Reference Signal Reception for Flexible Cell Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems face inflexibility in cell detection and dynamic coexistence between new and legacy standards due to restrictive synchronization signal locations and signaling structures, limiting the introduction of new services and shared spectrum access.

Innovation Solution

A multilevel approach for receiving reference signals, including flexible placement of primary and secondary synchronization signals, sub-band measurement reference signals, and physical broadcast channels, allows for increased cell IDs without increasing detection hypotheses, enabling dynamic coexistence and flexible numerology configurations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If synchronization signals are transmitted within the center 6 physical resource blocks (PRBs) of a transmission channel bandwidth, then it makes it easier to locate and identify the synchronization signals, but restricting the location of the synchronization signals in a predetermined way makes the system less flexible in terms of introducing a new type of service and shared spectrum access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of locating and identifying synchronization signalsVSAvoidflexibility for introducing new services and shared spectrum access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization signal transmission into two distinct parts: a legacy synchronization signal transmitted in the center 6 PRBs for backward compatibility, and a new synchronization signal transmitted in flexible resource blocks that can be dynamically configured. This segmentation allows the system to maintain ease of locating synchronization signals through the legacy method while simultaneously enabling flexibility for new services through the configurable resource blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability for the location of new synchronization signals through higher-layer signaling (RRC configuration). The resource blocks for new synchronization signals can be dynamically adjusted based on service requirements, enabling the system to adapt to different service types and shared spectrum scenarios while the legacy synchronization signals remain fixed for reliable detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Stability of the object's composition

If a specific detailed and predefined signaling structure is strictly adhered to, then the system maintains structure and predictability, but this makes the system less flexible in terms of avoiding strong interference to primary and secondary synchronization signals

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure and predictability of signalingVSAvoidflexibility for avoiding interference to synchronization signals
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the signaling structure into legacy synchronization signals with fixed predefined structures for stability, and new synchronization signals with flexible configurable structures for interference avoidance. This segmentation allows the system to maintain structural predictability where needed while gaining flexibility to relocate and reconfigure synchronization signals to avoid strong interference from other transmissions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables parameter changes for the new synchronization signals, specifically the frequency location and resource block allocation, which can be dynamically adjusted through higher-layer signaling. This allows the system to maintain the stable predefined structure of legacy signals while changing parameters of new signals to avoid interference, achieving both stability and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Quantity of substance

If the number of cell IDs is increased to support more cells, then the system capacity increases, but this typically increases detection hypotheses and complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cell IDsVSAvoiddetection hypotheses and complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cell identification process into two independent parts: legacy cell IDs derived from legacy synchronization signals, and new cell IDs derived from new synchronization signals. This segmentation allows the system to support multiple cell IDs without increasing the detection hypotheses for each individual signal type, as the UE can detect legacy and new synchronization signals independently and combine the results to identify cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3479625B1Method and apparatus for receiving reference signals in support of flexible radio communication
Publication Date: 2024.07.24 MOTOROLA MOBILITY LLC
  • EP3479625B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3479625B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3479625B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A method and apparatus (110) include scanning (602) one or more frequencies within a predetermined spectrum space designated for use by the communication network (130). Synchronization signals are detected (606) on a first frequency of the scanned one or more frequencies, and a first identity value is determined from the detected synchronization signals. The method further includes receiving (612) a first reference signal based on the determined first identity value, and receiving (618) a broadcast channel. The broadcast channel is then decoded (620) based on the received first reference signal, and identifying from the decoded broadcast channel a second identity value. A second reference signal is then received (626), based upon the first identity value and the second identity value.