Synchronization Signal Block Indication for Multi-Pattern Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current synchronization signal block (SSB) determination and indication schemes in New Radio (NR) mobile communications cannot support multiple patterns, leading to difficulties in deriving slot and symbol information for user equipment (UE) during synchronization detection.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where the base station determines a target pattern from multiple patterns, acquires serial number information, and transmits position indication information to the UE, allowing the UE to correctly identify the pattern and position of the SSB, using existing bits in the system without additional overhead.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the base station transmits only current period SSB serial number information, then the indication signaling is simple, but multiple patterns cannot be supported and UE cannot derive slot and symbol information

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindication signaling complexityVSAvoidmulti-pattern support capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The indication signaling is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only indicates the SSB serial number in the current period but also implicitly conveys pattern information and time domain position information. By making the indication signaling multi-functional, the system supports multiple patterns without requiring separate signaling for each function, thus resolving the contradiction between signaling simplicity and multi-pattern support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping relationship between the SSB serial number and the pattern information. The UE uses this mapping as an intermediary to derive both the current period SSB serial number and the pattern identifier from the same indication signaling, enabling multi-pattern support while keeping the signaling structure relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system supports multiple SSB patterns, then the system flexibility is improved, but the UE cannot determine the pattern and position information from existing indication signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem flexibilityVSAvoidpattern and position information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The SSB indication is segmented into multiple information elements that can be independently decoded by the UE. The indication signaling is divided to include both the SSB serial number and pattern-specific information, allowing the UE to separately determine both the pattern type and the position within that pattern, thus preventing information loss while supporting system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds an additional dimension to the indication signaling by incorporating pattern identifier information alongside the traditional SSB serial number. This dimensional expansion allows the signaling to carry both pattern selection information and position information simultaneously, enabling the UE to fully determine SSB characteristics in multi-pattern scenarios.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional indication signaling is added to support multiple patterns, then multi-pattern support is achieved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-pattern support capabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the indication of SSB serial number with the indication of pattern information into a single unified signaling structure. By combining these two functions into one signaling element rather than using separate indications, the system achieves multi-pattern support capability while minimizing the increase in signaling overhead through efficient resource utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically changes the interpretation parameters of the indication signaling based on the detected pattern. Different patterns are associated with different parameter interpretations, allowing the same signaling bits to convey different information depending on the pattern context, thus supporting multiple patterns without proportionally increasing signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3641204B1Indication method and apparatus and determination method and apparatus for synchronization signal block, and base station, terminal and storage medium
Publication Date: 2023.07.05 DATANG MOBILE COMM EQUIP CO LTD
  • EP3641204B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP3641204B1 patent drawingFigure 4a~6
  • EP3641204B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A method of indicating a synchronization signal block (SSB), a method of determining an SSB, an apparatus of indicating an SSB, an apparatus of determining an SSB, a base station, user equipment (UE) and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method of indicating an SSB includes: determining a target pattern from a plurality of patterns and acquiring serial number information corresponding to the SSB based on the target pattern; determining, according to the serial number information corresponding to the SSB, position indication information in an indication signaling for indicating a corresponding position of the SSB; and transmitting the position indication information to UE.