PRACH Resource Mapping Across Cell Beams in NTN Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

In non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) serving large areas, existing systems face challenges in managing network capacity and efficiently configuring PRACH resources due to the large coverage areas served by a single cell, leading to reduced network performance.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves mapping PRACH resources to cell beams using various configurations, including explicit and implicit methods, such as cell beam lists, NPRACH carrier mapping, periodicity, beam offsets, frequency and time division, and combinations thereof, to enhance network capacity and improve resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single cell supports a very large coverage area in NTN, then the network can provide continental or regional services, but the network capacity and resource allocation efficiency are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidnetwork capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides a single large coverage area into multiple cell beams, where each cell beam serves a specific directional sector. This segmentation allows the system to maintain large overall coverage while improving network capacity through specialized resource allocation for each beam, resolving the contradiction between coverage area and network capacity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If PRACH resources are configured for a single large cell, then the system can support wide area coverage, but the resource allocation efficiency and network performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by configuring PRACH resources specifically for each cell beam rather than uniformly across the entire large cell. Each cell beam receives optimized resource allocation tailored to its specific coverage characteristics, improving overall resource allocation efficiency while maintaining wide area coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Area of stationary object

If one satellite supports a very large area, then the system can provide regional services, but the communication efficiency and network performance are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice areaVSAvoidcommunication efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the large service area into multiple cell beams, each with dedicated PRACH resources. This segmentation improves communication efficiency by reducing resource conflicts and enabling more targeted resource allocation, while the satellite continues to provide regional coverage through the collective operation of multiple beams.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4066580B1Systems and methods for prach resource configuration
Publication Date: 2026.01.07 ZTE CORP
  • EP4066580B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4066580B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4066580B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system and method for transmission indications are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system and method are configured to send, by a wireless communication node to a wireless communication device, Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) parameter configuration, wherein the PRACH parameter configuration indicates mapping between a plurality of PRACH resources and a plurality of cell beams, and receive, by the wireless communication node from the wireless communication device, a preamble.