5G Base Station Neighbor Cell Measurement via SS and CSI-RS Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing radio resources, particularly in mmWave bands, where signal attenuation is significant, and existing methods for neighbor cell measurement and handover management are inadequate for high-bandwidth, broadband systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a base station and terminal to request and report synchronization signal (SS) and channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) measurements, enabling effective radio resource management (RRM) by comparing signal qualities between serving and neighbor cells, and adjusting configurations such as bandwidth and frequency to optimize handover and mobility management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional neighbor cell measurement methods are used in 5G mmWave systems, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision and reliability are insufficient due to significant signal attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement process into two distinct phases: initial synchronization signal (SS) block measurements for cell identification and basic quality assessment, followed by detailed channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) measurements for precise signal quality evaluation. This segmentation allows the system to first quickly identify potential neighbor cells using SS blocks, then perform more resource-intensive CSI-RS measurements only on promising candidates, thereby improving measurement precision while controlling device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing SS block measurements before CSI-RS measurements. The SS blocks provide initial synchronization and basic cell quality information, allowing the network to pre-filter candidate neighbor cells before committing resources to more detailed CSI-RS measurements. This preliminary assessment step ensures that only cells with sufficient potential are subjected to comprehensive measurement, improving overall measurement precision while reducing unnecessary measurement overhead
2Productivity
If comprehensive SS and CSI-RS measurement reporting is implemented, then radio resource management efficiency is improved, but loss of time due to multiple measurement rounds increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic action by configuring periodic CSI-RS resources for neighbor cell measurement. Instead of continuous monitoring, the system uses periodically transmitted CSI-RS signals at configured intervals to update neighbor cell measurements. This periodic approach allows the network to balance measurement freshness with time efficiency, achieving effective radio resource management while avoiding excessive measurement overhead that would cause time loss
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where measurement reports from SS and CSI-RS measurements are fed back to the network, which then adjusts measurement configurations and triggers subsequent measurement rounds based on mobility events and signal quality changes. This feedback-driven approach ensures that comprehensive measurements are performed only when necessary, improving RRM efficiency while minimizing time loss by avoiding redundant measurement rounds
3Object-affected harmful factors
If beamforming and massive MIMO are deployed to mitigate mmWave propagation loss, then signal coverage is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by implementing dynamic beam management where the base station and user equipment continuously adjust beam directions and widths based on channel conditions, mobility state, and signal quality measurements. The system dynamically selects and switches between multiple beams to maintain optimal signal coverage in mmWave band, compensating for signal attenuation while managing complexity through adaptive rather than static configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting beamforming parameters such as beam width, direction, and gain based on measurement results from SS and CSI-RS signals. The system dynamically modifies these parameters to optimize signal coverage and quality in response to changing propagation conditions, thereby mitigating mmWave attenuation effects while managing device complexity through controlled parameter adjustment rather than fixed complex configurations
4Speed
If advanced access technologies like FBMC and NOMA are implemented, then data transmission rate is improved, but ease of operation and measurement management become more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reference signal structure into distinct SS blocks and CSI-RS resources with different functions and characteristics optimized for advanced access technologies. SS blocks provide robust synchronization and basic measurement capabilities, while CSI-RS resources provide detailed channel state information. This segmentation allows the system to maintain measurement and handover management simplicity by treating different signal types separately, even while supporting high-speed data transmission through advanced technologies like FBMC and NOMA
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a communication technique for merging, with IoT technology, a 5G communication system for supporting a data transmission rate higher than that of a 4G communication system, and a system therefor. The disclosure can be applied to intelligent services (e.g., smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, healthcare, digital education, retail, security and safety-related services, and the like) based on 5G communication technology and IoT-related technology. An operating method of a base station, includes configuring a terminal to perform a serving cell channel measurement for a serving cell and a neighbor cell channel measurement for a neighbor cell, and transmit to the base station a first report of the serving cell channel measurement and a second report of the neighbor cell channel measurement, the configuring including configuring a measurement gap for the neighbor cell, based at least in part on a determination that a first frequency corresponding to the serving cell and a second frequency corresponding to the neighbor cell are different from each other; receiving, from the terminal, the first report based at least in part on the serving cell measurement being performed by the terminal; and receiving, from the terminal, the second report based at least in part on the neighbor cell channel measurement being performed by the terminal.