Adaptive Synchronization Signal Transmission Duration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional synchronization signal transmission in wireless communication networks often results in inefficient energy use and increased latency due to the use of sector-wide beams and swept beams, which are not well-suited for irregular coverage areas and varying reception conditions.

Innovation Solution

A radio network node adapts the transmission duration of synchronization signals based on expected received signal quality in different directions, using shorter durations for better reception conditions and longer durations for poorer conditions, thereby reducing overall transmission time and energy consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If sector-wide beams are used for synchronization signal transmission, then coverage area is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to transmitting in all directions including areas with poor reception conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by transmitting synchronization signals with different durations in different spatial directions based on expected received signal quality. Directions with good reception conditions receive shorter transmission durations, while directions with poor reception conditions receive longer transmission durations, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by making the transmission duration adaptive rather than static. The transmission duration is dynamically adjusted according to the expected received signal quality in each direction, allowing the system to respond to varying propagation conditions and optimize energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Area of stationary object

If swept beams are used for synchronization signal transmission, then coverage area is improved, but latency increases due to the time required to sweep through all directions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidlatency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by assigning different transmission durations to different spatial directions based on expected received signal quality. This allows the system to cover all directions while minimizing the total transmission time by using shorter durations in directions with good reception conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by varying the transmission duration parameter according to the expected received signal quality in each direction. This parameter adaptation allows the system to reduce overall latency while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If uniform transmission duration is used in all directions, then device complexity is reduced, but energy efficiency deteriorates due to inability to adapt to varying reception conditions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission control complexityVSAvoidenergy efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the transmission duration direction-dependent rather than uniform. Each spatial direction receives a customized transmission duration based on expected received signal quality, optimizing energy efficiency while maintaining manageable system complexity through the use of beam management information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3420647B1Method and apparatus for synchronization signal transmission in a wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2019.09.04 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3420647B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP3420647B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3420647B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

In one aspect of the teachings herein, a radio network node advantageously adapts the transmission duration of a synchronization signal with respect to transmission of the synchronization signal in different directions. For example, the radio network node uses a shorter transmission duration in beam directions that are associated with better reception conditions and a longer transmission duration in beam directions that are associated with poorer reception conditions. As a consequence of varying the transmission duration according to received-signal qualities known or expected for the different directions, the radio network node can shorten the overall time needed to complete one synchronization-signal transmission cycle and use less energy, as compared to using a more conservative, longer transmission time in all beam directions.