PRACH Beam Repetition Selection for Reliable Uplink Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In communication systems, the reliability of uplink transmission is poor due to suboptimal uplink beams used in random access procedures, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in PRACH coverage.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for random access processing that involves sending N PRACH repetitions associated with at least two transmission beams, allowing the terminal to receive first information from the network side device to determine a target transmission beam for subsequent uplink transmissions, thereby optimizing beam selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the terminal uses a single uplink beam determined based on SSB for random access, then the procedure is simple and fast, but the reliability of uplink transmission is poor due to suboptimal beam selection
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal perform beam training and send multiple PRACH repetitions on different beams before the actual uplink transmission. The network side device receives these repetitions and determines first information based on them, which is then used to select the optimal beam for subsequent transmission. This preliminary beam evaluation process ensures reliable beam selection without adding complexity to the main transmission procedure.
2Reliability
If the terminal sends multiple PRACH repetitions on different beams to improve reliability, then uplink transmission reliability improves, but the random access procedure time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam training process with the random access procedure by combining multiple PRACH repetitions on different beams into a single random access message. Instead of performing beam training separately before random access, the beam evaluation is integrated into the random access message itself, allowing the network side device to determine optimal beam information simultaneously with the random access processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by having the network side device receive multiple PRACH repetitions, determine first information based on these repetitions (which includes beam selection information), and then use this feedback information to guide subsequent uplink transmission. This feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from the random access repetitions and optimize future transmissions without repeating the entire process.
3Measurement precision
If additional beam training resources are allocated separately from random access, then beam selection accuracy improves, but resource utilization efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the random access procedure serve multiple functions: it not only establishes the initial connection but also simultaneously performs beam training and evaluation. The same PRACH repetitions used for random access message delivery are also used for beam selection, eliminating the need for separate beam training resources and improving overall resource utilization efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
This application discloses a random access processing method and apparatus, a terminal, and a network side device, and pertains to the field of communication technologies. The random access processing method in embodiments of this application includes: The terminal sends N physical random access channel PRACH repetitions to the network side device, where the N PRACH repetitions are associated with at least two transmission beams, and N is an integer greater than 1. The terminal receives first information from the network side device, where the first information is determined based on the N PRACH repetitions. The terminal determines a target transmission beam in the at least two transmission beams based on the first information, where the target transmission beam is used by the terminal to send target uplink transmission.