Mixed Numerology Carrier Channel Access via Single Sync Signal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems lack a flexible and dynamic scheme for multiplexing various waveforms onto a single carrier, which is essential for supporting diverse use cases and capabilities such as enhanced mobile broadband, millimeter-wave communication, and ultra-reliable low-latency communication.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mixed-numerology carrier system that utilizes a single synchronization signal for multiple numerologies, allowing for flexible resource allocation and dynamic sharing of resources across different numerologies, enabling efficient communication for diverse user equipment requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single carrier uses a single numerology, then system simplicity is maintained, but flexibility and adaptability to diverse use cases are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the carrier by introducing multiple numerologies (different subcarrier spacings) within a single carrier framework. Each numerology can be assigned to different frequency resources or time slots, allowing the system to support diverse use cases (e.g., eMBB, uRLLC, mMTC) with different performance requirements simultaneously, thus improving adaptability while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal carrier structure that can accommodate multiple numerologies and waveform types (CP-OFDM, DFT-s-OFDM) within the same carrier. This multi-functional design allows the carrier to serve multiple purposes and support various service types without requiring separate carriers for each use case, thereby enhancing versatility while keeping the overall system architecture unified
2Reliability
If multiple synchronization signals are used for different numerologies, then channel access for each numerology is ensured, but signal overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization signal structure by using a single SS/PBCH block that can be detected by UEs across multiple numerologies. Instead of transmitting separate synchronization signals for each numerology, the system uses one unified synchronization signal that UEs can identify and use to access channels regardless of which numerology they are configured for, thereby reducing signal overhead and simplifying the synchronization structure while maintaining reliable channel access
Solution Approach 2:
The synchronization signal is designed with universal functionality to serve multiple numerologies simultaneously. A single SS/PBCH block transmission can be detected and utilized by UEs operating on different numerologies, making the synchronization mechanism multi-functional and reducing the overall number of synchronization signals required in the system, thus improving reliability without proportionally increasing complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
In a radio air interface, a mixed-numerology carrier is one that multiplexes orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) waveforms that have different numerologies onto the same carrier. This disclosure provides for a sync signal (SS) enabling channel access for such a mixed-numerology carrier. In one example, a single SS, having a given numerology, supports channel access for a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier. In another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, and a single, common numerology is used for all SS's. In still another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, where each SS has the same numerology as the numerology for which the SS provides channel access.