Flexible Numerology Configuration for 5G NR Initial Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE/LTE-A systems face challenges in configuring numerologies for 5G NR, including excessive complexity in initial access procedures and limited flexibility in radio resource usage due to a limited number of numerology types and static subframe configurations, which hinder efficient use of large operational frequency spectra.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of a flexible numerology configuration scheme that allows for multiple numerologies within a single carrier band, enabling dynamic or semi-static switching between primary and secondary numerologies, with signaling mechanisms to efficiently manage and allocate these numerologies during communication sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If LTE/LTE-A numerology configuration schemes are applied to 5G NR with multiple numerology types, then initial access procedures become more comprehensive in covering diverse numerologies, but the complexity of blind detection increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the numerology configuration into two parts: a first numerology configuration determined through blind detection, and a second numerology configuration provided through signaling. This segmentation allows the system to cover multiple numerologies without requiring blind detection of all possible types, thereby reducing detection complexity while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing the second numerology configuration through advance signaling before actual data transmission. This allows the UE to be pre-informed about the numerology to be used, eliminating the need for complex blind detection of multiple numerology types while ensuring comprehensive numerology support.
2Adaptability or versatility
If specific subframes with different numerologies are configured using system information block, then numerology allocation is established, but the locations of those subframes become static or semi-static which constrains flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the second numerology configuration to be signaled dynamically through downlink control information (DCI) rather than being fixed in static system information blocks. This enables the network to flexibly allocate different numerologies to different subframes based on real-time traffic requirements and channel conditions, significantly improving radio resource flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables parameter changes by allowing the numerology configuration parameters (such as subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix length) to be dynamically adjusted through signaling. This allows the system to change numerology parameters on-the-fly to match varying service requirements, transforming the static resource allocation into a dynamic one.
3Adaptability or versatility
If control and signalling context are placed in resources configured with specific numerology, then time division multiplexing of different numerologies is enabled, but the LTE/LTE-A system does not accommodate this approach
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a signaling mechanism that works across multiple numerology types. The downlink control information and system information blocks are designed to carry numerology configuration information that can apply to different numerologies, allowing the same signaling infrastructure to support time division multiplexing of multiple numerologies without requiring separate dedicated signaling paths for each numerology type.
Data Source
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Figure 5~6(2)
AI summary
A communication terminal for communicating with a base device by frequency and/or time division multiplexing, the terminal being configured to transmit and/or receive signals to and/or from the base device using any of a plurality of numerology types, the communication terminal being configured to: communicate with the base device using a default one of the numerology types and thereby receive a configuration word from the base device; determine in dependence on the default one of the numerology types and the configuration word a secondary numerology type; and subsequently communicate with the base device using the secondary numerology type when the second numerology type is activated.