Fallback PRACH Power Derivation After Two-Step RACH Failure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing two-step RACH procedures in 5G NR networks often fail, leading to inefficient fallback to four-step RACH procedures due to suboptimal power settings, resulting in increased latency, signaling overhead, and power drain.

Innovation Solution

The UE derives PRACH transmit power parameters for the four-step RACH procedure based on the performance of the failed two-step RACH procedure, optimizing power settings for improved msg1 transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE falls back to a four-step RACH procedure after a failed two-step RACH procedure, then the UE can attempt to establish synchronization with the base station using a different procedure, but the latency increases and power consumption increases due to suboptimal power settings

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRACH procedure success rateVSAvoidRACH procedure latency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The UE performs preliminary actions during the two-step RACH procedure by measuring downlink reference signals and calculating pathloss values. These measurements and calculations are prepared in advance and reused during the fallback four-step RACH procedure, eliminating the need to restart measurements and reducing latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The UE uses feedback from the two-step RACH procedure outcomes to adjust power settings for the four-step RACH procedure. By deriving PRACH transmit power parameters based on previously measured pathloss and downlink signal quality, the system optimizes transmit power to improve success rate while avoiding excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the UE falls back to a four-step RACH procedure with default power settings, then the procedure can be initiated, but power drain increases due to suboptimal power settings

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRACH procedure success rateVSAvoidUE power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes power parameters by deriving PRACH transmit power based on measured downlink pathloss and signal quality from the two-step RACH procedure. This parameter optimization ensures sufficient power for successful transmission while minimizing excessive power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously determines optimal transmit power settings for the four-step RACH procedure by using its own measurements of downlink reference signals and previously calculated pathloss values. This self-service approach eliminates the need for extensive power probing and reduces overall power consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the UE retransmits data during the two-step RACH procedure, then the transmission reliability can be improved, but fallback to four-step RACH is triggered which increases overall procedure complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoidRACH procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The UE employs universal power calculation methods that work across both two-step and four-step RACH procedures. By calculating pathloss and deriving transmit power parameters that are applicable to both procedure types, the system reduces complexity when transitioning between procedures while maintaining reliability.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4156803B1Efficient prach transmission in a fallback RACH procedure
Publication Date: 2026.01.21 APPLE INC
  • EP4156803B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4156803B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4156803B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A user equipment (UE) is configured to initiate a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure to synchronize with a base station, initiate a fallback four-step RACH procedure after the two-step RACH procedure, configure a random access preamble transmission for the four-step RACH procedure, wherein configuring the random access preamble transmission comprises deriving a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmit power parameter value based on a parameter used to perform a transmission during the two-step RACH procedure and transmit the random access preamble for the four-step RACH procedure to the base station.