Synchronization Signal Block Index for Fast Timing Acquisition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional techniques for wireless communication systems are inefficient in acquiring and synchronizing with base stations, particularly in millimeter wave frequency ranges where signal attenuation is high.
Innovation Solution
The described techniques involve a base station transmitting a set of synchronization signal (SS) blocks, each containing a timing synchronization signal (TSS) that includes a SS block index. This allows user equipment (UE) to determine the timing of the TSS within a broadcast channel transmission time interval (BCH TTI), facilitating quicker acquisition and synchronization with the base station.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If conventional techniques are used for network acquisition and synchronization, then the process is simpler, but the time required to acquire and synchronize with the base station is longer
Solution Approach 1:
The synchronization signal is divided into multiple SS blocks, each containing a TSS with an embedded SS block index. This segmentation allows the UE to quickly identify timing information without processing the entire broadcast channel structure, reducing acquisition time while maintaining organized signal structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The SS block index is embedded within the TSS itself, providing preliminary timing information before the UE needs to process the full broadcast channel. This preliminary action of encoding timing data directly in the synchronization signal reduces the time required for network acquisition and synchronization.
2Reliability
If beam sweeping is used to overcome signal attenuation in mmW frequencies, then signal reliability is improved, but the time required for network acquisition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station performs periodic beam sweeping by transmitting SS blocks on different beams at different times. The periodic structure with defined timing relationships allows the UE to efficiently search for and acquire signals across multiple beams without requiring continuous processing, thus maintaining reliability while reducing acquisition time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the need for complex mechanical beam steering mechanisms with signal processing techniques. By embedding the SS block index in the TSS and defining deterministic timing relationships, the system achieves reliable beam identification through signal content rather than mechanical position tracking, reducing acquisition time.
3Measurement precision
If the UE processes all signals in the SS block to determine timing, then timing accuracy is improved, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The SS block index is extracted and embedded within the TSS, allowing the UE to obtain timing information directly from the synchronization signal without needing to process the entire SS block or wait for broadcast channel transmissions. This extraction of essential timing data accelerates the timing determination process while maintaining accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The TSS within the SS block serves itself by containing the SS block index that directly indicates timing information. The synchronization signal provides its own timing reference without requiring external broadcast channel information, enabling the UE to determine timing accurately and quickly from the SS block alone.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for wireless communication. In one method, a user equipment (UE) receives a timing synchronization signal (TSS) and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), with the TSS based at least in part on a timing of the TSS within a broadcast channel transmission time interval (BCH TTI); determines the timing of the TSS within the BCH TTI; and demodulates the PBCH based at least in part on the TSS. In another method, a base station allocates resources for a TSS and a PBCH within a BCH TTI; determines the TSS based at least in part on a timing of the TSS within the BCH TTI; and transmits, on the resources allocated for the TSS and the PBCH, the TSS and the PBCH, with the TSS transmitted as a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) for the PBCH on at least one port used to transmit the TSS and the PBCH.