UE PUCCH Resource Set Expansion for NTN Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wide-range cellular networks, such as Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTN), the number of available resources for repeated transmission of the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in response to a conflict resolution message (Msg4) is insufficient, limiting the number of users who can start data communication, and there is a challenge in identifying additional resources.

Innovation Solution

A terminal is equipped with a control unit that identifies more than 16 resources for repeated PUCCH transmission based on configuration information received from a base station, utilizing intra-slot and inter-slot frequency hopping techniques, and supports multiple resource sets for PUCCH transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the number of available resources for PUCCH transmission is increased, then more users can start data communication, but the UE has difficulty identifying the resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of available resourcesVSAvoidresource identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the PUCCH resources into multiple resource sets, where each resource set contains a manageable number of resources (e.g., 16 resources per set). The UE is configured with multiple resource sets through higher-layer signaling, allowing the total number of available resources to exceed 16 while maintaining efficient identification within each set. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by organizing large numbers of resources into smaller, more manageable groups.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If one resource set with 16 resources is used for repeated transmission, then resource identification is simplified, but the number of users who can start data communication is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource identification simplicityVSAvoidnumber of users starting data communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple resource sets (each with 16 resources) to form a larger pool of available resources for PUCCH transmission. By merging several resource sets and configuring them through higher-layer signaling, the system increases the total number of available resources from 16 to potentially hundreds, thereby supporting more users while maintaining the identification simplicity of individual resource sets through standardized indexing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4661578A1User equipment

Publication Date: 2025.12.10 NTT DOCOMO INC

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AI summary

A terminal includes: a transmitting unit that performs repeated transmission of a physical uplink control channel in response to a conflict resolution message in a random access procedure; and a control unit that identifies more than 16 resources for the repeated transmission indicated by configuration information transmitted from a base station, based on the configuration information.