RACH Feature Combination Signalling for Low-Collision Partitioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RACH partitioning methods in 3GPP Rel-17 face inefficiencies and increased latency due to dedicated ROs or preambles per feature, leading to resource limitations and higher collision probabilities, which are exacerbated by the need to support multiple features.

Innovation Solution

Implement a method for efficient signaling of feature combinations using bitmaps and bit strings to indicate RA purposes and combinations, allowing flexible configuration of RACH resources across multiple features, with optional slicing and prioritization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If dedicated ROs or preambles are assigned per feature in RACH partitioning, then each feature can be supported independently, but resource limitations occur and collision probabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature support capabilityVSAvoidcollision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple RACH features (coverage enhancement, network slicing, RedCap, SDT) into unified RACH partitions rather than dedicating separate ROs/preambles to each feature. This merging approach increases resource utilization efficiency and reduces collision probabilities while maintaining support for all features through flexible configuration parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal RACH partitions that can serve multiple features simultaneously through configurable parameters. Each partition can be dynamically assigned to different features based on access conditions, making the RACH structure multi-functional and adaptable to various service requirements without increasing overall resource consumption.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple features are supported with dedicated resources, then feature-specific requirements are met, but latency increases due to resource limitations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature support capabilityVSAvoidaccess latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple features into shared RACH partitions with flexible configuration, the patent eliminates the need for UEs to search through multiple dedicated partitions, thereby reducing access latency. The unified structure allows faster random access while maintaining feature-specific requirements through parameter configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If RACH resources are partitioned per feature, then feature isolation is achieved, but resource efficiency decreases and collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature isolation capabilityVSAvoidresource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universal RACH partitions that can be dynamically configured to serve different features based on access conditions. This multi-functional approach maintains feature isolation through configurable parameters while improving resource efficiency by allowing the same physical resources to be shared across multiple features, thereby reducing waste and collisions.

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

4Ease of operation

If dedicated preambles are used for each feature, then feature identification is simplified, but the number of available preambles is limited and collisions increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeature identification simplicityVSAvoidcollision probability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges feature identification into the RACH configuration parameters rather than relying solely on dedicated preambles. This allows the network to identify features through configurable parameters associated with each partition, enabling the use of a larger pool of preambles across multiple features and reducing collision probabilities while maintaining identification capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4171160B1Efficient signalling of features combination for random access channel partitioning
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4171160B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(b)
  • EP4171160B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4171160B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for efficiently signalling feature combinations for RACH partitioning. One method may include a network entity transmitting a radio resources configuration associated with at least one feature combination configuration and associated random access resources configuration. The at least one feature combination configuration is associated with at least one of coverage enhancement, network slicing, reduced capability user equipment, or small data transmission. The associated random access resources configuration is associated with access conditions for the at least one feature combination configuration.