Common Search Space Indicator for Synchronization Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing synchronization signals, particularly in New Radio (NR) networks, where pairing each synchronization signal with a Common Search Space (CSS) leads to excessive network resource utilization, necessitating a method to determine the location of CSS for downlink control channels without unnecessary pairing.

Innovation Solution

A technique where user equipment (UE) receives a CSS indicator for synchronization signals, determining the CSS location based on the indicator, allowing some synchronization signals to not be paired with a CSS, thereby optimizing network resource allocation by enabling UE to decode CSS information for network access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If each synchronization signal is paired with a Common Search Space (CSS) for downlink control channels, then UE can reliably decode CSS information for network access, but network resource utilization becomes excessive

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCSS decoding reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple synchronization signals share a common CSS resource instead of each having a dedicated CSS. The network configures a single CSS that serves multiple synchronization signal locations, thereby consolidating resource usage and reducing overall network resource consumption while maintaining the ability to provide control information to UEs synchroning at different locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

A single CSS is designed to serve multiple functions by supporting multiple synchronization signals. The CSS configuration is made universal so that it can be used by UEs regardless of which specific synchronization signal location they are synchronizing to, eliminating the need for multiple dedicated CSS resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Quantity of substance

If synchronization signals are not paired with CSS, then network resource utilization is reduced, but UE cannot determine CSS location for decoding control channel information

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork resource utilizationVSAvoidCSS location determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A CSS indicator is introduced as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between synchronization signals and CSS resources. The CSS indicator is transmitted to the UE and provides the necessary information to determine the CSS location associated with a synchronization signal, enabling CSS access without direct pairing or dedicated resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter representation of CSS association by using indicators rather than direct spatial or temporal pairing. Instead of CSS being inherently linked to specific synchronization signal locations through position, the association is established through configurable parameters (CSS indicators) that can be flexibly assigned and updated.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple CSS are configured for multiple synchronization signals, then each UE can access appropriate CSS, but device complexity and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCSS access flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of configuring multiple CSS resources to match multiple synchronization signals (many-to-many mapping), the approach inverts the relationship by configuring fewer CSS resources than synchronization signals (many-to-one mapping). This reduction in CSS quantity simplifies configuration while the CSS indicator mechanism provides the necessary flexibility for UEs to access the appropriate CSS based on their synchronization signal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10917837B2Techniques and apparatuses for common search space determination

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may receive when operating in a network that provides synchronization signals at a plurality of locations in a channel bandwidth, a common search space (CSS) indicator for a synchronization signal, wherein the CSS indicator indicates that the synchronization signal is not associated with a CSS for a downlink control channel. The user equipment may determine a location of the CSS for the downlink control channel based at least in part on the CSS indicator. Numerous other aspects are provided.