Dynamic Estimation of Random Access Response Repetitions

A method for dynamically configuring repeated transmission of random access response messages from an access node;

• wherein the random access response message is repeatedly transmitted in response to receipt of a random access request from a wireless device operating in a coverage enhancement (CE) mode;
• wherein the random access response message is configured for repeated transmission on a downlink channel using a repetition level selected from a set of repetition levels associated with a CE level of the CE mode;
• wherein the repetition level represents a predetermined number of repeated transmissions;
• wherein the CE level represents a group of wireless devices with similar radio conditions;
• the method comprising:
• determining, for a predetermined data set, a ratio of successful to initiated random access attempts when applying a selected repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of the random access response messages on the downlink channel;
• wherein a random access attempt is counted as successful responsive to receipt of a first uplink transmission on a packet uplink shared channel (PUSCH);
• and
• selecting an operational repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of random access response messages on the downlink channel based on the determined ratio.

A non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a computer program product for controlling a network node for dynamically configuring repeated transmission of random access response messages from an access node;

• wherein the random access response message is repeatedly transmitted in response to receipt of a random access request from a wireless device operating in a coverage enhancement (CE) mode;
• wherein the random access response message is configured for repeated transmission on a downlink channel using a repetition level selected from a set of repetition levels associated with a CE level of the CE mode;
• wherein the repetition level represents a predetermined number of repeated transmissions;
• wherein the CE level represents a group of wireless devices with similar radio conditions;
• the computer program product comprising program instructions which, when run on processing circuitry of the network node, causes the network node to:
• determine, for a predetermined data set, a ratio of successful to initiated random access attempts when applying a selected repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of the random access response messages on the downlink channel;
• wherein a random access attempt is counted as successful responsive to receipt of a first uplink transmission on a packet uplink shared channel (PUSCH);
• and
• select an operational repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of random access response messages on the downlink channel based on the determined ratio.

An arrangement for dynamically configuring repeated transmission of random access response messages from an access node;

• wherein the random access response message is repeatedly transmitted in response to receipt of a random access request from a wireless device operating in a coverage enhancement (CE) mode;
• wherein the random access response message is configured for repeated transmission on a downlink channel using a repetition level selected from a set of repetition levels associated with a CE level of the CE mode;
• wherein the repetition level represents a predetermined number of repeated transmissions;
• wherein the CE level represents a group of wireless devices with similar radio conditions;
• the arrangement comprising processing circuitry configured to:
• determine, for a predetermined data set, a ratio of successful to initiated random access attempts when applying a selected repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of the random access response messages on the downlink channel;
• wherein a random access attempt is counted as successful responsive to receipt of a first uplink transmission on a packet uplink shared channel (PUSCH);
• and
• select an operational repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of random access response messages on the downlink channel based on the determined ratio.

A network node, comprising

• an arrangement for dynamically configuring repeated transmission of random access response messages from an access node;
• wherein the random access response message is repeatedly transmitted in response to receipt of a random access request from a wireless device operating in a coverage enhancement (CE) mode;
• wherein the random access response message is configured for repeated transmission on a downlink channel using a repetition level selected from a set of repetition levels associated with a CE level of the CE mode;
• wherein the repetition level represents a predetermined number of repeated transmissions;
• wherein the CE level represents a group of wireless devices with similar radio conditions;
• the arrangement comprising processing circuitry configured to:
• determine, for a predetermined data set, a ratio of successful to initiated random access attempts when applying a selected repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of the random access response messages on the downlink channel;
• wherein a random access attempt is counted as successful responsive to receipt of a first uplink transmission on a packet uplink shared channel (PUSCH);
• and
• select an operational repetition level of the set of repetition levels for repeated transmission of random access response messages on the downlink channel based on the determined ratio.