UE Synchronization Using Pre-Paging Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional UE synchronization in RRC inactive or idle states in wireless communication networks leads to increased power consumption and signaling overhead due to the need for UEs to wake up well before paging occasions to achieve synchronization using SSB bursts, which limits deep sleep time.
Innovation Solution
Provisioning of additional Reference Signals (RS), such as CSI-RS and TRS, by the RAN node prior to paging occasions based on UE synchronization capability information, allowing UEs to synchronize with the network more efficiently and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If UEs use SSB bursts for synchronization before paging occasions, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but UE power consumption increases due to extended wake-up time
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary synchronization signal transmission by sending SSB bursts at configured intervals before the UE's paging occasion. This allows the UE to wake up earlier, acquire synchronization in advance, and return to sleep mode, thereby reducing the duration of high-power operation while maintaining synchronization accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The network transmits SSB bursts periodically at predetermined intervals (e.g., every 20ms, 40ms, or 80ms) before paging occasions. This periodic transmission pattern enables the UE to synchronize at optimal intervals without continuously monitoring, balancing synchronization accuracy with power consumption by limiting wake-up events to specific periodic occurrences.
2Reliability
If UEs wake up earlier to achieve synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but deep sleep time is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The network configures SSB burst transmissions to occur in advance of paging occasions, enabling UEs to perform synchronization preparation before their designated wake-up time. This preliminary action ensures reliable synchronization is achieved while allowing UEs to maintain deep sleep mode for longer periods between synchronization events.
3Speed
If SSB bursts are transmitted frequently for UE synchronization, then synchronization speed is improved, but network signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The network transmits SSB bursts periodically at configured intervals (e.g., 20ms, 40ms, 80ms) rather than continuously or at every paging occasion. This periodic transmission provides sufficient synchronization opportunities for UEs to acquire timing and frequency information while limiting the total number of transmissions, thereby controlling signaling overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The network dynamically adjusts the periodicity and timing of SSB burst transmissions based on UE capabilities, service requirements, and network conditions. By changing transmission parameters such as interval duration and offset timing, the network optimizes the balance between synchronization speed and signaling overhead for different UE types and scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain examples of the present invention relate to a User Equipment, UE, comprising: means for sending, to a Radio Access Network, RAN, node, UE synchronization capability information indicative of time and/or frequency synchronization acquisition capability of the UE with a network; and means for receiving, from the RAN node, at least one Reference Signal, RS, prior to a paging occasion for the UE, that enables the UE to acquire time and/or frequency synchronization with the network, wherein the at least one RS is based in part on the UE synchronization capability information.