NTN Random Access HARQ-ACK Repetition via Msg3 Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-terrestrial networks (NTN) suffer from worse coverage performance due to the distance between access network devices and terminal devices, leading to difficulties in terminal devices accessing the network.

Innovation Solution

A communication processing method and apparatus that enables a terminal device to indicate an Msg4 HARQ-ACK repetition request or capability, allowing the network device to allocate resources for multiple re-transmissions, thereby improving coverage performance and access success in NTN networks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal device accesses an NTN network with traditional single HARQ-ACK transmission, then the access procedure is simple, but the coverage performance is poor due to distance attenuation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage performanceVSAvoidHARQ-ACK transmission complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal device performs preliminary actions by indicating HARQ-ACK repetition capability or request in the Msg3 before the actual HARQ-ACK transmission. This allows the network device to pre-allocate resources for multiple re-transmissions, ensuring coverage performance is improved without increasing complexity during the critical transmission phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic action by enabling multiple re-transmissions of HARQ-ACK feedback in a periodic manner. The terminal device can transmit HARQ-ACK multiple times at different time instances, and the network device receives and processes these periodic feedback signals to improve reliability of the access procedure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If multiple HARQ-ACK re-transmissions are implemented, then the access success rate increases, but the time required for random access procedure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess success rateVSAvoidrandom access procedure duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network device performs preliminary resource allocation based on the terminal device's indication in Msg3. By preparing the resource allocation in advance, the subsequent HARQ-ACK re-transmissions can proceed efficiently without causing excessive delay, as the timing and resources are predetermined

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing flexible configuration of HARQ-ACK repetition parameters including the number of re-transmissions, timing information, and resource allocation. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize between access success rate and procedure duration based on actual network conditions and terminal capabilities

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If HARQ-ACK repetition is configured based on RSRP threshold, then coverage performance improves for weak signals, but the configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage performance for weak signalsVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by using RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) as a threshold parameter to dynamically determine whether HARQ-ACK repetition should be configured. The network device measures the RSRP value and compares it against predefined thresholds to automatically decide on the appropriate transmission mode, simplifying the configuration process while improving coverage performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4730850A1Communication processing method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4730850A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4730850A1 patent drawingFigure 4~7
  • EP4730850A1 patent drawingFigure 8~10

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication processing method and apparatus. The method comprises: a terminal device sending Msg3 to a network device, wherein the Msg3 carries first information, which is used for indicating a Msg4 HARQ-ACK repetition request or a Msg4 HARQ-ACK repetition capability. By means of applying the technical solution of the present disclosure, a terminal device can indicate a Msg4 HARQ-ACK repetition request or a Msg4 HARQ-ACK repetition capability, such that a network device allocates corresponding resources in Msg4, and then multiple repetition transmissions of the terminal device for an HARQ-ACK of Msg4 are realized, thereby improving the coverage performance of an access network device of an NTN, and increasing the success rate of the terminal device accessing the NTN.