User Terminal Broadcast Decoding for Faster Initial Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the limited capacity of broadcast channels in synchronization signal blocks poses a challenge for effectively signaling necessary information during initial access.

Innovation Solution

The user terminal is equipped with a receiving section to detect synchronization signal blocks that interpret information elements differently based on specific conditions, allowing bits and code points in the broadcast channel to be utilized more efficiently by indicating ranges of synchronization rasters to skip unnecessary searches.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the broadcast channel in synchronization signal block transmits more information elements, then the initial access efficiency is improved, but the limited capacity of broadcast channel is exceeded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial access efficiencyVSAvoidbroadcast channel capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the interpretation of information elements flexible and context-dependent. The same information element in the broadcast channel is interpreted differently based on whether a CORESET is present or absent, allowing the system to adapt the meaning of transmitted bits to convey different types of information (synchronization raster skip range vs. CORESET configuration) without increasing the actual number of bits transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter interpretation based on system state. The information element's meaning changes from indicating CORESET configuration to indicating synchronization raster skip range, depending on the presence or absence of CORESET. This parameter change allows the limited broadcast channel capacity to convey multiple types of information dynamically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the user terminal searches all synchronization rasters, then the detection reliability is improved, but the initial access delay and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization signal detection reliabilityVSAvoidinitial access delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing the user terminal with advance information about which synchronization rasters to skip through the broadcast channel. The network transmits skip range information beforehand, allowing the user terminal to pre-calculate which rasters can be safely skipped without compromising detection reliability, thus reducing search time and power consumption before the actual synchronization process begins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent directly applies skipping by enabling user terminals to skip unnecessary synchronization raster searches. Based on the broadcast information indicating skip ranges, the user terminal can rush through the initial access process by skipping predetermined numbers of rasters, significantly reducing the time and energy spent on searching while maintaining reliable detection through intelligent skip decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP3726879B1User terminal and radio communication method
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3726879B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3726879B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3726879B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention is designated to effectively utilize a broadcast channel in a synchronization signal block in future radio communication systems. A user terminal includes a receiving section that receives a synchronization signal block including a broadcast channel from a cell, and a control section that interprets a specific information element in the broadcast channel as a different information element depending on whether or not a specific condition is satisfied.