Initial Access Signal Mapping for 5G Beamforming Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing initial access signals and synchronization in 5G networks, particularly with the increased demand for higher frequency bands and the need for improved coverage and performance, where existing synchronization and cell search procedures are inadequate for beamforming, large bandwidths, and variable TTI in 5G systems.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a method where a base station maps initial access signals to orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in subframes and transmits them to user equipment (UE), using extended synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels to enable UE to determine the OFDM symbol index, and employing beamforming techniques to overcome propagation losses and enhance coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If beamforming techniques are employed to overcome propagation losses and enhance coverage, then coverage and signal quality are improved, but system complexity and device requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the initial access signal transmission by mapping different synchronization signals (PSS, SSS, ESS) to different OFDM symbols within subframes. This segmentation allows the system to transmit beamformed signals in a structured manner across multiple time slots, improving coverage while managing complexity through organized signal distribution
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by transmitting extended synchronization signals (ESS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) information before actual data transmission. This preliminary signaling provides UE with advance knowledge of beam configuration and OFDM symbol indexing, enabling the UE to prepare for subsequent beamformed data reception and reducing overall system complexity
2Measurement precision
If initial access signals are mapped to multiple OFDM symbols in subframes, then synchronization accuracy and cell search performance are improved, but signaling overhead and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the initial access signal structure by combining synchronization signaling (PSS, SSS), extended synchronization (ESS), and broadcast information (PBCH) into a unified transmission framework. This merging reduces signaling overhead by consolidating information that would otherwise require separate transmissions, while maintaining synchronization accuracy through the coordinated mapping of these signals across OFDM symbols
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements multi-functionality by designing the initial access signal structure to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: synchronization, cell identification, beam information conveyance, and data transmission coordination. This universal approach reduces processing requirements by enabling the UE to extract multiple types of information from a single signal structure rather than processing separate signals independently
3Reliability
If extended synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels are transmitted to enable OFDM symbol index determination, then initial access reliability is improved, but transmission overhead and network resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by transmitting only the essential portions of synchronization and broadcast signals needed for initial access. The extended synchronization signal (ESS) and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) convey critical information (OFDM symbol index, beam configuration) using minimal overhead, avoiding excessive transmission of redundant data while ensuring sufficient reliability for successful initial access
Data Source
AI summary
A base station includes a controller configured to map initial access signals, each initial access signal corresponding to one of a plurality of transmit beams, to a subset or all of a plurality of predefined time locations in at least one periodicity, and a transmitter configured to transmit the mapped initial access signals to a UE and indicate OFDM symbols that are not mapped with the initial access signals in the one periodicity to the UE. A UE includes a transceiver configured to receive initial access signals mapped to a subset or all of time locations in one periodicity from a base station, the each initial access signal corresponding to one of a plurality of different beams, and a controller configured to perform an initial access to the base station and receive the indication of OFDM symbols that are not mapped with the initial access signals in the one periodicity.