Omnidirectional Cell System Information Broadcasting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In mobile communications systems, particularly in 5G networks using high-frequency beams, the periodic broadcasting of system information leads to high system resource consumption due to directional beamforming, which is inefficient for omnidirectional coverage, resulting in increased overhead and resource usage.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for broadcasting system information in a 5G or LTE system where a network device determines and broadcasts system information of a cell without a dedicated broadcast channel by using a second cell with omnidirectional coverage, allowing terminals to quickly obtain necessary information for cell access and reducing resource usage by sharing system information across cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If beamforming technology is used to improve coverage in high-frequency 5G cells, then coverage is improved, but system resource consumption increases due to directional broadcasting requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecell coverage areaVSAvoidsystem resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges system information broadcasting from multiple cells into a single coordinated transmission. The first cell and second cell work together to broadcast system information, where the second cell provides omnidirectional coverage to compensate for the directional limitations of beamforming in the first cell, thereby reducing overall broadcasting resources while maintaining coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The second cell is configured to provide dual functionality: it serves as a regular coverage cell while also functioning as a system information broadcasting cell with omnidirectional coverage. This multi-functionality allows system information to be broadcast efficiently without requiring dedicated omnidirectional resources in every cell.

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

2Ease of operation

If system information is broadcast periodically to ensure terminals can access the network, then terminal access is facilitated, but system resource overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveterminal access capabilityVSAvoidsystem resource overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines system information broadcasting operations across multiple cells, allowing the first cell and second cell to share the broadcasting burden. This merging reduces the total system resource overhead while ensuring terminals can still access network information through at least one of the cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If omnidirectional coverage is implemented for system information broadcast, then all terminals can receive information, but resource consumption increases compared to directional beamforming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveomnidirectional coverage capabilityVSAvoidbroadcasting resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The second cell acts as an intermediary that provides omnidirectional coverage for system information broadcasting. Instead of requiring the first cell (which uses directional beamforming) to provide omnidirectional coverage, the second cell mediates this function, allowing the first cell to maintain its efficient directional approach while still achieving omnidirectional system information availability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3471462B1Method and system for synchronization with a cell which does not broadcast system information
Publication Date: 2022.10.05 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3471462B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3471462B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3471462B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A system information broadcasting method and apparatus, and a system information receiving method and apparatus are provided. The system information broadcasting method includes: determining, by a first network device, first system information of a first cell, where there is no broadcast channel in the first cell and no system information is broadcast; and broadcasting, by the first network device, the first system information in a second cell of the first network device.