Facilitating low system overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems

Abstract

Various embodiment examples described herein relate to methods and apparatus for facilitating low system overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems. One such embodiment example relates to a method comprising: receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB), the SSB comprising an information block; determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs having a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and, if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs, receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The various embodiments described herein relate to a method and apparatus for facilitating low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems. Background Technology

[0002] As time goes on, communication networks continue to expand globally. Various organizations, such as the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), the Telecommunications and Internet Convergence Services and Protocols for Advanced Networks (TISPAN), the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), 3GPP2, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and the WiMAX Forum, are working to develop standards or specifications for telecommunications networks and access environments.

[0003] For example, 3GPP defines the interfaces for 5G core network functions (NFs) and the relevant application programming interfaces (APIs) for communication between each NF. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The various example embodiments described in this disclosure provide certain advantages, such as in the form of improvements explicitly described herein or obvious to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Therefore, at least some example embodiments of this disclosure are intended to provide (or otherwise facilitate) at least some of the foregoing advantages and improvements.

[0005] Various aspects of the embodiments of this disclosure are set forth in the claims and relate to methods, apparatus, and computer program products in the context of facilitating low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems.

[0006] At least some of the foregoing advantages and improvements can be achieved by the methods, apparatus, and nontransitory storage media specified in the claims. Further advantages and improvements can be achieved by the methods, apparatus, and nontransitory storage media set forth in the respective dependent claims.

[0007] Therefore, according to various embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: components for receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB), the SSB comprising an information block; components for determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs having a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and components for receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs.

[0008] According to various embodiment examples, the SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals; and the apparatus may also include components for receiving the SSB based on detecting at least one of the pair of synchronization signals.

[0009] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: components for receiving a demodulated reference signal based on a QCL relationship; and components for further receiving a single SIB based on the received demodulated reference signal.

[0010] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: components for estimating the Doppler shift of a single base station beam among different base station beams; components for constructing a combined Doppler shift to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams among different base station beams; and components for receiving at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler shift: a single SIB or a demodulation reference signal.

[0011] It should be noted that SFN transmissions should be understood as multiple transmissions (e.g., from multiple beams on the same frequency resource) being combined in the air (i.e., via radio interfaces).

[0012] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: components for receiving an indication of the number of repetitions of a single SIB transmission; and components for further receiving a single SIB based on the indication.

[0013] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: a component for determining the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on receiving a subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

[0014] According to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

[0015] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: components for transmitting a plurality of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), wherein each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the apparatus, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs have a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB); and components for transmitting a single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0016] According to at least some example embodiments, each SSB in an SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals.

[0017] According to at least some example embodiments, the apparatus may also include components for transmitting a demodulation reference signal based on a QCL relationship.

[0018] According to at least some example embodiments, the QCL relationship can be based on one of the following: QCL type C average delay, Doppler shift, and / or QCL type D spatial RX parameters.

[0019] According to at least some example embodiments, the information block may indicate that the plurality of SSBs is one of the following: 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, wherein 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs constitute a single QCL source.

[0020] According to at least some embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: a component for indicating the number of repetitions of a single SIB transmission; and a component for further transmitting a single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

[0021] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive a synchronization signal block (SSB), the SSB comprising an information block; determine, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs having a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs, then receive the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0022] According to various embodiment examples, the SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals; and the device may also be configured to receive the SSB based on the detection of at least one of the pair of synchronization signals.

[0023] According to various embodiment examples, the device can also be configured to receive a demodulated reference signal based on a QCL relationship; and further, to receive a single SIB based on the received demodulated reference signal.

[0024] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may also be configured to estimate the Doppler shift of a single base station beam among different base station beams; construct a combined Doppler shift to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams among different base station beams; and receive at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler shift: a single SIB or a demodulation reference signal.

[0025] According to various embodiment examples, the device may also be configured to receive an indication of the number of repetitions of a single SIB transmission; and further, to receive a single SIB based on the indication.

[0026] According to various embodiment examples, the device can also be configured to determine the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on receiving a subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

[0027] According to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

[0028] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit a plurality of synchronization signal blocks SSBs, wherein each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the apparatus, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs have a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block SIB; and transmit the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0029] According to at least some example embodiments, each SSB in an SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals.

[0030] According to at least some example embodiments, the device can also be configured to transmit a demodulation reference signal based on a QCL relationship.

[0031] According to at least some example embodiments, the QCL relationship can be based on one of the following: QCL type C average delay, Doppler shift, and / or QCL type D spatial RX parameters.

[0032] According to at least some example embodiments, the information block may indicate that the plurality of SSBs is one of the following: 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, wherein 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs constitute a single QCL source.

[0033] According to at least some embodiment examples, the device may also be configured to indicate the number of repetitions of a single SIB transmission; and further transmit a single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

[0034] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, a method may include: receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB), the SSB including an information block; determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs having a quasi-co-located QCL relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs, receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0035] According to various embodiment examples, the SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals; and the device may also be configured to receive the SSB based on the detection of at least one of the pair of synchronization signals.

[0036] According to various embodiment examples, the method may further include receiving a demodulated reference signal based on a QCL relationship; and further receiving a single SIB based on the received demodulated reference signal.

[0037] According to various embodiment examples, the method may further include estimating the Doppler shift of a single base station beam among different base station beams; constructing a combined Doppler shift to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams among different base station beams; and receiving at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler shift: a single SIB or a demodulation reference signal.

[0038] According to various embodiment examples, the method may further include receiving an indication of the number of repetitions of a single SIB transmission; and further receiving a single SIB based on the indication.

[0039] According to various embodiment examples, the method may also include determining the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on receiving a subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

[0040] According to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

[0041] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, a method may include: transmitting a plurality of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) at a base station, wherein each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the device, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs have a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB); and transmitting the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0042] According to at least some example embodiments, each SSB in an SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals.

[0043] According to at least some example embodiments, the method may also include transmitting a demodulation reference signal based on a QCL relationship.

[0044] According to at least some example embodiments, the QCL relationship can be based on one of the following: QCL type C average delay, Doppler shift, and / or QCL type D spatial RX parameters.

[0045] According to at least some example embodiments, the information block may indicate that the plurality of SSBs is one of the following: 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, wherein 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs constitute a single QCL source.

[0046] According to at least some example embodiments, the method may further include indicating the number of repetitions for a single SIB transmission; and further sending a single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

[0047] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, a computer program product for a computer may be provided, including a software code portion that, when the product is run on the computer, performs the steps of any of the methods outlined above.

[0048] According to at least some example embodiments, the computer program product may include a computer-readable medium on which software code portions are stored, and / or the computer program product may be directly loaded into the internal memory of a computer and / or transmitted over a network via at least one of the processes of uploading, downloading, or pushing.

[0049] Any of the claims enables the transmission of system information with low system overhead in beam-based systems, thereby providing at least some of the foregoing advantages and improvements.

[0050] More specifically, this disclosure describes how to facilitate low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems, which, according to some example embodiments, may prove superior to proprietary solutions, at least for the following reasons.

[0051] The embodiments described in this disclosure can, for example, facilitate low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems, achieving lower system overhead and more efficient SIB1 transmission schemes, for example, when the SIB1 content size is small or medium. Furthermore, adaptability to different network scenarios can be achieved, i.e., the network can utilize a large number of SSBs (e.g., for beam identification) but transmit PDCCH / PDSCH for SIB1 in different beam configurations (e.g., to limit system overhead).

[0052] Further advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0053] The following description, with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrates some embodiments of this disclosure by way of example only, wherein:

[0054] Figure 1 The different multiplexing modes of SSB and SIB1 are shown;

[0055] Figure 2 The different time-domain allocation principles of SIB1 are shown;

[0056] Figure 3 Examples illustrating different configurations of SIB1 (PDCCH+PDSCH) transmission according to various embodiments of this disclosure;

[0057] Figure 4 A flowchart is shown, illustrating the steps corresponding to example methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0058] Figure 5 A flowchart is shown, illustrating the steps corresponding to example methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0059] Figure 6 A block diagram is shown illustrating example apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0060] Figure 7 A block diagram is shown illustrating example apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0061] Typically, the two or more endpoints involved in the communication can be implemented as specific types of endpoints (e.g., communication stations, entities, or functions, such as terminal equipment, user equipment (UE), or other communication network elements, databases, servers, hosts, etc.), or as one or more network elements or functions (e.g., virtualized network functions), such as communication network control elements or functions, such as access network elements like access points (APs), base stations (BSs), relay stations, eNBs, gNBs, etc., and core network elements or functions, such as control nodes, support nodes, service nodes, gateways, user plane functions, access and mobility functions, etc. These endpoints can belong to a single communication network system, different communication network systems, or a combination of at least one identical communication network system and at least one different communication network system.

[0062] In the following description, various embodiment examples will be used as examples of communication networks based on 3GPP standards (e.g., 5G / NR) as examples of applicable embodiments, but the embodiment examples are not limited to this architecture. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the embodiment examples can also be applied to other types of communication networks, such as 4G and / or LTE (even 6G and higher) integrating mobile communication principles, such as Wi-Fi, Global Microwave Access Interoperability (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, Personal Communication Services (PCS), ZigBee®, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), systems using Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, Mobile Ad Hoc Networks (MANET), wired access, etc. Furthermore, without loss of generality, while some embodiment examples are described in relation to mobile communication networks, this disclosure can be extended and applied to any other type of communication network, such as wired communication networks or data center networks.

[0063] The following examples are to be understood as illustrative only. Although portions of this disclosure may refer to the expressions "a," "an," or "some" examples of embodiments in several specific places, this does not necessarily mean that every such reference relates to the same example of embodiment, or that the described features apply only to a single example of embodiment. Various features from different examples of embodiments may also be combined to provide other examples of embodiments. Furthermore, terms such as "comprising" and "including" should be understood not to limit the described examples of embodiments to consisting only of those features mentioned; such examples of embodiments may also include features, structures, units, modules, etc., not specifically mentioned.

[0064] A simplified system architecture of a (telecommunications) communication network (including mobile communication systems) (some applicable examples of embodiments therein) may include the architecture of one or more communication networks. These one or more communication networks may include a radio access network subsystem and a core network. Such an architecture may include one or more communication network control elements or functions, access network elements, radio access network elements, access service network gateways, or base transceiver stations, such as base stations (BS), access points (APs), node Bs (NBs), eNBs or gNBs, distributed or centralized units (CUs) that control a corresponding coverage area or cell, and one or more communication stations (e.g., communication elements or functions, such as user equipment (e.g., client equipment), mobile devices, or terminal devices, such as UEs, or another device with similar functionality, such as modem chipsets, chips, modules, etc., which may also be part of a station, element, function, or application configured to communicate, such as a UE, an entity or function that can be used in a machine-to-machine communication architecture, or attached as a separate element to such an element, function, or application capable of communication, etc.) are configured to communicate via one or more channels through one or more communication beams to transmit various types of data in multiple access domains. In addition, it may include (core) network elements or network functions ((core) network control elements or network functions, (core) network management elements or network functions), such as gateway network elements / functions, mobility management entities, mobile switching centers, servers, databases, etc.

[0065] The functions and interconnections of the elements and features described (which also depend on the actual network type) are obvious to those skilled in the art and can be described in the relevant specifications, and therefore their description is omitted here. However, it should be noted that, in addition to those described in detail below, several additional network elements and signaling links may be employed for communication with elements, features, or applications (such as communication endpoints, communication network control elements, such as servers, gateways, wireless network controllers), as well as other elements of the same or other communication networks.

[0066] It should be understood that, according to some implementation examples, a so-called "liquid" or flexible network concept can be implemented, in which the operation and function of network elements, network functions, or other entities of the network can be performed in a flexible manner across different entities or functions (e.g., nodes, hosts, or servers). Therefore, the "division of labor" among the network elements, functions, or entities involved may vary depending on the circumstances.

[0067] This disclosure relates, in some embodiment examples, to facilitating low-overhead system messaging in beam-based systems. Furthermore, this disclosure relates, in some embodiment examples, to 3GPP 6G physical layer design. More specifically, it relates to mechanisms for facilitating low-overhead and energy-efficient system messaging. Network energy efficiency is one of the main themes guiding 6G design.

[0068] Furthermore, this disclosure relates to downlink transmissions in 6G in some embodiment examples. In 5G, during initial access, the User Equipment (UE) detects the primary synchronization signal and secondary synchronization signal (PSS, SSS) and decodes the Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB, PSS, and SSS are also collectively referred to as synchronization signals and the PBCH block (SSB). The MIB contains partial system information; further system information includes SIB1 and other SIBs. The multiplexing of SSB and SIB1 is as follows... Figure 1 As shown, the different multiplexing modes of SSB and SIB1 are illustrated.

[0069] A cell typically transmits multiple SSBs corresponding to multiple beams (also known as TCI states). Each SSB has an associated search space (Type 0-PDCCH) monitoring opportunity for downlink allocation of the corresponding System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) on the transmission scheduling PDSCH. A quasi-co-location relationship (QCL) exists between the SSB and the demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) of the corresponding PDCCH / PDSCH / SIB1, meaning the UE can use some channel information acquired during SSB reception to receive the corresponding SIB1. In other words, an SSB with a given index is only a source of the DM-RS QCL for one SIB1, i.e., the SIB1 transmitted on the same beam as the SSB with that given index.

[0070] In New Radio (NR), a UE must detect the MIB and SIB1 before attempting an independent NR connection. In other words, the minimum requirement for a UE to camp on a cell is decoding the MIB and SIB1. The MIB is carried by the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), which is part of the SSB. SIB1 is carried by the Downlink Physical Shared Channel (PDSCH). The MIB carries information such as the reference subcarrier spacing, the control resource set (CORESET), the monitoring timing of the control channel (Type 0-PDCCH) used for SIB1 PDSCH scheduling, and the location of the PDSCH DMRS. SIB1 carries all the basic information required for the UE to perform the initial access procedure to the cell. SIB1 also carries scheduling information for other SIBs.

[0071] In NR, the monitoring timing of Type 0-PDCCH is associated with the SSB. In other words, each SSB has an associated Type 0-PDCCH monitoring timing. (Reference) Figure 1There are three SSB / CORESET#0 (for Type0-PDCCH) multiplexing modes (multiplexing modes 1 to 3, which are described in more detail below):

[0072] Reuse Mode 1:

[0073] TDM (Time Division Multiplexing) is applicable to FR1 and FR2, with one monitoring opportunity per SSB in two consecutive time slots every 20 milliseconds.

[0074] • Based on the degree of overlap between monitoring opportunities at the time slot level, there are three different time domain allocation principles:

[0075] - SIB1 opt1: The monitoring timing of Type 0-PDCCH of two consecutive SSBs is in the same time slot.

[0076] - SIB1 opt2: The monitoring timing of Type 0-PDCCH of two consecutive SSBs overlaps in one time slot.

[0077] - SIB1 opt3: The timing of monitoring of Type 0-PDCCH of two consecutive SSBs does not overlap at the time slot level.

[0078] refer to Figure 2 , Figure 2 This describes how the Type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH used for SIB1 transmission are transmitted in the case of a hypothetical 60 kHz subcarrier spacing and 16 SSBs in the new 6 GHz band FR3 (7-20 GHz) (where SSBs are indexed, and the corresponding Type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH are highlighted in gray). It should be noted that... Figure 2 The first of two consecutive time slots is shown, in which a Type 0-PDCCH with a specific SSB index may be transmitted.

[0079] Reuse Mode 2:

[0080] SSB and CORESET#0 use different SCS (subcarrier spacing), FDM (frequency division multiplexing) and are only applicable to FR2, with a single monitoring timing and the same periodicity as SSB.

[0081] Reuse Mode 3:

[0082] SSB and CORESET#0 use the same SCS, FDM and are only applicable to FR2, with a monitoring timing and periodicity the same as SSB.

[0083] Therefore, as can be observed, the overhead from SIB1 signaling is quite significant, especially with a large number of SSBs. On the other hand, a large number of SSBs are required to achieve the target coverage. It is important to note that in FR3, operators expect and desire to use the same sites as in FR1.

[0084] Therefore, there is a system overhead issue from SIB1 signaling. Thus, a solution may be needed to reduce the overhead of SIB1 transmission.

[0085] Regarding the QCL assumption for receiving downlink signals, according to R1-1700771, QCL is defined as follows: If the characteristics of the channel carrying symbols on one antenna port can be inferred from the characteristics of the channel carrying symbols on another antenna port, then the two antenna ports are said to be quasi-co-located.

[0086] Regarding QCL types, "38.214 - 5.1.5 Quasi-co-addressable antenna ports" defines four different QCL types, as listed below:

[0087] • QCL-Type A: Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread

[0088] • QCL-TypeB: Doppler frequency shift, Doppler spread

[0089] • QCL-TypeC: Average delay, Doppler shift

[0090] • QCL-TypeD (QCL Type D): Spatial Rx parameter

[0091] When one signal (A) and another signal (B) are QCLed (Quasi Co-located),

[0092] • The two signals (A) and (B) experienced very similar channel conditions;

[0093] • For (A) and (B) to experience similar channels, they are likely to originate from the same location (i.e., the same location and the same antenna). Therefore, more specifically, this means that signals (A) and (B) are transmitted from the same TRP (antenna array) that has applied the same spatial filter (beam, where the beam can also be referred to and understood as the Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) state);

[0094] Since the two signals arrive at the receiver through similar channels, if the receiver can detect one of the signals (A) and find out the channel characteristics of that signal, it will greatly help in detecting the other signal (B).

[0095] For example, when the PDCCH from the gNB and the SSB are QCLed, it means that the PDCCH experienced similar channel conditions to the SSB. The channel information estimated for SSB detection also helps in PDCCH detection. 3GPP defines the following parameters to define channel conditions:

[0096] • Doppler shift

[0097] • Doppler extension

[0098] • Average delay

[0099] • Delayed expansion

[0100] • Spatial Rx parameters

[0101] One or more of these factors will constitute the channel characteristics shared by the two signals, and the predefined group of these factors is labeled as QCL type (as described above).

[0102] Then, one can define the relationship between two related signals, such as "the PDCCH signal from the gNB passes through type C and is QCLed with the SSB". This means that the PDCCH and SSB experience similar radio channels and have similar characteristics in terms of average delay and Doppler shift.

[0103] To reduce SIB1 overhead, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, multiple SSBs can be used as QCL sources for a single SIB1, each of which transmits on a different beam. The single SIB1 (or its DM-RS) can have a QCL relationship with the multiple SSBs. For example, if four SSBs indexed 0, 1, 2, and 3 are used as QCL sources for SIB1 transmission, then the SIB1 overhead is reduced by a factor of four compared to NR transmission.

[0104] • A single downlink allocation can be used to allocate SIB1 resources within the public search space. In this case, the single downlink allocation (or its DM-RS) has a QCL relationship with the multiple SSBs (in which case, PDCCH overhead is also reduced), or

[0105] • There can be multiple downlink allocations, where each downlink allocation allocates resources to the same single SIB1, and each downlink allocation (or its DM-RS) has a QCL relationship with a single SSB (i.e., with SSBs transmitting on the same beam). In this case, the PDCCH overhead is not reduced.

[0106] Therefore, the Type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH for SIB1 can be transmitted with the QCL source assumed to be a combination of at least two SSBs, depending on the signal values ​​sent by the gNB to the UE in the SSBs. The combination of SSBs constituting the QCL source (QCL-TypeC average delay, Doppler shift, and QCL-TypeD spatial RX parameters) for the Type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH for SIB1 is indicated in the MIB.

[0107] For example, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, the gNB may indicate in the MIB that all 16 transmitted SSBs constitute a single QCL source for the Type 0-PDCCH and PDSCH for SIB1. Furthermore, in this case, the gNB may indicate the number of repetitions of the transmission. Figure 3 Examples are shown illustrating how different numbers of SSBs {4, 8, and 16} constitute a single QCL source, and how Type0-PDCCH and PDSCH are transmitted in two overlapping time slots.

[0108] According to various embodiment examples of this disclosure, the PDCCH used for scheduling SIB1 PDSCH can be sent per SSB, and the PDSCH will have the aforementioned function, namely, SFN transmission based on multiple SSBs as QCL sources. In this case, time-domain resource allocation (PDCCH) PDSCH should support values ​​with long time-domain intervals, especially for PDCCH with low SSB indexes.

[0109] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples of this disclosure, the steps for the UE to implement the solution to solve the above problems may be as follows:

[0110] 1. The UE detects PSS / SSS, PBCH, and DMRS, and demodulates and decodes PBCH.

[0111] 2. The maximum number of SSBs that the UE reads from the PBCH payload (e.g., indicated by the subcarrier spacing, where SCS60 kHz may mean a maximum of 16 SSBs).

[0112] 3. The UE reads the mapping between SSB and Type 0-PDCCH monitoring timing from the PBCH payload (physical layer bits or MIB). For example, the following options may be available:

[0113] • 1-1 (Each SSB has an associated PDCCH);

[0114] • 4-1 (0-3 SSBs are mapped to the same PDCCH monitoring timing / constitute a single QCL source for PDCCH reception, 4-7 SSBs are mapped to the same PDCCH monitoring timing / constitute a single QCL source for PDCCH reception, ...);

[0115] • 8-1 (0-7 SSB mapped to the same PDCCH monitoring timing / constituting a single QCL source for PDCCH reception, 8-15…); or

[0116] • 16-1 (0-15 SSBs are mapped to the same PDCCH monitoring timing / constituting a single QCL source for PDCCH reception).

[0117] 4. Based on the above information and other PDCCH configuration fields, the UE determines the timing of PDCCH monitoring for a specific SSB group.

[0118] 5. The UE monitors the PDCCH based on the determined monitoring timing and QCL source.

[0119] 6. The UE detects, demodulates and decodes the PDCCH, reads the scheduling information from the DCI in the PDCCH, and receives the PDSCH carrying SIB1.

[0120] Therefore, according to various embodiments of this disclosure, lower system overhead and more efficient SIB1 transmission schemes can be achieved, for example, when the SIB1 content size is small or medium. Furthermore, adaptability to different network scenarios can be achieved, i.e., the network can utilize a large number of SSBs (e.g., for beam identification) but transmit PDCCH / PDSCH for SIB1 in different beam configurations (e.g., to limit system overhead).

[0121] Further examples of embodiments are described below in conjunction with the methods and / or apparatus described above.

[0122] Now for reference Figure 4 It displays a flowchart illustrating the steps corresponding to example methods according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0123] Specifically, according to Figure 4 In S410, the method includes receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB) that includes an information block.

[0124] It should be noted that this information block can be as described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 3 The MIB as described.

[0125] Furthermore, in S420, the method includes determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs that have a quasi-co-addressable (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs is associated with a different base station beam.

[0126] It should be noted that the demodulation reference signal can be as described above. Figures 1 to 3 The PBCH-DMRS described above, in which case the single SIB can be as referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 The SIB1 described above, and the QCL relationship can be as referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 The QCL relationship described.

[0127] Furthermore, if it is determined to be YES in S425, then in S430, the method includes receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0128] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, the SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals; and the method may also include receiving the SSB based on detecting at least one of the pair of synchronization signals.

[0129] It should be noted that the paired synchronization signals can be as described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 3 The PSS and SSS described.

[0130] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, the method may also include receiving the demodulation reference signal based on the QCL relationship; and further receiving the single SIB based on the received demodulation reference signal.

[0131] Furthermore, according to at least some example embodiments, the method may also include estimating the Doppler shift of a single base station beam in the different base station beams; constructing a combined Doppler shift to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams in the different base station beams; and receiving at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler shift: the single SIB or the demodulation reference signal.

[0132] It should be noted that SFN transmissions should be understood as multiple transmissions (e.g., from multiple beams on the same frequency resource) being combined in the air (i.e., via radio interfaces).

[0133] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, the method may also include receiving an indication of the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; and further receiving the single SIB based on the indication.

[0134] Furthermore, according to at least some example embodiments, the method may also include determining the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on receiving a subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

[0135] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

[0136] It should be noted that this QCL relationship can be as described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 3 At least one of the described QCL-TypeA, QCL-TypeB, QCL-TypeC, or QCL-TypeD.

[0137] Now for reference Figure 5 , Figure 5 A flowchart is shown, illustrating the steps corresponding to example methods according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0138] Specifically, according to Figure 5 In S510, the method includes transmitting a plurality of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) at a base station, wherein each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the base station, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs has a quasi-co-located (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB).

[0139] It should be noted that the base station may represent an access network entity or function, such as at least a portion of a gNB. Furthermore, this information block may be as described above. Figures 1 to 3 The MIB described above, the demodulation reference signal can be as referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 The PBCH-DMRS described above, and the single SIB can be as referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 The SIB1 described.

[0140] Furthermore, in S520, the method includes sending the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0141] In addition, according to at least some example embodiments, each SSB also includes a pair of synchronization signals.

[0142] It should be noted that the paired synchronization signals can be as described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 3 The PSS and SSS described.

[0143] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, the method may also include sending the demodulation reference signal based on the QCL relationship.

[0144] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be based on one of the QCL-TypeC average delay, Doppler shift, and / or QCL-TypeD spatial RX parameters.

[0145] It should be noted that one of the following parameters—QCL-TypeC average delay, Doppler shift, and QCL-TypeD spatial RX parameter—is referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 As described.

[0146] Furthermore, according to at least some implementation examples, the information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs is one of 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, which constitute a single QCL source.

[0147] It should be noted that examples related to this instruction are at least in Figure 3 The middle section is shown.

[0148] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, the method may also include indicating the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; and further sending the single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

[0149] It should be noted that the examples associated with the example repeated 2 times are at least in Figure 3 The middle section is shown.

[0150] Now for reference Figure 6 , Figure 6 A block diagram is shown illustrating example apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0151] Specifically, Figure 6 The diagram shown illustrates a device 600, which can be represented as referenced above. Figures 1 to 3 The described endpoint terminal (e.g., UE), according to various embodiment examples, can participate in facilitating low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems. Furthermore, although an endpoint terminal is mentioned, it can also be another device or function with similar tasks, such as a chipset, chip, module, application, etc. It can also be part of a network element, or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like. It should be understood that each block and any combination thereof can be implemented by various means or combinations thereof, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and / or circuit systems.

[0152] Figure 6The illustrated device 600 may include a processing circuitry system, processing function, control unit, or processor 610, such as a CPU or the like, adapted to facilitate low-overhead system information transfer in a beam-based system. The processor 610 may include one or more portions or functions dedicated to a particular processing described below, or the processing may run within a single processor or processing function. The portion performing such particular processing may also be provided as a discrete element, or within one or more further processors, processing functions, or processing portions, for example, in a physical processor (such as a CPU) or in one or more physical or virtual entities. Reference numerals 631 and 632 denote input / output (I / O) units or functions (interfaces) connected to the processor or processing function 610. I / O units 631 and 632 may be combined units including communication devices oriented to several entities / elements, or may include a distributed structure having multiple different interfaces for different entities / elements. Reference numeral 620 denotes memory, for example, which may be used to store data and programs / instructions to be executed by the processor or processing function 610, and / or as working memory for the processor or processing function 610. It should be noted that memory 620 can be implemented by using one or more memory portions of the same or different types, but it can also represent external memory, such as an external database provided on a cloud server.

[0153] The processor or processing function 610 is configured to perform processing related to the aforementioned processing. Specifically, the processor or processing circuitry or function 610 includes one or more of the following sub-parts. Sub-part 611 is a receiving part, which can be used as a part for receiving SSBs. This part 611 can be configured to perform processing according to... Figure 4 The processing of S410. Further, sub-part 612 is a determining part, which can be used to determine the relationship between multiple SSBs. This part 612 can be configured to perform based on... Figure 4 The processing of S420. Furthermore, sub-section 613 is a receiving section, which can be used to receive a single SIB. This section 613 can be configured to perform according to... Figure 4 The processing of S430.

[0154] Now for reference Figure 7 , Figure 7 A block diagram is shown illustrating example apparatuses according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0155] Specifically, Figure 7 The diagram shown illustrates a device 700, which can be represented as described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 3The described base station (e.g., an access network entity or function, such as a gNB), according to various embodiment examples, can participate in facilitating low-overhead system information delivery in beam-based systems. Furthermore, although a base station is mentioned, it can also be another device or function with similar tasks, such as a chipset, chip, module, application, etc., and it can be part of a network element, or attached as a separate element to a network element, or the like. It should be understood that each block and any combination thereof can be implemented by various means or combinations thereof, such as hardware, software, firmware, one or more processors and / or circuit systems.

[0156] Figure 7 The illustrated apparatus 700 may include a processing circuitry system, processing function, control unit, or processor 710, such as a CPU or the like, adapted to facilitate low-overhead system information transfer in a beam-based system. The processor 710 may include one or more portions or functions dedicated to a particular processing described below, or the processing may run within a single processor or processing function. The portion used to perform such a particular processing may also be provided as a discrete element, or within one or more further processors, processing functions, or processing portions, for example, in a physical processor (such as a CPU) or in one or more physical or virtual entities. Reference numerals 731 and 732 denote input / output (I / O) units or functions (interfaces) connected to the processor or processing function 710. I / O units 731 and 732 may be combined units including communication devices oriented to several entities / elements, or may include a distributed structure having multiple different interfaces for different entities / elements. Reference numeral 720 denotes memory, for example, which may be used to store data and programs / instructions to be executed by the processor or processing function 710, and / or as working memory for the processor or processing function 710. It should be noted that memory 720 can be implemented by using one or more memory portions of the same or different types, but it can also represent external memory, such as an external database provided on a cloud server.

[0157] The processor or processing function 710 is configured to perform processing related to the aforementioned processing. Specifically, the processor or processing circuitry or function 710 includes one or more of the following sub-parts. Sub-part 711 is a transmitting part, which can be used as a part for transmitting multiple SSBs. This part 711 can be configured to perform processing according to... Figure 5 The processing of S510. Further, sub-part 712 is a transmitting part, which can be used as the part for transmitting a single SIB. This part 712 can be configured to perform according to... Figure 5 The processing of S520.

[0158] It should be noted that, as referenced above... Figure 6 and Figure 7The described devices 600 and 700 may include further / additional sub-parts that enable devices 600 and 700 to perform the functions described in the reference above. Figures 1 to 5 The described method / method steps.

[0159] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: means for receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB), the SSB including an information block; means for determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs having a quasi-co-address (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and means for receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs.

[0160] According to various embodiment examples, the SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals; and the apparatus may also include means for receiving the SSB based on detecting at least one of the pair of synchronization signals.

[0161] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving the demodulation reference signal based on the QCL relationship; and means for further receiving the individual SIB based on the received demodulation reference signal.

[0162] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: means for estimating the Doppler shift of a single base station beam in the different base station beams; means for constructing a combined Doppler shift to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams in the different base station beams; and means for receiving at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler shift: the single SIB or the demodulation reference signal.

[0163] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: means for receiving an indication of the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; and means for further receiving the single SIB based on the indication.

[0164] According to various embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: means for determining the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on receiving a subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

[0165] According to various embodiment examples, the QCL relationship can be at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

[0166] Furthermore, according to at least some embodiment examples, an apparatus may include: means for transmitting a plurality of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), wherein each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the means, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs have a quasi-co-address (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB); and means for transmitting the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

[0167] According to at least some example embodiments, each SSB may also include a pair of synchronization signals.

[0168] According to at least some example embodiments, the apparatus may further include means for transmitting the demodulation reference signal based on the QCL relationship.

[0169] According to at least some example embodiments, the QCL relationship may be based on one of the following: QCL-TypeC average delay, Doppler shift, and / or QCL-TypeD spatial RX parameters.

[0170] According to at least some implementation examples, the information block may indicate that the plurality of SSBs is one of 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, which constitute a single QCL source.

[0171] According to at least some embodiment examples, the apparatus may further include: means for indicating the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; and means for further transmitting the single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

[0172] Furthermore, according to various embodiment examples, a computer program product for a computer can be provided, including software code portions, which, when the product is run on the computer, are used to perform, for example... Figure 4 and Figure 5 The steps of any of the methods outlined above.

[0173] According to at least some example embodiments, the computer program product may include a computer-readable medium on which the software code portion is stored, and / or the computer program product may be directly loaded into the computer's internal memory and / or transmitted over a network via at least one of the processes of uploading, downloading, or pushing.

[0174] It should be understood that:

[0175] This access technology enables traffic to be transmitted between entities in a communication network. This technology can be any suitable current or future technology, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WiMAX (Global Microwave Access Interoperability), LTE, LTE-A, 5G, 6G, Bluetooth, infrared, etc. In addition, the example implementation can also be applied to wired technologies, such as IP-based access technologies, such as wired networks or fixed lines.

[0176] Examples of suitable implementations as software code or portions thereof and executed using a processor or processing function are software code-independent and can be specified using any known or future-developed programming language, such as high-level programming languages ​​like Objective-C, C, C++, C#, Java, Python, Javascript, other scripting languages, etc., or low-level programming languages ​​like machine language or assembly language.

[0177] The implementation of the example is hardware-independent and can be implemented using any known or future-developed hardware technology or any combination thereof, such as microprocessors or CPUs (central processing units), MOS (metal-oxide-semiconductor), CMOS (complementary MOS), BiMOS (bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (bipolar CMOS), ECL (emitter-coupled logic), and / or TTL (transistor-transistor logic).

[0178] Examples of embodiments can be implemented as independent devices, apparatuses, units, means, or functions, or in a distributed manner. For example, one or more processors or processing functions may be used or shared in the processing, or one or more processing portions or processing segments may be used and shared, wherein one or more physical processors may be used to implement one or more processing portions dedicated to a specific processing (such as...).

[0179] The device may be implemented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module that includes such a chip or chipset;

[0180] Examples of implementations can also be implemented as any combination of hardware and software, such as ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) components, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components.

[0181] Examples of embodiments can also be implemented as computer program products, including computer-usable media, wherein computer-readable program code is embodied, which is adapted to perform the processes as described in the embodiments, wherein the computer-usable media may be a non-transitory medium.

[0182] The term "circuit system" may refer to one or more, or all, of the following example embodiments:

[0183] (a) Pure hardware circuit implementation (e.g., implemented only in analog and / or digital circuit systems) and

[0184] (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable):

[0185] (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and

[0186] (ii) Any part of the hardware processor (including digital signal processors) that works with software and memory to enable a device (e.g., a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions.

[0187] Hardware circuitry and / or processors, such as microprocessors or a portion thereof, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate but may be absent when the software is not needed.

[0188] The definition of this term applies to all uses of the term, including in any claim. As a further example, as used herein, the term "circuit system" also covers only hardware circuitry or a processor (or processors) or a portion thereof, and its accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. The term "circuit system" also covers, for example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or networking device.

[0189] As used herein, the term “non-transient” refers to a limitation on the medium itself (e.g., tangible, not a signal), rather than a limitation on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0190] As used in this article, “at least one of the following:” and “at least one” and similar wording, where a list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least one of these elements, or at least any two or more of these elements, or at least all of these elements.

[0191] Although this disclosure has been described herein with reference to various examples of its embodiments, this disclosure is not limited thereto, and various modifications can be made to this disclosure by those skilled in the art.

[0192] The following applies to the meanings of the abbreviations used in this article:

[0193] 3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project

[0194] 3GGP2 Third Generation Partnership Program 2

[0195] 4G fourth generation

[0196] 5G (Fifth Generation)

[0197] 6G sixth generation

[0198] AP access point

[0199] API (Application Programming Interface)

[0200] BS base station

[0201] CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

[0202] CN Core Network

[0203] CORESET Control Resource Set

[0204] CSI Channel State Information

[0205] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0206] DMRS demodulation reference signal

[0207] eNB Evolutionary Node B

[0208] ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute)

[0209] FDM (Frequency Division Multiplexing)

[0210] gNB Next Generation Node B

[0211] IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

[0212] ITU (International Telecommunication Union)

[0213] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0214] LTE-A Long Term Evolution - Advanced

[0215] MANETs (Mobile Ad Hoc Networks)

[0216] MIB Master Information Block

[0217] MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output)

[0218] NB Node B

[0219] NF Network Functions

[0220] NR New Radio

[0221] NW Network

[0222] PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel)

[0223] PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel)

[0224] PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel)

[0225] PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)

[0226] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0227] QCL Quasi-co-located

[0228] RAM (Random Access Memory)

[0229] RAN (Radio Access Network)

[0230] RE Resource Elements

[0231] Rel version

[0232] ROM (Read-Only Memory)

[0233] RX receiver

[0234] SCS Subcarrier Spacing

[0235] SFN Single Frequency Network

[0236] SIB1 System Information Block Type 1

[0237] SSB synchronization signal and PBCH block

[0238] TDM (Time Division Multiplexing)

[0239] TISPAN Advanced Networks: Telecommunications and Internet Convergence Services and Protocols

[0240] TRP Transmitter / Receiver Point

[0241] TRS Tracking Reference Signal

[0242] UE User Equipment

[0243] UL uplink

[0244] UWB (Ultra-Wideband)

[0245] WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiple Access

[0246] WiMAX Global Microwave Access Interoperability

[0247] WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network)

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: A component for receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB), wherein the SSB includes an information block; A component for determining whether a received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs based on the received information block, wherein the plurality of SSBs have a quasi-co-addressable QCL relationship with the demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each of the plurality of SSBs is associated with a different base station beam. as well as If it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs, the component used to receive the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The SSB also includes paired synchronization signals; and The apparatus also includes components for receiving the SSB based on detecting at least one of the paired synchronization signals.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component for receiving the demodulated reference signal based on the QCL relationship; as well as Components for further receiving the individual SIB based on the received demodulation reference signal.

4. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component used to estimate the Doppler frequency shift of a single base station beam among the different base station beams; Components for constructing combined Doppler frequency shifts to receive single-frequency network (SFN) transmissions from multiple base station beams among the different base station beams; as well as A component for receiving at least one of the following based on the combined Doppler frequency shift: the single SIB or the demodulation reference signal.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component for receiving an indication of the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; as well as Components for further receiving the individual SIB based on the instructions.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the apparatus further comprises: A component for determining the number of SSBs constituting the plurality of SSBs based on the received subcarrier spacing (SCS) indication associated with the plurality of SSBs.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the QCL relationship is at least one of the following: average delay, Doppler shift, or spatial RX parameter.

8. An apparatus comprising: The component used to send multiple synchronization signal blocks (SSBs). Each of the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam emitted from the device, and Each information block indicates that the demodulation reference signal of the plurality of SSBs and the single system information block SIB has a quasi-co-address QCL relationship; as well as Components used to send the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein each of the SSBs further comprises a pair of synchronization signals.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 or 9, wherein the apparatus further comprises a component for transmitting the demodulation reference signal based on the QCL relationship.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the QCL relationship is based on one of the following: QCL type C average latency, Doppler shift, and / or QCL type D spatial RX parameter.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs are one of the following: 4 SSBs, 8 SSBs, and 16 SSBs, and the 4 SSBs, the 8 SSBs, and the 16 SSBs constitute a single QCL source.

13. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a component for indicating the number of repetitions of the single SIB transmission; and a component for further transmitting the single SIB based on the indicated number of repetitions.

14. A method, comprising: receiving a synchronization signal block SSB, the SSB including an information block; determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one of a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs having a quasi - co - location (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB), and each SSB in the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and if it is determined that the received SSB is one of the plurality of SSBs, receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

15. A method, comprising: transmitting, at a base station, a plurality of synchronization signal blocks SSBs, wherein each SSB in the plurality of SSBs includes an information block and is associated with a different beam transmitted from the base station, and wherein each information block indicates that the plurality of SSBs have a quasi - co - location (QCL) relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block (SIB); and transmitting the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.

16. A computer program product for a computer, comprising a software code portion that, when the product is run on the computer, is configured to perform the steps of any one of claims 14 or 15.

Images