NR SSB Measurement Configuration with QCL-Based Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for NR system measurements in unlicensed frequency bands lack flexibility and accuracy, leading to increased complexity and power consumption in terminal equipment, particularly in determining SSBs to be measured for cell reselection and idle/inactive states.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that enhance flexibility and reduce complexity by providing configuration information for SSB measurements, including frequency-specific and cell-specific quasi-co-location relationships, allowing terminal equipment to accurately determine SSBs to be measured within SMTC duration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the network device transmits SSB measurement configuration information via system message or dedicated RRC signaling for unlicensed frequency bands, then the terminal equipment can perform SSB-based measurements, but the terminal equipment cannot accurately determine which SSB to measure and the measurement complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidterminal equipment measurement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship information as an intermediary element between the network device's SSB configuration and the terminal equipment's measurement process. This QCL information acts as a mediator that enables the terminal to accurately determine which SSB to measure by establishing a mapping relationship between SSB indices and physical resources, thereby resolving the ambiguity in SSB selection without significantly increasing measurement complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the measurement configuration parameters by adding QCL relationship indicators (such as ssb-PositionQCL-Common or ssb-PositionQCL-cell) to the existing SSB measurement configuration. These parameter changes enable the terminal equipment to accurately determine the SSB to be measured by using the QCL relationship to map between different SSB indices and their corresponding physical resources, thereby improving measurement accuracy while maintaining manageable complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the network device configures SSB measurement for unlicensed frequency bands using existing methods, then measurement can be performed, but the network device loses configuration flexibility and terminal power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork device configuration flexibilityVSAvoidterminal equipment power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic configuration capabilities through the QCL relationship information, allowing the network device to flexibly configure SSB measurement parameters based on actual deployment scenarios. The QCL relationship can be configured at different levels (common or cell-specific) and with different mapping relationships, enabling the system to adapt to various frequency bands and measurement requirements dynamically, thereby improving network configuration flexibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the essential QCL relationship information from the complex SSB measurement configuration process. By separating and emphasizing the QCL relationship as a key element, the terminal equipment can more efficiently process measurement configurations and reduce unnecessary processing steps, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining measurement functionality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP4319010B1Measurement method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 FINITY INC
  • EP4319010B1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4319010B1 patent drawingFigure 5~8
  • EP4319010B1 patent drawingFigure 9

AI summary

The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a measurement method and apparatus. The measurement method comprises: receiving, by a terminal equipment, configuration information for cell reselection or measurement in connected state transmitted by a network device, the configuration information comprising first indication information indicating one or more synchronization signal blocks to be measured; wherein one or more bits of the first indication information is/are set according to second indication information indicating a frequency-specific quasi-co-location relationship between synchronization signal blocks and/or third indication information indicating a cell-specific quasi-co-location relationship between synchronization signal blocks; and performing, by the terminal equipment, measurement according to the synchronization signal blocks to be measured indicated by the first indication information.