Synchronization Signal Mapping for Low-Energy Narrowband Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Narrowband terminal devices face high energy consumption when detecting synchronization signals due to their large resource block occupancy, which contradicts the requirement for low energy consumption in MTC devices designed for NR systems.

Innovation Solution

The method involves generating and mapping multiple synchronization signals, such as PSS and SSS, across fewer resource blocks by using sub-signals and different frequency domain resources, reducing energy consumption through efficient signal detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the synchronization signal occupies a large quantity of resource blocks, then the synchronization signal can be detected reliably, but the energy consumption of the narrowband terminal device increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption of terminal device
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the synchronization signal into multiple sub-signals (first sub-signal, second sub-signal, etc.) that are transmitted on different frequency domain resources. The terminal device can detect the synchronization signal by combining these sub-signals, reducing the need to process the entire wideband signal simultaneously and thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining detection reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent distributes synchronization sub-signals across multiple frequency domain resources (different resource blocks) rather than concentrating them in a single wideband allocation. This dimensional distribution allows narrowband terminal devices to select and process only the relevant sub-signals within their bandwidth capability, reducing energy consumption while ensuring reliable synchronization detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the synchronization signal occupies a large quantity of resource blocks, then comprehensive coverage is achieved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency domain coverageVSAvoidterminal device processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The synchronization signal is segmented into multiple sub-signals transmitted on different frequency domain resources. Terminal devices can selectively process sub-signals within their operational bandwidth, reducing processing complexity while maintaining comprehensive frequency domain coverage through the distributed sub-signal structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent designs the synchronization signal structure to serve multiple functions: wideband frequency domain resources provide comprehensive coverage, while the segmented sub-signal structure enables narrowband terminal devices to detect synchronization signals within their limited bandwidth. This multi-functional design accommodates both wideband and narrowband devices without increasing individual device complexity.

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

Data Source

PatentEP4195747B1Communication method and related apparatus
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4195747B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4195747B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4195747B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a related apparatus. The method includes: receiving a first signal on a first frequency domain resource and a first time unit, where the first signal is a primary synchronization signal or a secondary synchronization signal, the first signal includes at least two signals, a second signal in the at least two signals in the first signal is mapped to a second frequency domain resource, a third signal in the at least two signals is mapped to a third frequency domain resource, and the second frequency domain resource and the third frequency domain resource are located in the first frequency domain resource; and performing signal detection on the first time unit based on at least one of the at least two signals. When embodiments of this application are implemented, access requirements of a wideband terminal device and a narrowband terminal device are compatible, and energy consumption when the narrowband terminal device detects a synchronization signal is reduced.