SSB QCL Mapping for Low Overhead SIB1 Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication networks face challenges in efficiently delivering system information with low system overhead, particularly in beam-based systems where the overhead from SIB1 signaling is significant.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves using multiple synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) as a quasi co-location (QCL) source for a single system information block (SIB), where each SSB is transmitted on a different beam, reducing the overhead of SIB1 transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple SSBs are transmitted on different beams to improve beam identification, then beam coverage and identification capability are improved, but system overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam identification capabilityVSAvoidsystem overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple SSB transmissions across different beams by establishing a QCL relationship among them, allowing the UE to receive multiple SSBs as a unified group and associate them with a single SIB1, thereby reducing redundant signaling overhead while maintaining beam identification capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The QCL relationship serves as a universal indicator that enables the UE to interpret multiple SSBs from different beams as a cohesive set, allowing the system to use a single SIB1 for multiple beams and reducing the need for separate system information transmissions for each beam

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

2Loss of information

If separate SIB1 transmissions are sent for each beam to ensure complete system information delivery, then information completeness is improved, but system overhead and signaling complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem information completenessVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple beam-specific SSB transmissions with a single unified SIB1 transmission by establishing QCL relationships, allowing one SIB1 to serve multiple beams and eliminating the need for separate SIB1 transmissions for each beam

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary beam identification through SSB transmissions with QCL indicators before the UE needs to receive system information, allowing the UE to already know which beam group to associate with the upcoming SIB1 transmission, thus enabling efficient single-SIB1 delivery

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Quantity of substance

If a single SIB1 is transmitted to reduce overhead, then system overhead is reduced, but beam-specific information accuracy may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem overheadVSAvoidbeam-specific information accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing beam-specific characteristics through the QCL relationship indicators in each SSB, allowing the UE to understand which specific beam characteristics (spatial parameters, timing, frequency) are associated with the unified SIB1, thus maintaining beam-specific information accuracy while using a single SIB1 transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4507207A1Facilitating low system overhead system information delivery in beam based system
Publication Date: 2025.02.12 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP4507207A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4507207A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4507207A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various examples of embodiments described herein relate to methods and apparatuses for facilitating low system overhead system information delivery in a beam based system. One such example of an embodiment relates to a method that includes receiving a synchronization signal block, SSB, comprising an information block; determining, based on the received information block, whether the received SSB is one SSB among a plurality of SSBs, the plurality of SSBs having a quasi co-location, QCL, relationship with a demodulation reference signal of a single system information block, SIB, and each of the plurality of SSBs being associated with a different base station beam; and, if determined that the received SSB is one SSB among the plurality of SSBs, receiving the single SIB based on the QCL relationship.