Downlink Bandwidth Positioning via PBCH Signaling in 5G UE Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently configuring and receiving downlink channels due to uncertainties in bandwidth positioning, particularly in future-generation 5G systems with diverse communication scenarios, such as eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC, where precise bandwidth alignment is necessary for optimal data transmission.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to receive a downlink channel by obtaining information about the downlink bandwidth from a synchronization signal block (SSB), including a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and configuring the reception within a determined downlink bandwidth based on this information, with offsets defined in resource blocks (RBs) and subcarrier spacing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the UE receives SSB and attempts to determine downlink bandwidth automatically, then the system can adapt to different bandwidth configurations, but the processing time and complexity increase due to multiple blind detections and searches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth adaptationVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures and signals the downlink bandwidth information through PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) before the UE needs to receive downlink channels. This preliminary provision of bandwidth information eliminates the need for time-consuming blind detections and searches, allowing the UE to directly configure its receiver for the correct bandwidth without iterative testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the UE performs blind detection to determine downlink bandwidth, then it can discover the correct bandwidth without prior signaling, but the reliability and speed of channel reception deteriorate due to multiple search operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic bandwidth detectionVSAvoidchannel reception reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The network provides explicit feedback about the downlink bandwidth configuration through PBCH signaling. This feedback mechanism replaces unreliable blind detection with confirmed, signaled information, ensuring the UE receives accurate bandwidth parameters directly from the network without guessing or iterative verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE searches for downlink channels across multiple bandwidths, then it can handle unknown bandwidth configurations, but the reception speed and efficiency decrease due to multiple search operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth configuration flexibilityVSAvoidchannel reception speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs preliminary action by signaling the downlink bandwidth information through PBCH before the UE needs to receive downlink channels. This eliminates the need for time-consuming blind detections and searches, allowing the UE to directly configure its receiver for the correct bandwidth without iterative testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the network does not signal downlink bandwidth information, then the system structure remains simpler, but the UE must perform complex blind detections and searches to determine the correct bandwidth

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork signaling structureVSAvoidUE processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

PBCH acts as an intermediary channel that carries downlink bandwidth information from the network to the UE. This intermediary mechanism simplifies the UE's processing by providing direct bandwidth information without requiring complex blind detection algorithms, while adding minimal overhead to the network structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4258590B1Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving downlink channel
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4258590B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP4258590B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4258590B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses a method of receiving a downlink channel by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. Particularly, the method includes receiving a synchronization signal block (SSB) including a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), obtaining information about the position of a downlink bandwidth from the PBCH, and receiving the downlink channel within the downlink bandwidth determined on the basis of the obtained information about the position of the downlink bandwidth. The information about the position of the downlink bandwidth is an offset from the position of a bandwidth of the SSB to the position of the downlink bandwidth.