User Terminal Synchronization Signal Block Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Future radio communication systems, such as 5G and NR, require new control techniques for transmission and reception due to differences in numerologies and frequencies from existing LTE systems, particularly for initial access procedures involving synchronization signals and broadcast channels.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal with a receiving section for synchronization signal blocks containing multiple synchronization signals and broadcast channels, allocated in different time fields, and a control section that selects time information based on broadcast channels and demodulation reference signals, allowing for proper transmission and reception in systems using different formats.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If synchronization signals and broadcast channels are allocated in fixed fields as in LTE systems, then initial access procedures are simplified, but the system cannot support flexible numerologies and frequencies required by future 5G/NR systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for flexible numerologies and frequenciesVSAvoidcontrol techniques for transmission and reception
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the allocation of synchronization signals and broadcast channels flexible rather than fixed. The system dynamically adjusts the allocation based on different numerologies (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix lengths) and frequency configurations. This allows the same time field to accommodate different signal types and configurations depending on the operational mode, enabling support for both LTE-compatible and advanced 5G/NR scenarios without requiring separate fixed allocation schemes for each case.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple broadcast channels are allocated in different time fields, then time information can be reliably transmitted, but the time required to acquire and process this information increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission of time informationVSAvoidtime to acquire time information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple broadcast channels that carry time information into a unified allocation structure within the same time field. Instead of dispersing time information across multiple separate time fields, the system combines the functionality of multiple broadcast channels (such as PBCH and SIB1) into a coordinated allocation where time information can be extracted from multiple sources within the same time window. This merging approach maintains reliability through redundancy while reducing the total time required for acquisition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the allocation of synchronization signals and broadcast channels in a manner that enables immediate time information extraction. The system designs the time field allocation so that time information is embedded in the very first signals received during initial access, allowing the user terminal to acquire time synchronization without needing to wait for or process multiple sequential transmissions. This preliminary embedding of time information accelerates the initial access procedure while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3634040B1User terminal and wireless communication method
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3634040B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP3634040B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3634040B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

In order to transmit and receive signals properly in a radio communication system in which communication is performed based on different formats than in existing LTE systems, a user terminal, according to one aspect of the present invention, has a receiving section that receives a synchronization signal block, which contains a plurality of synchronization signals and a plurality of broadcast channels that are allocated in different time fields, and a control section that selects time information of the synchronization signal block based on the broadcast channels and/or demodulation reference signals allocated in the same time fields with the broadcast channels, and the synchronization signal block contains broadcast channels that are allocated in three or more time fields, including at least contiguous time fields, respectively.