SSB-Specific PRACH Configuration for Repeater Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current PRACH configurations in 5G NR networks are inadequate for extended cell range scenarios, leading to degraded PRACH detection performance and inefficient use of time-frequency resources, especially when network-controlled repeaters are deployed, as they require uniform PRACH settings across all spatial directions, which can result in suboptimal performance in directions without repeaters and increased interference.
Innovation Solution
Implementing SSB-specific PRACH configurations, where each SSB beam can have its own PRACH configuration, including different preamble formats and cyclic shift offsets, to match the specific cell range in various spatial directions, allowing for optimal PRACH performance in both repeater-covered and repeater-free areas without sacrificing detection accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If uniform PRACH settings are used across all spatial directions to support repeater deployment, then cell coverage is extended, but PRACH detection performance degrades in directions without repeaters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different PRACH parameters (such as cyclic prefix length, preamble format, and time-frequency resources) for different spatial directions or SSB beams. Specifically, beams directed toward repeater coverage areas use PRACH configurations optimized for extended range, while beams without repeaters use configurations optimized for detection accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage extension and detection performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the cell coverage area into multiple spatial directions or sectors, each associated with specific SSB beams. By dividing the coverage area and applying direction-specific PRACH configurations, the system can optimize parameters for repeater-covered directions while maintaining optimal detection performance in non-repeater directions, thus resolving the technical contradiction.
2Device complexity
If uniform PRACH settings are used across all spatial directions, then device complexity is reduced, but spectral efficiency decreases due to increased interference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by assigning different PRACH configurations to different SSB beams or spatial directions. This allows the system to optimize time-frequency resource allocation locally, reducing interference between users in different directions and improving spectral efficiency, while the network node manages the complexity through automated configuration based on beam-specific parameters.
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus may be configured to: receive information comprising at least: an indication of a first PRACH configuration, wherein the first PRACH configuration is associated with an identifier of at least one first radio beam, and an indication of a second PRACH configuration, at least partially different from the first PRACH configuration, wherein the second PRACH configuration is associated with an identifier of at least one second radio beam, wherein the at least one second radio beam comprises, at least, a radio beam for communicating with a network node via a repeater; select a radio beam; select a PRACH configuration based, at least partially, on the received information; and transmit, to the network node, a radio access preamble on the selected radio beam according to the selected PRACH configuration.