Uplink Carrier Redirection for NB-IoT Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Narrowband Internet-of-Things (NB-IoT) systems face congestion issues in random access procedures due to the lack of carrier redirection capabilities, leading to inefficient resource utilization and potential network performance bottlenecks as the number of IoT devices increases.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a wireless device can be redirected to use a different uplink carrier for continuing or restarting the random access procedure, indicated by a Random Access Response message, allowing for faster procedure completion and improved load balancing across carriers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If random access procedures are performed on a single uplink carrier in NB-IoT systems, then the system structure remains simple, but network congestion occurs and resource utilization becomes inefficient as the number of IoT devices increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single uplink carrier into multiple carriers for random access procedures. The network configures multiple uplink carriers (e.g., carrier 0, carrier 1, carrier 2) and assigns different carriers to different devices or time slots, segmenting the access load across multiple frequency resources to improve overall network capacity and reduce congestion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a frequency dimension to the random access procedure by enabling carrier redirection. Instead of all devices competing on a single carrier (one-dimensional), devices can be redirected to different carriers (adding a frequency dimension), thereby expanding the resource space and improving scalability as device density increases.
2Productivity
If carrier redirection is implemented to balance load across multiple uplink carriers, then network capacity and resource utilization improve, but the complexity of random access procedure management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary configuration of multiple uplink carriers and their parameters before devices attempt random access. The network pre-configures carrier-specific parameters (such as time slot configurations, frequency offsets) and makes this information available to devices through system information or RRC signaling, so devices don't need to perform complex real-time decisions during the access procedure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors random access success rates and load conditions on each carrier, then dynamically adjusts carrier redirection decisions. The network can send redirection commands to devices based on real-time network conditions, and devices provide feedback through their access attempts, creating a closed-loop system that optimizes load distribution without requiring complex device-side algorithms.
3Reliability
If multiple uplink carriers are configured for random access, then load balancing and network capacity improve, but the device power consumption and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by configuring different carriers with different characteristics (e.g., some carriers optimized for power efficiency, others for speed) and assigning devices to appropriate carriers based on their specific requirements. Not all devices need to monitor or access all carriers - each device can be configured to use only the carriers most suitable for its application, reducing overall device power consumption while maintaining network reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a method of operating a wireless device, UE, configured to provide communication over a radio interface with a wireless communication network, the method including transmitting a random access, RA, preamble of an RA procedure to the wireless communication network using a first uplink carrier; and after transmitting the RA preamble of the RA procedure, receiving a Random Access Response, RAR, of the RA procedure from the wireless communication network, wherein the RAR includes an indication to use a second uplink carrier different than the first uplink carrier; the invention further refers to a method of operating a base station of a wireless communication network configured to provide communication over a radio interface with a wireless device, UE, the method including receiving a random access, RA, preamble of an RA procedure from the wireless device using a first uplink carrier.