SSB Beam Layer Measurement for Faster Best Beam Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the large number of beams used for synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) leads to prolonged SSB measurement and best beam determination times, degrading communication throughput during initial access.

Innovation Solution

A terminal that measures synchronization signal blocks corresponding to a set of beams of each layer and determines the index of the best beam based on received power measurements, using a reduced number of SSBs to expedite the process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the number of beams is increased to provide comprehensive coverage, then the coverage area is improved, but the time for SSB measurement and best beam determination increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidSSB measurement time
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the large set of beams into multiple layers, where each layer contains a subset of beams. The terminal performs SSB measurement on a reduced number of beams selected from each layer, rather than measuring all beams. This segmentation allows comprehensive coverage to be maintained while reducing the measurement time by processing beams in an organized, manageable structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the number of SSBs is increased to correspond to all beams, then the beam selection accuracy is improved, but the initial access time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection accuracyVSAvoidinitial access speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the beam set into layers and selects a reduced number of SSBs corresponding to beams from each layer. This segmentation maintains beam selection accuracy by ensuring representative beams are measured from each layer, while improving initial access speed by reducing the total number of SSB measurements required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by measuring only a subset of beams (one or more from each layer) rather than all beams. This partial measurement approach provides sufficient accuracy for beam selection while significantly reducing the time and resources required for initial access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4657765A1Terminal, wireless communication method, and base station
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4657765A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP4657765A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4657765A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives information indicating the number of all beams, the number of layers, and the number of beams in each layer; and a control section that measures a synchronization signal block (SSB) corresponding to a set of a plurality of beams of each layer, and determines an index of a best beam, based on a measurement result. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform determination of the best beam at high speed.