5G Base Station RACH Sub-Bands for RedCap UE Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G NR networks face challenges in efficiently managing the diverse capabilities of reduced capability (RedCap) user equipment (UEs), leading to inefficient resource allocation and reduced coverage area due to differing bandwidth requirements, especially during the random access channel (RACH) process.
Innovation Solution
The network divides the bandwidth part of a component carrier into smaller sub-bands and distributes physical RACH resources among these sub-bands, allowing RedCap UEs to select appropriate sub-bands based on their capabilities, using system information blocks (SIBs) to identify available resources and adjust transmission parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the network uses a single unified bandwidth for all UEs, then network simplicity is maintained, but RedCap UEs cannot efficiently access the network due to bandwidth mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the uplink bandwidth into multiple RACH sub-bands with different bandwidth configurations. Each sub-band is optimized for specific UE types, allowing RedCap UEs to select appropriate sub-bands matching their capabilities while full-capability UEs use other sub-bands. This segmentation enables bandwidth adaptability without requiring complete reconfiguration of the entire network bandwidth structure.
2Productivity
If the network allocates separate resources for different UE types, then resource allocation efficiency improves, but overhead resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple RACH sub-bands within a single uplink bandwidth part, allowing different UE types to share the same physical resources while maintaining logical separation through sub-band identification. This combining approach enables efficient resource allocation for different UE types without proportionally increasing overhead resources, as the sub-bands coexist within the existing bandwidth framework rather than requiring entirely separate resource pools.
3Area of stationary object
If RedCap UEs use full bandwidth for random access, then coverage area is maximized, but power consumption increases and smaller devices cannot support it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent assigns different bandwidth configurations to different RACH sub-bands, allowing RedCap UEs to select sub-bands with bandwidth levels matched to their power capabilities and hardware constraints. This local optimization enables each UE to use appropriate bandwidth for its specific needs rather than forcing all UEs to use maximum bandwidth, thereby reducing power consumption for RedCap devices while maintaining adequate coverage through the availability of multiple sub-band options.
4Adaptability or versatility
If the network supports multiple UE capabilities simultaneously, then versatility improves, but the cell must tailor communications to all UE types increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal RACH framework where multiple UE types can access the network using a common procedure. By organizing RACH resources into sub-bands with different bandwidth configurations within a unified bandwidth part, the system enables full-capability UEs, RedCap UEs, and other device types to all perform random access using the same overall mechanism, eliminating the need for entirely separate access procedures for different UE categories while still accommodating their diverse capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station of a network may bar access to certain types of user equipment (UE). The base station broadcasts a system information block (SIB) identifying a plurality of random access channel (RACH) sub-bands of an uplink (UL) bandwidth and which of the plurality of RACH sub-bands includes physical random access channel (PRACH) resources and receives, from the UE, a preamble from one of the plurality of RACH sub-bands selected by the UE.