eRedCap User Equipment Random Access Under Bandwidth Limits

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G NR networks face challenges in supporting devices with reduced bandwidth requirements, such as eRedCap terminals, while ensuring coexistence with other devices and maintaining network efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A method for user equipment (UE) that determines the maximum channel bandwidth and selects appropriate random access resources based on eRedCap characteristics, using a portion of available resources for transmission to comply with bandwidth limitations, and adjusts modulation and coding schemes to ensure compatibility and efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the bandwidth of user equipment is reduced to reduce device complexity and cost, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but the ability to coexist with other types of NR user equipment in the same cell deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidcoexistence capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the uplink bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), where eRedCap terminals are assigned a first BWP with limited bandwidth (e.g., 5 MHz) to reduce device complexity, while other terminals can use second BWPs with larger bandwidth. This segmentation allows different terminal types to coexist in the same cell without interfering with each other, as each terminal operates within its assigned bandwidth portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different bandwidth characteristics for different terminals based on their specific needs. eRedCap terminals receive configuration parameters that limit their bandwidth to 5 MHz, while other terminals can utilize larger bandwidth portions. This localized bandwidth allocation ensures that each terminal type operates optimally without compromising the overall coexistence and network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the data transmission bandwidth is limited to 5 MHz for eRedCap devices, then device cost and complexity are reduced, but the network utilization efficiency may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice costVSAvoidnetwork utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation where the network can flexibly assign bandwidth resources based on terminal types and network conditions. eRedCap terminals are dynamically configured with 5 MHz bandwidth limits, while the network can dynamically allocate additional bandwidth resources to other terminals or to eRedCap terminals when available, thereby optimizing network utilization efficiency without increasing device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework where the same cell can simultaneously support both eRedCap terminals with limited bandwidth and other NR terminals with larger bandwidth. The network infrastructure is designed to be multi-functional, handling different terminal types through unified resource management mechanisms, thus maintaining high network utilization efficiency while supporting cost-reduced eRedCap devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If random access resources are allocated without considering eRedCap characteristics, then the random access procedure is simple, but eRedCap terminals cannot properly select suitable resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access procedure simplicityVSAvoidresource selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of random access resource configuration to include eRedCap-specific indicators and bandwidth constraints. The network configures random access resources with parameters such as maximum bandwidth (5 MHz for eRedCap), resource block allocations, and frequency location information. This parameter adjustment ensures that eRedCap terminals can reliably select appropriate random access resources that match their capability requirements while maintaining a relatively simple selection procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4593510A1Method executed by user equipment and user equipment
Publication Date: 2025.07.30 SHARP KK
  • EP4593510A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4593510A1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4593510A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided in the present invention are a method performed by user equipment (UE) and user equipment. The method performed by user equipment includes: determining that a bandwidth of an uplink BWP is not greater than a maximum channel bandwidth of the UE; and determining whether a random access (RA) resource on the BWP can be used for random access of the UE, the maximum channel bandwidth of the UE being determined by an eRedCap characteristic.