SS/PBCH Block Occasion Identification in Unlicensed Spectrum Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently identifying and utilizing synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions, particularly in unlicensed spectra, which affects the transmission and reception of initial access signals and channels.

Innovation Solution

The method involves identifying and utilizing a plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions beyond the maximum allowed number, with network units and remote units transmitting and receiving these blocks on a portion of the identified occasions, and employing time-shifted SS/PBCH blocks to optimize channel access and minimize interference.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks are transmitted on different resources, then the coverage and reliability of initial access signals are improved, but the complexity of identifying and managing block occasions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereliability of initial access signalsVSAvoidcomplexity of identifying block occasions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks into multiple blocks (SSBs) transmitted on different resources. Each SSB is associated with specific occasion information that can be independently identified and managed, allowing the system to maintain multiple transmission paths while organizing them in a structured manner that reduces identification complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transmits synchronization signal blocks on a portion of the plurality of synchronization signal block occasions rather than all occasions. This partial action approach allows the system to provide sufficient coverage and reliability through selective transmission while reducing the overall complexity of managing all possible transmission occasions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Adaptability or versatility

If synchronization signal blocks are transmitted in unlicensed spectra, then fair coexistence with other wireless systems is achieved, but interference from other transmissions increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompliance with regulatory requirementsVSAvoidinterference in unlicensed spectra
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic transmission of synchronization signal blocks in unlicensed spectra with defined periodicity and timing structures. This periodic action allows the system to comply with regulatory requirements for fair spectrum access while creating predictable transmission patterns that help manage interference through regular intervals and structured resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary channel access procedures and timing synchronization before transmitting synchronization signal blocks in unlicensed spectra. This preliminary action includes listening for existing transmissions and determining appropriate transmission timing, which helps reduce interference with other wireless systems while maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the number of synchronization signal block occasions exceeds the maximum allowed number, then the precision of time synchronization is improved, but the difficulty of managing transmission resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprecision of time synchronizationVSAvoiddifficulty of managing transmission resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extends the synchronization signal block transmission beyond the maximum allowed number of occasions by utilizing additional time dimensions and periodic structures. This allows the system to achieve higher time synchronization precision through multiple periodic occurrences while managing resource complexity through structured repetition patterns rather than requiring all occasions to be independently managed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP3834516B1Identifying synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP3834516B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3834516B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3834516B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for identifying synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions. One method (900) includes identifying (902) a plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions configured to enable reception of a plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks. A first number of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions of the plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions is greater than a maximum allowed number of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks of the plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks. The method (900) includes receiving (904) the plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel blocks on a portion of the plurality of synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block occasions.