RACH Preamble Reuse for System Information Acquisition

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, the request message sent by a terminal to obtain additional system information (other SI) occupies a large quantity of system resources, necessitating a more efficient method for obtaining and sending this information.

Innovation Solution

The method involves the terminal using an independent SI preamble index and resource information configured by the network device, allowing the reuse of RACH preamble configuration information in the SI preamble, and dynamically adjusting the configuration based on request frequency and type, to reduce resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the terminal sends a request message to obtain other SI, then the terminal can acquire additional system information, but the system resources are occupied by a large quantity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information acquisitionVSAvoidsystem resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The RACH preamble configuration information is designed to serve multiple purposes: it is used both for random access procedures and for requesting system information. By making the RACH preamble multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate dedicated resources for SI requests, thereby reducing overall system resource consumption while maintaining the ability to acquire system information.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the system information request function with the existing RACH preamble mechanism. Instead of creating a separate request message protocol, the invention combines the SI request capability into the RACH preamble structure, allowing the same physical resources to handle both random access and SI acquisition functions simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network device sends system information by periodic broadcast, then all terminals can receive necessary information, but the resource usage increases for information that may not be needed by all terminals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information distributionVSAvoidsystem resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic mechanism where the network can switch between broadcast and unicast delivery modes for system information based on actual demand. When multiple terminals request the same SI, the network can efficiently broadcast it; when only one terminal needs it, unicast is used. This dynamic adaptation optimizes resource utilization by matching the information delivery method to the actual number of receivers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system information is segmented into different categories (minimum SI and other SI), with different distribution strategies applied to each. Minimum SI is always broadcasted periodically to ensure all terminals have essential information, while other SI is delivered on-demand through the RACH preamble mechanism, allowing selective distribution that reduces unnecessary resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3512257B1Method of acquiring system information, method of sending system information, and related devices
Publication Date: 2023.06.28 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3512257B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3512257B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3512257B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

A system information obtaining and sending method and a related apparatus are disclosed. A terminal receives configuration indication information sent by a network device, where the configuration indication information includes RACH preamble configuration information corresponding to first system information; and the terminal sends a first request message used to obtain the first system information, to the network device according to the RACH preamble configuration information corresponding to the first system information, so that the RACH preamble configuration information is reused in the first request message, thereby greatly reducing system resources occupied by the first request message.