CORESET 0-RC Configuration for RedCap Initial Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 5G NR system faces challenges in supporting RedCap UEs with limited channel bandwidth, as they may not be able to access cells with CORESET 0 configurations larger than their maximum supported bandwidth, leading to potential cell barring and coverage issues.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves configuring CORESET 0-RC and search space 0-RC for RedCap UEs, using methods such as configuring via SSB, MIB, or SIB1, to ensure compatibility with RedCap UEs' limited bandwidth capabilities, and enabling repetition of DCI and channels for coverage recovery.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If CORESET 0 is configured with large bandwidth to support normal UEs, then network coverage and data rate are improved, but RedCap UEs with limited channel bandwidth cannot access the cell, leading to cell barring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell access reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell access process by introducing separate CORESET configurations for different UE types. Normal UEs use the original CORESET 0 configuration, while RedCap UEs use a separate CORESET 0-RC with reduced bandwidth. This segmentation allows each UE type to access the cell through its appropriate bandwidth configuration, resolving the contradiction between supporting large bandwidth for normal UEs and small bandwidth for RedCap UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism through SIB1 configuration that provides RedCap-specific access parameters. The SIB1 contains RedCap UE access configuration information that enables RedCap UEs to identify and use the appropriate reduced-bandwidth CORESET 0-RC for initial access, acting as a mediator between the network's large bandwidth configuration and RedCap UEs' limited bandwidth capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If CORESET 0 bandwidth is reduced to support RedCap UEs, then RedCap UE coverage is improved, but normal UEs may experience degraded performance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage rangeVSAvoiddata rate
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control resource allocation by creating separate CORESET configurations (CORESET 0 for normal UEs, CORESET 0-RC for RedCap UEs) with different bandwidths. This allows each UE type to utilize the appropriate bandwidth configuration, ensuring that RedCap UEs achieve adequate coverage through CORESET 0-RC while normal UEs maintain their data rate performance through the original CORESET 0 configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bandwidth parts are configured for different UE types, then support for diverse UE capabilities is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE capability supportVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring RedCap-specific parameters in SIB1 before RedCap UEs attempt access. The SIB1 contains RedCap UE access configuration information including the reduced bandwidth CORESET 0-RC configuration, allowing RedCap UEs to immediately identify and use the appropriate configuration without requiring complex runtime determination or additional signaling exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4122249B1Method of initial access in wireless communications and related device
Publication Date: 2025.05.07 SHARP KK
  • EP4122249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4122249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4122249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of initial access for a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving a master information block (MIB), for configuring a first control resource set (CORESET) with physical resource blocks (PRBs) of a first DL BWP, in a synchronization signal block (SSB), receiving a radio resource control (RRC) configuration in the first DL bandwidth part (BWP) carrying a configuration for a second CORESET, and a configuration for a first search space associated with the second CORESET, transmitting, to a cell, a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in an initial UL BWP, and receiving downlink control information (DCI) in the first search space and a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying a random access response scheduled by the DCI in a second DL BWP, wherein the second DL BWP is determined by the frequency resources of the second CORESET.