WO2001001641A1 - Method and system for random access of a radio channel - Google Patents

Method and system for random access of a radio channel Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2001001641A1
WO2001001641A1 PCT/EP2000/005506 EP0005506W WO0101641A1 WO 2001001641 A1 WO2001001641 A1 WO 2001001641A1 EP 0005506 W EP0005506 W EP 0005506W WO 0101641 A1 WO0101641 A1 WO 0101641A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
contention resolution
access
station
primary
phase
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2000/005506
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Timothy J. Moulsley
Original Assignee
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. filed Critical Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
Priority to EP00945755A priority Critical patent/EP1108313A1/en
Priority to KR1020017002303A priority patent/KR20010072892A/en
Priority to JP2001506196A priority patent/JP2003503900A/en
Publication of WO2001001641A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001001641A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/08Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04WWIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00Wireless channel access
    • H04W74/08Non-scheduled access, e.g. ALOHA
    • H04W74/0833Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
    • H04W74/0841Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access with collision treatment
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04BTRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/24Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts
    • H04B7/26Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field for communication between two or more posts at least one of which is mobile
    • HELECTRICITY
    • H04ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04LTRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L1/00Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received
    • H04L1/12Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel
    • H04L1/16Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by using return channel in which the return channel carries supervisory signals, e.g. repetition request signals

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to a primary station, and further relates to primary and secondary stations for use in such a system and to a method of operating such a system. While the present specification describes a system with particular reference to the emerging Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), it is to be understood that the techniques described are equally applicable to use in other mobile radio systems.
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunication System
  • the term random access channel refers to the logical channel on which random access transmissions take place, which would typically consist of a number of distinct physical channels.
  • a random access channel is a normal component of a radio communication system, enabling a Mobile Station (MS) to send short messages to a Base Station (BS).
  • Applications include signalling to the BS when the MS is turned on, sending a packet of data to the BS when the MS is not engaged in a call, and requesting the BS to allocate a resource for the MS to use.
  • An embodiment of a random access packet channel developed for UMTS, employs a contention resolution method when a MS attempts to gain access to the packet channel.
  • a contention resolution method when a MS attempts to gain access to the packet channel.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide improved contention resolution.
  • a radio communication system comprising a primary station and a plurality of secondary stations and having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the primary station, the primary and secondary stations having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the primary and secondary stations also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that the primary and secondary stations have means for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station having means for transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access.
  • a primary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the p ⁇ mary station, the p ⁇ mary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, and also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, and means are provided for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase.
  • a secondary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data to a primary station, the secondary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the secondary station also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phases and means are provided for transmitting data on the random access channel when access is granted by the primary station on completion of the contention resolution phase.
  • a method of operating a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to a primary station comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in an access phase, comp ⁇ sing the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the method further comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised by the primary and secondary stations engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access.
  • Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a radio communication system
  • Figure 2 illustrates a basic random access packet channel scheme providing contention resolution
  • Figure 3 illustrates a random access packet channel scheme providing improved contention resolution in accordance with the present invention.
  • Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with the present invention for improved contention resolution.
  • a radio communication system comprises a primary station (BS) 100 and a plurality of secondary stations (MS) 110.
  • BS primary station
  • MS secondary stations
  • BS 100 comprises a microcontroller ( ⁇ C) 102, transceiver means (Tx/Rx) 104 connected to radio transmission means 106, power control means (PC) 107 for altering the transmitted power level, and connection means 108 for connection to the PSTN or other suitable network.
  • Each MS 110 comprises a microcontroller ( ⁇ C) 112, transceiver means (Tx/Rx) 114 connected to radio transmission means 116, and power control means (PC) 118 for altering the transmitted power level.
  • Communication from BS 100 to MS 110 takes place on a downlink channel 122, while communication from MS 110 to BS 100 takes place on an uplink channel 124.
  • a basic scheme for a random access packet channel operating in a frequency division duplex system is shown in Figure 2, with the uplink channel
  • the MS 110 first transmits a preamble (P) 202, encoded with a signature randomly chosen from a set of 16 possible signatures, at a low power level in a particular access slot.
  • a signature is a signal characterised by its scrambling code and channelisation code modulated by a specific bit sequence.
  • a mutually orthogonal set of signatures can be obtained by defining a set of mutually orthogonal bit sequences for the modulation.
  • a different set of signatures can be obtained by changing the scrambling code or the channelisation code (i.e. the physical channel), or by using a different mutually orthogonal set of bit sequences.
  • a larger set of signatures may be defined in such a way as to have low cross correlations, rather than strict orthogonality.
  • the choice of preamble signature for encoding the access preamble 202 may not be completely random. Instead, there could be a mapping between the preamble signature used and the resource requested for data transmission, to reduce the need for further signalling. For example, if there are 4 physical channels available for the transmission of packet data the set of 16 signatures could be subdivided into 4 groups, each corresponding to a different physical channel. Within a group of signatures the choice should still be random. In general the mapping between signatures and physical channels could by one to one or many to one. Further, although the present specification refers to sets of 16 signatures different implementations may use sets having different numbers of signatures. Similarly, there is no requirement that different sets of signatures contain the same number of signatures.
  • the BS 100 receives and decodes the preamble correctly it transmits a preamble acknowledgement (A) 206.
  • A preamble acknowledgement
  • the MS 110 transmits another preamble 202 at a higher power level. Again no acknowledgement is received in the slot 204, so the MS 110 transmits another preamble 202 at a still higher power. This is received and decoded by the BS 100, which transmits an acknowledgement 206 and thereby completes the access phase.
  • the BS 100 will only transmit one acknowledgement for each access slot, for the preamble 202 received with the highest power, however many preambles 202 were transmitted. If more than one preamble 202 was transmitted but each preamble was encoded with a different signature then each MS 110 will know whether or not its preamble 202 was received correctly. However, it is possible that more than one MS 110 selected the same signature, and therefore believes that its preamble 202 has been received. If each of these mobile stations 110 begins to transmit its data the result will be a collision, with none of the data likely to be received correctly. To reduce the chances of this happening, a contention resolution phase follows the transmission of the acknowledgement 206.
  • This preamble 208 is encoded with a signature randomly selected from another set of 16 possible signatures. This set may be different from the set used for the access preamble 202 (either by changing the set of modulating bit sequences, the scrambling code or the channelisation code), or alternatively the set of signatures may be shared between access and contention resolution phases.
  • the BS 100 then issues a contention resolution acknowledgement (CA) 210 corresponding to the preamble 208 received with the highest power, which acknowledgement 210 enables the MS 1 10 to transmit its data.
  • CA contention resolution acknowledgement
  • the BS 100 begins transmission of a Physical Control CHannel (PCCH) 212, which includes power control information to instruct the MS 1 10 to adjust its transmission power as necessary, and the MS 1 10 transmits one or more data packets (PKT) 214, normally on a different physical channel to those used for the preamble transmissions.
  • PCCH Physical Control CHannel
  • PTT data packets
  • the PCCH 212 may begin simultaneously with the transmission of the data 214, or may precede it sufficiently for closed loop power control to be established before the data transmission.
  • the contention resolution phase reduces the chances of more than one MS 1 10 attempting to transmit data packets 214 simultaneously it may fail. If it does, the simultaneous transmission of data packets 214 will give rise to a high probability of data loss. Although such data loss can be detected and handled within a UMTS system, the result is a significant delay in the data transmissions concerned, increased interference levels and reduced system capacity.
  • the random access packet channel has a limited capacity. In a system with high traffic loading it is therefore likely that more than one MS 110 will be waiting for capacity to become available. In such a situation there is a significant chance of a collision when the capacity does become available, possibly approaching 100%.
  • the contention resolution phase described above, with 16 signatures available, should reduce the probability of an unresolved collision to less than 1 in 16. However, because of the negative effects if a collision does take place, there could still be a significant reduction in system capacity as a result. Therefore an improved contention resolution method is desirable.
  • FIG. 3 A scheme for a random access packet channel incorporating such an improved contention resolution method, in accordance with the present invention, is shown in Figure 3. The operation of this scheme is identical to that described above in relation to Figure 2 until the receipt of the contention resolution acknowledgement 210. A second contention resolution phase is then provided in which the MS 110 then transmits a second contention resolution preamble 208, encoded by a signature randomly chosen from a set of 16 possible signatures.
  • the set of signatures could be different from that used for the first contention resolution preamble 208 (either by changing the physical channel or the modulating bit sequence), or a single set of signatures could be shared between first and second contention resolution preambles 208.
  • the first and second sets of contention preambles 208 and acknowledgements 210 could also be distinguished in some other way, for example by using different time offsets with respect to some defined time slot structure.
  • the system could be controlled so that an access acknowledgement 206 cannot be transmitted at the same time as a first contention resolution acknowledgement 210, thereby ensuring that the first and second contention resolution phases cannot occur simultaneously.
  • the BS 100 begins transmission of a PCCH 212 and the MS 110 begins transmission of its data packets in the same way as described above in relation to Figure 2.
  • a system in accordance with the present invention achieves a factor of 16 improvement in the contention failure rate.
  • the access time is increased slightly by the second contention resolution phase, this increase is more than offset by the improved system throughput resulting from better contention resolution.
  • contention resolution phases it may not always be necessary to have two contention resolution phases. For example, if the system is lightly loaded one phase may be sufficient. In such a system the number of contention resolution phases could be signalled by the BS 100 on a broadcast channel. In a system where the choice of access preamble 202 is related to the resource requested by the MS 110, different resources could have different traffic loadings. Hence it could be defined that some choices of access preamble 202 required two contention resolution phases while others required just one. This definition could either be predetermined or made dependent on traffic loading and signalled by the BS 100 on a broadcast channel. If required more than two contention resolution phases could be used, but in practice two phases, as described above, is likely to be sufficient.
  • the present invention could be applied in other types of communication system.
  • it could be used in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system provided that the uplink transmissions take place in different time slots to the downlink transmissions.
  • TDMA Time Division Multiple Access
  • a flow chart summarising a method in accordance with the present invention for improved contention resolution is shown in Figure 4.
  • the method starts, at 402, with a MS 110 having data for transmission on the random access packet channel.
  • the MS 110 transmits, at 404, an access preamble 202 then determines, at 406, if an acknowledgement 206 was transmitted by the BS 100. If not, the method returns to step 404 and transmits another preamble 202 at a higher power level.
  • the MS 1 10 then, at 408, transmits a first contention resolution preamble 208. If the MS 110 determines, at step 410, that a contention resolution acknowledgement 210 was transmitted by the BS 110 it then transmits, at 412, a further preamble 208. If it determines, at step 414, that the BS 100 transmitted a further acknowledgement 210, the MS 110 is now able to proceed to transmit, at 416, its data packets 214, after which the method ends at 418. If the MS 110 determines at either of steps 410 or 414 that the BS 100 did not transmit an acknowledgement 210, the method returns to the initial step 404 of transmitting an access preamble 202.
  • the transmission power chosen for this preamble 202 may be the standard low initial power level, or preferably the same power as the original preamble 202 that appeared to be acknowledged by the BS 100. A back-off period may be required before a new access attempt can be made.
  • NACK negative acknowledgement
  • the MS 110 may be required to wait for a back-off period before attempting access again.
  • the present invention is applicable to a range of radio communication systems, for example UMTS

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Mobile Radio Communication Systems (AREA)
  • Small-Scale Networks (AREA)

Abstract

The invention relates to a radio communication system having a random access packet channel for the transmission of data packets (214) from a secondary station to a primary station. Such a channel is intended for use by secondary stations having packets of data (214) to transmit to a primary station while not actually engaged in a call. A secondary station wishing to transmit data packets (214) engages in two contention resolution phases (208, 210) with the primary station. This addresses the problem with prior art systems that there is a significant chance of two secondary stations believing that they have been granted access to the channel, the resultant collisions leading to a significant reduction in system capacity.

Description

DESCRIPTION
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RANDOM ACCESS OF A RADIO CHANNEL
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to a primary station, and further relates to primary and secondary stations for use in such a system and to a method of operating such a system. While the present specification describes a system with particular reference to the emerging Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), it is to be understood that the techniques described are equally applicable to use in other mobile radio systems. In this specification the term random access channel refers to the logical channel on which random access transmissions take place, which would typically consist of a number of distinct physical channels. Background Art
A random access channel is a normal component of a radio communication system, enabling a Mobile Station (MS) to send short messages to a Base Station (BS). Applications include signalling to the BS when the MS is turned on, sending a packet of data to the BS when the MS is not engaged in a call, and requesting the BS to allocate a resource for the MS to use.
In a system where mobile stations often have a requirement to send packets of data to the BS when not actually engaged in a call it is advantageous to provide a random access packet channel with similar characteristics to a standard random access channel but intended for the transmission of small and medium sized packets from a MS to the BS. Because of the random access nature of the channel, it is possible that two (or more) mobile stations attempt to send data packets simultaneously, leading to a high probability of data loss. The result of this collision is significant delay, as well as increased interference and loss of capacity.
An embodiment of a random access packet channel, developed for UMTS, employs a contention resolution method when a MS attempts to gain access to the packet channel. However, even using this method there is still a significant chance of unresolved collisions leading to significant reduction in system capacity. Disclosure of Invention An object of the present invention is to provide improved contention resolution.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a radio communication system comprising a primary station and a plurality of secondary stations and having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the primary station, the primary and secondary stations having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the primary and secondary stations also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that the primary and secondary stations have means for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station having means for transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access.
According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a primary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the pπmary station, the pπmary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, and also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, and means are provided for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a secondary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data to a primary station, the secondary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the secondary station also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phases and means are provided for transmitting data on the random access channel when access is granted by the primary station on completion of the contention resolution phase.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to a primary station, the method comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in an access phase, compπsing the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the method further comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised by the primary and secondary stations engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access. Brief Description of Drawings Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a block schematic diagram of a radio communication system; Figure 2 illustrates a basic random access packet channel scheme providing contention resolution;
Figure 3 illustrates a random access packet channel scheme providing improved contention resolution in accordance with the present invention; and
Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a method in accordance with the present invention for improved contention resolution.
In the drawings the same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding features. Modes for Carrying Out the Invention
Referring to Figure 1 , a radio communication system comprises a primary station (BS) 100 and a plurality of secondary stations (MS) 110. The
BS 100 comprises a microcontroller (μC) 102, transceiver means (Tx/Rx) 104 connected to radio transmission means 106, power control means (PC) 107 for altering the transmitted power level, and connection means 108 for connection to the PSTN or other suitable network. Each MS 110 comprises a microcontroller (μC) 112, transceiver means (Tx/Rx) 114 connected to radio transmission means 116, and power control means (PC) 118 for altering the transmitted power level. Communication from BS 100 to MS 110 takes place on a downlink channel 122, while communication from MS 110 to BS 100 takes place on an uplink channel 124. A basic scheme for a random access packet channel operating in a frequency division duplex system is shown in Figure 2, with the uplink channel
124 drawn above the downlink channel 122. In an access phase, the MS 110 first transmits a preamble (P) 202, encoded with a signature randomly chosen from a set of 16 possible signatures, at a low power level in a particular access slot. A signature is a signal characterised by its scrambling code and channelisation code modulated by a specific bit sequence. A mutually orthogonal set of signatures can be obtained by defining a set of mutually orthogonal bit sequences for the modulation. Hence, a different set of signatures can be obtained by changing the scrambling code or the channelisation code (i.e. the physical channel), or by using a different mutually orthogonal set of bit sequences. Alternatively a larger set of signatures may be defined in such a way as to have low cross correlations, rather than strict orthogonality.
In some systems, the choice of preamble signature for encoding the access preamble 202 may not be completely random. Instead, there could be a mapping between the preamble signature used and the resource requested for data transmission, to reduce the need for further signalling. For example, if there are 4 physical channels available for the transmission of packet data the set of 16 signatures could be subdivided into 4 groups, each corresponding to a different physical channel. Within a group of signatures the choice should still be random. In general the mapping between signatures and physical channels could by one to one or many to one. Further, although the present specification refers to sets of 16 signatures different implementations may use sets having different numbers of signatures. Similarly, there is no requirement that different sets of signatures contain the same number of signatures.
If the BS 100 receives and decodes the preamble correctly it transmits a preamble acknowledgement (A) 206. In the example shown in Figure 2, after the first preamble 202 is transmitted no acknowledgement is returned in the slot 204 allocated for it (which might typically be 1ms in length). The MS 110 therefore transmits another preamble 202 at a higher power level. Again no acknowledgement is received in the slot 204, so the MS 110 transmits another preamble 202 at a still higher power. This is received and decoded by the BS 100, which transmits an acknowledgement 206 and thereby completes the access phase.
The BS 100 will only transmit one acknowledgement for each access slot, for the preamble 202 received with the highest power, however many preambles 202 were transmitted. If more than one preamble 202 was transmitted but each preamble was encoded with a different signature then each MS 110 will know whether or not its preamble 202 was received correctly. However, it is possible that more than one MS 110 selected the same signature, and therefore believes that its preamble 202 has been received. If each of these mobile stations 110 begins to transmit its data the result will be a collision, with none of the data likely to be received correctly. To reduce the chances of this happening, a contention resolution phase follows the transmission of the acknowledgement 206. Each MS 110 which transmitted a preamble 202 encoded with a signature corresponding to that acknowledged by the BS 100 now transmits a further contention resolution preamble (CP) 208. This preamble 208 is encoded with a signature randomly selected from another set of 16 possible signatures. This set may be different from the set used for the access preamble 202 (either by changing the set of modulating bit sequences, the scrambling code or the channelisation code), or alternatively the set of signatures may be shared between access and contention resolution phases. The BS 100 then issues a contention resolution acknowledgement (CA) 210 corresponding to the preamble 208 received with the highest power, which acknowledgement 210 enables the MS 1 10 to transmit its data. Hence, if more than one MS 1 10 selected the same access preamble 202 the chance of the same contention resolution preamble 208 also being selected is small. After this contention resolution phase the BS 100 begins transmission of a Physical Control CHannel (PCCH) 212, which includes power control information to instruct the MS 1 10 to adjust its transmission power as necessary, and the MS 1 10 transmits one or more data packets (PKT) 214, normally on a different physical channel to those used for the preamble transmissions. The PCCH 212 may begin simultaneously with the transmission of the data 214, or may precede it sufficiently for closed loop power control to be established before the data transmission.
Although the contention resolution phase reduces the chances of more than one MS 1 10 attempting to transmit data packets 214 simultaneously it may fail. If it does, the simultaneous transmission of data packets 214 will give rise to a high probability of data loss. Although such data loss can be detected and handled within a UMTS system, the result is a significant delay in the data transmissions concerned, increased interference levels and reduced system capacity.
The random access packet channel has a limited capacity. In a system with high traffic loading it is therefore likely that more than one MS 110 will be waiting for capacity to become available. In such a situation there is a significant chance of a collision when the capacity does become available, possibly approaching 100%. The contention resolution phase described above, with 16 signatures available, should reduce the probability of an unresolved collision to less than 1 in 16. However, because of the negative effects if a collision does take place, there could still be a significant reduction in system capacity as a result. Therefore an improved contention resolution method is desirable.
A scheme for a random access packet channel incorporating such an improved contention resolution method, in accordance with the present invention, is shown in Figure 3. The operation of this scheme is identical to that described above in relation to Figure 2 until the receipt of the contention resolution acknowledgement 210. A second contention resolution phase is then provided in which the MS 110 then transmits a second contention resolution preamble 208, encoded by a signature randomly chosen from a set of 16 possible signatures.
The set of signatures could be different from that used for the first contention resolution preamble 208 (either by changing the physical channel or the modulating bit sequence), or a single set of signatures could be shared between first and second contention resolution preambles 208. The first and second sets of contention preambles 208 and acknowledgements 210 could also be distinguished in some other way, for example by using different time offsets with respect to some defined time slot structure. Alternatively the system could be controlled so that an access acknowledgement 206 cannot be transmitted at the same time as a first contention resolution acknowledgement 210, thereby ensuring that the first and second contention resolution phases cannot occur simultaneously. If an acknowledgement 210 of this second preamble 208 is also sent the BS 100 begins transmission of a PCCH 212 and the MS 110 begins transmission of its data packets in the same way as described above in relation to Figure 2. By use of this method a system in accordance with the present invention achieves a factor of 16 improvement in the contention failure rate. Although the access time is increased slightly by the second contention resolution phase, this increase is more than offset by the improved system throughput resulting from better contention resolution. To obtain the same overall reliability as with a single contention resolution phase, it is could also be desirable to slightly increase the transmission power of the various preambles 208 to compensate for the increased time taken for contention resolution. This results in slightly increased interference levels in the uplink 124 and downlink 122 channels, but this is more than offset by the improved performance.
In a system in accordance with the present invention, it may not always be necessary to have two contention resolution phases. For example, if the system is lightly loaded one phase may be sufficient. In such a system the number of contention resolution phases could be signalled by the BS 100 on a broadcast channel. In a system where the choice of access preamble 202 is related to the resource requested by the MS 110, different resources could have different traffic loadings. Hence it could be defined that some choices of access preamble 202 required two contention resolution phases while others required just one. This definition could either be predetermined or made dependent on traffic loading and signalled by the BS 100 on a broadcast channel. If required more than two contention resolution phases could be used, but in practice two phases, as described above, is likely to be sufficient.
As well as its application in a FDD system as described above, the present invention could be applied in other types of communication system. For example, it could be used in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system provided that the uplink transmissions take place in different time slots to the downlink transmissions. A flow chart summarising a method in accordance with the present invention for improved contention resolution is shown in Figure 4. The method starts, at 402, with a MS 110 having data for transmission on the random access packet channel. The MS 110 transmits, at 404, an access preamble 202 then determines, at 406, if an acknowledgement 206 was transmitted by the BS 100. If not, the method returns to step 404 and transmits another preamble 202 at a higher power level. If an acknowledgement 206 is received, the MS 1 10 then, at 408, transmits a first contention resolution preamble 208. If the MS 110 determines, at step 410, that a contention resolution acknowledgement 210 was transmitted by the BS 110 it then transmits, at 412, a further preamble 208. If it determines, at step 414, that the BS 100 transmitted a further acknowledgement 210, the MS 110 is now able to proceed to transmit, at 416, its data packets 214, after which the method ends at 418. If the MS 110 determines at either of steps 410 or 414 that the BS 100 did not transmit an acknowledgement 210, the method returns to the initial step 404 of transmitting an access preamble 202. The transmission power chosen for this preamble 202 may be the standard low initial power level, or preferably the same power as the original preamble 202 that appeared to be acknowledged by the BS 100. A back-off period may be required before a new access attempt can be made.
Some of the signatures used by the BS 100 for acknowledgement may also be used as a negative acknowledgement (NACK), indicating that a signal was received but that it cannot be processed for some reason. One other way of indicating a NACK is to invert the phase of the signature (with respect to some reference or pilot signal). The MS 110 may be required to wait for a back-off period before attempting access again.
The embodiments described above relate to packet transmission. However, the same principles can equally well be applied to a system in which circuits are set up for data transmission.
From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the design, manufacture and use of radio communication systems and component parts thereof, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein.
In the present specification and claims the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Further, the word "comprising" does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed. Industrial Applicability
The present invention is applicable to a range of radio communication systems, for example UMTS

Claims

1. A radio communication system comprising a primary station and a plurality of secondary stations and having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the primary station, the primary and secondary stations having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the primary and secondary stations also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that the primary and secondary stations have means for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station having means for transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access.
2. A primary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to the primary station, the primary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, and also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, and means are provided for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase.
3. A primary station as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the contention resolution phase comprises the primary station transmitting a contention resolution acknowledgement in response to the secondary station transmitting a contention resolution preamble encoded with a signature.
4. A primary station as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that means are provided for preventing an access acknowledgement from being transmitted at the same time as a contention resolution acknowledgement in respect of the first contention resolution phase.
5. A primary station as claimed in claim 3, characterised in that means are provided for allocating different time slots to the first and second contention resolution phases, thereby enabling their respective preambles and acknowledgements to be distinguished.
6. A primary station as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, characterised in that means are provided for determining which preamble should be acknowledged if a plurality of preambles are received from respective secondary stations.
7. A primary station as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 6, characterised in that means are provided for decoding preambles encoded with any of the signatures available to a secondary station.
8. A secondary station for use in a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data to a primary station, the secondary station having means for engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the secondary station also having means for engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised in that means are provided for engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station having means for granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phases and means are provided for transmitting data on the random access channel when access is granted by the primary station on completion of the contention resolution phase.
9. A secondary station as claimed in claim 8, characterised in that means are provided for selecting a signature at random from a set of available signatures.
10. A method of operating a radio communication system having a random access channel for the transmission of data from a secondary station to a primary station, the method comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in an access phase, comprising the secondary station transmitting an access preamble encoded with a first signature and the primary station transmitting an access acknowledgement, the method further comprising the primary and secondary stations engaging in a first contention resolution phase on completion of the access phase, characterised by the primary and secondary stations engaging in a second contention resolution phase for at least some choices of the first signature, the primary station granting the secondary station access to the random access channel on completion of the final contention resolution phase and the secondary station transmitting data on the random access channel when it is granted access.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, characterised by the contention resolution phase comprising the secondary station transmitting a contention resolution preamble encoded with a signature and the primary station transmitting a contention resolution acknowledgement and by the primary station allocating different time slots to the first and second contention resolution phases, thereby enabling their respective preambles and acknowledgements to be distinguished.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10 or 11 , characterised by the secondary station selecting a signature at random from a set of available signatures and by the primary station being able to decode preambles encoded with any of the available signatures.
13. A method as claimed in claim 12, characterised by the signatures in each of the access phase and the first and second contention resolution phases being selected from different sets of signatures.
PCT/EP2000/005506 1999-06-26 2000-06-15 Method and system for random access of a radio channel WO2001001641A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP00945755A EP1108313A1 (en) 1999-06-26 2000-06-15 Method and system for random access of a radio channel
KR1020017002303A KR20010072892A (en) 1999-06-26 2000-06-15 The method and system for random access of a radio channel
JP2001506196A JP2003503900A (en) 1999-06-26 2000-06-15 Wireless channel random access method and system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GBGB9914926.2A GB9914926D0 (en) 1999-06-26 1999-06-26 Radio communication system
GB9914926.2 1999-06-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001001641A1 true WO2001001641A1 (en) 2001-01-04

Family

ID=10856099

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2000/005506 WO2001001641A1 (en) 1999-06-26 2000-06-15 Method and system for random access of a radio channel

Country Status (8)

Country Link
US (1) US6738638B1 (en)
EP (1) EP1108313A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2003503900A (en)
KR (1) KR20010072892A (en)
CN (1) CN1192561C (en)
GB (1) GB9914926D0 (en)
TW (1) TW494655B (en)
WO (1) WO2001001641A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004084565A1 (en) * 2003-03-18 2004-09-30 Da Tang Mobile Communications Equipment Co., Ltd. A method of detecting the random access collision of multi-user equipment
EP1901574A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2008-03-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving rach
EP2119051A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2009-11-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for detecting contention during random access procedure in a mobile communication system
US8717996B2 (en) 2007-08-08 2014-05-06 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink scrambling during random access
US8923904B2 (en) 2006-12-13 2014-12-30 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. System, apparatus and method for determining right to speak

Families Citing this family (20)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6958989B1 (en) * 1999-05-19 2005-10-25 Interdigital Technology Corporation Uplink scrambling code assignment for a random access channel
GB0007334D0 (en) * 2000-03-28 2000-05-17 Koninkl Philips Electronics Nv Radio communication system
JP2002369255A (en) * 2001-06-08 2002-12-20 Sony Corp Method of radio communication, radio communication system and radio transmitter
KR20050024085A (en) * 2003-09-04 2005-03-10 삼성전자주식회사 Method for performing the uplink access in broadband mobile communication system
US8218481B2 (en) 2006-06-09 2012-07-10 Lg Electronics Inc. Method of transmitting data in a mobile communication system
CN101179460A (en) * 2006-11-10 2008-05-14 华为技术有限公司 Beacon equipment competing method, system and equipment
WO2008143163A1 (en) * 2007-05-24 2008-11-27 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Mobile communication system, base station device, and mobile station device
US8411664B2 (en) * 2007-11-05 2013-04-02 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Random access preamble collision detection
USRE48234E1 (en) * 2008-03-21 2020-09-29 Koninklijke Philips N.V. Method for communicating and radio station therefor
US7983215B2 (en) * 2008-04-17 2011-07-19 Infineon Technologies Ag Communication device, method for transmitting an uplink transmission control message, method for receiving an uplink transmission control message
WO2009154403A2 (en) 2008-06-18 2009-12-23 Lg Electronics Inc. Method of transmitting power headroom reporting in wireless communication system
GB2461159B (en) 2008-06-18 2012-01-04 Lg Electronics Inc Method for transmitting Mac PDUs
GB2461158B (en) 2008-06-18 2011-03-02 Lg Electronics Inc Method for performing random access procedures and terminal therof
GB2461780B (en) 2008-06-18 2011-01-05 Lg Electronics Inc Method for detecting failures of random access procedures
CN101646163B (en) * 2008-08-07 2011-12-21 创新音速有限公司 Method and apparatus for handling uplink transmission resource
US10021155B2 (en) * 2008-10-13 2018-07-10 Traacking S.A. Method and system for content distribution
KR100949972B1 (en) 2009-01-02 2010-03-29 엘지전자 주식회사 Random access scheme for user equipment
KR101122095B1 (en) * 2009-01-05 2012-03-19 엘지전자 주식회사 Random Access Scheme Preventing from Unnecessary Retransmission, and User Equipment For the Same
JP5834639B2 (en) * 2011-09-02 2015-12-24 ソニー株式会社 COMMUNICATION DEVICE, COMMUNICATION METHOD, COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, AND BASE STATION
US9014093B2 (en) * 2011-11-02 2015-04-21 Industrial Technology Research Institute Direct communication method and direct communication device and coordinator device using the same

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4774707A (en) * 1986-09-10 1988-09-27 General Electric Company Random access communication system with scheduled data transmission and asynchronous contention scheduling
EP0551223A1 (en) * 1992-01-08 1993-07-14 Compagnie Generale D'automatisme Cga-Hbs Data transmission method for communication stablishment and the transceiver therefor
US5892769A (en) * 1996-08-28 1999-04-06 Motorola Inc. Method and system for prioritized multiple access using contention signatures for contention-based reservation

Family Cites Families (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5166929A (en) * 1990-06-18 1992-11-24 Northern Telecom Limited Multiple access protocol
US5673259A (en) * 1995-05-17 1997-09-30 Qualcomm Incorporated Random access communications channel for data services
US6157616A (en) * 1996-05-31 2000-12-05 Lucent Technologies Adaptive methods for packet transmission over wireless networks
JP3386098B2 (en) * 1996-06-20 2003-03-10 株式会社エヌ・ティ・ティ・ドコモ Signal transmission method in CDMA mobile communication system, mobile station apparatus and base station apparatus
EP0924896A1 (en) * 1997-12-17 1999-06-23 Hewlett-Packard Company Communicating isochronous and asynchronous data
US6625162B2 (en) * 1997-12-17 2003-09-23 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Method and apparatus for data transmission with control over access to a transmission medium
US6674765B1 (en) * 1998-05-22 2004-01-06 Lucent Technologies Inc. Methods and apparatus for random chip delay access priority in a communications system
US6366779B1 (en) * 1998-09-22 2002-04-02 Qualcomm Incorporated Method and apparatus for rapid assignment of a traffic channel in digital cellular communication systems
US6606313B1 (en) * 1998-10-05 2003-08-12 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Random access in a mobile telecommunications system
US6256301B1 (en) * 1998-10-15 2001-07-03 Qualcomm Incorporated Reservation multiple access
US6169759B1 (en) * 1999-03-22 2001-01-02 Golden Bridge Technology Common packet channel
US6519469B1 (en) * 1999-07-02 2003-02-11 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink detection of schedule mobiles for avoiding access delays

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4774707A (en) * 1986-09-10 1988-09-27 General Electric Company Random access communication system with scheduled data transmission and asynchronous contention scheduling
EP0551223A1 (en) * 1992-01-08 1993-07-14 Compagnie Generale D'automatisme Cga-Hbs Data transmission method for communication stablishment and the transceiver therefor
US5892769A (en) * 1996-08-28 1999-04-06 Motorola Inc. Method and system for prioritized multiple access using contention signatures for contention-based reservation

Cited By (13)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004084565A1 (en) * 2003-03-18 2004-09-30 Da Tang Mobile Communications Equipment Co., Ltd. A method of detecting the random access collision of multi-user equipment
EP1901574A1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2008-03-19 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving rach
KR100938102B1 (en) * 2006-08-18 2010-01-21 삼성전자주식회사 Method and apparatus for rach signal transmission/reception
US8488620B2 (en) 2006-08-18 2013-07-16 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Method and apparatus for transmitting/receiving RACH
US8923904B2 (en) 2006-12-13 2014-12-30 Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd. System, apparatus and method for determining right to speak
US11297656B2 (en) 2007-02-09 2022-04-05 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Method and apparatus for detecting contention during random access procedure in a mobile communication system
EP2119051A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2009-11-18 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Method and apparatus for detecting contention during random access procedure in a mobile communication system
EP2119051A4 (en) * 2007-02-09 2013-12-11 Samsung Electronics Co Ltd Method and apparatus for detecting contention during random access procedure in a mobile communication system
EP2763490A1 (en) * 2007-02-09 2014-08-06 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd Method and apparatus for detecting contention during random access procedure in a mobile communication system by using a unique cell specific ID
US8717996B2 (en) 2007-08-08 2014-05-06 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink scrambling during random access
US9949239B2 (en) 2007-08-08 2018-04-17 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink scrambling during random access
US11330567B2 (en) 2007-08-08 2022-05-10 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink scrambling during random access
US12089218B2 (en) 2007-08-08 2024-09-10 Telefonaktiebolaget Lm Ericsson (Publ) Uplink scrambling during random access

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB9914926D0 (en) 1999-08-25
CN1315099A (en) 2001-09-26
TW494655B (en) 2002-07-11
CN1192561C (en) 2005-03-09
US6738638B1 (en) 2004-05-18
EP1108313A1 (en) 2001-06-20
KR20010072892A (en) 2001-07-31
JP2003503900A (en) 2003-01-28

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US6738638B1 (en) Radio communication system
US6785548B2 (en) Method and system for random access packet channel request
EP1118236B1 (en) Method and system for allocating a random access channel in a radio communication system
EP1190594B1 (en) Use of time offsets to encode information in a random access channel
JP4495892B2 (en) Wireless communication system
WO2001011823A2 (en) Radio communication system
EP1121823B1 (en) Radio communication system
US20120270510A1 (en) Radio communication system
US6795420B1 (en) Radio communication system

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 00801178.8

Country of ref document: CN

AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): CN IN JP KR

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2000945755

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 1020017002303

Country of ref document: KR

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: IN/PCT/2001/268/CHE

Country of ref document: IN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2000945755

Country of ref document: EP

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 1020017002303

Country of ref document: KR

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Ref document number: 2000945755

Country of ref document: EP