Uplink Carrier Selection via SSB Group Segmentation in 5G NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, the existing random access method for terminal devices in 5G NR systems with shared uplink carriers between NR and LTE systems fails to ensure consistent uplink access performance due to differing antenna configurations and coverage areas between 3.5 GHz and 1.8 GHz frequency bands, leading to potential random access failures.

Innovation Solution

A random access method that allows terminal devices to select an appropriate uplink carrier based on different SSB groups and corresponding RSRP thresholds, enabling flexible random access modes tailored to specific positions within a cell, thereby improving access success rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the terminal device uses a single RSRP threshold to select uplink carrier, then the selection process is simple, but the uplink coverage performance cannot be ensured in different network conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier selection processVSAvoiduplink coverage performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SSBs into multiple groups (first SSB group and second SSB group) with different random access modes. The first group uses a first RSRP threshold while the second group uses a second RSRP threshold, allowing differentiated carrier selection based on network conditions and terminal position, thereby resolving the contradiction between simple selection process and reliable coverage performance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different RSRP thresholds to different SSB groups, creating local quality differentiation. Terminals in different network conditions (indicated by different SSB groups) are assigned different selection criteria, enabling optimized uplink carrier selection for each local scenario while maintaining overall system reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the network device configures multiple SSB groups with different random access modes, then the random access success rate is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access success rateVSAvoidrandom access mode configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by allowing a single network device to configure multiple SSB groups with different random access modes that can be applied across different terminal devices. This universal configuration approach enables the system to handle diverse network conditions and terminal requirements through a unified framework, improving random access success rate without proportionally increasing operational complexity

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

3Speed

If the terminal device selects uplink carrier based on RSRP comparison, then the selection is fast, but the antenna configuration differences between frequency bands are not accounted for

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier selection speedVSAvoiduplink access performance
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple SSB groups with different random access modes and RSRP thresholds before the terminal device needs to perform carrier selection. This pre-prepared configuration allows the terminal to quickly select an appropriate uplink carrier based on its measured RSRP and the pre-defined groups, maintaining fast selection speed while accounting for antenna configuration differences between frequency bands through the pre-established multiple modes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3742857B1Random access method and device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3742857B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3742857B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3742857B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

This application discloses a random access method and apparatus. The method includes: receiving, by a first node, first information sent by a second node, where the first information is used to determine a first transmit power, and the first transmit power is a power used when the first node sends downlink information to the second node over a first link; and the first link is a link between the first node and the second node, and the first node is an upper-level device of the second node; and determining, by the first node, the first transmit power based on the first information. Therefore, the first node determines the first transmit power based on the first information, and uses the first transmit power when sending the downlink information to the second node over the first link, so that interference between signals received by the second node can be reduced.