Performing random access procedure via uplink (UL) component carriers in 5G new radio (NR)

An apparatus comprising:

• at least one processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store program instructions, the at least one processor being configured to execute the program instructions and cause the apparatus to:
• receive, from an access network device, random access configurations corresponding to at least two uplink frequency bands,
• wherein a center frequency of one of the at least two uplink frequency bands is different from center frequencies of all of remaining ones of the at least two uplink frequency bands,
• wherein the random access configurations include a first random access configuration corresponding to a first uplink frequency band of the at least two uplink frequency bands and a second random access configuration corresponding to a second uplink frequency band of the at least two uplink frequency bands,
• wherein the first random access configuration includes a first root sequence for generating a first preamble sequence, a first power ramp step for power control of the first preamble sequence, and a first maximum quantity of first preamble sequence transmissions, and
• wherein the second random access configuration includes a second root sequence for generating a second preamble sequence, a second power ramp step for power control of the second preamble sequence, and a second maximum quantity of second preamble sequence transmissions;
• and
• after receiving the random access configurations, initiate random access based on at least one of the random access configurations corresponding to the at least two uplink frequency bands,
• wherein the at least one processor is configured to execute the program instructions and cause the apparatus to initiate the random access by:
• determining, based on a downlink path loss status, to initiate random access based on one of the random access configurations corresponding to the at least two uplink frequency bands,
• the determining to initiate the random access including:
• obtaining a downlink path loss;
• and
• when the downlink path loss is greater than a path loss threshold, initiating the random access based on the first random access configuration, wherein the first random access configuration corresponds to the first uplink frequency band, the first uplink frequency band is any uplink frequency band in a first uplink frequency band group, the first uplink frequency band group comprises at least the first uplink frequency band, and a center frequency of each uplink frequency band in the first uplink frequency band group is less than a first preset threshold,
• the random access including:
• transmitting, by the apparatus to the access network device, a preamble sequence corresponding to one of the at least two uplink frequency bands, wherein the preamble sequence indicates a capability of the apparatus regarding a quantity of uplink frequency bands that can be supported by the apparatus.