SSB-to-PDSCH Signaling for SIB1 Outside NR Sync Raster

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing NR system does not support operation on unlicensed frequency bands, and terminal equipment cannot receive SIB1 from synchronization signals not located on synchronization rasters, which are required for cell selection and reselection in advanced NR systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for transmitting a synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block not on a synchronization raster, associated with a control resource set to schedule a physical downlink shared channel for carrying remaining minimum system information, enabling terminal equipment to receive this information despite the signal's location.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the synchronization signal is located on a predefined synchronization raster, then the terminal equipment can easily acquire system information, but the NR system cannot support operation on unlicensed frequency bands

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for unlicensed frequency bandsVSAvoidcomplexity of synchronization signal positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic indication information in the PBCH to convey the frequency domain position of the synchronization signal relative to the synchronization raster. This allows the system to adapt between fixed raster positioning and flexible positioning scenarios, enabling support for unlicensed bands while maintaining terminal equipment capability to handle both cases

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses indication information as an intermediary mechanism between the synchronization signal and the terminal equipment. This indication information carries the relative frequency domain position, allowing the terminal to locate the PDSCH carrying SIB1 without requiring the synchronization signal to be on a predefined raster, thus enabling unlicensed band operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the synchronization signal is not located on a synchronization raster, then the NR system can operate on unlicensed frequency bands, but the terminal equipment cannot receive SIB1 for cell selection and reselection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperation on unlicensed frequency bandsVSAvoidloss of SIB1 information
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent shifts from direct raster-based positioning to a two-dimensional positioning approach: first locating the synchronization signal frequency, then using indication information to determine the offset to the synchronization raster, and finally using another offset to locate the PDSCH. This dimensional transformation enables SIB1 reception without requiring the synchronization signal to be on a predefined raster

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces indication information as an intermediary that bridges the gap between the synchronization signal position and the SIB1 delivery mechanism. This intermediary carries the necessary positioning information to enable terminal equipment to receive SIB1 even when the synchronization signal is not on a standard raster, preventing information loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the terminal equipment uses predefined synchronization raster for signal acquisition, then the acquisition process is simple, but the system cannot support advanced features requiring signals outside predefined rasters

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of signal acquisitionVSAvoidsupport for advanced NR features
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the synchronization system dynamic by introducing configurable indication information in the PBCH. The terminal equipment can operate in a simplified mode using predefined rasters when available, or switch to the flexible indication-based mode when unlicensed bands or advanced features are required, thus maintaining ease of operation while enabling adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4040876B1Signal transmission method and apparatus, and communication system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 FINITY INC
  • EP4040876B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4040876B1 patent drawingFigure 1C~2
  • EP4040876B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a method and apparatus for transmitting a signal and a communication system. The apparatus includes a first transmitting unit, the first transmitting unit being configured to: receive a first synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block (SS/PBCH block, SSB), the first synchronization signal/physical broadcast channel block being not located on a first synchronization raster; and receive physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) being used to schedule a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for carrying remaining minimum system information/system information block 1 (RMSI/SIB 1).