SS Block Configuration for Accurate Signal Quality Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication networks, especially those adhering to the NR standard, existing measurement procedures for signal quality are inadequate, particularly for mobility-related issues, as they fail to accurately reflect true signal quality due to interference from synchronization signals, leading to inappropriate handover decisions and degraded UE and system performance.
Innovation Solution
A method for user equipment (UE) to determine and utilize SS block configurations for measuring signal quality, where the measurement duration includes time resources outside of SS blocks, allowing for accurate interference assessment and true signal quality estimation by combining signal strength and interference measurements over specific time intervals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If measurement procedures use SS blocks for signal quality assessment, then synchronization is achieved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to interference from synchronization signals
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement procedure is segmented into two distinct parts: SS block measurements for synchronization and signal strength assessment, and non-SS block measurements for interference assessment. This segmentation allows each measurement type to be performed on appropriate time resources, preventing the interference from synchronization signals from degrading the accuracy of interference measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The harmful interference component is extracted by specifically measuring interference on time resources that exclude SS blocks. This extraction approach isolates the interference measurement from the synchronization signal interference, enabling accurate interference assessment without contamination from synchronization signals.
2Loss of time
If measurement time interval includes SS blocks, then measurement duration is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to signal interference
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement configuration explicitly extracts and excludes SS block time resources from the interference measurement window. By defining the measurement time interval to omit SS blocks, the configuration ensures that interference measurements are performed only on clean time resources free from synchronization signal interference, maintaining measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement configuration is made dynamic by adapting the measurement time interval based on the SS block configuration. The network configures measurement windows that dynamically adjust to accommodate SS block positions and durations, optimizing the balance between measurement duration and measurement precision for different deployment scenarios.
3Device complexity
If existing measurement procedures are used, then device complexity is low, but reliability of handover decisions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The measurement procedure segments different measurement objectives (synchronization vs. interference assessment) into separate measurement processes with distinct time resource allocations. This segmentation maintains relatively simple device implementation while significantly improving handover decision reliability by providing accurate interference measurements that were previously contaminated by synchronization signal interference.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a method of operating a user equipment in a radio access network. The method includes transmitting measurement reporting, the measurement reporting pertaining to a measurement time interval. The measurement time interval is determined based on a SS block configuration. The disclosure also pertains to related methods and devices.