Flexible Sync and Broadcast Channel Timing for 6G Energy Saving

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing 5G system's synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel transmission methods result in resource waste and increased power consumption due to fixed periods and positions, limiting network flexibility and energy efficiency, which are not suitable for the more dynamic and flexible requirements of the 6G system.

Innovation Solution

The synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel are transmitted on collectively or separately occupied time domain resources in different slots, allowing for flexible resource utilization and network energy saving by breaking the binding transmission relationship between these signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel are transmitted using fixed periods and positions in 5G system, then the transmission structure is simplified and easy to implement, but resource waste increases and power consumption rises due to inability to perform flexible time domain shutdowns

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission structure simplicityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the transmission of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels flexible rather than fixed. The base station can dynamically adjust whether to transmit these signals in different slots based on actual network needs, enabling time domain shutdowns to reduce power consumption while maintaining network functionality when required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes periodic action by allowing synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels to be transmitted in a periodic manner with variable periods. Instead of continuous fixed-period transmission, the system can selectively transmit these signals at periodic intervals or suspend transmission during periods when network access is not required, thereby reducing energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Device complexity

If the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel are transmitted using fixed periods and positions, then the transmission protocol is simplified, but network flexibility is reduced and resource utilization becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission protocol complexityVSAvoidnetwork flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by allowing the transmission configuration of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels to be dynamically adjusted. The base station can flexibly determine in which slots to transmit these signals based on network conditions, traffic requirements, and energy saving considerations, thereby improving network adaptability without significantly increasing protocol complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies universality by designing a transmission framework that can accommodate multiple transmission scenarios. The same transmission mechanism can handle both continuous transmission modes (when network availability is required) and shutdown modes (when energy saving is prioritized), making the system versatile across different operational contexts.

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

3Ease of operation

If the synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel are always transmitted together in the same time domain resource, then the transmission coordination is simplified, but resource waste increases when only one signal is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission coordinationVSAvoidresource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by separating the transmission of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channels into independent configurable entities. Instead of always transmitting them together as a bundled unit, the system can segment their transmission and selectively transmit only the necessary signal in each slot, reducing resource waste when one signal is sufficient.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by allowing the base station to transmit only the necessary portion of the synchronization infrastructure in each slot. When full synchronization functionality is not required, the system can transmit partial information or suspend transmission entirely, avoiding the excessive resource consumption of always transmitting both signals together.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4651617A1Channel transmission method, communication device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 ZTE CORP
  • EP4651617A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4651617A1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP4651617A1 patent drawingFigure 8~12

AI summary

Provided are a channel transmission method, a communication device, and a storage medium. A channel transmission method applied to a terminal device includes receiving a synchronization signal and a physical broadcast channel sent by a base station, where the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel are transmitted in at least one of the following manners: transmitting the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel on a collectively occupied time domain resource in a first slot, and transmitting the synchronization signal or the physical broadcast channel on a separately occupied time domain resource in a second slot; or transmitting the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel on a first collectively occupied time domain resource in a first slot, and transmitting the synchronization signal and the physical broadcast channel on a second collectively occupied time domain resource in a second slot, where the first collectively occupied time domain resource and the second collectively occupied time domain resource are different time domain resources, and the first slot and the second slot are different slots; and accessing a network based on the synchronization signal and/or the physical broadcast channel.