Random Access Resource Mapping for NR Beam Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In New Radio (NR) communications systems, there is no effective solution to associate downlink synchronization signal blocks with random access resources, leading to inefficient uplink synchronization due to blind attempts and beam mismatches between terminal devices and base stations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable terminal devices to obtain downlink synchronization signal block index information and receive association relationships between random access occasions and synchronization signal blocks, allowing for precise time-frequency location determination of uplink random access signals, thereby avoiding blind attempts and beam mismatches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal device performs blind attempts to access random access resources without association information, then the terminal device can attempt access, but the synchronization efficiency deteriorates due to beam mismatches and detection errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes association relationships between downlink synchronization signal blocks and random access resources in advance, before the terminal device needs to perform random access. This preliminary configuration of beam alignment information allows the terminal device to directly use the associated random access resources without blind attempts, thereby improving synchronization efficiency and reducing beam mismatches
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces association relationship information as an intermediary that connects downlink synchronization signal blocks with random access resources. This intermediary provides the terminal device with beam alignment information, enabling it to select appropriate random access resources based on downlink beam measurements, thus avoiding blind attempts and improving synchronization reliability
2Area of stationary object
If multiple downlink synchronization signal blocks are transmitted with different beams, then the base station coverage area is improved, but the device complexity increases due to multiple random access resources and association relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the random access resources into multiple occasions, each associated with specific downlink synchronization signal blocks and beams. This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple beams and their corresponding resources in an organized manner, making the configuration more tractable despite the increased number of resources
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal association mechanism that can handle any number of downlink synchronization signal blocks and random access resources. The association relationship information provides a flexible framework that works regardless of the specific number of beams or resources configured, making the system adaptable to different coverage requirements without proportionally increasing complexity
3Measurement precision
If the terminal device uses downlink beam information to determine uplink random access resources, then the beam alignment accuracy is improved, but the loss of time increases due to processing association relationship information
Solution Approach 1:
The association relationship information between downlink synchronization signal blocks and random access resources is configured and provided to the terminal device in advance, before the random access procedure begins. This eliminates the need for real-time processing during the access attempt, reducing time loss while maintaining high beam alignment accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The terminal device uses the pre-configured association relationship information to autonomously determine the appropriate random access resources based on its downlink beam measurements. This self-service approach allows the terminal device to quickly select resources without extensive processing or additional signaling, minimizing time loss while achieving accurate beam alignment
Data Source
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AI summary
This application discloses a communications method and apparatus. The method includes: obtaining, by a terminal device, downlink synchronization signal block index information; receiving, by the terminal device, information used to indicate an association relationship between a random access resource RO and a synchronization signal block; and accessing, by the terminal device, a network device based on the information on an RO corresponding to the synchronization signal block index information. This application further discloses a corresponding apparatus. A time-frequency location of a random access resource associated with each downlink synchronization signal is indicated, so that the terminal device obtains, through downlink synchronization, a time-frequency location for sending an uplink random access signal, to avoid a blind attempt of the terminal device and a beam mismatch of the network device occurring when the network device receives a random access signal, thereby improving efficiency.