Synchronization Signal Block Positioning for 5G Coverage Extension
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in determining time-domain positions of synchronization signals, particularly at higher carrier frequencies, where increased propagation loss and the need for new numerologies complicate backward compatibility and coverage extension.
Innovation Solution
The method involves determining a synchronization signal numerology based on at least two reference numerologies, extending the duration of synchronization signal blocks and increasing the number of synchronization signal blocks, allowing for more beams without introducing a new numerology, thereby enhancing coverage and compatibility with existing systems.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If carrier frequency is increased, then data transmission capacity is improved, but propagation loss increases and coverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the time-domain parameters of synchronization signals by extending SSB duration and increasing the number of SSBs transmitted. This allows the system to maintain coverage at higher carrier frequencies by transmitting synchronization signals over longer time periods, compensating for increased propagation loss through temporal diversity rather than spatial power increase.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new numerology is defined for higher frequencies, then coverage extension is achieved, but backward compatibility is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing synchronization signal structures and positioning methods universal across different numerologies by defining reference numerology-based positioning. The same synchronization signal block structure and time-domain positioning methods can be applied across multiple numerologies (15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz, 120kHz) without requiring numerology-specific definitions, thereby maintaining backward compatibility while enabling coverage extension.
3Adaptability or versatility
If number of SSB beams is increased from 64, then beam coverage is improved, but system complexity and specification overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic scaling of SSB beam indices based on a reference numerology. Instead of defining fixed positions for all possible beam counts across all numerologies, the system dynamically determines SSB positions by scaling the reference numerology positions according to the actual numerology being used. This allows support for more than 64 beams when needed while avoiding the complexity of defining all possible beam configurations in specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Synchronization signal numerology of a communications system is determined, on the basis of at least two reference numerologies. Time occasions comprising including synchronization signals are determined on the basis of a first reference numerology of the at least two reference numerologies for synchronization signal numerologies. Positions of the synchronization signals within the determined time occasions are determined on the basis of a second reference numerology of the at least two reference numerologies. Positions of the synchronization signals according to the synchronization signal numerology are determined at least on the basis of the determined time occasions and the positions within the time occasions. The synchronization signals are received at the determined positions. In this way, the synchronization signal block duration may be extended in time and/or the number of synchronization signal blocks may be increased without introducing a need for a new numerology for synchronization signal numerologies.