NR-U SSB Frame Timing Derivation via Position

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Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation mobile communication systems, particularly in NR-U carriers, deriving frame timing is challenging due to insufficient information in the PBCH payload, leading to decreased communication throughput.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal receives a synchronization signal block (SSB) without specific information in the PBCH payload other than the Master Information Block (MIB), assuming given values for other information, thereby simplifying frame timing derivation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If information necessary for frame timing derivation is included in the PBCH payload, then frame timing derivation accuracy is improved, but device complexity and information loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe timing derivation accuracyVSAvoidPBCH payload configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts frame timing information from the SSB candidate position itself rather than including it in the PBCH payload. The UE derives frame timing by identifying which SSB candidate position contains the detected SSB, eliminating the need to transmit additional timing information in the payload while maintaining accurate timing derivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the SSB candidate position structure to self-encode frame timing information. Each candidate position implicitly represents a specific timing offset, allowing the UE to derive timing information from the position of the detected SSB without requiring explicit signaling in the PBCH payload.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If the PBCH payload includes complete frame timing information, then communication reliability is improved, but loss of information and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidPBCH payload information overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of including timing information in the PBCH payload, the patent inverts the approach by encoding timing information in the spatial/temporal position of the SSB itself. The UE determines timing by identifying which candidate position contains the SSB, effectively deriving timing from position rather than from payload content.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Productivity

If frame timing derivation is simplified by assuming given values, then productivity is improved, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveframe timing derivation efficiencyVSAvoidframe timing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures a set of candidate SSB positions, each corresponding to a specific timing offset. This preliminary structuring allows the UE to efficiently derive timing by simply identifying which pre-defined candidate position contains the detected SSB, combining computational efficiency with accurate timing derivation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12185223B2User terminal and radio communication method

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A user terminal according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives, on a given carrier, a synchronization signal block (SSB) which includes a PBCH which does not include given information included in a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) payload other than a master information block (MIB) defined in Release 15 new radio (NR); and a control section that assumes that a value of the given information is a given value. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the frame timing can be appropriately derived in the NR-U carrier.