5G NR MIB (Master Information Block)

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Introduction

Initial Access means a sequence of processes between UE and gNB (network) for UE to acquire uplink synchronization and obtain a specific ID for radio access communications. The initial access is referred to as RACH(Random Access Channel) procedure. The initial access may mean ‘Downlink Synchronization + RACH’. The main purpose of RACH is to achieve UPlink synchronization between UE and eNB and obtain the resource for message 3 (e.g RRC connection request). When we want to connect a UE to a 5G network, it has to synchronize in downlink as well as in uplink. Downlink synchronization is obtained after successfully decoding SSB, to establish uplink synchronization and RRC connection, UE has to perform RACH random access procedure. 

PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) and MIB (Master Information Block)

Master information block is a very important message or information that is broadcasted irrespective of any user’s presence. The MIB is first among the other system information blocks or SIBs, which are also broadcasted by the eNodeB. PBCH and MIB cell search is the procedure for a UE to acquire time and frequency synchronization with a cell and detect the cell’s physical layer cell ID (PCI). The UE needs to first decode PBCH/MIB in order for it to receive other system information which is transmitted on the PDSCH (Physical Data Shared channel). 

MIB is mapped on the BCCH logical channel and carried on the BCH transport channel. The BCH channel is further mapped on the PBCH. MIB is transmitted with a periodicity of 80msec and is always repeated after every 80 msec time duration. MIB provides the UE with parameters that are required to acquire SIB1. Information required for monitoring of PDCCH for scheduling PDSCH that carries SIB1. PBCH carries critical information which is required for system access i.e to acquire a SIB1. All the information/fields included in the MIB and the information that is carried by PBCH. the same MIB is transmitted over all SSBs within the SS burst set. The information such as the SSB index is unique and dedicated to an SSB, so MIB cannot carry such information. 

PBCH carries critical information required for further system access e.g to acquire SIB 1. All the information/fields included in MIB and the information that is carried by PBCH. 

MIB content 

• System Frame Number (SFN): It provides the six most significant bits (MSB) of the current frame number. 
• SubCarrier Spacing common: it defines the subcarrier spacing to be used for the reception of SIB 1, other broadcast system information, paging messages, and the MSG2/MSG4 transmitted during initial access. 
• Ssb-subcarrier offset: it defines the four least significant bits of the sub-carrier offset. 
• dmrs-TypeA-position: it specifies the first symbol used by the Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) when using ‘Mapping type A’. this information element applies to the DMRS for both the PDSCH and PUSCH. 
• Cell barred: A UE is not permitted to complete cell selection or cell reselection onto a barred cell. So it will indicate whether the cell is barred or not. 
• IntraFreqReselection: this is applicable when the current cell is to be treated or barred. A value of ‘allowed’ indicates that the UE is permitted to reselect another cell on the same frequency.