5G NR Signal Quality Measurement Across Multiple Numerologies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quality-based measurements in wireless networks, such as RSRQ and SINR, are inadequate for 5G NR communications, particularly in measuring signal quality and interference, due to the use of different numerologies and subframe structures compared to LTE.

Innovation Solution

Configurations and operations are provided to measure RSSI and RS-SINR in time and frequency domains for 5G NR, using measurement window lengths and synchronization signals to calculate RSRQ and SINR, which account for multiple subcarrier spacings and subframe structures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing quality-based measurements (RSRQ, SINR) are used in 5G NR, then measurement simplicity is maintained, but measurement precision deteriorates due to different numerologies and subframe structures compared to LTE

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal quality measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces new measurement parameters (RSSI, RSRQ, SINR) specifically defined for 5G NR with new numerologies. These parameters account for different subcarrier spacings and frame structures by using measurement windows aligned with 5G NR synchronization signal blocks, rather than LTE-subframe-aligned measurements. This resolves the contradiction by changing the measurement parameters to be appropriate for 5G NR while maintaining a systematic approach to avoid excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If new measurement parameters are introduced for 5G NR, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases due to multiple subcarrier spacings and subframe structures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal quality measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines a universal measurement framework that can handle multiple 5G NR numerologies (different subcarrier spacings) using the same basic measurement parameters (RSSI, RSRQ, SINR). The measurement window configuration is designed to be adaptable to different synchronization signal block structures, allowing a single measurement mechanism to serve multiple numerology types. This reduces the complexity increase that would otherwise result from creating separate measurement systems for each numerology.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the measurement process into distinct components: RSSI measurement over a measurement window, RSRP measurement for reference signals, and SINR calculation as a derived parameter. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently for 5G NR requirements while maintaining overall measurement accuracy. The measurement window is further segmented to align with synchronization signal block structures, improving precision without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3665934B1New quality based measurement definition for new radio systems
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 APPLE INC
  • EP3665934B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3665934B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3665934B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, storage media, and systems for quality-based measurements in new radio (NR). The measurements concern reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurements and pertinent received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements, and singal-to-noise and interference measurements of synchronization signal (SS-SINR) in NR. Various embodiments describe how to measure the pertinent power levels in time domain and frequency domain. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.