Flexible SSB Time Domain Positioning for 5G Power Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Densely deployed network nodes and high power consumption per node in 5G infrastructure due to massive MIMO and high frequency band operations lead to increased overall power consumption, necessitating more efficient network node management and flexibility in turning on/off spatial coverage based on traffic loads and user distributions.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of flexible SS/PBCH transmission methods, where User Equipment (UE) and Radio Access Network (RAN) adapt SSB transmission by receiving and configuring different time domain positions through higher and physical layer signaling, allowing for dynamic adjustment of SSB periodicities and PRACH resource association, enabling network nodes to efficiently manage power usage based on user distribution and traffic demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If network nodes transmit maximum 64 SSBs and 64 copies of PDCCH/PDSCH every 20ms in FR2, then coverage and reliability are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic SSB transmission by allowing gNB to change SSB burst configuration based on real-time conditions. The network can dynamically adjust the number of SSBs transmitted, their time domain positions, and periodicity according to traffic load and user distribution, transitioning from static maximum transmission to adaptive variable transmission that balances reliability needs with power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes multiple parameters including the number of SSBs (from fixed 64 to variable), time domain positions of SSBs, and transmission periodicity. These parameter changes enable the network to optimize between coverage reliability and power consumption by adjusting transmission characteristics based on actual network conditions and user requirements.
2Device complexity
If SSB transmission time domain positions are fixed, then UE configuration is simplified, but network flexibility to adapt to traffic loads and user distributions is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static fixed time domain positions to dynamic adjustable positions. The gNB can modify SSB burst configuration including time domain positions based on traffic load and user distribution, while UE receives updated configuration through signaling. This maintains UE configuration simplicity while enabling network adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The network monitors traffic load and user distribution conditions, uses this feedback information to adjust SSB transmission parameters, and notifies UE through physical layer signaling. This feedback mechanism enables the network to adapt to changing conditions while keeping UE configuration management simple through automated updates.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for flexible SS/PBCH transmission. One apparatus includes a processor coupled to a transceiver, the processor and the transceiver configured to cause the apparatus to receive first information via higher layer signaling and to receive second information via physical layer signaling. Here, the first information corresponds to time domain positions of a first set of transmitted SSBs in a first SSB burst, and the second information corresponds to time domain positions of a second set of transmitted SSBs in a second SSB burst, where the first information is different from the second information. The apparatus performs random access using the first information and second information.