Linked Msg3 Repetition and Msg4 PUCCH Coverage Requests

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently enhancing coverage for Msg3 and Msg4 physical uplink control channels (PUCCH) without incurring excessive signaling overhead, particularly in scenarios where UEs have weak uplink channels.

Innovation Solution

A configuration is provided to link Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement with a Msg3 repetition request, allowing UEs to request coverage enhancements while minimizing additional signaling overhead by integrating the requests within the Msg3 transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate requests for Msg3 repetition and Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement are implemented, then coverage enhancement capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage enhancement capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the Msg3 repetition request and Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement request into a single signaling message transmitted on the PRACH. Instead of sending separate requests for each coverage enhancement, the UE includes both requests in one unified message, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining full coverage enhancement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The PRACH message is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it initiates the random access procedure, requests Msg3 repetition coverage enhancement, and requests Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate dedicated request messages for each coverage enhancement type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement is provided independently without linking to Msg3 repetition request, then flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the configuration of Msg3 repetition and Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement into a single linked configuration mechanism. The gNB processes both coverage enhancement requests together based on the unified PRACH message, simplifying the configuration management while maintaining the ability to adapt to different channel conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12526848B2Linkage of Msg3 repetition request and Msg4 PUCCH repetition

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Method and apparatus to link a Msg4 PUCCH coverage enhancement and a Msg3 repetition request. The apparatus transmits a PRACH to initiate a RACH procedure, the PRACH including a request for a first coverage enhancement associated with the RACH procedure. The request includes information related to at least a second coverage enhancement associated with an acknowledgement associated with the RACH procedure. The apparatus receives a random access response associated with the RACH procedure. The first coverage enhancement may correspond to a repetition request for a RRC connection request message. The second coverage enhancement may correspond to a repetition request for an RRC connection setup message.