PRACH Basic-1

Home LTE NB-IoT 5G(NR-

NSA)
In this section we will learn about PRACH and its basics as
well as interview questions.

To obtain the UL synchronization, a preamble is send by

UE to gNB over PRACH channel. As LTE, in 5G NR also
there are 64 preambles defined in each time frequency
PRACH accession.

After the cell search process, UE has obtained DL

synchronization with cell, so UE can receive DL data. But
UE can perform UL transmission only when it obtains UL
synchronization with the cell. The UE forms the
connection with cell and obtains UL synchronization
through random access procedure. The main purpose is:

 Achieve uplink synchronization between eNB and UE

 Obtain the resource from Msg3 (obtain uplink grant,
the uplink resource request)
 Assign CRNTI(unique identity) to Device (TCRNTI
will promote as CRNTI once contention resolved)

It is not capable if UE is using broadcasting or always on

synchronization mechanism. The UL synchronization
process should meet the below criteria:

 The process of synchronization should happen only

when there is immediate necessary.
 The synchronization should be dedicated to only a
specific device (UE).
The fundamental difference here in 5G NR RACH from
LTE RACH would lie just before RACH preamble gets
transmitted. This is because of beam forming which would
be supported by default in NR. When NR operates on
beam forming mode, UE needs to detect and select the
best beam for RACH process. The beam selection process
could be the fundamental difference between LTE and NR
RACH process.

Before the initiation of RA (random access) procedure

layer1 i.e physical layer at UE receives set of PBCH/SS
blocks.

Based on RSRP measurement of SS/PBCH blocks decides

on 1 PBCH/SS index and then performs RA procedure.
The relationship between SS/PSCH block and PRACH
resources is totally based on higher layer parameter ssb-
perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB

How does Network know exactly

when UE will transmit the RACH?
Network knows when UE will transmit the RACH even
before UE sends it as Network tells (using PRACH
Configuration Index) UE when the UE is supposed to
transmit the RACH.

How to determine which preamble

format to use?
PRACH Configuration Index determines the Preamble
Format that is to be used.

Who determines PRACH

Configuration index?
eNB determines it through prach-Configuration IE in SIB2
(In the Case of LTE. for ENDC, MSG (LTE) initial attach).

From where UE can find RACH

parameter information during HO?
UE can find RACH info from RRCConnectionReconfig
msg.

How many RACH-Preamble can be

used?
64 PRACH preambles (which is divided in Preambles
group A & B as well as contention free for HO) are
available theoretically in total, but the number of the
preambles available in a specific condition is determined
by a couple of SIB2 parameters (for LTE Case).

How UE decides about where and

when it needs to send RACH
Request:-
UE decides it on the basis of parameters received in SIB2
PRACH configurations (for LTE Case).
UE can use six Resource blocks for sending the RACH
Request.

How many types of Msg3 on CCCH?

There are two types of Msg3 on CCCH.
RRCconnectionRequest ( which used for initial access and
random access) RRCconnectionReestablishmentReq (
which used for after RLF detected).