TDD NPRACH Resource Configuration via Period Offset Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current NPRACH time-domain resource indication schemes in TDD mode are inadequate as they cannot ensure that the indicated subframe is an uplink subframe, due to the unique uplink and downlink subframe configuration in TDD, which differs from FDD mode.

Innovation Solution

Generating configuration information comprising period indicating information and offset indicating information to specify the NPRACH time-domain resource in TDD mode, allowing for precise resource allocation similar to FDD mode, using high layer signaling such as RRC or PDCCH, with possible configurations in units of milliseconds or half radio frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If FDD mode NPRACH indication scheme is used in TDD mode, then the indication method can be simplified and reused, but the indicated subframe cannot be ensured to be an uplink subframe

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindication scheme complexityVSAvoiduplink subframe indication accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the indication parameters TDD-specific rather than universally applicable. The base station configures TDD-adapted parameters including period values from a TDD-specific set {40, 80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120} and offset values from a TDD-specific set {0, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 64, 96, 128, 192}, ensuring the indicated subframes align with TDD uplink subframe patterns while maintaining the period-offset indication structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter sets used for NPRACH indication to be specific to TDD mode. By defining TDD-specific period and offset parameter sets and selecting values from these sets, the indication scheme adapts to TDD's unique uplink-downlink subframe configuration, ensuring indicated subframes are valid uplink subframes while maintaining efficient resource allocation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If TDD-specific NPRACH indication is implemented, then uplink subframe accuracy is improved, but the configuration complexity increases compared to FDD mode

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink subframe indication accuracyVSAvoidindication scheme complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent achieves universality by maintaining the same basic period-offset indication structure used in FDD mode while adapting the parameter values for TDD. This allows the same indication mechanism to serve both FDD and TDD modes, reducing the need for entirely separate indication schemes and minimizing implementation complexity despite TDD-specific requirements.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the base station to flexibly select period and offset values from TDD-specific parameter sets based on the actual uplink-downlink configuration. This dynamic selection enables the system to adapt to different TDD configurations (e.g., different uplink subframe patterns) while maintaining a unified indication framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3713132B1Method and device for configuring random access channel transmission resource
Publication Date: 2023.07.12 SHARP KK
  • EP3713132B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3713132B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3713132B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a method for configuring a random access channel transmitting resource in a time division duplexing (TDD) mode and a device thereof. The method comprises generating configuration information for indicating a random access channel transmitting resource. The configuration information comprises period indicating information for indicating a configured period of the random access channel transmitting resource, and/or offset indicating information for indicating an offset of the random access channel transmitting resource in the configured period. The method further comprises transmitting the configuration information to user equipment (UE).