Scalable 5G Frame Structures for Interference-Resilient Services

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing LTE and LTE-Advanced systems have limitations in scalability for various services and requirements of the 5G system, necessitating a flexible frame structure that minimizes inter-symbol interference and supports diverse services.

Innovation Solution

A scalable frame structure is designed with parameter sets including subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, and subframe length, adaptable to different scenarios such as operating frequency bands and cell sizes, allowing integration of services like eMBB, URLLC, and massive MTC, with methods for initial access and interference reduction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the existing LTE and LTE-Advanced frame structure is used, then normal voice/data communications are supported, but scalability for various 5G services and requirements is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescalability for various servicesVSAvoidframe structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic frame structure where parameters such as subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, and subframe length can be flexibly adjusted based on different service requirements. This allows the system to adapt between LTE compatibility mode and 5G enhanced modes without fixed structural constraints, resolving the contradiction between maintaining simple existing structures and achieving service versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key frame structure parameters (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, subframe length) to support different service scenarios. By allowing parameter variation rather than fixed structure, the system achieves scalability for diverse 5G services while maintaining a unified frame structure framework, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a flexible frame structure is designed to support diverse 5G services, then service adaptability is improved, but inter-symbol interference may increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice adaptabilityVSAvoidinter-symbol interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different cyclic prefix lengths to different symbols within a subframe based on local channel conditions and service requirements. By making the cyclic prefix length variable at the symbol level rather than fixed for the entire frame, the system achieves service adaptability while minimizing inter-symbol interference in each local region, thus resolving the contradiction between flexibility and interference control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the cyclic prefix length is increased to minimize inter-symbol interference, then signal transmission reliability is improved, but time resource efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission reliabilityVSAvoidtime resource efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts cyclic prefix length based on actual channel conditions and service requirements rather than using a fixed long prefix. This allows the system to achieve sufficient transmission reliability only when needed, while maintaining short cyclic prefixes for other scenarios to preserve time resource efficiency, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4016915B1Method and apparatus for transmission and reception in wireless communication system supporting scalable frame structure
Publication Date: 2025.07.02 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP4016915B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4016915B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP4016915B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. An apparatus and method are provided for transmitting and receiving signals in a wireless communication system. A method includes transmitting a first signal using a first frame structure to a first terminal; and transmitting a second signal using a second frame structure to a second terminal. A subcarrier spacing of the second frame structure is a multiple of a subcarrier spacing of the first frame structure. A length of a subframe in the first frame structure is a multiple of a length of a subframe in the second frame structure.