Base Station System Information Transmission for MTC Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile communication systems face challenges in supporting both terminals capable of multi-antenna reception and those incapable of multi-antenna reception, particularly in LTE-A systems, where MTC terminals with single-antenna capabilities cannot access base stations with multiple antennas, leading to reduced coverage and reception quality for other terminals.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves a method where a base station transmits system information using different antenna configurations, allowing terminals to determine the number of antennas used by the base station during initial access, and separates system information transmission for MTC terminals using a second antenna configuration, enabling them to receive necessary information without relying on multi-antenna reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base station performs multi-antenna transmission, then the coverage and reception quality for traditional terminals is improved, but MTC terminals incapable of multi-antenna reception cannot access the base station

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereception qualityVSAvoidterminal compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the transmission approach by implementing two distinct antenna configurations: a first antenna configuration for traditional terminals and a second antenna configuration for MTC terminals. This segmentation allows each terminal type to receive system information through the configuration best suited to its capabilities, resolving the contradiction between optimizing for multi-antenna terminals and maintaining compatibility with single-antenna terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The base station dynamically adapts its transmission method by determining which antenna configuration to use based on the terminal type. The system can switch between first antenna configuration (for traditional terminals) and second antenna configuration (for MTC terminals), providing dynamic adaptability that resolves the contradiction between maintaining high performance for multi-antenna terminals and ensuring accessibility for single-antenna terminals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the base station performs single-antenna transmission to all terminals, then MTC terminals can access the base station, but coverage and reception quality for traditional terminals deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal compatibilityVSAvoidreception quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies local quality by assigning different transmission characteristics to different terminal groups. MTC terminals receive system information using the second antenna configuration optimized for single-antenna reception, while traditional terminals receive using the first antenna configuration optimized for multi-antenna reception. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by ensuring each terminal type receives appropriately tailored transmission without compromising overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the base station uses multiple antenna configurations for system information transmission, then both MTC and traditional terminals can access the base station, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal compatibilityVSAvoidtransmission system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station implements multi-functionality by using a single antenna system that can operate in multiple configurations. The same physical antennas can be configured in different patterns (first antenna configuration or second antenna configuration) depending on the terminal type, rather than requiring separate dedicated antenna systems for each terminal category. This universal approach reduces overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability to different terminal capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2777174B1Method and apparatus for transmitting system information in a mobile communication system
Publication Date: 2022.02.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2777174B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2777174B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2777174B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting system information in a mobile communication system. The method includes configuring system information including first antenna configuration information and second antenna configuration information, and broadcasting the system information. The first antenna configuration information includes information about a number of antennas of a base station.