2-Step Random Access MAC Format Multiplexing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently configuring the operations of base stations (BS) and user equipment (UE) in wireless networks, particularly when operating on unlicensed spectrum and dealing with the impact of look before talk (LBT) procedures on random access (RA) procedures.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a 2-step random access (RA) procedure that reduces the number of messages exchanged between the UE and the NodeB, thereby minimizing the impact of LBT procedures. This is achieved by multiplexing a MAC random access response (RAR) with one or more MAC service data units (SDUs) to form a response message, which is then transmitted to the UE.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a traditional 4-step random access procedure is used, then the random access procedure can be completed with established protocols, but the number of LBT procedures increases leading to higher latency and reduced access efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the Random Access Response (RAR) with one or more MAC Service Data Units (SDUs) into a single multiplexed message structure. This merging reduces the number of separate messages exchanged during the random access procedure, thereby reducing the number of LBT procedures required and lowering access latency in unlicensed spectrum operations.
2Loss of information
If multiple messages are exchanged between UE and NodeB, then complete information can be transmitted, but the number of LBT procedures increases reducing overall system performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple information elements (RAR and MAC SDUs) into a single multiplexed message, ensuring complete information transmission while reducing the number of separate exchange steps and associated LBT procedures, thus improving system performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The response message structure is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it provides random access response information and carries additional MAC SDUs, making a single message perform multiple roles and reducing the overall message exchange count.
3Reliability
If LBT procedures are performed for each message exchange, then channel access compliance is ensured, but the procedure complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging RAR and MAC SDUs into one message, the patent reduces the number of LBT procedures from multiple separate checks to fewer consolidated checks, maintaining channel access compliance while simplifying the overall procedure complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are systems, apparatuses, methods, and computer-readable media for use in a wireless network for facilitating radio access synchronization. The method includes receiving, from a user equipment (UE) a message having a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) format and comprising a MAC protocol data unit (PDU) structure, the message being formed by multiplexing one or more MAC service data units (SDUs). The method further includes generating a response message to the received message by multiplexing a MAC random access response (RAR) with one or more MAC SDUs. The method then transmits the response message to the UE.