Non-Anchor Carrier SIB Reception via Anchor Subframe Mapping

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In a time division duplex (TDD) scenario, the limited quantity of downlink subframes on an anchor carrier poses a challenge, leading to terminal devices incorrectly receiving system information blocks (SIBs) on non-anchor carriers due to unknown valid subframe configurations, resulting in operational failures.

Innovation Solution

A method to determine valid subframes on non-anchor carriers by correlating them with valid subframes on anchor carriers, allowing terminal devices to accurately receive SIBs without introducing new signaling, thereby ensuring normal operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If another SIB is sent on a non-anchor carrier to resolve resource configuration problems, then spectrum utilization is improved, but the terminal device cannot correctly receive the SIB due to unknown valid subframe configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidSIB reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the valid subframe configuration of the anchor carrier as an intermediary reference to determine the valid subframe configuration of the non-anchor carrier. By establishing a correspondence relationship between the two carriers' subframe configurations, the terminal device can indirectly obtain the valid subframe information of the non-anchor carrier through the anchor carrier's known configuration, thus solving the problem of unknown valid subframes while maintaining reliable SIB reception

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The anchor carrier's valid subframe configuration serves multiple functions: it not only ensures proper operation on the anchor carrier itself but also acts as a reference for determining the valid subframe configuration of the non-anchor carrier. This multi-functional use of the anchor carrier configuration improves spectrum utilization by enabling reliable SIB transmission on additional carriers without requiring separate configuration signaling

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

2Reliability

If new signaling is introduced to indicate valid subframe configuration on non-anchor carrier, then SIB reception reliability is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSIB reception reliabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the terminal device to self-determine the valid subframe configuration of the non-anchor carrier by using its own knowledge of the anchor carrier's configuration and the established correspondence relationship. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional network signaling to convey valid subframe information, thereby maintaining reliable SIB reception while avoiding increased signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal device performs preliminary determination of the non-anchor carrier's valid subframe configuration by leveraging the pre-known anchor carrier configuration and the predefined correspondence relationship. This preliminary action allows the terminal to be prepared to correctly receive SIBs on the non-anchor carrier without requiring real-time signaling指示, thus improving reliability while minimizing signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3780835B1Communication method and apparatus, and computer readable storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3780835B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3780835B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3780835B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

This application provides a communications method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium. The communications method includes: determining a valid subframe and an invalid subframe on an anchor carrier; determining at least one valid subframe on a non-anchor carrier based on the valid subframe and the invalid subframe on the anchor carrier; and receiving another system information block SIB in the at least one valid subframe on the non-anchor carrier. Because a terminal device receives the another SIB in the at least one valid subframe on the non-anchor carrier, it can be ensured that the terminal device correctly receives the another SIB, thereby ensuring that the terminal device can normally work in a TDD scenario. In addition, the terminal device can determine the at least one valid subframe on the non-anchor carrier without introducing new signaling, thereby reducing signaling overheads.