Per-Frequency Measurement Gap Patterns for 5G NR Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Next-generation wireless communication systems, such as 5G NR, face challenges in designing synchronization signals and measurement gap patterns that differ across various frequency layers and cells, requiring flexible and efficient measurement assistance mechanisms to support diverse use cases like eMBB, mMTC, and uMTC.

Innovation Solution

The system introduces a new synchronization signal (SS) design with configurable burst set periodicity and measurement assistance information that includes gap patterns, allowing UEs to independently manage measurement gaps across different frequency ranges and cells, enabling concurrent monitoring and reporting of intra- and inter-frequency cells.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a unified measurement gap pattern is used across all frequency layers, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to inability to accommodate different SS periodicities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the unified measurement gap pattern into frequency-layer-specific gap patterns. Each frequency layer can have its own measurement gap configuration tailored to its SS periodicity, allowing precise measurements without requiring a single complex unified pattern that must accommodate all possible periodicities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring measurement gap patterns specifically for each frequency layer based on its characteristics. Instead of a uniform approach, each frequency layer receives customized gap patterns that match its SS periodicity, improving measurement precision while keeping individual layer configurations manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If measurement gap patterns are customized for each frequency layer, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic measurement gap patterns that can be independently configured for each frequency layer. The system can adaptively adjust gap patterns based on the specific SS periodicity of each frequency layer, enabling precise measurements while maintaining flexibility in resource management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement gap parameters (periodicity, offset, duration) on a per-frequency layer basis. By allowing different parameter configurations for each frequency layer, the system achieves high measurement precision without requiring overly complex device architecture, as each layer's parameters are independently optimized.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If measurement gaps are configured for all frequency layers simultaneously, then measurement accuracy improves, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiduse of energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic measurement gaps configured specifically for each frequency layer with non-zero SS periodicity. By scheduling measurements periodically rather than continuously, and by configuring gaps only where needed (frequency layers with SS periodicity), the system achieves accurate measurements while minimizing energy consumption compared to continuous or universal gap configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and applies measurement gap patterns only to frequency layers that require them (those with SS periodicity). By identifying and isolating the specific frequency layers needing measurement, the system avoids configuring unnecessary gaps in other layers, thereby reducing overall energy usage while maintaining measurement accuracy where required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Adaptability or versatility

If per-frequency range measurement gap patterns are implemented, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveadaptabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the measurement gap configuration into per-frequency range patterns, allowing independent optimization for each frequency range. This segmentation enables the system to adapt to diverse frequency layer characteristics while managing complexity by treating each range as a separate, manageable unit with its own configuration rules.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal framework for per-frequency range measurement gap patterns that can be applied across multiple frequency ranges and layers. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration mechanism to serve different frequency ranges with different characteristics, improving adaptability without proportionally increasing device complexity through a unified configurable system.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3619940B1Gap pattern design for new radio (NR) systems
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 APPLE INC
  • EP3619940B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3619940B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3619940B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Technology for a user equipment (UE) operable to decode measurement gap patterns received from a Next Generation NodeB (gNB) is disclosed. The UE can decode a per-frequency range (per-FR) measurement gap pattern received from the gNB in a New Radio (NR) system. The per-FR measurement gap pattern can indicate a measurement gap partem for monitoring selected frequency layers within a frequency range at the UE. The UE can process one or more measurements for the selected frequency layers within the frequency range. The one or more measurements for the selected frequency layers can be measured in accordance with the per-FR measurement gap pattern. The UE can encode the one or more measurements for the selected frequency layers for reporting to the gNB.