Configurable SSB Transmission Patterns for LTE-NR Spectrum Sharing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face limitations in efficiently sharing spectrum between different radio access technologies (RATs) like LTE and NR, leading to restricted SSB transmission patterns that impact capacity and coverage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing configurable synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (SSB) transmission patterns that allow for flexible mapping of SSBs in both time and frequency domains, enabling multi-beam transmission on both non-MBSFN and MBSFN subframes, and using a look-up table (LUT) for efficient resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If fixed SSB transmission patterns are used for spectrum sharing between LTE and NR, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but spectrum sharing efficiency and network capacity are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic SSB transmission patterns where the network can flexibly configure time-frequency resources for SSB in shared spectrum between LTE and NR. Instead of fixed patterns, the system allows adaptive adjustment of SSB transmission timing and frequency locations based on actual network conditions and traffic demands, thereby improving spectrum sharing efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized configuration mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of SSB transmission by introducing configurable time-domain positions, frequency-domain locations, and periodicity values. These parameter adjustments enable the system to optimize spectrum utilization for both LTE and NR in shared bands, allowing the network to adapt transmission characteristics to match varying operational requirements without fundamentally altering the SSB structure.
2Productivity
If restricted SSB transmission patterns are applied in shared spectrum, then interference management between RATs is simplified, but network coverage and capacity are impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time-frequency resources by creating separate resource pools for LTE and NR SSB transmissions within the shared spectrum. Through configurable parameter sets that define distinct time windows and frequency ranges for each RAT, the system enables both technologies to operate simultaneously with reduced mutual interference, thereby increasing overall network capacity while maintaining manageable interference control through structured resource allocation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces configuration parameters and signaling mechanisms as intermediaries that coordinate SSB transmissions between LTE and NR. These intermediary elements manage the timing and frequency relationships between the two RATs, allowing the network to optimize capacity utilization while keeping interference management complexity manageable through standardized control procedures.
3Area of stationary object
If configurable SSB patterns with multi-beam transmission are implemented, then coverage and capacity are enhanced, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universal configuration parameters that serve multiple functions: they define SSB transmission patterns, beam directions, and resource allocations simultaneously. By using a unified parameter set that can configure multiple beams and time-frequency patterns through a single configuration message, the system enhances coverage area through multi-beam transmission while minimizing signaling overhead through parameter efficiency and reusability across different SSB configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive an indication of a configuration that specifies a transmission pattern for a synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) of a first radio access technology (RAT). The UE may receive the SSB, according to the configuration, in a spectrum that is shared between the first RAT and a second RAT. Numerous other aspects are described.