OA20433A - Method, apparatus for monitoring PDCCH in random access procedure - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure reiates to a method, apparatus for monitoring PDCCH in random access procedure. The method performed by a terminal device comprises: obtaining (S101) a first configuration for a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; transmitting (S102) a message for requesting a random access, RA; monitoring (S103) the first PDCCH( based on the first configuration; and receiving (S104) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during the monitoring; wherein the message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the monitoring of PDCCH may be achieved in a RACH procedure different with 4-step RACH procedure, such as in a 2-step RACH procedure.

Description

METHOD, APPARATUS FOR MONITORING PDCCH IN RANDOM ACCESS PROCEDURE

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The présent disclosure relates generally to the technology of wireless communication, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus for monitoring a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, in a random access procedure.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This section introduces aspects that may facilitate better understanding of the présent disclosure. Accordingly, the statements of this section are to be read in this light and are not to be understood as admissions about what is in the prior art or what is not in the prior art.

[0003] Random access is performed by a terminal device, e.g., User Equipment (UE), in a wireless communication network., e.g. a New Radio (NR) or Long Term Evolution (LTE) network for accessing to a new cell. Once a random access procedure is completed, the terminal device can be connected to a network node, e.g. a base station, such as an evolved NodeB (eNB) or gNB, and communicate with the network node using dedicated transmissions.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a four-step random access procedure for random access in a wireless communication System, such as an NR System. As shown, the terminal device, such as a user equipment (UE) detects a synchronization signal (SS), including primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) and décodés Master Information Block (MSB) and System Information Block (SIB) (e.g.. Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI) and Other System Information (OSI), which may be distributed over multiple physical channels such as PBCH and Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), to acquire random access transmission parameters.

[0005] In step 1, the UE transmits a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble (message 1) in uplink to a network node. The network node may be a base station, such as a gNB. In step 2, the base station replies with a random access response (RAR, message 2). In step 3, the UE then transmits a UE identification (message 3) on physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH). In step 4, the UE may receive a contention resolution message (CRM, message 4) from the base station.

[0006] Message 2 and message 4 are transmitted in a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, scheduled by a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH. Before i

receiving message 2 and message 4, the UE needs to monitorthe PDCCH in a common search space, based on a predefined configuration.

[0007] in order to minimize the number of channel accesses, instead of using the fourstep random access procedure, a two-step random access procedure, which will be described below with reference to Fig. 2, can complété random acœss in only two steps with two messages, which may be referred to as Message A and Message B. However, for such 2-step random access procedure, there is a need for configuration of PDCCH monitoring.

[0008] A search space is a set of PDCCH candidates of a given aggregation level monitored by one or several UEs. A UE-specific search space (USS) is monitored by one UE while a common search space (CSS) may be monitored by several UEs. A search space set is a set of search spaces with different aggregation ievels but the same other parameters. In section 10.1 of the 3rd génération partnership project (3GPP) Technical Spécification 38.213 vl 5.5.0, a UE procedure for determining PDCCH assignment is described. In particular, a set of PDCCH candidates for a UE to monitor is defined in terms of PDCCH search space sets. A search space set can be a CSS set or a USS set. A UE monitors PDCCH candidates in one or more of the following search spaces sets:

- a TypeO-PDCCH CSS set configured by pdcch-ConfigSIB1 in MIB or by searchSpaœSIBI in PDCCH-ConfigCommon or by searchSpaceZero in PDCCHConfigCommon for a DCI (Downlink Control Information) format with CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) scrambled by a Si-RNTi on the primary cell of the MCG (Master Cell Group)

- a TypeOA-PDCCH CSS set configured by searchSpaceOtherSystemlnformation in PDCCH-ConfigCommon for a DCÎ format with CRC scrambled by a SI (System lnformation)-RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identity) on the primary cell of the MCG

- a Typel-PDCCH CSS set configured by ra-SearchSpace in PDCCHConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a RA (Random Access)RNTI or a TC (Temporary Cell)-RNTI on the primary cell

- a Type2-PDCCH CSS set configured by pagingSearchSpace in PDCCHConfigCommon for a DCI format with CRC scrambled by a P-RNTI on the primary cell of the MCG

- a Type3-PDCCH CSS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH-Config with searchSpaceType = common for DCI formats with CRC scrambled by INT (Interruption)-RNTi, SFI (Slot Format lndication)-RNTI, TPC (Transmit Power Control)-PUSCH-RNTI, TPC-PUCCH-RNTI, or TPC-SRS (Sounding Reference

Symbols)-RNTI and, only for the primary cell, C (Cell)-RNTI, MCS (Modulation and Coding Scheme)-C-RNTI, or CS (Configured Scheduling)-RNTI(s), and

- a USS set configured by SearchSpace in PDCCH-Config with searchSpaceType = ue-Specificfor DCI formats with CRC scrambled by C-RNTI, MCS-C-RNTI, SP (Semi-Persistent)-CSI (Channel State lnformation)-RNTÎ, or CS-RNTI(s).

SUMMARY

[0009] This summary is provided to introduce a sélection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0010] Certain aspects of the présent disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. There are, proposed herein, various embodiments which address one or more of the issues disclosed herein.

[0011] A first aspect of the présent disclosure provides a method performed by a terminal device. The method performed by the terminal device comprises obtaining a first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS, for a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH and transmitting a message for requesting a random access, RA. The method also comprises monitoring the first PDCCH based on the Type 1 C-SS and receiving a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during the monitoring. The message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

[0012] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first

PDCCH may further comprise a sub-configuration for a control resource set, CORESET.

[0013] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first PDCCH may be obtained based on a signalling from a network node.

[0014] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the signalling may comprise at least one of: a master information block, MIB; a system information block typel, SIB 1 ; and a dedicated, radio resource control, RRC, signalling.

[0015] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the method may further comprise obtaining a second configuration for a second physical downlink control channel, PDCCH and monitoring the second PDCCH, based on the second configuration. The method may also comprise receiving a random access response, RAR on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH, when the first PDCCH is not obtained and the second PDCCH is obtained during the monitoring. The RAR may be for a four-step random access procedure.

[0016] A second aspect of the présent disclosure provides a method performed by a network node. The method performed by the network node comprises receiving a message for requesting a random access, RA and transmitting a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH, the first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS. The method also comprises transmitting a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH. The message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. [0017] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first PDCCH may further comprise a sub-configuration for a control resource set, CORESET. [0018] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the method may further comprise transmitting a signaliing including the first configuration for the first PDCCH.

[0019] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the signaliing may comprise at least one of: a master information block, MIB; a System information block typel, SIB 1; and a dedicated, radio resource control. RRC, signaliing.

[0020] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the method may further comprise transmitting a second PDCCH, based on a second configuration for the second PDCCH and transmitting a random access response, RAR, on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH. The RAR may be fora four-step random access procedure.

[0021] A third aspect of the présent disclosure provides a terminai device. The terminai device comprises: a processor and a memory. The memory contains instructions exécutable by the processor, whereby the terminal device is operative to; obtain a first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS, fora first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; transmita message for requesting a random access, RA; monitorthe first PDCCH, based on the Type 1 C-SS; and receive a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during monitoring. The message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

[0022] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the terminai device may be operative to perform any of the methods described above.

[0023] A fourth aspect of the présent disclosure provides a network node. The network node comprises a processor and a memory. The memory contains instructions exécutable by the processor, whereby the network node is operative to: receive a message for requesting a random access, RA; transmit a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH, the first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS; transmit a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH. The message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

[00241 In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the network node may be operative to perform any of the methods described above.

[0025] A fifth aspect of the présent disclosure provides computer readabie storage medium. The computer readabie storage medium comprises instructions which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to any of the methods described above.

[0026] According to embodiments of the présent disclosure, a terminal device can obtain the configuration of PDCCH monitoring, and thsn monitor a PDCCH based on the configuration in the 2-step RACH procedure. Therefore, the monitoring of the PDCCH may be achieved in a RACH procedure different from 4-step RACH procedure, such as in a 2-step RACH procedure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] Through the more detailed description of some embodiments of the présent disclosure in the accompanying drawings, the above and other objects, features and advantages of the présent disclosure will become more apparent, wherein the same reference generally refers to the same components in the embodiments of the présent disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a four-step random access procedure;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a two-step random access procedure;

[0030] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart showing methods for monitoring PDCCH in random access procedure according to embodiments of the présent disclosure;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart showing a substep of the methods in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the présent disclosure;

[0032] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart showing substeps of the methods in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the présent disclosure;

[0033] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the terminal device and the network node in accordance with embodiments of the présent disclosure;

[0034] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a computer readabie storage medium in accordance with embodiments of the présent disclosure;

[0035] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing fonction units of the terminai device;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a schematic showing fonction units of the network node;

[0037] FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a wireiess network in accordance with some embodiments;

[0038] FIG. 11 is a schematic showing a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0039] FIG. 12 is a schematic showing a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments;

[0040] FIG. 13 is a schematic showing a télécommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments;

[0041] FIG. 14 is a schematic showing a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireiess connection in accordance with some embodiments;

method impîemented in a communication method impîemented in a communication method impîemented in a communication and method impîemented in a communication

[0042] FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a System, in accordance with one embodiment; [0043] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating a System, in accordance with one embodiment; [0044] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a System, in accordance with one embodiment; [0045] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a System, in accordance with one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0046] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Other embodiments, however, are contained within the scope of the subject matter disclosed herein, the disclosed subject matter should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0047] Generally, ail terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. Ali référencés to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not hâve to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or precedmg another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or précédé another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

[0048] Reference throughout this spécification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that ail of the features and advantages that may be realized with the présent disclosure should be or are in any single embodiment of the disclosure. Rather, language refemng to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a spécifie feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the présent disclosure. Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the spécifie features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be présent in ail embodiments of the disclosure.

[0049] As used herein, the term “network”, or “communication network/system” refers to a network/system following any suitable communication standards, such as new radio (NR), long term évolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), high-speed packet access (HSPA), and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network node in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable génération communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first génération (1G). the second génération (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third génération (3G), 4G, 4.5G, 5G communication protocols, and/or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0050] The term “network node” refers to a network device with accessing function in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses to the network and receives services therefrom. The network node may include a base station (BS), an access point (AP), a multi-cell/multicast coordination entity (MCE), a controller or any other suitable device in a wireless communication network. The BS may be, for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a next génération NodeB (gNodeB or gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth.

[0051] Yet further examples of the network node comprise multi-standard radio (MSR) radio equipment such as MSR BSs, network controilers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, positioning nodes and/or the like. More generally, however, the network node may represent any suitable device (or group of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or opérable to enable and/or provide a terminal device access to a wireless communication network or to provide some service to a terminal device that has accessed to the wireless communication network.

[0052] The term “terminal device refers to any end device that can access a communication network and receive services therefrom. By way of example and not limitation, the terminal device may refer to a user equipment (UE), or other suitable devices. The UE may be, for example, a subscriber station, a portable subscriber station, a mobile station (MS) or an access terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, portable computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital caméras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a Smart phone, a tablet, a wearable device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a vehicle, and the like.

[0053] As yet another spécifie example, in an Internet of things (loT) scénario, a terminal device may also be called an loT device and represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc., and transmits the results of such monitoring, sensing and/or measurements etc. to another terminal device and/or a network equipment. The terminal device may in this case be a machine-tomachine (M2M) device, which may in a 3rd génération partnership project (3GPP) context be referred to as a machine-type communication (MTC) device.

[0054] As one particular example, the terminai device may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band Internet of things (NB-loT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or Personal appliances, e.g. refrigerators, télévisions, personal wearables such as watches etc. In other scénarios, a terminal device may represent a vehicle or other equipment, for example, a medical instrument that is capable of monitoring, sensing and/or reporting etc. on its operational status or other fonctions associated with its operation.

[0055] As used herein, the terms “first”, “second” and so forth refer to different éléments. The singularforms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as we.'l, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes and/or “including” as used herein, specify the presence of stated features, éléments, and/or components and the like, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, éléments, components and/or combinations thereof. The term “based on is ΐο be read as “based at least in part on”. The term “one embodiment” and “an embodiment” are to be read as “at least one embodiment”. The term “another embodiment” is to be read as “at least one other embodiment”. Other définitions, explicit and implicit, may be included below.

[0056] A 2-step RACH work item has been approved in RAN1 #82 plenary meeting where the initial access is completed in only two steps as illustrated in Fig.2. Here, the first operation of detecting SSB and System information is the same as in the 4-step approach but then follows by only two steps in order to minimize the number of channel accesses, which is important for e.g. operation in unlicensed frequency bands where listen before talk must be performed before transmission.

[0057] At the first step, the UE transmits, to the base station e.g. gNB, a request message (which may be denoted as message A, MsgA) for the random access. The request message (or MsgA) comprises a RACH preamble and a PUSCH. At the second step, the UE receives, from the base station, a response (which may be denoted as message B, MsgB).

[0058] In more particuiar, the request message or message A (msgA) may include random access preamble together with higher layer data such as radio resource control (RRC) connection request possibly with some small payload on PUSCH. At the second step, the gNB transmits or the UE receives a random access response (RAR) (or MsgB) e.g. including UE identifier assignment, timing advance information, and contention résolution message, etc.

[0059] When introducing the 2-step random access procedure, the PUSCH in MsgA is transmitted at the same time instance as the preamble, after which MsgB can be transmitted in a PDSCH scheduled by PDCCH within a control-resource set (CORESET) and a search space to be monitored by UE. Which CORESET and the search space to be used should be configured/determined in this case.

[0060] FIG. 3 is an exemplary flow chart showing methods for monitoring PDCCH in a random access procedure, e.g. 2-step random access procedure, according to an embodiment of the présent disclosure.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 3, a method is performed by a terminal device. The method includes: step S101, obtaining a first configuration fora first physicaî downlink control channel, PDCCH; step S102, transmitting a message for requesting a random access, RA; step S103, monitoring the first PDCCH, based on the first configuration; and step S104, receiving a message on a physicaî downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during the monitoring. The message for requesting the RA inciudes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uphnk shared channel, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH may be a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[0062] According to an embodiment of the présent disciosure, the method is performed by a terminal device to obtain the configuration of PDCCH monitoring, and then to monitor a PDCCH based on the configuration in the 2-step RACH procedure.

[0063] FIG. 3 also shows a corresponding method performed by a network node. The method inciudes: S201, receiving a message for requesting a random access, RA from a UE; S202, transmitting a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH; S203, transmitting a message on a physical downlink shared channei, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH. The message for requesting the RA inciudes: a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channei, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH is a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[0064] According to an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the method is performed by a network node, allowing a terminal device to obtain the configuration of PDCCH monitoring, and then to monitor a PDCCH from the network node based on the configuration in the 2-step RACH procedure.

[0065] In an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first PDCCH comprises at least one of: a first sub-configuration for a control resource set, CORESET; or a second sub-configuration fora common search space, C-SS.

[0066] in an embodiment of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first PDCCH is obtained, based on a second configuration for a second PDCCH used for a random access response, RAR, as used in a four-step random access procedure.

[0067] A CORESET consists of a number of resource biocks in the frequency domain and a number of orthogonal frequency division multipiexing, OFDM, symbols in the time domain wherein a UE monitors a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0068] Each PDCCH consists of one or more control-channel éléments (CCEs). A control-channel element (CCE) consists of 6 resource-element groupe (REGs) where a resource-eiement group equals one resource block during one OFDM symbol. Resourceelement groups within a controi-resource set are numbered in increasing order in a timefirst manner, starting with 0 for the first OFDM symbol and the lowest-numbered resource block in the controi resource set.

[0069] A UE can be configurée with multiple controi-resource sets.

[0070] For example, the CORESET and/or the C-SS may hâve the same définition as in the four-step RA procedure. Specifically, the CORESET configurations for RACH procedure and C-SS (e.g. type 1) can be found in the IE PDCCH-ConfigCommon from the 3rd génération partnership project technical spécification (3GPP TS) 38.331 V15.4.0. The example structure of the IE PDCCH-ConfigCommon is shown below, and the corresponding part to CORESET and C-SS for random access are emphasized with underlines.

—ASN1START

- TAG-PDCCH-CONFIGCOMMON-START

PDCCH-ConfigCommon::- SEQUENCE{ controIResourceSetZero ControIResourceSetZero

OPTIONAL, — Cond InitiaîBWP-Only commonControIResourceSet ControIResourceSet

OPTIONAL, -NeedR searchSpaceZero SearchSpaceZero

OPTIONAL, - Cond InitialBWP-Only commonSearchSpaceList SEQUENCE (SIZE(1..4)) OF SearchSpace OPTIONAL, -NeedR searchSpaceSIBI SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -NeedS searchSpaceOtherSystemlnformation SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -NeedS pagingSearchSpace SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -NeedS ra-SearchSpace SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL -NeedS

[[ firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO CHOICE { sCS15KHZoneT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..139), sCS30KHZoneT-SCS15KHZhalfT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..279), sCS60KHZoneT-SCS30KHZhalfT-SCS15KHZquarterT

SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..559), sCS120KHZoneT-SCS60KHZhaifT-SCS30KHZquarterT-SCS15KHZoneEighthT

SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..1119), sCS120KHZhalfT-SCS60KHZquarterT-SCS30KHZoneEighthTSCS15KHZoneSixteenthT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..2239), sCS120KHZquarterT-SCS60KHZoneEighthT-SCS30KHZoneSixteenthT

SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..4479), sCS120KHZoneEighthT-SCS60KHZoneSixteenthT

SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..8959), sCS120KHZoneSixteenthT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..17919) } OPTIONAL

Cond OtherBWP }

- TAG-PDCCH-CONFIGCOMMON-STOP

- ASN1STOP

[0071] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow chart showing a substep of the methods in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the présent disclosure.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 4, the method performed at the network node further comprises: S204, transmitting a signalling including the first configuration for the first PDCCH.

[0073] Accordingly, in embodiments of the présent disclosure, the first configuration for the first PDCCH may be obtained by the terminal device, based on a signalling from a network node.

[0074] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the signalling comprises at least one of: a master information block, MIB; a System information blocktypel, SIB 1; and a dedicated, radio resource control, RRC, signalling.

[0075] As one example, when a first configuration for the first PDCCH in two-step RA is obtained, based on a second configuration for a second PDCCH used fora RAR in a four-step random access procedure, the signalling may be one for the RAR in a four-step RA. This is, the CORESET configuration(s) for msgB can be the same as configured in System information block type 1, SIB1, or in dedicated RRC signalling for4-step RA.

Further, the C-SS configuration (s) for msgB can be the same as configured in system information block type 1, SIB1, or in dedicated RRC signalling for4-step RA.

[0076] Therefore, according to embodiments of the présent disclosure, existing configurations may be reused, to reduce the overhead of the signalling on the CORESET and/or the search space for msgB. Thus, the communication resource, such as radio resource will be saved.

[00771 As other examples, there may be new specified IEs, or even a new specified signalling for the first configuration for the first PDCCH in two-step RA, besides the existing lEs and signalling for the four-step RA, so as to increase the flexibility of the configurations.

[0078] Such other examples will provide more flexibility to configure a CORSET and/or the search space specificalïy for the msgB in 2-step RA. New search space définitions can further reduce the delay between msgA and msgB, and thus reduce the time needed for the whoie random access.

[0079] The CORSET and/or the C-SS can be separately defined. For example, new Search Space IE, which is underlined below, maybe further defined.

—ASN1START

- TAG-PDCCH-CONFIGCOMMON-START

PDCCH-ConfigCommon SEQUENCE { controIResourceSetZero ControIResourceSetZero

OPTIONAL, -- Cond InitialBWP-Only commonControIResourceSet ControIResourceSet

OPTIONAL, — Need R searchSpaceZero SearchSpaceZero

OPTIONAL, - Cond InitialBWP-Only commonSearchSpaceList SEQUENCE (SÎZE(1 ..4)) OF SearchSpace

OPTIONAL, -Need R searchSpaceSIBI SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -Need S searchSpaceOtherSystemlnformation SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -Need S pagingSearchSpace SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -Need S ra-SearchSpace SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -NeedS 2step-ra-SearchSpace SearchSpaceld

OPTIONAL, -NeedS

Œ firstPDCCH-MonitoringOccasionOfPO CHOICE { sCS15KHZoneT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..139), sCS30KHZoneT-SCS15KHZhalfT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..279), sCS60KHZoneT-SCS30KHZhalfT-SCS15Kh'ZquartêrT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..559), sCSIZOKHZoncT-SCSSOKHZhaifTSCSSOKHZqumtorTSCS15KHZoneEighthT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..1119), sCS120KHZhalfT-SCS60 KHZquarterT-SCS30 KHZoneEig hth TSCS15KHZoneSixteenthT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1 ..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..2239), sCS120KHZquarterT-SCS60KHZoneEighthT-SCS30KHZoneSixteenthT

SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..4479), sCS120KHZoneEighthT-SCS60KHZoneSixteenthT

SEQUENCE (SÏZE (1 ..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..8959), sCS120KHZoneSixteenthT SEQUENCE (SIZE (1..maxPO-perPF)) OF INTEGER (0..17919) } OPTIONAL

Cond OtherBWP }

- TAG-PDCCH-CONFIGCOMMON-STOP —ASN1STOP

[0080] This is, a UE is configurée! with a search space for PDCCH carrying msgB (a ‘2step RA search space’). In such embodiments, the UE is configured with a RACH occasion before monitoring the 2-step RA search space. The UE transmits a RACH preamble during the RACH occasion, and then monitors the search space for the PDCCH scheduling msgB. It may be advantageous for UEs to transmit RACH preambles used for either 2-step or 4-step random access in the RACH occasion. Since a PUSCH carrying msgA is transmitted afterthe corresponding RACH preamble, and since some time is needed to receive msgA as well as to détermine the corresponding content of msgB, the delay from RACH preamble to msgB transmission is generally different from the delay from RACH preamble to message 2. Consequently, the use of a search space for PDCCH scheduling msgB that is distinct from a search space for PDCCH scheduling message 2 can allow more optimal timing for msgB.

[0081] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the network node comprises: a base station. Namely, a base station may transmit signalling including above configurations to a terminal device.

[0082] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the first sub-configuration for the CORESET has a defauît value configurée! in a master information block, MIB; and/or the second sub-configuration for the C-SS has a default value configured in a master information block, MIB.

[0083] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the default value of the first subconfiguration for the CORESET is CORESET 0; and/or the default value of the second sub-configuration for the C-SS is Type 0. Type 0 C-SS is a C-SS in Type 0 C-SS set as defined in section 10.1 of 3GPP TS 38.213 v15.5.0.

[0084] For example, if the CORESET and/or the C-SS is not configured yet, (e.g. no dedicated signalling for such configuration is received, and/or there is no configuration in SIB1), then, CORESET 0 is used as the default CORESET for two-step RACH procedure, and/or TypeO C-SS is used as the default search space for two-step RACH procedure. CORESET 0 and TypeO C SS may be configured in MSB. In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the second sub-configuration for the C-SS has a fixed value.

[0085] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the fixed value of the second subconfiguration for the C-SS is Type 1. Type 1 C-SS is a C-SS in Type 1 C-SS set as defined in section 10.1 of 3GPP TS 38.213 v15.5.0.

[0086] According to embodiments of the présent disclosure, the C-SS may hâve a fixed value, so as to simplify the procedure. Namely, no extra ÎE or signalling will be needed. Further, when seiecting the fixed value, generality and practicability may be focused. A Type 1 C-SS may be selected, since this Type 1 C-SS should be commonly used in structure of new radio-release 15, NR-R15, and Type 1 C-SS may reduce a delay between msgA and msgB in a two-step RA.

[0087] As an exemplary comparison, if TypeO C-SS is used as the default C-SS for msgB, then. the delay between msgA and the start of the msgB window can be up to 20 ms (when SSB, and CORESET0 are muitiplexed in a time division multipïexing, TDM, manner) and up to the SSB periodicity (when the SSB and CORESET0 are muitiplexed in a frequency division multipïexing, FDM, manner). While with the type 1 C-SS, the delay between msgA and msgB can be 1 slot in minimum. SSB refers to SS/PBCH blocks described in 3GPP TS 38.213,. wherein SS/PBCH refers to Synchronisation Signal / Physical Broadcast Physical Channel.

[0088] In embodiments of the present disclosure, a first sub-configuration for the CORESET includes a first modification to a CORESET 0, and/or a second subconfiguration for the C-SS includes a second modification to a C-SS Type 0.

[0089] in embodiments of the present disciosurê, at least one of the first modification or the second modification is used to increase a frequency of monitoring the PDCCH.

[0090] In embodiments of the present disclosure, the second modification to a C-SS Type 0 is related to a parameter for monitoring periodicity and monitoring timing offset. [0091] This parameter may be “monitoringSlotPeriodicityAndOffset” shown in below.

-ASN1 START

- TAG-SEARCHSPACE-START

SearchSpace SEQUENCE { searchSpaceld SearchSpaceld, controIResourceSetld ControlResourceSetid

OPTIONAL, - Gond SetupOnly monitorinqSlotPeriodicitvAndOffset CHOICE {

sl1	NULL,
sl2	INTEGER (0..1),
sl4	INTEGER (0..3),
sl5	INTEGER (0..4),
siô	INTEGER (0..7),
s!10	INTEGER (0..9),
sl16	INTEGER (0..15),
sl20	INTEGER (0-19),
sl40	INTEGER (0-39),
sl80	INTEGER (0-79),
si 160	INTEGER (0-159),

sl320 sl640 si 1280 s!2560 }

Gond Setup duration

OPTiONAL, -Need R monitoringSymbolsWithinSlot

OPTIONAL, - Cond Setup nrofCandidates aggregationLevell aggregationLevel2 aggregationLeveî4 aggregationLeve!8 aggregationLevell 6 }

Cond Setup searchSpaceType common dci-Format0-0-AndFormat1 -0 }

Need R dci=Format2=0 nrofCandidates-SFI aggregationLevell

OPTIONAL, - Need R aggregationLevel2

OPTIONAL, -Need R aggregationLevel4

OPTIONAL, -Need R aggregationLevel8

OPTIONAL, -Need R aggregationLevell 6

OPTIONAL - Need R

INTEGER (0..319),

INTEGER (0..639),

INTEGER (0..1279),

INTEGER (0..2559)

OPTIONAL, INTEGER (2..2559)

BIT STRING (SIZE (14))

SEQUENCE{

ENUMERATED {n0, ni, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n8},

ENUMERATED {nO, ni, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n8},

ENUMERATED {nO, n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n8},

ENUMERATED {nO, n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n8J, ENUMERATED {nO, n1, n2, n3, n4, n5, n6, n8} OPTIONAL, CHOICE {

SEQUENCE{

SEQUENCE{

OPTIONAL, SEQUENCE{

SEQUENCE{

ENUMERATED {n1, n2J

ENUMERATED {n1, n2}

ENUMERATED £n1, n2}

ENUMERATED {n1, n2}

ENUMERATED {n1, n2}

} Need R	OPTIONAL, -
dci-Format2-1	SEQUENCE{
}	OPTIONAL, -
Need R
dci-Format2-2	SEQUENCE{
}	OPTIONAL, -
Need R
dci-Format2-3	SEQUENCE{
dummyl	ENUMERATED {s!1, s!2, sW, s!5, s!S, s!10, s!16, s!20]
OPTIONAL, — Cond Setup
dummy2	ENUMERATED {ni, n2},
}	OPTIONAL -
Need R
ue-Specific	SEQUENCE{
dci-Formats	ENUMERATED {formats0-0-And-1-0, formatsO-
l-And-1-1},

} }

Gond Setup }

- TAG-SEARCHSPACE-STOP —ASN1STOP

OPTIONAL [0092] The separate COREST and/or SS for two-step RA can be determined via modifying the existing CORESETs or search spaœs for four-stec RA. For example, more monitoring occasions m search space 0, SSO, with CORESET0 when a typeO C-SS is used to reduce the gap between msgA and msgB. A monitoring periodicity of the modified search space for RACH procedure is every slot (or a period no largerthan a predetermined value) instead of every 2 slots.

[0093] If the total number of monitoring occasions for the réception of system information (e.g., RMSI) is indicated as one in a slot in PBCH, the terminal device (e.g. UE) may monitor the same search space symbols as RMSI. If more than one CORESET monitoring occasions exist in one slot, a predetermined one of the CORESET monitoring occasions can be used for 2-step RA, or the actual COERSET monitoring occasion(s) to be monitored in this slot can be signaled in RRC signaling, or it can be indicated by other known one or more parameters: the CORESET configuration, the msgA preamble configurations, System Frame Number, SFN, etc.

[0094] FIG. 5 is an exemplary flow chart showing substeps of the methods in FIG. 3, according to embodiments of the présent discîosure.

[0095] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the method performed by the terminal device 100further comprises: S105, obtaining a second configuration fora second physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; S106, monitoring the second PDCCH, based on the second configuration; and S107, receiving a random access response, RAR on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH, when the first PDCCH is not obtained and the second PDCCH is obtained during the monitoring. The RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

[0096] Further, in embodiments of the présent disclosure, the method performed by the network node 200 further comprises: S205, transmitting a second PDCCH, based on a second configuration for the second PDCCH; and S206, transmitting a random access response, RAR, on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH. The RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

[0097] According to embodiments of the présent disclosure, the UE is additionally configured with a search space used for réception of PDCCH scheduling message 2 (the ‘RA Search Space’) in 4 step random access, along with the ‘2-step RA search space’. In these embodiments, if the UE detects a PDCCH scheduling msgB in the corresponding search space, it détermines that a 2-step RACH msgA attempt was received by the base station, such as gNB, and then the UE ignores the (4-step) RA search space, and continues with 2 step RACH access. If a PDCCH scheduling msgB is not detected in the 2-step RA search space, but a PDCCH scheduling message 2 is detected in the (4-step) RA search space, the UE détermines that the 2 step RACH attempt was not successful, but it should proceed with a 4 step random access including Processing message 2. A fallback mechanism between two step RA and four-step RA is further supported by using different configurations.

[0098] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the terminal device and the network node in accordance with embodiments of the présent disclosure,

[0099] As shown in FIG.6, the terminal device 100 comprises: a processor 601; and a memory 602. The memory 602 contains instructions exécutable by the processor 601, The terminal device 100 is operative to: obtain (S101) a first configuration for a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; transmit (S102) a message for requesting a random access, RA; monitor (S103) the first PDCCH, based on the first configuration; and receive (S104) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during monitoring. The message for requesting the RA includes: a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH is a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[00100] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the terminal device is further operative to perform any method above mentioned. For example, the terminal device is further operative to: obtain (S105) a second configuration for a second PDCCH; monitor (S106) the second PDCCH, based on the second configuration; and receive (S107) a RAR on a PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH, if the first PDCCH is not obtained and the second PDCCH is obtained during monitoring.

[00101] As shown in FIG.6, the network node 200 comprises: a processor 603; and a memory 604. The memory 604 contains instructions exécutable by the processor 603. The network node 200 is operative to: receive (S201) a message for requesting a random access, RA; transmit (S202) a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH; transmit (S203) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH. The message for requesting the RA includes: a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH is a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[00102] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the network node 200 is further operative to perform any method above mentioned. For example, the network node 200 is further operative to transmit (S204) a signalling including the first configuration for the first PDCCH. The network node 200 may be further operative to transmit (S205) a second PDCCH, based on a second configuration for the second PDCCH; and transmit (S206) a random access response, RAR, on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH. The RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

[00103] The processors 601, 603 may be any kind of processing component, such as one or more microprocessor or microcontroliers, as well as other digital hardware, which may include digital signal processors (DSPs), speciai-purpose digital logic, and the like. The memories 602, 604 may be any kind of storage component, such as read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory, cache memory, flash memory devices, optical storage devices, etc.

[00104] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a computer readable storage medium in accordance with embodiments of the présent disclosure.

[00105] As shown in FIG.7, the computer readable storage medium 700 comprising instructions/program 701 which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform any above mentioned method.

[00106] The computer readable storage medium 700 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable readonly memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives.

[00107] According to embodiments of the présent disclosure, the monitoring of the PDCCH may be achieved in a RACH procedure different with 4-step RACH procedure, such as in a 2-step RACH procedure.

[00108] FIG. 8 is a schematic showing function units of the terminal device. As shown in FIG.8, the terminal device 100 may comprise: an obtaining unit 801, configured to obtain (S101) a first configuration for a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH; a transmitting unit 802, configured to transmit (S102) a message for requesting a random access, RA; a monitoring unit 803, configured to monitor (S103) the first PDCCH, based on the first configuration; and a receiving unit 804, configured to receive (SI 04) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during monitoring. The message for requesting the RA includes: a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH is a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[00109] Further, the obtaining unit 801 may be further configured to obtain (S105) a second configuration for a second PDCCH. The monitoring unit 803 may be further configured to monitor (S106) the second PDCCH, based on the second configuration. The receiving unit 804 may be further configured to receive (S107) a RAR on a PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH, if the first PDCCH is not obtained and the second PDCCH is obtained during monitoring.

[00110] FIG. 9 is a schematic showing function units of the network node. As shown in FIG. 9, the network node 200 may comprise: a receiving unit 901, configured to receive (S201) a message for requesting a random access, RA; a transmitting unit 902, configured to transmit (S202) a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH; and transmit (S203) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH. The message for requesting the RA inciudes: a random access channel., RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH. Further, the message on the PDSCH is a response to the message for requesting the RA.

[00111] The transmitting unit 902 may be further configured to transmit (S204) a signalling inciuding the first configuration for the first PDCCH. The transmitting unit 902 may be further configured to transmit (S205) a second PDCCH, based on a second configuration for the second PDCCH; and transmit (S206) a random access response, RAR, on a physical downlink shared channei, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH. The RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

[00112] The term unit may hâve conventional meaning in the field of electronics, eiectrical devices and/or electronic devices and may include, for example, electrical and/or electronic circuitry, devices, moduies, processors, memories, iogic solid State and/or discrète devices, computer programs or instructions for carrying out respective tasks, procedures, computations, outputs, and/or displaying functions, and so on, as such as those that are described herein.

[00113] With function units, the terminal device or network node may not need a fixed processor or memory, any computing resource and storage resource may be arranged from at least one network node, or terminai device in the communication System. The introduction of virtualization technoiogy and network computing technoiogy may improve the usage efficiency of the network resources and the flexibility of the network.

[00114] Further, the exemplary overall commutation System inciuding the terminal device and the network node wili be introduced as below.

[00115] Embodiments of the présent disciosure provide a communication System inciuding a host computer inciuding: processing circuitry configured to provide user data; and a communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a terminai device. The ceiiuiar network inciudes a network node above mentioned, and/or the terminal device is above mentioned.

[00116] in embodiments of the présent disclosure, the System further inciudes the terminal device, wherein the terminal device is configured to communicate with the network node.

[00117] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; and the terminal device includes processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.

[00118] Embodiments of the présent disclosure also provide a communication System including a host computer including: a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a terminal device; a network node. The transmission is from the terminal device to the network node. The network node is above mentioned, and/or the terminal device is above mentioned.

[00119] In embodiments of the présent disclosure, the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application. The terminal device is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.

[00120] FIG. 10 is a schematic showing a wireiess network in accordance with some embodiments.

[00121] Although the subject matter described herein may be impîemented in any appropriate type of System using any suitable components, the embodiments disclosed herein are described in relation to a wireiess network, such as the example wireiess network ilîustrated in FIG. 10. For simplicity, the wireiess network of FIG. 10 only depicts network 1006, network nodes (such as a base station) 1060 and 1060b, and WDs (corresponding to terminal device) 1010, 1010b, and 1010c. In practice, a wireiess network may further include any additional éléments suitable to support communication between wireiess devices or between a wireiess device and another communication device, such as a landline téléphoné, a service provider, or any other network node or end device. Of the ilîustrated components, network node 1060 and wireiess device (WD) 1010 are depicted with additional detail. The wireiess network may provide communication and other types of services to one or more wireiess devices to facilitate the wireiess devices’ access to and/or use of the services provided by, or via, the wireiess network.

[00122] The wireiess network may comprise and/or interface with any type of communication, télécommunication, data, cellular, and/or radio network or other similar type of System. In some embodiments, the wireiess network may be configured to operate according to spécifie standards or other types of predefined rules or procedures. Thus, particular embodiments of the wireiess network may implement communication standards, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Universal Mobile Télécommunications System (UMTS), Long Term Evolution (LTE), and/or other suitable

2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G standards; wireless local area network (WLAN) standards, such as the IEEE 802.11 standards; and/or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperabiiity for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, ZWave and/or ZigBee standards.

[00123] Network 1006 may comprise one or more backhaui networks, core networks, IP networks, public switched téléphoné networks (PSTNs), packet data networks, optical networks, wide-area networks (WANs). local area networks (LANs), wireless local area networks (WLANs), wired networks, wireless networks, metropolitan area networks, and other networks to enable communication between devices.

[00124] Network node 1060 and WD 1010 comprise various components described in more detail below. These components work together in orderto provide network node and/or wireless device functionaiity, such as providing wireless connections in a wireless network. In different embodiments, the wireless network may comprise any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, base stations, controllers, wireless devices, relay stations, and/or any other components or Systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and/or signais whether via wired or wireless connections, [00125] As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged and/or opérable to communicate directly or indirectly with a wireless device and/or with other network nodes or equipment in the wireless network to enable and/or provide wireless access to the wireless device and/or to perform other functions (e.g., administration) in the wireless network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, access points (APs) (e.g., radio access points), base stations (BSs) (e.g., radio base stations, Node Bs, evoived Node Bs (eNBs) and NR NodeBs (gNBs)). Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and may then also be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or ail) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units and/or remote radio units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such remote radio units may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a distributed antenna System (DAS). Yet further examples of network nodes include multi-standard radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as radio network controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers (BSCs), base transceiver stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, multicell/multicast coordination entities (MCEs), core network nodes (e.g., MSCs, MMEs),

O&M nodes, OSS nodes, SON nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., E-SMLCs), and/or MDTs. As another example, a network node may be a Virtual network node as described in more detail below. More generaîïy, however, network nodes may represent any suitable device (orgroup of devices) capable, configured, arranged, and/or opérable to enable and/or provide a wireless device with access to the wireless network or to provide some service to a wireless device that has accessed the wireless network.

[00126] In FIG. 10, network node 1060 includes processing circuitry 1070, device readable medium 1080, interface 1090, auxiliary equipment 1084, power source 1086, power circuitry 1087, and antenna 1062. Although network node 1060 illustrated in the example wireless network of FIG. 10 may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components. it is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, fonctions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node 1060 are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physicaî components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium 1080 may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

[00127] Similarly, network node 1060 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and a RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each hâve their own respective components. In certain scénarios in which network node 1060 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeB’s. In such a scénario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair, may in some instances be considered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, network node 1060 may be configured to support multiple radio access technologies (RATs). In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate device readable medium 1080 forthe different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., the same antenna 1062 may be shared by the RATs). Network node 1060 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1060, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within network node 1060.

[00128] Processing circuitry 1070 is configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being provided by a network node. These operations performed by Processing circuitry 1070 may include Processing information obtained by Processing circuitry 1070 by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a resuit of said processing making a détermination. [00129] Processing circuitry 1070 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gâte array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic opérable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1060 components, such as device readable medium 1080, network node 1060 functionality. For example, processing circuitry 1070 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 1080 or in memory within processing circuitry 1070. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1070 may include a System on a chip (SOC).

[00130] In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1070 may include one or more of radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1072 and baseband processing circuitry 1074. In some embodiments, radio frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1072 and baseband Processing circuitry 1074 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or ail of RF transceiver circuitry 1072 and baseband processing circuitry 1074 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units

[00131] In certain embodiments, some or ail of the functionality described herein as being provided by a network node, base station, eNB or other such network device may be performed by processing circuitry 1070 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 1080 or memory within processing circuitry 1070. In alternative embodiments, some or ail of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 1070 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrète device readable medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 1070 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 1070 alone or to other components of network node 1060, but are enjoyed by network node 1060 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

[00132] Device readable medium 1080 may comprise any form of volatile or nonvolatile computer readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solidstate memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer-executabie memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 1070. Device readable medium 1080 may store any suitable instructions, data or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 1070 and, utilized by network node 1060. Device readable medium 1080 may be used to store any calculations made by processing circuitry 1070 and/or any data received via interface 1090. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1070 and device readable medium 1080 may be considered to be integrated.

[00133] Interface 1090 is used in the wired or wireless communication of signalling and/or data between network node 1060, network 1006, and/or WDs 1010. As illustrated, interface 1090 comprises port(s)/terminal(s) 1094 to transmit and receive data, for example to and from network 1006 over a wired connection. Interface 1090 also includes radio front end circuitry 1092 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna 1062. Radio front end circuitry 1092 comprises fiiters 1098 and amplifiera 1096. Radio front end circuitry 1092 may be connected to antenna 1062 and processing circuitry 1070. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signais communicated between antenna 1062 and processing circuitry 1070. Radio front end circuitry 1092 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 1092 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of fiiters 1098 and/or amplifiers 1096. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 1062. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1062 may coliect radio signais which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 1092. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 1070. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

[00134] In certain alternative embodiments, network node 1060 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 1092, instead, Processing circuitry 1070 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 1062 without separate radio front end circuitry 1092. Similarly, in some embodiments, ail or some of RF transceiver 5 circuitry 1072 may be considered a part of interface 1090. in still other embodiments, interface 1090 may include one or more ports or terminais 1094, radio front end circuitry 1092, and RF transceiver circuitry 1072, as part of a radio unit (not shown), and interface 1090 may communicate with baseband Processing circuitry 1074, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[00135] Antenna 1062 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signais. Antenna 1062 may be coupled to radio front end circuitry 1090 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmining and receiving data and/or signais wirelessly. In some embodiments, antenna 1062 may comprise one or more omni-directional, sector or panel antennas opérable to transmit/receive radio signais between, for example, 2 GHz and 66 GHz. An omnidirectional antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signais in any direction, a sector antenna may be used to transmit/receive radio signais from devices within a particular area, and a panel antenna may be a line of sight antenna used to transmit/receive radio signais in a relatively straight line. In some instances, the use of 20 more than one antenna may be referred to as ΜΙΜΟ. In certain embodiments, antenna 1062 may be separate from network node 1060 and may be connectable to network node 1060 through an interface or port.

[00136] Antenna 1062, interface 1090, and/or Processing circuitry 1070 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and/or certain obtaining operations 25 described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signais may be received from a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment Similarly, antenna 1062, interface 1090, and/or processing circuitry 1070 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a network node. Any information, data and/or signais may be transmitted 30 to a wireless device, another network node and/or any other network equipment.

[00137] Power circuitry 1087 may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to suppfy the components of network node 1060 with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry 1087 may receive power from power source 1086. Power source 1086 and/or power circuitry 1087 may be 35 configured to provide power to the various components of network node 1060 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source 1086 may eitherbe included in, orexternal to, power circuitry 1087 and/or network node 1060. For example, network node 1060 may be connectable to an extemal power source (e.g., an eîectricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the extemal power source supplies power to power circuitry 1087. As a further example, power source 1086 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry 1087. The battery may provide backup power should the extemal power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

[00138] Alternative embodiments of network node 1060 may include additional components beyond those shown in FIG. 10 that may be responsible for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionaiity described herein and/or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, network node 1060 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into network node 1060 and to allow output of information from network node 1060. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for network node 1060.

[00139] As used herein, wireless device (WD) refers to a device capable, configured, arranged and/or opérable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and/or other wireless devices. Unless otherwise noted, the term WD may be used interchangeably herein with user equipment (UE). Communicating wirelessly may involve transmitting and/or receiving wireless signais using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and/or other types of signais suitable for conveying information through air. In some embodiments, a WD may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a WD may be designed to transmit information to a network on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internai or extemal event, or in response to requests from the network. Examples of a WD include. but are not limited to, a smart phone, a mobile phone, a cell phone, a voice over IP (VoIP) phone, a wireless local loop phone, a desktop computer, a Personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless caméras, a gaming console or device, a music storage device, a playback appliance, a wearable terminal device, a wireless endpoint. a mobile station, a tablet, a laptop, a iaptop-embedded equipment (LEE), a laptop-mounted equipment (LME), a smart device, a wireless customer-premise equipment (CPE), a vehiclemounted wireless terminal device, etc.. A WD may support device-to-device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicîe-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to everything (V2X) and may in this case be referred to as a D2D communication device. As yet another spécifie example, in an Internet of Things (loT) scénario, a WD may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and/or measurements, and transmits the results of such monitoring and/or measurements to another WD and/or a network node. The WD may in this case be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the WD may be a UE implementing the 3GPP narrow band internet of things (NB-loT) standard. Particular examples of such machines or devices are sensors, metering devices such as power meters, industrial machinery, or home or personal appliances (e.g. refrigerators, télévisions, etc.) personal wearables (e.g., watches, fitness trackers, etc.). In other scénarios, a WD may represent a vehicle or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and/or reporting on its operational status or other fonctions associated with its operation. A WD as described above may represent the endpoint of a wireless connection, in which case the device may be referred to as a wireless terminal. Furthermore, a WD as described above may be mobile, in which case it may also be referred to as a mobile device or a mobile terminal.

[00140] As illustrated, wireless device 1010 includes antenna 1011, interface 1014, processing circuitry 1020, device readable medium 1030, user interface equipment 1032, auxiliary equipment 1034, power source 1036 and power circuitry 1037. WD 1010 may include multiple sets of one or more of the illustrated components for different wireless technologies supported by WD 1010, such as, for example, GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, WiMAX, or Bluetooth wireless technologies, just to mention a few. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chips or set of chips as other components within WD 1010.

[00141] Antenna 1011 may include one or more antennes or antenna arrays, configured to transmit and/or receive wireless signais, and is connected to interface 1014. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna 1011 may be separate from WD 1010 and be connectable to WD 1010 through an interface or port. Antenna 1011, interface 1014, and/or processing circuitry 1020 may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signais may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna 1011 may be considered an interface.

[00142] As illustrated, interface 1014 comprises radio front end circuitry 1012 and antenna 1011. Radio front end circuitry 1012 comprise one or more filters 1018 and amplifiers 1016, Radio front end circuitry 1014 is connected to antenna 1011 and processing circuitry 1020, and is configured to condition signais communicated between antenna 1011 and processing circuitry 1020. Radio front end circuitry 1012 may be coupled to or a part of antenna 1011. in some embodiments, WD 1010 may not include separate radio front end circuitry 1012; rather, processing circuitry 1020 may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna 1011. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or ail of RF transceiver circuitry 1022 may be considered a part of interface 1014, Radio front end circuitry 1012 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry 1012 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters 1018 and/or amplifiers 1016. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna 1011. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna 1011 may collect radio signais which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry 1012. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry 1020. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

[00143] Processing circuitry 1020 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gâte array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and/or encoded logic opérable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other WD 1010 components, such as device readable medium 1030, WD 1010 functionality. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features or benefits discussed herein. For example, processing circuitry 1020 may execute instructions stored in device readable medium 1030 or in memory within processing circuitry 1020 to provide the functionality disdosed herein.

[00144] As illustrated, processing circuitry 1020 includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry 1022, baseband processing circuitry 1024, and application processing circuitry 1026. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry 1020 of WD 1010 may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 1022, baseband processing circuitry 1024, and application processing circuitry 1026 may be on separate chips or sets of chips. In alternative embodiments, part or ali of baseband processing circuitry 1024 and application processing circuitry 1026 may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry 1022 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or ail of RF transceiver circuitry 1022 and baseband processing circuitry 1024 may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry 1026 may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or ail of RF transceiver circuitry 1022, baseband processing circuitry 1024, and application processing circuitry 1026 may be combined in the sanie chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry 1022 may be a part of interface 1014. RF transceiver circuitry 1022 may condition RF signais for processing circuitry 1020.

[00145] In certain embodiments. some or ail of the functionality described herein as being performed by a WD may be provided by processing circuitry 1020 executing instructions stored on device readable medium 1030, which in certain embodiments may be a computer-readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or ail of the functionality may be provided by processing circuitry 1020 without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrète device readable storage medium, such as in a hardwired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a device readable storage medium or not, processing circuitry 1020 can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to processing circuitry 1020 atone or to other components of WD 1010, but are enjoyed by WD 1010 as a whole, and/or by end users and the wireless network generally.

[00146] Processing circuitry 1020 may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry 1020, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry 1020 by, for exarnple, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD 1010, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a resuit of said processing making a détermination.

[00147] Device readable medium 1030 may be opérable to store a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, etc. and/or other instructions capable of being executed by processing circuitry 1020. Device readable medium 1030 may include computer memory (e.g., Random Access Memory (RAM) or Read Only Memory (ROM)), mass storage media (e.g., a hard disk), removable storage media (e.g., a Compact Disk (CD) or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and/or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device readable and/or computer exécutable memory devices that store information, data, and/or instructions that may be used by processing circuitry 1020. In some embodiments, processing circuitry 1020 and device readable medium 1030 may be considérée! to be integrated.

[00148] User interface equipment 1032 may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD 1010. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visuai, audiaî, tactile, etc. User interface equipment 1032 may be opérable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD 1010. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment 1032 installed in WD 1010. For example, if WD 1010 is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD 1010 is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface equipment 1032 may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment 1032 is configured to allow input of information into WD 1010, and is connected to processing circuitry 1020 to allow processing circuitry 1020 to process the input information. User interface equipment 1032 may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more caméras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment 1032 is also configured to allow output of information from WD 1010, and to allow processing circuitry 1020 to output information from WD 1010. User interface equipment 1032 may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment 1032, WD 1010 may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

[0014S] Auxiiiary equiprnent 1034 is opérable to provide more spécifie functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiiiary equipment 1034 may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scénario.

[00150] Power source 1036 may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD 1010 may further comprise power circuitry 1037 for delivering power from power source 1036 to the various parts of WD 1010 which need power from power source 1036 to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry 1037 may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry 1037 may additionally or alternative^ be opérable to receive power from an external power source;

in which case WD 1010 may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable.

Power circuitry 1037 may also in certain embodiments be opérable to deliver power from an extemal power source to power source 1036. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source 1036. Power circuitry 1037 may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source 1036 to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD 1010 to which power is supplied.

[00151] FIG. 11 is a schematic showing a user equipment in accordance with some embodiments.

[00152] FIG. 11 illustrâtes one embodiment of a UE in accordance with various aspects described herein. As used herein, a user equipment or UE may not necessarily hâve a user in the sense of a human user who owns and/or opérâtes the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a spécifie human user (e.g., a Smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter). UE 1100 may be any UE identified by the 3^rd Génération Partnership Project (3GPP), including a NB-loT UE, a machine type communication (MTC) UE, and/or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE. UE 1100, as illustrated in FIG. 11, is one example of a WD configured for communication in accordance with one or more communication standards promulgated by the 3^rd Génération Partnership Project (3GPP), such as 3GPP’s GSM, UMTS, LTE, and/or 5G standards. As mentioned previously, the term WD and UE may be used interchangeable. Accordingly, although FIG. 11 is a UE, the components discussed herein are equally applicable to a WD, and vice-versa.

[00153] In FIG. 11, UE 1100 includes processing circuitry 1101 that is operatively coupled to input/output interface 1105, radio frequency (RF) interface 1109, network connection interface 1111, memory 1115 including random access memory (RAM) 1117, read-only memory (ROM) 1119, and storage medium 1121 or the like, communication subsystem 1131, power source 1133, and/or any other component, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 1121 includes operating System 1123, application program 1125, and data 1127. In other embodiments, storage medium 1121 may include other similar types of information. Certain UEs may utilize ail of the components shown in FIG. 11, or only a subset of the components. The level of intégration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[00154] In FIG. 11, processing circuitry 1101 may be configurée! to process computer instructions and data. Processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to implement any sequential State machine operative to execute machine instructions stored as machinereadable computer programs in the memory, such as one or more hardware-implemented State machines (e.g.. in discrète logic, FPGA, ASIC, etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored program, general-purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1101 may include two central processing units (CPUs). Data may be information in a form suitable for use by a computer.

[00155] In the depicted embodiment, input/output interface 1105 may be configured to provide a communication interface to an input device, output device, or input and output device. UE 1100 may be configured to use an output device via input/output interface 1105. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a USB port may be used to provide input to and output from UE 1100. The output device may be a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. UE 1100 may be configured to use an input device via input/output interface 1105 to allowa userto capture information into UE 1100. The input device may include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a caméra (e.g., a digital caméra, a digital video caméra, a web caméra, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackbail, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presencesensitive display may include a capacitive or résistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, another like sensor, or any combination thereof. For example, the input device may be an accelerometer, a magnetometer, a digital caméra, a microphone, and an optical sensor.

[00156] In FIG. 11, RF interface 1109 may be configured to provide a communication interface to RF components such as a transmitter, a receiver, and an antenna. Network connection interface 1111 may be configured to provide a communication interface to network 1143a. Network 1143a may encompass wired and/or wireless networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireless network, a télécommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 1143a may comprise a Wi-Fi network. Network connection interface 1111 may be configured to include a receiver and a transmitter interface used to communicate with one or more other devices over a communication network according to one or more communication protocois, such as Ethernet, TCP/IP, SONET, ATM, or the like. Network connection interface 1111 may implement receiver and transmitter functionaüty appropriate to the communication network links (e.g., opticai, electrical, and the like). The transmitter and receiver functions may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternative^ may be implemented separately.

[00157] RAM 1117 may be configured to interface via bus 1102 to Processing circuitry 1101 to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM 1119 may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to Processing circuitry 1101. For example, ROM 1119 may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or réception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium 1121 may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, opticai disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium 1121 may be configured to include operating system 1123, application program 1125 such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file 1127. Storage medium 1121 may store, for use by UE 1100, any of a variety of various operating Systems or combinations of operating Systems.

[00158] Storage medium 1121 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as redundant array of independent disks (RAID), floppy disk drive, flash memory, USB flash drive, extemal hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, nigh-density digital versatile dise (HD-DVD) opticai dise drive, internai hard disk drive, Blu-Ray opticai dise drive, holographie digital data storage (HDDS) opticai dise drive, extemal mini-dual in-line memory module (DIMM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), extemal micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a subscriber identity module or a removable user identity (SIM/RUÎM) module, other memory, or any combination thereof. Storage medium 1121 may allow UE 1100 to access computer-executable instructions, application programs or the like, stored on transitory or non-transitory memory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utiiizing a communication system may be tangibly embodied in storage medium 1121, which may comprise a device readabie medium.

[00159] in FIG. 11, processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to communicate with network 1143b using communication subsystem 1131. Network 1143a and network 1143b may be the same network or networks or different network or networks.

Communication subsystem 1131 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network 1143b. For example, communication subsystem 1131 may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireiess communication such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocois, such as IEEE 802.11, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter 1133 and/or receiver 1135 to implement transmitter or receiver functionatity, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter 1133 and receiver 1135 of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or altematively may be implemented separately.

[00160] In the illustrated embodiment, the communication fonctions of communication subsystem 1131 may indude data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short-range communications such as Bluetooth, near-field communication, location-based communication such as the use of the global positioning system (GPS) to détermine a location, another like communication fonction, or any combination thereof. For example, communication subsystem 1131 may include cellular communication, Wi-Fi communication, Bluetooth communication, and GPS communication. Network 1143b may encompass wired and/or wireiess networks such as a local-area network (LAN), a wide-area network (WAN), a computer network, a wireiess network, a télécommunications network, another like network or any combination thereof. For example, network 1143b may be a cellular network, a Wi-Fi network. and/or a nearfield network. Power source 1113 may be configured to provide alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) power to components of UE 1100.

[00161] The features, benefits and/or fonctions described herein may be implemented in one of the components of UE 1100 or partitioned across multiple components of UE 1100. Further, the features, benefits, and/or fonctions described herein may be implemented in any combination of hardware, software or firmware. In one example, communication subsystem 1131 may be configured to include any of the components described herein. Further, processing circuitry 1101 may be configured to communicate with any of such components over bus 1102. In another exemple, any of such components may be represented by program instructions stored in memory that when executed by processing circuitry 1101 perform the corresponding fonctions described herein. In another example, the functionality of any of such components may be partitioned between processing circuitry 1101 and communication subsystem 1131. In another exampïe, the non-computationaîiy intensive functions of any of such components may be impîemented in software or firmware and the computationally intensive functions may be impîemented in hardware.

[00162] FIG. 12 is a schematic showing a virtualization environment in accordance with some embodiments.

[00163] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1200 in which functions impîemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the présent context, virtualizing means creating Virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to a node (e.g., a virtualized base station or a virtualized radio access node) orto a device (e.g., a UE, a wireiess device or any other type of communication device) or components thereof and relates to an implémentation in which at least a portion of the functionality is impîemented as one or more Virtual components (e.g., via one or more applications, components, functions, Virtual machines or containers executing on one or more physical processing nodes in one or more networks).

[00164] In some embodiments, some or ail of the functions described herein may be impîemented as Virtual components executed by one or more Virtual machines impîemented in one or more Virtual environments 1200 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes 1230. Further, in embodiments in which the Virtual node is not a radio access node or does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node), then the network node may be entirely virtualized.

[00165] The functions may be impîemented by one or more applications 1220 (which may altematively be called software instances, Virtual appliances, network functions, virtuai nodes, virtua! network functions, etc.) opérative to implement some of the features, functions, and/or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein. Applications 1220 are run in virtualization environment 1200 which provides hardware 1230 comprising processing circuitry 1260 and memory 1290. Memory 1290 contains instructions 1295 exécutable by processing circuitry 1260 whereby application 1220 is operative to provide one or more of the features, benefits, and/or functions disciosed herein.

[00166] Virtualization environment 1200, comprises general-purpose or specialpurpose network hardware devices 1230 comprising a set of one or more processors or Processing circuitry 1260, which may be commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) processors, dedicated Application Spécifie Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or any other type of processing circuitry including digital or analog hardware components or spécial purpose procêssors. Each hardware device may comprise memory 1230-1 which may be nonpersistent memory for temporarily storing instructions 1295 or software executed by processing circuitry 1260. Each hardware device may comprise one or more network interface controllers (NICs) 1270, also known as network interface cards, which include physical network interface 1280. Each hardware device may also include non-transitory, persistent, machine-readable storage media 1290-2 having stored therein software 1295 and/or instructions exécutable by processing circuitry 1260. Software 1295 may include any type of software including software for instantiating one or more virtualization layers 1250 (also referred to as hypervisors), software to execute Virtual machines 1240 as well as software aîiowing it to execute functions, features and/or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein.

[00167] Virtual machines 1240, comprise Virtual processing, Virtual memory, Virtual networking or interface and Virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 1250 or hypervisor. Different embodiments of the instance of Virtual appliance 1220 may be implemented on one or more of Virtual machines 1240, and the implémentations may be made in different ways.

[00168] During operation, processing circuitry 1260 executes software 1295 to instantiate the hypervisor or virtualization layer 1250, which may sometimes be referred to as a Virtual machine monitor (VMM). Virtualization layer 1250 may présent a Virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to Virtual machine 1240.

[00169] As shown in FIG. 12, hardware 1230 may be a standalone network node with generic or spécifie components. Hardware 1230 may comprise antenna 12225 and may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternative^, hardware 1230 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g. such as in a data center or customer premise equipment (CPE)) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration (MANO) 12100, which. among others, oversees lifecycle management of applications 1220.

[00170] Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexte referred to as network function virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers, and customer premise equipment. [00171] In the context of NFV, Virtual machine 1240 may be a software implémentation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, nonvirtualized machine. Each of Virtual machines 1240, and that part of hardware 1230 that i T executes that Virtual machine, be it hardware dedicated to that Virtual machine and/or hardware shared by that Virtual machine with others of the Virtual machines 1240, forms a separate Virtual network éléments (VNE).

[00172] Still in the context of NFV, Virtual Network Function (VNF) is responsible for handling spécifie network functions that run in one or more Virtual machines 1240 on top of hardware networking infrastructure 1230 and corresponds to application 1220 in FIG, 12.

[00173] In some embodiments, one or more radio units 12200 that each include one or more transmitters 12220 and one or more receivers 12210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 12225. Radio units 12200 may communicate directly with hardware nodes 1230 via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the Virtual components to provide a Virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station.

[00174] In some embodiments, some signalling can be effected with the use of control system 12230 which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes 1230 and radio units 12200.

[00175] FIG. 13 is a schematic showing a télécommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer in accordance with some embodiments.

[00176] With reference to FIG. 13, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes télécommunication network 1310, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network 1311, such as a radio access network, and core network 1314. Access network 1311 comprises a plurality of base stations 1312a, 1312b, 1312c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireiess access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 1313a, 1313b, 1313c. Each base station 1312a, 1312b, 1312c is connectable to core network 1314 over a wired or wireiess connection 1315. A first UE 1391 located in coverage area 1313c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 1312c. A second UE 1392 in coverage area 1313a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 1312a. While a plurality of UEs 1391, 1392 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 1312. [00177] Télécommunication network 1310 is itseif connected to host computer 1330, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloudimplemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. Host computer 1330 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. Connections

T

1321 and 1322 between télécommunication network 1310 and host computer 1330 may extend directly from core network 1314 to host computer 1330 or may go via an optional intermediaie network 1320. ïntermediate network 1320 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; ïntermediate network 1320, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particuiar, ïntermediate network 1320 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

[00178] The communication System of FIG, 13 as a whole enables connectivity between the connected UEs 1391, 1392 and host computer 1330. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 1350. Host computer 1330 and the connected UEs 1391, 1392 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via OTT connection 1350, using access network 1311, core network 1314, any ïntermediate network 1320 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. OTT connection 1350 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which OTT connection 1350 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, base station 1312 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from host computer 1330 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 1391. Simiïarly, base station 1312 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 1391 towards the host computer 1330.

[00179] FIG. 14 is a schematic showing a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection in accordance with some embodiments.

[00180] Example implémentations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphe will now be described with reference to FIG. 14. In communication System 1400, host computer 1410 comprises hardware 1415 including communication interface 1416 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication System 1400. Host computer 1410 further comprises processing circuitry 1418, which may hâve storage and/or processing capabilities. In particuiar, processing circuitry 1418 may comprise one or more programmable processors, appiication-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gâte arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Host computer 1410 further comprises software 1411, which is stored in or accessible by host computer 1410 and exécutable by processing circuitry 1418. Software 1411 includes host application 1412, Host application 1412 may be opérable to provide a service to a remote user, such as UE 1430 connecting via OTT connection 1450 terminating at UE 1430 and host computer 1410. In providing the service to the remote user, host application 1412 may provide user data which is transmitted using OTT connection 1450. [00181] Communication System 1400 further inciudes base station 1420 provided in a télécommunication System and comprising hardware 1425 enabling it to communicate with host computer 1410 and with UE 1430. Hardware 1425 may include communication interface 1426 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication System 1400, as well as radio interface 1427 for setting up and maintaining at ieast wireless connection 1470 with UE 1430 located in a coverage area (not shown in FiG. 14) served by base station 1420. Communication interface 1426 may be configured to faciiitate connection 1460 to host computer 1410. Connection 1460 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in FIG. 14) of the télécommunication System and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the télécommunication System, in the embodiment shown, hardware 1425 of base station 1420 further inciudes processing circuitry 1428, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gâte arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station 1420 further has software 1421 stored intemally or accessible via an externai connection.

[00182] Communication System 1400 further inciudes UE 1430 already referred to. Its hardware 1435 may include radio interface 1437 configured to set up and maintain wireless connection 1470 with a base station serving a coverage area in which UE 1430 is currently located. Hardware 1435 of UE 1430 further inciudes processing circuitry 1438, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gâte arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. UE 1430 further comprises software 1431, which is stored in or accessible by UE 1430 and exécutable by processing circuitry 1438.

Software 1431 inciudes client application 1432. Client application 1432 may be opérable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via UE 1430, with the support of host computer 1410. In host computer 1410, an executing host appiication 1412 may communicate with the executing client appiication 1432 via OTT connection 1450 terminating at UE 1430 and host computer 1410. in providing the service to the user, client application 1432 may receive request data from host appiication 1412 and provide user data in response to the request data. OTT connection 1450 may transfer both the request data and the user data. Client appiication 1432 may internet with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

[00183] It is noted that host computer 1410, base station 1420 and UE 1430 illustrated in FIG. 14 may be similar or identical to host computer 1330, one of base stations 1312a, 1312b, 1312c and one of UEs 1391, 1392 of FIG. 13, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in FIG. 14 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of FIG. 13.

[00184] In FIG. 14, OTT connection 1450 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between host computer 1410 and UE 1430 via base station 1420, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the précisé routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may détermine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from UE 1430 or from the service provider operating host computer 1410, or both. While OTT connection 1450 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing considération or reconfiguration of the network).

[00185] Wireless connection 1470 between UE 1430 and base station 1420 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE 1430 using OTT connection 1450, in which wireless connection 1470 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the latency, and powerconsumption fora réactivation of the network connection, and thereby provide benefits, such as reduced userwaiting time, enhanced rate control. [00186] A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 1450 between host computer 1410 and UE 1430, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring OTT connection 1450 may be implemented in software 1411 and hardware 1415 of host computer 1410 or in software 1431 and hardware 1435 of UE 1430, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which OTT connection 1450 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantifies exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 1411,1431 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of OTT connection 1450 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect base station 1420, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to base station 1420. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary

UE signaling facilitating host computer 1410’s measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that software 1411 and 1431 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using OTT connection 1450 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc. [00187] FIG. 15 is a flowchart iliustrating a method implemented in a communication System, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication System includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the présent disclosure, only drawing référencés to FIG. 15 will be included in this section. In step 1510, the host computer provides user data. In substep 1511 (which may be optional) of step 1510, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1520, the host computer initiâtes a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In step 1530 (which may be optional), the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1540 (which may also be optional), the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

[00188] FIG. 16 is a flowchart iliustrating a method implemented in a communication System, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication System includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the présent disclosure, only drawing référencés to FIG. 16 will be included in this section. In step 1610 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional substep (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In step 1620, the host computer initiâtes a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In step 1630 (which may be optional), the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

[00189] FIG. 17 is a flowchart iliustrating a method implemented in a communication System, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication System includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the présent disclosure, only drawing référencés to FIG. 17 will be included in this section. In step 1710 (which may be optional), the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionalîy or alternative^, in step 1720, the UE provides user data. In substep 1721 (which may be optional) of step 1720, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In substep 1711 (which may be optional) of step 1710, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the spécifie manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiâtes, in substep 1730 (which may be optional), transmission of the user data to the host computer. In step 1740 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

[00190] FIG. 18 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station and a UE which may be those described with reference to Figures 13 and 14. For simplicity of the présent disclosure, only drawing references to FIG. 18 will be included in this section. In step 1810 (which may be optional), in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In step 1820 (which may be optional), the base station initiâtes transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In step 1830 (which may be optional), the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.

[00191] According to embodiments of the présent disclosure, the monitoring of PDCCH may be achieved in a RACH procedure different with 4-step RACH procedure, such as in a 2-step RACH procedure.

[00192] In general, the various exemplary embodiments of the présent disclosure may be implemented in hardware or spécial purpose circuits, software, iogic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the disclosure is not limited thereto. While various aspects of the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial représentation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, Systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, spécial purpose circuits or Iogic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof. [00193] As such, it should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be practiced in various components such as integrated circuit chips and modules. It should thus be appreciated that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may be realized in an apparatus that is embodied as an «

integrated circuit, where the integrated circuit may include circuitry (as wel! as possibly firmware) for embodying at least one or more of a data processor, a digital signal processor, baseband circuitry and radio frequency circuitry that are configurable so as to operate in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

[00194] It should be appreciated that at least some aspects of the exemplary embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in computer-executable instructions, such as in one or more program modules, executed by one or more computers or other devices. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particuïar tasks or implement particular abstract data types when executed by a processor in a computer or other device. The computer exécutable instructions may be stored on a computer readable medium such as a hard disk, optical disk, removable storage media, solid State memory, RAM, etc. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or distributed as desired in various embodiments. In addition, the functionality may be embodied in whole or in part in firmware or hardware équivalents such as integrated circuits, field programmable gâte amays (FPGA), and the like.

[00195] The présent disclosure includes any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalization thereof. Various modifications and adaptations to the foregoing exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, any and ail modifications will still fall within the scope of the non-limiting and exemplary embodiments of this disclosure.

Claims (15)

1. A method performed by a terminai device, the method comprising:

obtaining (S101) a first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS, for a first physica! downlink controi channeL PDCCH;

transmitting (S102) a message for requesting a random access, RA;

monitoring (S103) the first PDCCH, based on the Type 1 C-SS; and receiving (S104) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during the monitoring;

wherein the message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first configuration for the first PDCCH further comprises a sub-configuration for a controi resource set, CORESET.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first configuration for the first PDCCH is obtained, based on a signalling from a network node.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the signalling comprises at least one of:

a master information block, Ml B;

a system information block typel, SIB 1 ; and a dedicated, radio resource controi, RRC, signalling.

5. The method according to any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:

obtaining (S105) a second configuration for a second physical downlink controi channel, PDCCH;

monitoring (S106) the second PDCCH, based on the second configuration; and receiving (S107) a random access response, RAR on a physica! downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH, when the first PDCCH is not obtained and the second PDCCH is obtained during the monitoring;

wherein the RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

6. A method performed by a network node, comprising:

receiving (S201) a message for requesting a random access, RA;

transmitting (S202) a first physical downlink controi channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH, the first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS;

transmitting (S203) a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH;

wherein the message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical uplink shared channel, PUSCH.

7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first configuration for the first

PDCCH further comprises:

a sub-configuration for a control resource set, CORESET.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising:

transmitting (S204) a signalling including the first configuration for the first PDCCH.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein the signalling comprises at least one of:

a master information block, MIB;

a system information block typel, SIB 1; and a dedicated, radio resource control, RRC, signalling.

10, The method according to any of claims 6 to 9, further comprising:

transmitting (S205) a second PDCCH, based on a second configuration for the second PDCCH; and transmitting (S206) a random access response, RAR, on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the second PDCCH;

wherein the RAR is for a four-step random access procedure.

11. A terminal device (100) comprising:

a processor (601); and a memory (602), the memory containing instructions exécutable by the processor (601), whereby the terminal device (100) is operative to:

obtain a first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS, for a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH;

transmit a message for requesting a random access, RA;

monitorthe first PDCCH, based on the Type 1 C-SS; and receive a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH obtained during monitoring;

wherein the message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical upiink shared channel, PUSCH.

12. The terminal device (100) according to daim 11, wherein the terminal device (100) is operative to perform the method according to any of daims 1 to 5.

13. A network node (200), comprising:

a processor (603); and a memory (604), the memory (604) containing instructions exécutable by the processor (603), whereby the network node (200) is operative to:

receive a message for requesting a random access, RA;

transmit a first physical downlink control channel, PDCCH, based on a first configuration for the first PDCCH, the first configuration indicating Type 1 common search space, C-SS;

transmit a message on a physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH, based on information in the first PDCCH;

wherein the message for requesting the RA includes a random access channel, RACH, preamble and a physical upiink shared channel, PUSCH.

14. The network node (200) according to daim 13, wherein the network node (200) is operative to perform the method according to any of daims 6 to 10.

15. A computer readable storage medium (700) comprising instructions (701) which when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the method according to any of cîaims 1 to 5 or any of daims 6 to10.