Methods and systems for implementing a repetition level for a channel

1. A user equipment (UE) comprising:

a memory configured to store a selected physical random access channel (PRACH) repetition level;

a processor configured to,

monitor a duration of a timer, the duration indicating a length of time to use the stored PRACH repetition level, the processor being configured to perform PRACH access using the stored PRACH repetition level before the timer expires;

a transmitter configured to transmit the PRACH using the stored PRACH repetition level; and

a receiver configured to receive a response to the PRACH, the processor being configured to adjust the stored PRACH repetition level based on the response, wherein

the receiver is configured to receive an indicator of a number of repetitions and the processor is configured to adjust the stored PRACH repetition level based on the indicator, and

the indicator is an offset relative to a previously stored repetition level and the processor is configured to adjust the stored PRACH repetition level according to the offset.

2. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the receiver is configured to receive a broadcast indicating the number of repetitions.

3. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to increase the stored PRACH repetition level until the receiver receives the response.

4. The UE of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to start the timer if the stored PRACH repetition level is adjusted according to the received indicator of the number of repetitions.

5. A method of implementing a physical random access channel (PRACH) repetition level for a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:

obtaining, by the UE, a selected PRACH repetition level;

monitoring, by the UE, a duration of a timer, the duration indicating a length of time to use the selected PRACH repetition level;

performing PRACH access using the selected PRACH repetition level before the timer expires;

receiving an indicator of a number of repetitions; and

adjusting the selected PRACH repetition level based on the indicator, wherein the indicator is an offset relative to a previously selected repetition level and the processor is configured to adjust the selected PRACH repetition level according to the offset.

6. The method of claim 5 , the receiving includes,

receiving a broadcast including the indicator.

7. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

starting the timer when the selected PRACH repetition level is adjusted according to the received number of repetitions.

8. A method of transmitting a physical random access channel (PRACH) by a user equipment (UE) using a selected repetition level, the method comprising:

transmitting the PRACH using a first value repetition level;

obtaining a duration of a timer, the duration indicating a length of time to use the selected repetition level;

transmitting the PRACH using the selected repetition level;

determining whether the timer has expired;

transmitting the PRACH using a second value repetition level as the selected repetition level if the time has not expired; and

transmitting the PRACH using a third value repetition level as the selected repetition level if the timer has expired.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the duration of the timer is one of fixed and received by the UE from a base station.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein the second value of repetition level is one of,

the first value repetition level, and

a value received by the UE from a base station.

11. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

determining the first value repetition level, the determining including,

obtaining a reference signal received power (RSRP) by the UE;

determining whether the RSRP exceeds a threshold; and

determining the first value repetition level based on whether the RSRP exceeds a threshold.

12. The method of claim 8 , further comprising:

starting the timer, wherein the timer is started at at least one of,

a transmission time of the PRACH prior to receiving an acknowledgement,

receiving an acknowledgement,

receiving information indicating a length of time of the timer, and

receiving information indicating a PRACH repetition level.