PRACH Occasion Configuration for Flexible Uplink Symbol Types

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of specifying symbols occupied by multiple PRACH occasions in the time domain for wireless communication systems, particularly in scenarios supporting full-duplex and half-duplex operations, and ensuring compatibility with existing 3GPP technical specifications, while improving uplink coverage and reducing hardware complexity.

Innovation Solution

A method where PRACH occasions are configured to occupy only symbols of the same symbol type in the time domain, with at least one symbol indicated as downlink by RRC signaling being usable for uplink transmission, and PRACH occasions are grouped to facilitate unified solutions across various wireless communication scenarios.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple PRACH occasions are used to improve uplink coverage, then uplink coverage is improved, but the complexity of specifying time domain resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink coverageVSAvoidtime domain resource specification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter 'first symbol type' to categorize symbols that are indicated as downlink by RRC signaling but can be used for uplink transmission. This parameter change enables flexible configuration of PRACH occasions in previously unavailable symbol types, improving uplink coverage without increasing specification complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments symbols into different types (first symbol type, uplink symbols, etc.) with distinct characteristics and usage rules. This segmentation allows precise control over which symbols can be used for PRACH transmission, simplifying the overall time domain resource specification while enabling multiple PRACH occasions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If symbols indicated as downlink by RRC signaling are made available for uplink transmission, then uplink transmission flexibility is improved, but reception complexity at the receiving end increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission flexibilityVSAvoidreception complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a new parameter 'first symbol type' to categorize symbols that are indicated as downlink by RRC signaling but can be used for uplink transmission. This parameter change enables flexible configuration of PRACH occasions in previously unavailable symbol types, improving uplink coverage without increasing specification complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent requires that all PRACH occasions occupy symbols of the same symbol type. This homogeneity constraint ensures that the receiving end can use unified processing methods for all PRACH occasions, avoiding the need for complex symbol-type-specific processing and thus controlling reception complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #33Homogeneity

3Device complexity

If a unified solution is applied across different wireless communication scenarios, then hardware complexity and costs are reduced, but adaptability to specific scenario requirements may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehardware complexityVSAvoidscenario-specific optimization
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs a unified solution using RRC signaling and information blocks that can be applied across full-duplex, half-duplex, eMBB, URLLC, and other scenarios. The same mechanism (first symbol type configuration) serves multiple scenarios, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining adaptability through flexible parameter configuration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic configuration of symbol types and PRACH occasions through RRC signaling and information blocks. This dynamic capability allows the unified solution to adapt to different scenario requirements by adjusting parameters without changing the underlying hardware or basic mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4716354A1Method and apparatus used in node for wireless communication
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 APOGEE 5G GLOBAL LLC
  • EP4716354A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
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AI summary

Disclosed in the present application are a method and apparatus used in a node for wireless communication. The apparatus comprises: a first receiver, which receives first RRC signaling and a first information block, wherein the symbol type corresponding to at least one symbol other than the symbol indicated as an uplink symbol by the first RRC signaling depends on the first information block; and a first transmitter, which sends a first random access preamble in each of a plurality of PRACH occasions, wherein all of the plurality of PRACH occasions only occupy symbols of the same symbol type among various symbol types in a time domain, the various symbol types at least comprise a first symbol type, and at least one symbol of the first symbol type is indicated by the first RRC signaling as a downlink symbol, but can be used for uplink transmission.