Synchronization Signal Block Transmission Period Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) faces challenges in quickly detecting synchronization signals (SSs) due to unknown transmission positions of SS blocks, leading to increased cell search and measurement times, higher power consumption, and potential communication interruptions during handovers.

Innovation Solution

Pre-defining or configuring a predetermined position for the transmission of SS blocks within a synchronization signal block transmission period allows the UE to detect SS blocks within a specific time window, reducing search and measurement times, lowering power consumption, and facilitating faster handovers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE performs beam sweeping to detect SS blocks transmitted by different beams, then downlink synchronization can be obtained, but the cell search and measurement time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedownlink synchronizationVSAvoidcell search and measurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The network pre-configures the UE with SS block transmission period information and time window positions before the UE needs to perform cell search or measurement. This preliminary provision of synchronization information allows the UE to directly detect SS blocks at the predetermined positions without performing exhaustive beam sweeping, thereby reducing cell search and measurement time while maintaining reliable downlink synchronization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE searches for SS blocks across the entire SS burst set transmission period, then all possible SS blocks can be detected, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSS block detectionVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of searching the entire SS burst set transmission period, the network configures specific time windows within the transmission period where SS blocks are guaranteed to be present. The UE only needs to monitor these localized time windows rather than the entire period, significantly reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable detection of all relevant SS blocks for cell search and measurement purposes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE performs inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurement, then mobility can be supported, but communication interruptions may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility supportVSAvoidcommunication continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Before the UE performs inter-frequency or inter-RAT measurement, the serving network provides pre-configured SS block transmission period information and time window positions for neighboring cells. This allows the UE to quickly acquire synchronization information and perform measurements without prolonged interruption to the serving connection, thereby supporting mobility while maintaining communication continuity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3641402B1Exchange of synchronisation signal block transmission periods between neighboring base stations
Publication Date: 2024.05.08 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3641402B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3641402B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B
  • EP3641402B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5B

AI summary

A signal transmission method, signal detection method and apparatuses thereof and communication system. The signal transmission apparatus includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a synchronization signal (SS) block to a user equipment within a time window of a predetermined position in an SS block transmission period. Hence, UE cell search and measurement time is reduced, complexity at the UE is lowered, power consumption of the UE is lowered, cell handover is sped up, communication interruption is avoided, and currently at least one of existing problems is solved.