Multi-Dimensional PRACH Structure for Accurate RTD Estimation

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing PRACH structure in 5G communication systems is inadequate for accurately estimating round trip delays in terahertz band communication, leading to inaccurate timing advance calculations and potential failure in random access procedures due to symbol length reduction.

Innovation Solution

A new PRACH structure is introduced with multiple dimensions, incorporating primary and secondary signal parts to measure delays within a symbol and in units of symbols, allowing accurate determination of round trip delays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the PRACH structure uses a single symbol section for delay measurement, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision is insufficient for terahertz band communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveround trip delay estimation accuracyVSAvoidPRACH structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PRACH structure is segmented into multiple dimensions: primary signal parts for measuring delays within a symbol (fine delay) and secondary signal parts for measuring delays in units of symbols (coarse delay). This segmentation allows accurate round trip delay estimation without requiring a single excessively complex measurement mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-dimensional PRACH structure that extends beyond the traditional single-symbol measurement approach. By adding temporal dimensions (multiple signal parts across different time positions) and hierarchical measurement levels (within-symbol and between-symbol delays), the system achieves higher measurement precision in terahertz band communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the symbol length is reduced for high data transmission rates, then the productivity increases, but the reliability decreases due to inadequate delay coverage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission rateVSAvoidrandom access success rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The delay measurement is segmented into two hierarchical levels: fine delay measurement within the symbol (using primary signal parts) and coarse delay measurement between symbols (using secondary signal parts). This allows the system to maintain reliability even with reduced symbol lengths by distributing the measurement function across multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary delay estimation using the multi-dimensional PRACH structure before actual data transmission. By measuring both within-symbol and between-symbol delays in advance, the system can compensate for timing variations and ensure reliable random access procedures even with shorter symbols required for high data rates.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4292379B1Method and apparatus for random access using prach in multi-dimensional structure in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4292379B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4292379B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4292379B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a 5th generation (5G) or 6th generation (6G) communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than a 4th generation (4G) communication system such as long term evolution (LTE). A user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a transceiver, and a controller configured to receive system information including information related to transmission of a random access preamble, and to transmit a physical random access channel (PRACH) including the random access preamble. The PRACH includes at least one primary signal part including a first sequence for measuring a first delay within a symbol, and at least one secondary signal part including a second sequence for measuring a second delay in units of symbols, and a round trip delay (RTD) between the UE and the base station may be determined based on the first delay within the symbol and the second delay in units of symbols.