PRACH Initial RO Selection for Faster Random Access Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing communication systems, the uncertainty in determining the initial random access occasion (RO) for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmissions leads to unclear terminal behavior, affecting PRACH transmission performance and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enable a terminal to determine an initial RO within an RO group based on indication information, protocol agreement, or configuration, and a base station to perform combined detection on a termination RO, clarifying terminal behavior and enhancing PRACH coverage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple PRACH transmissions are performed in the time domain to improve coverage, then the coverage enhancement is improved, but the terminal behavior becomes unclear and transmission performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePRACH coverageVSAvoidterminal behavior clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The base station performs preliminary action by sending indication information to the terminal before the terminal determines the initial RO. This indication information specifies which RO should be used as the initial RO, allowing the terminal to clearly determine its behavior in advance without ambiguity, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage enhancement and behavior clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If the initial RO is determined without clear rules, then terminal flexibility is maintained, but transmission performance and coverage are affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal flexibilityVSAvoidtransmission performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic determination of the initial RO through indication information sent from the base station. The terminal adapts its behavior based on the received indication, which dynamically specifies the initial RO. This maintains flexibility while ensuring clear transmission performance through standardized indication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Area of stationary object

If multiple PRACH transmissions are performed to achieve coverage enhancement, then the PRACH coverage is improved, but the random access delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePRACH coverageVSAvoidrandom access delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station sends indication information in advance to specify the initial RO, allowing the terminal to immediately determine the correct starting point for PRACH transmission without unnecessary delays. This preliminary indication enables the terminal to skip trial-and-error attempts at incorrect ROs, thus reducing access delay while maintaining coverage enhancement through multiple transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4716352A1Random access method and apparatus, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 BEIJING XIAOMI MOBILE SOFTWARE CO LTD
  • EP4716352A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4716352A1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP4716352A1 patent drawingFigure 7

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a random access method and apparatus, and a storage medium, wherein the method comprises: in a random access occasion (RO) group, determining an initial RO for transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH), the RO group comprising at least one RO; and starting from the initial RO, transmitting the PRACH to a base station. In the present disclosure, the terminal can determine from an RO group an initial RO for transmitting a PRACH, thereby clarifying terminal behavior, improving PRACH transmission performance, enhancing PRACH coverage, and simultaneously reducing random access time delay and having high availability.