PRACH Spatial Adaptation for Lower-Power Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in reducing power consumption during random access procedures due to the transmission of synchronization signals and monitoring of random access channel occasions, which can be addressed by dynamically modifying spatial-domain related parameters in random access configurations.

Innovation Solution

A UE receives first control signaling indicating a random access configuration with spatial-domain parameters and subsequent second control signaling to modify or disregard certain resources, allowing it to perform a random access procedure with optimized spatial-domain parameters.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the network entity transmits synchronization signals and monitors random access channel occasions using traditional methods, then communication reliability is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the network entity to dynamically modify spatial-domain parameters (such as beam directions, spatial filters, or antenna port configurations) for random access channel occasions based on current communication conditions. This allows the system to adapt resource allocation in real-time, reducing power consumption by activating only necessary spatial resources while maintaining communication reliability through selective parameter adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying spatial-domain parameters including beam directions, spatial filter characteristics, and antenna port associations for different random access channel occasions. The network entity receives indications of these modified parameters and adjusts its transmission and monitoring operations accordingly, achieving lower power consumption while preserving communication quality through controlled parameter variation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network entity uses fixed spatial-domain parameters for random access procedures, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but adaptability to different communication conditions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to communication conditionsVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from fixed to dynamic spatial-domain parameter configuration. The network entity receives control signaling indicating modified spatial parameters and adapts its random access channel monitoring and transmission accordingly. This dynamic approach enhances adaptability to varying communication conditions while managing complexity through standardized parameter modification mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes by allowing the network entity to modify spatial-domain parameters (beam directions, spatial filters, antenna ports) based on received indications. These parameter modifications are applied selectively to specific random access channel occasions, providing adaptability to different communication conditions without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If the network entity monitors all random access channel occasions across all spatial resources, then detection accuracy is maintained, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the extraction principle by selectively removing or deactivating unnecessary spatial resources from random access channel monitoring. The network entity receives indications of modified spatial-domain parameters and monitors only the relevant subset of random access occasions, extracting and utilizing only the necessary spatial resources while discarding redundant ones, thereby reducing power consumption without significantly compromising detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements partial action by monitoring a subset of random access channel occasions rather than all possible occasions across all spatial resources. The network entity applies modified spatial parameters to focus monitoring efforts on the most relevant spatial directions and time instances, achieving adequate detection accuracy with reduced power expenditure by performing partial rather than complete monitoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250351181A1Methods of prach adaptation in spatial domain

Publication Date: 2025.11.13 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. Techniques described herein provide for dynamically modifying spatial-domain related parameters in random access configurations. In some examples, a user equipment (UE) may receive first control signaling indicating a random access configuration. The random access configuration includes a plurality of spatial-domain parameters for one or more random access procedures, and the random access configuration indicates spatial domain resources. The UE may receive second control signaling indicating a modified subset of the plurality of spatial-domain parameters indicated in the random access configuration. The UE may perform a random access procedure in accordance with the modified subset of the plurality of spatial-domain parameters.