Idle-Period RACH Mapping for PRACH and PUSCH Occasions

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, resources during idle periods of fixed frame periods (FFPs) are often considered invalid for PRACH or PUSCH occasions, limiting the utilization of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and impacting UEs requiring ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) or industrial internet of things (IIoT) services.

Innovation Solution

Mapping RO resources to PO resources during idle periods of FFPs, allowing SSBs to be associated with overlapping ROs or POs, and utilizing multiple PRACH configurations to leverage these resources for improved RACH procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If idle period resources are considered invalid for PRACH or PUSCH occasions, then interference during idle periods is avoided, but resource utilization is limited and RACH success rates decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRACH success rateVSAvoidresource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the validity status parameter of idle period resources from invalid to valid for PRACH/PUSCH occasions. By modifying this parameter, the system enables UEs to perform random access procedures during idle periods, thereby increasing resource utilization and improving RACH success rates without causing harmful interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the idle period resources into different categories: resources that can be used for PRACH/PUSCH occasions and resources that remain protected. This segmentation allows selective utilization of idle period resources while maintaining interference avoidance for critical transmissions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple PRACH configurations are used to leverage idle period resources, then RACH procedure flexibility is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveRACH procedure flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multiple PRACH configurations that can be universally applied to different idle period scenarios. Each configuration can handle different types of random access procedures, making the system more versatile and adaptable to various URLLC and IIoT service requirements while maintaining a structured approach to manage complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4193774B1Techniques for transmission of message a (MSGA) in an idle period within a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2025.11.05 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, related to transmissions during an idle period of a fixed frame period (FFP). For example, a UE can receive, via system information or radio resource control (RRC) signaling, a FFP defining an idle period. The UE can further determine that a physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion (RO) resource or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) occasion (PO) resource overlaps with the idle period of the FFP. The UE can additionally map the RO resource to the PO resource based on determining that the RO resource or the PO resource overlaps with the idle period of the FFP, and perform a random access channel (RACH) procedure according at least to the mapping of the RO to the PO.