CN120917814A - Synchronization for dynamic spectrum sharing between cellular systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The disclosure relates to an apparatus comprising means for receiving (800) a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, means for receiving (802) a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and means for deriving (804) a content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

Description

Synchronization for dynamic spectrum sharing between cellular systems

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to an apparatus, method and computer program for transmitting and receiving synchronization signal blocks for a first cellular system and a second cellular system.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "at least one of a or B", "at least one of a and B", "a and/or B" refer to (a), (B) or (a and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "a or B" and "a and/or B" refer to (a), (B), or (a and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "A, B and/or C" refers to (a), (B), (C), (a and B), (a and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

Background

A communication system may be considered a facility that enables communication sessions between two or more entities, such as communication devices, base stations, and/or other nodes, by providing carriers between the various entities involved in a communication path.

The communication system may be a wireless communication system. Examples of wireless systems include Public Land Mobile Networks (PLMNs) operating based on radio standards such as those provided by 3GPP, satellite-based communication systems, and different wireless local area networks, such as Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). A wireless system may be generally divided into cells and is therefore generally referred to as a cellular system.

Communication systems and associated devices typically operate in accordance with a given standard or specification which sets out what the various entities associated with the system are permitted and/or required to do. Communication protocols and/or parameters which should be used for the connection are also typically defined. An example of a standard is the so-called 5G standard.

Disclosure of Invention

According to one aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, means for receiving a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and means for deriving the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, the synchronization signal block including a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, means for receiving a physical broadcast channel extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, and means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based at least on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

The first cellular system may comprise an NR cellular system and the further second cellular system may comprise a 6G cellular system.

The content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system may include a broadcast channel for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for deriving content for a physical broadcast channel of the second cellular system based only on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for deriving content for a physical broadcast channel of a second cellular system based on a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and a physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

The information included in the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system may cover some of the information included in the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, the physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system including a system information block for the second cellular system, and means for obtaining content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, and the system information block for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, the physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular network system including a system information block for the second cellular system, and means for obtaining content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system and the system information block for the second cellular system.

The physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system may include an indication of a physical downlink control channel configuration (e.g., a set of control resources). The apparatus may receive a physical downlink control channel for the second cellular system using a physical downlink control channel configuration. The physical downlink control channel for the second cellular system may schedule a physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system. The physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system may include a system information block for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for a first cellular system from a network element or another network element, the physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system including a system information block for a second cellular system, and means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, and the system information block for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for a first cellular system from a network element or another network element, the physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system including a system information block for a second cellular system, and means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on a physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system and the system information block for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for detecting that a physical broadcast channel extension is available for the second cellular system based on the indication included in the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for detecting that a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system is received at a predetermined frequency location, wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that a physical broadcast channel extension is available.

The apparatus may include means for detecting that a physical broadcast channel extension is available based on an indication included in a physical broadcast channel for a first cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for detecting that a master information block includes reserved bits, the master information block being transmitted via a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, wherein the reserved bits indicate that a physical broadcast channel extension is available.

The apparatus may include means for detecting that a demodulation reference signal is received on a resource allocated to a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and an additional resource not allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, wherein the demodulation reference signal received on the additional resource indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

The apparatus may include means for blindly detecting that a physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available based on a predetermined candidate location for the physical broadcast channel extension of the second cellular system.

The synchronization signal blocks for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal blocks for the second cellular system have the same periodicity, or the synchronization signal blocks for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal blocks for the second cellular system have different periodicity.

The apparatus may include means for determining that the apparatus is operating on one of a plurality of frequency bands on which both the first cellular system and the second cellular system are operating and for which dynamic spectrum sharing is applicable.

The apparatus may include means for receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system including at least one synchronization signal for the first cellular system and a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, and means for synchronizing to the network element based on the at least one synchronization signal for the first cellular system.

The at least one synchronization may be for the first cellular system and for the second cellular system. The first cellular system and the second cellular system may be synchronized.

According to one aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, receive a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and derive content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to receive a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, to receive a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and to derive content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, a method is provided that includes receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, receiving a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and deriving content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which, when run on at least one processor, is configured to receive a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element, to receive a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and to derive the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect there is provided an apparatus comprising means for transmitting a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system and means for transmitting a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is available from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may include means for transmitting a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system, the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system including a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, and means for transmitting a physical broadcast channel extension for a second cellular system such that content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system is at least available from the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

The synchronization signal block for the first cellular system includes an indication that a physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system is available.

The apparatus may include means for transmitting a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system at a predetermined frequency location, wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that a physical broadcast channel extension for a second cellular system is available.

The physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system includes an indication that the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available.

The apparatus may include means for transmitting a master information block via a physical broadcast channel for a first cellular system, the master information block including reserved bits, wherein the reserved bits indicate that a physical broadcast channel extension is available.

The apparatus may include means for transmitting a demodulation reference signal on a resource allocated to a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and an additional resource not allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, wherein the demodulation reference signal transmitted on the additional resource indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory including computer code for one or more programs, the at least one memory and the computer code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to transmit a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system and transmit a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is derivable from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising circuitry configured to transmit a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system and to transmit a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is available from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to an aspect, a method is provided that includes transmitting a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system and transmitting a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is available from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising computer executable code which, when run on at least one processor, is configured to transmit a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system and to transmit a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is obtainable from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

According to one aspect, a computer readable medium is provided, comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the above methods.

According to one aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the methods described above.

According to one aspect, there is provided a non-volatile tangible storage medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least one of the methods described above.

In the foregoing, many different aspects have been described. It will be appreciated that additional aspects may be provided by a combination of any two or more of the above aspects.

Various other aspects are also described in the following detailed description and appended claims.

List of abbreviations

AF application functionality

AMF (advanced mobile radio) access and mobility management function

API application programming interface

BS base station

CU central unit

DL downlink

DSS dynamic sharing of spectrum

DU: distributed unit

gNB:gNodeB

Global system for mobile communications (GSM)

HSS (home subscriber server)

IoT (Internet of things)

LTE Long term evolution

MAC-Medium Access control

MIB master information block

MRSS: multiple radio spectrum sharing

MS mobile station

MTC: machine type communication

NEF network opening function

NF: network function

New radio

NRF network repository function

PBCH physical broadcast channel PDCCH physical downlink control channel PDSCH physical downlink shared channel

PDU packet data unit

PSS-Primary synchronization Signal

RAM random access memory (R) AN (radio) access network

RB: resource Block

ROM-ROM

SIB System information block SIBCH synchronization information and initial System information or broadcast channel

SMF session management function

SSB synchronization Signal/PBCH Block

SSS secondary synchronization signal

TR technical report

TS technical Specification

UE-user equipment

Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS)

3GPP third Generation partnership project

5G 5 th generation

5GC 5G core network

6G 6 th generation

Drawings

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of an NR system;

fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a control device;

fig. 3 shows a schematic representation of a user equipment;

fig. 4 shows the structure of an NR synchronization signal block;

Fig. 5 shows a structure of an NR synchronization signal block frequency division multiplexed with a physical broadcast channel;

Fig. 6 shows a structure of an NR synchronization signal block time-division multiplexed with a physical broadcast channel;

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a method performed by a 6G UE for receiving synchronization signal blocks for an NR system and a 6G system;

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a method performed by an apparatus, such as a user equipment, for receiving synchronization signal blocks for a first cellular system and a second cellular system;

fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a method performed by an apparatus, such as a base station, for receiving synchronization signal blocks for a first cellular system and a second cellular system, and

Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the method according to fig. 8 and 9.

Detailed Description

In the following, certain embodiments are explained with reference to a mobile communication device capable of communicating via a wireless cellular system and a mobile communication system serving such a mobile communication device. Before explaining the exemplary embodiments in detail, some general principles of a wireless communication system, an access system thereof, and a mobile communication device are briefly explained with reference to fig. 1,2, and 3 to help understand the technology underlying the described examples.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an NR system (i.e. a 5G system or a 5G-Advanced system). The NR system may include a User Equipment (UE), a (radio) access network ((R) AN), a 5G core network (5 GC), one or more Application Functions (AFs), and one or more Data Networks (DNs).

The 5G (R) AN may include one or more gndeb (gNB) distributed unit functions connected to one or more gndeb (gNB) central unit functions. The gNB distributed unit function may be part of a relay node (e.g., a distributed unit portion of an integrated access and backhaul node).

The 5GC may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a Session Management Function (SMF), an authentication server function (AUSF), user Data Management (UDM), a User Plane Function (UPF), and/or a network open function (NEF).

Fig. 2 shows AN example of a control apparatus 200 for controlling the functions of the (R) AN or 5GC shown in fig. 1. The control means may include at least one Random Access Memory (RAM) 211a, at least one Read Only Memory (ROM) 211b, at least one processor 212, a processor 213, and an input/output interface 214. At least one processor 212, 213 may be coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 211b. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute suitable software code 215. For example, software code 215 may allow one or more steps to be performed to perform one or more aspects. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b. The control device 200 may be interconnected with another control device 200 that controls another function of the 5G (R) AN or 5 GC. In some embodiments, each function of the (R) AN or 5GC includes the control device 200. In alternative embodiments, two or more functions of the (R) AN or 5GC may share the control means.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example of a UE 300 (such as the UE shown in fig. 1). The UE 300 may be provided by any device capable of transmitting and receiving radio signals. Non-limiting examples include a Mobile Station (MS) or mobile device (such as a mobile phone or so-called "smart phone"), a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., a USB dongle), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or tablet computer provided with wireless communication capabilities, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) device, a cellular internet of things (CIoT) device, or any combination of these devices, etc. The UE 300 may be part of a relay node (e.g., a mobile terminal part integrating access and backhaul nodes). For example, the UE 300 may provide for communication of data for bearer communication. The communication may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text messages, multimedia, data, machine data, and the like.

The UE 300 may receive signals over the air or radio interface 307 via appropriate means for receiving and may transmit signals via appropriate means for transmitting radio signals. In fig. 3, the transceiver device is schematically designated by block 306. For example, transceiver means 306 may be provided by a radio part and an associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged inside or outside the mobile device.

The UE 300 may be provided with at least one processor 301, at least one memory ROM 302a, at least one RAM 302b and possibly other components 303 for assisting in performing tasks in software and hardware it is designed to perform, including control of access and communication to access systems and other communication devices. At least one processor 301 is coupled to RAM 302b and ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute suitable software code 308. The software code 308 may, for example, allow for the execution of one or more of the present aspects. Software code 308 may be stored in ROM 302a.

The processor, memory and other related control means may be provided on a suitable circuit board and/or in a chipset. This feature is indicated by reference numeral 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as a keypad 305, a touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof, and the like. Optionally, depending on the type of device, one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure relate to Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DSS) between cellular systems, in particular between NR systems and 6G systems. DSS may include resource elements DSS (i.e., frequency and time domain DSS, time domain only DSS, or frequency domain only DSS). DSSs may sometimes be referred to as multi-radio spectrum sharing (MRSS). MRSS may be implemented in the FR1 band (i.e., below 7 GHz) or the FR2 band (millimeter waves).

The 6G system will be the next generation cellular system to be standardized by 3 GPP. 6G systems are currently being developed and aligned across the telecommunications industry in various research projects and forums. 3GPP studies on the radio interface of the 6G system are expected to start in time in 2025 or even 2024.

DSS between cellular systems means that the cellular systems share the same spectrum in a dynamic manner. As an example, DSS may be supported between LTE and NR systems. DSS between NR system and 6G system may also be important because it allows gradual migration from 5G band to 6G band, and gradual migration from 5G UE to 6G UE.

With DSS between NR system and 6G system, resources allocated to NR system can be flexibly shared with 6G system based on at least one of number of 6G UEs and 6G traffic. It may enable only a limited number of 6G bands dedicated to the 6G system (as opposed to the 6G bands shared between the NR system and the 6G system), particularly at lower frequencies. Thus, DSS may facilitate smooth introduction of 6G systems with adequate coverage. Additionally, network providers and operators may want to facilitate smooth (software) upgrades of 5G hardware to 6G hardware.

DSS between 5G and 6G systems may require tight frequency and time synchronization between 5G and 6G systems. DSS may also require coordination between schedulers to avoid unexpected conflicts in resource allocation. Thus, the 6G system may use a waveform and/or digital scheme compatible with the 5G system for the efficient DSS (e.g., to avoid excessive guard bands and guard times between NR transmissions and 6G transmissions). For example, the waveforms and/or digital schemes of the NR system may form a subset of the waveforms and/or digital schemes of the 6G system. This may also be beneficial from an implementation point of view.

The NR channel grid defines a set of frequency locations over which UL carriers or DL carriers may be concentrated.

The NR synchronization signal/PBCH block (SSB) is the core building block of the NR system. NR SSB is used for new beam identification during initial cell search and selection, beam and cell measurements, radio link monitoring and beam recovery. The NR SSB may include an NR Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), an NR Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), and an NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The NR PBCH may include demodulation reference signals (DMRS) for NR PBCH demodulation.

Fig. 4 shows the structure of NR SSB. The NR SSB may span twenty Resource Blocks (RBs) in the frequency domain and four Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain. The NR PSS may be conveyed in a first OFDM symbol. The NR PBCH may be conveyed in a second OFDM symbol. NR PBCH and NR SSS may be conveyed in a third OFDM symbol. The NR PBCH may be conveyed on a fourth OFDM symbol.

The NR synchronization grid defines a set of frequency locations on which NR SSBs can be located. The NR synchronization grid may set a set of frequency locations that need to be searched by the NR UE for initial cell search. To speed up cell search, the synchronization grid may be much more sparse than the channel grid. For example, in NR frequency range 1, the channel grid typically has an interval of 100 kHz. The synchronization grid has clusters of three frequency locations per 1.2MHz with offsets in each cluster of 50kHz, 150kHz and 250kHz.

The NR PBCH may include a Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB may include at least one of a system frame number, a subcarrier spacing for a cell, a frequency offset with respect to NR SSB for a cell, and an NR PDCCH configuration (e.g., for a control resource set or CORESET # 0). The NR PDCCH configuration may define a set of resources that the NR UE should monitor to acquire scheduling information for the NR PDSCH. The NR PDSCH may include a system information block 1 (SIB 1). The MIB may include reserved bits.

Technical problems with DSS between NR systems and 6G systems may be that NR systems require NR control signaling (e.g., NR SSBs including NR PSS, NR SSS, and NR PBCH) and 6G systems require 6G control signaling (e.g., 6G SSB including 6GPSS, 6G SSS, and 6G PBCH). The 6G control signaling incurs significant overhead.

In the present disclosure, a 6G SSB may include any 6G control signaling or initial control signaling. The 6G SSB may include synchronization information and initial system information or a broadcast channel (SIBCH).

In beam-based NR systems and beam-based 6G systems, the overhead may be even more significant, wherein NR control signaling (e.g., NR SSB, which includes NR PSS, NR SSS, and NR PBCH) and 6G control signaling (e.g., 6G SSB, which includes 6gps, 6G SSS, and 6G PBCH) are sent sequentially (at least to some extent) to different beams.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism to allow DSS between NR and 6G systems while minimizing the overhead caused by 6G control signaling.

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism to allow DSS between NR and 6G systems while providing NR SSB to NR UEs and 6GSSB to 6G UEs in an efficient manner (e.g., with reduced overhead).

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism to allow DSS between NR and 6G systems while synchronizing NR UEs with NR systems and 6G UEs with 6G systems in an efficient manner (e.g., with reduced overhead).

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism to allow DSS between an NR system and a 6G system while providing system information for the NR system to NR UEs and system information for the 6G system to 6G UEs in an efficient manner (e.g., reduced overhead).

Efficient DSS between NR system and 6G system may require time and frequency synchronization between NR system and 6G system. Thus, the use of NR timing and frequency may not provide significant limitations.

The 6G PBCH extension may provide additional information to the 6G UE (e.g., provide additional 6G synchronization signals if the synchronization achieved with the NR SSB is not suitable or sufficient for the 6G system).

The 6G PBCH extension may not need to follow the 5G NR air interface design beyond timing, frequency positioning, and sufficient orthogonality with the 5G NR signals (e.g., by using OFDM with the same subcarrier spacing or by using guard bands).

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism in which NR SSBs and 6G SSBs are provided in a hierarchical structure. A portion of the 6G SSB (e.g., 6GPSS and 6G SSS) may be part of the NR SSB and may be derived from the NR SSB. A portion of the 6G SSB (e.g., the 6G PBCH) may not be part of the NR SSB and may be derived from an extension separate from the NR SSB (e.g., a 6G PBCH extension).

Alternatively, all of the 6G SSBs (e.g., 6GPSS, 6G SSS, and 6G PBCH) may not be part of the NR SSB and may be derived from extensions separate from the NR SSB (e.g., 6GPSS extension, 6G SSS extension, and 6GPBCH extension).

One or more aspects of the present disclosure provide a mechanism in which NR SSBs and 6G SIBCH are provided in a hierarchical structure. A portion of 6G SIBCH (e.g., 6G synchronization information) may be part of the NR SSB. A portion of 6G SIBCH (e.g., 6G initial system information or broadcast channel) may not be part of the NR SSB and may be derived from an extension separate from the NR SSB (e.g., 6G initial system information or broadcast channel extension).

The NR SSB and the 6G SSB may have the same periodicity. That is, there may be a one-to-one mapping between NR SSBs and 6G SSBs. Alternatively, the NR SSB and 6G SSB may have different periodicity. That is, there may be a mapping of N to 1 between NR SSB and 6G SSB. For example, there may be a two-to-one mapping between NR SSBs and 6G SSBs (i.e., every other NR SSB sends a 6G SSB).

The 6G UE may have a priori knowledge of a predetermined frequency band over which both the NR system and the 6G system may operate and over which the DSS may be applied. When the 6G UE determines that the 6G UE is operating on a frequency band in the predetermined frequency band, the 6G UE may receive the 6G SSB as described below.

Initially, the 6G UE may receive the NR SSB from the BS. The 6G UE may be served by the BS or by another BS. NR SSB may include NR PSS, NR SSS and NR PBCH. The NR system and 6G may be synchronized, so NR PSS and NR SSS may also be used as 6GPSS and 6G SSS (or 6G synchronization signal or to provide 6G synchronization information). Thus, the 6G UE may synchronize to the BS based on the NR PSS and the NR SSS.

Based on the NR SSB, the 6G UE may detect that the 6G PBCH extension is available to the 6G UE. The NR SSB may include an indication that the 6GPBCH extension is available to the 6G UE. The indication that the 6G PBCH extension is available to the 6G UE may be explicit or implicit.

The explicit indication may be conveyed in reserved bits of an NR MIB sent via an NR PBCH. The NR UE may ignore the reserved bits.

The implicit indication that the 6G PBCH extension is available for the 6G UE may be conveyed by sending the DMRS on resources allocated to the NR PBCH and on additional resources not allocated to the NR PBCH. That is, the DMRS is not transmitted over twenty physical resource blocks as in the conventional NR system, but is transmitted over more than twenty physical resource blocks. If the 6G UE detects that the DMRS is transmitted on resources allocated to the NR PBCH and on additional resources not allocated to the NR PBCH, the 6G UE may detect an indication that the 6G PBCH extension is available to the 6G UE.

Another implicit indication, which is that a 6G PBCH extension is available for a 6G UE, may be conveyed by sending the NR SSB on a frequency location (i.e., a grid point) among a plurality of predetermined frequency locations (i.e., grid points). The predetermined frequency locations may be a subset of the frequency locations where NR SSBs are allowed to be transmitted. If the 6G UE detects that the frequency location (i.e., the grid point) on which the NR SSB is transmitted is within a predetermined frequency location, the 6G UE may detect an indication that the PBCH extension is available to the 6G UE.

Based on the NR SSB, the 6G UE may determine the positioning (i.e., timing, frequency, and/or quasi co-sited relationship) of the PBCH extension. The 6G UE may use time and/or frequency synchronization determined based on the NR SSB. The 6G UE may apply a predetermined time offset and/or frequency offset to the time and/or frequency locations on which the NR SSBs are detected to determine the time and/or frequency resources for the 6GPBCH extension. In other words, the 6G PBCH spreading time and/or frequency positioning may be relative to the NR SSB time and/or frequency positioning. Furthermore, the 6G UE may use the same beam, spatial domain filter or spatial receiver parameters determined for NR SSB reception (see 3gpp TS 38.214) also for PBCH extension reception.

As shown in fig. 5, the 6G PBCH extension may be frequency division multiplexed with the NR SSB. The 6G PBCH extension may be on a resource block adjacent to the resource block of the NR SSB.

Additionally or alternatively, the 6G PBCH extensions may be time division multiplexed with the NR SSB as shown in fig. 6. Some of the NR SSB locations may carry 6G PBCH extensions instead of NR PBCH.

It should be appreciated that the NR SSB may not necessarily include an indication that the 6G PBCH extension is available for 6G UEs. Based on the predetermined candidate position fix for the 6G PBCH extension, the 6G UE may blindly detect that the 6G PBCH extension is available to the 6G UE. The predetermined candidate position fix may be a position fix relative to the NR SSB.

The 6G UE may receive the 6G PBCH extension from the BS. Based on the 6G PBCH extension or NR PBCH, the 6G UE may receive a 6G SIB (e.g., 6G SIB1). The 6G PBCH extension or NR PBCH may include information for receiving the 6G SIB from the BS. The information may include a 6G PDCCH configuration (e.g., 6G core # 0). The 6G PDCCH may schedule a 6G PDSCH (or a 6G physical downlink data channel) including a 6G SIB. Alternatively, the NR PDCCH may schedule the NR PDSCH including the 6G SIB. The NR PDCCH may be transmitted on NR CORESET #0, where the NR PDCCH is identified with a 6G-specific RNTI. The identification may be based on masking the PDCCH cyclic redundancy check with a 6G specific RNTI. The 6G-specific RNTI may be predetermined (e.g., in a standard) or indicated on the 6G PBCH extension.

The 6G PBCH extension may include an indication to indicate whether the 6G UE is based on the 6G PBCH extension only, or on the 6G PBCH extension and the NR PBCH, or on the 6G PBCH extension, the NR PBCH, and the 6G SIB, the content of the 6G PBCH, i.e., the 6G Broadcast Channel (BCH) (i.e., the logical channel), may be obtained as described below.

The 6G UE may derive a 6G BCH based at least on the 6G PBCH extension. A 6G BCH like the NR BCH may include system information.

In an example, the 6G UE may derive the 6G BCH based on the 6G PBCH extension only (i.e., not based on the NR PBCH). The information contained in the 6G BCH includes information contained in the 6G PBCH extension and does not include information contained in the NR PBCH.

In another example, the 6G UE may derive a 6G BCH based on the 6G PBCH extension and the NR PBCH. The information contained in the 6G BCH includes information contained in the 6G PBCH extension and information contained in the NR PBCH. The information included in the 6GPBCH extension may override some of the information included in the (override) NR PBCH. For example, the "PDCCH configuration for SIB1 (8 bits)" may be covered by a 6G BCH, and a System Frame Number (SFN) for 6G may be obtained based on NR PBCH.

In another example, the 6G UE may obtain the 6G BCH based on the 6G PBCH extension, the NR PBCH, and the 6G SIB. The information contained in the 6G BCH includes information included in the 6G PBCH extension, information included in the NR PBCH, and information included in the 6G SIB.

The information included in the NR PBCH may include at least one of SSB index, system frame number, field bits, reserved bits (2 or 0 bits), symbol time and frequency synchronization, cell barring.

The information included in the 6G PBCH extension may include at least one of a subcarrier spacing, an SSB subcarrier offset, a downlink control channel configuration, a PDCCH configuration SIB1, an offset to a 6G downlink channel, or a downlink waveform.

The information contained in the 6G BCH may include at least one of SSB index from NR PBCH, system frame number, field bits, reserved bits (2 or 0 bits), symbol time and frequency synchronization, cell barring, and at least one of subcarrier spacing, SSB subcarrier offset, downlink control channel configuration, PDCCH configuration SIB1, offset to 6G downlink channel, or downlink waveform from 6G PBCH extension.

The 6G PBCH may be transmitted in a manner that prevents NR UEs from decoding the 6G PBCH. The 6G PBCH may use different coding, scrambling, and/or mapping to resources than the NR PBCH.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram outlining a method for receiving NR SSBs and 6G SSBs performed by the above 6G UE.

In step 700, the 6G UE may receive an NR SSB from the 6G BS, the NR SSB including an NR PSS, an NR SSS, and an NR PBCH.

In step 702, the 6G UE may synchronize to the BS based on the NR PSS and the NR SSS.

In step 704, the 6G UE may detect that a 6G PBCH extension is available.

In step 706, the 6G UE may receive a 6G PBCH extension from the BS.

In step 708, the 6G UE may receive a 6G SIB from the BS.

In step 710, the 6G UE may obtain a 6G PBCH based on the 6G PBCH extension and possibly the NR PBCH and/or the 6G sib.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a method performed by an apparatus, such as a UE, for receiving SSBs for a first cellular system and for a second cellular system.

In step 800, the apparatus may receive an SSB for a first cellular system from a network element. In step 802, an apparatus may receive an SSB extension for a second cellular system from a network element or another network element based on an SSB for a first cellular system. In step 804, the device may obtain content of the SSB for the second cellular system from the network element based at least on the SSB extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may receive an SSB for a first cellular system from a network element, the SSB including a PBCH for the first cellular system. The apparatus may receive a PBCH extension for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the SSB for the first cellular system. The apparatus may obtain content of the PBCH for the second cellular system from the network element based at least on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system.

The first cellular system may comprise an NR cellular system and the further second cellular system may comprise a 6G cellular system.

The content of the PBCH for the second cellular system may include BCH for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may derive the content of the PBCH for the second cellular system based solely on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may derive content of a PBCH for the second cellular system based on the PBCH for the first cellular system and the PBCH extension for the second cellular system.

The information included in the PBCH extension for the second cellular system may override some of the information included in the PBCH for the first cellular system.

The apparatus may receive a PDSCH for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system, the PDSCH for the second cellular system including SIBs for the second cellular system. The apparatus may derive content of the PBCH for the second cellular system based on the PBCH for the first cellular system, the PBCH extension for the second cellular system, and the SIB for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may receive a PDSCH for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system, the PDSCH for the second cellular system including SIBs for the second cellular system. The apparatus may derive content of the PBCH for the second cellular system based on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system and the SIB for the second cellular system.

The PBCH extension for the second cellular system may include an indication of the PDCCH configuration (e.g., control resource set). The apparatus may receive a PDCCH for the second cellular system using the PDCCH configuration. The PDCCH for the second cellular system may schedule the PDSCH for the second cellular system. The PDSCH for the second cellular system may include a SIB for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may receive a PDSCH for a first cellular system from a network element or another network element, the PDSCH for the first cellular system including SIB blocks for a second cellular system. The apparatus may derive content of the PBCH for the second cellular system based on the PBCH for the first cellular system, the PBCH extension for the second cellular system, and the SIB for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may receive a PDSCH for a first cellular system from a network element or another network element, the PDSCH for the first cellular system including SIB blocks for a second cellular system. The apparatus may derive content of the PBCH for the second cellular system based on the PBCH extension for the second cellular system and the SIB for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may detect that a PBCH extension is available for the second cellular system based on the indication included in the SSB for the first cellular system.

The apparatus may detect that an SSB for a first cellular system is received at a predetermined frequency location, wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that a PBCH extension is available.

The apparatus may detect that a PBCH extension is available based on an indication included in a PBCH for a first cellular system.

The apparatus may detect that the MIB includes a reserved bit that is transmitted via a PBCH for the first cellular system, wherein the reserved bit indicates that the PBCH is available.

An apparatus may detect that a DMRS is received on resources allocated to a PBCH for a first cellular system and additional resources not allocated to the PBCH for the first cellular system, wherein the received DMRS on the additional resources indicates that a PBCH extension is available.

The apparatus may blindly detect that a PBCH extension for the second cellular system is available based on a predetermined candidate position fix for the PBCH extension of the second cellular system.

The SSB for the first cellular system and the SSB for the second cellular system may have the same periodicity, or the SSB for the first cellular system and the SSB for the second cellular system may have different periodicity.

The apparatus may determine that the apparatus is operating on a frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands, wherein both the first cellular system and the second cellular system are operating on the plurality of frequency bands and wherein the DSS is applicable to the plurality of frequency bands.

The apparatus may receive an SSB for a first cellular system from a network element, the SSB for the first cellular system including at least one synchronization signal for the first cellular system and a PBCH for the first cellular system. The apparatus may synchronize to the network element based on at least one synchronization signal for the first cellular system.

The at least one synchronization may be for the first cellular system and for the second cellular system. The first cellular system and the second cellular system may be synchronized.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a method performed by an apparatus, such as a BS, for receiving SSBs for a first cellular system and for a second cellular system.

In step 900, the apparatus may transmit an SSB for a first cellular system. In step 902, the apparatus may transmit an SSB extension for the second cellular system such that content of the SSB for the second cellular system may be derived from at least the SSB extension for the second cellular system.

The apparatus may transmit an SSB for a first cellular system, the SSB for the first cellular system including a PBCH for the first cellular system. The apparatus may transmit a PBCH extension for the second cellular system such that content of the PBCH for the second cellular system is at least available from the PBCH extension for the second cellular system.

The SSB for the first cellular system may include an indication that PBCH extensions for the second cellular system are available.

The apparatus may transmit the SSB for the first cellular system at a predetermined frequency location, wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that the PBCH extension for the second cellular system is available.

The PBCH for the first cellular system may include an indication that the PBCH extension for the second cellular system is available.

The apparatus may transmit a MIB via a PBCH for the first cellular system, the MIB including reserved bits, wherein the reserved bits indicate that a PBCH extension is available.

The apparatus may transmit the DMRS on resources allocated to the PBCH for the first cellular system and additional resources not allocated to the PBCH for the first cellular system, wherein the DMRS transmitted on the additional resources indicates that the PBCH extension is available.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic representation of a non-volatile memory medium 1000 storing instructions and/or parameters that, when executed by a processor, allow the processor to perform one or more of the steps of the methods of fig. 8 and 9.

Note that while the above describes example embodiments, several variations and modifications may be made to the disclosed solution without departing from the scope of the invention.

It should be appreciated that while the concepts described above have been discussed in the context of NR systems and 6G systems, one or more of these concepts may be applied to other cellular systems.

The embodiments may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although the embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

Embodiments may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the entities involved, or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard, it should be noted that any process (e.g., as shown in fig. 8 and 9) may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on physical media such as memory chips or blocks of memory implemented within a processor, magnetic media such as hard or floppy disks, and optical media such as DVDs and their data variants CDs.

The memory may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. The data processor may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a gate level circuit, and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture.

Alternatively or additionally, some embodiments may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or method steps described previously. The circuitry may be provided in the base station and/or the communication device.

As used in this disclosure, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Only hardware circuitry (such as, for example, only in analog and/or digital circuitry);

(b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as:

(i) Combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware

(Ii) Any portion of a hardware processor having software, including digital signal processor(s), software, and memory(s), that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a communication device or base station, to perform the various functions previously described, and

(C) Software (e.g., firmware) is required for the hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s) of the operation, such as the microprocessor(s) or a portion of the microprocessor(s), but may not be present when the operation does not require software.

This definition of circuit applies to all uses of this term in this application (including any claims). As another example, as used in this disclosure, the term circuitry also covers implementations of only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or its) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuit also covers, for example, integrated devices.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope defined in the appended claims.

Claims (27)

1. An apparatus, comprising:

Means for receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element;

Means for receiving a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and

Means for deriving content of a synchronization signal block for the second cellular system based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising:

Means for receiving the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system from the network element, the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system comprising a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system;

Means for receiving a physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, and

Means for deriving content for a physical broadcast channel of the second cellular system based at least on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

Means for deriving the content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based only on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

means for deriving the content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

Means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, the physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system comprising a system information block for the second cellular system, and

Means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, and the system information block for the second cellular system.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

Means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, the physical downlink shared channel for the second cellular network system comprising a system information block for the second cellular system, and

Means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system and the system information block for the second cellular system.

7. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

Means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system from the network element or another network element, the physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system comprising a system information block for the second cellular system, and

Means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system, and the system information block for the second cellular system.

8. The apparatus of claim 2, comprising:

Means for receiving a physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system from the network element or another network element, the physical downlink shared channel for the first cellular system comprising a system information block for the second cellular system, and

Means for deriving content of the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system based on the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system and the system information block for the second cellular system.

9. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising:

means for detecting that the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available based on an indication included in the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising:

Means for detecting that the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system is received at a predetermined frequency location,

Wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, comprising:

means for detecting that the physical broadcast channel extension is available based on an indication included in the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising:

Means for detecting a main information block comprising reserved bits, said main information block being transmitted via said physical broadcast channel for said first cellular system,

Wherein the reserved bits indicate that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising:

Means for detecting that a demodulation reference signal is received on resources allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and additional resources not allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system,

Wherein the demodulation reference signal received on additional resources indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

14. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising:

Means for blindly detecting that the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available based on a predetermined candidate location for the physical broadcast channel extension of the second cellular system.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system have the same periodicity, or

Wherein the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system have different periodicity.

16. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 15, comprising:

means for determining that the apparatus is operating on a frequency band of a plurality of frequency bands, wherein both the first cellular system and the second cellular system are operating on the plurality of frequency bands and dynamic spectrum sharing is applicable to the plurality of frequency bands.

17. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising:

Means for receiving said synchronization signal block for said first cellular system from said network element, said synchronization signal block for said first cellular system comprising at least one synchronization signal for said first cellular system and said physical broadcast channel for said first cellular system, and

Means for synchronizing to the network element based on the at least one synchronization signal for the first cellular system.

18. An apparatus, comprising:

Means for transmitting a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system, and

Means for transmitting a synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system can be derived from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, comprising:

means for transmitting the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system comprising a physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system, and

Means for transmitting a physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system such that content using the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system is at least available from the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system comprises an indication that the physical broadcast channel for the second cellular system is available.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, comprising:

means for transmitting said synchronization signal block for said first cellular system at a predetermined frequency location,

Wherein the predetermined frequency location indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available.

22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system comprises an indication that the physical broadcast channel extension for the second cellular system is available.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising:

Means for transmitting a master information block via said physical broadcast channel for said first cellular system, said master information block comprising reserved bits,

Wherein the reserved bits indicate that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, comprising:

Means for transmitting demodulation reference signals on resources allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system and additional resources not allocated to the physical broadcast channel for the first cellular system,

Wherein the demodulation reference signal transmitted on additional resources indicates that the physical broadcast channel extension is available.

25. A method, comprising:

Receiving a synchronization signal block for a first cellular system from a network element;

Receiving a synchronization signal block extension for a second cellular system from the network element or another network element based on the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and

The content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system is derived based at least on the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

26. A method, comprising:

Transmitting a synchronization signal block for the first cellular system, and

A synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system is transmitted such that the content of the synchronization signal block for the second cellular system can be derived from the synchronization signal block for the first cellular system and the synchronization signal block extension for the second cellular system.

27. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the method of claim 25 or claim 26.