WO2023141943A1

WO2023141943A1 - Devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for random access

Info

Publication number: WO2023141943A1
Application number: PCT/CN2022/074597
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yonggang Wang; Ahlem KHLASS
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co., Ltd.; Nokia Solutions And Networks Oy; Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2022-01-28
Filing date: 2022-01-28
Publication date: 2023-08-03

Abstract

Disclosed are devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for random access. An example terminal device in a radio communication network may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform: receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.

Description

DEVICES, METHODS, APPARATUSES, AND COMPUTER READABLE MEDIA FOR RANDOM ACCESS

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various embodiments relate to devices, methods, apparatuses, and computer readable media for random access (RA) .

BACKGROUND

In a radio communication network with respect to, for example, some industrial use-cases, some user equipments (UEs) , for example, reduced capability (RedCap) UEs, may be used to monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) , e.g., temperature, humidity, pressure, noise, etc., and to report readouts as uplink (UL) data when a certain threshold is reached. If the UL data generated from the RedCap UEs may trigger a RA procedure simultaneously, a network congestion, e.g., RA resources collision, may be caused. This affects not only RedCap UEs that will re-attempt RA procedure, but also non-RedCap UEs that are sharing the same RA resources. Additionally, the network (NW) may have no idea on the number of RedCap UEs that are camping and potentially attempting to access the NW simultaneously. Because RA resources may be shared with non-RedCap UEs, to avoid the potential impact on performance of non-RedCap UEs’ access, the network can either decide to bar the access from the RedCap UEs, or to let the RedCap UEs access with a risk of collision from a massive RA attempt.

SUMMARY

A brief summary of exemplary embodiments is provided below to provide basic understanding of some aspects of various embodiments. It should be noted that this summary is not intended to identify key features of essential elements or define scopes of the embodiments, and its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts in a simplified form as a preamble for a more detailed description provided below.

In a first aspect, disclosed is a terminal device in a radio communication network. The terminal device may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform: receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.

In some embodiments, the terminal device may be a reduced capability user equipment.

In some embodiments, the start position of the random access occasion cluster may refer to a first frame of the random access occasion cluster.

In some embodiments, the determining the random access occasion may comprise: selecting a variable less than a value of the range; and determining the random access occasion corresponding to the variable after the start position of the random access occasion cluster.

In some embodiments, the variable may be selected randomly from zero to a value less than the range.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to further perform: transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.

In some embodiments, the at least one memory and the computer program code may be further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to further perform: neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.

In some embodiments, the cycle of the configuration information may be configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured by the network device.

In some embodiments, the random access occasion cluster may occur after a paging occasion associated with the paging cycle.

In some embodiments, the configuration information may be received via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.

In a second aspect, disclosed is a network device in a radio communication network. The network device may include at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory may include computer program code, and the at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform: determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.

In some embodiments, the start position of the random access occasion cluster may refer to a first frame of the random access occasion.

In some embodiments, the determining the configuration information may be performed by:receiving, from the terminal device, assistance information, the assistance information being indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle of the configuration information; and determining the configuration information based at least on the received assistance information.

In some embodiments, the determining the configuration information may comprise: obtaining history information comprising at least one of the following: timing information indicative of when random accesses have been initiated by reduced capability user equipments, load information indicative of resources used for the random accesses performed by the reduced capability user equipments, and load information indicative of resources used for random accesses performed by non-reduced capability user equipments; and determining the configuration information based at least on the obtained history information.

In some embodiments, the determining the configuration information may comprise: counting a first number of a first plurality of terminal devices configured with the cycle of the configuration information; and determining offsets of configuration information for the first plurality of terminal devices based on the first number.

In some embodiments, the determining the configuration information may further comprise: counting a second number of a second plurality of terminal devices configured with the offset of the configuration information; and determining ranges of configuration information for the second plurality of terminal devices based on the second number.

In some embodiments, the cycle of the configuration information may be configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured for the terminal device.

In some embodiments, the random access occasion cluster may occur after a paging occasion of the terminal device, the paging occasion being associated with the paging cycle.

In some embodiments, the configuration information may be transmitted, to the terminal device, via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.

In a third aspect, disclosed is a method performed by a terminal device in a radio communication network. The method may comprise: receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.

In some embodiments, the method may further comprise: neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.

In a fourth aspect, disclosed is a method performed by a network device in a radio communication network. The method may comprise: determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.

In a fifth aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus as a terminal device in a radio communication network may comprise: means for receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; means for determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and means for transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.

In some embodiments, the apparatus may further comprise: means for neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and means for transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.

In a sixth aspect, disclosed is an apparatus. The apparatus as a network device in a radio communication network may comprise: means for determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; means for transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and means for receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.

In a seventh aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing a terminal device in a radio communication network to perform: receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.

In some embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the terminal device to further perform: transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.

In some embodiments, the computer readable medium may further include instructions stored thereon for causing the terminal device to further perform: neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.

In an eighth aspect, a computer readable medium is disclosed. The computer readable medium may include instructions stored thereon for causing a network device in a radio communication network to perform: determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.

Other features and advantages of the example embodiments of the present disclosure will also be apparent from the following description of specific embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of example embodiments of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some example embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary timing diagram for RA operation according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary timing diagram for RA operation according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, same or similar reference numbers indicate same or similar elements. A repetitive description on the same elements would be omitted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Herein below, some example embodiments are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well known circuits, techniques and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the described concepts and features.

An improved technique for RA may be implemented according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, a proactive collision avoidance mechanism may be implemented, by which a controllable or predictable number of UEs may access to the network during a known period, and RA attempts may be restricted and spread over time for the UEs with delay-tolerant traffic.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary sequence diagram for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to the FIG. 1, in a radio communication network, a UE 110 may be any terminal device in a cell which a network device 120 functioning as a base station (BS) is associated with. It may be appreciated that there may be at least one other terminal device in the cell.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary timing diagram for RA operation according to embodiments of the present disclosure. In the FIG. 2, in addition to the network device 120 and the UE 110, a UE 115 is shown to represent any of the terminal device other than the UE 110 in the cell. It may be appreciated that the descriptions with respect to the UE 110 may also apply to the UE 115, and vice versa.

Referring to the FIG. 1, in an operation 130, the network device 120 may determine, for the UE 110, configuration information 140 for RA of the radio communication network from the UE 110, and then transmit the configuration information 140 for the RA to the UE 110. The operation 130 may be performed after the UE 110 registers in the cell and initially enters a radio resource control (RRC) connected state. The configuration information 140 may apply to the subsequent RA procedure. In an embodiment, the configuration information 140 for RA may be determined for a RedCap UE, and it may be appreciated that the configuration information 140 for RA may also be determined for a non-RedCap UE.

In an embodiment, the configuration information 140 may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a RA occasion cluster, a range indicating a duration of the RA occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the RA occasion cluster. The RA occasion cluster may comprise at least one RA occasion, and the RA occasion cluster may start from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle. Thus, the UE 110 may be configured to determine a RA occasion from the RA occasion cluster and transmit a RA preamble at the RA occasion of the RA occasion cluster.

In an embodiment, a timer may be used to run from the start boundary of the cycle, and the UE 110 may be allowed to transmit the RA preamble when the timer reaches the start position and be prohibited to transmit the RA preamble when the timer reaches the range after the start position. In other words, the RA occasion cluster for the UE 110 may be from a timing the timer reaches the start position to a timing the timer reaches the range after the start position.

In an embodiment, the timer may be in terms of system frame number (SFN) . Referring to the FIG. 2, RA cycle0 and RA cycle1 are shown as examples of the cycle in the configuration information 140. In this embodiment, the cycle includes 256 SFNs, the SFNs of the RA cycle0 are orderly labeled as SFN0 to SFN255, and the SFNs of the RA cycle1 are orderly labeled as SFN256 to SFN511. The RA cycle is periodically repeated, and it may be appreciated there may be RA cycles subsequent to the RA cycle1. The SFN0 is the start boundary of the RA cycle0 and the SFN256 is the start boundary of the RA cycle1.

In an embodiment, the start position of the RA occasion cluster may refer to a first frame of the RA occasion. For the UE 110, the offset may be, e.g., 32 SFNs, the start position may be, e.g. 32 SFNs after the start boundary of the cycle and the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the range may be a duration of 4 continuous SFNs. Thus, in the RA cycle0, SFN32 is the start position and is the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the RA occasion cluster may comprise 4 continuous SFNs stating from the SFN32. Similarly, in the RA cycle1, SFN288 is the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the RA occasion cluster may comprise 4 continuous SFNs stating from the SFN288. In this embodiment, the UE 110 is configured to transmit the RA preamble at a RA occasion of the RA occasion clusters from SFN32 to SFN35, from SFN288 to SFN291, etc.

The configuration information for another UE 115 may be different from the configuration information 140 for the UE 110. In the embodiment shown in the FIG. 2, for the UE 115, the offset may be, e.g., 64 SFNs, the start position may be, e.g. 64 SFNs after the start boundary of the cycle and the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the range may be a duration of 8 continuous SFNs. Thus, in the RA cycle0, SFN64 is the start position and is the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the RA occasion cluster may comprise 8 continuous SFNs stating from the SFN64. Similarly, in the RA cycle1, SFN320 is the first frame of the RA occasion cluster, and the RA occasion cluster may comprise 8 continuous SFNs stating from the SFN320. In this embodiment, the UE 115 is configured to transmit a RA preamble at a RA occasion of the RA occasion clusters from SFN64 to SFN71, from SFN320 to SFN327, etc.

Since the RA occasion clusters configured for the transmission of the RA preamble in the cycles are discontinuous, such pattern for the RA procedure may be referred as to discontinuous random access (DRA) .

It may be appreciated that the cycle for the UE 110 and the UE 115 may also be configured differently. For example, the cycle for the UE 115 may be include 512 SFNs, e.g., the RA cycle0 plus the RA cycle1. For example, the cycle for the UE 110 may be, e.g., 2.56s, and the cycle for the UE 115 may be, e.g., 10.24s.

It may also be appreciated that the configuration information 140 for the UE 110 may be flexibly adjusted. For example, the UE 110 may be reconfigured with a different cycle, offset and/or range in the subsequent RA cycles. The configuration or reconfiguration may be implemented when the UE 110 enters the RRC connected mode, for example, after the initial connection with the network device 120. In the present disclosure, it may be appreciated that the descriptions with respect to determining configuration information for the RA may also apply to adjusting configuration information for the RA.

The RA occasions for a plurality of terminal devices such as the UE 110 and the UE 115 are spread over time, such that a probability of collisions of massive RA attempts can be reduced.

Referring back to the FIG. 1, as an option, before the operation 130, the UE 110 may transmit assistance information 125 for the determination of the configuration information 140 to the network device 120. The assistance information 125 may relate to a RA configuration preferred by the UE 110 and may be transmitted while the UE 110 is connected to the network device 120.

In an embodiment, the assistance information 125 may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the UE 110, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle of the configuration information 140.

The traffic pattern associated with the service may be, for example, bilateral traffic load, delay tolerance, etc. For example, in a case where the UE 110 is a terminal device with uplink traffic heavier than downlink (DL) traffic, for example, the UE 110 is an industrial wireless sensor, the UE 110 may prefer a shorter cycle length. For example, in a case where the service supported by the UE 110 is delay tolerant, a longer cycle length may be acceptable.

The rate of data burst for the service may relate to the timing when the uplink data to be transmitted will be generated. For example, assuming that the uplink data burst for the service supported by the UE 110 are generated at the rate of around 6s, a cycle equal to about 6s may be preferred by the UE 110.

Alternatively or additionally, the assistance information 125 may directly indicate the cycle of the configuration information 140 preferred by the UE 110. For example, the assistance information 125 may directly indicate the cycle length and/or access timing preferred by the UE 110.

Receiving the assistance information 125, in the operation 130, the network device 120 may determine the configuration information 140 based at least on the received assistance information 125. For example, the network device 120 may configure a cycle that can meet the requirement of uplink traffic of the UE 110.

Alternatively or additionally, in the operation 130, the determining the configuration information 140 for the RA may comprise: an operation 131 to obtain history information and then determining the configuration information 140 based at least on the obtained history information.

Because RedCap UEs generally access to the network on several discrete points of time, past occupied RA resources may be figured out. Therefore, the network device 120 can collect and use the history information for configuring the RA for the UE 110 in a case where the UE 110 is a RedCap UE.

In an embodiment, the history information may comprise at least one of the following: timing information indicative of when RAs have been initiated by RedCap UEs, load information indicative of resources used for the RAs performed by the RedCap UEs, and load information indicative of resources used for RAs performed by non-RedCap UEs.

In a case where the UE 110 is a RedCap UE, with reference to the timing information indicative of when RAs have been initiated by RedCap UEs, the network device 120 may configure for the UE 110 the RA occasion cluster corresponding to the timing information. Based on the load information indicative of resources used for the RAs performed by the RedCap UEs, the network device 120 may adjust RA opportunities for the UE 110, e.g., increasing or decreasing the cycle and/or range. Based on load information indicative of resources used for the RAs performed by the RedCap UEs and load information indicative of resources used for RAs performed by non-RedCap UEs, the network device 120 may calculate a ratio of the load information of RedCap UEs to that of non-RedCap UEs and may increase the access capacity borrowed from non-RedCap UEs to accommodate more RedCap UEs if the ratio is high.

Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, in the operation 130, the network device 120 may in an operation 133 count a first number of a first plurality of UEs configured with the cycle of the configuration information 140, and in an operation 135 determine offsets of configuration information for the first plurality of UEs based on the first number. In the operation 133, for example, the network device 120 may count the first number of the first plurality of UEs configured with the cycle of the UE 110. In the operation 135, the network device 120 may determine offsets for the first plurality of UEs based on the first number, such that the UEs with the identical cycle may be configured with different offsets, or a limited number of UEs will be configured with the same offset. Thus the probability of the collisions of massive RA attempts can be reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, in the operation 130, the network device 120 may in an operation 137 count a second number of a second plurality of UEs configured with the offset of the configuration information 140, and in an operation 139 determine ranges of configuration information for the second plurality of UEs based on the second number. In the operation 133, for example, the network device 120 may count the second number of the second plurality of UEs configured with the offset of the UE 110. In the operation 139, the network device 120 may determine ranges for the second plurality of UEs based on the second number, such that the UEs with the identical offset may be configured with different ranges. Thus, RA attempts of the UEs may be restricted and spread over time, and the probability of the collisions of massive RA attempts can be further reduced.

Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, the cycle of the configuration information 140 may be configured in accordance with a paging cycle configuration. The paging cycle may be configured by the network device 120 for the UE 110. FIG. 3 shows an exemplary timing diagram for RA operation according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to the FIG. 3, the RA cycle is set in accordance with the paging cycle, which may also be referred to as a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle in idle or inactive mode. For example, the RA cycle of the UE 110 may be along with the DRX cycle configuration specific to the UE 110. The RA cycle being configured in accordance with the paging cycle may be efficient to coordinate RA resources between RedCap UEs and to avoid eventual conflicts. In an embodiment, for the UEs with heavy uplink traffic, the RA cycle may be configured shorter than the paging cycle.

Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, the RA occasion cluster may occur after a paging occasion (PO) associated with the paging cycle. In this case, the power ramping up/down of the UE 110 may be reduced. Referring to the FIG. 3, in the DRX and RA cycle0, the RA occasion cluster starting from the SFN32 occurs after PO0, and in the DRX and RA cycle1, the RA occasion cluster starting from the SFN288 occurs after PO1. In a case where the start position is, e.g., the SFN32 or the SFN288 right after the PO, more power may be saved.

Taking the DRX and RA cycle0 as an example, the UE 110 wakes up for monitoring physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) before the PO0, the network device 120 may transmit some real-time access parameters via a current system information block (SIB) , e.g., the SIB before the PO0 and also before the transmission of RA preamble. The real-time access parameters may be, for example, whether to bar the RedCap UEs according to the load, or RA resources such as preamble, PRACH resource and UL BWP.

The real-time access parameters about the access control for the RedCap UEs may also be flexible and configurable. It may be effective during the RA cycle and changed at the next RA cycle based on the cell load in terms of the non-RedCap UEs. The follow-up resources after message1 (Msg1) , such as control resource sets (CORESETs) used for scheduling random access responses (RARs) , the PDCCH for transmission of the RARs and random access radio network temporary identifiers (RA-RNTIs) can be enriched for the RedCap UEs in the RA occasion cluster.

Referring back to the FIG. 1, the UE 110 may receive the configuration information 140 from the network device 120, e.g., via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the UE 110. In an embodiment, the configuration information 140 may be specific to the cell, and in this case the configuration information 140 may be transmitted to the UEs associated with the cell via the system information broadcast message, for example, a SIB. Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, the configuration information 140 may be specific to the UE 110, and in this case the configuration information 140 may be transmitted via the dedicated signaling, for example, a dedicated RRC message to the UE 110.

Receiving the configuration 140, in an operation 150, the UE 110 may determine a RA occasion from the RA occasion cluster. In an operation 150, the RA occasion may be determined by the UE 110, alternatively or additionally, the RA occasion may be determined by other device and provided to the UE 110.

In an embodiment, in the operation 150, the UE 110 may in an operation 155 select a variable less than a value of the range, and then determine the RA occasion corresponding to the variable after the start position of the RA occasion cluster. For example, referring to the FIG. 3, assuming the range is a duration of 8 continuous SFNs and the value of the range is 8, the UE 110 may select an integer from 0 to 7 as the variable. If the variable is selected to be 0, in the RA cycle0, the start position of the RA occasion cluster is the SFN32, the UE 110 may determine the RA occasion corresponding to 0 after the SFN32, i.e. the SFN32. If the variable is selected to be 7, in the RA cycle1, the start position of the RA occasion cluster is the SFN288, the UE 110 may determine the RA occasion corresponding to 7 after the SFN288, i.e. the SFN295.

In an embodiment, the variable may be selected randomly from zero to a value less than the range. Alternatively or additionally, in an embodiment, the variable may be increased or decreased with a number of SFNs at different RA cycles.

After determining the RA occasion in the operation 150, the UE 110 may transmit a RA preamble 160 to the network device 120 at the RA occasion.

In the above embodiments, RedCap UEs may access to the network on several discrete points of time, and the time outside the RA occasions may be dedicated to non-RedCap UE. Thus, the initial access occasions between the RedCap UEs and non-RedCap UEs may be distinguished in time domain. According to present disclosure, such distinction may be flexible and configurable. Assuming the UE 110 is a RedCap UE, in some embodiments, the UE 110 may transmit a RA preamble without using the configuration information 140.

Referring back to the FIG. 1, in an operation 165, the UE 110 may neglect the configuration information 140 based on a service event type. For example, in a case where the UE 110 is supporting an emergency services for which delays are not tolerated, e.g., the UE 110 is a smoke detector, and a service event type may be associated with smoke density. If an event such as the detected smoke density higher than a threshold occurs, the UE 110 may neglect the configuration information 140 and transmit a RA preamble 170 without using the configuration information 140.

According to the embodiments in the present disclosure, the uplink accesses of the UEs may be evenly distributed in the RA cycle with the parameters such as the offset, range, etc. to reduce the probability of collisions of massive RA attempts as well as eventual retransmissions. In addition, in a case where the RA resources for RedCap UEs are shared with non-RedCap UEs, RA resources may be managed and coexist better. Moreover, in a case where the RA occasion cluster occurs after waking up for PO monitoring, the operations of reading system information and downlink synchronization can be omitted and the UE power ramping up/down can be reduced, such that the power consumption at the UE may decrease.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 400 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method 400 may be performed for example by a terminal device in a radio communication network such as the UE 110.

Referring to the FIG. 4, the example method 400 may include an operation 410 of receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for RA of the radio communication network, the configuration information comprises: an offset indicating a start position of a RA occasion cluster, the RA occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion, a range indicating a duration of the RA occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the RA occasion cluster, the RA occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; an operation 420 of determining a RA occasion from the RA occasion cluster; and an operation 430 of transmitting a RA preamble at the RA occasion.

Details of the operation 410 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 130, the configuration information 140 and the FIG. 2, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 420 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 150 and the FIG. 2, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 430 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the RA preamble 160, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the terminal device may be a RedCap UE.

In an embodiment, the start position of the RA occasion cluster may refer to a first frame of the RA occasion cluster. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the FIG. 2, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the determining the random access occasion may comprises: selecting a variable less than a value of the range; and determining the RA occasion corresponding to the variable after the start position of the RA occasion cluster. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 150, the operation 155 and the FIG. 3, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the variable may be selected randomly from zero to a value less than the range. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 155, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the example method 400 may further include an operation of transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information may be indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the assistance information 125, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the example method 400 may further include an operation of neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 165, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of transmitting a RA preamble without using the configuration information, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the RA preamble 170, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the cycle of the configuration information may be configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured by the network device. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the FIG. 3, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the RA occasion cluster may occur after a PO associated with the paging cycle. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the FIG. 3, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the configuration information may be received via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration information 140, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

FIG. 5 shows a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method 500 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The example method 500 may be performed for example by a network device in a radio communication network such as the network device 120.

Referring to the FIG. 5, the example method 500 may include an operation 510 of determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for RA of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information may comprise: an offset indicating a start position of a RA occasion cluster, the RA occasion cluster comprising at least one RA occasion, a range indicating a duration of the RA occasion cluster, and a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the RA occasion cluster, the RA occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle; an operation 520 of transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the RA; and an operation 530 of receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a RA preamble at a RA occasion of the RA occasion cluster.

Details of the operation 510 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 130, the configuration information 140 and the FIG. 2, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 520 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration information 140, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

Details of the operation 530 have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the RA preamble 160, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the example method 500 may further include an operation of receiving, from the terminal device, assistance information, the assistance information being indicative of at least one of the following: a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device, rate of data burst for the service, and a preferred cycle of the configuration information, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the assistance information 125, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of determining the configuration information based at least on the received assistance information, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 130, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the determining the configuration information may comprise: obtaining history information comprising at least one of the following: timing information indicative of when RAs have been initiated by RedCap UEs, load information indicative of resources used for the RA performed by the RedCap UEs, and load information indicative of resources used for RAs performed by non-RedCap UEs; and determining the configuration information based at least on the obtained history information. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 130 and the operation 131, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the determining the configuration information may comprise: an operation of counting a first number of a first plurality of terminal devices configured with the cycle of the configuration information, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 133, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of determining offsets of configuration information for the first plurality of terminal devices based on the first number, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 135, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the determining the configuration information may further comprise: an operation of counting a second number of a second plurality of terminal devices configured with the offset of the configuration information, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 137, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here; and an operation of determining ranges of configuration information for the second plurality of terminal devices based on the second number, the more details of which have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the operation 139, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the cycle of the configuration information may be configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured for the terminal device. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the FIG. 3, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the RA occasion cluster may occur after a PO of the terminal device, the PO being associated with the paging cycle. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the FIG. 3, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

In an embodiment, the configuration information may be transmitted, to the terminal device, via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device. The more details have been described in the above descriptions with respect to at least the configuration information 140, and repetitive descriptions thereof are omitted here.

FIG. 6 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device 600 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 600, for example, may be at least part of the UE 110 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 6, the example device 600 may include at least one processor 610 and at least one memory 620 that may include computer program code 630. The at least one memory 620 and the computer program code 630 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 610, cause the device 600 at least to perform at least one of the example method 400 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 610 in the example device 600 may 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 processor 610 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in the FIG. 6.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 620 in the example device 600 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 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 memory 620 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, device, or apparatus or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example device 600 may 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 device 600, including the at least one processor 610 and the at least one memory 620, 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.

It is appreciated that the structure of the apparatus on the side of the UE 110 is not limited to the above example device 600.

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram illustrating an example device 700 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 700, for example, may be at least part of the network device 120 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 7, the example device 700 may include at least one processor 710 and at least one memory 720 that may include computer program code 730. The at least one memory 720 and the computer program code 730 may be configured to, with the at least one processor 710, cause the device 700 at least to perform the example method 500 described above.

In various example embodiments, the at least one processor 710 in the example device 700 may 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 processor 710 may also include at least one other circuitry or element not shown in the FIG. 7.

In various example embodiments, the at least one memory 720 in the example device 700 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 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 memory 720 may include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, device, or apparatus or any combination of the above.

Further, in various example embodiments, the example device 700 may 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 device 700, including the at least one processor 710 and the at least one memory 720, 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.

It is appreciated that the structure of the apparatus on the side of the network device 120 is not limited to the above example device 700.

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 800 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 800, for example, may be at least part of the UE 110 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 8, the example apparatus 800 may include means 810 for performing the operation 410 of the example method 400, means 820 for performing the operation 420 of the example method 400, and means 830 for performing the operation 430 of the example method 400. In one or more another example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 800.

In some example embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 800 may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 810 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 410 of the example method 400, an example of means 820 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 420 of the example method 400, and an example of means 830 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 430 of the example method 400. In some example embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

FIG. 9 shows a block diagram illustrating an example apparatus 900 for RA according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 900, for example, may be at least part of the network device 120 in the above examples.

As shown in the FIG. 9, the example apparatus 900 may include means 910 for performing the operation 510 of the example method 500, means 920 for performing the operation 520 of the example method 500, and means 930 for performing the operation 530 of the example method 500. In one or more another example embodiments, at least one I/O interface, at least one antenna element, and the like may also be included in the example apparatus 900.

In some example embodiments, examples of means in the example apparatus 900 may include circuitries. For example, an example of means 910 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 510 of the example method 500, an example of means 920 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 520 of the example method 500, and an example of means 930 may include a circuitry configured to perform the operation 530 of the example method 500. In some example embodiments, examples of means may also include software modules and any other suitable function entities.

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 a device, 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 one or 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.

Another example embodiment may relate to computer program codes or instructions which may cause a device 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 some 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. The non-volatile memory may also include, but are not limited to, an electric, a magnetic, an optical, an electromagnetic, an infrared, or a semiconductor system, device, or device or any combination of the above.

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.

As used herein, the term "determine/determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least: calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, looking up (for example, looking up in a table, a database or another data structure) , ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (for example, receiving information) , accessing (for example, accessing data in a memory) , obtaining and the like. Also, "determine/determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

While some 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 device, 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. At least one 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 some 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.

Abbreviations used in the description and/or in the figures are defined as follows:

BS base station

BWP bandwidth part

CORESET control resource set

DL downlink

DRA discontinuous random access

DRX discontinuous reception

KPI key performance indicator

Msg1 message1

NW network

PDCCH physical downlink control channel

PO paging occasion

PRACH physical random access channel

RA random access

RAR random access response

RA-RNTI random access radio network temporary identifier

RedCap reduced capability

RRC radio resource control

SFN system frame number

SIB system information block

UE user equipment

UL uplink

Claims

A terminal device in a radio communication network, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to perform:

receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and

transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.
The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the terminal device is a reduced capability user equipment.
The terminal device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the start position of the random access occasion cluster refers to a first frame of the random access occasion cluster.
The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the determining the random access occasion comprises:

selecting a variable less than a value of the range; and

determining the random access occasion corresponding to the variable after the start position of the random access occasion cluster.
The terminal device of claim 4, wherein the variable is selected randomly from zero to a value less than the range.
The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to further perform:

transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information is indicative of at least one of the following:

a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device,

rate of data burst for the service, and

a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.
The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are further configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the terminal device to further perform:

neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and

transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.
The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the cycle of the configuration information is configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured by the network device.
The terminal device of claim 8, wherein the random access occasion cluster occurs after a paging occasion associated with the paging cycle.
The terminal device of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the configuration information is received via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.
A network device in a radio communication network, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory comprising computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the network device to perform:

determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and

receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.
The network device of claim 11, wherein the start position of the random access occasion cluster refers to a first frame of the random access occasion.
The network device claims 11 or 12, wherein the determining the configuration information is performed by:

receiving, from the terminal device, assistance information, the assistance information being indicative of at least one of the following:

a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device,

rate of data burst for the service, and

a preferred cycle of the configuration information; and

determining the configuration information based at least on the received assistance information.
The network device of any of claims 11 to 13, wherein the determining the configuration information comprises:

obtaining history information comprising at least one of the following:

timing information indicative of when random accesses have been initiated by reduced capability user equipments,

load information indicative of resources used for the random accesses performed by the reduced capability user equipments, and

load information indicative of resources used for random accesses performed by non-reduced capability user equipments; and

determining the configuration information based at least on the obtained history information.
The network device of any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the determining the configuration information comprises:

counting a first number of a first plurality of terminal devices configured with the cycle of the configuration information; and

determining offsets of configuration information for the first plurality of terminal devices based on the first number.
The network device of claim 15, wherein the determining the configuration information further comprises:

counting a second number of a second plurality of terminal devices configured with the offset of the configuration information; and

determining ranges of configuration information for the second plurality of terminal devices based on the second number.
The network device of any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the cycle of the configuration information is configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured for the terminal device.
The network device of claim 17, wherein the random access occasion cluster occurs after a paging occasion of the terminal device, the paging occasion being associated with the paging cycle.
The network device of any of claims 11 to 18, wherein the configuration information is transmitted, to the terminal device, via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.
A method performed by a terminal device in a radio communication network, comprising:

receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and

transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.
The method of claim 20, wherein the terminal device is a reduced capability user equipment.
The method of claim 20 or 21, wherein the start position of the random access occasion cluster refers to a first frame of the random access occasion cluster.
The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the determining the random access occasion comprises:

selecting a variable less than a value of the range; and

determining the random access occasion corresponding to the variable after the start position of the random access occasion cluster.
The method of claim 23, wherein the variable is selected randomly from zero to a value less than the range.
The method of any of claims 20 to 24, further comprising:

transmitting, to the network device, assistance information, wherein the assistance information is indicative of at least one of the following:

a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device,

rate of data burst for the service, and

a preferred cycle associated with the configuration information.
The method of any of claims 20 to 25, further comprising:

neglecting the configuration information based on a service event type; and

transmitting a random access preamble without using the configuration information.
The method of any of claims 20 to 26, wherein the cycle of the configuration information is configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured by the network device.
The method of claim 27, wherein the random access occasion cluster occurs after a paging occasion associated with the paging cycle.
The method of any of claims 20 to 28, wherein the configuration information is received via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.
A method performed by a network device in a radio communication network, comprising:

determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and

receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.
The method of claim 30, wherein the start position of the random access occasion cluster refers to a first frame of the random access occasion.
The method claims 30 or 31, wherein the determining the configuration information is performed by:

receiving, from the terminal device, assistance information, the assistance information being indicative of at least one of the following:

a traffic pattern associated with a service for the terminal device,

rate of data burst for the service, and

a preferred cycle of the configuration information; and

determining the configuration information based at least on the received assistance information.
The method of any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the determining the configuration information comprises:

obtaining history information comprising at least one of the following:

timing information indicative of when random accesses have been initiated by reduced capability user equipments,

load information indicative of resources used for the random accesses performed by the reduced capability user equipments, and

load information indicative of resources used for random accesses performed by non-reduced capability user equipments; and

determining the configuration information based at least on the obtained history information.
The method of any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the determining the configuration information comprises:

counting a first number of a first plurality of terminal devices configured with the cycle of the configuration information; and

determining offsets of configuration information for the first plurality of terminal devices based on the first number.
The method of claim 34, wherein the determining the configuration information further comprises:

counting a second number of a second plurality of terminal devices configured with the offset of the configuration information; and

determining ranges of configuration information for the second plurality of terminal devices based on the second number.
The method of any of claims 30 to 35, wherein the cycle of the configuration information is configured in accordance with a paging cycle configured for the terminal device.
The method of claim 36, wherein the random access occasion cluster occurs after a paging occasion of the terminal device, the paging occasion being associated with the paging cycle.
The method of any of claims 30 to 37, wherein the configuration information is transmitted, to the terminal device, via at least one of the following: a system information broadcast message and a dedicated signaling to the terminal device.
An apparatus as a terminal device in a radio communication network, comprising:

means for receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

means for determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and

means for transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.
An apparatus as a network device in a radio communication network, comprising:

means for determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

means for transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and

means for receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a terminal device in a radio communication network to perform:

receiving, from a network device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

determining a random access occasion from the random access occasion cluster; and

transmitting a random access preamble at the random access occasion.
A computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a network device in a radio communication network to perform:

determining, for a terminal device in the radio communication network, configuration information for random access of the radio communication network from the terminal device, wherein the configuration information comprises:

an offset indicating a start position of a random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster comprising at least one random access occasion,

a range indicating a duration of the random access occasion cluster, and

a cycle indicating a periodic repetition of the random access occasion cluster, the random access occasion cluster starting from the offset after a start boundary of the cycle;

transmitting to the terminal device the configuration information for the random access; and

receiving, from the terminal device, transmission of a random access preamble at a random access occasion of the random access occasion cluster.