6.1.5 MAC PDU (Random Access Response)

36.3213GPPEvolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA)Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol specificationRelease 17TS

A MAC PDU consists of a MAC header and zero or more MAC Random Access Responses (MAC RAR) and optionally padding as described in figure 6.1.5-4.

The MAC header is of variable size.

A MAC PDU header consists of one or more MAC PDU subheaders; each subheader corresponding to a MAC RAR except for the Backoff Indicator subheader. If included, the Backoff Indicator subheader is only included once and is the first subheader included within the MAC PDU header.

A MAC PDU subheader consists of the three header fields E/T/RAPID (as described in figure 6.1.5-1) but for the Backoff Indicator subheader which consists of the five header field E/T/R/R/BI (as described in figure 6.1.5-2).

A MAC RAR consists of the following fields R/Timing Advance Command/UL Grant/(R/ER)/Temporary C-RNTI (as described in figures 6.1.5-3, 6.1.5-3a, 6.1.5-3b and 6.1.5-3c). For BL UEs and UEs in enhanced coverage in enhanced coverage level 2 or 3 (see clause 6.2 in TS 36.213 [2]) the MAC RAR in figure 6.1.5-3a is used, for NB-IoT UEs (see clause 16.3.3 in TS 36.213 [2]) the MAC RAR in figure 6.1.5-3b is used, except for NB-IoT UEs using preamble format 2, the MAC RAR in figure 6.1.5-3c is used. Otherwise the MAC RAR in figure 6.1.5-3 is used.

Padding may occur after the last MAC RAR. Presence and length of padding is implicit based on TB size, size of MAC header and number of RARs.

Figure 6.1.5-1: E/T/RAPID MAC subheader

Figure 6.1.5-2: E/T/R/R/BI MAC subheader

Figure 6.1.5-3: MAC RAR

Figure 6.1.5-3a: MAC RAR for PRACH enhanced coverage level 2 or 3

Figure 6.1.5-3b: MAC RAR for NB-IoT UEs

Figure 6.1.5-3c: MAC RAR for NB-IoT UEs using PRACH preamble format 2

Figure 6.1.5-4: Example of MAC PDU consisting of a MAC header and MAC RARs