SS Block Time Index Verification for NR Broadcast Channel Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G wireless communication systems, the lack of error detection for the NR-TSS in synchronization signal blocks leads to delays and incorrect initial access due to potential errors in time index detection, causing unnecessary overhead and delays in receiving system information.

Innovation Solution

A method involving scrambling of system information using a scrambling sequence generated based on the time index provided by the NR-TSS, allowing for error detection and ensuring accurate time index determination, thereby preventing delays and incorrect initial access procedures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If beam sweeping is used to transmit NR-PSS in different beams at different time instants, then coverage is improved and UEs at any position can receive synchronization signals, but synchronization delay increases and frame start detection becomes ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsynchronization delay
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds time index information in the SS block that indicates the temporal position within the SS burst set beforehand. This allows the UE to pre-determine frame start timing without waiting to receive and process multiple beam-swept signals, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving wide coverage through beam sweeping and maintaining fast synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If time index information is embedded in the SS block, then frame start timing can be determined accurately, but the complexity of the synchronization signal structure increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveframe start timing accuracyVSAvoidsignal structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines time index information with the existing SS block structure that already carries synchronization and system information. By merging the time indication function into the existing SS block framework rather than adding separate signaling, the solution achieves accurate frame start timing determination while minimizing structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If error detection is not implemented for NR-TSS, then overhead is reduced, but incorrect time index detection causes delays and incorrect initial access procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal overheadVSAvoidtime index detection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements error detection for the time index information embedded in the SS block. This feedback mechanism allows the UE to verify whether the received time index is correct, enabling early detection of errors and avoiding unnecessary delays and incorrect initial access procedures while maintaining reasonable overhead through efficient error detection coding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3459289B1NR broadcast channel transmission
Publication Date: 2020.08.26 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3459289B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2a
  • EP3459289B1 patent drawingFigure 2b
  • EP3459289B1 patent drawingFigure 2c

AI summary

The disclosure relates to a method performed by a wireless device, for receiving system information from a network node of a wireless communication system. The system information is received in a synchronization signal (SS) block of an SS burst set comprising at least one SS block. The system information is multiplexed with information providing a time index indicating which SS block of the SS burst set that is being received. The method comprises receiving (410) the information providing the time index, and receiving (430) the system information which comprises descrambling the system information using a scrambling sequence generated (420) based on the information providing the time index. The method also comprises determining (440) an accuracy of the information providing the time index, based on an error-detection code related to the received system information. The disclosure also relates to corresponding network node method and apparatus.