Small-Gap SSB Measurement Scheduling for Intra-Band FR2 Cells

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in enabling efficient intra-band inter-frequency measurements due to interference between serving and target cells, particularly in frequency range 2 (FR2), where UEs cannot simultaneously receive data from the serving cell and measure target cell SSBs using common beam management, leading to reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves deriving synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes of a target cell from the timing of a serving cell, allowing network-configured small gaps (NCSGs) to enable simultaneous data reception and measurement by using a spare receive chain, with scheduling adjustments to avoid overlapping symbols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE measures target cell SSBs using common beam management in FR2, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data reception from serving cell must be suspended leading to reduced throughput

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetarget cell SSB measurement accuracyVSAvoiddata transmission throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the receive chains into a first receive chain for serving cell data reception and a second receive chain for target cell SSB measurement. This segmentation allows simultaneous operation of both functions without mutual interference, resolving the contradiction between measurement accuracy and throughput by enabling parallel processing paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the UE suspends communication during measurement windows, then measurement interference is reduced, but communication continuity is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication suspension duration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent configures the UE with a spare receive chain before measurement is needed, allowing the UE to immediately begin measuring target cell SSBs without suspending serving cell communication. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for communication suspension while maintaining measurement reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The second receive chain acts as an intermediary that enables measurement functionality without interfering with the first receive chain's data reception. This intermediary component allows both measurement and communication to occur simultaneously by providing a dedicated path for measurement operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the UE uses a single receive chain for both serving cell data and target cell measurement, then device complexity is reduced, but simultaneous reception and measurement becomes impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereceive chain configurationVSAvoidsimultaneous data reception and measurement capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements multi-functionality by configuring the UE with multiple receive chains where the second receive chain is specifically dedicated to measurement operations while the first handles data reception. This universal design allows the UE to adapt to both data reception and measurement tasks simultaneously, enhancing versatility without excessive complexity increase.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4427480B1Signaling and scheduling to enable network configured small gaps in intra-band inter-frequency measurement
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP4427480B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4427480B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4427480B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for signaling and scheduling to enable network configured small gaps in intra-band inter-frequency measurement. A method that may be performed by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, from a serving cell operating on a first frequency, an indication that synchronization signal block (SSB) indexes of a target cell operating on a second frequency can be derived from timing of the serving cell; and deriving an SSB index of the target cell, based on the timing of the serving cell.