SSB Measurement Optimization in 5G NR Bandwidth Parts

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G New Radio (NR) networks, the existing intra-frequency measurement process is inefficient due to the need for measurement gaps (MGs) during bandwidth part (BWP) switching, which can cause throughput degradation and unnecessary data halt, especially when multiple synchronization signals (SSBs) from the same cell need to be measured, even if they carry similar information.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves configuring the user equipment (UE) to measure only one SSB associated with the serving cell, allowing it to determine which SSBs are from the same cell and reducing unnecessary measurements by using a measurement map (MG) that authorizes the UE to perform measurements without interrupting data processing, thereby optimizing resource management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the UE measures multiple SSBs from the same cell during intra-frequency measurement, then measurement completeness is improved, but throughput degradation increases due to measurement gaps interrupting data processing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement completenessVSAvoidthroughput
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes unnecessary measurement actions by identifying that multiple SSBs from the same cell provide redundant information. The UE is configured to measure only one SSB per cell by utilizing the serving cell's BWP configuration to determine which SSBs belong to the same cell, thereby eliminating redundant measurements that would otherwise require measurement gaps and interrupt data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Measurement precision

If measurement gaps are configured for intra-frequency measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but data processing is interrupted causing efficiency loss

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoiddata processing interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the UE with BWP information of the serving cell in advance. This allows the UE to proactively identify which SSBs are associated with the serving cell before performing measurements, enabling the UE to skip unnecessary measurements and avoid configuring measurement gaps, thus preventing data processing interruptions before they occur.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the UE identifies and measures all transmitted SSBs, then measurement thoroughness is improved, but radio resource management efficiency deteriorates due to unnecessary measurements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement thoroughnessVSAvoidradio resource management efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the UE to self-determine which SSBs need to be measured by providing the UE with serving cell BWP configuration information. The UE uses this information to autonomously identify SSBs associated with the serving cell and exclude them from measurement, eliminating the need for network-side coordination and improving RRM efficiency while maintaining measurement thoroughness for relevant cells.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3854131B1Techniques in measurement gap configurations with bandwidth part in measurements of multiple synchronization signals
Publication Date: 2025.01.08 INTEL CORP
  • EP3854131B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3854131B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3854131B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe methods, apparatuses, storage media, and systems configuring synchronization signal block (SSB) measurements associated with one serving cell in intra-frequency measurements in New Radio (NR) involved networks. Various embodiments describe how to enable an option so that a user equipment only need to measure one SSB if more than one SSBs are to be transmitted in more than one bandwidth parts (BWPs) from a serving cell. Various embodiments further describes how to determine that a plurality of SSBs are from the same serving cell and which SSB to measure among the plurality of SSBs from the same serving cell. Thus, the UE and/or an access node (AN) may improve throughput performance, network efficiency and other efficiencies. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.