Cell identification for radio access networks
There is disclosed a method of operating a network node in a radio access network. The method includes determining an identity associated to a second network node based on received SS/PBCH block transmission received from the second network node and based on a determined time shift of the SS/PBCH block transmission relative to a slot structure. The disclosure also pertains to related devices and methods.
1. A method of operating a network node in a radio access network, the method comprising:
determining an identity associated to a second network node based on:
a received Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel, SS/PBCH, block transmission received from the second network node; and
a determined time shift of the SS/PBCH block transmission relative to a slot structure.
2. A network node for a radio access network, the network node configured to:
determine an identity associated to a second network node based on:
a received Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel, SS/PBCH, block transmission received from the second network node; and
a determined time shift of the SS/PBCH block transmission relative to a slot structure.
3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity comprises receiving the SS/PBCH block transmission in an Up Link, UL, time interval.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the identity is one of a group identity, a cell identity and a network node identity.
5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity is based on angular information pertaining to the received SS/PBCH block transmission.
6. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity is based on information indicating an association between the identity and at least one of:
distance; and
the determined time shift.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity is based on network information indicating at least one of:
groups of network nodes;
groups of cells;
associated locations; and
distances.
8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity comprises transmitting an identity indication indicating the identity to a third network node.
9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the identity is based on information regarding at least one of a frequency and a periodicity of the SS/PBCH block transmission.
10. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing an executable computer program comprising instructions configured to cause processing circuitry to at least one of control and perform a method of operating a network node in a radio access network, the method comprising:
determining an identity associated to a second network node based on:
a received Synchronization Signal/Physical Broadcast Channel, SS/PBCH, block transmission received from the second network node; and
a determined time shift of the SS/PBCH block transmission relative to a slot structure.
11. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity comprises receiving the SS/PBCH block transmission in an Up Link, UL, time interval.
12. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein the identity is one of a group identity, a cell identity and a network node identity.
13. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity is based on angular information pertaining to the received SS/PBCH block transmission.
14. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity is based on information indicating an association between the identity and at least one of:
distance; and
the determined time shift.
15. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity is based on network information indicating at least one of:
groups of network nodes;
groups of cells;
associated locations; and
distances.
16. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity comprises transmitting an identity indication indicating the identity to a third network node.
17. The network node according to claim 16 , wherein the third network node is one of a radio network node and a core network node.
18. The network node according to claim 2 , wherein determining the identity is based on information regarding at least one of a frequency and a periodicity of the SS/PBCH block transmission.
19. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the identity is one of a group identity, a cell identity and a network node identity.
20. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the third network node is one of a radio network node and a core network node.