Random access for wireless multiple-access communication systems

A method of accessing a wireless communication system, the method comprising:

• receiving at least one broadcast message including information regarding configuration of at least two contention-based random access channels for a frame, said at least two contention-based random access channels include first and second contention-based random access channels;
• determining, by a user terminal, whether the user terminal is registered or unregistered with a wireless communication system;
• selecting the first contention-based random access channel when the user terminal is determined to be registered with the wireless communication system;
• selecting the second contention-based random access channel when the user terminal is determined to be unregistered with the wireless communication system;
• and
• transmitting a message on the selected first or second contention-based random access channel.

A method for operation of a user terminal in a wireless multiple-access communication system, comprising:

• receiving at least one broadcast message including information regarding configuration of at least two contention-based random access channels for a frame, said at least two contention-based random access channels include first and second contention-based random access channels;
• determining, by the user terminal, an operating state of the user terminal indicating a current status of the user terminal based upon whether or not the user terminal has registered with the wireless multiple-access communication system;
• selecting from a group comprising the first contention-based random access channel and the second contention-based random access channel based on the determined operating state of the user terminal;
• and
• transmitting a message on the selected first or second contention-based random access channel.

A user terminal for accessing a wireless communication system, comprising:

• a receiver for receiving at least one broadcast message including information regarding configuration of at least two contention-based random access channels for a frame, said at least two contention-based random access channels include first and second contention-based random access channels;
• a controller configured to determine whether the user terminal is registered or unregistered with the wireless communication system, wherein the controller is operative to select the first contention-based random access channel to access the wireless communication system when the user terminal is determined to be registered with the wireless communication system and the second contention-based random access channel to access the wireless communication system when the user terminal is determined to be unregistered with the wireless communication system;
• and
• a transmitter for transmitting a message on the first or second selected contention-based random access channel.