SIB Scheduling for Low Complexity UE in Coverage Enhancement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently transmitting system information to Rel-13 low complexity user equipment due to limitations in bandwidth, power, and capabilities, leading to performance degradation and increased latency, especially in coverage enhancement modes.

Innovation Solution

An enhanced system information block scheduling scheme is introduced, including a new master system information block (M-SIB1) with predefined frequency allocation and periodicity, allowing Rel-13 low complexity user equipment to efficiently acquire system information without prior knowledge of bandwidth allocation, and incorporating a compact downlink control channel to indicate transport block size and transmission patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If system information block size is increased to improve information completeness, then the number of repetitions required increases, but transmission latency and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information completenessVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system information is segmented into multiple types (Type0, Type1, Type2, Type3) with different repetition factors. Type0 has repetition factor 1, Type1 has repetition factor 2, Type2 has repetition factor 4, and Type3 has repetition factor 8. This segmentation allows the system to transmit different levels of information with appropriate repetition levels, balancing information completeness with transmission efficiency and reduced latency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If repetition factor is increased to improve reliability in coverage enhancement mode, then system information transmission reliability improves, but downlink capacity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddownlink capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different repetition factors are assigned to different system information types based on their specific reliability requirements. Type0 (master information) uses repetition factor 1 for high downlink capacity efficiency, while Type3 (dedicated MTC information) uses repetition factor 8 for maximum reliability in coverage enhancement mode. This local quality approach optimizes the balance between reliability and downlink capacity for each information type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple small system information blocks are used to improve transmission flexibility, then scheduling flexibility improves, but acquisition latency increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescheduling flexibilityVSAvoidsystem information acquisition latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic transmission of system information blocks with predefined periodicity for each type. Type0 is transmitted every 80 radio frames, Type1 every 160 radio frames, Type2 every 320 radio frames, and Type3 every 640 radio frames. This periodic action provides scheduling flexibility while reducing acquisition latency compared to monitoring multiple small blocks, as UEs can efficiently acquire the information types they need at predictable intervals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3251414B1System information block enhancement for low complexity user equipment and/or user equipment in coverage enhancement mode
Publication Date: 2022.08.17 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP3251414B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3251414B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3251414B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various communication systems may benefit from efficient communication of system information. For example, certain wireless communication systems may benefit from system information block enhancement for low complexity user equipment and/or user equipment in coverage enhancement mode. A method can include decoding a transport block size (TBS) index in a compact downlink control information. The method can also include monitoring for SIB based on the decoded TBS index. The method may optionally include monitoring for the SIB based on a predefined transmission pattern of physical downlink control channel for machine type communication. The method may also optionally include decoding of M-SI messages from a subframe according to a pattern indicated by an information element in M-SIB1.