First and second devices, method of operating first and second devices

By using beam indicators and bandwidth part indicators to perform intra-cell load balancing management in a radio communication network, the load imbalance problem of intra-cell bandwidth part management and seamless beam switching in the radio communication network is solved, and efficient resource utilization and seamless switching of mobility are achieved.

CN115485991BActive Publication Date: 2025-10-17NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
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Patent Information

Application Number
CN202080099395.9
Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Patents(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-04-06
Publication Date
2025-10-17
Estimated Expiration
2040-04-06

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

In radio communication networks, bandwidth segment management and seamless beam switching within a cell present load imbalance issues, leading to increased mobility and inefficient resource utilization.

Method used

By determining the signaling of beam indicators, bandwidth part indicators and resource status indicators, the spatial and spectral dimensions of radio resources are adapted, and information such as SSB index and PCI/ARFCN is used to manage intra-cell load balancing and dynamically adjust the allocation and release of radio resources.

Benefits of technology

It achieves seamless beam switching within the cell, alleviates the load imbalance problem, improves resource utilization efficiency and mobility transparency, and optimizes the spatial utilization of the spectrum.

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Abstract

A method of operating a first apparatus is provided, the method comprising determining a beam indicator, the beam indicator indicating at least one radio beam; determining a bandwidth part indicator, the bandwidth part indicator indicating at least one bandwidth part; determining a resource status indicator, the resource status indicator indicating at least one status of radio resources associated with the at least one radio beam and associated with the at least one bandwidth part; and transmitting at least one resource status set, the at least one resource status set comprising the determined beam indicator, the determined bandwidth part indicator, and the determined resource status indicator.
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Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Various example embodiments relate to enhancements of a radio communication network. BACKGROUND

[0002] A bandwidth part (BWP) in a radio communication network is a set of contiguous common resource blocks within a bandwidth of a cell. SUMMARY

[0003] A first aspect of the present specification is directed to a first apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one communication module, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor and the at least one communication module, cause the first apparatus at least to determine a beam indicator, the beam indicator indicating at least one radio beam, determine a bandwidth part indicator, the bandwidth part indicator indicating at least one bandwidth part, determine a resource status indicator, the resource status indicator indicating at least one status of radio resources associated with the at least one radio beam and associated with the at least one bandwidth part, and transmit at least one resource status set, the at least one resource status set comprising the determined beam indicator, the determined bandwidth part indicator, and the determined resource status indicator.

[0004] The load is signaled per radio beam and per BWP. Advantageously, the resource status set allows to exploit both the spectral dimension and the spatial dimension of the spectrum usage of the shared radio resources. The provision of the beam indicator and the bandwidth part indicator allows to adapt the usage of the radio resources at the receiver side.

[0005] For example, the intra-cell mobility is increased. From the UE perspective, the intra-cell beam switching is transparent and seamless. Thus, the problem of intra-cell load balancing is mitigated. The UE is instructed to generate periodic CSI reports to the serving entity. The UE monitors a set of CSI reference signals of the beams and reports an identification of at least one of these beams in combination with a RSRP (reference signal received power) measurement.

[0006] According to the first apparatus directed to the first aspect described above, wherein the beam indicator comprises a synchronization signal block, SSB, index.

[0007] Advantageously, the report can use the SSB index as a reference to the identification of the beam.

[0008] According to an advantageous example, the bandwidth part indicator comprises at least one of: information on a location in frequency of the bandwidth part, a bandwidth part identifier per cell, a physical cell identifier, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN.

[0009] The BWP can in turn be identified by the PCI / ARFCN of the corresponding SSB and / or a per-cell bandwidth part identifier index introduced for this purpose.

[0010] In particular, a plurality of (e.g. two) ARFCNs is provided. This is the case when the BWP is indicated by a lower and an upper frequency.

[0011] The bandwidth part identifier provides a grouping of UE-defined BWPs to cell-defined BWPs.

[0012] According to a second aspect of the present specification, a second apparatus is provided, the second apparatus comprising at least one processor, at least one memory including computer program code, and at least one communication module, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor and the at least one communication module, cause the second apparatus at least to: receive at least one resource state set, the at least one resource state set comprising a first beam indicator, a first bandwidth part indicator, and a first resource state indicator; and manage, according to the received at least one resource state set, second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus.

[0013] The load is signaled per radio beam and per BWP. Advantageously, the resource state set allows for exploiting the spectral dimension and the spatial dimension of the spectrum used for shared radio resources. The provision of the beam indicator and the bandwidth part indicator allows for adapting the usage of radio resources at the receiver side.

[0014] For example, intra-cell mobility is increased. From the UE’s perspective, intra-cell beam switching is transparent and seamless. Thus, the problem of intra-cell load balancing is mitigated. The UE is instructed to generate periodic CSI reports to the serving entity. The UE monitors a set of CSI reference signals of beams and reports an identification of at least one of these beams in combination with a RSRP (reference signal received power) measurement.

[0015] According to an advantageous example, the first beam indicator comprises a synchronization signal block, SSB, index.

[0016] Advantageously, the report can use the SSB index as a reference to the identification of the beam.

[0017] According to an advantageous example, the bandwidth part indicator comprises at least one of: information on the location of the bandwidth part in frequency, a per-cell bandwidth part identifier, a physical cell identifier, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN.

[0018] The BWP can in turn be identified by the PCI / ARFCN of the corresponding SSB and / or a per-cell bandwidth part identifier index introduced for this purpose.

[0019] According to an advantageous example, the second device is further configured to determine a second resource status indicator, the second resource status indicator indicating at least one status of second radio resources operated by the second device, wherein the second radio resources are associated with the second radio beams and are associated with the at least one first bandwidth part, wherein the at least one second radio beam and the at least one third radio beam are operated by the second device; and manage the second radio resources operated by the second device according to the received first resource status indicator and according to the determined second resource status indicator.

[0020] Advantageously, the management of the second resources is provided by merging the received first resource status indicator and the second resource status indicator, wherein both resource indicators represent radio domain conditions in space and frequency.

[0021] According to an advantageous example, the second device is further configured to determine a spatial overlap between the at least one first beam identified via the received first beam indicator and the at least one second radio beam and / or the at least one third radio beam operated by the second device; and manage the second radio resources operated by the second device according to the determined spatial overlap.

[0022] Advantageously, the spatial overlap allows to exploit the spatial radio domain by properly managing the second radio resources.

[0023] According to an advantageous example, the second device is further configured to determine a high congestion condition in the spatial overlap for the at least one first bandwidth part indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator; deallocate at least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth part and associated with the at least one second radio beam subject to the determined spatial overlap.

[0024] Advantageously, if the neighboring device indicates a high congestion condition, the resources of the first bandwidth part are released. For example, the UE can be switched to the second device by using a different bandwidth part than the first bandwidth part.

[0025] According to an advantageous example, the second device is further configured to allocate, according to the high congestion condition, third radio resources operated by the second device, wherein the third radio resources are associated with at least a third radio beam and are associated with a second bandwidth part operated by the second device.

[0026] Advantageously, the third radio resources allow to switch a UE to the second device and serve this UE via the third radio resources. In yet another example, a UE already served by the second device can be switched to use the third radio resources instead of the second radio resources in order to balance the load in the available spectrum.

[0027] According to an advantageous example, the second apparatus is further configured to: determine a low congestion condition in the determined spatial overlap for the first bandwidth part indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator; allocate at least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth part and associated with the at least one second radio beam that is subject to the determined spatial overlap.

[0028] According to an advantageous example, the second apparatus is further configured to: deallocate, according to the low congestion condition, fourth radio resources operated by the second apparatus, wherein the fourth radio resources are associated with the at least one third radio beam and associated with the second bandwidth part operated by the second apparatus.

[0029] According to a third aspect of the present specification, there is provided a method of operating a first apparatus, the method comprising: determining a beam indicator, the beam indicator indicating at least one radio beam; determining a bandwidth part indicator, the bandwidth part indicator indicating at least one bandwidth part; determining a resource status indicator, the resource status indicator indicating at least one status of radio resources associated with the at least one radio beam and associated with the at least one bandwidth part; and transmitting at least one resource status set, the at least one resource status set comprising the determined beam indicator, the determined bandwidth part indicator, and the determined resource status indicator.

[0030] A fourth aspect of the present specification relates to a method of operating a second apparatus, the method comprising: receiving at least one resource status set, the at least one resource status set comprising a first beam indicator, a first bandwidth part indicator, and a first resource status indicator; and managing, according to the received at least one resource status set, second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus.

[0031] A fifth aspect of the present specification is directed to a first apparatus, the first apparatus comprising: determining means for determining a beam indicator, wherein the beam indicator indicates at least one radio beam; determining means for determining a bandwidth part indicator, wherein the bandwidth part indicator indicates at least one bandwidth part; determining means for determining a resource status indicator, wherein the resource status indicator indicates at least one status of radio resources associated with the at least one radio beam and associated with the at least one bandwidth part; and transmitting means for transmitting at least one resource status set, wherein the at least one resource status set comprises the determined beam indicator, the determined bandwidth part indicator, and the determined resource status indicator.

[0032] According to an example, the beam indicator comprises a synchronization signal block, SSB, index.

[0033] According to an example, the bandwidth part indicator comprises at least one of: information on a location in frequency of the bandwidth part, a bandwidth part identifier per cell, a physical cell identifier, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN.

[0034] According to a sixth aspect of the present specification, a second apparatus is provided, the second apparatus comprising: receiving means for receiving at least one resource state set, wherein the at least one resource state set comprises a first beam indicator, a first bandwidth part indicator, and a first resource state indicator; and managing means for managing second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus in accordance with the received at least one resource state set.

[0035] According to an example, the first beam indicator comprises a synchronization signal block, SSB, index.

[0036] According to an example, the bandwidth part indicator comprises at least one of: information on a location in frequency of the bandwidth part, a bandwidth part identifier per cell, a physical cell identifier, PCI, and an absolute radio frequency channel number, ARFCN.

[0037] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: determining means for determining a second resource state indicator, wherein the second resource state indicator indicates at least one state of second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus, wherein the second radio resources are associated with second radio beams and are associated with at least one first bandwidth part, wherein at least one second radio beam and at least one first bandwidth part are operated by the second apparatus; and managing means for managing the second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus in accordance with the received first resource state indicator and in accordance with the determined second resource state indicator.

[0038] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: determining means for determining a spatial overlap between at least one first beam identified via the received first beam indicator and at least one second radio beam and / or at least one third radio beam being operated by the second apparatus; and managing means for managing the second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus in accordance with the determined spatial overlap.

[0039] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: determining means for determining a high congestion condition in a spatial overlap for at least one first bandwidth part indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator; and deallocation means for deallocating at least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth part and associated with at least one second radio beam that is subject to the determined spatial overlap.

[0040] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: allocating means for allocating, according to the high congestion condition, a third radio resource operated by the second apparatus, wherein the third radio resource is associated with at least a third radio beam and is associated with the second bandwidth part operated by the second apparatus.

[0041] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: determining means for determining a low congestion condition in the determined spatial overlap for the first bandwidth part indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator; allocating means for allocating at least a portion of the second radio resource subject to the determined spatial overlap, which is associated with the first bandwidth part and is associated with at least one second radio beam.

[0042] According to an example, the second apparatus further comprises: deallocating means for deallocating, according to the low congestion condition, a fourth radio resource operated by the second apparatus, wherein the fourth radio resource is associated with at least one third radio beam and is associated with the second bandwidth part operated by the second apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0043] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0044] Figure 1 and Figure 3 Each schematically depicts a sequence diagram of operating the first and second apparatuses;

[0045] Figure 2 An example of a cell served by the first and second apparatuses is schematically depicted;

[0046] Figure 4 A block diagram schematically depicting operating the second apparatus is schematically depicted; and

[0047] Figure 5 The structure of the first and second apparatuses is schematically depicted. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0048] Figure 1 A sequence diagram of operating the first and second apparatuses 100, 200 is schematically depicted.

[0049] The first apparatus 100 (e.g. first next generation Node B) determines, according to a processing module or determining component 102, a beam indicator bl indicating at least one radio beam operated by the first apparatus 100. The first apparatus determines, according to a processing module or determining component 104, a bandwidth part indicator bwp1 indicating at least one bandwidth part operated by the first apparatus 100. The first apparatus 100 determines, according to a processing module or determining component 106, a resource status indicator rsl indicating at least one status of radio resources associated with the at least one radio beam and associated with the at least one bandwidth part, e.g. load or occupancy information. The first radio apparatus 108 comprises a transmitting component or processing module 108 for transmitting at least one resource status set S comprising the determined beam indicator bl, the determined bandwidth part indicator bwp1, and the determined resource status indicator rsl. The at least one resource status set S is part of a resource status update or Xn setup request or Xn setup response.

[0050] The second apparatus 200 (e.g. second next generation Node B gNB) receives, via a processing module or receiving component 208, at least one resource status set S, e.g. as part of a resource status update or Xn setup request or Xn setup response, comprising a first beam indicator bl indicating at least one first radio beam operated by the first apparatus 100, a first bandwidth part indicator bwp1 indicating at least one bandwidth part operated by the first apparatus 100, and a first resource status indicator rsl indicating at least one status of first radio resources associated with the at least one first radio beam and associated with the at least one first bandwidth part. The second apparatus 200 comprises a processing module or managing component 210 for managing, according to the received at least one resource status set S, second radio resources being operated by the second apparatus 200.

[0051] A bandwidth part is a set of contiguous common resource blocks, in particular within a bandwidth of a cell. A bandwidth part can comprise all or some of the common resource blocks, or a subset of the common resource blocks, within a channel bandwidth.

[0052] With Bandwidth Adaptation (BA), the receiving and transmitting bandwidth of a UE can be adjusted: it can be ordered to change width, e.g. to shrink during periods of low activity to save power; the location can be moved in the frequency domain, e.g. to increase scheduling flexibility; and it can be ordered to change the subcarrier spacing, e.g. to allow for different services. A subset of the total cell bandwidth of a cell is called a Bandwidth Part, BWP, and BA is achieved by configuring a UE with BWPs and telling the UE which of the configured BWPs in the cell is the active BWP at the moment. Thus, multiple BWPs can be active in a cell in addition to the initial BWP of the cell.

[0053] According to an example, the reporting of the load of a cell, in particular in the form of a resource status indicator, rsl, is split into several Bandwidth Parts, BWPs, and into several radio beams. When signaling the load of a cell, it can be done per BWP within the cell.

[0054] According to an example, when an Fl connection is established, the first device 100, in particular in the form of a Next Generation Distributed Unit, gNB, provides a list of BWPs to the controlling gNB-CU, the second device 200, wherein at least one BWP is referenced by an identifier.

[0055] According to an example, when an Xn connection is established, the first device 100, in particular in the form of a gNB, provides a list of BWPs for each cell it controls to its neighbor gNB, the second device 200, wherein at least one BWP is referenced by an identifier. The BWP in turn can be referenced by its identifier (in the load reporting message).

[0056] The beam design in at least one BWP can be defined arbitrarily. In addition, the beam design can be different in different BWPs. The initial BWP includes CD-SSB and RMSI. Other BWPs are configured per UE. The UE communicates with the network using one or more BWPs. The cell includes multiple BWPs. The gNB can use a BWP parameter that affects multiple UEs, in which case we continue to use the term “BWP”. This means that this BWP will be used and configured to different UEs.

[0057] According to an example, the beam indicator bl includes a synchronization signal block, SSB, index. Thus, when signaling the load of a cell to the second device 200, e.g. a neighbor gNB, the load is split into several BWPs. For at least one BWP, this information contains at least the location of the BWP in the frequency in the carrier.

[0058] According to an example, the bandwidth part indicator bwp1 includes at least one of the following:

[0059] - information on the location of the bandwidth part in frequency, in particular in the carrier frequency. The location of the bandwidth part BWP in frequency can also be referred to as subcarrier or subcarrier frequency.

[0060] - a bandwidth part identifier per cell.

[0061] - a physical cell identifier PCI.

[0062] - an absolute radio frequency channel number ARFCN.

[0063] According to an example, the first beam indicator bl comprises a synchronization signal block SSB index.

[0064] The RESOURCE STATUS UPDATE (in particular containing the set S) in form of a message is sent by the NG-RAN node 2 to the neighboring NG-RAN node 1 to report the results of the requested measurements, direction: NG-RAN node 2 → NG-RAN node 1. The RESOURCE STATUS UPDATE comprises the information as exemplified in Table 1. The NG-RAN node 2 shall report the results of the admitted measurements in the RESOURCE STATUS UPDATE message. The admitted measurements are the measurements that were successfully initiated during the preceding RESOURCE STATUS REPORT INITIATION procedure and are therefore not reported in the measurement failure report feature IE for the related cell in the RESOURCE STATUS RESPONSE message.

[0065] Thus, the set S further comprises at least one of the entries of Table 1.

[0066]

[0067]

[0068] Table 1

[0069] For example, the set S comprises:

[0070] - a NG-RAN node 1 measurement ID,

[0071] - a NG-RAN node 2 measurement ID,

[0072] - a hardware load indicator,

[0073] - a cell measurement result.

[0074] The cell measurement result comprises at least one cell measurement result entry.

[0075] The cell measurement result entry comprises at least:

[0076] - a cell ID,

[0077] - one or more cell-BWP measurements,

[0078] - NG TNL load indicator.

[0079] The cell-BWP measurements comprise at least:

[0080] - cell-BWP-ID,

[0081] - BWP low frequency,

[0082] - BWP high frequency,

[0083] - PCI of SSB,

[0084] - ARFCN of SSB,

[0085] - radio resource status, and

[0086] - composite available capacity group.

[0087] According to another example, the list of BWP used by the cell can be transmitted to a neighbor gNB via the Xn interface, via an Xn setup request and / or an Xn setup response in the Xn setup procedure. The serving cell information NR comprises information as exemplified in Table 2.

[0088] The location in frequency of the BWP can also be signaled with the IE “locationAndBandwidth” which is used to configure the BWP for the UE in RRC signaling.

[0089] Other indications added per BWP include at least one of:

[0090] • slices available on the BWP;

[0091] • service types (voice, data, etc...) that the BWP can serve;

[0092] • quality levels (5QI) served in the BWP;

[0093] • SCS (SubCarrier Spacing) of the BWP / SSB.

[0094] Thus, the set S further comprises at least one of the entries of Table 2.

[0095]

[0096] Table 2

[0097] For example, the set S comprises:

[0098] - NR-PCI,

[0099] -NR CGI,

[0100] -TAC,

[0101] -RANAC,

[0102] -BWP list.

[0103] The BWP list includes:

[0104] -Cell-BWP-ID,

[0105] -BWP low frequency,

[0106] -BWP high frequency,

[0107] - PCI over SSB,

[0108] -ARFCN for SSB.

[0109] Figure 2 The diagram schematically illustrates an example of a cell C served by first and second devices 100 and 200. A UE resides at a location where beams B#1 and B#2 provided by first device 100 overlap with beams B#3 and B#4 provided by second device 200. Therefore, assuming the corresponding radio resources are unoccupied, the UE can be served by at least one of beams B#1 to B#4. Beams B#1 and B#3 are served via bandwidth portion BWP#1. Beams B#2 and B#4 are served via bandwidth portion BWP#2.

[0110] Figure 3 The sequence diagram of the first and second devices 100, 200 operating in a cell is schematically depicted. According to the processing module or determination component 302, the first device 100 determines or receives downlink data d#1, which is sent to the UE via the processing module or sending component 304. The UE is controlled by the first device 100 via Figure 2 Beam B#2 is used to serve.

[0111] After receiving the set S, the second device 200 initiates a handover of the UE from the first device to the second device via the processing module or receiving component 208. According to the communication scheme 210a, the second device 200 negotiates with the first device 100 on the handover. According to the communication scheme 210b, the second device 210 starts to communicate via Figure 2 For example, the second downlink data d#2 is sent to the UE via the processing module of the sending component 304.

[0112] Figure 4 A block diagram of operating a second apparatus to provide intra-cell load balancing is schematically depicted.

[0113] The second device comprises a processing module or determining component 402 for determining a second resource status indicator rs2 indicating at least one status of second radio resources operated by the second device 200. The second radio resources are associated with a second radio beam B#3 and with at least one first bandwidth part BWP#1. The at least one second radio beam B#3 and the at least one first bandwidth part BWP#1 are operated by the second device.

[0114] The second device comprises a processing module or managing component 410 for managing the second radio resources operated by the second device 200 in dependence on the received first resource status indicator rs1 and in dependence on the determined second resource status indicator rs2.

[0115] The first and second resource indicators rs1, rs2 are based on or comprise measurements. For example, the UE provides the measurements or a part thereof. In another example, the scheduler provides the measurements or a part thereof.

[0116] The second device comprises a processing module or determining component 404 for determining a spatial overlap between the at least one first beam B#1 identified via the received first beam indicator b1 and the at least one second and / or at least one third radio beam B#3, B#4 operated by the second device 200. The spatial overlap is determined in dependence on the first beam indicator b1 and in dependence on a second beam indicator b2 indicating the second or third radio beam B#3, B#4. The managing component 410 is configured to manage the second radio resources operated by the second device 200 in dependence on the determined spatial overlap.

[0117] The second device comprises a processing module or determining component 406 for determining a high congestion condition in the spatial overlap for the at least one first bandwidth part BWP#1 indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator bwp1 in dependence on the received first resource status indicator rs1 and in dependence on a high congestion threshold th1. In response to the determined high congestion condition, a processing module or deallocation component 408 deallocates at least a part of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth part BWP#1 and associated with the at least one second radio beam B#3 subject to the determined spatial overlap.

[0118] A processing module or allocating component 412 allocates third radio resources operated by the second device 200 in dependence on the high congestion condition, wherein the third radio resources are associated with at least a third radio beam B#4 and with a second bandwidth part BWP#2 operated by the second device, if the second resource status indicator rs2 indicates free radio resources in the second bandwidth part BWP#2.

[0119] The processing module or determining component 414 determines, from the received first resource status indicator rs1 and from the low congestion threshold th2, a low congestion condition in the determined spatial overlap for the first bandwidth part BWP#1 indicated by the first bandwidth part indicator bwp1. If the second resource status indicator rs2 indicates free radio resources, the processing module or allocating component 416 allocates at least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth part BWP#1 and with the at least one second radio beam #B3 that is subject to the determined spatial overlap.

[0120] The processing module or deallocating component 418 deallocates / releases, from the low congestion condition, the fourth radio resources operated by the second device 200, wherein the fourth radio resources are associated with the at least one third radio beam B#4 and with the second bandwidth part BWP#2 operated by the second device.

[0121] Figure 5 A communication network with a first device 100 is schematically depicted, the first device 100 comprising at least one processor P1, at least one memory M1 comprising computer program code CPC1, and at least one communication module C1 coupled to at least one antenna A1. The at least one memory M1 and the computer program code CPC1 are configured to, together with the at least one processor P1 and the at least one communication module C1, cause the first device 100 to operate at least in accordance with the present specification. A second device 200 comprises at least one processor P2, at least one memory M2 comprising computer program code CPC2, and at least one communication module C2 coupled to at least one antenna A2. The at least one memory M2 and the computer program code CPC2 are configured to, together with the at least one processor P2 and the at least one communication module C2, cause the second device 200 to operate at least in accordance with the present specification.

[0122] Certain abbreviations that can be found in the description and / or in the attached drawings are defined as follows:

[0123] ARFCN Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Number

[0124] BA Bandwidth Adaptation

[0125] BWP Bandwidth Part

[0126] CD-SSB Cell Defined SSB

[0127] CGI Cell Global Identity

[0128] eNB Evolved Node B

[0129] gNB g Node B

[0130] ID Identifier

[0131] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0132] NG-RAN Next Generation Radio Access Network

[0133] NR New Radio

[0134] PCI physical unit identifier

[0135] RAN Radio Access Network

[0136] RANAC RAN area code

[0137] RMSI Remaining Minimum System Information

[0138] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0139] SSB SS / PBCH block, synchronization signal block

[0140] TAC Tracking Area Code

[0141] TNL Transport Network Layer

[0142] UE User Equipment

[0143] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the examples shown in the accompanying drawings, it is obvious that the invention is not limited thereto but may be modified in various ways within the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, all words and expressions should be interpreted broadly and are intended to illustrate rather than limit the embodiments. As technology advances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be implemented in various ways. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the described embodiments may, but need not, be combined with other embodiments in various ways.

Claims

1. A method of operating a second device, the second device being a next generation Node B and comprising: receiving a first resource status set from a first device, the first resource status set comprising: an indicator of a first beam operated by the first device, an indicator of a first bandwidth part operated by the first device, and a first resource status indicator, the first resource status indicator indicating load or occupancy information of a first radio resource associated with the first beam and the first bandwidth part, the first device being a next-generation Node B; and determining a second resource status indicator indicating load or occupancy information of a second radio resource operated by the second apparatus, the second radio resource being associated with operation of a second radio beam and the first bandwidth portion by the second apparatus; and determining a spatial overlap between the first beam and the second radio beam and / or at least one third radio beam operated by the second device; and Managing the second radio resource being operated by the second device according to the determined spatial overlap includes: determining a high congestion condition in the spatial overlap for the first bandwidth portion indicated by the first bandwidth portion indicator; At least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth portion and associated with the second radio beam that is subject to the determined spatial overlap is de-allocated.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first beam indicator includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) index.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein The first bandwidth part indicator includes at least one of the following: Information about the location of the bandwidth portion in frequency, Bandwidth part identifier for each cell, Physical cell identifier PCI, and At least one or more Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCN).

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Based on the high congestion condition, a third radio resource operated by the second device is allocated, wherein the third radio resource is associated with the third radio beam and is associated with a second bandwidth portion operated by the second device.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: determining a low congestion condition in the determined spatial overlap for the first bandwidth portion indicated by the first bandwidth portion indicator; as well as At least a portion of the second radio resource associated with the first bandwidth portion and associated with the second radio beam is allocated that is subject to the determined spatial overlap.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: Based on the low congestion condition, a fourth radio resource operated by the second apparatus is de-allocated, wherein the fourth radio resource is associated with the third radio beam and with a second bandwidth portion operated by the second apparatus.

7. A second device, wherein the second device is a next generation Node B and the second device comprises: means for receiving a first resource status set from a first device, the first resource status set comprising: an indicator of a first beam operated by the first device, an indicator of a first bandwidth part operated by the first device, and a first resource status indicator, the first resource status indicator indicating load or occupancy information of a first radio resource associated with the first beam and the first bandwidth part, the first device being a next generation Node B; means for determining a second resource status indicator indicative of load or occupancy information of a second radio resource operated by the second apparatus, the second radio resource being associated with operation of a second radio beam and the first bandwidth portion by the second apparatus; and means for determining a spatial overlap between the first beam and the second radio beam and / or at least one third radio beam operated by the second device; and means for managing the second radio resource being operated by the second apparatus based on the determined spatial overlap, wherein managing the second radio resource being operated by the second apparatus comprises: determining a high congestion condition in the spatial overlap for the first bandwidth portion indicated by the first bandwidth portion indicator; At least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth portion and associated with the second radio beam that is subject to the determined spatial overlap is de-allocated.

8. The second device according to claim 7, wherein: The first beam indicator includes a synchronization signal block (SSB) index.

9. The second device according to claim 7, wherein: The first bandwidth part indicator includes at least one of the following: Information about the location of the bandwidth portion in frequency, Bandwidth part identifier for each cell, Physical cell identifier PCI, and At least one or more Absolute Radio Frequency Channel Numbers (ARFCN).

10. The second device according to claim 7, further comprising: means for allocating a third radio resource operated by the second apparatus based on the high congestion condition, wherein the third radio resource is associated with the third radio beam and with a second bandwidth portion operated by the second apparatus.

11. The second device according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising: means for determining a low congestion condition in the determined spatial overlap for the first bandwidth portion indicated by the first bandwidth portion indicator; as well as Means for allocating at least a portion of the second radio resources associated with the first bandwidth portion and associated with the second radio beam subject to the determined spatial overlap.

12. The second device according to claim 11, further comprising: Means for de-allocating a fourth radio resource operated by the second apparatus based on the low congestion condition, wherein the fourth radio resource is associated with the third radio beam and with a second bandwidth portion operated by the second apparatus.

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