US 11,540,323 B2 · 2-step random access

Abstract

Apparatuses, systems, and methods for a wireless device to perform 2-step random access procedures. The disclosure identifies features of 2-step random access procedures including configuration (e.g., under what circumstances to use 2-step vs. 4-step random access), message design, fallback procedures, power ramping, backoff, and retransmission procedures.

Drawings

Drawings are temporarily unavailable. Open the PDF at USPTO

Drawings

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus, comprising:

a processor configured to cause a user equipment device (UE) to:
receive, from a base station, random access (RA) configuration information, including, first configuration information for a 2-step RA procedure, second configuration information for a 4-step RA procedure, and a criterion for power ramping, the criterion for power ramping specifying that power ramping should not be applied to an RA retransmission if a different RA type is selected relative to a previous RA attempt;
determine a condition, wherein the condition is that a measured reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold;
determine, based on the condition that the measured RSRP is greater than the threshold, to perform the 2-step RA procedure;
perform one or more transmissions, to the base station, of respective first messages of the 2-step RA procedure, wherein a first message of the 2-step RA procedure includes a preamble and content on a physical uplink shared channel;
within a 2-step random access response window and as part of the 2-step RA procedure:
monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) masked by a msgB radio network temporary identifier (msgB-RNTI);
based on the monitoring, receive a msgB indicating a backoff indicator for a backoff mechanism to be applied on a next preamble transmission;
and
when the 4-step RA procedure is selected for a next preamble transmission in response to reaching a configured number of transmission attempts of first messages of the 2-step RA procedure before falling back to the 4-step RA procedure, the backoff mechanism is not applied.

7 more elements

A user equipment device (UE), comprising:

a radio;
and
a processor operably connected to the radio and configured to cause the UE to:
receive, from a base station, random access (RA) configuration information, including, first configuration information for a 2-step RA procedure, second configuration information for a 4-step RA procedure, and a criterion for power ramping, the criterion for power ramping specifying that power ramping should not be applied to an RA retransmission if a different RA type is selected relative to a previous RA attempt;
determine a condition, wherein the condition is that a measured reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold;
determine, based on the condition that the measured RSRP is greater than the threshold, to perform the 2-step RA procedure;
perform one or more transmissions, to the base station, of respective first messages of the 2-step RA procedure, wherein a first message of the 2-step RA procedure includes a preamble and content on a physical uplink shared channel;
within a 2-step random access response window and as part of the 2-step RA procedure:
monitor a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) masked by a msgB radio network temporary identifier (msgB-RNTI);
based on the monitoring, receive a msgB indicating a backoff indicator for a backoff mechanism to be applied on a next preamble transmission;
and
when the 4-step RA procedure is selected for a next preamble transmission in response to reaching a configured number of transmission attempts of first messages of the 2-step RA procedure before falling back to the 4-step RA procedure, the backoff mechanism is not applied.

9 more elements

A method, comprising:

at a user equipment device (UE):
receiving, from a base station, random access (RA) configuration information, including, first configuration information for a 2-step RA procedure, second configuration information for a 4-step RA procedure, and a criterion for power ramping, the criterion for power ramping specifying that power ramping should not be applied to an RA retransmission if a different RA type is selected relative to a previous RA attempt;
determining a condition, wherein the condition is that a measured reference signal received power (RSRP) is greater than a threshold;
determining, based on the condition that the measured RSRP is greater than the threshold, to perform the 2-step RA procedure;
performing one or more transmissions, to the base station, of respective first messages of the 2-step RA procedure, wherein a first message of the 2-step RA procedure includes a preamble and content on a physical uplink shared channel;
within a 2-step random access response window and as part of the 2-step RA procedure:
monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) masked by a msgB radio network temporary identifier (msgB-RNTI);
based on the monitoring, receiving a msgB indicating a backoff indicator for a backoff mechanism to be applied on a next preamble transmission;
and
when the 4-step RA procedure is selected for a next preamble transmission in response to reaching a configured number of transmission attempts of first messages of the 2-step RA procedure before falling back to the 4-step RA procedure, the backoff mechanism is not applied.

7 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description14,568 words

Summary237 words

#This application claims priority to Chinese patent application number 201910112653.1, entitled “2-Step Random Access,” filed Feb. 13, 2019, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completely set forth herein.

#The present application relates to wireless devices, and more particularly to apparatus, systems, and methods for performing 2-step random access.

#Wireless communication systems are rapidly growing in usage. Further, wireless communication technology has evolved from voice-only communications to also include the transmission of data, such as Internet and multimedia content. Random access procedures may typically include four messages (e.g., four steps). Thus, improvements in the field are desired.

Brief description of the drawings15 figures

#A better understanding of the present subject matter can be obtained when the following detailed description of various embodiments is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless communication system, according to some embodiments;

#FIG. 2 illustrates a base station (BS) in communication with a user equipment (UE) device, according to some embodiments;

Detailed description14,110 words

#While the features described herein may be susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to be limiting to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter as defined by the appended claims.

#Terms

#The following is a glossary of terms used in this disclosure:

Facts

Application

16/781,337Filed 4 Feb 2020

Priority

CN 201910112653.113 Feb 2019

Published

US 2020/0260498 A113 Aug 2020

Granted

27 Dec 2022

Term ends

16 May 2040

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 102 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification8 codes

H04W 74/006
Transmission of channel access control information: in the downlink, i.e. towards the terminal
H04W 74/0833
Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA: random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
H04W 52/36
Using constraints in the total amount of available transmission power: with a discrete range or set of values, e.g. step size, ramping or offsets
H04W 72/20
Local resource management: control channels or signalling for resource management

Timeline

13 Feb 2019Priority claimedCN 201910112653.1
4 Feb 2020Application filedUS 16/781,337
24 Feb 2020Assigned to Apple Inc.assignment of assignor's interest
13 Aug 2020PublishedUS 2020/0260498 A1
27 Dec 2022GrantedUS 11,540,323 B2
12 Oct 2026TodayWithin its term
16 May 2040Term endsEstimated, includes 102 days of adjustment

2-step random access

Life of this patent

2-step random access

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims20

Description14,568 words

Drawings

Classification8 codes

Life of this patent

Description14,568 words