User Equipment Frequency Band Identification for NB-IoT Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT), there is a need for user equipment to obtain information about an additional frequency band (Additional PRB) beyond the initial frequency band (Anchor PRB) for extended coverage, especially in scenarios where synchronization signals and broadcast information are not transmitted on the additional band, posing challenges in identifying the center frequency and bandwidth configuration.
Innovation Solution
The user equipment receives information from the base station via the anchor frequency band to identify the center frequency of the additional frequency band, which includes bandwidth and position details within a carrier, using resource block lengths and offset values, enabling transition and communication on the additional band for enhanced coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If user equipment is provided with coverage extension function and unrestricted communication bandwidth, then coverage area is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency band is segmented into multiple subbands, where the first subband carries synchronization signals and broadcast information, while the second subband provides additional coverage extension. This segmentation allows the system to achieve extended coverage without requiring the entire bandwidth to be available everywhere, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a frequency domain dimension by utilizing a second frequency band (second subband) in addition to the first frequency band (first subband). This dimensional expansion in the frequency domain enables coverage extension without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the additional coverage is achieved through frequency resource allocation rather than spatial or temporal expansion.
2Ease of manufacture
If communication bandwidth is restricted to reduce costs, then device cost is reduced, but coverage extension capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first subband serves multiple functions: it carries synchronization signals, broadcast information, and data transmission. The second subband is configured based on information received in the first subband, allowing the system to achieve coverage extension without requiring separate dedicated resources for each function, thereby reducing device cost while maintaining coverage capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station transmits information about the second subband configuration (resource allocation, bandwidth, position) in advance through the first subband using broadcast information or dedicated signaling. This preliminary action allows user equipment to prepare for and efficiently utilize the extended coverage resources without requiring complex real-time processing, reducing device cost while enabling coverage extension.
3Productivity
If synchronization signal and broadcast information are transmitted only on first frequency band, then frequency resource utilization is improved, but user equipment's ability to identify second frequency band deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The first subband acts as an intermediary that carries information about the second subband configuration. By embedding resource allocation information, bandwidth details, and position data about the second subband within the broadcast information or dedicated signaling of the first subband, the system enables user equipment to identify and access the second frequency band without transmitting synchronization signals on both bands, thereby maintaining frequency resource utilization while preventing information loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment for communicating with a base station in a radio communication system that supports narrow band communication is disclosed including a receiver that receives, from the base station via a first frequency band, information for identifying a second frequency band. A synchronization signal and broadcast information are transmitted on the first frequency band, and the synchronization signal and the broadcast information are not transmitted on the second frequency band. The user equipment further includes a processor that identifies a center frequency of the second frequency band based on the received information.