CORESET Frequency Position Determination in Unlicensed Spectrum

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Solution Overview

Problem

In New Radio (NR) systems, the existing methods for determining the CORESET #0 frequency position are limited, especially in non-coexistence scenarios where cells do not align with other radio systems, and fail to support unlicensed spectrum deployments effectively.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves indicating the CORESET #0 frequency position using a combination of RB offset signaling and frequency gap between the SS/PBCH and reference SS/PBCH frequencies, or directly signaling the RB offset between the start of CORESET #0 and SS/PBCH, allowing for two modes of operation to support various deployment scenarios in both licensed and unlicensed bands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing methods for determining CORESET #0 frequency position are used, then the system works in licensed bands, but it fails to support unlicensed spectrum deployments effectively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesupport for unlicensed spectrum deploymentsVSAvoidsystem broadcast information decoding accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic flexibility in determining CORESET #0 frequency position by providing two alternative modes: Mode 1 uses a fixed formula based on SSB frequency, while Mode 2 uses directly signaled RB offset. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to switch between deterministic and flexible approaches based on deployment scenario, enabling support for unlicensed spectrum while maintaining reliability in both coexistence and non-coexistence cases.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter representation method for CORESET #0 frequency position. Instead of using a single fixed calculation method, it introduces a configurable mode parameter that determines whether to use the formula-based approach (Mode 1) or directly signaled RB offset (Mode 2). This parameter change enables the system to adapt to different spectrum deployment requirements while ensuring accurate system broadcast information decoding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If Mode 1 (formula-based) is used to determine CORESET #0 frequency position, then the method is simple, but it lacks flexibility for various deployment scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility for deployment scenariosVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the CORESET #0 frequency position determination into two distinct modes with different calculation methods. Mode 1 uses a standardized formula for simple deployments, while Mode 2 uses directly signaled RB offset for flexible deployments. This segmentation allows each mode to be optimized for its specific use case, providing flexibility without unnecessarily increasing complexity for all scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal determination mechanism that can function in both simple and flexible modes through a single configurable framework. The same determination mechanism handles both Mode 1 (formula-based) and Mode 2 (direct signaling) scenarios, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various deployment requirements without requiring separate implementation paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If Mode 2 (direct signaling) is used to determine CORESET #0 frequency position, then the flexibility is high, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in frequency position determinationVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by providing flexibility only when needed. Mode 2 with direct RB offset signaling is available for scenarios requiring high flexibility, while Mode 1 with formula-based determination is used for standard deployments. This partial application of the more flexible (but overhead-intensive) method optimizes the balance between flexibility and signaling overhead by using it selectively rather than universally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11736218B2Obtaining neighbor cell control channel resources in unlicensed bands

Publication Date: 2023.08.22 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Various embodiments herein provide techniques for indication of a starting frequency of a control resource set (CORESET). In embodiments, two modes for determining the starting frequency are provided. An access node (e.g., next generation Node B (gNB)) may send an indication to a user equipment (UE) to indicate which mode to use (e.g., in a payload of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH)). Other embodiments may be described and claimed.