60GHz SSB Measurements with CCA-Aware Timing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing cell identification delays, particularly in high-frequency bands like FR2-2, due to increased path loss and the need for beamforming, which can be exacerbated by listen-before-talk procedures causing SSB reception failures.

Innovation Solution

Adaptive adjustment of cell identification time windows by dynamically varying the number of SMTC occasions based on SSB reception failures, using mechanisms like MPSS/SSS_sync_w/o_gaps_CCA to account for LBT failures and beam misalignments, allowing for additional measurement attempts and frequency layer switching when thresholds are exceeded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam sweeping procedure is used to receive synchronization signals in high-frequency bands, then cell identification capability is improved, but reception reliability deteriorates due to increased path loss and beam misalignment

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSSB reception reliabilityVSAvoidbeam sweeping complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the number of beam sweeping rounds based on reception success. The UE performs an initial fixed number of rounds, and if synchronization signals are not received, it increases the number of rounds adaptively. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by making the complex beam sweeping process flexible and responsive to actual reception conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE monitors whether synchronization signals are successfully received during beam sweeping. Based on this feedback, the UE determines whether to extend the measurement time window and adjust the number of beam sweeping rounds. This feedback loop ensures reliable cell identification while managing complexity through adaptive control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If listen-before-talk procedure is implemented in unlicensed bands, then channel access control is improved, but cell identification time increases due to LBT failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel access reliabilityVSAvoidcell identification time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by extending the measurement time window before final cell identification is completed. When LBT failures are detected during beam sweeping, the UE proactively increases the allowed time window to accommodate additional measurement occasions, ensuring cell identification is completed despite channel access interruptions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the time window parameter dynamically based on LBT failure conditions. The UE adjusts the measurement time window parameter to include additional scheduled measurement occasions when LBT failures are detected, thereby resolving the time loss issue while maintaining channel access reliability through adaptive parameter modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If fixed measurement time window is used for cell identification, then measurement efficiency is improved, but adaptability to reception failures deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement efficiencyVSAvoidadaptability to reception failures

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the fixed measurement time window into a dynamic parameter that adapts to reception conditions. The UE determines whether to extend the time window based on whether synchronization signals are successfully received during beam sweeping. This dynamic approach maintains measurement efficiency under normal conditions while providing adaptability when reception failures occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses feedback from synchronization signal reception status to adjust the measurement time window. When SSB reception fails during beam sweeping, the feedback mechanism triggers an extension of the measurement time window to include additional measurement occasions, ensuring the UE can still identify cells reliably while maintaining overall measurement efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12463702B2Synchronization signal block measurements with clear channel assessment for 60GHz range

Publication Date: 2025.11.04 APPLE INC

AI summary

Methods, apparatuses, and systems are disclosed for compensating for cell identification delays that are beyond the control of the UE, in connection with standards-specified cell identification timing limits. In frequency bands including both beam sweeping and listen-before-talk (LBT) requirements, a cell identification procedure may be significantly delayed due to LBT failure at the base station and/or beam misalignment between the base station and the UE. Therefore, UE cell identification timing constraints may be dynamically adjusted to compensate for such delays. For example, the time window allowed for cell identification of a neighbor cell may be dynamically increased in response to determining that one or more SSBs were not available at the UE during an SMTC occasion. In some scenarios, if the timing increase exceeds a predetermined threshold, the UE may restart the cell identification procedure, e.g., on the same frequency layer or on a different frequency layer.