Initial cell search procedure

Abstract

A user equipment device is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory, the memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to perform at least an initial cell search for one or more cells on a network, the synchronization raster including clusters of three raster points spaced every 600 kHz.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Various exemplary embodiments relate generally to wireless networking, and more particularly to access procedures in wireless networking. [Background technology]

[0002] Wireless networking offers significant advantages to user mobility. A user's ability to stay connected while on the move not only benefits the user, but also leads to greater efficiency and productivity for society as a whole. As user expectations for connection reliability, data speeds, and device battery life become more demanding, technology for wireless networking must also keep pace with such expectations. Accordingly, there is ongoing interest in improving wireless networking technology. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a user equipment device includes at least one processor and at least one memory. The at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to at least perform an initial cell search for one or more cells on a network, the initial cell search including scanning a plurality of synchronization signal block (SSB) entries in a synchronization raster. The synchronization raster includes clusters of three raster points spaced every 600 kHz.

[0004] In aspects of the present disclosure, the synchronization raster points within each cluster may include frequency offsets from one another of 600 kHz to 50 kHz, 150 kHz, and / or 250 kHz.

[0005] In aspects of the present disclosure, the range of synchronization raster points scanned may start at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for other existing channel bandwidths.

[0006] In an aspect of the present disclosure, when the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to: scan a first range of SSB entries, where the first range of synchronization raster points is given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); scan a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 600 kHz+(N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); and scan a third range of SSB entries, where the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz+(N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499 and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0007] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to: scan a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); and scan a third range of SSB entries, where the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499 and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0008] In an aspect of the present disclosure, for a synchronization raster point within a first range of the plurality of SSB entries, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to apply an unpunctured allocation of 20 physical resource blocks (PRBs) to a physical broadcast channel (PBCH).

[0009] In an aspect of the present disclosure, for synchronization raster points within the second range or third range of the plurality of SSB entries, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to apply the plurality of PRB allocations to one or more puncturing patterns.

[0010] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to search for synchronization raster points that are 600 kHz and 120 kHz higher than the synchronization raster point within a first range of the synchronization raster point.

[0011] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to search a first range of synchronization raster points for an SSB, determine whether the SSB is within the first range of synchronization raster points, and, based on a determination that the SSB is not within the first range, search a second range and a third range of synchronization raster points.

[0012] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to search the first range of synchronization raster points together with the second and third ranges of synchronization raster points in ascending or descending order in the frequency domain.

[0013] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment device to scan a second range of a plurality of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where for the second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999, and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0014] According to an aspect of the disclosure, a method is presented in a user equipment device, the method including performing an initial cell search for one or more cells on a network, the initial cell search including scanning a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster, the synchronization raster including a cluster of three synchronization raster points spaced every 600 kHz.

[0015] In aspects of the present disclosure, the synchronization raster points may include frequency offsets from one another of 600 kHz to 50 kHz, 150 kHz, and / or 250 kHz.

[0016] In aspects of the present disclosure, the range of synchronization raster points scanned may start at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for other existing channel bandwidths.

[0017] In an aspect of the present disclosure, when the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning may include scanning a first range of SSB entries, where the first range of synchronization raster points is given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); scanning a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 600 kHz+(N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); and scanning a third range of SSB entries, where the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz+(N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499 and the value of M is 1, 3, and 5.

[0018] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning may include scanning a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); and scanning a third range of SSB entries, where the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499 and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0019] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, scanning may include scanning a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where for the second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999, and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0020] According to an aspect of the present disclosure, one or more non-transitory processor-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause a user equipment device to perform an initial cell search for one or more cells on a network, where performing the initial cell search includes scanning a first range of a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster when the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, where the first range of synchronization raster points is given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499, and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0021] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning may further include scanning a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), and scanning a third range of SSB entries, where the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499 and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0022] In an aspect of the present disclosure, if the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, scanning may further include scanning a second range of SSB entries, where the second range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where for the second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999, and the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0023] According to some aspects, the subject matter of the independent claims is provided. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

[0024] Several exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of wireless networking between a network and a user equipment (UE) device, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example embodiment of components of a user equipment device or network according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a signal synchronization block (SSB) according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 4] 1 is a flow diagram of an example embodiment of the operation of a user equipment device according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 5] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 6A] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 6B] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 7A]10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a second range for a first example embodiment, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 7B] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a second range for a first example embodiment, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 8A] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between shifted synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a third range for a first example embodiment in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 8B] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between shifted synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a third range for a first example embodiment in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 illustrates an example embodiment of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) puncture pattern for a 150 kHz frequency offset between a synchronization raster point and a channel raster point, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a PBCH puncture pattern for a −150 kHz frequency offset between a synchronization raster point and a channel raster point, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a PBCH puncture pattern for a 270 kHz frequency offset between a synchronization raster point and a channel raster point, in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 12]FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a PBCH puncture pattern for a −30 kHz frequency offset between a synchronization raster point and a channel raster point, according to one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 13A] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a second range for a second example embodiment in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 13B] 10 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of offsets between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth for a second range for a second example embodiment in accordance with one illustrated aspect of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed aspects. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the aspects may be practiced without one or more of these specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with transmitters, receivers, or transceivers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the aspects.

[0027] References throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0028] Embodiments described in this disclosure may be implemented in wireless networking devices such as, but not limited to, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM, 2G), Global Access Network for Mobile Communications (GERAN), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS, 3G) based on basic wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Advanced, enhanced LTE (eLTE), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 5G Advanced, and 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), among other wireless networking systems. The term "eLTE" herein refers to LTE Evolution connecting to a 5G core. LTE is also referred to as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) or Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN).

[0029] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to initial access procedures, which provide various advantages, including reducing initial cell search time.

[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of wireless networking between a network 100 and a user equipment device (UE) 150. The network 100 may include, for example, one or more network node devices 120, one or more servers 110, or other networking devices 130 (e.g., test equipment (TE)). Examples of wireless networking devices include, but are not limited to, devices implementing 5G NR and devices implementing Wi-Fi 6, among others. This disclosure describes embodiments related to 5G NR and embodiments involving aspects defined by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). For such embodiments, the network node device 120 may be a gNodeB (also referred to as a gNB). However, embodiments related to other wireless networking technologies are considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0031] In wireless communications, a node may be implemented at least in part by a centralized unit CU (e.g., a server or host) operably coupled to one or more distributed units DU (e.g., radio heads). In embodiments, it is possible that node operations may be distributed among multiple centralized units (e.g., servers or hosts). In embodiments, network nodes in 5G wireless networking may be implemented based on a so-called CU-DU split. In embodiments, processing tasks may be performed in either the CU or the DU, and the shift of responsibility between the CU and DU may be configurable according to a particular implementation.

[0032] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1 , in the example of a 5G NR network, the network 100 provides cells, which define a coverage area of ​​the network 100. As mentioned above, the network 100 may include a gNB of a 5G NR network, or any other device configured to control wireless communications and manage radio resources within a cell. As used herein, the term “resource” may refer to radio resources such as physical resource blocks (PRBs), radio frames, subframes, time slots, subbands, frequency regions, subcarriers, beams, etc. In an embodiment, the network node device 120 may be referred to as a base station.

[0033] The UE 150 may include, but is not limited to, a smartphone, a tablet, a portable computer, an in-vehicle wireless terminal device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, and / or a watch or other wearable device, among others. The network 100 may provide the UE 150 with wireless access to other networks, such as the Internet. The wireless access may include downlink (DL) communication from the network 100 to the UE 150 and uplink (UL) communication from the UE 150 to the network 100. As used herein, the terms “transmit” and / or “receive” may refer to transmitting and / or receiving wirelessly over a wireless propagation channel on radio resources, respectively. There may be other UEs within the cell, each of which may be served by the same network node apparatus, such as the network 100, or by different network node apparatus.

[0034] During cell search, UE 150 acquires time and frequency synchronization with a cell and detects the cell's physical layer cell ID (PCI). In a 5G NR example, each beam in a burst transmits information about the beam in what is called a synchronization signal block (SSB) 300 (FIG. 3). For example, network node 120, which may be a gNode B, transmits SSB 300 on each beam in the burst. In an embodiment, UE 150 may receive a burst for each of its receive beams.

[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of exemplary components of a UE or network device is shown. The device includes electronic storage 210, a processor 220, memory 250, and a network interface 240. The various components may be communicatively coupled to one another. The processor 220 may be and include any type of processor, such as a single-core central processing unit (CPU), a multi-core CPU, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a system-on-chip (SoC), or any other type of processor. The memory 250 may be a volatile type of memory, such as RAM, or a non-volatile type of memory, such as NAND flash memory. The memory 250 includes computer-readable instructions executable by the processor 220 to cause the device to perform various operations, including those described above.

[0036] Electronic storage 210 may be and include any type of electronic storage used to store data, such as a hard disk drive, a solid state drive, and / or an optical disk, among other types of electronic storage. Electronic storage 210 stores software instructions for causing the device to perform its operations and stores data associated with such operations, such as storing data related to the 5G NR standard, among other data. Network interface 240 may implement wireless networking technologies, such as 5G NR, Wi-Fi 6, and / or other wireless networking technologies.

[0037] 2 are merely examples, and one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that an apparatus may include other components not illustrated and may include more than one of any of the illustrated components. Such and other embodiments are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure.

[0038] 3, there is shown an SSB 300. In a 5G NR example, the SSB 300 includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS) 302, a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) 304, and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) 306. The synchronization signals may be used by the UE 150 for reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurements and to obtain time and frequency synchronization.

[0039] The UE 150 (FIG. 1) must decode the PSS 302 and SSS 304 to decode the time slot information and physical cell ID. The SSB 300 is transmitted in predefined bursts across the time domain on four OFDM symbols and configured PRBs across 240 subcarriers. The burst periodicity with respect to the time slot depends on which subcarrier space is configured. In 5G NR, based on the frequency band, a set of possible frequency locations where the SSB 300 can be centered is defined, which is called the synchronization raster. The UE 150 searches for the SSB on the synchronization raster, which is sparser than the channel raster.

[0040] The synchronization raster defines a set of frequency locations where the SSB 300 may be located in the absence of explicit signaling of SSB locations, thereby setting the frequency locations that need to be searched by the UE 150 for initial cell search. To facilitate cell search, the synchronization raster is designed in 5G NR to be sparser than the set of frequency locations on which carriers may be centered, called the channel raster. In Frequency Range 1 (FR1, defined as 410-7125 MHz), the channel raster typically has 100 kHz spacing, but the synchronization raster has clusters of three raster points every 1.2 MHz, with the raster points within each cluster having a frequency offset of either 50, 150, or 250 kHz from a multiple of 1.2 MHz, as calculated by the following formula: synchronization raster point = N * 1200 kHz + M * 50 kHz, N ∈ {1:2499}, M ∈ {1, 3, 5}.

[0041] Synchronous channel raster interval ΔFSC ,Raster is ΔFSC ,Raster ≦BWConfig-BWPBCH+ΔFCH ,Raster , where BWConfig (TxBW configuration) is the width of the transmitted resource block, BWPBCH is the width of the PBCH, and ΔFCH ,Raster is the channel raster spacing.

[0042] In an embodiment, if 15 PRBs with a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS) and a 100 kHz channel raster spacing are used for a 3 MHz bandwidth with the principle of not modifying the 12 PRBs for the PSS and SSS (i.e., only the PBCH is punctured), then in order to have at least one valid synchronization raster point per 3 MHz channel raster point, clusters of synchronization raster points need to be separated by ≦15*180−12*180+100=640 kHz. Therefore, because 1.2 MHz is greater than the 640 kHz limit, the synchronization raster spacing requires redesign for narrowband NR operation.

[0043] As described below in connection with UE operation 400 for establishing access with a network, in an embodiment, the synchronization raster may be defined to have clusters of three raster points every 600 kHz (600 kHz is the largest integer multiple of the channel spacing in the SCS and in FR1 that is less than the 640 kHz limit), with the raster points within each cluster having a frequency offset of either 50, 150, or 250 kHz from a multiple of 600 kHz. Furthermore, in an embodiment, to prevent UEs that do not support 3 MHz channel bandwidths from incorrectly decoding a punctured PBCH from a 3 MHz cell (and thereby causing delays in initial cell search), the synchronization raster points of this disclosure overlap with synchronization raster points defined in the 5G NR 3GPP standards for other channel bandwidths and are each shifted by 120 kHz (i.e., the largest frequency offset that can still maintain a minimum guard band of 142.5 kHz at each edge of the 3 MHz channel bandwidth) for 3 MHz channel bandwidth deployments.

[0044] Referring now to FIG. 4, a flow diagram of an example UE operation 400 for establishing access with a network is shown.

[0045] The disclosed technology provides the benefit of reducing initial cell search time for UE 150 that supports both 3 MHz and 5 MHz channel bandwidths in at least any 3GPP operating band specified in 3 MHz bandwidths, such as 5G NR channel bands n100, n8, n26, and n28. Note that the reduction in initial cell search time may be more significant for NR bands n8, n26, and n28, which are much wider in the frequency domain and therefore have many more channel raster points.

[0046] In block 402, the UE operations include performing an initial cell search to identify one or more cells on the wireless network. Performing the initial cell search includes scanning a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster.

[0047] In block 404, for a UE device supporting a 5 MHz channel bandwidth (or both 3 MHz and 5 MHz channel bandwidths), the UE operation includes scanning a first range of SSB entries using a first range of synchronization raster points. The first range of synchronization raster points is given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N ranges from 1 to 2499 and the value of M may be 1, 3, or 5 for each synchronization raster point. In an aspect, for synchronization raster points within the first range of SSB entries, the UE 150 applies an unpunctured allocation of 20 PRBs (240 subcarriers) for PBCH detection.

[0048] In an aspect, when UE 150 supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth (or both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth), UE operation includes searching for a synchronization raster point that is 600 kHz and / or 120 kHz higher than a synchronization raster point within a first range of the synchronization raster point.

[0049] In block 406, the UE operation includes scanning a second range of SSB entries using a second range of synchronization raster points. The second range of synchronization raster points may be given by X + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz), where the value of N ranges from 1 to 2499 and the value of M may be 1, 3, or 5 for each synchronization raster point. In an embodiment, X may be a value such as 300 kHz or 600 kHz, although other values ​​for X are contemplated. For example, the second range of synchronization raster points may be given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz).

[0050] In an aspect, the second range of synchronization raster points may be given by Y+(N*X)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999 and the value of M may be 1, 3, or 5 for each synchronization raster point. In an embodiment, X may be a value such as 600 kHz, and Y may be a value such as 120 kHz. Other values ​​for X and Y are contemplated. For example, the second range of synchronization raster points may be given by 120 kHz+(N*600 kHz)+(M*50 kHz). For example, the range of synchronization raster points scanned may start at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for a channel bandwidth different from the channel bandwidth supported by UE 150.

[0051] In block 408, the UE operation includes scanning a third range of SSB entries using a third range of synchronization raster points. The third range of synchronization raster points is given by Y+(N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz), where the value of N ranges from 1 to 2499 and the value of M may be 1, 3, or 5 for each synchronization raster point. In an embodiment, Y may be a value such as 120 kHz, although other frequency values ​​for Y are contemplated.

[0052] In an aspect, if UE 150 supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the UE operation includes first searching a first range of synchronization raster points. Then, the UE operation includes determining whether an SSB is located within the first range of synchronization raster points. Then, based on a determination that the SSB is not located within the first range, the UE operation includes searching a second range and a third range of synchronization raster points.

[0053] In an aspect, when UE 150 supports both 3 MHz channel bandwidth and 5 MHz channel bandwidth, UE operation includes searching a first range of synchronization raster points together with a second range and a third range of synchronization raster points in ascending or descending order in the frequency domain.

[0054] In an aspect, for synchronization raster points within the second range or third range of the plurality of SSB entries, the UE operation includes applying the plurality of PRB allocations to one or more puncture patterns, which will be described in more detail in connection with Figures 9-12.

[0055] In an aspect, UE 150 may camp on the identified cell. "Camping on" is a state of a UE device in which the UE device is on a cell and ready to initiate a potential dedicated service or receive an ongoing broadcast service.

[0056] 5 is a table illustrating an example embodiment of the offset between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 5 MHz channel bandwidth of 5G NR band n100. While band n100 is used as an example, other bands such as n8, n26, and n28 are contemplated.

[0057] The synchronization raster points 502 illustrated for each channel raster point are the only valid synchronization raster points because their offset (from the channel raster point) must be a multiple of 15 kHz SCS and a minimum guard band of 242.5 kHz must be maintained at each edge of the 5 MHz channel bandwidth, which is the absolute value of the offset (ΔF SC,Raster ) must be ≦(5−3.6) / 2−0.2425=0.4575MHz.

[0058] 6A-8B, the offset between the synchronization raster point and the channel raster point is shown for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth of 5G NR band n100. While band n100 is used as an example, any other bands specified with a 3 MHz channel bandwidth are contemplated, such as n8, n26, and n28.

[0059] In an embodiment, for a synchronization raster having clusters of three raster points every 1.2 MHz, used for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth with 90% spectrum utilization (15 PRBs), the offset between each pair of synchronization raster point and channel raster point is provided in Figures 6A and 6B, showing valid synchronization raster points 602. In Figures 6A and 6B, it can be seen that there are no valid synchronization raster points for more than half (15 / 27) of the channel raster points, considering that the offset must be a multiple of the 15 kHz SCS and that a minimum guard band of 142.5 kHz must be maintained at each edge of the 3 MHz channel bandwidth. Therefore, the absolute value of the offset (ΔF SC,Raster ) must be ≦(3-2.16) / 2-0.1425=0.2775MHz.

[0060] In an embodiment, for a synchronization raster having a cluster of three raster positions per 600 kHz, used for a 3 MHz channel bandwidth with approximately 90% spectrum utilization (15 PRBs), the new and shifted synchronization raster points (i.e., existing ones are not repeated) and the offset between each pair of channel raster points are provided in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, respectively, with valid synchronization raster points highlighted in green. It can be seen that in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B, there is one valid synchronization raster point 702, 802 for each of the 15 channel raster points that do not have valid synchronization raster points in Figures 6A and 6B.

[0061] Most of the valid synchronization raster points in Figures 7A, 7B, 8A, and 8B (i.e., 12 out of 15) are mapped to two channel raster points, each with a different offset between the synchronization raster point and the channel raster point. Therefore, two PBCH puncture patterns for a given SSB Tx BW configuration may be defined per synchronization raster point, and one PBCH puncture pattern may be defined for each channel raster point to fit 12 PRB PSS / SSS within the 3 MHz channel bandwidth. PBCH puncture patterns for offsets of 270 kHz, 150 kHz, -30 kHz, and -150 kHz between the synchronization raster point and the channel raster point are shown below in Figures 9-12. Generally, only one or two PBCH puncture patterns are relevant for a given synchronization raster point.

[0062] 9-12 illustrate exemplary embodiments of PBCH puncture patterns 920, 1020, 1120, and 1220 for various frequency offsets between synchronization raster point 904 and channel raster point 902. Box 910 represents 15 PRB bandwidths. Puncturing at the receiver is the discarding of punctured PBCH subcarriers upon reception or detection of the PBCH. Correspondingly, puncturing at the transmitter is the elimination or nulling of the PBCH signal transmitted on the punctured subcarriers. Note that PSS 302 and SSS 304 are not discarded by PBCH puncture pattern 920. The puncture pattern is generally determined by the actual channel deployment of network 100. For example, if there is high interference at a −150 kHz offset, a puncture pattern at a 150 kHz offset may be selected.

[0063] Referring to Figure 9, a PBCH puncture pattern 920 is shown for a 150 kHz frequency offset between the synchronization raster point 904 and the channel raster point 902. Figure 10 shows a PBCH puncture pattern 1020 for a -150 kHz frequency offset between the synchronization raster point 904 and the channel raster point 902. Figure 11 shows a PBCH puncture pattern 1120 for a 270 kHz frequency offset between the synchronization raster point 904 and the channel raster point 902. Referring to Figure 12, a PBCH puncture pattern 1220 is shown for a -30 kHz frequency offset between the synchronization raster point 904 and the channel raster point 902.

[0064] 13A and 13B, for a second range of the second exemplary embodiment, a table is shown illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the offset between each of the synchronization raster points and channel raster points used by a UE device for a 3 MHz bandwidth of 5G NR band n100. While band n100 is used as an example, other bands such as n8, n26, and / or n28 are contemplated.

[0065] The offset between each pair of synchronization raster points and channel raster points (in the second range) is provided in Figures 13A and 13B to show valid synchronization raster points 1302. Figures 13A and 13B show that there is one valid synchronization raster point for each channel raster point on band n100 of the 3 MHz channel bandwidth. It should also be noted that only two PBCH puncture patterns are required because the synchronization raster point / channel raster point offsets are limited to 270 kHz and -30 kHz offsets.

[0066] Further embodiments of the present disclosure include the following examples.

[0067] Example 1. A user equipment device, comprising: means for performing an initial cell search for one or more cells on the network, the performing the initial cell search including scanning a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster; The synchronization raster includes a cluster of three synchronization raster points spaced every 600 kHz.

[0068] Example 2. The apparatus of example 1, wherein the synchronization raster points within each cluster include a frequency offset from one another of at least one of 600 kHz to 50 kHz, 150 Hz, or 250 kHz.

[0069] Example 3. An apparatus as described in any one of Examples 1 or 2, wherein the range of synchronization raster points scanned starts at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for other existing channel bandwidths.

[0070] Example 4. A means for scanning a first range of a plurality of SSB entries when a user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the first range of synchronization raster points comprising: means for scanning a first range given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); means for scanning a second range of a plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points comprising: means for scanning a second range given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); means for scanning a third range of a plurality of SSB entries, the third range of synchronization raster points comprising: means for scanning a third range given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499. The device of any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0071] Example 5. A means for scanning a second range of a plurality of SSB entries when the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the second range of synchronization raster points comprising: means for scanning a second range given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); means for scanning a third range of a plurality of SSB entries, the third range of synchronization raster points comprising: means for scanning a third range given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499. The device of Example 1, wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0072] Example 6. The apparatus of Example 5, further comprising: means for applying an unpunctured allocation of 20 physical resource blocks to physical broadcast channel detection for a synchronization raster point within a first range of the plurality of SSB entries.

[0073] Example 7. The apparatus of Example 5, further comprising: means for applying a plurality of PRB assignments to one or more puncture patterns for synchronization raster points within a second range or a third range of a plurality of SSB entries.

[0074] Example 8. If a user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth: 8. The apparatus of any one of Examples 1 to 7, further comprising means for searching for synchronization raster points that are 600 kHz and 120 kHz higher than the synchronization raster points within a first range of synchronization raster points.

[0075] Example 9. If a user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, means for searching a first range of synchronization raster points for the SSB; means for determining whether the SSB is within a first range of a synchronization raster point; 9. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 1 to 8, further comprising: means for searching a second range and a third range for the synchronization raster point based on a determination that the SSB is not within the first range.

[0076] Example 10. If a user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, An apparatus described in any one of Examples 1 to 9, further comprising means for searching the first range of synchronization raster points together with the second and third ranges of synchronization raster points in ascending or descending order in the frequency domain.

[0077] Example 11. If a user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, means for scanning a second range of a plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points comprising: It is given by 120kHz+(N*600kHz)+(M*50kHz), For the second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999; 11. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising means for scanning a second range, wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

[0078] The embodiments and aspects disclosed herein are examples of disclosure and may be embodied in various forms. For example, although specific embodiments herein are described as separate embodiments, each of the embodiments herein may be combined with one or more of the other embodiments herein. The specific structural and functional details disclosed herein should not be construed as limiting, but should be construed as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching those skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure in substantially any suitable detailed structure. Similar reference numbers may refer to similar or identical elements throughout the description of the drawings.

[0079] The phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "in various embodiments," "in some embodiments," or "in other embodiments" may each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to the present disclosure. The phrase "plurality" may refer to two or more.

[0080] The phrases "in one embodiment," "in an embodiment," "various embodiments," "in some embodiments," or "in other embodiments" can each refer to one or more of the same or different embodiments according to the present disclosure. A phrase in the form "A or B" means "(A), (B), or (A and B)." A phrase in the form "at least one of A, B, or C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C)."

[0081] Any of the methods, programs, algorithms, or codes described herein may be converted into or expressed in a programming language or computer program. As used herein, the terms "programming language" and "computer program" each include any language used to specify instructions to a computer, including (but not limited to) the following languages: Assembler, Basic, batch files, BCPL, C, C+, C++, Delphi, Fortran, Java, JavaScript, machine code, operating system command languages, Pascal, Perl, PL1, Python, scripting languages, Visual Basic, metalanguages ​​that themselves specify programs, and all first-, second-, third-, fourth-, fifth-, or higher-generation computer languages ​​and their derivatives. Databases and other data schemes, as well as any other metalanguages, are also included. No distinction is made between interpreted, compiled, or languages ​​that use both compiled and interpreted approaches. No distinction is made between compiled and source versions of a program. Thus, a reference to a program is a reference to any and all of the programming languages ​​that may exist in more than one state (such as source, compiled, object, or linked). A reference to a program may encompass the actual instructions and / or the intent of those instructions.

[0082] While embodiments of the present disclosure are shown in the drawings, the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the drawings, as the disclosure is to be as broad as the art will permit and the specification is intended to be read in the same manner. Accordingly, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. 1. A user equipment device, comprising: at least one processor; At least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to at least: performing an initial cell search for one or more cells on the network, the initial cell search including scanning a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster; at least one memory, wherein the synchronous raster includes clusters of three synchronous raster points spaced every 600 kHz; 1. A user equipment device comprising:

2. 10. The user equipment device of claim 1, wherein the synchronization raster points within each cluster include a frequency offset from one another of at least one of 50 kHz, 150 Hz, or 250 kHz from the 600 kHz.

3. 10. The user equipment device of claim 1, wherein the range of scanned synchronization raster points begins at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for other existing channel bandwidths.

4. If the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: scanning a first range of the plurality of SSB entries, the first range of synchronization raster points being given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); scanning a third range of the plurality of SSB entries, wherein the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); Let them do this further, The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499, The user equipment device of claim 1 , wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

5. If the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); scanning a third range of the plurality of SSB entries, wherein the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); Let them do this further, The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499, The user equipment device of claim 1 , wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

6. For synchronization raster points within the first range of the plurality of SSB entries, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to:

5. The user equipment device of claim 4, further configured to apply an unpunctured allocation of 20 physical resource blocks (PRBs) for physical broadcast channel (PBCH) detection.

7. For synchronization raster points within the second range or the third range of the plurality of SSB entries, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: The user equipment device of claim 5 , further configured to apply multiple PRB allocations to one or more puncture patterns.

8. If the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: The user equipment device of claim 1 , further configured to search for synchronization raster points 600 kHz and 120 kHz higher than the synchronization raster point within a first range of synchronization raster points.

9. If the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: searching a first range of the synchronization raster points for the SSB; determining whether the SSB is within a first range of the synchronization raster point; searching a second range and a third range for the synchronization raster point based on the determination that the SSB is not within the first range; The user equipment device of claim 4 , further comprising:

10. If the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to:

5. The user equipment device of claim 4, further configured to search the first range of synchronization raster points together with the second and third ranges of synchronization raster points in ascending or descending order in the frequency domain.

11. If the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment device to: scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); for said second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999; 10. The user equipment device of claim 1, further comprising: scanning a second range, the values ​​of M being 1, 3, and 5.

12. 1. A method in a user equipment device, the method comprising: performing an initial cell search for one or more cells on the network, the initial cell search including scanning a plurality of SSB entries in a synchronization raster; The method wherein the synchronous raster comprises a cluster of three synchronous raster points spaced every 600 kHz.

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the synchronization raster points include a frequency offset from each other of at least one of 50 kHz, 150 Hz, or 250 kHz from the 600 kHz.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the range of scanned synchronization raster points starts at 120 kHz from an existing synchronization raster point to avoid overlapping with existing synchronization raster points valid for other existing channel bandwidths.

15. If the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning scanning a first range of the plurality of SSB entries, the first range of synchronization raster points being given by (N*1200 kHz)+(M*50 kHz); scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); scanning a third range of the plurality of SSB entries, wherein a third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499, 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

16. If the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); scanning a third range of the plurality of SSB entries, wherein a third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); the value of N is in the range of 1 to 2499; The method of claim 12 , wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

17. If the user equipment device supports a 3 MHz channel bandwidth, the scanning scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); for said second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999; 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising scanning a second range of values ​​for M that are 1, 3, and 5.

18. One or more non-transitory processor-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by one or more processors, cause a user equipment device to: performing an initial cell search for one or more cells on a network, where, when the user equipment device supports both a 3 MHz channel bandwidth and a 5 MHz channel bandwidth, performing the initial cell search includes scanning a first range of a plurality of SSB entries, the first range of synchronization raster points including: (N*1200kHz)+(M*50kHz), The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499, One or more non-transitory processor-readable media for performing an initial cell search, the method comprising: scanning the plurality of SSB entries in a synchronous raster by scanning a first range, where M has values ​​of 1, 3, and 5.

19. The scanning comprises: scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 600 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); scanning a third range of the plurality of SSB entries, wherein the third range of synchronization raster points is given by 120 kHz + (N * 1200 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); The value of N ranges from 1 to 2499, 20. The one or more non-transitory processor-readable media of claim 18, wherein the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

20. The scanning comprises: scanning a second range of the plurality of SSB entries, the second range of synchronization raster points being given by 120 kHz + (N * 600 kHz) + (M * 50 kHz); for the second range, the value of N ranges from 2 to 4999; 20. The one or more non-transitory processor-readable media of claim 18, further comprising scanning a second range where the values ​​of M are 1, 3, and 5.

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