Random Access for Uplink Reliability in LAA

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Solution Overview

Problem

In LTE systems, uplink data transmission reliability and timeliness are compromised in LAA cells due to interference and the need for successful LBT before data can be sent, especially when carrier aggregation is performed with licensed spectrum cells, leading to delays and unreliability in uplink reporting.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a communication method that includes receiving random access preamble information, sending a random access preamble, and obtaining an uplink asynchronous HARQ process identifier in the random access response to enable non-contention-based random access on LAA cells, allowing for uplink transmission based on unlicensed-spectrum channels, even if LBT fails initially.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If LBT process is performed before uplink transmission on LAA cell, then channel access reliability is improved, but transmission timeliness deteriorates due to additional listening time required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink data transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs LBT in advance and pre-allocates uplink resources to the terminal through random access response before the terminal needs to transmit data. This preliminary channel access and resource allocation eliminates the need for the terminal to perform separate LBT, reducing transmission delay while maintaining reliability through the base station's prior channel assessment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary that performs LBT on behalf of the terminal and mediates resource allocation. Instead of the terminal directly performing LBT and accessing the channel, the base station intermediates by listening first and then granting uplink resources, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and timeliness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If existing uplink transmission procedure is used on LAA cell, then protocol compatibility is improved, but transmission reliability deteriorates due to LBT failure blocking data reporting

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoiduplink data reporting reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station intermediates the LBT process and resource allocation, performing channel access before granting uplink resources. This mediation ensures that terminals receive pre-validated uplink grants, eliminating LBT-related reliability issues while maintaining standard random access procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary LBT and resource allocation through the random access response message, establishing uplink resources before the terminal attempts data transmission. This preliminary action ensures reliable data reporting by guaranteeing channel access validity before actual uplink data transmission occurs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3451780B1Communication methods utilizing random access, terminal, and base station
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3451780B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3451780B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3451780B1 patent drawingFigure 5

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method used for random access, including: receiving, by a terminal, random access preamble information sent by a base station; and before sending random access to the base station based on the random access preamble information, receiving, by the terminal, a random access response sent by the base station, where the random access response includes an uplink asynchronous hybrid automatic repeat request HARQ process identifier, and the uplink asynchronous HARQ process identifier is used by the terminal to send uplink data to the base station. Compared with the prior art, the communication method provided in the embodiments of the present invention can ensure to some extent that uplink data is transmitted timely and can effectively improve uplink data transmission reliability.