Wireless Initial Access via PRB Indexing Offset

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wireless communication systems, particularly in the context of 3GPP LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently performing initial access due to limitations in beamforming techniques, especially with a large number of antenna elements, which affect cost-effectiveness and beam directionality, and require innovative methods for efficient operation and resource management.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves optimizing the initial access procedure in NR by configuring anchor sub-bands, managing beamforming through analog and digital combinations, and employing advanced resource block indexing and scrambling techniques to enhance communication efficiency and adaptability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of antenna elements are used to improve beam directionality and communication capacity, then beamforming capability is enhanced, but device complexity and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam directionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large antenna array into multiple sub-arrays, each controlled by a separate transceiver. This segmentation allows the system to achieve beamforming capability with multiple antenna elements while reducing the complexity at each individual transceiver unit, as each transceiver only needs to manage a subset of antenna elements rather than all elements centrally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If transceivers are installed at all antenna elements to enable independent beamforming, then beamforming capability is improved, but cost increases due to the large number of transceivers required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeamforming capabilityVSAvoidnumber of transceivers
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple antenna elements under a single transceiver control, merging the functionality that would otherwise require separate transceivers for each antenna element. This approach maintains beamforming capability while significantly reducing the total number of transceivers needed, as one transceiver manages multiple antenna elements through coordinated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each transceiver is designed to handle multiple antenna elements, making the transceiver a multi-functional unit that can control various sub-arrays. This universality allows the system to achieve the same beamforming capability with fewer transceivers, as each transceiver performs the function of multiple dedicated transceivers across different antenna sub-arrays.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3852289B1Method and apparatus for performing initial connection in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2024.10.09 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3852289B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3852289B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3852289B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are a method and an apparatus for performing physical resource block (PRB) indexing in a wireless communication system. A user equipment (UE) receives information on an offset between a synchronization signal (SS) block and a system bandwidth from a network through the SS block and performs the PRB indexing on the system bandwidth on the basis of the information on the offset.