NR Synchronization Configuration Across Base Station Operation Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems, particularly those utilizing new radio (NR) technology, face challenges in efficiently managing synchronization configurations across different operation modes, which can impact the performance of various wireless services such as eMBB, mmW, mMTC, and URLLC, due to varying latency and reliability requirements.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of synchronization signal configurations that adapt to different operation modes, including beam-sweeping techniques for NR-SS blocks, allowing UEs to quickly identify and acquire cells, and support dynamic beamforming and MIMO transmissions, enhancing synchronization signal periodicity and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a common synchronization design is used for all operation modes, then device complexity is reduced, but synchronization efficiency and service performance deteriorate due to varying latency and reliability requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization configuration complexityVSAvoidsynchronization reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization configuration into different operation modes (initial access mode, idle mode, connected mode) with mode-specific synchronization parameter sets. This allows each mode to have optimized synchronization settings tailored to its specific latency and reliability requirements, resolving the contradiction between common design simplicity and mode-specific performance needs

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic synchronization configuration where the base station and UE adapt synchronization parameters based on the current operation mode. The system dynamically selects appropriate synchronization signal periodicity, frequency offsets, and timing advance values according to whether the UE is in initial access, idle, or connected mode, thereby achieving both simplicity through automation and reliability through mode-optimized parameters

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Measurement precision

If synchronization signal periodicity is increased, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but resource consumption and transmission overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidtransmission energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the synchronization signal periodicity parameter dynamically based on operation mode and service requirements. For modes requiring high synchronization accuracy (e.g., connected mode with URLLC services), the periodicity is reduced to provide more frequent updates. For modes with lower requirements (e.g., idle mode), the periodicity is increased to reduce energy consumption and overhead, thus resolving the contradiction between accuracy and energy use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Speed

If beam-sweeping techniques are implemented for NR-SS blocks, then cell acquisition speed is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell acquisition speedVSAvoidbeam processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring beam sweeping patterns and pre-synchronizing timing relationships before actual data transmission begins. During initial access, the base station performs beam sweeping to establish synchronized connections with multiple UEs in advance, enabling faster cell acquisition without requiring complex real-time beam processing during data transmission, thus reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high acquisition speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3610682B1New radio synchronization configuration in different operation modes
Publication Date: 2026.04.22 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3610682B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3610682B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3610682B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus synchronization configuration in different operation modes using communications systems operating according to new radio (NR) technologies. For example, a method for wireless communications by a base station (BS) may include determining an operation mode of the BS, determining a transmission configuration of at least one of a one or more synchronization channels or a one or more synchronization signals based on the operation mode, and transmitting the one or more synchronization channels or the one or more synchronization signals based on the determined transmission configuration.