Random Access Beam Selection for Wireless Latency Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The implementation of beam sweeping in wireless communication systems, particularly in the New Radio Access Technology (NR) system, leads to increased latency and signaling overhead during the random access procedure due to the need to repeat signals over multiple beams, which can result in higher collision probabilities and reduced efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment (UE) determines a predetermined number of candidate beams for random access, each allocated on different time domain units, and selects a transmission beam based on beam quality or randomly, allowing for efficient transmission of random access preambles over the selected beam, with the option to reselect if the initial attempt fails.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is implemented by repeating signals over multiple beams, then coverage is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam sweeping process by allowing the UE to select a subset of candidate beams rather than sweeping through all beams. The UE determines a predetermined number of candidate beams from multiple available beams and selects one for random access preamble transmission, dividing the complete beam set into manageable segments for efficient access.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs preliminary beam selection by determining candidate beams before the actual random access procedure. The UE identifies and selects a transmission beam from candidate beams based on beam quality or random selection, preparing the optimal beam in advance to avoid time-consuming sweeping during the access procedure.
2Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is implemented by repeating signals over multiple beams, then coverage is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary beam transmission from the complete beam sweeping process. Instead of transmitting random access preambles over all beams, the system extracts and uses only the selected transmission beam from the candidate beams, removing redundant signaling while maintaining coverage through the candidate beam set.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting the random access preamble on only one selected beam rather than all candidate beams. This partial transmission approach reduces signaling overhead significantly while still achieving successful access, as the UE selects the most suitable beam from the candidate set for single-instance transmission.
3Area of stationary object
If beam sweeping is implemented by repeating signals over multiple beams, then coverage is improved, but collision probability increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selecting a specific transmission beam based on beam quality metrics rather than using all beams uniformly. The UE determines candidate beams and selects one with appropriate quality characteristics for the local channel conditions, reducing collisions by matching the transmission beam to the specific spatial and channel environment.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) performing random access to a network is disclosed. For this end, the UE determines a predetermined number of beams, as candidate beams for the random access to the network, among multiple beams, wherein each of the multiple beams is allocated on different time domain units. And, the UE transmits the random access preamble over a transmission beam selected as one from the candidate beams to the network.