SS/PBCH Block Reception for PRACH Spatial Setting Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently determining spatial settings for uplink transmissions due to coverage imbalances between downlink and uplink signals, particularly in 5G networks, which can affect the accuracy and efficiency of initial access procedures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using Non-Cell-Defining Synchronization Signal Blocks (NCD-SSBs) to determine spatial settings for PRACH transmissions, alongside Cell-Defining SSBs, to compensate for coverage imbalances and improve transmission power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If spatial settings for PRACH transmissions are determined based on CD-SSB receptions only, then the initial access procedure is simplified, but coverage imbalances between downlink and uplink transmissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the function of SSB receptions to serve dual purposes: CD-SSBs for cell identification and NCD-SSBs for path-loss estimation. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain simplified initial access procedures while simultaneously achieving accurate uplink power control and coverage balance through the additional NCD-SSB measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces NCD-SSBs as intermediary reference signals that mediate between downlink channel quality assessment and uplink transmission power control. These NCD-SSBs provide the necessary path-loss information without requiring complex feedback mechanisms, thus balancing coverage while maintaining procedural simplicity.
2Reliability
If transmission power is adjusted based on path-loss from NCD-SSB receptions, then uplink coverage is improved, but the measurement and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs path-loss estimation using NCD-SSB receptions during the initial access phase, before actual uplink data transmissions begin. This preliminary measurement allows the UE to pre-calculate the appropriate transmission power, avoiding the need for complex real-time adjustments and reducing overall control complexity while ensuring adequate uplink coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from generic signal strength to specific path-loss estimation based on NCD-SSB receptions. This parameter change enables more accurate uplink power control by directly compensating for the actual signal attenuation, improving uplink coverage without requiring complex adaptive algorithms.
3Measurement precision
If multiple SSB sets (CD-SSB and NCD-SSB) are used for spatial setting determination, then channel quality assessment accuracy is improved, but overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of CD-SSB and NCD-SSB into a unified spatial setting determination process. By combining cell identification from CD-SSB with path-loss estimation from NCD-SSB, the system achieves accurate channel quality assessment without requiring separate measurement procedures, thus minimizing overhead while maximizing measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different quality requirements to different SSB types: CD-SSBs provide cell-defining quality metrics while NCD-SSBs provide local path-loss quality metrics. This local quality approach allows precise channel quality assessment tailored to specific measurement needs without uniformly increasing overhead across all SSB transmissions.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for spatial setting determination based on synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) block receptions. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes receiving first information for a first set of indexes for synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel (SS/PBCH) blocks, a first SS/PBCH block corresponding to a first index from the first set of indexes, second information for a second set of indexes for SS/PBCH blocks, and a second SS/PBCH block corresponding to a second index from the second set of indexes. The method further includes determining a physical cell identity (PCI) of a serving cell based on the first SS/PBCH block and a path-loss based on the second SS/PBCH block. The first SS/PBCH block and the second SS/PBCH block have a same transmission power.