Configurable Subcarrier Spacing for Initial Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face limitations in flexibility and efficiency, particularly in controlling downlink and uplink transmissions, which affect communication capacity, speed, and reliability.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a user equipment (UE) and base station apparatus that utilize specific configurations for receiving and transmitting radio resource control messages, including subcarrier spacing for synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels, to enhance communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly by using default subcarrier spacings based on frequency bands for improved initial access procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed communication structure is used for initial access procedures, then system simplicity is maintained, but communication flexibility and efficiency are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the subcarrier spacing configurable rather than fixed. The base station can dynamically select and indicate different subcarrier spacing values (e.g., 15 kHz or 30 kHz) for synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels based on deployment scenarios, allowing the system to adapt to different communication requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of subcarrier spacing from a fixed value to a configurable parameter. By introducing RRC messages that carry subcarrier spacing information and allowing different spacing values to be selected based on frequency bands and deployment scenarios, the system achieves improved flexibility and efficiency without significantly increasing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If default subcarrier spacing is used for all frequency bands, then system complexity is reduced, but communication efficiency in specific frequency bands is not optimized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different subcarrier spacing values for different frequency bands and deployment scenarios. Instead of using a uniform default value across all bands, the system allows local optimization where specific bands (e.g., sub-6 GHz vs.毫米波) can use appropriately tuned subcarrier spacing values to maximize their respective communication efficiencies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining multiple subcarrier spacing options (15 kHz, 30 kHz, etc.) and their associations with different frequency bands. The base station performs preliminary configuration and indicates the appropriate subcarrier spacing to UEs before actual data transmission begins, allowing UEs to properly configure their reception parameters in advance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple subcarrier spacing configurations are supported, then communication capacity and speed are improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional RRC message structure that can carry subcarrier spacing information applicable to multiple different signal types (synchronization signals, physical broadcast channels, etc.). This single message structure serves multiple purposes and can indicate different subcarrier spacing values for different frequency bands, reducing the need for separate configuration mechanisms for each signal type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3619875B1User equipment, base station and methods
Publication Date: 2022.08.03 SHARP KK
  • EP3619875B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619875B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619875B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A UE includes receiving circuitry that receives a radio resource control (RRC) message including information indicating a subcarrier spacing of a block comprising, at least, a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS) and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The receiving circuitry also receives, based on the information, the block comprising, at least, the PSS and the SSS and the PBCH. The information is used only for a case where the UE is in a RRC connected. In a case that the information is not configured, the receiving circuitry receives, based on a default value of the subcarrier spacing, the block comprising, at least, the PSS and the SSS and the PBCH. The default value of the subcarrier spacing is given based on a frequency band.