5G Frequency Resource Grid Alignment for PRB Index Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 4G wireless communication systems face limitations in supporting flexible access for user equipment (UEs) with varying bandwidth capabilities, as synchronization signals and channels are fixed within a pre-defined bandwidth, preventing UEs with less bandwidth from accessing channels that occupy the full system bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for determining frequency resource and PRB index in 5G networks by providing information on a common reference point and offset for resource block grids, allowing UEs to accurately locate carriers and adjust bandwidth accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If resource blocks are indexed from 0 upwards without considering subcarrier offset, then resource block indexing is simple, but frequency domain resource allocation becomes ambiguous and imprecise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a reference point for resource block indexing before actual resource allocation occurs. The network device determines the subcarrier offset between the synchronization signal block and the resource block grid in advance, and this offset information is included in downlink control information to guide terminal devices. This preliminary establishment of reference frames enables precise frequency domain resource allocation without adding complex real-time calculation requirements during resource assignment.
2Reliability
If subcarrier offset between synchronization signal block and resource block is not considered, then system design is simpler, but terminal devices cannot accurately determine frequency domain resources for receiving downlink data
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses downlink control information as an intermediary to transmit the subcarrier offset value from the network device to the terminal device. This intermediary mechanism allows the terminal to accurately determine the frequency domain resources without directly calculating the offset from physical signal characteristics. The downlink control information acts as a carrier that conveys the reference frame relationship, enabling reliable resource identification while keeping terminal device complexity low through standardized information processing.
3Measurement precision
If resource block indexing does not account for synchronization signal block position, then resource allocation is faster, but frequency domain resource allocation accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs preliminary determination of the subcarrier offset between the synchronization signal block and the resource block grid before scheduling downlink data. This offset value is calculated and prepared in advance, then embedded in the downlink control information. When the terminal receives the downlink control information, it can directly use the provided offset value to accurately index resource blocks without performing complex real-time measurements or calculations, thus maintaining both high precision and fast resource block determination.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention provides a method performed by a terminal in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: receiving, from a base station, a synchronization signal, SS, block; receiving, from the base station, first information on a reference point associated with common resource blocks; and identifying second information on a subcarrier offset a lowest subcarrier of the SS block and a lowest subcarrier of a lowest resource block which overlaps with the SS block, wherein the common resource blocks are indexed from 0 and upwards in the frequency domain for a subcarrier spacing configuration based on the reference point. The invention further provides a method performed by a base station, as well as a terminal and a base station.