# US 11,121,794 B2 · Configurable synchronization in next generation wireless networks > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,121,794 B2 - Document ID: US11121794B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/497,119 - Filed: 2017-04-25 - Published: 2018-04-19 - Granted: 2021-09-14 - Earliest claimed: 2016-10-17 - Assignees: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Hung Ly; Heechoon Lee; Tingfang Ji - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11121794B2 ## CPC - H04L 27/26132: {using repetition} - H04J 11/00: Orthogonal multiplex systems, {e.g. using WALSH codes}(H04J13/00 takes precedence) - H04J 11/0069: {Cell search, i.e. determining cell identity [cell-ID] (design of multiplexing codes H04J13/00; processing access restriction or access information H04W48/16; discovery of network devices for network data management H04W8/005; sounding signals for channel estimation H04L25/0226; structure of reference signals in multicarrier modulation systems H04L27/2613; frame, time or carrier synchronisation in multicarrier modulation systems H04L27/2655)} - H04J 11/0073: {Acquisition of primary synchronisation channel, e.g. detection of cell-ID within cell-ID group} - H04L 5/00: Arrangements affording multiple use of the transmission path - H04L 5/0048: {Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver (allocation of control signalling H04L5/0053; use of control signalling H04L5/0091)} - H04L 5/14: Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex - H04L 27/00: Modulated-carrier systems - H04W 56/0085: {detecting a given structure in the signal} - H04W 88/10: adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points - H04B 2001/6912: {using chirp} - H04J 11/0076: {Acquisition of secondary synchronisation channel, e.g. detection of cell-ID group} - H04J 2011/0003: {Combination with other multiplexing techniques} - H04W 56/00: Synchronisation arrangements - H04W 56/001: {Synchronization between nodes} - H04W 88/02: Terminal devices - H04W 88/08: Access point devices - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04J: MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION (transmission in general H04B; peculiar to transmission of digital information H04L5/00; systems for the simultaneous or sequential transmission of more than one television signal H04N7/08; in exchanges H04Q11/00; stereophonic systems H04S) - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - H04B: TRANSMISSION ## Abstract Aspects of the present disclosure provide for the transmission of various synchronization signals with variable periodicity. For synchronization signals with long periodicity, in some aspects of the disclosure, the synchronization signals may be transmitted as single-frequency-network (SFN) synchronization signals and/or the synchronization signals may be repeated a number (N) of times within a synchronization burst to reduce user equipment (UE) search latency and improve UE measurement accuracy. In some examples, the synchronization signals may be repeated within a synchronization burst using a repetition pattern that may be configurable based on the periodicity of transmission or fixed for one or more periodicities of transmission. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of wireless communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: transmitting a synchronization signal within a serving cell to enable a user equipment to synchronize communication with the wireless communication network, wherein the synchronization signal is transmitted with at least one of a first periodicity or a second periodicity longer than the first periodicity, wherein the first periodicity comprises a first set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective first slot of a plurality of slots forming a radio frame, wherein the second periodicity comprises a second set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective second slot of the plurality of slots; and repeating the same synchronization signal within each synchronization burst of the second set of synchronization bursts based on a repetition pattern associated with the second periodicity to transmit the synchronization signal at least twice within each of the synchronization bursts of the second set of synchronization bursts. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting the repetition pattern from a set of two or more repetition patterns associated with the second periodicity. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a zone identifier of a zone comprising a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells comprising the serving cell, and further comprising: scrambling a physical channel carrying a paging message with the zone identifier; and transmitting the physical channel carrying the paging message to the user equipment. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with the first periodicity, including a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method of claim 4, further comprising: scrambling a physical channel with the cell identifier; and transmitting the physical channel to the user equipment; wherein the physical channel comprises control information, a random access response, or user data traffic. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with both the first periodicity and the second periodicity: including a first portion of a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal transmitted with the first periodicity; and including a second portion of the cell identifier within the synchronization signal transmitted with the second periodicity, wherein the first portion of the cell identifier and the second portion of the cell identifier are non-overlapping. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: switching from the second periodicity to the first periodicity when the user equipment transitions into a connected state. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, further comprising: transmitting configuration information for the synchronization signal with the first periodicity to the user equipment during the transition into the connected state. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a single-frequency-network synchronization signal. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the serving cell supports a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different than the first radio access technology, and further comprising: identifying a static periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the first radio access technology within the serving cell; and selecting a configurable periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the second radio access technology within the serving cell based on the static periodicity of transmission; wherein the configurable periodicity of transmission is different than the static periodicity of transmission. ### Claim 11 An apparatus in a wireless communication network, comprising: a processor; a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the processor, wherein the processor is configured to: transmit a synchronization signal within a serving cell to enable a user equipment to synchronize communication with the wireless communication network, wherein the synchronization signal is transmitted with at least one of a first periodicity or a second periodicity longer than the first periodicity, wherein the first periodicity comprises a first set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective first slot of a plurality of slots forming a radio frame, wherein the second periodicity comprises a second set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective second slot of the plurality of slot; and repeat the same synchronization signal within each synchronization burst of the second set of synchronization bursts based on a repetition pattern associated with the second periodicity to transmit the synchronization signal at least twice within each of the synchronization bursts of the second set of synchronization bursts. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to: select the repetition pattern from a set of two or more repetition patterns associated with the second periodicity. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a zone identifier of a zone comprising a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells comprising the serving cell, and wherein the processor is further configured to: scramble a physical channel carrying a paging message with the zone identifier; and transmit the physical channel carrying the paging message to the user equipment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with the first periodicity, include a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with both the first periodicity and the second periodicity: include a first portion of a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal transmitted with the first periodicity; and include a second portion of the cell identifier within the synchronization signal transmitted with the second periodicity, wherein the first portion of the cell identifier and the second portion of the cell identifier are non-overlapping. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the processor is further configured to: switch from the second periodicity to the first periodicity when the user equipment transitions into a connected state. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to: transmit configuration information for the synchronization signal with the first periodicity to the user equipment during the transition into the connected state. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a single-frequency-network synchronization signal. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the serving cell supports a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different than the first radio access technology, and wherein the processor is further configured to: identify a static periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the first radio access technology within the serving cell; and select a configurable periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the second radio access technology within the serving cell based on the static periodicity of transmission; wherein the configurable periodicity of transmission is different than the static periodicity of transmission. ### Claim 20 An apparatus in a wireless communication network, comprising: means for transmitting a synchronization signal within a serving cell to enable a user equipment to synchronize communication with the wireless communication network, wherein the synchronization signal is transmitted with at least one of a first periodicity or a second periodicity longer than the first periodicity, wherein the first periodicity comprises a first set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective first slot of a plurality of slots forming a radio frame, wherein the second periodicity comprises a second set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective second slot of the plurality of slots; and means for repeating the same synchronization signal within each synchronization burst of the second set of synchronization bursts based on a repetition pattern associated with the second periodicity to transmit the synchronization signal at least twice within each of the synchronization bursts of the second set of synchronization bursts. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: means for selecting the repetition pattern from a set of two or more repetition patterns associated with the second periodicity. ### Claim 22 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a zone identifier of a zone comprising a plurality of cells, the plurality of cells comprising the serving cell, and further comprising: means for scrambling a physical channel carrying a paging message with the zone identifier; and means for transmitting the physical channel carrying the paging message to the user equipment. ### Claim 23 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with the first periodicity, means for including a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal. ### Claim 24 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: if the synchronization signal is transmitted with both the first periodicity and the second periodicity: means for including a first portion of a cell identifier of the serving cell within the synchronization signal transmitted with the first periodicity; and means for including a second portion of the cell identifier within the synchronization signal transmitted with the second periodicity, wherein the first portion of the cell identifier and the second portion of the cell identifier are non-overlapping. ### Claim 25 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, further comprising: means for switching from the second periodicity to the first periodicity when the user equipment transitions into a connected state. ### Claim 26 (depends on 20) The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the serving cell supports a first radio access technology and a second radio access technology different than the first radio access technology, and further comprising: means for identifying a static periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the first radio access technology within the serving cell; and means for selecting a configurable periodicity of transmission of synchronization signals for the second radio access technology within the serving cell based on the static periodicity of transmission; wherein the configurable periodicity of transmission is different than the static periodicity of transmission. ### Claim 27 A method of wireless communication in a wireless communication network, the method comprising: receiving a synchronization signal within a serving cell at a user equipment to enable the user equipment to synchronize communication with the wireless communication network, wherein the synchronization signal is transmitted with at least one of a first periodicity or a second periodicity longer than the first periodicity, wherein the first periodicity comprises a first set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective first slot of a plurality of slots forming a radio frame, wherein the second periodicity comprises a second set of synchronization bursts, each within a single respective second slot of the plurality of slots; and receiving at least one repetition of the same synchronization signal within each synchronization burst of the second set of synchronization bursts based on a repetition pattern associated with the second periodicity to receive the synchronization signal at least twice within each of the synchronization bursts of the second set of synchronization bursts. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The method of claim 27, wherein the synchronization signal comprises a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal, and further comprising: searching for the first synchronization signal within a serving cell, wherein the first synchronization signal is transmitted with the first periodicity; synchronizing communication with the wireless communication network utilizing the first synchronization signal; receiving the second synchronization signal within the serving cell, wherein the second synchronization signal is transmitted with the second periodicity; and camping on the serving cell utilizing the second synchronization signal. ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, further comprising: utilizing the first synchronization signal to perform an initial acquisition or a neighbor cell search; and utilizing the second synchronization signal for frequency and time refinement when performing a mobility measurement. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The method of claim 28, further comprising: receiving the second synchronization signal with the second periodicity in an idle state; and receiving the second synchronization signal with a third periodicity less than the second periodicity in a connected state.