Wake-Up Signal Random Access for Flexible, High-Gain Beams

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing random access methods in new radio communication systems face challenges with poor beam flexibility and low beam gain due to the use of synchronization signal blocks, leading to inefficient and power-consuming operations for terminal devices.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a correspondence between wake-up signals and random access channel occasions, utilizing wake-up signals with narrower and more flexible beams, allowing terminal devices to optimize reception and transmission beams based on signal quality, and reducing unnecessary power consumption by controlling DCI monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If synchronization signal blocks are used for random access, then beam coverage is provided, but beam flexibility is poor and beam gain is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam flexibilityVSAvoidbeam gain
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the beam parameters by using wake-up signals with configurable beam widths and directions instead of fixed synchronization signal blocks. The network device can dynamically adjust beam parameters (width, direction, gain) to optimize both flexibility and gain for different random access scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic beam management where the network device can dynamically select and switch between different wake-up signal beams based on terminal location, channel conditions, and random access requirements. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between fixed beam coverage and flexible beam control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If terminal devices continuously monitor for paging messages, then paging reception is ensured, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaging reception reliabilityVSAvoidterminal power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring where terminal devices wake up at predetermined intervals to check for wake-up signals and paging messages, then return to sleep mode. This periodic action ensures paging reception reliability while dramatically reducing average power consumption compared to continuous monitoring

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device uses its own sleep-wake cycle to efficiently manage power consumption. By autonomously determining when to wake up and monitor based on configured schedules and received wake-up signals, the terminal self-regulates its power usage while maintaining reliable paging reception

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If wake-up signals are introduced for random access indication, then random access efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the wake-up signal multi-functional by using it for both power saving (indicating terminal should wake up for paging) and random access indication (indicating terminal should perform random access). This universal signal reduces overall system complexity by consolidating multiple functions into a single mechanism rather than requiring separate signals for each function

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

Data Source

PatentEP4061079B1Random access method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.08.27 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4061079B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4061079B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4061079B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A random access method and an apparatus. A principle of the method is as follows: A terminal device receives a first wake-up signal, and then determines N random access channel occasions based on a correspondence between the first wake-up signal and the N random access channel occasions. The terminal device determines a first random access channel occasion in the N random access channel occasions, and sends a random access preamble on the first random access channel occasion. A network device uses, as a reception beam, a beam used to send the first wake-up signal, to receive the random access preamble sent by the terminal device. A wake-up signal has advantages such as a narrow beam, a flexible beam, and a high beam gain. Therefore, when the network device receives the random access preamble by using the beam of the first wake-up signal, there are also advantages such as high flexibility and a high beam gain.