RSRP-Based PRACH Preamble Selection for Cell-Edge Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G cellular systems, cell-edge UEs experience delays due to poor connectivity during the random access procedure, necessitating improved PRACH resource design for UEs with varying pathloss values to enhance coverage.

Innovation Solution

A method for user equipment (UE) and base station (BS) that involves receiving PRACH configuration information, selecting SSBs based on RSRP values, and determining preamble indices through RSRP thresholds to optimize random access for UEs with different pathlosses.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If PRACH resources are designed for cell-edge UEs with poor connectivity, then coverage is extended, but latency increases due to delayed random access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidrandom access latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the random access procedure by introducing multiple RSRP thresholds (first threshold for SSB selection, second threshold for preamble selection) and dividing preambles into different groups. This segmentation allows cell-edge UEs to follow a optimized path through the random access procedure, reducing latency while maintaining extended coverage capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters including introducing dual RSRP thresholds, dividing preambles into multiple groups with different selection criteria, and allowing UEs to switch between different random access procedures based on measured RSRP values. These parameter changes enable adaptive random access that reduces latency for cell-edge UEs while preserving coverage extension.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If multiple RSRP thresholds and preamble groups are introduced to optimize random access, then random access efficiency improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access efficiencyVSAvoidUE complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple RSRP thresholds and preamble groups through system information broadcasting before the random access procedure. UEs receive and store these configurations in advance, so during actual random access they only need to measure RSRP and select according to predefined rules, reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables self-service by allowing UEs to autonomously measure RSRP, compare against configured thresholds, and select appropriate SSBs and preambles based on their own channel conditions. The network only needs to broadcast the threshold and group configurations, after which UEs independently complete the optimized random access selection without additional network intervention, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12452910B2User equipments, base stations, and methods
Publication Date: 2025.10.21 SHARP KK
  • US12452910B2 patent drawing
  • US12452910B2 patent drawing
  • US12452910B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method includes receiving, from a base station, system information including physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration information, wherein the PRACH configuration information includes a list of preamble index ranges, where each preamble index range is associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB), wherein each preamble index range comprises one or a plurality of sub-ranges; and selecting, based on one or a plurality of reference signal received power (RSRP) values of a set of SSBs and a first RSRP threshold configured by a radio resource control (RRC) layer, an SSB from the set of SSBs; and selecting, based on the RSRP value associated with the selected SSB and one or more second RSRP thresholds configured by the RRC layer, a subrange from the one or a plurality of sub-ranges associated with the selected SSB; and selecting a preamble index from the selected sub-range. The first RSRP threshold and the second RSRP threshold(s) are configured by two separate RRC parameters, or configured by one RRC parameter.