Random Access Backoff Window Alignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing random access backoff mechanisms in narrow-band communications systems face challenges in effectively managing channel contention due to mismatched backoff parameter values and varying preamble durations, leading to inefficient access opportunities and high collision probabilities.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves defining backoff parameter values as multiples of random access preamble units, allowing for adaptable backoff windows that align with varying preamble durations. This approach ensures consistent access opportunities and collision probabilities across different preamble lengths.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If fixed backoff window values are used in random access procedures, then the system operates with simple backoff management, but the efficiency of random access deteriorates when preamble durations vary, leading to high collision probabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebackoff management simplicityVSAvoidrandom access efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The backoff window is made dynamic by defining it as a multiple of the random access preamble duration. This allows the backoff window to automatically adapt to varying preamble lengths, resolving the contradiction between simple backoff management and efficient random access. The system maintains operational simplicity while achieving adaptability through the dynamic relationship between backoff window and preamble duration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The backoff parameter is changed from a fixed time value to a relative value expressed as a multiple of preamble duration. This parameter transformation enables the system to maintain consistent access opportunities and collision probabilities across different preamble lengths, improving random access efficiency without complicating the backoff management mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If backoff parameter values are not aligned with preamble durations, then the system uses standardized backoff values, but access opportunities become inconsistent and collision probabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess opportunity consistencyVSAvoidbackoff parameter adaptation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The backoff parameter is designed to serve multiple preamble durations universally by defining it as a multiple of the preamble unit. This single parameter definition works across varying preamble lengths, ensuring consistent access opportunities and collision probabilities without requiring separate backoff configurations for different preamble types.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The backoff parameter is transformed from absolute time values to relative multiples of preamble duration. This parameter change enables automatic alignment with any preamble length, improving access opportunity consistency while avoiding the complexity of maintaining separate backoff tables for different preamble durations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4124151B1System and method for random access backoffs
Publication Date: 2025.03.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4124151B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4124151B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4124151B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method of performing a random access procedure includes randomly selecting a backoff time from within a backoff window ranging from o to a specified multiple of a random access preamble unit, waiting until a time initialized with the backoff time expires, and retransmitting a random access preamble.