Random Access Slot Segmentation for Beam Selection Accuracy

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Solution Overview

Problem

In new generation mobile communications systems, determining the appropriate beam for transmitting information to a terminal is challenging due to the inability to cover an entire cell with a single beam, leading to incorrect beam selection or resource wastage when multiple beams are used simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

The base station configures the internal structure of the random access slot through a broadcast channel and notifies terminals of the association relationship between downlink synchronization signals or reference signals and random access slots, allowing terminals to initiate random access on the appropriate slot and enabling the base station to determine the preferred beam for information transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If multiple beams are used to cover the entire cell, then the coverage requirement is improved, but the base station cannot determine which beam the terminal detected, leading to incorrect beam selection or resource wastage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbeam selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The random access slot is segmented into multiple random access channels, each associated with a specific downlink beam. The base station divides the coverage area into multiple beam directions, and each beam has its dedicated random access channel. This segmentation allows the terminal to select the appropriate channel based on the detected beam, solving the problem of beam selection accuracy while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The random access channel serves as an intermediary that carries beam identification information. When the terminal transmits a random access signal on a specific channel, it implicitly indicates which downlink beam it detected. This intermediary mechanism enables the base station to determine the terminal's preferred beam without direct feedback from the terminal, resolving the contradiction between multi-beam coverage and beam selection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Area of stationary object

If beam scanning is performed in the time dimension to cover the entire cell, then the coverage requirement is met, but the access delay increases due to the sequential scanning process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidaccess delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The time domain is segmented into multiple random access slots, with each slot associated with specific downlink beams. Instead of sequentially scanning all beams, the base station simultaneously transmits synchronization signals on multiple beams, and terminals can immediately initiate random access on the appropriate slot without waiting for beam scanning to complete, thereby reducing access delay while maintaining full coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station preliminarily configures the association relationship between downlink beams and random access slots before terminal access. This preliminary configuration allows terminals to directly select the appropriate random access slot based on detected beam quality without undergoing sequential beam scanning, significantly reducing access delay while ensuring comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If the base station randomly selects a beam or transmits to all beams, then coverage is maintained, but resource efficiency decreases due to wasted beam resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidbeam resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The random access channel acts as an intermediary that conveys the terminal's beam preference information to the base station. By monitoring which random access channel the terminal uses, the base station can identify the terminal's preferred beam and transmit subsequent data only on that beam, avoiding the energy waste of transmitting to all beams while maintaining comprehensive coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal self-selects the appropriate random access channel based on its detected downlink beam quality, and this selection automatically indicates its preferred beam to the base station. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the base station to randomly select beams or broadcast to all beams, significantly improving beam resource efficiency while maintaining full coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3606232B1Method and device for providing instruction of physical resource used for random access, and storage medium
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 ZTE CORP
  • EP3606232B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3606232B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3606232B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and device for indicating a random access physical resource, which may include: semi-statically configuring an internal structure of a random access slot through a broadcast channel. A computer-readable storage medium is further provided in the present disclosure.