Random Access Response Format Selection in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional wireless communication networks face challenges in reducing the duration and latency of the random access procedure, which consumes scarce radio resources and limits random access coverage due to the inefficiency of existing contention-based methods.
Innovation Solution
A radio network node selects a format for the random access response based on the uplink bandwidth part and information field of the message, tailoring the response size to minimize resource usage and increase coverage by omitting unnecessary fields such as TC-RNTI, C-RNTI, and TAC fields depending on the RRC state and triggering events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed-size random access response format is used, then the network response structure is simple, but radio resources are wasted and random access coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the random access response format adaptable rather than fixed. The network node dynamically selects from multiple candidate formats based on the specific random access scenario, allowing the response structure to change according to operational needs. This resolves the contradiction by enabling resource efficiency through format variation while maintaining implementation simplicity through a predefined set of formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of response format size and structure based on different random access scenarios. By defining multiple candidate formats with different field compositions and selecting the appropriate one for each scenario, the system optimizes radio resource usage without requiring complex adaptive structuring during transmission.
2Loss of information
If a large random access response format is used, then all possible information is included, but radio resource consumption increases and coverage is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary information fields for each specific random access scenario from the complete set of possible fields. By defining candidate formats that include only relevant fields for particular situations (e.g., excluding TC-RNTI when not needed), the system maintains information completeness for each scenario while reducing overall resource consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring the information content of each random access response to the specific local scenario. Different formats provide different levels of information detail appropriate to different situations, such as including or excluding certain identifier fields based on whether timing advance is needed or whether this is an initial access scenario.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the random access response includes all fields for all scenarios, then it is universally applicable, but the response size increases and coverage decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves scenario adaptability through dynamic format selection from multiple candidate formats rather than using a single fixed format. The network node selects the appropriate format based on the specific random access scenario, maintaining versatility while keeping each individual response size optimized for its intended use case, thereby preserving coverage.
4Reliability
If the random access procedure uses traditional 4-step contention-based method, then the procedure is reliable, but the duration and latency are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by condensing the random access procedure into 2 steps instead of 4, performing necessary actions in advance or combining steps. The wireless device transmits both the random access preamble and uplink data together in one message, and the network node responds with a single combined response message, eliminating intermediate steps and reducing overall procedure duration while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein include a method performed by a radio network node (12) configured for use in a wireless communication network (10). The method comprises receiving a message (16) of a procedure for random access by a wireless device (14) to a cell served by the radio network node (12). The method also comprises selecting, as a function of on which uplink bandwidth part (30-0 . . . 30-N) of the cell the message (16) was received and/or as a function of an information field (16A) of the message (16), a format of a random access response (18) to be transmitted as a response to the message (16). The method also comprises transmitting the random access response (18) with the selected format (16).