Discovery signal block mapping

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to discovery signal block mapping. Systems, methods, apparatus, and computer program products for signal block mapping are provided. One method includes configuring, by a network node (e.g., a base station or eNB), a group of discovery signaling blocks. The method can then include mapping the discovery signaling blocks of the group onto a subframe structure, including group information into each discovery signaling block, and transmitting the discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure.

Description

[0001] Related Patent Applications

[0002] This application is a divisional application of the patent application with international application number PCT / EP2016 / 079061, international filing date 29 November 2016, priority date 12 January 2016, national phase entry date in China 21 August 2018, and Chinese application number 201680082306.3. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Embodiments of the application generally relate to wireless or mobile communication networks such as, but not limited to, the Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), the Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5thGeneration (5G) radio access technology, and / or High Speed Packet Access (HSPA). In particular, some embodiments can relate to frame structures for 5G cellular systems. BACKGROUND

[0004] The Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN) refers to a communication network comprising base stations or Node Bs, and for example a Radio Network Controller (RNC). The UTRAN allows connectivity between user equipment (UE) and the core network. The RNC provides control functionalities for one or more Node Bs. The RNC and its corresponding Node Bs are referred to as a Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). In the case of E-UTRAN (enhanced UTRAN), there is no RNC and the radio access functionalities are provided in an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB) or many eNBs. A single UE connection can involve multiple eNBs, for example in the case of Coordinated Multipoint Transmission (CoMP) and dual connectivity.

[0005] Long Term Evolution (LTE) or E-UTRAN provides a new radio access technology and brings improvements to UMTS, with improved efficiency and services, low costs, and new spectrum opportunities. In particular, LTE is a 3GPP standard that provides peak uplink speeds of at least 75 megabits per second (Mbps) per carrier and peak downlink speeds of at least 300 Mbps per carrier, for example. LTE supports scalable carrier bandwidths from 20 MHz down to 1.4 MHz and supports frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD).

[0006] As mentioned above, LTE can also improve spectrum efficiency in the network, allowing carriers to provide more data and voice services on a given bandwidth. Therefore, in addition to high-capacity voice support, LTE is also designed to meet the demands of high-speed data and media transmission. The advantages of LTE include, for example, high throughput, low latency, FDD and TDD support on the same platform, improved end-user experience, and a simple architecture that results in low operating costs.

[0007] Some versions of 3GPP LTE (e.g., LTE Rel-10, LTE Rel-11, LTE Rel-12, LTE Rel-13) are designed for International Mobile Telecommunications Advanced (IMT-A) systems, and for convenience, they will be referred to here as LTE-Advanced (LTE-A).

[0008] LTE-A aims to extend and optimize 3GPP LTE radio access technology. The goal of LTE-A is to deliver significantly enhanced services through higher data rates, lower latency, and reduced costs. LTE-A is a more optimized radio system that meets the International Telecommunication Union Radio-R (ITU-R) requirements for IMT-Advanced while maintaining backward compatibility.

[0009] In LTE (or LTE-A), there can be two downlink synchronization signals, which are used by the UE to obtain cell identification and frame timing. These synchronization signals are called the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and the secondary synchronization signal (SSS). Splitting the synchronization signals into two signals aims to reduce the complexity of the cell search process.

[0010] 5G (fifth-generation mobile network) refers to a new generation of radio systems and network architecture that provides extremely wide bandwidth and ultra-robust, low-latency network connectivity. 5G networks are expected to support tens of megabits per second data rates for tens of thousands of users, support hundreds of thousands of simultaneous connections for large-scale sensor deployments, significantly improve spectrum efficiency compared to LTE, thereby increasing coverage, improve signaling efficiency, and significantly reduce latency compared to LTE. Summary of the Invention

[0011] One embodiment includes a method that may include a group of discovery signaling blocks configured by a network node. The method may further include mapping the discovery signaling blocks of that group onto a subframe structure, including group information in each discovery signaling block, and transmitting discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure.

[0012] Another embodiment relates to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, are configured to enable the apparatus to at least configure a group of discovery signaling blocks, map the discovery signaling blocks of that group onto a subframe structure, include group information in each discovery signaling block, and transmit discovery signaling blocks in a subframe structure.

[0013] Another embodiment relates to an apparatus, comprising: a configuration component for configuring a group of discovery signaling blocks; a mapping component for mapping the discovery signaling blocks of the group onto a subframe structure, including group information in each discovery signaling block; and a transmitting means for transmitting the discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure.

[0014] Another embodiment relates to a computer program embodied on a non-transient computer-readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to execute actions including configuring a group of discovery signaling blocks, mapping the discovery signaling blocks of that group onto a subframe structure, including group information in each discovery signaling block, and transmitting discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure.

[0015] Another embodiment relates to a method that may include detecting one or more discovery signaling blocks by a user equipment. The method may further include determining a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more blocks, determining a group structure of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks, determining a mapping of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks on one or more subframes, determining the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping, and performing initial access to the cell based on the determining steps.

[0016] Another embodiment relates to an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, are configured to cause the apparatus to at least detect one or more discovery signaling blocks, determine a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more blocks, determine a group structure of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks, determine a mapping of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks on one or more subframes, determine a structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping, and perform initial access to a cell based on the determination steps.

[0017] Another embodiment relates to an apparatus comprising: a detection component for detecting one or more discovery signaling blocks; a determination component for determining a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more blocks; a determination component for determining a group structure of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks; a determination component for determining a mapping of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks on one or more subframes; a determination component for determining the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping; and an execution component for performing initial access to a cell based on the determination steps.

[0018] Another embodiment relates to a computer program embodied on a non-transient computer-readable medium. The computer program is configured to control a processor to perform actions including detecting one or more discovery signaling blocks, determining a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more blocks, determining a group structure of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks, determining a mapping of the detected one or more discovery signaling blocks on one or more subframes, determining the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping, and performing initial access to a cell based on the determining steps. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To properly understand this invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0020] Figure 1 An example of a general framework for a radio architecture according to one embodiment is shown;

[0021] Figure 2 An example of a scanning operation according to one embodiment is shown;

[0022] Figure 3 An example of a DSB implementation option according to one embodiment is shown;

[0023] Figure 4 Further implementation options for DSB to implement a narrowband structure according to one embodiment are shown;

[0024] Figure 5 Configuration options for a DSB group according to one embodiment are shown;

[0025] Figure 6 An example mapping of DSB to subframe structure according to one embodiment is shown;

[0026] Figure 7a Options for resource elements of an antenna / beamport for transmitting DSB are shown according to one embodiment;

[0027] Figure 7bExample options for a resource element of an antenna / beamport that does not transmit DSB on a subframe defining DSB resources, according to one embodiment, are shown.

[0028] Figure 8a An example block diagram of a device according to one embodiment is shown;

[0029] Figure 8b An example block diagram of a device according to another embodiment is shown;

[0030] Figure 9a A flowchart of a method according to one embodiment is shown;

[0031] Figure 9b A flowchart of a method according to another embodiment is shown;

[0032] Figure 10a An example block diagram of a device according to another embodiment is shown;

[0033] Figure 10b An example block diagram of a device according to another embodiment is shown;

[0034] Figure 11 An example of a DSB group associated with a scan is shown according to one embodiment;

[0035] Figure 12a An example block diagram of DSB block allocation according to one embodiment is shown;

[0036] Figure 12b An exemplary block diagram of DSB block allocation according to another embodiment is shown; and

[0037] Figure 12c An example block diagram of DSB block allocation according to another embodiment is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0038] It is readily understood that the components of the invention, as generally described and exemplified in the accompanying drawings, can be arranged and designed in a variety of different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for signal block mapping as illustrated in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, but merely represents some selected embodiments of the invention.

[0039] The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, the use of phrases such as "some embodiments," "some examples," or other similar language throughout the specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment can be included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Therefore, the phrases "some embodiments," "some examples," "other examples," or other similar language appearing throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same set of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0040] Furthermore, if necessary, the different functions discussed below can be executed in different orders and / or simultaneously with each other. Additionally, if necessary, one or more of the described functions can be optional or can be combined. Therefore, the following description should be considered merely as an illustration of the principles, teachings, and embodiments of the invention, and not as a limitation thereof.

[0041] Some embodiments relate to frame structures for 5G cellular systems. 5G systems are expected to utilize a variety of different transceiver architectures, ranging from low-digital hybrid transceiver architectures to all-digital solutions.

[0042] 3GPP Technical Report 37.842, entitled "Background on Radio Frequency (RF) Requirements for Active Antenna System (AAS) Base Stations (BS) (Revision 12)," describes the radio frequency (RF) requirements for active antenna system (AAS) base stations (BS). The entire contents of Technical Report (3GPP TR37.842) are incorporated herein by reference.

[0043] Figure 1 An example of a general framework for radio architecture is shown. Figure 1 As shown in the example, depending on the transceiver unit (TXRU) virtualization, i.e., the mapping between TXRUs and antenna elements, a transmitter unit (TXU) can be connected to {1...L} antenna elements. The mapping can be subarray or fully connected. In the subarray model, a TXRU is connected to a subset of antenna elements, where different subsets are disjoint; while in the fully connected model, each TXRU is connected to every single antenna element.

[0044] Radio distributed networks (RDNs) perform antenna virtualization in the radio frequency (RF) domain. Virtualization is not frequency-selective, but rather shared by resource elements (REs) and signals. RDNs can utilize subarrays or fully connected mappings between TXRUs and antenna elements.

[0045] In the transmit direction, M antenna ports feed K TXRUs, and K TXRUs feed L antenna elements, where M < K < L. The complexity and power consumption of baseband processing and analog / digital (AD) conversion may limit the number of antenna ports M and the number of TXRUs K to be much smaller than L in a centimeter wave / millimeter wave (cmWave / mmWave) system, where L can be in the tens up to hundreds (even thousands). The power consumption of a TXU (excluding the PA) is mainly due to the digital-to-analog converter (DAC), whose power consumption is linearly proportional to the bandwidth and exponentially proportional to the number of bits of the analog-to-digital converter (ADC) (P ∼ B x 2 2R ; where B is the bandwidth and R is the number of bits per sample). Typically, 16-bit ADCs are used, for example, in LTE. Therefore, the power consumption of TXRUs can limit the feasible number of TXRUs to be less than or significantly less than L. The number of TXRUs defines the number of signals that can be transmitted simultaneously for each basic frequency resource (such as subcarriers in an OFDM-based system).

[0046] Figure 1 The frameworks shown in ,

[0046] , and Figure 1 can be used to describe digital beamforming, hybrid beamforming, and analog beamforming systems. In a digital active antenna system (AAS), one or more spatial layers are provided for each UE, only digital precoding is supported, K = L (M < K), and there is a one-to-one mapping from TXRUs to antenna elements. In a hybrid active antenna system (AAS), one or more spatial layers are provided for each UE, involving both analog and digital beamforming, K < L (M < K), and there is a one-to-many mapping from TXRUs to antenna elements. In an analog active antenna system (AAS), each UE has one spatial layer, only analog beamforming (no digital precoding) is involved, M = 1, K < L, and there is a one-to-many mapping from TXRUs to antenna elements.

[0047] The deployment scenario, carrier frequency, and system bandwidth largely determine the selected transceiver architecture. Similarly, the operating mode will see different options based on the above parameters. In some scenarios, the cell can operate using a sector-wide antenna beam pattern, while in other scenarios, the cell may need to operate using narrow beams to meet the required link budget. As a complement to traditional cellular systems, operating with narrow beams is also applicable to the common control signaling between the base station (BS) and the user equipment (UE). In fact, this means transmitting the downlink common signaling and receiving the uplink common control signaling in a scanning manner. The goal of the scanning is to cover the entire sector by one transmission or reception of one or more narrow beams that can only cover a part of the sector, as shown in the example of the scanning operation shown in Figure 2 On the other hand, the cell can operate using sector beams, or in the case of narrow beams, the number of beams and time slots for transmitting the common control signaling can be different between different BSs.

[0048] A common problem addressed by some embodiments is how to provide means to enable cell search and initial access in a manner that keeps the UE process consistent and is independent of the cell operating mode and transceiver architecture at the BS. In other words, one objective is to build a common control signaling framework that can be adapted to different transceiver architectures at the BS and the different numbers of beams and time slots required for scanning when the BS operates in the beam domain.

[0049] It can be assumed that certain discovery signaling blocks will be defined, allowing the UE to detect and measure cells and access them. It can be assumed that a block transmits downlink common control signaling, which can be sent to sectors in a scan manner.

[0050] A more specific problem addressed by some embodiments is how to map discovery signaling blocks onto subframes in order to provide common control signaling that scales across different transceiver architectures, different scanning structures (total number of beams, number of parallel beams), and different operating scenarios (such as cell type, cell load, number of active UEs, energy-saving requirements at the UE / eNB, etc.).

[0051] Therefore, the embodiments provide a scalable solution for mapping discovery signaling blocks onto subframes to enable an initial access process that is agnostic to the BS transceiver architecture and antenna system.

[0052] According to one embodiment, the eNB can transmit discovery blocks (DSBs), such as common control signaling, based on a predetermined amount of time and frequency resources common to all subframe types (e.g., three time-domain symbols are allocated for a given DSB on a specific bandwidth and corresponding resource elements such as subcarriers). DSBs can be transmitted from the network using the same RF beam. Each DSB can be self-detectable and self-decoding.

[0053] In some embodiments, DSBs can be grouped together. A group can have one or more DSBs. Each DSB indicates its position within the group and provides parameters of the group. The configuration of the DSB structure (the total number of DSBs and the number of beams multiplexed per DSB) can be configured by the network. The UE performing the initial search and access is unaware of the configuration beforehand (the purpose is to enable an agnostic initial search and access process for the UE). Therefore, each block can be self-detectable and self-decoding, and provides UE information about beams and DSB structure, operating mode(s), and other such basic information and parameters for performing initial access. As used herein, a group refers to a group of DSB blocks whose transmission can cover an entire sector in the spatial domain.

[0054] In one embodiment, grouping can be associated with scanning, such as...Figure 11 As shown. As a non-limiting example, the number of DSBs is three. For example, one DSB of the group is transmitted to a beam sector at a first time-domain resource, which can be a subframe or a specific number (1, 2, 3, ... N) of time-domain symbols, to a second DSB in a second sector, etc. In another embodiment, the eNB can transmit all DSBs of the group for each narrow beam sector. For example, each DSB can be transmitted simultaneously by multiple beams, possibly for different directions (depending on the BS implementation). The simultaneously transmitted beams can be adjacent to each other or separated in the spatial domain (like a comb in the spatial domain generated from parallel beams). Thus, a DSB covers a portion of the sector. The association between the cell's beams and DSBs is implemented according to the BS. In one embodiment, the eNB can signal the association in each DSB block so that the UE can learn the cell's beam configuration. Then, a UE detecting one or more DSBs can be able to identify the beams (e.g., indexes) of blocks in all beams of the cell.

[0055] In one embodiment, the location of DSBs within a DSB group within a subframe (e.g., downlink-only (DL) or special-DL subframes) can be configured by the BS. If the group size is 1, the DSBs can be located within DL control symbols or shared between DL control and data symbols. This can be because such a system may be fully digital and utilize fan-beam operation and may have frequency-selective beamforming, while a hybrid architecture may utilize scanning. If the group size is greater than 1, the DSBs can be located in space reserved for DL ​​data symbols (within the subframe). Each DSB can indicate the location of DSBs within the group and the total number of DSBs within the group.

[0056] According to one embodiment, subframes allocated for DSB transmission can be used in different ways by different transceiver units (antenna ports / beam ports), and the number of transceiver units allocated for DSB transmission can change over time.

[0057] It is worth noting that in some embodiments, DSBs are mapped to specific locations within a subframe, and certain antenna ports periodically transmit DSBs in a scanning manner. This may mean that DSBs are systematically transmitted from these antenna ports / beams throughout the cell at a certain period. However, for an all-digital architecture, scanning may not be performed, and sector beams that can be digitally precoded can be used instead. Additionally, in cases where DSBs only cover a portion of the bandwidth, embodiments can provide simultaneous transmission of data and DSBs.

[0058] In the first embodiment, a transceiver and antenna system-agnostic access method and system are provided. In this embodiment, a Discovery Block (DSB) is defined based on certain characteristics. For example, the DSB may have a predetermined amount of time and frequency resources common to all subframe types and deployment architectures. The UE may assume that signals transmitted within the BSB are transmitted at the BS using the same RF beam, i.e., the BS is not allowed to change the beamforming weights (digital and / or analog) within the DSB. For the UE, it may assume that the property of signals transmitted using the same RF beam means that the UE can determine beam level timing synchronization (PSS / SSS for timing and beam RS / CSI-RS for beam acquisition). In cooperative multipoint (MP) schemes where multiple non-co-located remote radios share the same cell ID, it may be advantageous in some cases if a block includes only beams from one remote radio (RRH) at a time, allowing the UE to derive beam-specific timing synchronization and radio-head-specific timing synchronization from the synchronization signal. The DSB may also include information about mapping the beam transmitting the DSB to the transmission point of the remote radio head in cases where a specific beam of the RRH is in a different DSB or shares the same DSB.

[0059] In one embodiment, the DSB may include multiple signals, such as: synchronization signals for timing and partial or complete physical layer cell ID acquisition, data channels (e.g., physical broadcast channels), and / or antenna port beamport specific reference signals, beam detection, paging detection, and channel state information (CSI) acquisition for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation.

[0060] Furthermore, each DSB can be self-detectable and self-decoding. Signals corresponding to different DSB transmission times can also be combined or averaged to the same spatial direction.

[0061] DSBs can be combined (see discussion below). Figure 5 Each DSB can indicate its relationship within a group. A DSB group can have the following attributes: a group can have one (cells operating with sector-wide beams) or multiple DSBs (cells operating with beams narrower than sector-wide beams). The BS transmits a DSB group over a period of time, where, for example, the period can be the periodicity of the synchronization signal in each spatial direction, which the UE can assume. DSBs within a group can be extended within a subframe or across multiple subframes.

[0062] Figure 3 An example of a DSB implementation option according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 3As shown, the DSB can include a block that captures four signals: two synchronization signals, a reference signal (beam reference signal / CSI reference signal), and a physical broadcast channel. It may also include signals and channels for paging support, as well as system information regarding the allocation of frequency resources not reserved by the synchronization signals and the physical broadcast channel. For the physical broadcast channel, the beam reference signal will also be used as the demodulation reference signal for other channels in the block. These frequency resources not reserved by the synchronization signals and the physical broadcast channel are... Figure 3 The DSB is represented by an empty (white) block. Typically, you can also see that the DSB also includes... Figure 3 The DSB is a shaded / marked block. The size and content of the DSB block can vary depending on each eNB implementation and each detected transmission demand in the cell. The DSB is considered to have a fixed number of time-domain and frequency-domain resources, independent of the transceiver architecture and the configuration of the DSB (its predetermined position within the carrier). In this example, three time-domain symbols and a bandwidth of bandwidth 2 can be allocated to the DSB. Bandwidth 2 can be, for example, the system bandwidth. Bandwidth 1 is a reduced bandwidth of certain signals and channels in the DSB. The DSB may include, for example, synchronization signals for time and frequency synchronization, physical broadcast channels for transmitting system information, paging indicators, and reference signals. In addition, there may be separate channels for the distribution of the most basic system information, paging, and other system information. Their periodicity can differ from each other; that is, in one block there may be only physical broadcast channels, while in some other blocks there may be physical broadcast channels, paging channels, and channels for system information distribution. All signals and physical channels can be transmitted in parallel through multiple antenna ports. Antenna-port beamport-specific reference signals can be allocated orthogonal resources in the frequency (FDM / interleaved FDM) and / or code domain. These reference signals can be used as demodulation reference signals for PBCH detection, mobility measurement, beam detection, tracking and selection, CSI acquisition, etc. PBCH can be transmitted using a transmit diversity method across parallel antenna / beamports so that each DSB uses a set of resources. For cell search and physical broadcast channel detection, the UE can operate using only the reduced bandwidth option, Bandwidth 1.

[0063] Figure 4 Another implementation option for DSB to implement a narrowband architecture according to one embodiment is shown. This can be used when a portion of the transceiver resources (e.g., some antenna ports) is performing periodic DSB transmissions while others (e.g., other antenna ports) are transmitting dedicated UE signaling on DSB subframes. Figure 4 Examples.

[0064] Figure 5 Configuration options for a DSB group according to one embodiment are shown. Figure 5As shown, a group can have one or more DSBs. Each DSB indicates its position within the group and provides parameters of the group. DSBs within a group can be placed consecutively in the time domain or can be distributed discontinuously in time. Opportunities for RF beam switching are provided between DSBs within a group. One OFDMA symbol can be reserved for this protection time between DSB transmissions within a subframe. Other possibilities are to define a certain number of samples for an explicit protection period, or to reuse the first sample of the CP of the first symbol of the block for the protection period. The protection period used for link direction switching can also be used as protection time between DSB transmissions (both within and between subframes).

[0065] In the second embodiment, configurability of DSB locations within a subframe is provided. The location of DSBs within a DSB group in a subframe can be configured by the BS (e.g., DL-only or S-DL subframes). This configuration may depend on the architecture used at the BS and on the operating mode, but the UE does not need to make any assumptions during previous cell searches. Therefore, the configuration of DSB locations can be performed in a UE-agnostic manner.

[0066] According to one embodiment, the location of the DSB group can depend on the group size. For example, if the group size is 1, the DSB can be located within a DL control symbol or shared between DL control and data symbols. This is a possible configuration for a digital architecture using sector beamforming because it minimizes resource consumption from data symbols while maintaining downlink control flexibility due to frequency-selective digital beamforming capabilities at the BS.

[0067] If the group size is greater than 1, the DSB can be located in the space reserved for DL ​​data symbols (within the subframe). For example, DSB allocation can begin at the end of the subframe (or at the end of the DL data portion of the subframe). This is one possible configuration where the hybrid / analog architecture uses narrow beam operation without limiting the flexibility of control symbol transmission. It can be noted that in one embodiment, the demodulation reference signal (DMRS) can be located at the beginning of the data portion of the subframe (to facilitate rapid detection at the receiver). Filling from the end of the subframe can provide data transmission capability for data symbols preceding the DSB block when a low number of DSBs together only fill a portion of the subframe. Assuming the demodulation RS will precede the data symbols, unused data symbols due to the DSB block will be further away from the DMRS than used data symbols. Furthermore, in this way, the possibility of having the DMRS in "shorted" subframes can be maximized.

[0068] In one embodiment, the following rules can be defined to allocate DSBs of a DSB group to subframes. Each DSB can indicate the location of DSBs within the group and the total number of DSBs within the group. A maximum number of temporal DSB resources (e.g., 6) can be defined for a subframe. In cases where DSBs within a group are distributed across multiple subframes, a maximum number may be required for the UE to derive the resource elements used by the DSB group. In one example, this number can be fixed and defined in the specification for each subframe type (the maximum number can also depend on the subframe type). In another example, this number can be defined by the BS / network system. In that case, each DSB will include information destined for the UE. This information (related to the target cell) can also be included in the handover command to the UE. Another approach could be to use, for example, another RAT in the case of multiple radio connections (the UE can connect to LTE and LTE provides information when searching for 5G cells). According to one embodiment, if the number of DSBs within a group is greater than the maximum number of temporal DSB resources for a subframe, the DSBs can be extended over consecutive subframes with downlink data symbols (e.g., only consecutive DL subframes). If a DSB group has only one DSB, it can be assigned to a downlink control symbol, partly on downlink control and partly on downlink data symbols, or anywhere in a subframe. When the DSB is assigned anywhere in a subframe, the DSB includes information for the UE to determine the DSB's location relative to the current subframe structure (i.e., mapping information). This may be necessary because DSB resources and subframe structures (including DL control resource dimensioning within the subframe) may need to be defined independently of each other. In some embodiments, the mapping information is implicit (e.g., the DSB is always mapped to the last one or more symbols of the subframe), while in other cases, the DSB includes an explicit indication of the mapping information. Alternatively, the DSB can indicate the (OFDM) symbol timing within the subframe. Therefore, the DSB can include an indication of the symbol numbers on the subframe over which the detected DSB block is assigned.

[0069] In one embodiment, the UE can detect the subframe structure from the received DSB. One example is the DSB indicator, such as the maximum number of DBSs (max_num) within the subframe, which can indirectly indicate how many symbols are actually allocated for downlink control in the subframe. For instance, if the max_num of DSBs within the subframe is 3, it could represent two control symbols, but if the max_num of DSBs within the subframe is 4, it might only mean one downlink control symbol. Furthermore, a certain value can indicate that no uplink control symbols exist in a subframe with at least one DSB allocated.

[0070] Furthermore, if the number of DSBs within a group is greater than the maximum number defined for allowed consecutive blocks, the DSBs of that group can be allocated to clusters within that time period. For example, if the maximum number of allowed consecutive blocks is 6 and there are 9 blocks in the group, then 6 blocks are allocated consecutively in time, and the remaining 3 blocks are allocated consecutively in time, with some offset from the clusters defined by the first 6 blocks. For example, the clusters defined by the last 3 blocks are allocated on the subframe, with a time offset from the preceding clusters equal to half the period of the group. Another example is increasing the periodicity of DSBs by the number of clusters created for each block. For example, if the basic period is 6 milliseconds, the BS is configured with 24 blocks, and the maximum number of allowed blocks is 8, creating three DSB clusters within the group. These clusters are spaced 2 milliseconds apart, or the basic period of each DSB is increased by 3 to 18 milliseconds, with a cluster interval of 6 milliseconds. In another alternative, the maximum allowed contiguous blocks are configured to be infinite and, using the above assumptions, all 24 blocks are allocated continuously in the time domain (possibly omitting downlink and / or uplink control symbols) and extended over multiple consecutive subframes.

[0071] Figure 6 An example mapping of DSB to subframe structure according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 6 In the example, the DSB is described as a narrowband block relative to the total system bandwidth. Alternatively, as mentioned above, the DSB block can have some signaling allocated to the total system bandwidth. As an implementation option, the beam RS bandwidth can be configurable and can be signaled via the DSB. By default, the UE can always assume some minimum bandwidth for the beam RS to enable PBCH demodulation during initial search and cell access using the beam RS, initial measurements, and beam selection. The DSB can then indicate whether the beam RS is allocated over the full bandwidth or a narrow bandwidth.

[0072] In the third embodiment, adaptive multiplexing of DSBs is provided. In this embodiment, subframes allocated for DSB transmission can be used in different ways by different transceiver units (antenna ports / beamports). For example, some transceiver resources can transmit DSBs, and some transceiver resources can be used (simultaneously) for dedicated UE signaling (control and data) in those subframes. In this case, it may be necessary to define the DSB as a narrow bandwidth block used by a dedicated transceiver unit, while the remainder of the system bandwidth can be used for dedicated signaling of other transceiver units (in other words, FDM is applied between user data and DSBs). For example, one or two transceiver units can be allocated for scanning DSBs, while other transceiver units can be allocated to serve only dedicated UE signaling (control and data). In the case of no DSB transmission in a subframe, all transceiver units can be allocated for dedicated UE signaling.

[0073] The BS can change the number of transceiver units allocated for DSB transmissions over time. For example, when the cell is empty, the BS can minimize scan time by multiplexing all beam ports into a single DSB transmission; while when the cell serves a large number of UEs, the DSB transmission can be performed by, for example, one or two antenna / beam ports. It is assumed here that a single beam provides sufficient EIRP for common control signaling from a link budget / coverage perspective, so multiple beams can be transmitted in parallel to different spatial directions. In the case of narrowband DSB, it is possible to allocate some antenna ports to transmit DSB in parallel with other antenna ports to simultaneously transmit user plane data on frequency resources not reserved for DSB. When the cell is empty, energy consumption is determined by the time the BS needs to turn on its transmitters. Therefore, assuming a certain total number of beams for a full scan, if more beams can be transmitted in parallel, the scan time can be shortened. Narrowband DSB will allow for such configurability, for example, when the cell is empty, the BS can scan in parallel using all antenna ports, and when there is a load (high load) in the cell, some APs can perform scanning while other APs can perform user plane data transmission, thus preventing data transmission gaps in downlink user plane transmission due to scanning.

[0074] Since the DSB indicates the number of multiplexed beam ports for each DSB and the total number of beam ports, the UE can determine the configuration of the transceiver unit for DSB transmission to be able to track the BS beam.

[0075] Figure 7a Options for the use of resource elements for transmitting DSBs at an antenna / beamport according to one embodiment are shown. Figure 7b Options for the use of resource elements for an antenna / beamport, according to one embodiment, are described, where the antenna / beamport does not transmit DSB on the subframe defining the DSB resource. If the PDSCH data allocation covers the DSB area, the corresponding (dedicated) data / RS can be rate-matched or punctured around the resource element covering the DSB area.

[0076] In the case of a narrowband DSB definition, an alternative could be to allocate DSB resource elements to the edges of the system bandwidth, enabling continuous allocation in the frequency domain of antenna ports that do not transmit DSBs on subframes with DSB allocations. This would be advantageous, for example, for single-carrier transmission modulation schemes, since the DSBs are not in the middle of the system bandwidth to divide the frequency domain into two clusters.

[0077] Figure 8aAn example of apparatus 10 according to an embodiment is shown. In one embodiment, apparatus 10 may be a node, host, or server in a communications network, or serve such a network. For example, in some embodiments, apparatus 10 may be a network node or access node for a radio access network, such as a base station, such as a NodeB (NB) in UMTS or an eNodeB (eNB) in LTE or LTE-A. However, in other embodiments, apparatus 10 may be other group components within a radio access network. It should be noted that those skilled in the art will understand that apparatus 10 may include... Figure 8a Group components or features not shown in the diagram.

[0078] like Figure 8a As shown, the device 10 includes a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. The processor 22 can be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Although Figure 8a A single processor 22 is shown, but multiple processors may be used according to other embodiments. In practice, for example, processor 22 may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0079] Device 10 may further include or be coupled to memory 14 (internal or external), which may be coupled to processor 22 for storing information and instructions executable by processor 22. Memory 14 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. For example, memory 14 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static memory such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, or any combination of any other type of non-transient machine or computer-readable medium. Instructions stored in memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 22, enable device 10 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0080] In some embodiments, the device 10 may further include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for transmitting and / or receiving signals and / or data to and from the device 10. The device 10 may further include or be coupled to a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. For example, the transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna 25 and demodulate information received via the antenna 25 for further processing by other elements of the device 10. In other embodiments, the transceiver 28 may be able to directly transmit and receive signals or data.

[0081] The processor 22 can perform functions associated with the operation of the device 10, which may include, for example, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of the device 10, including processes related to communication resource management.

[0082] In one embodiment, memory 14 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. These modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality to device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 10. Components of device 10 may be implemented in hardware, or any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0083] In one embodiment, device 10 may be a network node or access node, such as a base station in UMTS or an eNB in ​​LTE or LTE-A. According to some embodiments, device 10 may be controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to configure a set of discovery signaling blocks (DSBs). Device 10 may configure the DSBs according to certain characteristics. For example, the DSBs may have a predetermined amount of time and frequency resources common to all subframe types and deployed architectures.

[0084] As described above, in one embodiment, the DSB may include multiple signals, such as: synchronization signals for timing and partial or complete physical layer cell ID acquisition, data channels (e.g., physical broadcast channels), and / or antenna port beamport specific reference signals for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation, paging detection, and channel state information (CSI) acquisition. The details discussed above... Figure 3 and 4 An example of DSB configuration is shown.

[0085] In addition, DSB can be implemented as discussed above. Figure 5The groups shown are grouped together, and each DSB can indicate its relationship within the group. The group can include one or more DSBs. In one embodiment, device 10 can configure the position of DSBs within a DSB group in a subframe (e.g., a DL-only or S-DL subframe). According to one embodiment, the DSBs in the group can be positioned sequentially in time or clustered in time. A DSB can include transmissions of multiple signals from one or more radio frequency beams, and the one or more radio frequency beams used for transmission of signals in a given DSB are identical.

[0086] In one embodiment, the device 10 may be further controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to map the DSBs of the group onto the subframe structure and include group information in the DSBs. According to one embodiment, mapping information may also be included in the DSBs. In one embodiment, when mapping the DSBs of a DSB group onto a subframe, each DSB may indicate the location of the DSBs within the group (i.e., mapping information) and the total number of DSBs within the group (i.e., group information). According to one example, a maximum number of temporal DSB resources can be defined for the subframe. In one embodiment, the maximum number may be fixed and defined in the subframe specification. In another embodiment, the maximum number may be defined by the device 10. In one embodiment, the device 10 may be further controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to transmit the DSBs in the subframe structure.

[0087] According to one embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to map DSBs onto subframe structures based on the group size and / or based on the subframe structure type configured in the cell. In one embodiment, if the number of blocks mapped contiguously onto subframes is less than a given value, the DSBs are not allocated on downlink and / or uplink control channel symbols.

[0088] When the number of consecutive subframes with DSBs is greater than a given value, there may be another value indicating how many subframes the control symbol should retain. Figure 12a , 12bFigures 12c illustrate examples of DSB allocation. For example, the first value could be 4 and the second value 2, as non-limiting examples and other values ​​are possible. These values ​​can be pre-stored in the transmitting and receiving entities. In cases where the number of consecutive subframes is greater than four (= the first value), such as 6, downlink control symbols are reserved on the two edge subframes (according to the second value) of the subframe with the DSB allocated, and control symbols are omitted from other subframes. Alternatively, in cases where the number of consecutive subframes with the DSB allocated is greater than a given value (the first value), there may be some patterns of reserved subframe control symbols. A value can refer to multiple subframes. For example, downlink and uplink control symbols might be needed for sending and receiving HARQ positive / negative acknowledgment feedback on previous subframes (data subframes) and for sending scheduling clearances for upcoming subframes.

[0089] return Figure 8a In one embodiment, when the group size is greater than 1, the device 10 may be controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to map DSBs to subframes starting from the end of a data symbol. For example, the block of the group may be mapped to the last downlink symbol of the subframe. In another embodiment, the device 10 may be controlled by at least one memory 14 and at least one processor 22 to map DSBs to subframes starting from a downlink control symbol and / or a downlink data symbol when the group size is 1. Applying only a single DSB block may mean that the BS can cover the entire sector at once. In one embodiment, in hybrid / analog beamforming, even if only one DSB block exists in the group, that single DSB may be located at the end of the subframe (one or more of the last symbols of the subframe).

[0090] In one embodiment, the number of radio frequency beams in each block can be configured by device 10. According to one embodiment, at least one radio frequency beam is a transmitting block, and at least one other radio frequency block is simultaneously transmitting data symbols. The radio resources of the DSB and data symbols can be separated in the frequency domain.

[0091] Figure 8b An example of a device 20 according to another embodiment is shown. In one embodiment, device 20 may be a node or element in a communication network, or associated with a network such as a UE, mobile device, mobile unit, machine-type UE, or other device. For example, in some embodiments, device 20 may be a UE in LTE or LTE-A. It should be noted that those skilled in the art will understand that device 20 may include... Figure 8b Components or features not shown in the diagram.

[0092] like Figure 8bAs shown, the device 20 includes a processor 32 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. The processor 32 can be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Although Figure 8b A single processor 32 is shown, but multiple processors may be used according to other embodiments. In practice, processor 32 may include one or more of, for example, a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

[0093] Device 20 may further include or be coupled to memory 34 (internal or external), which may be coupled to processor 32 for storing information and instructions executable by processor 32. Memory 34 may be one or more memories and may be of any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. For example, memory 34 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static memory such as a magnetic disk or optical disk, or any combination of any other type of non-transient machine or computer-readable medium. Instructions stored in memory 34 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processor 32, enable device 20 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0094] In some embodiments, the device 20 may further include or be coupled to one or more antennas 35 for transmitting and / or receiving signals and / or data to and from the device 20. The device 20 may further include a transceiver 38 configured to transmit and receive information. For example, the transceiver 38 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by the antenna 35 and demodulate information received via the antenna 35 for further processing by other elements of the device 20. In other embodiments, the transceiver 38 may be able to directly transmit and receive signals or data.

[0095] The processor 32 can perform functions associated with the operation of the device 20, including but not limited to precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of the device 20, including processes related to communication resource management.

[0096] In one embodiment, memory 34 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 32. These modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality to device 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality to device 20. Components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware, or any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0097] As described above, according to one embodiment, device 20 may be a mobile device, such as a UE in LTE or LTE-A. In one embodiment, device 20 may be controlled by at least one memory 34 and at least one processor 32 to detect one or more DSBs, determine a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more DSBs, determine a group structure of the detected one or more DSBs, and determine a mapping of the detected one or more DSBs on one or more subframes. Device 20 may also be controlled by at least one memory 34 and at least one processor 32 to determine the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping, and to perform initial access to the cell based on the result of the determination steps.

[0098] Figure 9a An example flowchart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, Figure 9a This method can be performed by network nodes (such as base stations or eNBs). Figure 9a As shown, the method may include configuring a group of Discovery Signalling Blocks (DSBs) at 900. DSB groups can be configured based on certain characteristics. For example, a DSB may have a predetermined amount of time and frequency resources common to all subframe types and deployment architectures.

[0099] As described above, in one embodiment, the DSB may include multiple signals such as synchronization signals for timing and partial or complete physical layer cell ID acquisition, data channels (e.g., physical broadcast channels), and / or antenna port beamport specific reference signals, paging detection, beam detection, and channel state information (CSI) acquisition for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) demodulation.

[0100] In addition, DSB can be implemented as discussed above. Figure 5 The data shown is grouped together, and each DSB can indicate its relationship within the group. The group can include one or more DSBs. In one embodiment, configuration can include configuring the position of DSBs within the DSB group in a subframe (e.g., DL-only or S-DL subframe). According to one embodiment, the DSBs in the group can be positioned sequentially in time or clustered in time. A block can include transmissions from one or more radio frequency beams.

[0101] In one embodiment, the method may further include: at 910, mapping the DSBs of the group onto a subframe structure, and at 920, including group information in each DSB. According to one embodiment, this inclusion may further include including mapping information in the DSBs. In one embodiment, when mapping the DSBs of a DSB group onto a subframe, each DSB may indicate the location of the DSBs within the group and the total number of DSBs within the group. According to one example, a maximum number of temporal DSB resources can be defined for the subframe. In one embodiment, the maximum number may be fixed and defined in the subframe specification. In another embodiment, the maximum number may be defined by the base station or eNB. The method may further include, at 925, transmitting the DSBs in the subframe structure.

[0102] According to one embodiment, mapping may include mapping DSBs to subframe structures based on group size and / or based on the subframe structure type configured in the cell. In one embodiment, if the number of subframes to which a block is mapped consecutively is less than a given value, the DSB is not allocated on downlink and / or uplink control channel symbols. In one embodiment, mapping may include mapping DSBs to subframes starting from the end of a data symbol when the group size is greater than 1. In another embodiment, mapping may include mapping DSBs to subframes starting from a downlink control symbol and / or a downlink data symbol when the group size is 1.

[0103] In one embodiment, the number of radio frequency beams in each block can be configured by the base station or eNB. According to one embodiment, at least one radio frequency beam is a transmit block, and at least one other radio frequency block is simultaneously transmitting data symbols. The radio resources of the DSB and data symbols can be separated in the frequency domain.

[0104] Figure 9b An example flowchart of a method according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. In some embodiments, Figure 9b The method can be performed by a device such as a UE in LTE or LTE-A. Figure 9b As shown, the method may include detecting one or more DSBs at 950. At 960, the method may include determining a beam configuration applied to the detected one or more DSBs. The method may further include: at 970, determining a group structure of the detected one or more DSBs, and at 980, determining a mapping of the detected one or more DSBs on one or more subframes. The method may also include at 985, determining the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping. The method may then include at 990, performing initial access to a cell of the network based on the result of the determination steps.

[0105] Figure 10a A block diagram of an apparatus 800 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 10a As illustrated in the example, device 800 may include a processing unit or component 801 for controlling device 800 and instructions for executing a computer program, for example, by performing arithmetic, logic, control, and input / output (I / O) operations specified by the instructions. Device 800 may also include a storage unit or component 803 for storing information, including but not limited to computer program instructions or software modules that provide functionality when the processing unit 801 executes. Device 800 may further include a transceiver unit or component 802 for receiving or transmitting information. Device 800 may also include a configuration unit or component 804 and a mapping unit or component 805. In one embodiment, configuration unit 804 may configure groups of discovery signaling blocks (DSBs). DSB groups can be configured based on certain characteristics. For example, DSBs may have a predetermined amount of time and frequency resources common to all subframe types and deployed architectures.

[0106] The group may include one or more DSBs. In one embodiment, configuration unit 804 may configure the position of DSBs within the DSB group in a subframe (e.g., a DL-only or S-DL subframe). According to one embodiment, the DSBs in the group may be positioned sequentially in time or clustered in time. A block may include transmissions from one or more radio frequency beams.

[0107] In one embodiment, mapping unit 805 can map the DSBs of the group onto a subframe structure. Configuration unit 804 can enable the inclusion of group information and optionally mapping information in the DSBs. In one embodiment, when mapping the DSBs of a DSB group onto a subframe, each DSB can indicate the location of the DSBs within the group and the total number of DSBs within the group. According to one example, a maximum number of temporal DSB resources can be defined for the subframe. In one embodiment, the maximum number can be fixed and defined in the subframe specification. In another embodiment, the maximum number can be defined by means 800. Transceiver unit or component 802 can enable the transmission of DSBs in the subframe structure.

[0108] According to one embodiment, mapping unit 805 can map DSBs to subframe structures based on group size and / or based on the subframe structure type configured in the cell. In one embodiment, if the number of subframes to which a block is mapped consecutively is less than a given value, the DSB is not allocated on downlink and / or uplink control channel symbols. In one embodiment, when the group size is greater than 1, mapping unit 805 can map the DSB to subframes starting from the end of a data symbol. In another embodiment, when the group size is 1, mapping unit 805 can map the DSB to subframes starting from a downlink control symbol and / or a downlink data symbol.

[0109] In one embodiment, the number of radio frequency beams in each block can be configured by the base station or eNB. According to one embodiment, at least one radio frequency beam is a transmit block, and at least one other radio frequency block is simultaneously transmitting data symbols. The radio resources of the DSB and data symbols can be separated in the frequency domain.

[0110] Figure 10b A block diagram of an apparatus 850 according to one embodiment is shown. Figure 10b As illustrated in the example, device 850 may include a processing unit or component 851 for controlling device 850 and instructions for executing a computer program, for example, by performing arithmetic, logic, control, and input / output (I / O) operations specified by the instructions. Device 850 may also include a storage unit or component 853 for storing information, including but not limited to computer program instructions or software modules that provide functionality when the processing unit 851 executes. Device 850 may further include a transceiver unit or component 852 for receiving or sending information. Device 850 may also include a detection unit 854 and a determination unit 855.

[0111] In one embodiment, detection unit 854 can detect one or more DSBs. Determination unit 855 can determine the beam configuration applied to the detected one or more blocks, determine the group structure of the detected one or more DSBs, determine the mapping of the detected one or more DSBs on one or more subframes, and determine the structure of one or more subframes based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping. Transceiver unit or component 852 can perform initial access to the network cell based on the result of the determination steps.

[0112] Embodiments of the present invention offer several advantages and technical improvements. For example, embodiments support all possible BS architectures (all-digital, hybrid, all-analog). Furthermore, embodiments are UE-agnostic. In other words, the UE does not need to know the BS architecture in advance. Additionally, embodiments can support beamforming and conventional (sector beamforming) methods for the common control plane (PBCH, PFACH). Some embodiments have built-in support for efficient use of BS TXRUs (and other hardware resources). Moreover, embodiments allow minimizing the duration of a single scan of beamformed control channel transmission. Therefore, it has a positive impact on UE power consumption (i.e., UE power consumption is reduced). Additionally, embodiments allow simultaneous transmission of data and DSB. This minimizes the system overhead of DSB transmission.

[0113] According to embodiments, programs (also referred to as program products or computer programs, including software routines, applets, and macros) can be stored in any device-readable data storage medium, and they include program instructions for performing specific tasks. A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components that, when the program is run, are configured to perform the embodiment. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one piece of software code or a portion thereof. Modifications and configurations required to implement the functionality of the embodiment may be executed as routines, which may be implemented as added or updated software routines. Software routines may be downloaded to the device.

[0114] Software or computer program code, or portions thereof, may be in the form of source code, object code, or some intermediate form, and may be stored in some carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectric and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, a computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or may be distributed among multiple computers. Computer-readable media or computer-readable storage media may be non-transient media.

[0115] In other embodiments, the functionality of any method or apparatus described herein may be performed by hardware, such as by using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as a signal, a non-tangible component, which may be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other networks.

[0116] According to one embodiment, an apparatus such as a node, device, or corresponding component can be configured as a computer or microprocessor, such as a monolithic computer element or chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity for arithmetic operations and an arithmetic processor for performing arithmetic operations.

[0117] It will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the invention discussed above can be practiced with steps in a different order and / or using hardware elements in a configuration different from the disclosed configuration. Therefore, although the invention has been described based on these preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative structures will be readily apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims to determine the scope and limits of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising: A set of discovery signaling blocks in a subframe structure is detected by a user equipment, wherein the discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks include at least a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel, and wherein each discovery signaling block contains mapping information and group information for the user equipment to derive a group structure and a mapping of the discovery signaling blocks of the group onto the subframe structure, wherein the mapping information indicates the position of the discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure, and the group information includes information about how many discovery signaling blocks exist in the group; The user equipment determines the beam configuration to be applied to the detected discovery signaling block; The user equipment determines the group structure of the detected discovery signaling block based on the group information; The user equipment determines the mapping of the detected discovery signaling block on the subframe structure based on the mapping information; The user equipment determines the structure of the subframe based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping; as well as The user equipment performs initial access to the cell based on: the determined beam configuration; the determined group structure of the detected discovery signaling blocks; and the determined mapping of the detected discovery signaling blocks onto the subframe structure. And the structure of the determined subframes.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The discovery signaling block includes the transmission of multiple signals from one or more radio frequency beams, and the one or more radio frequency beams used for the transmission of the signals in a given discovery signaling block are the same.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The mapping is based on the number of discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks or at least one of the subframe structure types configured in the cell.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks are located sequentially in time.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The discovery signaling blocks in the group are located in a clustered manner in time.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Each discovery signaling block in the set of discovery signaling blocks is self-detectable or self-decoding.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The opportunity for radio frequency beam switching is provided between each discovery signaling block within the set of discovery signaling blocks.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein, Discovery signaling blocks belonging to the same group are assigned to one or more consecutive subframes according to predetermined rules.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein if the number of subframes to which the discovery signaling blocks are mapped in a consecutive manner is less than a given value, then the set of discovery signaling blocks is not assigned to downlink and / or uplink control channel symbols.

10. The method according to claim 3, wherein, When the number is greater than 1, the mapping of the group of discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure begins from the end of the data symbol.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein, When the number is 1, the set of discovery signaling blocks is mapped to at least one of the downlink control symbols or downlink data symbols in the subframe structure.

12. The method according to claim 2, wherein, At least one radio frequency beam is a transmitting block, and at least one other radio frequency beam is simultaneously transmitting data symbols.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The radio resources used to discover signal blocks and data symbols are separated in the frequency domain.

14. A user equipment for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory including computer program code, The at least one memory and the computer program code, together with the at least one processor, are configured to cause the user equipment to at least: A set of discovery signaling blocks in a subframe structure is detected, wherein the discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks include at least a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel, and wherein each discovery signaling block contains mapping information and group information for the user equipment to derive a group structure and a mapping of the discovery signaling blocks of the group onto the subframe structure, wherein the mapping information indicates the position of the discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure, and the group information includes information about how many discovery signaling blocks exist in the group; Determine the beam configuration to be applied to the detected discovery signaling block; Based on the group information, the group structure of the detected discovery signaling block is determined; Based on the mapping information, the mapping of the detected discovery signaling block on the subframe structure is determined; The structure of the subframe is determined based on the determined group structure and the determined mapping; as well as Initial access to the cell is performed based on the following: the determined beam configuration; the determined group structure of the detected discovery signaling blocks; and the determined mapping of the detected discovery signaling blocks onto the subframe structure. And the structure of the determined subframes.

15. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, The discovery signaling block includes the transmission of multiple signals from one or more radio frequency beams, and the one or more radio frequency beams used for the transmission of the signals in a given discovery signaling block are the same.

16. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, The mapping is based on the number of discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks or at least one of the subframe structure types configured in the cell.

17. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, The discovery signaling blocks in the set of discovery signaling blocks are located sequentially in time.

18. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, The discovery signaling blocks in the group are located in a clustered manner in time.

19. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, Each discovery signaling block in the set of discovery signaling blocks is self-detectable or self-decoding.

20. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, The opportunity for radio frequency beam switching is provided between each discovery signaling block within the set of discovery signaling blocks.

21. The user equipment according to claim 14, wherein, Discovery signaling blocks belonging to the same group are assigned to one or more consecutive subframes according to predetermined rules.

22. The user equipment according to claim 21, wherein, If the number of subframes to which a discovery signaling block is mapped consecutively is less than a given value, then the set of discovery signaling blocks is not assigned to downlink and / or uplink control channel symbols.

23. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein, When the number is greater than 1, the mapping of the group of discovery signaling blocks in the subframe structure begins from the end of the data symbol.

24. The user equipment according to claim 16, wherein, When the number is 1, the set of discovery signaling blocks is mapped to at least one of the downlink control symbols or downlink data symbols in the subframe structure.

25. The user equipment according to claim 15, wherein, At least one radio frequency beam is a transmitting block, and at least one other radio frequency beam is simultaneously transmitting data symbols.

26. The user equipment according to any one of claims 14 to 25, wherein, The radio resources used to discover signal blocks and data symbols are separated in the frequency domain.

27. A non-transient computer-readable medium having a set of computer-readable instructions stored thereon, the set of computer-readable instructions, when executed by at least one processor, causing a user equipment to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

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