Cellular Network Sensing Using SSB and SIB1 for Low Overhead

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cellular communication networks face challenges in enhancing radio-based sensing capabilities due to limited bandwidth and duration of synchronization signals and common broadcast channels, which restrict range and velocity estimation, and introducing additional reference signals increases system overhead and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

Utilize existing synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and System Information Block 1 (SIB1) transmissions for channel sensing, treating unchanged parts of SIB1 as known signals to improve sensing performance without increasing radio interface overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If additional reference signals are introduced for sensing, then sensing performance is improved, but system overhead and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing performanceVSAvoidsystem overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling synchronization signal blocks and system information blocks to serve dual purposes: traditional communication functions (synchronization, system information broadcasting) and radio-based sensing functions (channel sensing, ranging, velocity estimation). This eliminates the need for separate dedicated reference signals for sensing, thereby improving sensing performance without increasing system overhead.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling synchronization signal blocks and system information blocks to serve dual purposes: traditional communication functions (synchronization, system information broadcasting) and radio-based sensing functions (channel sensing, ranging, velocity estimation). This eliminates the need for separate dedicated reference signals for sensing, thereby improving sensing performance without increasing system overhead.

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

2Measurement precision

If additional reference signals are introduced for sensing, then sensing performance is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing performanceVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling synchronization signal blocks and system information blocks to serve dual purposes: traditional communication functions (synchronization, system information broadcasting) and radio-based sensing functions (channel sensing, ranging, velocity estimation). This eliminates the need for separate dedicated reference signals for sensing, thereby improving sensing performance without increasing system overhead.

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

3Quantity of substance

If synchronization signals with limited bandwidth and duration are used, then system overhead is reduced, but ranging and velocity estimation capabilities are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem overheadVSAvoidranging and velocity estimation capabilities
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges synchronization signal blocks and system information blocks with channel sensing operations. By combining these existing signaling structures with sensing functions, the system achieves enhanced ranging and velocity estimation capabilities without introducing separate dedicated sensing signals, thus maintaining low system overhead while improving measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If unchanged parts of SIB1 are treated as known signals, then sensing accuracy is improved, but reception overhead may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesensing accuracyVSAvoidreception overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the receiving node store previously received system information block 1 data before it is needed for sensing operations. This pre-storing of unchanged SIB1 parts as known signals enables efficient channel sensing without requiring repeated reception and processing of the same information, thereby improving sensing accuracy while minimizing reception overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12621781B2Sensing in cellular communication networks
Publication Date: 2026.05.05 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • US12621781B2 patent drawing
  • US12621781B2 patent drawing
  • US12621781B2 patent drawing

AI summary

According to an example aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a method comprising, determining, by an apparatus, first information for reception of a synchronization signal block from a cell of a source wireless network node, determining, by the apparatus, second information for reception of at least one part of a system information block from the cell of the source wireless network node, wherein the second information is unchanged compared to at least one part of a previous system information block, receiving, by the apparatus, the synchronization signal block and the system information block and performing, by the apparatus, processing of the first information of the synchronization signal block and the second information of the at least one part of the system information block.