UE SSB Search Window Determination via Bitmap Pruning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR technology faces challenges in improving mobility performance, power efficiency, and robustness in generating synchronization signal block (SSB) bitmaps and determining search windows for user equipment (UE) to effectively communicate with base stations, particularly due to misleading network configurations.
Innovation Solution
The UE determines a set of parameters including parameter bitmaps and synchronization measurement timing configuration (SMTC) to generate an SSB bitmap and set a search window, pruning unnecessary measurements based on these parameters to optimize power usage and communication reliability, even in asynchronous network conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the UE uses a longer search window to search for SSBs from serving and neighbor cells, then the reliability of signal reception is improved, but the power consumption increases and mobility performance degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the search window into multiple candidate search windows based on different SSB transmission patterns. The UE determines a set of candidate search windows corresponding to different possible SSB positions, then selects the appropriate search window based on actual SSB detection. This segmentation allows the UE to avoid searching the entire long search window, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining reliable signal reception.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic search window adjustment where the UE determines candidate search windows based on varying SSB transmission patterns and network configurations. The search window duration and position are dynamically adapted according to the detected SSB timing, allowing the UE to optimize between search completeness and power consumption in real-time during mobility operations.
2Reliability
If the UE searches for SSBs in all possible slots to ensure complete coverage, then the robustness of communication is improved, but the search time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by determining candidate search windows before actual SSB measurement. The UE pre-calculates possible search window positions and durations based on network configuration and SSB patterns, then focuses measurement efforts only on these pre-identified windows. This preliminary determination eliminates the need to search all possible slots, significantly improving search efficiency while maintaining robust communication through comprehensive candidate window coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating search resources on specific time slots where SSBs are actually transmitted rather than uniformly searching all slots. The UE identifies specific candidate search windows with different local characteristics (duration, position, SSB density) and adapts measurement resources to match the actual SSB transmission pattern, improving productivity by avoiding wasted searches in empty slots.
3Measurement precision
If the UE performs measurements on all SSBs in the search window, then the measurement precision is improved, but the processing complexity and loss of time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary SSB measurements from the search window based on determined candidate windows and network configuration. Instead of measuring all SSBs in the entire search window, the UE identifies and measures only those SSBs that fall within the determined candidate search windows and are relevant for the current mobility state. This extraction reduces processing complexity while maintaining measurement precision for the critical SSBs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by performing measurements on a subset of SSBs rather than all SSBs in the search window. The UE determines which SSBs require measurement based on the candidate search windows and measurement configuration, measuring only the necessary portion. This partial measurement approach reduces processing complexity and time loss while maintaining sufficient measurement precision for mobility decisions.
4Ease of operation
If the network provides detailed configuration parameters for SSB search, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and loss of information increase due to misleading configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE validates received network configuration parameters against actual SSB detection results. When the UE detects that provided configuration parameters lead to incorrect or suboptimal search window determination, it adjusts the candidate search windows based on actual SSB timing observations. This feedback loop allows the UE to operate easily with provided configurations while correcting for misleading information, reducing effective processing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between network configuration parameters and search window determination. The UE uses the provided configuration parameters as initial guidance but mediates their application by cross-referencing with actual SSB detection patterns and measurement results. This intermediary validation process filters out misleading configuration information while preserving the ease of operation benefits from network-provided parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
A UE is configured to determine a set of parameters associated with receiving the SSBs, the set of parameters including a first parameter bitmap associated with a serving cell, a second parameter bitmap associated with the neighbor cell, and the SMTC. The UE is configured to determine a search window for searching the received SSBs based on the SMTC and at least one of the first parameter bitmap or the second parameter bitmap. The UE may measure the SSBs searched during the determined search window and send measurement results associated with at least a subset of the measured SSBs to the base station. The UE may also prune measurements to generate the measurement results by removing measurements associated with SSBs received in slots that are not indicated to expect SSBs, based on the first parameter bitmap, the second first parameter bitmap, or the SMTC.