Techniques and apparatuses for reusing remaining minimum system information configuration bits to signal a synchronization signal block location

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI). The first SS block may indicate an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI. The UE may determine a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset. Numerous other aspects are provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the technology described below generally relate to wireless communication, and more particularly to techniques and apparatuses for reusing remaining minimum system information (RMSI) configuration bits to signal a synchronization signal (SS) block location. Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable and provide wireless communication devices and systems that conserve network resources, conserve device and system resources, and permit for flexible configuration of a wireless communication system.

BACKGROUND

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

In some aspects, a method of wireless communication may be performed by a UE. The method may include receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI; and determining a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset.

In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication may include memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to receive a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI; and determine a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. The one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, may cause the one or more processors to receive a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI; and determine a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include means for receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI; and means for determining a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While aspects and embodiments are described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and/or uses may come about via integrated chip embodiments and/or other non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail/purchasing devices, medical devices, AI-enabled devices, and/or the like). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations may range a spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or OEM devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described embodiments. For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including one or more antennas, RF-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders/summers, and/or the like). It is intended that innovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

In some aspects, one or more components of UE120may be included in a housing. Controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform one or more techniques associated with reusing RMSI configuration bits to signal an SS block location, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform or direct operations of, for example, process600ofFIG. 6, process700ofFIG. 7, process800ofFIG. 8, process900ofFIG. 9, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories242and282may store data and program codes for base station110and UE120, respectively. A scheduler246may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

In some aspects, UE120may include means for receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block includes an indication of a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI; means for determining the frequency location of the second SS block based at least in part on the indication; means for obtaining the second SS block based at least in part on the frequency location; and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, UE120may include means for receiving a plurality of wireless signals with at least one signal being a synchronization signal (SS) that comprises a flexible or re-usable portion; means for determining absence or presence of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) data, to determine a frequency location of an SS block, and/or to determine a frequency location of a cell based at least in part on the flexible or re-usable portion; and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, UE120may include means for receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI; means for determining a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset; means for obtaining the second SS block based at least in part on the location; and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of UE120described in connection withFIG. 2.

In some aspects, base station110may include means for determining that a first synchronization signal (SS) block is not to include remaining minimum system information (RMSI); means for determining a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI; means for transmitting an indication, in the first SS block, of the frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI based at least in part on determining that the first SS block is not to include RMSI; and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of base station110described in connection withFIG. 2.

As indicated above,FIG. 2is provided merely as an example. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with regard toFIG. 2.

FIG. 3Ashows an example frame structure300for FDD in a telecommunications system (e.g., NR). The transmission timeline for each of the downlink and uplink may be partitioned into units of radio frames. Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration and may be partitions into a set of Z (Z≥1) subframes (e.g., with indices of 0 through Z−1). Each subframe may include a set of slots (e.g., two slots per subframe are shown inFIG. 3A). Each slot may include a set of L symbol periods. For example, each slot may include seven symbol periods (e.g., as shown inFIG. 3A), fifteen symbol periods, and/or the like. In a case where the subframe includes two slots, the subframe may include 2L symbol periods, where the 2L symbol periods in each subframe may be assigned indices of 0 through 2L−1. In some aspects, a scheduling unit for the FDD may frame-based, subframe-based, slot-based, symbol-based, and/or the like.

In certain telecommunications (e.g., NR), a base station may transmit synchronization signals. For example, a base station may transmit a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and/or the like, on the downlink for each cell supported by the base station. The PSS and SSS may be used by UEs for cell search and acquisition. For example, the PSS may be used by UEs to determine symbol timing, and the SSS may be used by UEs to determine a physical cell identifier, associated with the base station, and frame timing. The base station may also transmit a physical broadcast channel (PBCH). The PBCH may carry some system information, such as system information that supports initial access by UEs.

In some aspects, the base station may transmit the PSS, the SSS, and/or the PBCH in accordance with a synchronization communication hierarchy (e.g., a synchronization signal (SS) hierarchy) including multiple synchronization communications (e.g., SS blocks), as described below in connection withFIG. 3B.

FIG. 3Bis a block diagram conceptually illustrating an example SS hierarchy, which is an example of a synchronization communication hierarchy. As shown inFIG. 3B, the SS hierarchy may include an SS burst set, which may include a plurality of SS bursts (identified as SS burst 0 through SS burst B−1, where B is a maximum number of repetitions of the SS burst that may be transmitted by the base station). As further shown, each SS burst may include one or more SS blocks (identified as SS block 0 through SS block (bmax_SS-1), where bmax_SS-1is a maximum number of SS blocks that can be carried by an SS burst). In some aspects, different SS blocks may be beam-formed differently. An SS burst set may be periodically transmitted by a wireless node, such as every X milliseconds, as shown inFIG. 3B. In some aspects, an SS burst set may have a fixed or dynamic length, shown as Y milliseconds inFIG. 3B.

The SS burst set shown inFIG. 3Bis an example of a synchronization communication set, and other synchronization communication sets may be used in connection with the techniques described herein. Furthermore, the SS block shown inFIG. 3Bis an example of a synchronization communication, and other synchronization communications may be used in connection with the techniques described herein.

In some aspects, an SS block includes resources that carry the PSS, the SSS, the PBCH, and/or other synchronization signals (e.g., a tertiary synchronization signal (TSS)) and/or synchronization channels. In some aspects, multiple SS blocks are included in an SS burst, and the PSS, the SSS, and/or the PBCH may be the same across each SS block of the SS burst. In some aspects, a single SS block may be included in an SS burst. In some aspects, the SS block may be at least four symbol periods in length, where each symbol carries one or more of the PSS (e.g., occupying one symbol), the SSS (e.g., occupying one symbol), and/or the PBCH (e.g., occupying two symbols).

In some aspects, the symbols of an SS block are consecutive, as shown inFIG. 3B. In some aspects, the symbols of an SS block are non-consecutive. Similarly, in some aspects, one or more SS blocks of the SS burst may be transmitted in consecutive radio resources (e.g., consecutive symbol periods) during one or more subframes. Additionally, or alternatively, one or more SS blocks of the SS burst may be transmitted in non-consecutive radio resources.

In some aspects, the SS bursts may have a burst period, whereby the SS blocks of the SS burst are transmitted by the base station according to the burst period. In other words, the SS blocks may be repeated during each SS burst. In some aspects, the SS burst set may have a burst set periodicity, whereby the SS bursts of the SS burst set are transmitted by the base station according to the fixed burst set periodicity. In other words, the SS bursts may be repeated during each SS burst set.

The base station may transmit system information, such as system information blocks (SIBs) on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in certain subframes. The base station may transmit control information/data on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in C symbol periods of a subframe, where B may be configurable for each subframe. The base station may transmit traffic data and/or other data on the PDSCH in the remaining symbol periods of each subframe.

As indicated above,FIGS. 3A and 3Bare provided as examples. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with regard toFIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 4shows an example subframe format410with a normal cyclic prefix. The available time frequency resources may be partitioned into resource blocks. Each resource block may cover a set to of subcarriers (e.g., 12 subcarriers) in one slot and may include a number of resource elements. Each resource element may cover one subcarrier in one symbol period (e.g., in time) and may be used to send one modulation symbol, which may be a real or complex value. In some aspects, subframe format410may be used for transmission of SS blocks that carry the PSS, the SSS, the PBCH, and/or the like, as described herein.

A UE may be located within the coverage of multiple BSs. One of these BSs may be selected to serve the UE. The serving BS may be selected based at least in part on various criteria such as received signal strength, received signal quality, path loss, and/or the like. Received signal quality may be quantified by a signal-to-noise-and-interference ratio (SINR), or a reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or some other metric. The UE may operate in a dominant interference scenario in which the UE may observe high interference from one or more interfering BSs.

In some aspects, a single component carrier bandwidth of 100 MHZ may be supported. NR resource blocks may span 12 sub-carriers with a sub-carrier bandwidth of 60 or 120 kilohertz (kHz) over a 0.1 millisecond (ms) duration. Each radio frame may include 40 subframes with a length of 10 ms. Consequently, each subframe may have a length of 0.25 ms. Each subframe may indicate a link direction (e.g., DL or UL) for data transmission and the link direction for each subframe may be dynamically switched. Each subframe may include DL/UL data as well as DL/UL control data.

As indicated above,FIG. 4is provided as an example. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with regard toFIG. 4.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example500of reusing RMSI configuration bits to signal an SS block location, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

In a wireless network, a UE120may scan one or more frequencies for SS blocks transmitted by a base station110. As described above in connection withFIG. 3B, an SS block may include a PSS, an SSS, a PBCH communication, and/or the like. In some aspects, the PBCH communication may include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), such as an RMSI control resource set (CORESET) configuration and/or the like, which may be used by the UE120to determine a random access channel (RACH) configuration for performing a RACH procedure for initial access to the base station110.

In some cases, some SS blocks may include RMSI, and some SS blocks may not include RMSI. In this case, if the UE120receives an SS block that does not include RMSI, the UE120may continue scanning frequencies until the UE120receives an SS block that includes RMSI, and may then use the RMSI to perform the RACH procedure. This scanning may waste resources of the UE120(e.g., radio resources, battery power, and/or the like), particularly with a large system bandwidth. Some techniques and apparatuses described herein conserve resources of the UE120by reducing an amount of frequency scanning performed by the UE120. For example, a first SS block without RMSI may indicate a location (e.g., in frequency and/or time) of a second SS block that includes RMSI. In this way, the UE120may obtain the RMSI in the second SS block without unnecessary scanning.

As shown by reference number505, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, a first SS block that does not include RMSI. In some aspects, the first SS block may be transmitted and/or received via a first frequency. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120may obtain the first SS block during a scan by the UE120of one or more frequencies included in a synchronization raster. The synchronization raster may include a set of frequencies to be scanned by the UE120to obtain RMSI for a RACH procedure.

As shown by reference number510, the first SS block may include an indication of a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI. In this way, the UE120may quickly locate the second SS block to obtain RMSI when the first SS block does not include RMSI. Additionally, or alternatively, the first SS block may include an indication that the first SS block does not include RMSI. In this way, the UE120may conserve resources that would otherwise be used to decode a portion of the first SS block that includes RMSI.

In some aspects, as shown by reference number515, the first SS block may include a first set of bits for indicating a physical resource block (PRB) grid offset (e.g., a grid offset between SS blocks and RMSI). For example, the first set of bits may include four bits. Additionally, or alternatively, as shown by reference number520, the first SS block may include a second set of bits for indicating an RMSI control resource set (CORESET) configuration. For example, the second set of bits may include eight bits. In some aspects, the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits may be reused (e.g., repurposed) to indicate that the first SS block does not include RMSI and/or to indicate a frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI. As used herein, an indication in the first SS block (e.g., an indication of a frequency location, a time location, a periodicity, a presence or absence of RMSI, and/or the like) may be indicated using only the first set of bits, using only the second set of bits, using all of the bits included in the first set of bits and the second set of bits, or using some combination of bits from the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits.

In some aspects, the first set of bits may indicate whether the first SS block includes RMSI. For example, some bit sequences (e.g., 12 of 16 possible bit sequences of 4 bits) of the first set of bits may indicate different PRB grid offsets, and other bit sequences may indicate presence or absence of RMSI in the first SS block (e.g., using an RMSI presence flag, an RMSI absence flag, and/or the like). For example, a first bit sequence (e.g., 1111) of the first set of bits may indicate that the first SS block does not include RMSI. Additionally, or alternatively, a second bit sequence (e.g., 0000) of the first set of bits may indicate that the first SS block includes RMSI.

In some aspects, the second set of bits may indicate a frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI. For example, different bit sequences of the second set of bits may correspond to different frequency locations of the second SS block. Additionally, or alternatively, a combination of the first set of bits and the second set of bits may indicate the frequency location. For example, the base station110and the UE120may store corresponding tables that map bit sequences of the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits to different indications associated with the second SS block. In this way, the second set of bits, which may be used to indicate an RMSI configuration when the SS block includes RMSI, may be used to indicate a location of a second SS block that includes RMSI when the first SS block does not include RMSI.

Additionally, or alternatively, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) a time location of the second SS block, a periodicity associated with the second SS block, and/or the like. In this way, the UE120may obtain the second SS block without scanning the frequency location of the SS block longer than necessary.

In some aspects, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) a plurality of frequency locations associated with a plurality of SS blocks. In some aspects, the plurality of SS blocks may each include RMSI. In this way, the UE120may select a particular SS block to obtain from the plurality of SS blocks. For example, the UE120may select an SS block that is closest in frequency to the first SS block (e.g., to reduce resources used to change frequencies), may select an SS block that is closest in time to the first SS block (e.g., to reduce delays associated with performing a RACH procedure), may select an SS block according to a capability of the UE120, and/or the like.

In some aspects, the second SS block may be a cell-defining SS block (e.g., an SS block used for defining a cell, an SS block that includes a cell identifier, and/or the like). As an example, the first set of bits and the second set of bits may indicate a single cell-defining SS block, an offset of the cell-defining SS block, such as an indication of a positive offset or a negative offset and/or a value of the offset (e.g., with a granularity of the synchronization raster), and/or the like. For example, a value of positive four may indicate that a cell-defining SS block is located at the fourth valid synchronization raster point above (e.g., at a higher frequency than) the current SS block synchronization raster location. The range of the offset can cover the positive or negative maximum channel bandwidth of the frequency band. In some aspects, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) whether the second SS block is a cell-defining SS block. In this way, the UE120may obtain a cell-defining SS block or an SS block other than a cell-defining SS block according to one or more requirements of the UE120.

In some aspects, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) whether a frequency via which the first SS block is received is a highest frequency or a lowest frequency that carries an SS block within a frequency band or a carrier associated with the first SS block. In this way, the UE120may determine whether the UE120needs to scan higher or lower frequencies within the frequency band and/or carrier to obtain SS blocks. Additionally, or alternatively, the first SS block may indicate that there are no additional cell-defining SS blocks in the same carrier as the first SS block. Additionally, or alternatively, the first SS block may indicate a range of bandwidth, around the carrier of the first SS block, in which there are no additional cell-defining SS blocks. For example, the first SS block may indicate that for (+X, −Y) MHz around the carrier, there are no additional cell-defining SS blocks, where X and/or Y can be assigned a frequency value from a set of frequency values, such as 10 Mhz, 20 Mhz, 40 Mhz, and/or the like, up to a maximum bandwidth of the component carrier of the first SS block. In some aspects, the range (e.g., upper range X or lower range Y) may be configured from a set of values, such as 10 MHz, 20 MHz, 40 MHz, maximum bandwidth, and/or the like.

In some aspects, the second SS block is located within a synchronization raster to be scanned by the UE120to obtain SS blocks. In some aspects, the second SS block is not located within a synchronization raster to be scanned by the UE120to obtain SS blocks. In this way, the base station110may indicate a location of an SS block that the UE120would not normally obtain by scanning the synchronization raster.

In some aspects, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) rate matching information. Additionally, or alternatively, the first SS block may indicate (e.g., using the first set of bits and/or the second set of bits) a configuration associated with obtaining SS blocks on a neighbor cell. In this way, network resources may be conserved by reusing bits to convey this information rather than using different bits.

In some aspects, the base station110may determine that the first SS block is not to include RMSI, may determine a frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI (and/or another indication associated with the second SS block), and may transmit, in the first SS block, an indication of the frequency location (and/or another indication associated with the SS block) based at least in part on determining that the first SS block is not to include RMSI. In this way, the base station110may reduce the amount of scanning done by the UE120, thereby conserving resources.

As shown by reference number525, the base station110may transmit, and the UE120may receive, the second SS block that includes RMSI. The UE120may determine a frequency location of the second SS block based at least in part on the indication included in the first SS block, and may obtain the second SS block based at least in part on the frequency location and/or other indications associated with the second SS block (e.g., a time location, a periodicity, and/or the like). In some aspects, the UE120may monitor the frequency location for the second SS block without scanning other frequencies, thereby conserving resources of the UE120.

In some frequency ranges (e.g., 0 to 2650 MHz), SS blocks may be transmitted at one or more frequency positions within a frequency window (e.g., 3 potential frequency positions within a frequency window of 10 kHz, such as M*5 kHz, where M=−1:1). This frequency window may be referred to as a synchronization raster cluster, and may indicate multiple possible frequency positions for SS blocks. In some aspects, each frequency position may have a corresponding global synchronization channel number (GSCN), which may be used for signaling a frequency position using less overhead. For example, a GSCN of 1 may correspond to a frequency position of 895 kHz, a GSCN of 2 may correspond to a frequency position of 900 kHz, and a GSCN of 3 may correspond to a frequency position of 905 kHz, and/or the like. These three frequency positions may be included in a synchronization raster cluster defined by an offset of −5 kHz (e.g., a lower frequency of 895 kHz) and an offset of +5 kHz (e.g., an upper frequency of 905 kHz) from a middle frequency of 900 kHz. In some cases, a UE120may receive a first SS block at a first frequency position, which may be one of the frequency positions within the synchronization raster cluster. The first SS block may include an offset value, referred to herein as a synchronization raster offset, that indicates a second frequency position of a second SS block relative to the first frequency position of the first SS block. For example, the first SS block may be received at 900 kHz, corresponding to a GSCN of 2, and may include a synchronization raster offset value of +4. This may indicate that the second SS block is positioned at 1805 kHz, which corresponds to a GSCN of 6, which is four GSCNs greater than (e.g., +4) the GSCN of the first SS block.

However, because the synchronization raster cluster may be a tight frequency window (e.g., 10 kHz), the UE120may incorrectly estimate the first frequency position at which the first SS block is received. In this case, the UE120may incorrectly determine a second frequency position for the second SS block when the offset is applied to the first frequency position. Continuing with the above example, if the UE120estimates the frequency position of the first SS block as 905 kHz instead of 900 kHz, then the UE120may incorrectly determine a GSCN of 3 for the first SS block. When applying the offset of +4, the UE120would determine a GSCN of 7 for the second SS block, corresponding to a frequency position of 2695 kHz. In this case, the UE120would scan a frequency of 2695 kHz for the second SS block, but the second SS block may actually be transmitted at 1805 kHz. As a result, the UE120may not be able to obtain the second SS block, may experience a delay in connecting to a wireless network, and/or may waste resources by resorting to a frequency scan after experiencing an error obtaining the second SS block.

In some aspects, the UE120may map a frequency estimate of the first frequency position of the first SS block to a default frequency position in the synchronization raster cluster (e.g., an upper frequency, a middle frequency, a lower frequency, and/or the like). The UE120may then apply a synchronization raster offset to the default frequency position to obtain a second frequency position of the second SS block. In this way, the UE120may more accurately determine a frequency position for an SS block that includes RMSI, may reduce scanning errors, and/or the like, which may result in faster network access, less battery consumption, and/or the like.

As indicated above,FIG. 5is provided as an example. Other examples are possible and may differ from what was described with respect toFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example process600performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process600is an example where a UE (e.g., UE120and/or the like) reuses RMSI configuration bits to determine an SS block location.

As shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block includes an indication of a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI (block610). For example, the UE (e.g., using antenna252, DEMOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may receive a first SS block that does not include RMSI, as described above in connection withFIG. 5. In some aspects, the first SS block includes an indication of a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI.

As further shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include determining the frequency location of the second SS block based at least in part on the indication (block620). For example, the UE (e.g., using controller/processor280and/or the like) may determine the frequency location of the second SS block based at least in part on the indication, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

As further shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include obtaining the second SS block based at least in part on the frequency location (block630). For example, the UE (e.g., using antenna252, DEMOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may obtain the second SS block based at least in part on the frequency location, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

In some aspects, the indication further indicates that the first SS block does not include RMSI. In some aspects, the indication is indicated using at least one of: a first set of bits for signaling a physical resource block grid offset, a second set of bits for signaling an RMSI control resource set configuration, or some combination thereof. In some aspects, the indication indicates that the first SS block does not include RMSI using a first set of bits associated with signaling a physical resource block grid offset; and the indication indicates the frequency location of the second SS block using at least one of the first set of bits or a second set of bits associated with signaling an RMSI control resource set configuration.

In some aspects, the indication further indicates a time location of the second SS block. In some aspects, the indication further indicates a periodicity associated with the second SS block. In some aspects, the indication indicates a plurality of frequency locations, including the frequency location, associated with a plurality of SS blocks including the second SS block. In some aspects, the second SS block is a cell-defining SS block. In some aspects, the indication further indicates that the second SS block is a cell-defining SS block. In some aspects, the indication further indicates that a frequency via which the first SS block is received is a highest frequency or a lowest frequency that carries an SS block within a frequency band or a carrier associated with the first SS block.

In some aspects, the second SS block is located on the synchronization raster to be scanned by the UE to obtain SS blocks. In some aspects, the second SS block is not located on the synchronization raster to be scanned by the UE to obtain SS blocks (e.g., the second SS block may be an off-raster SS block). In some aspects, the first set of bits and the second set of bits (e.g., that indicate the PRB grid and the RMSI configuration) in the off-raster SSB may not provide any information regarding PRB grid and/or RMSI configuration, and/or may not provide any information about the location of other SS blocks. This can be achieved by setting or hard coding the first set of bits and the second set of bits in the off-raster SS block to a particular value (e.g., all ones). This hard coding can be used to enhance PBCH decoding for the off-raster SS block. In some aspects, the indication further indicates rate matching information. In some aspects, the indication further indicates a configuration associated with obtaining SS blocks on a neighbor cell.

AlthoughFIG. 6shows example blocks of process600, in some aspects, process600may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 6. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process600may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example process700performed, for example, by a base station, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process700is an example where a base station (e.g., base station110and/or the like) reuses RMSI configuration bits to signal an SS block location.

As shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include determining that a first synchronization signal (SS) block is not to include remaining minimum system information (RMSI) (block710). For example, the base station (e.g., using controller/processor240and/or the like) may determine that a first SS block is not to include RMSI, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

As further shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include determining a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI (block720). For example, the base station (e.g., using controller/processor240and/or the like) may determine a frequency location of a second SS block that includes RMSI, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

As further shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include transmitting an indication, in the first SS block, of the frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI based at least in part on determining that the first SS block is not to include RMSI (block730). For example, the base station (e.g., using controller/processor240, transmit processor220, TX MIMO processor230, MOD232, antenna234, and/or the like) may transmit an indication, in the first SS block, of the frequency location of the second SS block that includes RMSI, as described above in connection withFIG. 5. In some aspects, the base station may transmit the indication based at least in part on determining that the first SS block is not to include RMSI.

Process700may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described above in connection withFIG. 6.

AlthoughFIG. 7shows example blocks of process700, in some aspects, process700may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 7. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process700may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 8is a diagram illustrating an example process800performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process800is an example where a UE (e.g., UE120and/or the like) reuses RMSI configuration bits to determine an SS block location.

As shown inFIG. 8, in some aspects, process800may include receiving a plurality of wireless signals with at least one signal being a synchronization signal (SS) that comprises a flexible or re-usable portion (block810). For example, the UE (e.g., using antenna252, DEMOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may receive a plurality of wireless signals with at least one signal being a synchronization signal (SS) that comprises a flexible or re-usable portion, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

As further shown inFIG. 8, in some aspects, process800may include determining absence or presence of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) data, to determine a frequency location of an SS block, and/or to determine a frequency location of a cell based at least in part on the flexible or re-usable portion (block820). For example, the UE (e.g., using controller/processor280and/or the like) may determine absence or presence of remaining minimum system information (RMSI) data, to determine a frequency location of an SS block, and/or to determine a frequency location of a cell based at least in part on the flexible or re-usable portion, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

Process800may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described above in connection withFIG. 6.

AlthoughFIG. 8shows example blocks of process800, in some aspects, process800may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 8. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process800may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 9is a diagram illustrating an example process900performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process900is an example where a UE (e.g., UE120and/or the like) reuses RMSI configuration bits to determine an SS block location.

As shown inFIG. 9, in some aspects, process900may include receiving a first synchronization signal (SS) block that does not include remaining minimum system information (RMSI), wherein the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI (block910). For example, the UE (e.g., using antenna252, DEMOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, controller/processor280, and/or the like) may receive a first SS block that does not include RMSI, as described above in connection withFIG. 5. In some aspects, the first SS block indicates an offset for obtaining a second SS block that includes RMSI.

As further shown inFIG. 9, in some aspects, process900may include determining a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset (block920). For example, the UE (e.g., using controller/processor280and/or the like) may determine a location of the second SS block based at least in part on the offset, as described above in connection withFIG. 5.

In some aspects, the UE may obtain the second SS block based at least in part on the location. In some aspects, the first SS block further indicates that the first SS block does not include RMSI. In some aspects, the offset is indicated using at least one of: a first set of bits for signaling a physical resource block grid offset, a second set of bits for signaling an RMSI control resource set configuration, or some combination thereof. In some aspects, the offset is indicated using a positive value or a negative value to indicate the location of the second SS block relative to the first SS block.

In some aspects, the first SS block indicates that the first SS block does not include RMSI using a first set of bits associated with signaling a physical resource block grid offset; and the offset is indicated using at least one of the first set of bits or a second set of bits associated with signaling an RMSI control resource set configuration. In some aspects, the second SS block is a cell-defining SS block.

In some aspects, the offset indicates a synchronization raster location of the second SS block relative to a synchronization raster location of the first SS block. In some aspects, the offset indicates the location of the second SS block using a granularity of the synchronization raster. In some aspects, the first SS block indicates a range of bandwidth, around a carrier of the first SS block, in which there are no cell-defining SS blocks.

AlthoughFIG. 9shows example blocks of process900, in some aspects, process900may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 9. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process900may be performed in parallel.

The foregoing disclosure provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the aspects to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above disclosure or may be acquired from practice of the aspects.

As used herein, the term component is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.