Resource selection for uplink channels during initial access

A base station (BS) comprising:

• a transceiver configured to transmit first information indicating a first partition of physical random access channel (PRACH) resources into a first group and a second group, wherein:
• a first PRACH reception using a first PRACH resource from the first group of PRACH resources indicates a first set of features for a user equipment (UE), and
• a second PRACH reception using a second PRACH resource from the second group of PRACH resources indicates a second set of features for the UE;
• and
• a processor operably coupled to a transceiver, the processor configured to determine a PRACH resource from the first group of PRACH resources or from the second group of PRACH resources,
• wherein the transceiver is further configured to receive a PRACH using the determined PRACH resource in a RACH occasion (RO).

A method of operating a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

• receiving first information indicating a first partition of physical random access channel (PRACH) resources into a first group and a second group, wherein:
• a first PRACH transmission using a first PRACH resource from the first group of PRACH resources indicates a first set of features for the UE, and
• a second PRACH transmission using a second PRACH resource from the second group of PRACH resources indicates a second set of features for the UE;
• determining a PRACH resource from the first group of PRACH resources or from the second group of PRACH resources;
• and
• transmitting a PRACH using the determined PRACH resource in a RACH occasion (RO).