5G Random Access BWP Association Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR networks, the random access procedure is inefficient due to multiple wireless devices sharing the same random access resources across different UL and DL BWPs, leading to excessive resource utilization and latency, as the base station is unsure which BWP to use for responding to random access preambles and allocating uplink resources.
Innovation Solution
A method is proposed where the association between DL BWPs and PRACH configurations is defined, allowing the base station to transmit random access responses on specific DL BWPs associated with the used UL BWP, reducing the number of RAR transmissions and uplink resources needed by mapping DL BWPs to physical random access configurations or UL BWPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If multiple wireless devices share the same random access resources across different UL and DL BWPs, then resource utilization increases, but latency increases and procedure efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the random access resources by associating specific DL BWPs with specific UL BWPs or PRACH configurations. This segmentation prevents multiple wireless devices from indiscriminately sharing the same random access resources across all BWPs, thereby reducing collision and retransmission latency while maintaining efficient resource utilization through targeted allocation.
2Reliability
If the base station transmits random access responses on all DL BWPs, then reliability of response delivery increases, but resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the DL BWP response transmission targeted rather than universal. Each DL BWP is configured with specific associations to UL BWPs or PRACH configurations, so the base station only transmits random access responses on the specific DL BWPs that are locally associated with the received preamble, reducing overall resource overhead while maintaining reliability for the intended recipients.
Solution Approach 2:
The association configuration acts as an intermediary mechanism that links UL BWPs/PRACH configurations to specific DL BWPs. This intermediary structure enables the base station to determine which DL BWPs should receive random access responses without having to transmit on all DL BWPs, thereby reducing resource overhead while ensuring reliable delivery to the correct wireless devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the base station allocates uplink resources for all possible UL BWPs, then adaptability to different device configurations increases, but resource overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the uplink resource allocation by associating DL BWPs with specific UL BWPs or PRACH configurations. This segmentation allows the base station to allocate uplink resources adaptively based on the specific association configuration, providing the necessary adaptability to different device configurations while avoiding the excessive resource overhead of allocating resources for all possible UL BWPs universally.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods performed by a wireless device for random access to a wireless communications network. Such methods include transmitting a random access preamble in a first uplink (UL) bandwidth part (BWP) of a carrier and selecting a first downlink (DL) BWP of the carrier based on an association between the first UL BWP and the first DL BWP. Such methods include monitoring the first DL BWP for a random access response from the wireless communication network to the transmitted random access preamble. Other embodiments include complementary methods for a base station configured to support random access by wireless devices, as well as wireless devices and base stations configured to perform such methods.