Synchronization Signal Block Segmentation for Resource Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

In high-frequency mobile communication systems, the existing synchronization signal blocks that include primary and secondary synchronization signals along with physical broadcast channels lead to a waste of time-frequency resources, especially when only time and frequency synchronization is required.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of two types of synchronization signal blocks: a first SS block that includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and information carried on a physical broadcast channel for initial access, and a second SS block that includes only a primary synchronization signal or both for time and frequency synchronization, allowing the base station to send the second SS block when synchronization is needed, thereby reducing resource waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a synchronization signal block including primary synchronization signal, secondary synchronization signal, and physical broadcast channel is sent for initial access, then the terminal can perform cell searching and frame synchronization, but time-frequency resources are wasted when only synchronization is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization reliabilityVSAvoidtime-frequency resource waste
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization signal block into two distinct types: a first synchronization signal block containing PSS, SSS, and PBCH for initial access, and a second synchronization signal block containing only PSS and SSS for synchronization. This segmentation allows the system to send only the necessary components based on the terminal's current state, avoiding resource waste when full initial access information is not needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the physical broadcast channel information from the synchronization signal block to create a simplified second synchronization signal block. This extraction enables the base station to send synchronization signals without the PBCH when the terminal already has initial access information, thereby reducing time-frequency resource consumption while maintaining synchronization functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Device complexity

If the same synchronization signal block structure is used for both initial access and subsequent synchronization, then implementation is simplified, but resource efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal block structure complexityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic signaling mechanisms where the base station can indicate to the terminal whether to expect a first or second synchronization signal block through downlink signaling. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the signal block type based on the terminal's access state, achieving high resource efficiency while maintaining manageable complexity through standardized signaling procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter composition of the synchronization signal block based on the operational phase. The first block includes PSS, SSS, and PBCH parameters for initial access, while the second block contains only PSS and SSS parameters for synchronization. This parameter change approach allows flexible resource allocation without requiring fundamentally different signal structures, balancing complexity and efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3550778B1Communication method and device
Publication Date: 2021.09.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3550778B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3550778B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3550778B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

Embodiments of this application disclose a communication method and a communications apparatus. In the method, a base station sends a first synchronization signal block, where the first synchronization signal block includes a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and information carried on a physical broadcast channel. In addition, the base station sends a second synchronization signal block, where the second synchronization signal block includes a primary synchronization signal or includes a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal, and does not include information carried on the physical broadcast channel. The first synchronization signal block is used by a terminal to access the base station. The second synchronization signal block is used to perform time and frequency synchronization after the terminal accesses the base station. It can be learned that, the second synchronization signal block does not include the information carried on the physical broadcast channel, and performing time and frequency synchronization by using the second synchronization signal block can reduce a waste of time-frequency resources.