LTE-U System Information Transmission via DRS Multiplexing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sending system information in LTE-U systems face challenges in ensuring timely and efficient transmission, particularly in unlicensed carrier scenarios, where competing with WiFi and other systems requires careful management to avoid interference and ensure fair access to unlicensed spectrum.

Innovation Solution

The method involves encapsulating necessary system information and DRS (Discovery Reference Signal) on a common sub-frame, allowing for independent or combined configuration of parameters such as period, offset, and duration, and sending system information as part of or alongside the DRS, to optimize transmission on idle sub-frames and adapt to varying demands.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If system information is transmitted separately from DRS on unlicensed carrier, then system information can be sent independently, but transmission delay increases and overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information transmission reliabilityVSAvoidsystem information transmission delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines system information transmission with DRS transmission by multiplexing system information blocks (SIBs) on the same time-frequency resources as DRS. This integration allows system information to be transmitted within the DRS transmission opportunity without requiring separate transmission resources, thereby reducing transmission delay and overhead while ensuring reliable delivery of system information to UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The DRS transmission resource is designed to serve dual purposes: carrying both discovery reference signals and system information blocks. This multi-functional approach allows the same time-frequency resources to fulfill both DRS functionality (for UE discovery and channel estimation) and system information transmission, eliminating the need for separate dedicated resources and reducing overall transmission overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If system information is transmitted on every sub-frame, then system information is always available, but overhead and resource consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information availabilityVSAvoidtransmission overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic transmission of system information blocks within DRS opportunities rather than continuous transmission on every sub-frame. The SIBs are transmitted at periodic intervals aligned with DRS transmission occasions, which reduces transmission overhead while ensuring system information is periodically refreshed and remains available to UEs that need to acquire or update their system information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Ease of manufacture

If DRS and system information are transmitted separately, then each can be optimized independently, but resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent optimization capabilityVSAvoidresource transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges DRS and system information transmission into a unified transmission framework where SIBs are multiplexed on the same time-frequency resources as DRS. This combination improves resource efficiency by utilizing the same transmission opportunity for both purposes, avoiding waste of dedicated system information resources while maintaining the ability to independently configure and optimize the content and timing of DRS and SIB transmissions through separate parameter control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3444988B1System information sending method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2021.06.09 ZTE CORP
  • EP3444988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3444988B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Disclosed are a system information sending method and apparatus. The system information sending method comprises: determining system information sent by a cell; and sending the determined system information on a common subframe, the common subframe being used for sending the determined system information and a discovery reference signal (DRS) or sending an extended DRS comprising the determined system information, and the common subframe comprising one or more subframes.