Device assisted intercell downlink radio synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, user equipment in idle mode frequently wakes up to decode synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) from multiple cells, leading to increased power consumption and resource demands, especially when micro cells operate in energy-saving modes and reduce SSB transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A macro cell broadcasts master and system information blocks containing explicit or differential access information for micro cells, allowing user equipment to access these cells without decoding SSBs, using secondary access information derived from aggregated radio access performance metrics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If user equipment frequently wakes up to decode SSBs from multiple cells, then cell identification and radio information acquisition are improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the macro cell pre-broadcast access information for micro cells in energy-saving mode before the user equipment needs to access them. This includes downlink synchronization timing offsets and other necessary parameters that allow the user equipment to access micro cells without decoding SSBs, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable cell identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the macro cell as an intermediary to convey access information about micro cells in energy-saving mode. Instead of the user equipment directly decoding SSBs from micro cells, the macro cell acts as a mediator that broadcasts the necessary access parameters, reducing the need for frequent SSB decoding and lowering user equipment power consumption.
2Loss of energy
If micro cells reduce SSB transmissions during energy-saving modes, then energy consumption is reduced, but user equipment access capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the access information functionality into the macro cell's system information broadcasts. Instead of micro cells independently broadcasting SSBs, the macro cell consolidates and broadcasts access information for multiple micro cells including those in energy-saving mode. This combining approach allows micro cells to reduce transmissions while user equipment can still access them through the macro cell's information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by having the macro cell broadcast copied or derived access information about micro cells. The downlink synchronization timing offsets and other access parameters are obtained (either directly from micro cells or calculated) and then broadcast by the macro cell, allowing user equipment to access micro cells without the micro cells actively transmitting SSBs.
3Speed
If explicit access information is broadcast for micro cells, then user equipment access speed is improved, but system information broadcast overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by offering different representations of access information. The macro cell can broadcast either explicit access parameters (which provide faster access but increase overhead) or differential parameters like downlink synchronization timing offsets (which reduce overhead but require more processing). This flexibility allows the system to adapt the information format based on current network conditions and requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A macro radio access network node may broadcast a master information block secondary access information indication indicative of secondary access information that may be usable by a user equipment to access a micro radio access network node, corresponding to a micro node coverage zone that overlaps, or lies within, a covered zone corresponding to the macro node, during an activated energy saving mode period, at the micro node, during which the micro node may avoid transmission of synchronization signal block signals. A user equipment operating in an idle mode and located within a coverage zone corresponding to the micro node may detect a synchronization signal block signal transmitted by the macro node and may decode secondary access information, corresponding to the micro node, from a system information block, transmitted by the macro node, indicated by a master information block transmitted by the macro node.