Base Station SSB Repetition for High Subcarrier Spacing Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing 5G new radio access technology faces challenges in maintaining signal reception quality, particularly with subcarrier spacings higher than 120 kHz, such as 480 kHz or 960 kHz, which result in reduced coverage and link budget, affecting initial connection and beam management processes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method that involves repeating synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) within defined transmission opportunities, known as Discovery Burst Transmission Windows (DBTWs), to enhance coverage and reception quality, even in scenarios where initial transmission opportunities are hindered by Listen Before Talk failures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If higher subcarrier spacings (480 kHz or 960 kHz) are used to increase data rate and reduce latency, then productivity is improved, but coverage and link budget deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic repetition of SSB transmissions within DBTW windows. The SSB is transmitted multiple times at periodic intervals (e.g., every 20ms or 40ms) within the discovery burst transmission window, allowing the terminal to accumulate signal energy over multiple transmission instances. This periodic repetition compensates for the reduced per-transmission coverage of high subcarrier spacings by providing multiple opportunities for successful signal detection.
2Speed
If higher subcarrier spacings (480 kHz or 960 kHz) are used to reduce latency, then speed is improved, but link budget deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic SSB repetition within DBTW to accumulate link budget through multiple transmissions. By transmitting the SSB multiple times at periodic intervals within the discovery burst window, the terminal can combine signals from multiple transmissions, effectively increasing the total received energy and improving the link budget despite using higher subcarrier spacings that individually provide shorter transmission duration.
3Reliability
If Listen Before Talk procedure is performed to avoid interference, then reliability is improved, but transmission opportunities are reduced due to failures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs LBT procedure in advance before the DBTW period to determine channel availability. This preliminary LBT action allows the system to prepare transmission resources ahead of time. If LBT succeeds, SSB transmissions are scheduled within the DBTW; if LBT fails, the system can still utilize the pre-configured DBTW structure for future transmission attempts, ensuring that transmission opportunities are maximized while maintaining interference avoidance through the preliminary LBT check.
Data Source
AI summary
A base station according to the present invention comprises: a control circuit that sets a plurality of sections, each of which includes at least one transmission opportunity for a plurality of synchronization signal blocks; and a transmission circuit that carries out repeated transmission of the synchronization signal blocks in the plurality of sections.