Physical Broadcast Channel Repetition Patterns for Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless telecommunications systems fail to provide adequate downlink configuration information to user equipment in high attenuation areas, leading to communication failures, especially for immobile devices like smart meters, and existing solutions for 20 dB coverage improvement are inefficient due to high repetition requirements.
Innovation Solution
A base station method that repeats the transmission of the physical broadcast channel with varying patterns of repetition within a radio frame to provide different levels of coverage extension, allowing for dynamic selection based on time and load, reducing resource consumption and improving spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If repetition of physical broadcast channel is increased to achieve 20 dB coverage improvement, then coverage extension is improved, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to high resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic selection of repetition patterns based on actual channel conditions and device requirements. Instead of using fixed high repetition counts for all devices, the system adapts the repetition pattern (number of repetitions, time intervals, frequency resources) to match the actual coverage needs, allowing coverage extension while optimizing spectral efficiency by avoiding unnecessary repetitions in good signal conditions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different repetition patterns to different physical broadcast channels (PBCH, PDSCH, PDCCH) and different user equipment based on their specific requirements. Each channel and device receives the appropriate level of repetition tailored to its local needs rather than uniform high repetition across all channels, thereby achieving coverage extension where needed while preserving spectral efficiency in areas with adequate signal quality
2Reliability
If high repetition count is used for coverage extension, then reliability is improved for devices in high attenuation areas, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial repetition by providing different repetition patterns with varying numbers of repetitions based on actual device requirements. Devices in high attenuation areas receive higher repetition counts for improved reliability, while devices in normal coverage areas receive fewer or no additional repetitions, thereby achieving the necessary reliability improvement only where needed and reducing overall resource consumption
3Ease of operation
If coverage extension is provided for all devices, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple repetition patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coverage extension functionality into multiple distinct repetition patterns, each optimized for specific scenarios (different numbers of repetitions, different time intervals, different frequency resources). This segmentation allows the system to provide comprehensive coverage extension capabilities while managing complexity by organizing functions into modular, selectable patterns rather than a single monolithic mechanism
Data Source
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AI summary
Wireless telecommunications methods, a computer program product and network nodes are disclosed. The wireless telecommunication network base station method comprises repeating transmission of a physical broadcast channel within a radio frame of a downlink physical resource. By repeating the transmission of the physical broadcast channel, the coverage is increased to the desired amount.