MTC PBCH Transmission Region Segmentation for Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless access systems face challenges in reliably transmitting Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) information to Machine Type Communication (MTC) user equipment, especially in poor environmental conditions, as they often rely on methods that may not effectively reach MTC UEs with limited resources and mobility.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for repeatedly transmitting a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in a wireless access system supporting MTC, where the legacy PBCH is broadcast through a legacy transmission region and an MTC PBCH is broadcast through a dedicated MTC transmission region, configured to include system information, with options for partial or full transmission based on resource element availability, ensuring reliable system information delivery to MTC UEs without affecting legacy UEs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If legacy PBCH transmission method is used, then legacy UEs can receive system information, but MTC UEs in poor environments cannot reliably receive PBCH

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovePBCH reception reliabilityVSAvoidcompatibility with different UE types
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the PBCH transmission into two separate transmission regions: a legacy transmission region for legacy UEs and an MTC transmission region for MTC UEs. This segmentation allows each region to be optimized for its target UE type, with the MTC region using repeated transmissions and appropriate resource allocation to ensure reliable reception in poor environments, while the legacy region maintains compatibility with existing UEs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different transmission qualities and methods to different regions. The MTC PBCH transmission region uses repeated transmissions across multiple subframes with specific resource block allocations and power settings tailored for MTC UEs in challenging environments, while the legacy PBCH region maintains the original transmission characteristics for backward compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If repeated transmission is used for MTC PBCH, then coverage is enhanced for MTC UEs, but system resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information delivery reliabilityVSAvoidresource element consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements repeated transmissions of MTC PBCH across multiple subframes, using more resource elements than a single transmission would require. This partial repetition strategy ensures that MTC UEs in poor coverage conditions can reliably decode the system information, with the repetition count and resource allocation optimized to balance reliability improvement against resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Productivity

If dedicated MTC transmission region is created, then MTC UE performance is improved, but legacy UE operation may be affected

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveMTC communication efficiencyVSAvoidbackward compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the time-frequency resources into distinct legacy and MTC transmission regions. The MTC transmission region is configured in specific subframes with dedicated resource blocks, allowing efficient MTC communication without interfering with legacy UE operations in the legacy region. This segmentation enables MTC UEs to efficiently receive repeated PBCH transmissions while legacy UEs continue to operate with their existing reception methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3062542B1Method for transmitting broadcast channel in wireless access system supporting machine-type communication, and apparatus supporting the same
Publication Date: 2021.07.28 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3062542B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3062542B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(b)
  • EP3062542B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a wireless access system which supports a machine-type communication (MTC), and more specifically, provides a method for repeatedly transmitting a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) for an MTC, and apparatuses for supporting same. The method for transmitting a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) in a wireless access system which supports a machine-type communication (MTC), according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: broadcasting a legacy PBCH through a legacy transmission region; and broadcasting an MTC PBCH through an MTC transmission region. The legacy transmission region may consist of six resource blocks (RBs) at a frequency axial center of a second slot of a first subframe of each frame, and the MTC transmission region may consist of any subframe other than the first subframe of each frame.