Base Station Test Signal Placement for NR and NB-IoT Coexistence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge lies in testing base stations that support New Radio (NR) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) signals, as existing solutions fail to address compatibility issues arising from the migration of E-UTRA carriers to NR, particularly due to differences in sub-carrier design and control signals, and the lack of defined test configurations for NR and NB-IoT coexistence.
Innovation Solution
A method is developed to generate a test configuration for wireless signals that includes placing a Narrow Band Internet of Things test signal as an outermost carrier at the edges of the radio frequency bandwidth, but not within the new radio minimum guard band, and incorporating additional new radio signals within the bandwidth, to ensure compliance and simulate challenging transmission and reception conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If NB-IoT test signal is placed at the edge of radio frequency bandwidth, then testing coverage and compliance validation are improved, but interference with new radio signals may increase
Solution Approach 1:
The radio frequency bandwidth is segmented into distinct regions: NB-IoT signal regions at the edges and new radio signal regions in the middle, separated by guard bands. This segmentation allows independent testing of NB-IoT compliance at bandwidth edges while preventing interference with new radio signals through the protective guard band zones.
Solution Approach 2:
Guard bands act as intermediary zones between NB-IoT test signals and new radio signals. These intermediate frequency regions serve as buffers that isolate the two signal types, allowing edge-placed NB-IoT signals to be tested for compliance without causing harmful interference to new radio operations.
2Reliability
If multiple test signals are configured for NB-IoT and new radio coexistence, then testing comprehensiveness is improved, but test configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different test signals are configured with locally optimized parameters suited to their specific deployment scenarios. NB-IoT in-band signals use one set of parameters, guard band signals use another, and standalone signals use yet another. This localized parameter optimization achieves comprehensive testing without requiring a single complex universal configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The test configuration system is designed to universally handle multiple NB-IoT deployment modes (in-band, guard band, standalone) and new radio coexistence scenarios through a unified framework. The same base station can be tested across all these modes using the disclosed methodology, reducing overall system complexity despite the variety of test scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A BS generates a test configuration of wireless signals for testing the BS for compliance with one or more criteria. The BS supports NB-IoT signals and NR signals, and is configured to support multiple carriers and to support operation within an RF bandwidth. The test configuration includes: a NB-IoT test signal placed as an outermost carrier at one or both edges of the RF bandwidth but not within a new radio minimum guard band, wherein for NB-IoT operation in new radio in-band, the NB-IoT test signal is placed as an outermost resource block within a NR transmission bandwidth configuration plus 15 kHz at an edge but not within the NR minimum guard band; and further test signal(s), comprising NR signals, in the RF bandwidth. The BS transmits the test configuration of wireless signals.