UE Subcarrier Spacing Selection for Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in signal detection due to the use of multiple subcarrier spacings by neighboring cells, which can lead to difficulties in handover and synchronization signal reception, especially in scenarios where different numerologies are employed by serving and neighbor cells.

Innovation Solution

A UE configures a subcarrier spacing value by monitoring synchronization signals from neighboring cells, using indications from network entities or local databases to select the appropriate spacing, ensuring compatibility with the subcarrier spacing used by neighboring cells for successful signal detection and handover processes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple subcarrier spacings are used by neighboring cells to support different numerologies, then system adaptability and versatility are improved, but signal detection difficulty and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupport for different numerologiesVSAvoidsignal detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the network entity pre-configure the UE with a set of candidate subcarrier spacings and their corresponding frequency ranges before the UE needs to detect synchronization signals. This preconfiguration allows the UE to quickly determine the appropriate subcarrier spacing based on the detected frequency range, avoiding the need to test multiple spacings and thereby reducing detection complexity while maintaining support for multiple numerologies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the UE monitors multiple subcarrier spacings for synchronization signals, then signal detection reliability is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detectionVSAvoidmonitoring operations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the subcarrier spacing configuration frequency-range-specific. Each frequency range is associated with a specific subcarrier spacing from the configured set, allowing the UE to apply different monitoring strategies locally for different frequency ranges. This approach ensures reliable detection by using the correct spacing for each frequency band while avoiding the complexity of uniformly monitoring all possible spacings across all frequencies

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Measurement precision

If the network provides detailed subcarrier spacing configuration information, then measurement precision is improved, but information overhead and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesubcarrier spacing identificationVSAvoidconfiguration overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a multi-functional configuration mechanism where a single set of configuration parameters serves multiple purposes: it defines the candidate subcarrier spacings, associates them with frequency ranges, and provides the basis for both synchronization signal detection and subsequent data communication. This universal configuration approach achieves precise spacing identification while minimizing information overhead by avoiding redundant signaling

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

Data Source

PatentEP3682586B1Techniques for selecting subcarrier spacing for signal detection
Publication Date: 2024.07.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3682586B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3682586B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3682586B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques are described herein that allow a user equipment (UE) to configure a subcarrier spacing value while monitoring synchronization signals of neighboring cells. In some wireless communication systems, synchronization signals in given radio frequency spectrum band may be transmitted using one of a plurality of different subcarrier spacings. In some cases, a network entity, such as a base station, may transmit an indication to the UE that indicates the subcarrier spacing used by a cell to transmit a specific set of synchronization signals. In some cases, the UE may select a subcarrier spacing based on a database of subcarrier spacings stored locally by the UE. In some cases, the UE may select the subcarrier spacing based on a predetermined configuration.