PRACH Resource Adaptation Signaling for Ambiguous Occasion Overlap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently adapting common channels like PRACH in the time domain for network energy saving (NES) without impacting legacy UEs, particularly in scenarios where additional PRACH resources for newer UEs overlap with legacy resources, leading to ambiguity and inefficiencies in resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A communication apparatus and method that includes a transceiver receiving indications via PDCCH or SIB for common channel adaptation, determining valid resource occasions, and performing transmission or monitoring based on these indications, using techniques such as validity windows, bitmaps, and DCI-based signaling to manage resource availability and overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If additional PRACH resources are configured for newer UEs to enable network energy saving, then network energy efficiency is improved, but resource ambiguity occurs when additional resources overlap with legacy resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork energy efficiencyVSAvoidresource ambiguity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments PRACH resources into legacy resources and additional resources, with the base station indicating which specific resource occasions are valid for newer UEs. This segmentation allows newer UEs to use additional resources for energy saving while legacy UEs continue using legacy resources, resolving the ambiguity caused by overlap.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary by providing indication information (via DCI or SIB) that mediates between legacy and additional PRACH resources. This indication tells newer UEs which resource occasions are valid, eliminating the ambiguity that would otherwise exist when additional resources overlap with legacy resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Use of energy by stationary object

If PRACH resources are adapted in the time domain for network energy saving, then sleep opportunities for gNB are increased, but complexity of resource management increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovegNB energy consumptionVSAvoidresource management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of PRACH resources in the time domain, where the base station can indicate different valid resource occasions based on current network conditions and energy saving requirements. This allows gNB to have longer sleep opportunities while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized indication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time-domain parameters of PRACH resources by indicating which specific resource occasions are valid. This parameter-based control allows flexible time-domain adaptation for energy saving without requiring complex structural changes to the resource management system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If indication information is provided via PDCCH or SIB for common channel adaptation, then resource utilization efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses existing PDCCH and SIB structures to convey PRACH adaptation information, making these existing signaling channels serve multiple functions (both their original purposes and the new function of indicating valid PRACH occasions). This universal use improves resource utilization efficiency while minimizing additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4686128A1Communication apparatus and base station involved in indication of common channel adaptation

Publication Date: 2026.01.28 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

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AI summary

Provided are a communication apparatus, a base station, and methods for a communication apparatus and, respectively, a base station. The communication apparatus comprises a transceiver, which, in operation, receives, via one or both of a physical downlink control channel, PDCCH or system information block, SIB, an indication regarding adaptation of resources for a common channel, wherein the indication indicates one or more adaptation parameters; and circuitry, which, in operation, determines, based on the indication, valid resource occasions for the common channel. The transceiver, in operation, performs transmission, reception, or monitoring of the common channel on the valid resource occasions.