Alternative modulation for a random access message in a two-step random access procedure

A method of wireless communication performed by a base station, comprising:

• receiving, from a user equipment (UE), a random access message associated with a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure;
• determining, based at least in part on the random access message, a set of modulations associated with the random access message,
• wherein the set of modulations is either a first set of modulations or a second set of modulations, the first set of modulations being different from the second set of modulations;
• and
• processing the random access message based at least in part on the determined set of modulations associated with the random access message, the random access message including a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) modulated using the determined set of modulations.

A user equipment (UE) for wireless communication, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:
• determine a set of modulations for a random access message associated with a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure,
• wherein the set of modulations is either a first set of modulations or a second set of modulations, the first set of modulations being different from the second set of modulations, and
• wherein the set of modulations is determined based at least in part on whether a signal strength satisfies a signal strength threshold;
• and
• transmit the random access message based at least in part on the determined set of modulations, the random access message including a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) modulated using the determined set of modulations.

A base station for wireless communication, comprising:

• a memory;
• and
• one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory, the memory and the one or more processors configured to:
• receive, from a user equipment (UE), a random access message associated with a two-step random access channel (RACH) procedure;
• determine, based at least in part on the random access message, a set of modulations associated with the random access message,
• wherein the set of modulations is either a first set of modulations or a second set of modulations, the first set of modulations being different from the second set of modulations;
• and
• process the random access message based at least in part on the determined set of modulations associated with the random access message, the random access message including a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) modulated using the determined set of modulations.