Patent ID: 12193069

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Examples of sub-bands herein may include, but not limit to, Component Carries (CCs) and Bandwidth Parts (BWP), or each BWP or CC may have multiple sub-bands for wideband operation.

A signaling procedure, such as a random access (RA) procedure and other procedures by sequential protocols, may suffer performance degradation due to interference check failures. For example, when an interference check fails, or when a mobile station or user equipment (UE), as a radio transmitter, detects an interferer in the channel or sub-band, the transmission of the UE is postponed to a later time when the channel or sub-band becomes available again. Thus, for example, frequency diversity techniques may be applied, for example by allowing the radio transmitter to perform interference checks simultaneously across multiple sub-bands and then to proceed with the transmission on one sub-band for which the interference check passes.

As an example of the above signaling procedure,FIG.1illustrates an example 2-step RA procedure100between the UE110and an access network (AN)120, for example in a New Radio (5G) communication system.

In the example 2-step RA procedure100, the UE110transmits a first signaling message130to the AN120, for example to a base station in the AN120. The first signaling message130may include a preamble on physical random access channel (PRACH) in a first portion140and a data part on physical share channel (PUSCH) in a second portion150. In response to the first signaling message130, the AN120(e.g. a base station in the AN120) may transmit to the UE110a second signaling message160as a response.

When applying the frequency diversity techniques to the example 2-step RA procedure100, for example, as illustrated inFIG.2where 2 sub-bands210and220are considered, the UE110may perform an interference check on both sub-bands210and220before transmitting the first portion140. If the interference check passes on the sub-band210but fails on the sub-band220temporarily, the UE110may select the sub-band210to transmit both the first portion140and the second portion150. However, for example, if an interference check fails on the sub-band210before transmitting the second portion150, the transmission of the second portion150will be delayed.

Different UEs may have different multi-sub-bands capabilities. For example, some UE receives and transmits on one sub-band at a time while in the more advanced UE capabilities the simultaneous operations on multiple sub-bands may be possible. As such, in the example as illustrated inFIG.2, subsequent signaling messages between the UE110and the AN120are also used in the sub-band210. For example, the AN120will transmit the second signaling message160also in sub-band210and the UE110monitors the sub-band210for the second signaling message160, if the interference check failure on the sub-band220is temporary, although the UE110actually supports simultaneous operations on the two sub-bands210and220. However, for example, if an interference check fails on the sub-band210before transmitting the second signaling message160(e.g. if the channel continues to be busy for more than the second signaling message160window), the transmission of the second signaling message160will be delayed or even fail.

To take more advantages of the frequency diversity techniques, in an example embodiment, on the side of the UE110, for example as illustrated inFIG.3, another interference check on the sub-band220may be performed for example before transmitting the second portion150.

If the another interference check passed on the sub-band220, the UE110may select the sub-band220to transmit the second portion150, and then may monitor for the second signaling message160on both sub-bands210and220.

On the other hand, the AN120may determine that the UE110is able to support simultaneous operations on multiple sub-bands, for example, according to different sub-bands of the first portion140and the second portion150, or by some other flag for indicating such an ability of the UE110which may be included in the first portion140or the second portion150. Consequently, the AN120may prepare the second signaling message160on both sub-bands210and220, and then select any one or more sub-bands of the sub-bands210and220to transmit the second signaling message160, for example to transmit the second signaling message160in the sub-band210in the example ofFIG.3.

It is appreciated that the multiple sub-bands herein are not limited to the two neighboring sub-bands inFIG.3. For example, as illustrated inFIG.4, the multiple sub-bands400may include one or more other sub-bands such as the sub-band410, and the sub-bands210and220may be two boundary sub-bands of the multiple sub-bands. Then, the AN120may determine the multiple sub-bands according to the two boundary sub-bands, and may prepare the second signaling message160on the multiple sub-bands400. Then, the AN120may select any one or more sub-bands of the multiple sub-bands400to transmit the second signaling message160, for example to transmit the second signaling message160in the sub-band410in the example ofFIG.4. In another example, the sub-bands210and220may be any two boundary sub-bands of the multiple sub-bands400. Correspondingly, the UE110may monitor for the second signaling message160on the multiple sub-bands including at least the sub-bands210and220.

In the above example embodiment where the first portion140and the second portion150are transmitted in different sub-bands210and220, an indication to a correspondence between the first portion140and the second portion150, for example an indication to the sub-band210of the first portion140or to the first portion140transmitted in the sub-band210, may be included in the second portion150. According to such an indication, the AN120may determine which sub-band is used by the UE110to transmit the corresponding first portion140and then may link the both portions together.

For example,FIG.5andFIG.6illustrate an example situation500where an UE510and an UE520communicate with the AN530in a procedure similar to the above example 2-step RA procedure100. The UE510transmits, to the AN530, a first portion540(for example including a preamble) of a signaling message560in a sub-band610and a second portion550(for example including a data part) of the signaling message560in a sub-band620. The UE520transmits, to the AN530, a first portion570(for example including a preamble) of a signaling message590in a sub-band620and a second portion580(for example including a data part) of the signaling message590in a sub-band610.

As illustrated inFIG.6, the second portion550of the UE510may include an indication630of a correspondence between the first portion540in the sub-band610and the second portion550. For example, the indication630may indicate the sub-band610of the corresponding first portion140. Similarly, the second portion580of the UE520may include an indication640of a correspondence between the first portion570in the sub-band620and the second portion580. For example, the indication640may indicate the sub-band620of the corresponding first portion570.

Then, when the AN530receives the second portion580in the sub-band610, the AN530may detect the indication640in the second portion580, and may determine according to the indication640that the first portion corresponding to the second portion580is the first portion570in the sub-band620rather than the first portion540in the sub-band610. Thus, for the UE520, the AN530may link the second portion580in the sub-band610with the first portion570in the sub-band620rather than with the first portion540in the sub-band610. Then, the AN530may extract for example timing alignment information from the first portion570in the sub-band620, and further decode the second portion580in the sub-band610based on the extracted timing alignment information.

Similarly, when the AN530receives the second portion550in the sub-band620, the AN530may detect the indication630in the second portion550, and may determine according to the indication630that the first portion corresponding to the second portion550is the first portion540in the sub-band610rather than the first portion570in the sub-band620. Thus, for the UE510, the AN530may link the second portion550in the sub-band620with the first portion540in the sub-band610rather than with the first portion570in the sub-band620. Then, the AN530may extract for example timing alignment information from the first portion540in the sub-band610, and further decode the second portion550in the sub-band620based on the extracted timing alignment information.

The indication in the second portion (e.g. the indications630and640) may be any suitable flag or signal for indicating the correspondence between the first and second portions of a signaling message, for example indicating the first sub-band of the corresponding first portion. Moreover, such an indication may be in any suitable form and may include any suitable contents.

For example, a predetermined number of preambles may be applicable in a cell, and a preamble used by a UE may be either specified by the AN, or selected randomly from a predetermined group. Further, a UE may transmit its own reference signals to the AN, and the AN may know the reference signal port of the UE. Further, the reference signal used by the UE may be also specific to the preamble used by the UE. Thus, a correspondence between the preamble in the first portion and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) in the second portion may be used as the indication in the second portion. For example, the indication in the second portion may indicate a port for transmitting the second portion, such as a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) port.

A part of an example mapping700between possible example preambles in the first portion and possible example DMRS ports is illustrated inFIG.7, where DMRS ports are separated in two groups “Cross-band” and “No Cross-band”. “Cross-band” means that the preamble in the first portion is in a different sub-band from the sub-band of the second portion, and “No Cross-band” means that the preamble in the first portion is in a same sub-band as the sub-band of the second portion. The example mapping700may used for example in a case of two sub-bands.

For example, referring to the example ofFIG.5andFIG.6, assuming that, for the UE510, first portion540in the sub-band610includes a preamble #3 in the example mapping700, and for the UE520, first portion570in the sub-band620includes a preamble #4 in the example mapping700, then the UE510may transmit the portion550in the sub-band620for example via a DMRS port #1 according to the example mapping700, and the UE520may transmit the portion580in the sub-band610for example via a DMRS port #1 according to the example mapping700.

Then, when receiving the second portion580in the sub-band610, the AN530may determine, for example according to the DMRS in the second portion580, that the second portion580in the sub-band610is transmitted by a UE via the DMRS port #1. DMRS port #1 is a “Cross-band” port, based on which the AN530may determine that the corresponding first portion is in a sub-band different from the sub-band610, and in a case of two sub-bands610and620, the AN530may determine that the first portion corresponding to the second portion580in the sub-band610is in the sub-band620. Since the reference signal used by the UE may be specific to the preamble used by the UE, the first portion570in the sub-band620including the preamble #4 may be then determined by the AN530. Then, the AN530may link the first portion570in the sub-band620with the second portion580in the sub-band610, and may further extract information of the preamble #4 from the first portion570in the sub-band620for decoding the data part in the second portion580in the sub-band610.

Similarly, when receiving the second portion550in the sub-band620, the AN530may determine, for example according to the DMRS in the second portion550, that the second portion550in the sub-band620is transmitted by a UE via the DMRS port #1. DMRS port #1 is a “Cross-band” port, based on which the AN530may determine that the corresponding first portion is in a sub-band different from the sub-band620, and in a case of two sub-bands610and620, the AN530may determine that the first portion corresponding to the second portion580in the sub-band620is in the sub-band610. As described above, the reference signal used by the UE may be specific to the preamble used by the UE, and the first portion540in the sub-band610including the preamble #3 may be then determined by the AN530. The AN530may link the first portion540in the sub-band610with the second portion550in the sub-band620, and may further extract information of the preamble #3 from the first portion540in the sub-band610for decoding the data part in the second portion550in the sub-band620.

As another example, if a UE transmits both a first portion of a signaling message, which include for example a preamble #10, and a second portion of the signaling message in the same sub-band, for example the above sub-band610, for example due to not supporting operations on multiple sub-bands or due to interference check failures on the other sub-bands or the like, the UE may transmit its second portion via for example a DMRS port #7 according to the above example mapping700.

Then, on the side of AN530, when receiving the second portion in the sub-band610, the AN530may determine, for example according to the DMRS in the second portion, that the second portion in the sub-band610is transmitted by a UE via the DMRS port #7. DMRS port #7 is a “No Cross-band” port, based on which the AN530may determine that the corresponding first portion is also in the sub-band610. As described above, the reference signal used by the UE may be specific to the preamble used by the UE, and the corresponding first portion including the preamble #10 in the sub-band610may be determined by the AN530. Then, the AN530may extract information of the preamble #10 from the linked first portion in the sub-band610for decoding the data part in the second portion in the sub-band610.

The example mapping700may be applied for a case of two sub-bands. For more than two sub-bands, the DMRS ports may be separated into more than two groups. For example, for 3 sub-bands,FIG.8illustrates a part of an example mapping800among preambles, DMRS ports and sub-bands. For example, if a UE transmits its second portion via DMRS port #4 in the sub-band #1, the AN may determine that corresponding first portion is in the sub-band #3 (i.e. “Cross-band”) and may include a preamble #1, #2, #3 or #4. if a UE transmits its second portion via DMRS port #6 in the sub-band #2, the AN may determine that corresponding first portion is in the sub-band #2 (i.e. “No Cross-band”) and may include a preamble #5, #6, #7 or #8.

As mentioned above, depending on the number of currently available sub-bands, a UE supporting operations on multiple sub-bands may operate in a “Cross-bands Mode” or a “No Cross-band Mode”.

As illustrated inFIG.9, in the Cross-bands Mode910, the UE may transmit to the AN two portions of a signaling message in different sub-bands, and then may monitor for a response from the AN on multiple sub-bands including the sub-bands for transmitting the two portions. Correspondingly, on the side of AN, the AN may determine that the UE supports operations on multiple sub-bands according to the two different sub-bands of the received two portions, and then may prepare the response on the multiple sub-bands and transmit the response on any one or more of the multiple sub-bands.

As illustrated inFIG.9, in the Cross-bands Mode910, the UE may transfer into the No Cross-band Mode920when an interference check on one sub-band passes while fails on the other sub-bands.

For example, in connection with the above example mapping700, for example, the UE may switch the DMRS port used for transmitting the second portion, for example from the DMRS port #1, #2, #3, or #4 to the DMRS port #5, #6, #7, or #8. For example, the used DMRS port may be also dependent on the used preamble. For example, in the No Cross-band Mode920, the UE may transmit to the AN two portions of the signaling message in the same sub-band via the switched DMRS port of “No Cross-band” type, and then may monitor for the response from the AN on the sub-band for transmitting the two portions. In another example, the UE may also monitor for the response from the AN on the multiple sub-bands.

Correspondingly, on the side of AN, the AN may consider the UE as not supporting operations on multiple sub-bands, based on the fact that the two portions are in the same sub-band, for example according to the indication in the second portion or the DMRS port indicated by the indication in the second portion or the like, and then may prepare and transmit the response on the sub-band of the first and second portions.

As illustrated inFIG.9, in the No Cross-band Mode920, the UE may transfer back to the Cross-band Mode910when at least 2 sub-bands become available based on another interference checks, so as to monitor for the response from the AN on multiple sub-bands including the two different sub-bands for transmitting the two portions.

In another example embodiment, the indication in the second portion may also indicate that the UE actually supports operations on multiple sub-bands although the first portion and the second portion are transmitted in the same sub-band. For example, DMRS ports may be separated into 3 groups including the above “Cross-band”, the above “No Cross-band”, and an additional type of “Temporarily No Cross-band” for the case where the UE actually supports operations on multiple sub-bands although the first portion and the second portion are transmitted in the same sub-band. In another example, additional information indicating that the UE actually supports operations may be included in the data part of the second portion. In another example, such additional information may be also included in the first portion. For example, such additional information may include a range of multiple sub-bands supported by the UE.

For example, when the UE actually supporting operations on multiple sub-bands suffers interference check failures on other sub-bands for a time, the UE may configure such indication in the second portion or the above additional information indicating that the UE actually supports operations in the first portion or the second portion, and may transmit both the first portion and the second portion in one sub-band on which an interference check is passed. For example, the second portion may be transmitted via the second portion via a “No Cross-band” DMRS port if the above additional information indicating that the UE actually supports operations is also configured, or the second portion may be transmitted via a “Temporarily No Cross-band”.

Correspondingly, on the side of AN, the AN may determine the sub-band of the first portion is the same as the sub-band of the second portion, and thus may link the two portions correctly. Also, the AN may determine the UE as supporting operations on multiple sub-band, based on the above additional information indicating that the UE actually supports operations or based on the “Temporarily No Cross-band” port indicated by the indication, and may further prepare a response on multiple sub-band for example determined according to the additional information. With respect to the response from the AN to the UE, referring toFIG.1again, the second signaling message160as the response from the AN120to the UE110may depend on the processing result of the first signaling message130on the side.

For example, if the AN120may decode a data part of the second portion150(e.g. the PUSCH transmission) successfully, the second signaling message160as the response may include information on for example Random Access Response (RAR) and Connection Resolution, where the second signaling message160may be a combination of the Msg2 and Msg4 in a 4-step RA procedure. Such a second signaling message160may be prepared by the AN120for example by using downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with RA Radio Network Temporary Identity (RA-RNTI) corresponding to RA resources of the preamble in the first portion140.

For example, if the AN120fails to decode the data part of the second portion150but may detect the indication (e.g. the indication630or640in the above examples), then according to the detected indication, the AN120may still determine whether the UE110supports receiving response on multiple sub-bands, and may further prepare a RAR for example by using downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with RA Radio Network Temporary Identity (RA-RNTI) corresponding to RA resources of the preamble in the first portion140, on multiple sub-bands if the first portion140and the second portion150in the first signaling message are in different sub-bands, or otherwise on the sub-band of the first portion140.

For example, if the AN120fails to detect the indication (e.g. the indication630or640in the above examples), for example, no such indication is included in the second portion150, or no second portion150is included in the signaling message130, the AN120may prepare a RAR for example by using downlink control information (DCI) scrambled with RA Radio Network Temporary Identity (RA-RNTI) corresponding to RA resources of the preamble in the first portion140, on the sub-band of the first portion140.

Then, as the example procedure1000illustrated inFIG.10, in response to receiving the second signaling message160, the UE110may prepare the second portion150on the sub-band where the second signaling message160is received, or on multiple sub-bands, and then transmit the prepared second portion150to the AN120again in one or more selected sub-bands. Then, in response to receiving the separate second portion150, the AN120may prepare and transmit another response1010such as connection resolution information to the UE110.

Several examples have been described in a context of a RA procedure. It is appreciated that the disclosure is not limited to the above examples. The solution herein may also be applied to any other procedure for example based on sequential protocols. Further, interference checks before transmitting may be optional. That is, transmitting different portions of a signaling message in different sub-bands may not depend on the interference check outcomes. Further, in another example embodiment, the considered sub-bands may be not limited to the above 2 or 3 sub-bands, and instead may be any number of sub-bands. Further, in another example embodiment, a signaling message for transmission may include 3, 4 or more portions, and different portions or different sets of portions may be transmitted in different sub-bands. Further, the indication to correspondence between respective portions of the signaling message for transmission or information on sub-bands of respective portions of the signaling message for a transmission may be included in any one or more suitable portions of the signaling message for transmission and may be in any suitable forms.

FIG.11illustrates an example method1100according to an example embodiment. For example, the example method1100may be applied to a UE, such as the UE110inFIG.1and the like.

As illustrated inFIG.11, the example method1100may include a step1110of transmitting a first portion (e.g. the first portion140inFIG.1) of a signaling message (e.g. the first signaling message130inFIG.1) in a first sub-band (e.g. the sub-band210inFIG.3), and a step1120of transmitting a second portion (e.g. the first portion150inFIG.1) of the signaling message in a second sub-band (e.g. the sub-band220inFIG.3), where the second portion may include an indication (e.g. the indication630or640inFIG.6) of a correspondence between the first portion and the second portion, for example, the indication may indicate the first portion transmitted in the first sub-band.

As described above, through transmitting respective portions in the signaling message for transmission in respective sub-bands, more advantages of the frequency diversity techniques may be taken, for example, robustness against interference check may be increased. And through including indication to correspondence between the first portion and the second portion in the second portion, the AN may know correct first portion that the UE transmitted, and then may decoding the data part in the second portion based on the information in the first portion.

In an example embodiment, the second sub-band may be different from the first sub-band, for example when an interference check on the second sub-band is passed. In another example embodiment, interference checks may be optional, and the first sub-band and the second sub-band may be any different sub-bands selected by the UE according to any suitable rules or negotiated between the UE and the AN.

In another example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.12, the example method1100may further include a step1210of monitoring, on multiple sub-bands including at least the first and second sub-bands, for a response to the signaling message from AN.

As described above, in an example embodiment, the example method1100may be applied to a RA procedure. For example, the first portion may include a preamble for a RA procedure and the second portion may further include a data part of the RA procedure. Further, the indication may include a mapping (e.g. a mapping item in the example mapping700or800, or the example mapping700or800) between the preamble in the first portion in the first sub-band and a DMRS port for transmitting the second portion.

Further, as described above, a UE supporting operations on multiple sub-bands may operate in either a Cross-band Mode or a No Cross-band Mode. Correspondingly, in an example embodiment, the second portion may be instead transmitted in the first sub-band, in a case where an interference check on other sub-band or sub-bands than the first sub-band fails.

FIG.13illustrates an example apparatus1300according to an example embodiment, which, for example, may be at least a part of the UE110.

As illustrated inFIG.13, the example apparatus1300may include at least one processor1310and at least one memory1320that may include computer program code1330. The at least one memory1320and the computer program code1330may be configured to, with the at least one processor1310, cause the apparatus1300at least to perform at least the example method1100described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor1310in the example apparatus1300may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) and Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC). Further, the at least one processor1310may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown inFIG.13.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory1320in the example apparatus1300may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a random-access memory (RAM), a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a read only memory (ROM), a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory1320may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus1300may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus1300, including the at least one processor1310and the at least one memory1320, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

The structure of the apparatus on the side of the UE110is not limited to the above example apparatus1300.FIG.14illustrates another example apparatus1400according to an example embodiment, which, for example, may be at least of part of the UE110.

As shown inFIG.14, the example apparatus1400may include means1410for performing the step1110of the example method1100, means1420for performing the step1120of the example method1100.

In one or more another example embodiments, the example apparatus1400may further include one or more another means for performing other additional or alternative steps in the example method1100. For example, as illustrated inFIG.14, the example apparatus1400may further include means1430for performing the step1210of the example method1100. Further, for example, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also included in the example apparatus1400.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus, which for example may be applied on the side of UE, may include one or more circuitries. For example, such apparatus may include a circuitry configured to perform the step1110of the example method1100, a circuitry configured to perform the step1120of the example method1100, a circuitry configured to perform the step1210of the example method1100, and the like. In one or more another example embodiments, such apparatus may further include one or more another circuitries configured to perform other additional or alternative steps in the example method1100. Further, for example, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also included in such apparatus.

The term “circuitry” throughout this disclosure may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable) (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions); and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation. This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this disclosure, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

Several example embodiments on the side of the UE110have been described above by way of non-limiting examples. More details on the side of the AN120will now be described by way of non-limiting examples.

FIG.15illustrates an example method1500according to an example embodiment, which, for example, may be performed on the side of the AN120.

As illustrated inFIG.15, corresponding to the step1110of the example method1100, the example method1500may include a step1510of receiving a first portion (e.g. the first portion140inFIG.1) of a signaling message (e.g. the first signaling message130inFIG.1) in a first sub-band (e.g. the sub-band210inFIG.3). Corresponding to the step1120of the example method1100, the example method1500may include a step1520of receiving a second portion (e.g. the first portion150inFIG.1) of the signaling message in a second sub-band (e.g. the sub-band220inFIG.3), where the second portion may include an indication (e.g. the indication640or650inFIG.6) of a correspondence between the first portion and the second portion, for example, the indication may indicate the first portion received in the first sub-band. Further, the example method1500may further include a step1530of determining, according to the indication, that the first portion in the first sub-band and the second portion in the second sub-band are from a same UE.

As described above, according to the indication included in the second portion, the AN may know whether a UE supports operations on multiple sub-bands (e.g. monitoring for a response on multiple sub-bands), and may determine the multiple sub-bands according to the first sub-band of the first portion and the second sub-band of the second portion. Further, according to the indication included in the second portion, the AN may know which sub-band is the first sub-band of the first portion corresponding to the second portion in the second sub-band. As such, the AN may link the correct first portion in the first sub-band with the second portion in the second sub-band, and then may then extract for example correct timing alignment information from the first portion, which may in turn aid the AN in decoding for example the data part in the second portion.

In various example embodiments, the step1530of determining may be either explicit or implicit.

In an example embodiment, as illustrated inFIG.16, corresponding to the step1210of the example1100, the example1500may further include a step1610of preparing a response to the signaling message for the user equipment on multiple sub-bands including the first sub-band and the second sub-band when the second sub-band of the second portion is different from the first sub-band of the first portion.

Further, in an example embodiment, corresponding to the step1210of the example1100, the example1500may further include a step of transmitting the response in at least one sub-band of the multiple sub-bands when an interference check on the at least one sub-band is passed.

In an example embodiment, for example, when the second sub-band is the same as the first sub-band, or in a case of a failure in a detection of the indication in the second portion in the second sub-band, the response to the signaling message for the UE may be prepared on the first sub-band.

As described above, in an example embodiment, the example method1100may be applied to a RA procedure. For example, the first portion may include a preamble for a RA procedure and the second portion may further include a data part of the RA procedure. Further, the indication may include a mapping (e.g. a mapping item in the example mapping700or800, or the example mapping700or800) between the preamble in the first portion in the first sub-band and a DMRS port for transmitting the second portion. Thus, the first portion and the second portion may be determined to be from the same user equipment based on the mapping.

FIG.17illustrates an example apparatus1700according to an example embodiment, which, for example, may be at least a part of the AN120, e.g. at least a part of a base station of the AN120.

As shown inFIG.17, the example apparatus1700may include at least one processor1710and at least one memory1720that may include computer program code1730. The at least one memory1720and the computer program code1730may be configured to, with the at least one processor1710, cause the apparatus1700at least to perform at least the example method1500described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor1710in the example apparatus1700may include, but not limited to, at least one hardware processor, including at least one microprocessor such as a CPU, a portion of at least one hardware processor, and any other suitable dedicated processor such as those developed based on for example FPGA and ASIC. Further, the at least one processor1710may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown inFIG.17.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory1720in the example apparatus1700may include at least one storage medium in various forms, such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on. Further, the at least memory1720may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, apparatus, or device or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example apparatus1700may also include at least one other circuitry, element, and interface, for example at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like.

In various example embodiments, the circuitries, parts, elements, and interfaces in the example apparatus1700, including the at least one processor1710and the at least one memory1720, may be coupled together via any suitable connections including, but not limited to, buses, crossbars, wiring and/or wireless lines, in any suitable ways, for example electrically, magnetically, optically, electromagnetically, and the like.

The structure of the apparatus on the side of the AN120is not limited to the above example apparatus1700.FIG.18illustrates another example apparatus1800according to an example embodiment, which, for example, may be at least a part of the AN120, e.g. at least a part of a base station of the AN120.

As shown inFIG.18, the example apparatus1800may include means1810for performing the step1510of the example method1500, means1820for performing the step1520of the example method1500, and means1830for performing the step1530of the example method1500.

In one or more another example embodiments, the example apparatus1400may further include one or more another means for performing other additional or alternative steps in the example method1400. For example, the example apparatus1800may further include one or more another means for performing the step1610. Further, for example, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also included in the example apparatus1800.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus, which for example may be applied on the side of AN, may include one or more circuitries. For example, such apparatus may include a circuitry configured to perform the step1510of the example method1500, a circuitry configured to perform the step1520of the example method1500, a circuitry configured to perform the step1530of the example method1500, and the like. In one or more another example embodiments, such apparatus may further include one or more another circuitries configured to perform other additional or alternative steps in the example method1500. Further, for example, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also included in such apparatus.

Another example embodiment may relate to computer program codes or instructions which may cause an apparatus to perform at least respective methods described above.

Another example embodiment may be related to a computer readable medium having such computer program codes or instructions stored thereon. In various example embodiments, such a computer readable medium may include at least one storage medium in various forms such as a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. The volatile memory may include, but not limited to, for example, a RAM, a cache, and so on. The non-volatile memory may include, but not limited to, a ROM, a hard disk, a flash memory, and so on.

Several example embodiments have been described above in a context of RA procedure between UE and AN. However, it is appreciated that this disclosure is not limited to the example RA procedure. Also, the signaling procedure implemented by the solution of the disclosure is not limited to the signaling procedure between UE and AN. In various embodiments, the above example methods1100and1500may be applied to any transmitter and any receiver, respectively, in any other signaling procedure by sequential protocols. For example, the above example apparatus1300or1400or the like, which may be configured to implement the example method1100, may also be at least a part of an AN (e.g. at least a part of a base station of the AN) when the AN acts as a transmitter. For example, the above example apparatus1700or1800or the like, which may be configured to implement the example method1500, may also be at least a part of a UE, such as a mobile phone, a tablet, a vehicle, and the like, when the UE acts as a receiver. For example, for any two mobile devices (e.g. two vehicles) expecting to communicate with each other in a context of Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), one may implement the example method1100, and the other may implement the example method1500.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” The word “coupled”, as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Likewise, the word “connected”, as generally used herein, refers to two or more elements that may be either directly connected, or connected by way of one or more intermediate elements. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Moreover, conditional language used herein, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” “may,” “e.g.,” “for example,” “such as” and the like, unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements and/or states. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or states are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without author input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or states are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

While some example embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the apparatus, methods, and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, while blocks are presented in a given arrangement, alternative embodiments may perform similar functionalities with different components and/or circuit topologies, and some blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified. Each of these blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. The order of these blocks may also be changed. Any suitable combination of the elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosure.