WO2019048483A1 - Synchronization signal block indication for wireless networks - Google Patents

Synchronization signal block indication for wireless networks Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2019048483A1
WO2019048483A1 PCT/EP2018/073876 EP2018073876W WO2019048483A1 WO 2019048483 A1 WO2019048483 A1 WO 2019048483A1 EP 2018073876 W EP2018073876 W EP 2018073876W WO 2019048483 A1 WO2019048483 A1 WO 2019048483A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
synchronization signal
signal block
type
block
synchronization
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2018/073876
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jorma Johannes Kaikkonen
Lars Dalsgaard
Sami-Jukka Hakola
Original Assignee
Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of WO2019048483A1 publication Critical patent/WO2019048483A1/en

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L27/00—Modulated-carrier systems
    • H04L27/26—Systems using multi-frequency codes
    • H04L27/2601—Multicarrier modulation systems
    • H04L27/2602—Signal structure
    • H04L27/261—Details of reference signals
    • H04L27/2613—Structure of the reference signals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L27/00—Modulated-carrier systems
    • H04L27/26—Systems using multi-frequency codes
    • H04L27/2601—Multicarrier modulation systems
    • H04L27/2647—Arrangements specific to the receiver only
    • H04L27/2655—Synchronisation arrangements
    • H04L27/2666—Acquisition of further OFDM parameters, e.g. bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, or guard interval length
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L27/00—Modulated-carrier systems
    • H04L27/26—Systems using multi-frequency codes
    • H04L27/2601—Multicarrier modulation systems
    • H04L27/2647—Arrangements specific to the receiver only
    • H04L27/2655—Synchronisation arrangements
    • H04L27/2689—Link with other circuits, i.e. special connections between synchronisation arrangements and other circuits for achieving synchronisation
    • H04L27/2692—Link with other circuits, i.e. special connections between synchronisation arrangements and other circuits for achieving synchronisation with preamble design, i.e. with negotiation of the synchronisation sequence with transmitter or sequence linked to the algorithm used at the receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0048—Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04L5/00—Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path
    • H04L5/003—Arrangements for allocating sub-channels of the transmission path
    • H04L5/0048—Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
    • H04L5/0051—Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal

Definitions

  • This description relates to communications.
  • a communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
  • E- UTRA evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • APs base stations or access points
  • eNBs enhanced Node B
  • UE user equipments
  • LTE has included a number of improvements or developments.
  • 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G & 4G wireless networks.
  • a goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security.
  • 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (IoT), and may offer new types of mission-critical services.
  • IoT massive Internet of Things
  • a method includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: select, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmit, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
  • synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • a method includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
  • the base station selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the
  • the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: select, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
  • synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determine a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; select, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of
  • a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
  • the base station selects, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster; and transmit the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
  • synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
  • the base station selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the
  • the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the
  • synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
  • an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determine, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
  • a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
  • a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization rast
  • a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detect that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example implementation.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a synchronization signal block (SS block) according to an illustrative example implementation.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an offset between a synchronization signal (SS) block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid according to an example implementation.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating two types of synchronization signal blocks according to an example implementation.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to another example implementation.
  • FIG.7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to an example implementation.
  • FIG.8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to another example implementation.
  • FIG.9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to yet another example implementation.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a node or wireless station (e.g., base station/access point or mobile station/user device) according to an example
  • a method may include selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • the method may further include determining a frequency of the synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
  • the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block may include at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the
  • synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information may be provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
  • a method may include receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
  • a method may include receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block;
  • synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example implementation.
  • user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs) may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB, or a network node.
  • AP access point
  • eNB enhanced Node B
  • gNB gNode B
  • BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices 131 , 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user devices are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a SI interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.
  • a user device may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and/or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, and a multimedia device, as examples.
  • SIM subscriber identification module
  • MS mobile station
  • PDA personal digital assistant
  • a handset a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.)
  • a laptop and/or touch screen computer a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, and a multimedia device, as examples.
  • a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to
  • core network 150 may be referred to as
  • EPC Evolved Packet Core
  • MME mobility management entity
  • gateways may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks.
  • New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT), and/or narrowband IoT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), wireless relaying including self- backhauling, D2D (device-to-device) communications, and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC).
  • MTC machine type communications
  • eMTC enhanced machine type communication
  • IoT Internet of Things
  • eMBB enhanced mobile broadband
  • wireless relaying including self- backhauling
  • URLLC ultra-reliable and low-latency communications
  • Scenarios may cover both traditional licensed band operation as well as unlicensed band operation.
  • IoT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have
  • Machine Type Communications MTC, or Machine to Machine communications
  • MTC Machine Type Communications
  • eMBB Enhanced mobile broadband
  • Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems.
  • 5G New Radio
  • BLER block error rate
  • URLLC user devices/UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices/UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability)
  • the various example implementations may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G, cmWave, and/or mm Wave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology.
  • LTE Long Term Evolution
  • LTE-A Long Term Evolution
  • 5G Fifth Generation
  • cmWave Fifth Generation
  • mm Wave band networks such as Wi-Fi Protectet Access (WPA), etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology.
  • a BS may transmit a synchronization signal block (SS block, or SSB), which may be received by one or more UEs/user devices.
  • SS block may include, e.g., one or more or even all of:
  • PSS primary synchronization signals
  • SSS secondary synchronization signals
  • PBCH physical broadcast control channel
  • the PSS and SSS may allow a UE to obtain initial system acquisition, e.g., which may include obtaining initial time synchronization (e.g., including symbol and frame timing), initial frequency synchronization, and cell acquisition (e.g., including obtaining the physical cell ID for the cell).
  • a UE may use DMRS and PBCH to determine slot and frame timing.
  • the PBCH may provide one or more important parameters (e.g., system frame number, information on how to receive remaining system information/RMSI) for a UE to access cell, and may also include slot and frame timing.
  • the DMRS may allow the UE to demodulate the PBCH coherently, and may also convey slot timing information.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a synchronization signal block (SS block) according to an illustrative example implementation.
  • the SS block 200 may include information provided across 4 symbols and 12-24 resource blocks (RBs, also known as physical resource blocks or PRBs).
  • RBs resource blocks
  • primary synchronization signals (PSS) 220 is provided via 12 PRBs and one OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) symbol (shown as the first OFDM symbol).
  • Secondary synchronization signals (SSS) 222 are provided via 12 PRBs and the third OFDM symbol.
  • the physical broadcast control channel (PBCH) 224 and demodulation reference signals (DMRS) 226 are interleaved within both the second and fourth OFDM symbols of the SSB 200 and provided across 24 PRBs, as shown in FIG. 2.
  • Each resource block (RB) which may also be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), may include a plurality of subcarriers, such as 12 subcarriers, for example, or other number of subcarriers.
  • one or more SS blocks may be transmitted by a BS in fixed time domain locations, such as within a specific time (e.g., 5 ms) window, where this group of SS blocks within this time window may be referred to as a SS block burst set.
  • a specific time e.g., 5 ms
  • the SS block may be allocated in a flexible manner within NR carrier in terms of time and frequency domain allocation.
  • the SS block (or burst set) can be transmitted with one of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 or 160 ms periodicity.
  • a floating or variable frequency synchronization (e.g., or variable subcarriers are used for the NR SS block) may be used.
  • synchronization raster alignment may mean that or includes that a center frequency of a SS block is aligned with a synchronization raster frequency.
  • a synchronization raster may include one or more synchronization raster frequencies.
  • Each synchronization raster frequency indicates a possible frequency where a center frequency of a SS block may be aligned (at least for SS blocks transmitted for initial system acquisition).
  • a SS block transmitted in this situation may be referred to as a first type (or first category) of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
  • BS may also transmit other SS blocks, that are not provided for initial system acquisition. Rather, in this case, the SS block may, for example, be transmitted in parallel with data, to assist with multiplexing of data, for example, and not for initial system acquisition.
  • These SS blocks may be located at different frequency positions (or aligned with different frequencies or subcarriers), and these SS block(s) are not necessarily aligned with the synchronization raster. Rather, in some cases, these SS blocks that are not for initial system acquisition, but may be (or are typically) aligned with a RB of a channel RB grid.
  • a RB channel grid may be a grid of RBs or resources across time and frequency, which may be used by a UE or BS to transmit or receive information (data or control information).
  • a SS block transmitted in this situation may be referred to as a second type (or second category) of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • a synchronization raster indicates one or more possible center frequency position(s) where the SS block will be aligned, at least for the first type of SS block that is used for initial system acquisition.
  • a center frequency of at least a first type of SS block is aligned with a
  • a synchronization raster frequency might be 300 KHz, or 900 KHz, for example.
  • the synchronization raster frequency may be known in advance by both BS and UE. By receiving a SS block that has a known center frequency (the synchronization raster frequency), this may allow the UE to accurately perform initial system acquisition, including frequency synchronization.
  • the synchronization raster frequency By receiving a SS block that has a known center frequency (the synchronization raster frequency), this may allow the UE to accurately perform initial system acquisition, including frequency synchronization.
  • a UE receives a SS block that is believed to be a synchronization raster aligned, but is not synchronization raster aligned (or is aligned at an unknown frequency/subcarrier), this may typically cause errors in the UE's attempt to obtain initial system acquisition.
  • the UE receives a SS block that is a second type of SS block (not for initial system acquisition) and the UE expects to receive
  • this may cause errors when the UE attempts to obtain initial system acquisition.
  • a channel RB grid is a grid
  • a RB is one resource or element within the channel RB grid.
  • a channel raster (e.g., 15KHz, or 100 KHz) identifies a center frequency of the carrier for the system band (or for the Channel RB grid - which identifies the various resources that can be used to transmit data or control information within the channel).
  • a channel raster may determine the granularity (or how often in frequency) the channel RB grid will be provided by BS.
  • a synchronization raster may be sparse, with only a very limited or very few entries (synchronization raster frequencies), in order to decrease search complexity for the UE when the UE is attempting to perform initial system acquisition, e.g., with the synchronization raster indicating only 300 KHz and 900 KHz as synchronization raster frequencies.
  • synchronization raster frequencies may be specified, and known by the UE and BS, for each band.
  • the UE upon receiving a SS block, may attempt to detect PSS at or around the synchronization raster frequency (e.g., as the center frequency of the SS block), and if UE does not detect PSS, the UE may move to receive (e.g., adjust its receiver to receive) a SS block at a next (or another) synchronization raster entry/frequency and, then attempt to detect the PSS. After detecting the PSS, the UE may then detect the SSS, PBCH and DMRS of the received SS block.
  • synchronization raster entries/frequencies may be defined for initial system acquisition. And, for example, SS blocks may be transmitted in other frequency locations if the position/frequency is signaled by the BS to the UE.
  • a RB of a channel RB grid may include a plurality of subcarriers (e.g.,
  • the SS block may not be aligned with a RB (e.g., aligned with a RB edge, RB boundary or first subcarrier of a RB) of the channel RB grid.
  • FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an offset between a synchronization signal (SS) block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid according to an example implementation.
  • SS synchronization signal
  • a frequency offset 330 (e.g., an offset between 0 and 1 1 resource elements/subcarriers) may exist between an edge (e.g., boundary or first subcarrier) of the SS block 320 and a RB 310 (or edge or first subcarrier of RB 310) of a channel resource block grid.
  • an edge e.g., boundary or first subcarrier
  • RB 310 or edge or first subcarrier of RB 310
  • This flexible or variable offset 330 may, for example, enable multiple channels that are subcarrier grid aligned but not RB grid aligned to use the same SS block location.
  • the frequency offset 330 for the synchronization signal block 320 is a frequency offset 330 (e.g., offset as a number of subcarriers) between an edge of the synchronization signal (SS) block 320 and a resource block 310 of a channel resource block grid.
  • the arbitrary offset 330 may identify the offset in subcarriers (or frequency) between a start or edge of the SS block 320 with respect to a RB 310 (e.g., which may be, for example, a nearest (e.g., or nearest lower frequency) RB boundary within the channel RB grid).
  • the SS block 320 may not be RB aligned with a RB of the channel RB grid aligned.
  • the offset 330 may identify a frequency offset for the synchronization signal (SS) block 320 indicating a frequency offset between the SS block (e.g., an edge of the SS block) 320 and a resource block (RB) 310 of a channel resource block grid.
  • SS synchronization signal
  • a SS block of the first type (used for initial system acquisition) has a center frequency that is aligned with a synchronization raster frequency (which is known by the UE)
  • the UE may then use the offset 330 (if known by the UE) to identify an edge (e.g., first subcarrier) of a RB of the channel RB grid, which may be used by the UE to send or receive information via channel RBs, for example.
  • the PBCH within a SS block may include (or include a parameter that indicates) the offset 330 between SS block 320 and RB 310 of the channel RB grid.
  • a master information block (MIB) in PBCH, included within a SS block 320, may include this offset 330.
  • a UE may know or determine a synchronization raster frequency (e.g., which may be known by UE in advance), the UE may receive a SS block (e.g., a first type of SS block, that is synchronization raster aligned) that may include the offset 330 within a MIB of the PBCH of the SS block. Then, from this offset, the UE can determine an edge or first subcarrier for a RB (e.g., such as a nearest RB) within a channel RB grid. In this manner, the UE can determine the RB alignment (subcarrier alignment and RB alignment) for channel RBs, based on the frequency offset.
  • a SS block e.g., a first type of SS block, that is synchronization raster aligned
  • the UE can determine an edge or first subcarrier for a RB (e.g., such as a nearest RB) within a channel RB grid. In this manner, the
  • the UE may then send and/or receive data and control information over channel RBs of a channel, because this may provide RB (and subcarrier) alignment for channel RBs.
  • This RB alignment may remain constant for a given cell.
  • the UE may need to be aware of the offset.
  • a MIB may contain this frequency offset information (330), e.g., using 4 bits or other size control information.
  • a BS may transmit two types (or categories) of SS blocks, including, e.g.:
  • a first type of SS block that may typically be synchronization raster aligned and may be used for initial system acquisition, and;
  • a second type of SS block that may not be synchronization raster aligned, and typically not used for initial system acquisition by a UE.
  • the second type of SS block may be, for example, typically transmitted with data which may be used for time and frequency tracking by connected mode UEs, in an illustrative example or use case.
  • the second type of SS blocks are typically not targeted to UEs performing initial system acquisition, and may be, for example, aligned with a RB of a channel RB grid for efficient multiplexing with other physical channels that may be received by the UE.
  • SS block (a SS block that is not synchronization raster aligned), where the UE assumes (incorrectly) that the SS block is synchronization raster aligned, then this may cause initial system acquisition errors (e.g., frequency and/or time synchronization errors) at the UE.
  • initial system acquisition errors e.g., frequency and/or time synchronization errors
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating two types of synchronization signal blocks according to an example implementation.
  • a problem may arise where a UE, while attempting to perform initial system acquisition, may receive a SS block 420 of a second type that may or may not be synchronization raster aligned. This may cause errors at the UE in the initial system acquisition, e.g., there may be errors in timing and/or frequency synchronization at the UE, because the center frequency of the SS block is not necessarily aligned with a (known) synchronization raster frequency.
  • Configuration information for the SS block 420 may be included within a MIB that is included in the PBCH of the SS block 420, which may indicate: the SS block 420 is a second type of SS block, and may also indicate whether or not the SS block 420 is synchronization raster aligned.
  • a UE may instead receive (and may attempt to perform initial system acquisition based on) a SS block 430 of a first type of SS block that is synchronization raster aligned and to be used by the UE for initial system acquisition.
  • SS block 430 of the first type has a center frequency that is aligned with (corresponds to) the synchronization raster frequency 440.
  • a MIB within a PBCH may include synchronization raster alignment information that may at least indicate that the SS bloc k430 is a first type of SS block for initial system acquisition (where the SS block is synchronization raster aligned).
  • the synchronization raster alignment information, for a first type of SS block may also indicate the offset 330 between the SS block and a RB of a channel RB grid.
  • a second type of SS block may be RB aligned with channel RB grid, and thus, the subcarriers and RB alignment for channel RB grid is known by connected UEs, for example.
  • a center frequency of SS block is frequency aligned with a synchronization raster;
  • the synchronization raster frequency(ies) may be known by both BS and UE, and may be set by a specification/standard, and informs the UE what frequency/subcarriers where a first type of SS block is located, identifies the subcarrier alignment for the first type SS block.
  • PBCH includes MIB (within the SS block) that may identify the offset, that is the offset between, e.g., the first subcarrier or edge of the SS block of the first type and an edge or first subcarrier of a (e.g., nearest or nearest lower frequency) RB within a channel RB grid.
  • Table 1 below indicates various values for synchronization raster alignment information (or more generally, SS block configuration information), to indicate whether the SS block is a first type or second type of SS block.
  • the values may also indicate either the frequency offset 330 (for a first type of SS block) or indicate whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for a second type of SS block).
  • the BS may include one of these values for the synchronization raster alignment information (or more generally SS block configuration information) that may indicate the type of the SS block, and may also indicate the offset (e.g., for a first type of SS block) or whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for a second type of SS block).
  • a BS including a value (for synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information) from table 1 this may inform the UE as to whether this received SS block is synchronization raster aligned or not (and thus, indicate to the UE whether the SS block may be used for initial system acquisition, cell acquisition, etc.).
  • a value from table 1 may be included, for example, within a MIB, which may be included in a PBCH of the SS block.
  • the value may also indicate an offset 330, e.g., for a first type of SS block.
  • two values may be provided for a second type of SS block, including a first value (1 110) that indicates SS block that is not for initial system acquisition and is not synchronization raster aligned, while a second value, and a second value (1 111) that indicates the SS block is not for initial system acquisition and the SS block is synchronization raster aligned.
  • RB grid is 0 REs
  • RB grid is 1 REs
  • RB grid is 2 REs
  • RB grid is 3 REs
  • RB grid is 4 REs
  • RB grid is 5 REs
  • RB grid is 6 REs
  • RB grid is 7 REs ⁇ ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
  • RB grid is 8 REs
  • RB grid is 9 REs
  • RB grid is 10 REs
  • RB grid is 11 REs
  • Table 1 values for synchronization raster alignment information (or SS block configuration information), to indicate a first type or a second type of SS block, and may indicate either an offset (for first type of SS block) or whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for second type of SS block).
  • a 4-bit field or value, included within a SS block may indicate whether or not the SS block is for initial frequency synch / system acquisition, and may also indicate an offset, which may indicate the SS block position within channel RB grid (or position of SS block with respect to RB of channel RB grid, for example. Because the offset may, for example, vary between 0 REs/subcarriers up to 1 1 REs/subcarriers, 12 different values may be used to indicate (for first type of SS blocks) the offset.
  • one or more values in table 1 may be used to indicate that the SS block is Not for initial system acquisition, and these value(s) may also indicate whether or not the SS block (of the second type) is synchronization raster aligned (see values 11 10 and 11 11).
  • a BS may select SS block type and offset value, depending on first type or second type of SS block to be transmitted. If a first type of SS block is to be transmitted (e.g., for initial system acquisition), the offset is indicated. And, if a second type of SS block (not for initial system acquisition) is to be transmitted, the value may indicate: that the SS block is either aligned or not aligned with synchronization raster, e.g., since, according to an example implementation, it is possible that the second type of SS block may be synchronization raster aligned, but it may not be synchronization raster aligned, for example.
  • the BS then transmits the SS block, including the value (from table 1), e.g., within a MIB within the PBCH of the SS block.
  • the 4-bit value (table 1) may be or may indicate the synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information.
  • a UE may receive or detect a
  • SS block including the PBCH, which includes the 4 bit value (table 1) indicating the synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information.
  • This 4 bit value may indicate a SS block type and possibly include or indicate an offset value.
  • the UE may determine, based on the 4-bit value in the PBCH, whether SS block is a first type or a second type of SS block, and whether aligned with synchronization raster (for all first type of SS blocks, and possibly for some second type of SS blocks). If a first type of SS block is indicated, the UE may determine the offset as well.
  • the UE may perform initial system acquisition/frequency synchronization (determines frequency alignment) based on SS block, since the SS block has a center frequency aligned with a known
  • the UE may receive the PSS of a next or another SS block, in attempt to perform initial system acquisition based on this next SS block. Once a UE performs initial system acquisition, the UE can then determine, based on the offset value for the SS block, the RB alignment for RB channel grid, to allow the UE to send and receive information on the channel.
  • all second type of SS blocks may be synchronization raster aligned.
  • all second type of SS blocks are not synchronization raster aligned.
  • the second type of SS blocks may or may not be synchronization raster aligned (e.g., see values 11 10 and 11 11 of table 1 to cover this example implementation).
  • some limitations may be provided by the network or BS on where (what frequencies or subcarriers) these additional (second type of SS blocks, not for initial system acquisition) can be allocated.
  • the BS may only be allowed to place the second type of SS blocks (or SS blocks that are not synchronization raster aligned) to frequency locations that are not too close to the synchronization raster, e.g., the second type of SS blocks should have a center frequency that is aligned at a frequency or subcarrier that is at least a threshold frequency (or threshold number of subcarriers) away from the (or any of the) synchronization raster frequencies/ In this manner, this restriction may prevent a BS from transmitting a second type of SS block (that is not used for initial system acquisition) too close to (or within a threshold frequency of) the synchronization raster frequency/frequencies.
  • the network e.g., the BS
  • the network is not allowed (should not) transmit additional SS blocks (e.g., SS blocks of the second type, which are not for initial system acquisition) in the vicinity (or within a threshold frequency or within a threshold number of subcarriers) of a first type of SS block that is for initial system acquisition.
  • additional SS blocks e.g., SS blocks of the second type, which are not for initial system acquisition
  • the network should not transmit additional SS blocks (SS blocks of a second type) that are not for initial system acquisition. This restriction on frequency placement of the second type of SS blocks may improve UE performance.
  • the UE may fail in detecting a cell, or fail to detect a SS block (e.g., PSS, SSS, etc.).
  • a UE e.g., in initial cell selection process
  • the UE will not assume that this SS block can be used for initial system acquisition (e.g., this SS block is not (or will not be) used for frequency synchronization, e.g., not used for reducing or refining a frequency error).
  • the UE does not assume that this SS block is synchronization raster aligned.
  • the UE does not use this SS block for initial system acquisition.
  • the UE may then receive a further (e.g., a second) SS block, and then may use this further SS block, if it is synchronization raster aligned, for initial system acquisition.
  • the UE may assume that this SS block can be used for initial system acquisition (e.g., this SS block may be (or is) used for frequency synchronization, e.g., including reducing or refining a frequency error).
  • this SS block includes scheduling information for RMSI
  • the UE may assume that this SS block is synchronization raster aligned.
  • the UE may then use this SS block for initial system acquisition, e.g., based on presence of RMSI scheduling information (that indicates resources where the UE may obtain additional system information) within the received SS block.
  • a UE may determine, e.g., based on a presence or absence of RMSI scheduling information (that indicates time-frequency resources where RMSI information may be found) within a SS block, the UE may determine whether the SS block is synchronization raster aligned or not, respectively.
  • this technique may be used either in addition to, or instead of, the BS including synchronization raster alignment information within the PBCH of the SS block, to allow the UE to determine whether a SS block may be used for initial system acquisition.
  • FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation.
  • Operation 510 includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • operation 520 includes transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • Example 2 According to an example implementation of example 1 , and further comprising determining a frequency of the synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
  • Example 3 According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-2, wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • Example 4 According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-3, wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
  • Example 5 According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-4, wherein the transmitting comprises at least one of the following:
  • a first synchronization signal block that is the first synchronization signal block type for initial system acquisition, the first synchronization signal block being aligned with a synchronization raster frequency; and transmitting, by the base station, a second synchronization signal block that is the second synchronization signal block type that is not for initial system acquisition, the second synchronization signal block being aligned to a frequency that is at least a threshold frequency or threshold number of subcarriers away from the synchronization raster frequency.
  • FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation.
  • Operation 610 includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of
  • Operation 620 includes determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
  • Operation 630 includes selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid.
  • Operation 640 includes selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • Operation 650 includes transmitting the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
  • FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation.
  • Operation 710 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • Operation 720 includes determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster.
  • Operation 730 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
  • Example 8 According to an example implementation of example 7, wherein a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition is placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster for initial system accusation; wherein a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition is not placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster; and wherein one or more frequencies of the synchronization raster correspond to locations that the user device searches for a synchronization signal block to perform initial system acquisition.
  • FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation.
  • Operation 810 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
  • operation 820 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the
  • synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the
  • synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • Example 10 According to an example implementation of example 9, wherein a frequency of the synchronization raster identifies a center frequency for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and for the for the
  • the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition if the
  • synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • Example 11 According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-10, wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
  • Example 12 According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-11 , wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
  • Example 13 According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-12, wherein performing the initial system acquisition comprises performing frequency synchronization based on the synchronization signal block.
  • Example 14 According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-13, wherein the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and wherein the
  • synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; the method further comprising: determining, by the user device based on the frequency offset, a resource block alignment for a resource block of the channel resource block grid; and sending or receiving information via one or more channel resource blocks based on the resource block alignment.
  • Example 15 According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-14, wherein the performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block further comprises: the user device, during an initial cell selection process, detecting that the received synchronization signal block does not carry a valid remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation.
  • Operation 910 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block.
  • Operation 920 includes detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • operation 930 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
  • RMSI remaining minimum system information
  • Example 17 An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any of examples 1-16.
  • Example 18 An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of examples 1-16.
  • FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., AP, BS, relay node, eNB, UE or user device) 1000 according to an example implementation.
  • the wireless station 1000 may include, for example, one or two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1002A, 1002B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals.
  • the wireless station also includes a processor or control unit/entity (controller) 1004 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1006 to store data and/or instructions.
  • a wireless station e.g., AP, BS, relay node, eNB, UE or user device
  • the wireless station 1000 may include, for example, one or two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1002A, 1002B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals.
  • the wireless station also includes a processor or
  • Processor 1004 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein.
  • Processor 1004 which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1002 (1002A or 1002B).
  • Processor 1004 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 1002, for example).
  • Processor 1004 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above.
  • Processor 1004 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and/or any combination of these.
  • processor 1004 and transceiver 1002 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter/receiver system, for example.
  • a controller (or processor) 1008 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1000, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 10, such as controlling input/output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and/or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1000, such as, for example, an email program, audio/video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software.
  • a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1004, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.
  • RF or wireless transceiver(s) 1002A/1002B may receive signals or data and/or transmit or send signals or data.
  • Processor 1004 (and possibly transceivers 1002A 1002B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1002A or 1002B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.
  • 5G Another example of a suitable communications system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that network architecture in 5G will be quite similar to that of the LTE-advanced. 5G is likely to use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.
  • MIMO multiple input - multiple output
  • NFV network functions virtualization
  • a virtualized network function may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized.
  • radio communications this may mean node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations may be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.
  • Implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations may implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Implementations may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Implementations of the various techniques may also include implementations provided via transitory signals or media, and/or programs and/or software
  • implementations that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and/or wireless networks.
  • implementations may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).
  • MTC machine type communications
  • IOT Internet of Things
  • the computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program.
  • carrier include a record medium, computer memory, readonly memory, photoelectrical and/or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example.
  • the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.
  • implementations of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities).
  • CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers, etc embedded in physical objects at different locations.
  • a computer program such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment.
  • a computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
  • Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
  • FPGA field programmable gate array
  • ASIC application-specific integrated circuit
  • processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset.
  • a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both.
  • Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.
  • a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks.
  • Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks.
  • the processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.
  • implementations may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer.
  • a display device e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor
  • a user interface such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball
  • Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
  • Implementations may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components.
  • Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of
  • communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.
  • LAN local area network
  • WAN wide area network

Abstract

A technique may include receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal (SS) block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block. Alternatively,a presence or absence in a synchronization signal block of scheduling information for additional system information (RMSI) may indicate to a user device/UE whether the SS block is synchronization raster aligned or not.

Description

SYNCHRONIZATION SIGNAL BLOCK INDICATION FOR
WIRELESS NETWORKS
Inventors:
Jorma Kaikkonen
Sami Hakola
Lars Dalsgaard
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This description relates to communications.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals can be carried on wired or wireless carriers.
[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture that is being standardized by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). A recent development in this field is often referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio-access technology. E- UTRA (evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of 3GPP's Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs), which are referred to as enhanced Node B (eNBs), provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices, or mobile stations are referred to as user equipments (UE). LTE has included a number of improvements or developments.
[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of a continued mobile broadband evolution process to meet the requirements of 5G, similar to earlier evolution of 3G & 4G wireless networks. A goal of 5G is to provide significant improvement in wireless performance, which may include new levels of data rate, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR may also scale to efficiently connect the massive Internet of Things (IoT), and may offer new types of mission-critical services. SUMMARY
[0005] According to an example implementation, a method includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
[0006] According to an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: select, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmit, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
[0007] According to an example implementation, a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
[0008] According to an example implementation, a method includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the
synchronization raster; and transmitting the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
[0009] According to an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: select, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of
synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determine a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; select, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of
synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; select, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster; and transmit the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
[0010] According to an example implementation, a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of
synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first
synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the
synchronization raster; and transmitting the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
[0011] According to an example implementation, a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the
synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
[0012] According to an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determine, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block. [0013] According to an example implementation, a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
[0014] According to an example implementation, a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0015] According to an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0016] According to an example implementation, a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0017] According to an example implementation, a method includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block. [0018] According to an example implementation, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detect that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and perform, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
[0019] According to an example implementation, a computer program product includes a computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method including: receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
[0020] The details of one or more examples of implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example implementation.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a synchronization signal block (SS block) according to an illustrative example implementation. [0023] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an offset between a synchronization signal (SS) block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid according to an example implementation.
[0024] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating two types of synchronization signal blocks according to an example implementation.
[0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation.
[0026] FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to another example implementation.
[0027] FIG.7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to an example implementation.
[0028] FIG.8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to another example implementation.
[0029] FIG.9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device (UE) according to yet another example implementation.
[0030] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a node or wireless station (e.g., base station/access point or mobile station/user device) according to an example
implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] According to an example implementation, a method may include selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
[0032] According to an example implementation, the method may further include determining a frequency of the synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
[0033] According to an example implementation, the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block may include at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the
synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0034] According to an example implementation, the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information may be provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
[0035] According to an example implementation, a method may include receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
[0036] According to another example implementation, a method may include receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block;
detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block. Various illustrative example implementations will now be described.
[0037] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example implementation. In the wireless network 130 of FIG. 1, user devices 131, 132, 133 and 135, which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MSs) or user equipment (UEs), may be connected (and in communication) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB, or a network node. At least part of the functionalities of an access point (AP), base station (BS) or (e)Node B (eNB) may be also be carried out by any node, server or host which may be operably coupled to a transceiver, such as a remote radio head. BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within a cell 136, including to user devices 131 , 132, 133 and 135. Although only four user devices are shown as being connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to a core network 150 via a SI interface 151. This is merely one simple example of a wireless network, and others may be used.
[0038] A user device (user terminal, user equipment (UE) or mobile station) may refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a cell phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and/or touch screen computer, a tablet, a phablet, a game console, a notebook, and a multimedia device, as examples. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network.
[0039] In LTE (as an example), core network 150 may be referred to as
Evolved Packet Core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME) which may handle or assist with mobility/handover of user devices between BSs, one or more gateways that may forward data and control signals between the BSs and packet data networks or the Internet, and other control functions or blocks.
[0040] In addition, by way of illustrative example, the various example implementations or techniques described herein may be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or may apply to user devices that may have multiple applications running thereon that may be of different data service types. New Radio (5G) development may support a number of different applications or a number of different data service types, such as for example: machine type communications (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT), and/or narrowband IoT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), wireless relaying including self- backhauling, D2D (device-to-device) communications, and ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC). Scenarios may cover both traditional licensed band operation as well as unlicensed band operation.
[0041 ] IoT may refer to an ever-growing group of objects that may have
Internet or network connectivity, so that these objects may send information to and receive information from other network devices. For example, many sensor type applications or devices may monitor a physical condition or a status, and may send a report to a server or other network device, e.g., when an event occurs. Machine Type Communications (MTC, or Machine to Machine communications) may, for example, be characterized by fully automatic data generation, exchange, processing and actuation among intelligent machines, with or without intervention of humans. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) may support much higher data rates than currently available in LTE.
[0042] Ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) is a new data service type, or new usage scenario, which may be supported for New Radio (5G) systems. This enables emerging new applications and services, such as industrial automations, autonomous driving, vehicular safety, e-health services, and so on. 3GPP targets in providing connectivity with reliability corresponding to block error rate (BLER) of 10"5 and up to 1 ms U-Plane (user/data plane) latency, by way of illustrative example. Thus, for example, URLLC user devices/UEs may require a significantly lower block error rate than other types of user devices/UEs as well as low latency (with or without requirement for simultaneous high reliability) [0043] The various example implementations may be applied to a wide variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G, cmWave, and/or mm Wave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These example networks, technologies or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.
[0044] According to an example implementation, a BS (e.g., a 5G BS, which may be referred to as a gNB, or other BS) may transmit a synchronization signal block (SS block, or SSB), which may be received by one or more UEs/user devices. In an example implementation, a SS block may include, e.g., one or more or even all of:
primary synchronization signals (PSS), secondary synchronization signals (SSS), a physical broadcast control channel (PBCH), and demodulation reference signals
(DMRS). By way of illustrative example, the PSS and SSS may allow a UE to obtain initial system acquisition, e.g., which may include obtaining initial time synchronization (e.g., including symbol and frame timing), initial frequency synchronization, and cell acquisition (e.g., including obtaining the physical cell ID for the cell). Also, a UE may use DMRS and PBCH to determine slot and frame timing. In addition, the PBCH may provide one or more important parameters (e.g., system frame number, information on how to receive remaining system information/RMSI) for a UE to access cell, and may also include slot and frame timing. The DMRS may allow the UE to demodulate the PBCH coherently, and may also convey slot timing information. These are some illustrative examples of how various control information within a synchronization signal block (SS block) may be used by a UE.
[0045] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a synchronization signal block (SS block) according to an illustrative example implementation. The SS block 200 may include information provided across 4 symbols and 12-24 resource blocks (RBs, also known as physical resource blocks or PRBs). For example, as shown in the SSB 200 of FIG. 2, primary synchronization signals (PSS) 220 is provided via 12 PRBs and one OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) symbol (shown as the first OFDM symbol). Secondary synchronization signals (SSS) 222 are provided via 12 PRBs and the third OFDM symbol. The physical broadcast control channel (PBCH) 224 and demodulation reference signals (DMRS) 226 are interleaved within both the second and fourth OFDM symbols of the SSB 200 and provided across 24 PRBs, as shown in FIG. 2. Each resource block (RB), which may also be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), may include a plurality of subcarriers, such as 12 subcarriers, for example, or other number of subcarriers.
[0046] Also, according to an example implementation, one or more SS blocks may be transmitted by a BS in fixed time domain locations, such as within a specific time (e.g., 5 ms) window, where this group of SS blocks within this time window may be referred to as a SS block burst set.
[0047] According to an example implementation, such as for New Radio
(NR)/5G, the SS block may be allocated in a flexible manner within NR carrier in terms of time and frequency domain allocation. In time domain, the SS block (or burst set) can be transmitted with one of 5, 10, 20, 40, 80 or 160 ms periodicity. In frequency domain, a floating or variable frequency synchronization (e.g., or variable subcarriers are used for the NR SS block) may be used.
[0048] According to an example implementation, there may be at least two situations where the BS might transmit a SS block (and thus, two types of SS blocks):
[0049] 1) for initial system acquisition, the SS block will be aligned with a synchronization raster. For example, synchronization raster alignment may mean that or includes that a center frequency of a SS block is aligned with a synchronization raster frequency. Also, for example, a synchronization raster may include one or more synchronization raster frequencies. Each synchronization raster frequency indicates a possible frequency where a center frequency of a SS block may be aligned (at least for SS blocks transmitted for initial system acquisition). Thus, for example, a SS block transmitted in this situation (to allow UE to perform initial system acquisition) may be referred to as a first type (or first category) of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
[0050] 2) BS may also transmit other SS blocks, that are not provided for initial system acquisition. Rather, in this case, the SS block may, for example, be transmitted in parallel with data, to assist with multiplexing of data, for example, and not for initial system acquisition. These SS blocks may be located at different frequency positions (or aligned with different frequencies or subcarriers), and these SS block(s) are not necessarily aligned with the synchronization raster. Rather, in some cases, these SS blocks that are not for initial system acquisition, but may be (or are typically) aligned with a RB of a channel RB grid. A RB channel grid may be a grid of RBs or resources across time and frequency, which may be used by a UE or BS to transmit or receive information (data or control information). Thus, for example, a SS block transmitted in this situation (not for initial system acquisition) may be referred to as a second type (or second category) of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
[0051] According to an example implementation, a synchronization raster indicates one or more possible center frequency position(s) where the SS block will be aligned, at least for the first type of SS block that is used for initial system acquisition. Thus, a center frequency of at least a first type of SS block is aligned with a
synchronization raster frequency. A synchronization raster frequency might be 300 KHz, or 900 KHz, for example. The synchronization raster frequency may be known in advance by both BS and UE. By receiving a SS block that has a known center frequency (the synchronization raster frequency), this may allow the UE to accurately perform initial system acquisition, including frequency synchronization. On the other hand, if a UE receives a SS block that is believed to be a synchronization raster aligned, but is not synchronization raster aligned (or is aligned at an unknown frequency/subcarrier), this may typically cause errors in the UE's attempt to obtain initial system acquisition. Thus, for example, if the UE receives a SS block that is a second type of SS block (not for initial system acquisition) and the UE expects to receive a first type of SS block
(provided for initial system acquisition and synchronization raster aligned), this may cause errors when the UE attempts to obtain initial system acquisition.
[0052] According to an example implementation, a channel RB grid is a grid
(in time and frequency) of RBs that can be used for data or control channel transmissions. A RB is one resource or element within the channel RB grid.
[0053] According to an example implementation, a channel raster (e.g., 15KHz, or 100 KHz) identifies a center frequency of the carrier for the system band (or for the Channel RB grid - which identifies the various resources that can be used to transmit data or control information within the channel). A channel raster may determine the granularity (or how often in frequency) the channel RB grid will be provided by BS. [0054] It may be desirable to define a synchronization raster to include very few or a minimum number of entries (synchronization raster frequencies) for each band Thus, for example, the synchronization raster may be sparse, with only a very limited or very few entries (synchronization raster frequencies), in order to decrease search complexity for the UE when the UE is attempting to perform initial system acquisition, e.g., with the synchronization raster indicating only 300 KHz and 900 KHz as synchronization raster frequencies.
[0055] According to an example implementation, synchronization raster entries
(synchronization raster frequencies) may be specified, and known by the UE and BS, for each band. The UE, upon receiving a SS block, may attempt to detect PSS at or around the synchronization raster frequency (e.g., as the center frequency of the SS block), and if UE does not detect PSS, the UE may move to receive (e.g., adjust its receiver to receive) a SS block at a next (or another) synchronization raster entry/frequency and, then attempt to detect the PSS. After detecting the PSS, the UE may then detect the SSS, PBCH and DMRS of the received SS block. As noted, synchronization raster entries/frequencies may be defined for initial system acquisition. And, for example, SS blocks may be transmitted in other frequency locations if the position/frequency is signaled by the BS to the UE.
[0056] A RB of a channel RB grid may include a plurality of subcarriers (e.g.,
12 subcarriers) by 1 OFDM symbol. For a first type of SS block (used for initial acquisition of system information), the SS block may not be aligned with a RB (e.g., aligned with a RB edge, RB boundary or first subcarrier of a RB) of the channel RB grid.
[0057] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an offset between a synchronization signal (SS) block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid according to an example implementation. A shown in FIG. 3, a resource block (RB) 310 of a channel RB grid, and a synchronization signal (SS) block 320 are shown, according to an illustrative example. Because the SS block 310 may not (necessarily) be RB aligned to a RB of the channel RB grid, a frequency offset 330 (e.g., an offset between 0 and 1 1 resource elements/subcarriers) may exist between an edge (e.g., boundary or first subcarrier) of the SS block 320 and a RB 310 (or edge or first subcarrier of RB 310) of a channel resource block grid. [0058] Thus, there may be an arbitrary offset (offset 330) between the edge of the synchronization block RBs and the edge of the data RBs in the channel RB grid, and this offset can be up to 11 REs (resource elements or subcarriers), for example. This flexible or variable offset 330 may, for example, enable multiple channels that are subcarrier grid aligned but not RB grid aligned to use the same SS block location.
Different channels that are offset by up to 1 IREs in frequency can re -use the same synchronization signal (SS) block frequency location. Thus, for example, the frequency offset 330 for the synchronization signal block 320 is a frequency offset 330 (e.g., offset as a number of subcarriers) between an edge of the synchronization signal (SS) block 320 and a resource block 310 of a channel resource block grid. Thus, the arbitrary offset 330 may identify the offset in subcarriers (or frequency) between a start or edge of the SS block 320 with respect to a RB 310 (e.g., which may be, for example, a nearest (e.g., or nearest lower frequency) RB boundary within the channel RB grid).
[0059] Thus, in the case where the SS block 320 is a first type of SS block that is used for initial acquisition of system information, the SS block 320 may not be RB aligned with a RB of the channel RB grid aligned. Thus, the offset 330 may identify a frequency offset for the synchronization signal (SS) block 320 indicating a frequency offset between the SS block (e.g., an edge of the SS block) 320 and a resource block (RB) 310 of a channel resource block grid. Because a SS block of the first type (used for initial system acquisition) has a center frequency that is aligned with a synchronization raster frequency (which is known by the UE), the UE may then use the offset 330 (if known by the UE) to identify an edge (e.g., first subcarrier) of a RB of the channel RB grid, which may be used by the UE to send or receive information via channel RBs, for example.
[0060] According to an example implementation, the PBCH within a SS block may include (or include a parameter that indicates) the offset 330 between SS block 320 and RB 310 of the channel RB grid. For example, a master information block (MIB) in PBCH, included within a SS block 320, may include this offset 330.
[0061 ] A UE may know or determine a synchronization raster frequency (e.g., which may be known by UE in advance), the UE may receive a SS block (e.g., a first type of SS block, that is synchronization raster aligned) that may include the offset 330 within a MIB of the PBCH of the SS block. Then, from this offset, the UE can determine an edge or first subcarrier for a RB (e.g., such as a nearest RB) within a channel RB grid. In this manner, the UE can determine the RB alignment (subcarrier alignment and RB alignment) for channel RBs, based on the frequency offset. Based on this RB alignment for channel RBs, the UE may then send and/or receive data and control information over channel RBs of a channel, because this may provide RB (and subcarrier) alignment for channel RBs. This RB alignment may remain constant for a given cell. For example, to access the actual channel, the UE may need to be aware of the offset. According to an example information, a MIB may contain this frequency offset information (330), e.g., using 4 bits or other size control information.
[0062] Therefore, according to an example implementation, a BS may transmit two types (or categories) of SS blocks, including, e.g.:
[0063] (1) a first type of SS block that may typically be synchronization raster aligned and may be used for initial system acquisition, and;
[0064] (2) a second type of SS block that may not be synchronization raster aligned, and typically not used for initial system acquisition by a UE. The second type of SS block may be, for example, typically transmitted with data which may be used for time and frequency tracking by connected mode UEs, in an illustrative example or use case. The second type of SS blocks are typically not targeted to UEs performing initial system acquisition, and may be, for example, aligned with a RB of a channel RB grid for efficient multiplexing with other physical channels that may be received by the UE.
[0065] If a UE performs initial system acquisition based on a second type of
SS block (a SS block that is not synchronization raster aligned), where the UE assumes (incorrectly) that the SS block is synchronization raster aligned, then this may cause initial system acquisition errors (e.g., frequency and/or time synchronization errors) at the UE. Therefore, to resolve a possible ambiguity at the UE as to whether a received SS block is a first type of SS block (that is synchronization raster aligned) or a second type of SS block (which may not be synchronization raster aligned), it is desirable to provide one or more techniques or signals to inform the UE whether a received SS block is the first type of SS block (synchronization raster aligned) or the second type of SS block (which may not be synchronization raster aligned). [0066] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating two types of synchronization signal blocks according to an example implementation. A problem may arise where a UE, while attempting to perform initial system acquisition, may receive a SS block 420 of a second type that may or may not be synchronization raster aligned. This may cause errors at the UE in the initial system acquisition, e.g., there may be errors in timing and/or frequency synchronization at the UE, because the center frequency of the SS block is not necessarily aligned with a (known) synchronization raster frequency. Configuration information for the SS block 420, which may be referred to as synchronization raster alignment information, may be included within a MIB that is included in the PBCH of the SS block 420, which may indicate: the SS block 420 is a second type of SS block, and may also indicate whether or not the SS block 420 is synchronization raster aligned.
[0067] Also, referring to FIG. 4, a UE may instead receive (and may attempt to perform initial system acquisition based on) a SS block 430 of a first type of SS block that is synchronization raster aligned and to be used by the UE for initial system acquisition. Thus, in the illustrative example shown in FIG. 4, SS block 430 of the first type has a center frequency that is aligned with (corresponds to) the synchronization raster frequency 440. Also, a MIB within a PBCH may include synchronization raster alignment information that may at least indicate that the SS bloc k430 is a first type of SS block for initial system acquisition (where the SS block is synchronization raster aligned). The synchronization raster alignment information, for a first type of SS block may also indicate the offset 330 between the SS block and a RB of a channel RB grid. For example, a second type of SS block may have an offset=0 RBs, and thus, may typically be frequency/RB aligned with the channel RB grid. Thus, a second type of SS block may be RB aligned with channel RB grid, and thus, the subcarriers and RB alignment for channel RB grid is known by connected UEs, for example. Thus for example, for a first type of SS block, a center frequency of SS block is frequency aligned with a synchronization raster; the synchronization raster frequency(ies) may be known by both BS and UE, and may be set by a specification/standard, and informs the UE what frequency/subcarriers where a first type of SS block is located, identifies the subcarrier alignment for the first type SS block. PBCH includes MIB (within the SS block) that may identify the offset, that is the offset between, e.g., the first subcarrier or edge of the SS block of the first type and an edge or first subcarrier of a (e.g., nearest or nearest lower frequency) RB within a channel RB grid.
[0068] Table 1 below indicates various values for synchronization raster alignment information (or more generally, SS block configuration information), to indicate whether the SS block is a first type or second type of SS block. The values may also indicate either the frequency offset 330 (for a first type of SS block) or indicate whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for a second type of SS block). The BS may include one of these values for the synchronization raster alignment information (or more generally SS block configuration information) that may indicate the type of the SS block, and may also indicate the offset (e.g., for a first type of SS block) or whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for a second type of SS block). By a BS including a value (for synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information) from table 1 , this may inform the UE as to whether this received SS block is synchronization raster aligned or not (and thus, indicate to the UE whether the SS block may be used for initial system acquisition, cell acquisition, etc.). A value from table 1 may be included, for example, within a MIB, which may be included in a PBCH of the SS block. The value may also indicate an offset 330, e.g., for a first type of SS block.
[0069] According to an example implementation, as shown in table 1 , two values (e.g., 11 10 or 111 1) may be provided for a second type of SS block, including a first value (1 110) that indicates SS block that is not for initial system acquisition and is not synchronization raster aligned, while a second value, and a second value (1 111) that indicates the SS block is not for initial system acquisition and the SS block is synchronization raster aligned.
'ΟΟΟΟ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq. synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 0 REs
'0001 ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 1 REs
ΌΟΙΟ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 2 REs
'0011 ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 3 REs
'0100' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 4 REs
'0101 ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 5 REs
'01 10' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 6 REs
'01 11 ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 7 REs ΊΟΟΟ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 8 REs
ΊΟΟΙ ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 9 REs
ΊΟΙΟ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 10 REs
' 1011 ' SS block for initial system acquisition/initial freq.
synch, (first type of SS block), and offset to RB of channel
RB grid is 11 REs
Ί ΙΟΟ' Reserved
' 1101 ' Reserved
' 11 10' SS block NOT for initial freq. synch (second type of SS block), and SS block is NOT synchronization raster aligned
' 11 11 ' SS block NOT for initial freq. synch (second type of SS block) and SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., thus, indicating that offset between synch, raster and RB of channel RB grid is 0 REs/subcarrier)
[0071] Table 1 - values for synchronization raster alignment information (or SS block configuration information), to indicate a first type or a second type of SS block, and may indicate either an offset (for first type of SS block) or whether or not the SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., for second type of SS block).
[0072] Thus, in an example implementation, a 4-bit field or value, included within a SS block, may indicate whether or not the SS block is for initial frequency synch / system acquisition, and may also indicate an offset, which may indicate the SS block position within channel RB grid (or position of SS block with respect to RB of channel RB grid, for example. Because the offset may, for example, vary between 0 REs/subcarriers up to 1 1 REs/subcarriers, 12 different values may be used to indicate (for first type of SS blocks) the offset. Also, one or more values in table 1 may be used to indicate that the SS block is Not for initial system acquisition, and these value(s) may also indicate whether or not the SS block (of the second type) is synchronization raster aligned (see values 11 10 and 11 11).
[0073] According to an example implementation, a BS may select SS block type and offset value, depending on first type or second type of SS block to be transmitted. If a first type of SS block is to be transmitted (e.g., for initial system acquisition), the offset is indicated. And, if a second type of SS block (not for initial system acquisition) is to be transmitted, the value may indicate: that the SS block is either aligned or not aligned with synchronization raster, e.g., since, according to an example implementation, it is possible that the second type of SS block may be synchronization raster aligned, but it may not be synchronization raster aligned, for example. The BS then transmits the SS block, including the value (from table 1), e.g., within a MIB within the PBCH of the SS block. The 4-bit value (table 1) may be or may indicate the synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information.
[0074] According to an example implementation, a UE may receive or detect a
SS block, including the PBCH, which includes the 4 bit value (table 1) indicating the synchronization raster alignment information or SS block configuration information. This 4 bit value may indicate a SS block type and possibly include or indicate an offset value. The UE may determine, based on the 4-bit value in the PBCH, whether SS block is a first type or a second type of SS block, and whether aligned with synchronization raster (for all first type of SS blocks, and possibly for some second type of SS blocks). If a first type of SS block is indicated, the UE may determine the offset as well.
[0075] In case a SS block is synchronization raster aligned (e.g., all first type of
SS blocks, and possibly some second type of SS blocks), the UE may perform initial system acquisition/frequency synchronization (determines frequency alignment) based on SS block, since the SS block has a center frequency aligned with a known
synchronization raster frequency. If the SS block is not synchronization raster aligned, then the UE may receive the PSS of a next or another SS block, in attempt to perform initial system acquisition based on this next SS block. Once a UE performs initial system acquisition, the UE can then determine, based on the offset value for the SS block, the RB alignment for RB channel grid, to allow the UE to send and receive information on the channel.
[0076] Also, in an example implementation, all second type of SS blocks may be synchronization raster aligned. Or, in another example implementation, all second type of SS blocks are not synchronization raster aligned. Or, in yet another example implementation, the second type of SS blocks may or may not be synchronization raster aligned (e.g., see values 11 10 and 11 11 of table 1 to cover this example implementation).
[0077] Also, according to an example implementation, some limitations may be provided by the network or BS on where (what frequencies or subcarriers) these additional (second type of SS blocks, not for initial system acquisition) can be allocated. For example, the BS may only be allowed to place the second type of SS blocks (or SS blocks that are not synchronization raster aligned) to frequency locations that are not too close to the synchronization raster, e.g., the second type of SS blocks should have a center frequency that is aligned at a frequency or subcarrier that is at least a threshold frequency (or threshold number of subcarriers) away from the (or any of the) synchronization raster frequencies/ In this manner, this restriction may prevent a BS from transmitting a second type of SS block (that is not used for initial system acquisition) too close to (or within a threshold frequency of) the synchronization raster frequency/frequencies. Thus, in this example implementation, the network (e.g., the BS) is not allowed (should not) transmit additional SS blocks (e.g., SS blocks of the second type, which are not for initial system acquisition) in the vicinity (or within a threshold frequency or within a threshold number of subcarriers) of a first type of SS block that is for initial system acquisition. There may be an explicit rule stating that within a given frequency domain window of an SS block that is used for initial system acquisition, the network (BS) should not transmit additional SS blocks (SS blocks of a second type) that are not for initial system acquisition. This restriction on frequency placement of the second type of SS blocks may improve UE performance. For example, at least in some cases, not having any restrictions may have significant negative impact on the UE performance, e.g., the UE may fail in detecting a cell, or fail to detect a SS block (e.g., PSS, SSS, etc.). [0078] According to another illustrative example implementation, if a UE (e.g., in initial cell selection process) finds or detects that a SS block that does not carry a (valid) RMSI scheduling information, the UE will not assume that this SS block can be used for initial system acquisition (e.g., this SS block is not (or will not be) used for frequency synchronization, e.g., not used for reducing or refining a frequency error). In other words, if the SS block does not carry (include) a scheduling information for RMSI, UE does not assume that this SS block is synchronization raster aligned. Thus, in such a case, for example, the UE does not use this SS block for initial system acquisition. For example, the UE may then receive a further (e.g., a second) SS block, and then may use this further SS block, if it is synchronization raster aligned, for initial system acquisition.
[0079] According to an example implementation, if the received SS block includes a RMSI scheduling information, the UE may assume that this SS block can be used for initial system acquisition (e.g., this SS block may be (or is) used for frequency synchronization, e.g., including reducing or refining a frequency error). In other words, if the SS block includes scheduling information for RMSI, the UE may assume that this SS block is synchronization raster aligned. Thus, in such a case, for example, the UE may then use this SS block for initial system acquisition, e.g., based on presence of RMSI scheduling information (that indicates resources where the UE may obtain additional system information) within the received SS block.
[0080] Thus, for example, a UE may determine, e.g., based on a presence or absence of RMSI scheduling information (that indicates time-frequency resources where RMSI information may be found) within a SS block, the UE may determine whether the SS block is synchronization raster aligned or not, respectively. Thus, this technique may be used either in addition to, or instead of, the BS including synchronization raster alignment information within the PBCH of the SS block, to allow the UE to determine whether a SS block may be used for initial system acquisition.
[0081] Example 1 : FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation. Operation 510 includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition. And, operation 520 includes transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
[0082] Example 2: According to an example implementation of example 1 , and further comprising determining a frequency of the synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
[0083] Example 3: According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-2, wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0084] Example 4: According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-3, wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
[0085] Example 5: According to an example implementation of any of examples 1-4, wherein the transmitting comprises at least one of the following:
transmitting, by the base station, a first synchronization signal block that is the first synchronization signal block type for initial system acquisition, the first synchronization signal block being aligned with a synchronization raster frequency; and transmitting, by the base station, a second synchronization signal block that is the second synchronization signal block type that is not for initial system acquisition, the second synchronization signal block being aligned to a frequency that is at least a threshold frequency or threshold number of subcarriers away from the synchronization raster frequency.
[0086] Example 6: FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a base station according to an example implementation. Operation 610 includes selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of
synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition. Operation 620 includes determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition. Operation 630 includes selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid. Operation 640 includes selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster. Operation 650 includes transmitting the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
[0087] Example 7: FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation. Operation 710 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block. Operation 720 includes determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster. Operation 730 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
[0088] Example 8: According to an example implementation of example 7, wherein a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition is placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster for initial system accusation; wherein a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition is not placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster; and wherein one or more frequencies of the synchronization raster correspond to locations that the user device searches for a synchronization signal block to perform initial system acquisition.
[0089] Example 9: FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation. Operation 810 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block. And, operation 820 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present: the
synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the
synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0090] Example 10: According to an example implementation of example 9, wherein a frequency of the synchronization raster identifies a center frequency for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and for the for the
synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition if the
synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0091] Example 11 : According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-10, wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
[0092] Example 12: According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-11 , wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
[0093] Example 13: According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-12, wherein performing the initial system acquisition comprises performing frequency synchronization based on the synchronization signal block.
[0094] Example 14: According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-13, wherein the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and wherein the
synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; the method further comprising: determining, by the user device based on the frequency offset, a resource block alignment for a resource block of the channel resource block grid; and sending or receiving information via one or more channel resource blocks based on the resource block alignment.
[0095] Example 15: According to an example implementation of any of examples 9-14, wherein the performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block further comprises: the user device, during an initial cell selection process, detecting that the received synchronization signal block does not carry a valid remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling
information; and determining (or assuming), by the user device based on the detecting, that the received synchronization signal block is not aligned with a synchronization raster frequency; and performing initial system acquisition based on a further received synchronization signal block that is aligned with a synchronization raster.
[0096] Example 16: FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating operation of a user device according to an example implementation. Operation 910 includes receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block. Operation 920 includes detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block. And, operation 930 includes performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
[0097] Example 17: An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any of examples 1-16.
[0098] Example 18 : An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of examples 1-16.
[0099] Example 19: An apparatus comprising a computer program product including a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method of any of examples 1-16. [00100] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a wireless station (e.g., AP, BS, relay node, eNB, UE or user device) 1000 according to an example implementation. The wireless station 1000 may include, for example, one or two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1002A, 1002B, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit/entity (controller) 1004 to execute instructions or software and control transmission and receptions of signals, and a memory 1006 to store data and/or instructions.
[00101] Processor 1004 may also make decisions or determinations, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and other tasks or functions described herein. Processor 1004, which may be a baseband processor, for example, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via wireless transceiver 1002 (1002A or 1002B). Processor 1004 may control transmission of signals or messages over a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by wireless transceiver 1002, for example). Processor 1004 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. Processor 1004 may be (or may include), for example, hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and/or any combination of these. Using other terminology, processor 1004 and transceiver 1002 together may be considered as a wireless transmitter/receiver system, for example.
[00102] In addition, referring to FIG. 10, a controller (or processor) 1008 may execute software and instructions, and may provide overall control for the station 1000, and may provide control for other systems not shown in FIG. 10, such as controlling input/output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and/or may execute software for one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1000, such as, for example, an email program, audio/video applications, a word processor, a Voice over IP application, or other application or software. [00103] In addition, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions, which when executed by a controller or processor may result in the processor 1004, or other controller or processor, performing one or more of the functions or tasks described above.
[00104] According to another example implementation, RF or wireless transceiver(s) 1002A/1002B may receive signals or data and/or transmit or send signals or data. Processor 1004 (and possibly transceivers 1002A 1002B) may control the RF or wireless transceiver 1002A or 1002B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.
[00105] The embodiments are not, however, restricted to the system that is given as an example, but a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other
communication systems. Another example of a suitable communications system is the 5G concept. It is assumed that network architecture in 5G will be quite similar to that of the LTE-advanced. 5G is likely to use multiple input - multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and perhaps also employing a variety of radio technologies for better coverage and enhanced data rates.
[00106] It should be appreciated that future networks may utilise network functions virtualization (NFV) which is a network architecture concept that proposes virtualizing network node functions into "building blocks" or entities that may be operationally connected or linked together to provide services. A virtualized network function (VNF) may comprise one or more virtual machines running computer program codes using standard or general type servers instead of customized hardware. Cloud computing or data storage may also be utilized. In radio communications this may mean node operations may be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head. It is also possible that node operations may be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes or hosts. It should also be understood that the distribution of labour between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of the LTE or even be non-existent.
[00107] Implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations may implemented as a computer program product, i.e., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine-readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Implementations may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Implementations of the various techniques may also include implementations provided via transitory signals or media, and/or programs and/or software
implementations that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and/or wireless networks. In addition, implementations may be provided via machine type communications (MTC), and also via an Internet of Things (IOT).
[00108] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, readonly memory, photoelectrical and/or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.
[00109] Furthermore, implementations of the various techniques described herein may use a cyber-physical system (CPS) (a system of collaborating computational elements controlling physical entities). CPS may enable the implementation and exploitation of massive amounts of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors microcontrollers,...) embedded in physical objects at different locations.
Mobile cyber physical systems, in which the physical system in question has inherent mobility, are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robotics and electronics transported by humans or animals. The rise in popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the area of mobile cyber- physical systems. Therefore, various implementations of techniques described herein may be provided via one or more of these technologies. [00110] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described above, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.
[00111] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatus may be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).
[00112] Processors suitable for the execution of a computer program include, by way of example, both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Generally, a processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data.
Generally, a computer also may include, or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to, or both, one or more mass storage devices for storing data, e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and the memory may be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.
[00113] To provide for interaction with a user, implementations may be implemented on a computer having a display device, e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor, for displaying information to the user and a user interface, such as a keyboard and a pointing device, e.g., a mouse or a trackball, by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used to provide for interaction with a user as well; for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.
[00114] Implementations may be implemented in a computing system that includes a back-end component, e.g., as a data server, or that includes a middleware component, e.g., an application server, or that includes a front-end component, e.g., a client computer having a graphical user interface or a Web browser through which a user can interact with an implementation, or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. Components may be interconnected by any form or medium of digital data communication, e.g., a communication network. Examples of
communication networks include a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN), e.g., the Internet.
[00115] While certain features of the described implementations have been illustrated as described herein, many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents will now occur to those skilled in the art. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A method comprising:
selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; and
transmitting, by the base station, a synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type, the transmitted synchronization signal block including information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block.
2. The method of claim 1 and further comprising determining a frequency of the synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition.
3. The method of any of claims 1 -2 wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following:
a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and
information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
4. The method of any of claims 1 -3 wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
5. The method of any of claims 1 -4 wherein the transmitting comprises at least one of the following:
transmitting, by the base station, a first synchronization signal block that is the first synchronization signal block type for initial system acquisition, the first
synchronization signal block being aligned with a synchronization raster frequency; and transmitting, by the base station, a second synchronization signal block that is the second synchronization signal block type that is not for initial system acquisition, the second synchronization signal block being aligned to a frequency that is at least a threshold frequency or threshold number of subcarriers away from the synchronization raster frequency.
6. A method comprising:
selecting, by a base station in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block type as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition; determining a frequency of a synchronization raster that identifies a center frequency for at least the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition;
selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, a frequency offset for a first synchronization signal block of the selected synchronization signal block type the frequency offset indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the first synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; selecting, by the base station if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the
synchronization raster; and
transmitting the first synchronization signal block including information that identifies the type of synchronization signal block, and indicates either the frequency offset if the selected synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, or indicates whether or not the first synchronization signal block will be aligned with the synchronization raster if the selected synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition.
7. A method comprising:
receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and
determining, by the user device based on at least one of the type of the synchronization signal block and the synchronization raster alignment information, that the synchronization signal block is aligned with a synchronization raster; and
performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block.
8. The method of claim 7:
wherein a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition is placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster for initial system accusation; wherein a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition is not placed on a frequency of the synchronization raster; and wherein one or more frequencies of the synchronization raster correspond to locations that the user device searches for a synchronization signal block to perform initial system acquisition.
9. A method comprising:
receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block, the synchronization signal block including information that identifies the synchronization signal block as either a first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition or a second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, and synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block; and
performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the
synchronization signal block if at least one of the conditions is present:
the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition; and
the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition and the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein a frequency of the synchronization raster identifies a center frequency for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and for the for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition if the synchronization raster alignment information indicates that the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
1 1. The method of any of claims 9-10 wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises at least one of the following: a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block if the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; and
information indicating, if the synchronization signal block type is the second type of synchronization signal block that is not for initial system acquisition, whether or not the synchronization signal block is aligned with the synchronization raster.
12. The method of any of claims 9-1 1 wherein the information that identifies the selected synchronization signal block as either the first synchronization signal block type or the second synchronization signal block type, and synchronization raster alignment information are provided within a master information block included within a physical broadcast channel resource of the synchronization signal block.
13. The method of any of claims 9-12 wherein performing the initial system acquisition comprises performing frequency synchronization based on the
synchronization signal block.
14. The method of any of claims 9-13 wherein the synchronization signal block type is the first type of synchronization signal block for initial system acquisition, and wherein the synchronization raster alignment information for the synchronization signal block comprises:
a frequency offset for the synchronization signal block, the frequency offset for the synchronization signal block indicating a frequency offset between an edge of the synchronization signal block and a resource block of a channel resource block grid; the method further comprising:
determining, by the user device based on the frequency offset, a resource block alignment for a resource block of the channel resource block grid; and
sending or receiving information via one or more channel resource blocks based on the resource block alignment.
15. The method of any of claims 9-14 wherein the performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block further comprises:
the user device, during an initial cell selection process, detecting that the received synchronization signal block does not carry a valid remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information; and
determining (or assuming), by the user device based on the detecting, that the received synchronization signal block is not aligned with a synchronization raster frequency; and
performing initial system acquisition based on a further received synchronization signal block that is aligned with a synchronization raster.
16. A method comprising:
receiving, by a user device in a wireless network, a synchronization signal block; detecting that the synchronization signal block is synchronization raster aligned based on a presence of a remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block; and
performing, by the user device, initial system acquisition based on the synchronization signal block, in response to the presence of the remaining minimum system information (RMSI) scheduling information within the synchronization signal block.
17. An apparatus comprising means for performing a method of any of claims 1 -16.
18. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform a method of any of claims 1 -16.
19. An apparatus comprising a computer program product including a non- transitory computer-readable storage medium and storing executable code that, when executed by at least one data processing apparatus, is configured to cause the at least one data processing apparatus to perform a method of any of claims 1-16.
PCT/EP2018/073876 2017-09-11 2018-09-05 Synchronization signal block indication for wireless networks WO2019048483A1 (en)

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