cyclic prefix (CP). Without this timing advance functionality, a very large CP would be needed in order to be able to demodulate and detect PUSCH, unless the system is applied in a cell with very small distance between UE and gNB. Since NR will also support larger cells, there is a need for providing a timing advance to the UE and thus the <NUM>-step approach is needed for random access procedure.

<NUM>-step RACH work item for Release <NUM> in 3GPP.

A <NUM>-step RACH work item has been approved in RAN1 #<NUM> plenary meeting where completing the initial access in only two steps, comprising messages A and B, as illustrated in <FIG> is in the scope. Here, the first steps of detecting synchronization signal block (SSB) and system information are same as in the <NUM>-step approach but then follows only two steps in order to minimize the number of channel accesses, which is important for, e.g., operation in unlicensed frequency bands where listen before talk must be performed before transmission.

PRACH resource selection and SSB to RACH Occasion (RO) mapping.

In both <NUM>-step RACH and <NUM>-step RACH, PRACH resources are selected based on the SSB selection and a SSB to RO/preamble mapping. Detailed procedures of PRACH resource selection can be found in section <NUM>. <NUM> and <NUM>. 2a of <NUM> v. <NUM> for <NUM>-step RACH and <NUM>-step RACH respectively.

The mapping between SSB and PRACH can be one-to-one, one-to-many, and many-to-one in a predetermined order specified in standard, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

When UE determines one good enough SSB beam with SS-reference signal received power (RSRP) above a RSRP threshold, for example, rsrp-ThresholdSSB, a preamble in the set of one or more preambles in a physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion mapped to this SSB will be selected for the random access, then when the gNB detects the preamble, the determined SSB beam for this UE is known indirectly so that determined beam can be used for transmitting signals to or receiving signals from this UE.

Prioritized random access is used to allow UEs to have parameters that enables the random access to have an increased likeliness of success compared to other UEs. In release <NUM> it was possible to configure random access prioritization for the Beam Failure Recovery (BFR) and contention free random access (CFRA) procedure and in release <NUM> random access for specific UEs through a so-called access identity was introduced and the prioritized random access was made allowed for <NUM>-step random access.

Prioritized random access currently allows for a scaling factor of the backoff indicator which allows for faster random access re-attempts after having received a backoff indicator as a Msg2 and a higher power ramping step when performing re-attempts.

The random access per access identity can be seen in the following from <NUM> v16.

Random access prioritization is configured through the following parameters:.

The IE RA-Prioritization is used to configure prioritized random access.

During the discussions in the meetings from RAN1 #<NUM>-e, the first meeting of the NR coverage enhancement work item in Rel-<NUM>, to RAN1 #<NUM>-e, following agreements have been made regarding the Msg3 repetition criteria, where we can see.

• UE determines a separate PRACH resource, separate preamble or separate PRACH occasions, based at least on RSRP of the downlink pathloss reference and the RSRP threshold
• Based on the PRACH resource on which a PRACH is detected, gNB is aware of whether a Msg3 repetition can be enabled for the UE sending this PRACH.

For slicing according to the standardization discussions, there will be multiple slices that a UE could select from based on what slice that the UE has selected. Each slice may potentially have its own random access resources, i.e., preambles and/or PRACH occasions, thus the UE will first select some slice and then select a PRACH resource based on what slicing ID that was selected.

For small data transmission in RRC inactive state according to the current standardization discussions, the UE will first determine whether small data transmissions shall be initiated by comparing the RSRP to a threshold, current name is sdt-RSRP-Threshold, and also comparing the amount of data in the buffer across the logical channels. Then the UE either selects configured-grant based small data transmissions (CG-SDT) or random access based small data transmission according to another RSRP threshold, also referred to as cg-SDT-RSRP-ThresholdSSB.

For Redcap, indication of being a Redcap UE, in other words a UE where the maximum bandwidth is <NUM> or smaller, may be needed for random access so that the network will not schedule any of the following messages with a bandwidth larger than <NUM>. Thus, a UE will select a set of preambles that indicates that the UE is a Redcap UE.

Examples for selecting preamble groups can be found in documents <NPL>, <CIT>, <NPL> and <NPL>.

As part of developing embodiments here one or more problems were first identified. When performing random access and indicating something using the preambles for the features introduced for coverage enhancements, slicing, small data and redcap, conditions for each have been introduced. In RAN2#<NUM>-e it was also agreed that it should be possible to indicate combinations of the features above.

The problem with existing solutions relates to the conditions how to select a certain preamble group when a preamble group consists of multiple features. The problem can be illustrated by for instance, the number of RSRP thresholds or threshold offsets that was introduced for <NUM>-step random access:.

The IE RACH-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA is used to specify cell specific <NUM>-step random-access type parameters. <IMG>
<IMG>.

In this case there are three thresholds introduced, where the msgA-RSRP-threshold determines whether the UE shall select <NUM>-step or <NUM>-step random access, the msgA-RSRP-threshold is a threshold to select a "good" RSRP threshold and messagePowerOffestGroupB acts as an offset to either select random access group A or group B. More thresholds require more complicated solutions.

Another problem is when new features are introduced, new thresholds are introduced to determine whether a specific feature shall be used or not. As one example, in Rel-<NUM> the msg3 repetitions are being introduced where a new threshold is being used to determine how to select preambles, furthermore in the future it is likely that repetitions of msg1 will be introduced through another threshold. The issue with this is that it may be challenging to combine the two features if there are two separate thresholds. In the Rel-<NUM> RACH indication and partitioning Work Item it was agreed that multiple features may be combined so that the UE can signal multiple features.

Another issue that can also be foreseen in the future is when the indications of multiple features are combined, where the conditions are opposite, i.e., in one case the RSRP threshold shall be above a value and in one case the RSRP threshold shall be below a value. This can be considered in the following example, it should be highlighted that the given example may adequately consider final standardization progress:
Consider a cell that has three preamble groups where the features utilized are msg3 repetitions and small data transmissions, thus there are <NUM> preamble groups used to indicate msg3-rep, SDT and msg3-rep+SDT. In this case the msg3 repetitions would have a condition to select msg3-repetitions which is that the RSRP to the cell is below a threshold. Furthermore, the SDT would have a threshold whether SDT should be performed which is that the RSRP to the cell shall be above a threshold. The straightforward solution to evaluate whether the preamble group msg3-rep+SDT shall be selected is to compare both individual conditions and if they are true then the preamble group is selected. However, given that the thresholds are likely to be set in a manner based on coverage, it is likely difficult to set thresholds such that both conditions will ever be true. This can be seen in <FIG>.

Another problem is that the UE may fulfill conditions for multiple features meaning that the UE may therefore be, based on the conditions, supposed to apply multiple preamble ranges. In these situations, it may be unclear which of the multiple preamble-ranges the UE should use. Different UEs may apply different strategies for selecting which of the multiple preamble-ranges they select in these situations which may cause uneven utilization of the preambles.

An object herein is to provide a mechanism to handle communication in an efficient and reliable manner in the wireless communications network. Any embodiments, aspects or examples not claimed are only presented as information.

Embodiments herein disclose a solution that provides methods on conditions that are used for a preamble group that may indicate one or more features as well how to prioritize/select a preamble group over another preamble group. Embodiments herein disclose one or more of the following:.

This enables forward compatibility and an efficient way to combine features for and more clear and traceable methods for the UE to select certain preamble groups.

Thus, embodiments herein provide a solution resulting in an efficient and reliable communication in the wireless communications network.

Embodiments herein relate to wireless communications networks in general. <FIG> is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network <NUM>. The wireless communications network <NUM> comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network <NUM> 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 communications network <NUM>, a user equipment (UE) <NUM> 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, is 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-IoT) 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 communications network <NUM> comprises a radio network node <NUM> providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a first service area <NUM> or first cell, of a first radio access technology (RAT), such as NR, LTE, or similar. The radio network node <NUM> 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, 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 radio network node depending e.g. on the first radio access technology and terminology used. The radio network node may be referred to as a serving radio network node wherein the service area may be referred to as a serving cell, and the serving network 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.

Embodiments herein deal with the UE <NUM> receiving and applying a random access configuration composing of one or more conditions for selecting a preamble group, where the preamble group may be a group of preambles that is used to indicate certain one or more features in the preamble (msg1), such as msg3 repetitions, small data transmissions, <NUM>-step random access, msg1 repetitions, reduced capability etc..

Preamble groups for preamble group B may be configured for different features. A UE may that determine a first preamble from two or more groups of preambles indicated by the received configuration at least partially based on the received configuration and one or more measurements at the UE, the first preamble indicating whether one or more features are requested or not. Thus, signalling multiple features in a preamble group may be performed and embodiments herein focus on configurations and conditions on top of this.

The random access configurations are usually signalled by the network, such as the radio network node <NUM>, as part of the Bandwidth Part (BWP) Configuration and may be either broadcasted or configured UE-specifically when the UE is connected mode.

The wording "preamble group", "early indication group" or "RACH partition" are used interchangeably herein. All wording indicate a set of preambles with one or more features that are indicated using the preamble.

The preamble groups may either be in a single PRACH occasion or in separate PRACH occasions. Thus, in principle "preamble group" may be replaced by a general PRACH resource set which can also be a subset of PRACH occasions used for indication of one or multiple features, but for embodiments herein it is sufficient to refer to "preamble groups".

According to embodiments herein each preamble group will have its own one or more preamble-specific condition(s). This means that instead of having a preamble group with its features having its separate conditions, each preamble group will have its own separate one or more conditions. The one or more conditions may for instance relate to signal strength, e.g., include RSRP threshold above/below threshold, support of a feature, data volume above threshold, and/or similar.

In the embodiments described herein the UE <NUM> may be configured with one or more preamble groups with one or more conditions associated with the group, that need to be fulfilled to be selected. The UE <NUM> determines a first preamble from a group of preambles out of one or more groups of preambles, wherein the group of preambles is selected based on whether one or more conditions, associated with the group, are fulfilled or not. Embodiments herein may disclose:.

Embodiments herein enable forward compatibility and an efficient way to combine features for and more clear and traceable methods for the UE <NUM> to select certain preamble groups.

Another benefit of embodiments herein for <NUM> considerations, is that several concepts that are determined to be used based on RSRP thresholds, such as preamble group B, selection of supplementary uplink (SUL) vs normal uplink (NUL) and many more can be made more simple and unified to a single set of selections and signalling that determines selections at the UE <NUM> can be made more simplified.

The method actions performed by the UE <NUM> for handling communication, for example, performing a random access procedure, in the wireless communications network <NUM> according to embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in <FIG>. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below, but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

Action <NUM>. The UE <NUM> may obtain a configuration for a PRACH transmission, wherein the configuration comprises one or more groups of preambles having its respective one or more conditions (own separate one or more conditions). For example, receive configuration from the radio network node or be preconfigured with the configuration.

Action <NUM>. The UE <NUM> determines the first preamble from a group of preambles out of one or more groups of preambles, wherein the group of preambles is selected based on whether one or more conditions, associated with the group, are fulfilled or not. For example, the UE <NUM> may determine the first preamble from one or more groups of preambles, wherein the one or more groups are associated with respective one or more conditions, and the first preamble is determined based on whether the respective one or more conditions are fulfilled or not. Thus, the UE <NUM> may determine the first preamble from the one or more groups of preambles indicated by the obtained configuration and based on whether the one or more conditions are fulfilled or not. Each group of preambles may comprise a list or a set of conditions. The one or more conditions may relate to signal strength such as may define one or more RSRPs related to one or more threshold values. Respective group of the one or more groups may further indicate one or more features associated with the respective group. The one or more features may comprise one or more of the following: msg3 repetitions, slicing, small data transmissions, reduced capability, carrier selection such as SUL /NUL; preamble group to indicate larger buffer size; whether the UE is prioritized, which UE state the UE currently is in. The group of preambles may be selected further based on a capability of the UE <NUM>, for example, capability matching the one or more features. Thus, the UE may further determine the first preamble based on the capability of the UE <NUM>. Thus, the UE <NUM> determine which of the preamble group to use from the obtained configuration according to its own capability or capabilities. For example. if the UE <NUM> does not support a certain feature or if there are extensions in the feature combination that the UE cannot read, the UE <NUM> may disregard the preamble groups associated with such a feature. The UE <NUM> may check one or more conditions of each preamble group of the configuration. For example, the UE <NUM> may disregard one or more preamble groups were one or more conditions associated with the preamble group is not fulfilled. The UE may further select or choose one or more of the preamble groups where the one or more conditions are fulfilled.

Random access preamble group selection priority.

In some cases, it might not be clear what preamble group shall be selected in-case there are multiple groups that are supported and for which the one or more conditions are fulfilled. According to the claimed emodiment, the group of preambles is selected based on a priority rule defining order of selection of the one or more groups of preambles. The priority rule may be: based on a configured priority index; based on amount of preambles in each group; based on a metric regarding performance; based on feature of the group; based on number of conditions; setting different levels of signal strength for different features; and/or based on priority of the UE. Thus, the UE <NUM> may determine the first preamble to use further based on the priority rule. For example, the UE <NUM> may select the preamble group to use for selection of the first preamble based on level of threshold. Thus, the UE <NUM> may select the preamble group whose threshold, e.g., RSRP threshold, is the largest among the set of preamble groups with configured RSRP threshold values no larger or smaller than the measured RSRP by the UE. As an example, when <NUM> groups of preambles (group A, B, C, D) are configured, and they have RSRP threshold values TA,TB,TC,TD configured respectively, where TA < TB < TC < TD. Supposing the RSRP value measured based on synchronization signalling block (SSB) is larger than TA,TB,TC, but smaller than TD. Then the first preamble will be selected from preamble group C. The priority rule may further be based on number of conditions of respective preamble group. Thus, the UE <NUM> may determine the first preamble to use based on a selected preamble group for which most conditions are fulfilled. For example, if there is one condition for preamble group A, and two conditions for preamble group B, the UE <NUM> may select preamble group B for cases when the UE <NUM> fulfils both conditions for preamble group A and conditions for preamble group B. The priority rule may define a priority order of the preamble groups. This priority order may be used by the UE <NUM> in case multiple conditions are fulfilled, and it is unclear which group to select. This makes it clear to the UE <NUM> what shall be selected in case there are multiple groups that are fulfilled. This can be implemented as an index where the index indicates what is prioritized first given that the UE supports the features demanded. <NUM> indicates that the preamble group should be prioritized first, <NUM> indicates that it has lower priority compared to <NUM> etc. In one example, a msg1+msg3 preamble group may have a lower priority than a group that would require higher coverage, which could for instance be a group consisting of slicing and small data transmissions (SDT). This means that when the conditions are fulfilled for both preamble groups, the UE would choose the group with the highest priority. Priority index is underlined below.

The priorities of the priority rule may be specified, hardcoded or based on rules. The priority can for instance be based on the preamble group that has the largest or smallest amount of preambles. The benefit of choosing the preamble group with the smallest amount of preambles are that it is likely that those preamble groups are rarely used.

The UE <NUM> may perform feature-based prioritization. When the conditions for a set of preamble groups selection are fulfilled, i.e., multiple preamble groups have met the configured threshold, the UE <NUM> may prioritize a preamble group associated to a specific feature or set of features based on network configuration e.g., prioritylndex. The radio network node <NUM> may configure prioritized preamble groups associated to a specific feature or set of features. For instance, if one group has a threshold of '<NUM>' and a second group has a threshold of '<NUM>' which are associated to the same feature set(s), UEs using higher prior feature, select the strongest preamble group, i.e. the preamble group with a threshold of <NUM>.

The threshold for preamble group selection for the UEs perform feature-based prioritization, may be ramped up when prioritizing a feature based on network configuration. The network may configure thresholds with ramping factor for prioritizing features. In other words, different features may have different threshold based on the network configuration. For example, if a feature should meet a threshold of <NUM> for a preamble group, the other feature should meet a threshold of <NUM>.

Additionally, or alternatively, the preamble groups which apply feature-based random access may be prioritized with feature-based random access (RA)-Prioritization e.g., feature-based power ramping or feature-based scaling factor back-off indicator. The features within feature sets (combination of features) that are grouped to use specific preamble group may also be prioritized with RA-Prioritization.

If the UE is prioritized through the random access prioritization-technique, the UE <NUM> may select a specific preamble group. This can for instance be done through network signalling where the network includes an ID of a preamble group that the UE shall apply if the UE <NUM> has determined that it is prioritized. The UE <NUM> may in some cases, e.g., if configured or specified, or in some cases not, look at the other configured conditions before determining to use the preamble group.

This can be seen in the following example:.

The IE RA-Prioritization is used to configure prioritized random access. <IMG>
<IMG>.

The UE <NUM> may select a (best) configuration to maximize either throughput or minimize delay. The priority rule may be based on a metric regarding performance. This could for instance be done by UE implementation where the UE <NUM> may select by itself, or the network can configure the UE to use the certain metric (latency or throughput) to determine whether one preamble group shall be chosen over another one. This determination could for instance be done through an artificial intelligence (AI) agent in the UE <NUM> that determines the first preamble from a selected preamble group to maximize some metric such as delay, throughput or power consumption using for instance past experiences.

In the sections above, it has been described how conditions are provided for a feature preamble group, rather than for the individual features themselves. It has also been described, in this section, how the UE <NUM> may determine priorities for the preamble groups, for example based on the configuration. However, it should be noted that it would be possible to address, at least part of, the problem by the UE <NUM> determining a priority for features or feature combinations. It should be noted that it would be possible to have priorities per features or feature combinations without the embodiments described above that describe how conditions are per feature combination, i.e., it would be possible to have priorities per feature or feature combination also if the conditions are provided for a feature or feature combination. For example, it would be possible that the UE <NUM> determines, e.g., based on network configuration, a priority for a feature X, e.g., SDT, a priority for a feature Y, e.g., msg3 repetitions, and a priority for a combination of feature X and feature Y. The UE <NUM> may then determine which feature combination to apply based on the priorities, and thereafter select the corresponding preamble group.

Action <NUM>. The UE <NUM> transmits, to the radio network node <NUM>, the PRACH transmission using the determined first preamble.

The method actions performed by the radio network node <NUM> for handling communication in the wireless communications network according to embodiments will now be described with reference to a flowchart depicted in <FIG>. The actions do not have to be taken in the order stated below but may be taken in any suitable order. Dashed boxes indicate optional features.

Action <NUM>. The radio network node <NUM> configures the UE <NUM> with the configuration for the PRACH transmission, wherein the configuration comprises one or more groups of preambles, wherein each group of preambles comprises respective one or more conditions, associated with the group, that need to be fulfilled to be selected, or having its own separate one or more conditions. Each group of preambles may comprise one or more conditions, such as a list or a set of conditions, and/or the one or more conditions may relate to signal strength. The respective group of the one or more groups may further indicate one or more features associated with the respective group. The one or more features may comprise one or more of the following: msg3 repetitions, slicing, small data transmissions, reduced capability, carrier selection such as SUL /NUL; preamble group to indicate larger buffer size; whether the UE is prioritized, which UE state the UE currently is in. The configuration may comprise the priority rule defining order of selection of the one or more groups of preambles. The priority rule may be: based on a configured priority index; based on amount of preambles in each group; based on a metric regarding performance; based on number of conditions; based on feature of the group; setting different levels of signal strength for different features; and/or based on priority of the UE.

Action <NUM>. The radio network node <NUM> may then receive the PRACH transmission using the determined first preamble out of a group of the one or more groups of preambles, for example, according to the configuration.

The above could for instance be implemented by having a list or a set of conditions for each preamble group where such conditions such as RSRP above a threshold, RSRP below a threshold, data buffer above a threshold, data buffer below a threshold, whether the UE is prioritized etc. Examples are underlined below:.

The IE BWP-UplinkCommon is used to configure the common parameters of an uplink BWP. They are "cell specific" and the network ensures the necessary alignment with corresponding parameters of other UEs. The common parameters of the initial bandwidth part of the PCell are also provided via system information. For all other serving cells, the network provides the common parameters via dedicated signalling.

As an example, the rsrp-ThresholdBelow is used in the case where the feature combination is to be used under more extended coverage conditions. rsrp-ThresholdAbove can be used when the RSRP is above a threshold, such as when the feature combination would require higher coverage. buffer-ThresholdAbove/buffer-ThresholdBelow is used in a similar manner.

As another example, the rrc-State parameter is used when a preamble group is only for a specific RRC state, which means that only UEs in, for instance, RRC connected mode are allowed to use the preamble group. Thus, a feature may relate to type of transmission and the one or more conditions of a preamble group may relate to signal strength, amount of buffered data, priority, and/or a state of UE.

In this implementation several more features/concepts are selected when comparing the RSRP threshold. For instance, SUL/NUL selection or carrier selection may be done when comparing a single threshold. This means that, for instance, the action of selecting <NUM>) preamble groups to indicate a higher amount of data in the buffer, <NUM>) SUL/NUL, <NUM>) feature combination, and <NUM>) <NUM>-step vs <NUM>-step may be performed under a single RSRP threshold.

The SUL/NUL selection based on the RSRP threshold is to select the NUL, which is the main carrier, or the SUL, which is the carrier designed to provide better coverage. In a generalization, the preamble group may also comprise multiple carriers and the thresholds can in combination with other features indicate which carrier to select out of the multiple carriers. <IMG>
<IMG>.

<FIG> is a block diagram depicting the UE <NUM> for handling communication in the wireless communications network <NUM> according to embodiments herein.

The UE <NUM> may comprise processing circuitry <NUM>, e.g., one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The UE <NUM> may comprise an obtaining unit <NUM>, e.g., a reader, a receiver or a transceiver. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM> and/or the obtaining unit <NUM> may be configured to obtain the configuration for the PRACH transmission, wherein the configuration comprises the one or more groups of preambles having its respective one or more conditions.

The UE <NUM> may comprise a determining unit <NUM>. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM>, and/or the determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine the first preamble from the group of preambles out of one or more groups of preambles, wherein the group of preambles is selected based on whether one or more conditions, associated with the group, are fulfilled or not. Each group of preambles may comprise one or more, such as a list or a set of conditions. The one or more conditions may relate to signal strength. Respective group of the one or more groups may further indicate one or more features associated with the respective group. The one or more features may comprise one or more of the following: msg3 repetitions, slicing, small data transmissions, reduced capability, carrier selection such as SUL /NUL; preamble group to indicate larger buffer size; whether the UE is prioritized, which UE state the UE currently is in. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM>, and/or the determining unit <NUM> may be configured to select the group of preambles further based on the capability of the UE <NUM>. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM>, and/or the determining unit <NUM> may be configured to disregard the group of preambles where one or more conditions associated with the group of preambles are not fulfilled, and to select the group of preambles for which one or more conditions are fulfilled. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM>, and/or the determining unit <NUM> may be configured to select the group of preambles based on the priority rule defining order of selection of the one or more groups of preambles. The priority rule may be: based on a configured priority index; based on amount of preambles in each group; based on a metric regarding performance; based on feature of the group; based on number of conditions; setting different levels of signal strength for different features; and/or based on priority of the UE.

The UE <NUM> may comprise a transmitting unit <NUM>, e.g. a transmitter or a transceiver. The UE <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM> and/or the transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit, to the radio network node <NUM>, the PRACH transmission using the determined first preamble.

The UE <NUM> may comprise a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, grants, preambles, groups of preambles, conditions, features, priority rules, indications, mobility events, measurements, events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the UE <NUM> may comprise a communication interface <NUM> 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 <NUM> are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product <NUM> 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 <NUM>. The computer program product <NUM> may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, e.g. a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, 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 <NUM>. 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 a UE for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the 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> is a block diagram depicting the radio network node <NUM> for handling communication in the wireless communications network <NUM> according to embodiments herein.

The radio network node <NUM> may comprise processing circuitry <NUM>, e.g. one or more processors, configured to perform the methods herein.

The radio network node <NUM> may comprise a configuring unit <NUM>, e.g. a transmitter or a transceiver. The radio network node <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM> and/or the configuring unit <NUM> is configured to configure the UE <NUM> with the configuration for the PRACH transmission, wherein the configuration comprises one or more groups of preambles, wherein each group of preambles comprises respective one or more conditions associated with the group, that need to be fulfilled to be selected. Each group of preambles may comprise one or more conditions, such as a list or a set of conditions. The one or more conditions may relate to signal strength. Respective group of the one or more groups may further indicate one or more features associated with the respective group. The one or more features may comprise one or more of the following: msg3 repetitions, slicing, small data transmissions, reduced capability, carrier selection such as SUL /NUL; preamble group to indicate larger buffer size; whether the UE is prioritized, which UE state the UE currently is in. The configuration may comprise the priority rule defining order of selection of the one or more groups of preambles. The priority rule may be: based on a configured priority index; based on amount of preambles in each group; based on number of conditions; based on a metric regarding performance; based on feature of the group; setting different levels of signal strength for different features; and/or based on priority of the UE. The radio network node <NUM> may comprise a receiving unit <NUM>, e.g. a receiver or a transceiver. The radio network node <NUM>, the processing circuitry <NUM> and/or the receiving unit <NUM> may be configured to receive from the UE <NUM>, a PRACH transmission using a determined first preamble out of a group of the one or more groups of preambles.

The radio network node <NUM> may comprise a memory <NUM>. The memory <NUM> comprises one or more units to be used to store data on, such as data packets, mobility events, measurements, preambles, groups of preambles, configurations, condition(s) events and applications to perform the methods disclosed herein when being executed, and similar. Furthermore, the radio network node may comprise a communication interface <NUM> 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 <NUM> are respectively implemented by means of e.g. a computer program product <NUM> 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 <NUM>. The computer program product <NUM> may be stored on a computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, e.g. a disc, a universal serial bus (USB) stick or similar. The computer-readable storage medium <NUM>, 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 <NUM>. 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 a radio network node <NUM> for handling communication in a wireless communications network, wherein the radio network node <NUM> comprises processing circuitry and a memory, said memory comprising instructions executable by said processing circuitry whereby said radio network node <NUM> is operative to perform any of the methods herein.

In some embodiments a more general term "radio network node" is used and it can correspond to any type of radio-network node or any network node, which communicates with a wireless device and/or with another network node. Examples of network nodes are NodeB, MeNB, SeNB, a network node belonging to Master cell group (MCG) or Secondary cell group (SCG), base station (BS), multi-standard radio (MSR) radio node such as MSR BS, eNodeB, gNodeB, network controller, radio-network controller (RNC), base station controller (BSC), relay, donor node controlling relay, base transceiver station (BTS), access point (AP), transmission points, transmission nodes, Remote radio Unit (RRU), Remote Radio Head (RRH), nodes in distributed antenna system (DAS), etc..

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), 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. New Radio (NR), Wi-Fi, Long Term Evolution (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. Designers of communications devices will appreciate the cost, performance, and maintenance trade-offs inherent in these design choices.

With reference to <FIG>, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network <NUM>, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network <NUM>, such as a radio access network, and a core network <NUM>. The access network <NUM> comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points being examples of the radio network node <NUM> herein, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network <NUM> over a wired or wireless connection <NUM>. A first user equipment (UE) <NUM>, being an example of the UE <NUM> and relay UE <NUM>, located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE <NUM> in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a.

The host computer <NUM> and the connected UEs <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to communicate data and/or signalling via the OTT connection <NUM>, using the access network <NUM>, the core network <NUM>, any intermediate network <NUM> and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries.

The wireless connection <NUM> between the UE <NUM> and the base station <NUM> is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE <NUM> using the OTT connection <NUM>, in which the wireless connection <NUM> forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the performance since preambles are selected in an efficient manner and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time, and better responsiveness.

In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signalling facilitating the host computer's <NUM> measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like.

Claim 1:
A method performed by a user equipment, UE, (<NUM>) for handling communication in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:
- determining (<NUM>) a first preamble from a group of preambles out of one or more groups of preambles, wherein the group of preambles is selected based on whether one or more conditions, associated with the group, are fulfilled or not, wherein the group of preambles is further selected based on a priority rule defining an order of selection of the one or more groups of preambles, and wherein the group of preambles is selected based on level of signal strength and/or number of conditions of respective group of preambles; and
- transmitting (<NUM>), to a radio network node (<NUM>), a physical random access channel, PRACH, transmission using the determined first preamble.