Terminal Autocorrelation for 5G Broadcast Coverage Detection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G communication systems, terminals face challenges in receiving broadcast information, particularly in shadow areas where coverage extension is needed, and determining whether a base station supports coverage extension for improved communication connectivity.

Innovation Solution

A method and device for a terminal to perform autocorrelation calculations and frequency offset estimation to detect if a base station supports coverage extension by analyzing the repetitive pattern of the physical broadcast channel (PBCH), allowing for enhanced communication coverage and initial connection establishment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a terminal attempts to receive broadcast information in shadow areas using conventional methods, then the terminal can establish initial connection in coverage areas, but the terminal fails to reliably receive broadcast information in shadow areas where coverage extension is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebroadcast information reception reliabilityVSAvoidcoverage area adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal performs autocorrelation calculations and frequency offset estimations before attempting to decode broadcast information, preparing the received signal in advance to detect coverage extension patterns. This preliminary signal processing enables the terminal to identify whether the base station supports coverage extension, allowing adaptive reception strategies to be applied subsequently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal changes the processing parameters of received signals by performing autocorrelation calculations and frequency offset estimations, transforming the raw received signal into processed signal characteristics that reveal coverage extension patterns. This parameter transformation enables detection of coverage extension support from the repetitive pattern of the physical broadcast channel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If the terminal performs autocorrelation calculations and frequency offset estimation to detect coverage extension support, then the terminal can accurately determine coverage extension capability, but the terminal increases processing complexity and computation time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage extension detection accuracyVSAvoidsignal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal segments the broadcast information reception process into distinct stages: initial signal reception, autocorrelation calculation, frequency offset estimation, coverage extension detection, and final decoding. This segmentation allows the terminal to perform complex operations only when necessary, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining detection accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal uses the repetitive pattern of the physical broadcast channel itself as the reference signal for autocorrelation calculations, eliminating the need for external reference signals or additional pilot channels. This self-service approach reduces system complexity while enabling accurate frequency offset estimation and coverage extension detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal uses repetitive pattern analysis of PBCH to detect coverage extension, then the terminal can improve connectivity in shadow areas, but the terminal increases processing time and computational load

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshadow area connectivityVSAvoidinitial connection establishment time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal exploits the periodic repetitive pattern of the physical broadcast channel, which is transmitted multiple times with identical content. By performing autocorrelation calculations on these periodic transmissions, the terminal can detect coverage extension patterns efficiently. The periodic nature of the transmissions allows the terminal to accumulate signal energy and improve detection reliability without requiring excessive processing time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3376728B1Method and device for receiving broadcast information in wireless communication system
Publication Date: 2020.01.15 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3376728B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3376728B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3376728B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a communication technique which combines a 5G (5th Generation) communication system, for supporting a higher data transmission rate following 4G (4th Generation) systems, with loT (Internet of Things) technology, and to a system for the communication technique. The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services (for example, smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car or connected car, health care, digital education, retail business, security, and safety-related services), based on 5G communication technology and loT-related technology. The present invention relates to a method and device for receiving broadcast information by means of a terminal in a communication system. The method for receiving broadcast information by means of a terminal in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the processes of: receiving a signal including broadcast information from a base station; using a repeating pattern of the signal and determining a value for autocorrelation; determining whether coverage enhancement is supported by the base station on the basis of the value for the autocorrelation; acquiring the broadcast information through decoding of the signal when the base station supports coverage enhancement; and moving to another cell or another center frequency and implementing initial connection when the base station does not support coverage enhancement.