Keep Alive Signal for Wireless Synchronization

Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing initial timing synchronization and frequency offset estimation for user equipment (UE) in wireless networks, leading to increased network resource utilization and energy consumption.

Innovation Solution

The method involves transmitting a keep alive signal (KAS) associated with initial timing synchronization, which includes synchronization signal block (SSB) information, initial access information, and scheduling information, allowing the UE to perform initial timing and frequency offset estimation without the need for additional SSB-like reference signals, thereby reducing network resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional SSB-like reference signals are transmitted for initial timing synchronization and frequency offset estimation, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network resource consumption and energy usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming synchronization accuracyVSAvoidnetwork energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (timing synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and system information delivery) into a single unified message structure. The MSI message integrates SSB information, initial access information, and scheduling information, eliminating the need for separate reference signal transmissions while achieving the same synchronization objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The keep alive signal is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: it maintains timing synchronization, enables frequency offset estimation, and delivers system information. This multi-functional approach replaces the need for dedicated reference signals that performed only synchronization functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If traditional SSB-like reference signals are transmitted for initial timing synchronization and frequency offset estimation, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but network resource utilization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency offset estimation accuracyVSAvoidnetwork resource usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (timing synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and system information delivery) into a single unified message structure. The MSI message integrates SSB information, initial access information, and scheduling information, eliminating the need for separate reference signal transmissions while achieving the same synchronization objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential synchronization and estimation functions from the traditional reference signal framework and implements them within the existing keep alive signal structure. This extraction eliminates redundant resource usage while preserving the core functionality needed for synchronization and frequency offset estimation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If additional reference signals are transmitted for synchronization purposes, then timing synchronization reliability is improved, but latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinitial timing synchronization reliabilityVSAvoidsynchronization latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent prepares and transmits all necessary synchronization information (timing and frequency offset) within the initial keep alive signal before actual data communication begins. This preliminary provision of synchronization data eliminates the need for additional reference signal transmissions during the initial access phase, reducing overall latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines multiple functions (timing synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and system information delivery) into a single unified message structure. The MSI message integrates SSB information, initial access information, and scheduling information, eliminating the need for separate reference signal transmissions while achieving the same synchronization objectives.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20240015672A1Minimum system information message communication

Publication Date: 2024.01.11 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a keep alive signal (KAS) that is associated with an initial timing synchronization between the UE and a network node. The UE may receive a minimum system information (MSI) message, from the network node and based at least in part on receiving the KAS, that includes synchronization signal block (SSB) information, initial access information, and scheduling information. Numerous other aspects are described.