NCR PLMN Access Control for High-Loss 5G Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 5G mobile communication system faces challenges in expanding coverage area due to high path and penetration losses in high-frequency radio signals, necessitating a relay system like the Network Controlled Repeater (NCR), but existing implementations of Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB)-node are not fully applicable to NCRs.
Innovation Solution
A communication method and apparatus for NCRs that enable intelligent access and beamforming, allowing terminal devices to select appropriate Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) based on synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and physical broadcast channels (PBCHs), and controlling access through NCRs to optimize network coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a high-frequency radio spectrum is used to obtain wider transmission bandwidth, then transmission bandwidth is improved, but path loss and penetration loss increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a relay system with relay nodes as intermediaries between the base station and terminal devices. These relay nodes receive high-frequency signals from the base station, amplify them, and retransmit to extend coverage. This intermediary approach allows the system to maintain the bandwidth benefits of high-frequency radio while compensating for path loss and penetration loss through signal amplification at intermediate points.
2Area of stationary object
If relay system is deployed to expand coverage area, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The relay nodes in the patent are designed to perform multiple functions: signal reception, signal amplification, and signal retransmission. By making the relay nodes multi-functional, the system reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each function, thereby managing complexity while achieving coverage expansion. The relay nodes can dynamically adapt their operation based on network conditions and requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The relay nodes are equipped with capabilities to autonomously select synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) and determine which public land mobile networks (PLMNs) to serve. This self-service functionality reduces the need for complex centralized control and manual configuration, allowing the relay system to expand coverage with manageable complexity through distributed intelligence.
3Reliability
If terminal devices can select appropriate PLMNs based on SSBs, then access success rate is improved, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring relay nodes with synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) that contain information about supported PLMNs. Terminal devices can read this information in advance from the SSBs before attempting access, allowing them to pre-select appropriate PLMNs. This preliminary information availability reduces access failures and minimizes the information processing required during the actual access attempt.
Data Source
AI summary
A communication method and apparatus may be applied to a communication scenario in which a network controlled repeater (NCR) is deployed. The method includes: a first terminal device receives system information, wherein the system information indicates whether a first cell supports access of an NCR-MT and the first terminal device sends first information via a first NCR, wherein the first information indicates a first public land mobile network PLMN, and the first PLMN is a PLMN selected by the first terminal device in an initial access procedure.