5G Synchronization Block Timing Determination via PBCH Merge
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in determining the specific time slot and sub-frame for transmitting synchronization blocks within a 20 ms period without increasing decoding complexity or wasting limited PBCH resources.
Innovation Solution
The method involves descrambling and decoding PBCH messages to buffer symbol data, merging it with adjacent beam data, and using explicit and implicit bits to determine the timing index and system frame number, reducing descrambling complexity while effectively indicating the synchronization block's timing and frame number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the UE obtains synchronization timing information through PBCH message, then the timing index and system frame number can be indicated, but the PBCH resource is limited and decoding complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The 20 ms synchronization block set period is divided into multiple 5 ms windows, with each window containing multiple synchronization blocks. The timing index is segmented into a window index (indicating which 5 ms window) and a sub-frame index (indicating position within the window). This segmentation allows the UE to determine timing information without requiring the entire 20 ms period to be encoded in a single PBCH message, reducing decoding complexity while preserving complete timing information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension by organizing synchronization blocks into a hierarchical structure: 20 ms period → 5 ms windows → sub-frames → synchronization blocks. The window index operates in one dimension (which 5 ms window), while the sub-frame index operates in another dimension (position within the window). This multi-dimensional approach efficiently packs timing information into the limited PBCH resource without increasing decoding complexity.
2Loss of time
If all synchronization blocks in a 20 ms period are sent within 5 ms, then the transmission deadline is met, but the timing precision for identifying specific slots and sub-frames is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The timing index is segmented into two parts: a window index indicating which 5 ms window (out of four possible windows in 20 ms) contains the synchronization block, and a sub-frame index indicating the specific sub-frame position within that window. This segmentation allows precise identification of transmission timing even when multiple synchronization blocks are compressed into a 5 ms window, as each block can be uniquely identified by its window index and sub-frame index pair.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE performs preliminary determination of the window index based on the received synchronization block's position within the 5 ms window. This preliminary action allows the UE to narrow down the search space and determine the specific time slot and sub-frame without requiring complex decoding of the entire 20 ms period, thereby maintaining timing precision while meeting the 5 ms transmission deadline.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C~1D
Figure 1E~2A
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method and a device for determining the time for transmitting a synchronization block, user equipment, and a base station. The methods comprises: performing descrambling and decoding processing on a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) message carried in a synchronous block, buffering PBCH symbol data of the PBCH message; after successful descrambling and failed decoding, acquiring PBCH symbol data to be merged, which is the same as the buffered PBCH symbol data, the PBCH symbol data to be merged comprising PBCH symbol data of a beam which is the same as the beam where the synchronous block is located and PBCH symbol data of an adjacent beam in a PBCH merge period; and merging the buffered PBCH symbol data with the PBCH symbol data to be merged. The technical solution of the present disclosure may effectively indicate, in a 5G system, the time of transmitting a synchronous block and the system frame number, and merge PBCH symbol data without increasing the complexity of a UE.