Method for adapting the effective bandwidth of a broadband carrier

Abstract

Apparatuses and methods for wideband carrier effective bandwidth adaptation are presented. In one novel aspect, a UE starts a BWP timer when one or more BWP timer start trigger events are detected, resets the BWP timer when one or more BWP timer reset trigger events are detected, and switches to a default BWP when the BWP timer expires. The BWP timer start trigger events include decoding a command to switch out of the default BWP, detecting an end of a DL data transmission in a DRX mode. In another novel aspect, the UE decodes only the DCI indication for active BWP switching in the first three OFDM symbols in a subframe or slot. In yet another novel aspect, when SPS is configured for a serving cell of a UE with multiple BWPs, SPS is configured for all BWPs accordingly.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This invention claims priority under 35 USC § 119 to the following U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 565,191, filed September 29, 2017, entitled “Methods of Power-efficient Bandwidth Adaptation in a Wideband Carrier”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 585,005, filed November 13, 2017, entitled “Methods of Efficient Bandwidth Adaptation for a Wideband Carrier”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 586,977, filed November 16, 2017, entitled “Efficient Bandwidth Adaptation Operation in a Wideband Carrier”; and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 145,704, filed September 28, 2018, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to wireless communication, and more specifically, to methods and apparatus for effective bandwidth adaptation for broadband carriers. Background Technology

[0004] Mobile network communications continue to grow rapidly. Mobile data usage will continue to surge. New data applications and services will require higher speeds and efficiency. Big data bandwidth applications continue to attract more consumers. New technologies such as carrier aggregation (CA) are being developed to meet the growing data bandwidth demands of operators, providers, content providers, and other mobile users. However, even with physically contiguous spectrum, CA assumes multiple radio frequency (RF) links for signal reception, which introduces long switching times to activate more carriers from a single carrier to achieve greater data bandwidth and reduces data transmission efficiency.

[0005] In frequency bands above 3 GHz, there may be physically contiguous spectrum blocks reaching hundreds of MHz. For such large contiguous spectrums, single-carrier operation is more efficient in physical (PHY) control with lower control signaling overhead and PHY data with higher trunking gain. Therefore, large contiguous spectrums are configured for large data transmissions rather than multiple small spectrum resources. However, from a system-level perspective, not all user equipment (UEs) require large channel bandwidths. Furthermore, not all applications require large channel bandwidths for each UE. Considering the higher power consumption required for bandwidth operation, using large spectrum resources for control signaling monitoring and low data rate services is not ideal for energy saving and bandwidth efficiency.

[0006] Fifth-generation (5G) base stations / next-generation Node-B (gNB) will support reduced UE bandwidth performance within a wideband carrier and reduce UE power consumption through bandwidth adaptation. For UEs configured with multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), the UE can switch BWPs to achieve faster data transmission, reduce power consumption, or for other purposes. Effective BWP management for UEs still presents challenges.

[0007] Improvements and enhancements are needed to enable 5G base stations to support UEs operating with multiple BWPs, thereby facilitating energy-efficient operation with wider bandwidth. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Apparatus and methods for effective bandwidth adaptation for broadband carriers are proposed. In a novel aspect, a timer-based active BWP handover is proposed. When one or more BWP timer start trigger events are detected, a UE configured with multiple BWPs starts a BWP timer; when one or more BWP timer reset trigger events are detected, the BWP timer is reset; and when the BWP timer expires, the UE switches to a default BWP. The UE sets one of the initial BWP or configured BWPs as the default BWP based on higher-layer signaling. In one embodiment, the BWP timer start trigger event is the successful decoding of physical layer signaling indicating a switch from the default downlink (DL) BWP to an active BWP other than the default BWP. In another embodiment, the BWP timer reset trigger event is the successful decoding of downlink control information (DCI) that schedules one or more physical downlink shared channels (PDSCH) among the BWPs other than the default BWP. In one embodiment, the UE is in discontinuous reception (DRX) mode, where the active DL BWP is set as the default BWP for the DL during the DRX-on duration. In another embodiment, the UE is in DRX mode and sets one of the configured DL BWPs as the active DL BWP based on higher-layer signaling during the DRX-on duration. In one embodiment, the UE performs DCI monitoring on the default BWP used for the DL during the DRX-on duration. In one embodiment, the UE is in DRX mode where, upon receiving higher-layer signaling during the DRX-on duration, the UE switches to an active BWP different from the default BWP. The higher-layer signaling is radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control control element (MAC CE) signaling, or other forms of signaling. In one embodiment, the UE is in DRX mode where the BWP timer start trigger event is the successful decoding of physical layer signaling indicating a switch from the default BWP to an active BWP other than the default BWP. When physical layer signaling is detected switching from the default BWP to an active BWP other than the default BWP, the UE starts a BWP timer. In another embodiment, the UE is in DRX mode, where the BWP timer reset trigger event is successful decoding of a DCI that schedules one or more PDSCHs of a BWP other than the default BWP.In one embodiment, each BWP is configured with a DL / uplink (UL) pair, wherein a BWP timer is restarted when a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) is detected in a configured DL / UL BWP pair other than the default BWP. In yet another embodiment, the BWP timer reset trigger event is successful decoding of a DCI that schedules one or more PUSCHes in the BWP.

[0009] In another novel aspect, the UE decodes only the DCI indication for active BWP handover within the first three Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of the subframe or time slot. DCI indications for active BWP handover outside the first three OFDM symbols of the subframe or time slot are ignored. The BWP handover command is applied to both the UL BWP and the DL BWP. In one embodiment, the BWP handover command indicates a switch from the default BWP to the active BWP, where the default BWP is configured by higher-layer signaling.

[0010] In another novel aspect, when semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) is configured for the serving cell of a UE with multiple BWPs, SPS is configured accordingly for all BWPs. In one embodiment, the serving SPS is not configured with DCI activation, wherein the configured SPS opportunities remain valid after the UE switches to its active BWP. In one embodiment, when a BWP is not configured with DCI activation, only the SPS opportunities in the active BWP are activated after BWP handover. In yet another embodiment, the serving SPS is configured with DCI activation, wherein the configured SPS opportunities are released after the UE switches to its active BWP. The handover of the UE's active BWP is triggered by at least one of the following conditions: receiving a DCI indicating a change in the active BWP and the expiration of a BWP timer.

[0011] The effective bandwidth adaptation method for broadband carriers and the apparatus for performing the method of the present invention can reduce UE power consumption.

[0012] Other embodiments and advantages are described in the following detailed description. This summary is not intended to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims. Attached Figure Description

[0013] The accompanying drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention, wherein the same numbers denote the same components.

[0014] Figure 1 A system diagram is described for configuring a wireless network with one or more BWPs according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 2 An example diagram illustrating timer-based active BWP switching according to an embodiment of the present invention is provided.

[0016] Figure 3 An example diagram is shown illustrating BWP operation based on timer-based BWP switching in DRX mode according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] Figure 4 Example diagrams of pairwise DL / UL BWPs with timer-based BWP switching according to embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0018] Figure 5 An example diagram is shown illustrating an active BWP switching decoding scheme with OFDM symbols according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 6 An example diagram of an SPS configuration with multiple BWPs according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0020] Figure 7 An example flowchart of timer-based active BWP switching according to an embodiment of the present invention is described.

[0021] Figure 8 An example flowchart is described, illustrating an embodiment of the present invention, showing that active BWP handover is only valid in the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot.

[0022] Figure 9 An example flowchart of an SPS configuration with active BWP switching according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1A system diagram is described for a wireless communication network 100 configured with one or more BWPs according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication network 100 includes one or more wireless communication networks, each having a fixed basic setup unit, such as receiving wireless communication devices or basic units 102, 103, and 104, forming a wireless network distributed across a geographical area. The basic unit may also refer to an access point, access terminal, base station, Node-B, evolved Node B (eNodeB), gNB, or other terms used in the art. Each of the basic units 102, 103, and 104 serves a geographical area and is connected to network 109, for example, via links 116, 117, and 118, respectively. Backhaul connections 113, 114, and 115 connect receiving basic units not located in the same area, such as basic units 102, 103, and 104. These backhaul connections may be ideal connections or non-ideal connections.

[0025] In the wireless communication network 100, UE (wireless communication device) 101 is served by basic unit 102 via uplink 111 and downlink 112. Other UEs 105, 106, 107, and 108 are served by the same or different basic units. UEs 105 and 106 are served by basic unit 102. UE 107 is served by basic unit 104. UE 108 is served by basic unit 103.

[0026] In a novel aspect, the wireless communication network 100 uses a large contiguous radio spectrum. When accessing the wireless communication network 100, the UE 101 uses a synchronizing signal (SS) anchor to obtain synchronization and system information. The SS block consists of the synchronization signal, and the physical broadcast channel carries the necessary system information to initiate the initial access process. UE RF bandwidth adaptation is supported. To support more efficient bandwidth adaptation, one or more BWP candidates with configuration parameters are configured for each cell (or carrier). The BWP configuration parameters include a BWP parameter set (numerology), such as subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix (CP) length, BWP frequency location, and BWP bandwidth. Each BWP comprises an SS block. The UE 101 configures one or more BWPs for each cell (or carrier). The UE 101 has at least one active DL / UL BWP configured at any given time. Each DL BWP includes at least one control resource set (CORESET) for signal activation of the DL / UL BWP at any given time. Each CORESET includes reserved time-frequency radio resources for a scheduler to accommodate DL / UL data. UE 101 can be configured with one or more CORESETs. A CORESET with a set of candidate locations for a scheduler used for system information broadcasts, DL broadcasts, or multicast data is a common searchspace (CSS) CORESET. A CORESET with a set of candidate locations for a scheduler used for DL / UL unicast data is a UE-specific searchspace CORESET. Radio resource management (RRM) measurements are used for the network to manage radio resources. RRM measurements include at least reference signal received power (RSRP) and reference signal received quality (RSRQ).

[0027] The UE supports different BWP configurations. In one example, for paired spectrum, each serving cell supports up to four UE-specific radio resource control (RRC) configuration DL BWPs and up to four UE-specific RRC configuration UL BWPs. For unpaired spectrum, each serving cell supports up to four UE-specific RRC configuration DL / UL BWP pairs.

[0028] Figure 1A simplified block diagram of the UE 101 and basic unit 102 according to an embodiment of the present invention is further shown.

[0029] Basic unit 102 has an antenna 126 for transmitting and receiving radio signals. An RF transceiver 123 is coupled to the antenna 126, receives RF signals from the antenna 126, converts them into baseband signals, and sends them to the processor 122. The RF transceiver 123 also converts baseband signals received from the processor 122 into RF signals and sends them to the antenna 126. The processor 122 processes the received baseband signals and invokes different functional modules to execute functions within basic unit 102. Memory 121 stores program instructions and data 124 to control the operation of basic unit 102. Basic unit 102 also includes a set of control modules, such as a BWP manager 181 that configures the BWP, CORESET, and communicates with the UE to enable broadband operation.

[0030] UE 101 has an antenna 135 that transmits and receives radio signals. An RF transceiver 134 is coupled to the antenna 135, receives RF signals from the antenna 135, converts them into baseband signals, and sends them to the processor 132. The RF transceiver 134 also converts baseband signals received from the processor 132 into RF signals and sends them to the antenna 135. The processor 132 processes the received baseband signals and invokes different functional modules and circuits to perform functions in UE 101. Memory 131 stores program instructions and data 136 to control the operation of UE 101.

[0031] UE 101 also includes a set of control modules that perform functional tasks. These functions can be implemented by software, firmware, and hardware. BWP Timer 191 starts a dedicated BWP timer when one or more BWP timer start trigger events are detected, and resets the BWP timer when one or more BWP reset trigger events are detected. BWP DRX Unit / Circuit 192 performs timer-based BWP handover in DRX mode. BWP SPS Unit / Circuit 193 configures SPS for UEs with multiple BWPs and activates and deactivates SPS during BWP handover. BWP Detector 194 detects BWP management events, including those triggered by BWP timers.

[0032] A novel approach is the provision of timer-based active BWP handover. Dedicated BWP timers can be used independently of DRX timers. The considerations for configuring the DRX inactive timer and the timer used for timer-based active BWP handover are quite different. The DRX inactive timer typically requires a larger value to reduce potential DL data packet transmission latency. The timer used for timer-based active BWP handover requires a smaller value to maximize UE power efficiency. Forcing two different schemes to share the same timer could undermine their respective design objectives and complicate the design. Furthermore, from the UE's perspective, the added complexity of a new timer is negligible.

[0033] Figure 2An example diagram illustrating timer-based active BWP handover according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. In one embodiment, a BWP timer is triggered when the UE receives a DCI instructing it to switch its active DL BWP from the default BWP to another. In one embodiment, the UE sets an initial BWP as the default BWP. In another embodiment, the UE sets one of its configured BWPs as the default BWP. The default BWP is set based on higher-layer signaling. In one embodiment, the higher-layer signaling is RRC signaling. In another embodiment, the higher-layer signaling is MAC CE. The BWP timer is reset when a timer reset condition is detected. In one embodiment, the timer reset condition is that the UE receives a DCI that schedules PDSCH in BWPs other than the default BWP. As shown, the UE is configured with multiple BWPs for its cell. BWP configuration 210 includes a default BWP 211 with smaller bandwidth and a BWP#2 212 with larger bandwidth. Other similar BWP configurations may also be used for each cell of the UE. At any given time, at least one BWP is active. A default BWP can also be configured for the UE. Time slots 201 to 206 are shown as exemplary consecutive time slots for the UE. The default BWP is active in time slot 201. In step 221, a BWP handover command is received in the DCI. In a novel aspect, when the BWP handover command in the DCI is decoded, the UE starts a BWP timer in step 231. The UE hands over BWP#2 at time slot 202. Before the BWP timer expires, a BWP timer reset trigger event is detected, and the UE resets the BWP timer at step 232. In one embodiment, the BWP timer reset trigger event is the receipt of a DCI that schedules PDSCH in a BWP other than the default BWP. The UE is scheduled to continue operating on BWP#2 at time slot 203. Similarly, when a DL PDSCH scheduling on BWP#2 is detected at time slot 204, the BWP timer is reset at step 233. The UE remains on BWP#2 at time slot 204. At time slot 205, no further DL data is transmitted, and the BWP timer continues to run. At the end of time slot 205, the BWP timer expires at step 234. In one embodiment, when the BWP timer at step 234 is detected to have expired, the UE performs a timer-based BWP handover at step 222. The UE switches back to the default BWP. The UE remains in the default BWP at time slot 206.

[0034] In other similar scenarios, BWP timers facilitate BWP switching, making UEs configured with wideband carriers more efficient. Additional BWP timer start-up and reset trigger events can also be configured for the UE. In other embodiments, UEs operating in DRX mode use timer-based active BWP handover based on different trigger and reset events.

[0035] Figure 3 An example diagram of BWP operation based on timer-based BWP handover in DRX mode according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. For a UE without BWP configuration, the UE operating in DRX mode is configured with a DRX cycle 301 and a DRX-off cycle 302. During the DRX-on cycle, the UE operates in bandwidth 303. In cycle 311, the UE detects a DL data transfer during the DRX-on cycle, and the data transfer continues during cycle 311. At the end of cycle 311, the DL data transfer ends. The UE is configured with an inactive timer with a timer value 321. During cycle 312, there is no DL data, but the UE remains in bandwidth 303 and monitors the PDCCH. At the end of the inactive timer, the UE re-enters the DRX-off cycle.

[0036] For UEs configured with multiple BWPs, DRX operation differs. To further improve energy efficiency, during the DRX-enabled duration, the UE defaults to assuming the default DL BWP as the active DL BWP used for DCI monitoring. However, it is beneficial to allow the network to switch the UE's active DL BWP from the default DL BWP to a DL BWP with wider bandwidth, reducing the time to receive DL data during DL data scheduling. Active UL BWP indication / handover can be indicated via UL scheduling DCI. Supporting timer-based active DL BWP handover is also beneficial, allowing for faster switching back to the default BWP when no data scheduling is available. DRX mode supports both DCI-based and timer-based DL / UL BWP handover.

[0037] A UE with multiple BWPs running on DRX is configured with multiple BWPs, including a default BWP. The UE is also configured with a DRX cycle 351 and a DRX shutdown cycle 352. In one embodiment, when no data transmission occurs, the UE runs on the default BWP with bandwidth 353. During the DRX startup cycle, at step 381, the UE receives a BWP adaptation command from higher-layer signaling. In one embodiment, the BWP adaptation command is received from the DCI. In another embodiment, the BWP adaptation command is received via RRC signaling. Optionally, in one embodiment, at step 391, when the BWP adaptation command is received, the UE starts a BWP timer. The UE switches its active BWP to the BWP with bandwidth 354. In a novel aspect, a separate BWP timer can be used in conjunction with a DRX timer. During data transmission, the UE can reset its BWP timer started in step 391. After data transfer is complete, at step 382, ​​the UE starts an inactive timer.

[0038] In another embodiment, when a BWP handover command is detected, the BWP timer in step 391 is not triggered. Instead, the BWP timer is started at step 392 when the data transfer is complete. The BWP timer started at step 392 has a timer value of 363, which is less than the inactive timer value of 362. When the BWP timer expires, the UE performs a timer-based active BWP handover and switches its active BWP back to the default BWP at step 393. At step 383, the inactive timer expires, and the UE returns to the DRX shutdown cycle.

[0039] In the first embodiment, in DXR mode, during the DRX enabled duration, if higher-layer signaling is not supported or sent from the network to the UE, the UE defaults to assuming the default DL BWP as the active DL BWP. In the second embodiment, in DRX mode, the network sends a signal to the UE via higher-layer signaling, indicating which configured DL BWP can be defaulted as the active DL BWP during the DRX enabled duration. In one embodiment, the higher-layer signaling is RRC signaling. In another embodiment, the higher-layer signaling is MAC CE. In the third embodiment, in DRX mode, when physical layer signaling for active DL BWP handover is received during the DRX enabled duration, the UE switches its active DL BWP from one to another. In the fourth embodiment, in DRX mode, when physical layer signaling for active UL BWP handover is received during the DRX enabled duration, the UE switches its active UL BWP from one to another. In the fifth embodiment, in DRX mode, when the timer for timed active DL BWP handover expires, the UE switches its active DL BWP from one DL BWP to the default DL BWP. In one embodiment, the BWP timer start trigger event is the successful decoding of physical layer signaling indicating from which default BWP to switch to the active BWP other than the default BWP. The BWP timer reset event is the successful decoding of DCI, which schedules one or more PDSCHs of BWPs other than the default BWP.

[0040] For unpaired spectrum, such as Time Division Duplex (TDD), due to the configured link between DLBWP and UL BWP, there may be active DL / UL BWP pair indication conflicts between scheduling-based DCI and timer-based BWP handover. Linked DL BWP and UL BWP allow the UE to switch from the receiver (Rx) to the transmitter (Tx) without changing its RF center frequency (and vice versa), thereby reducing handover time that would otherwise incur additional RF hardware costs. Therefore, resolving conflicts in paired DL / UL BWP configurations is crucial.

[0041] Figure 4An example diagram of a pair of DL / UL BWPs for timer-based BWP handover according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. The UE is configured with multiple BWPs having DL / UL BWP pairs. An exemplary cell BWP configuration 416 includes a default DL / UL BWP pair 417 and a DL / UL BWP#2 pair 418. As shown, the UE operates on the default DL / UL BWP pair in time slots 401 and 402. At the start of time slot 402, the UE receives a BWP handover command in the DCI in step 451. In one embodiment, at step 461, when a trigger event of the BWP handover command is detected, the UE starts a BWP timer. The UE receives DL data transmission using BWP#2 in time slots 403 and 404. At step 462, the UE resets the BWP timer due to a received DL schedule. At time slot 405, the UE transmits UL data using UL BWP#2. At time slot 406, the UE receives a DL schedule for DL ​​data to be received on DL BWP#2. When a DL schedule is received, the UE resets the BWP timer at step 463. At timeslots 407, 408, and 409, when no DL or UL data is available, the UE remains on BWP#2. The BWP timer expires at step 464. Therefore, since DL and UL are a linked BWP pair, the UE will switch back to the default BWP of DL and UL. At timeslot 410, a conflict occurs when the UE needs to send uplink data and plans to use BWP#2 for UL. If the UE follows higher-layer signaling to switch UL to BWP#2 (at step 452), and the DL BWP switches back to the default BWP based on the timer-based active BWP handover, a conflict will occur between DL and UL. In one embodiment, when the UE detects that the PDCCH schedules a PDSCH in a DL / UL BWP pair other than the default DL / UL BWP, it restarts the timer. The UE adds a timer reset condition, namely, detecting that the PDCCH schedules a PDSCH in a DL / UL BWP pair other than the default DL / UL BWP. In another embodiment, the timer is restarted when the UE successfully decodes the DCI used to schedule one or more PDSCHs in a BWP other than the default BWP. The UE adds a timer reset condition: successful decoding of the DCI used to schedule one or more PDSCHs in a BWP other than the default BWP. In another embodiment, when there is a conflict between the timer-based indication for handover of an active DL / UL BWP pair and the scheduling DCI-based indication for handover of an active DL / UL BWP pair, the UE follows the scheduling DCI-based indication for handover of the active DL / UL BWP pair. In another embodiment, the timer is restarted when the DCI used to schedule one or more PUSCHs in a BWP is successfully decoded.The UE adds a timer reset condition, which is the successful decoding of the DCI used to schedule one or more PUSCHs in the BWP.

[0042] In another embodiment, the UE only decodes the scheduling DCI in the CORESET within the first three OFDM symbols of the subframe or time slot, where the scheduling DCI carries an indication of active DL or UL BWP handover. BWP handover information outside the first three OFDM symbols of the subframe or time slot can be ignored.

[0043] Figure 5 Example diagrams illustrating an active BWP handover decoding scheme with OFDM symbols according to embodiments of the present invention are provided. The UE does not wish to receive a scheduled DCI carrying an indication of active DL (or UL) BWP handover in the CORESET outside the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot. Three exemplary scenarios are shown. Scenario 510 describes a 15 kHz subcarrier space (SCS) where the DCI carries an indication of active BWP handover in the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot. Scenario 520 describes a 15 kHz SCS where the DCI carries an indication of active BWP handover outside the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot, and this DCI command is ignored. Scenario 530 describes a 30 kHz SCS where the DCI carries an indication of active BWP handover in the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot.

[0044] The UE is configured with a default BWP#1 with bandwidth 501 and a BWP#2 with bandwidth 502. Scenario 510 shows four time slots. The SCS is 15 kHz. At step 511, at the start of the second time slot, the UE receives the active BWP handover DCI at the default BWP#1 to switch to BWP#2. After the DCI command processing time 503, at step 512, the UE begins performing RF tuning and Automatic Gain Control (AGC) settings for BWP#2, at time 504. At step 513, the UE begins receiving data on the PDCCH or PDSCH. From steps 511 to 513, there are 28 OFDM symbols in length. The UE initiates a new BWP#2 at the start of a subframe or time slot. In this scenario, the UE monitors the first three OFDM symbols to obtain the active BWP handover DCI indication, and when the command is successfully obtained, the UE switches its BWP accordingly.

[0045] In scenario 520, the UE ignores any DCI indications for active BWP handover outside the first three symbols of a subframe or time slot. In step 521, assuming a DCI indication is received on BWP#1 indicating an active BWP handover command to switch to BWP#2, the UE will ignore the command. As an example, if the UE executes the command accordingly, the UE needs time 503 to prepare, and at step 522 the UE performs RF tuning and AGC setup. When RF tuning is complete, at step 523, the UE begins receiving data on BWP#2. However, the start of BWP#2 does not fall at the beginning of a subframe or time slot. From steps 521 to 523, there are 28 OFDM symbols in length 529. Instead, BWP#2 starts from the middle of a subframe or time slot. Therefore, to avoid this problem, DCI indications for active BWP handover outside the first three OFDM symbols are ignored. The UE continues to operate on BWP#1.

[0046] Scenario 530 describes a similar successful active BWP handover in a 30 kHz SCS, where the DCI indication for active BWP handover is located within the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot. At step 531, the UE receives the active BWP handover DCI at the default BWP#1 to handover to BWP#2. After the DCI command processing time 503, at step 532, the UE begins RF tuning and AGC setup for BWP#2, at time 504. At step 533, the UE begins receiving data on the PDCCH or PDSCH. The length from steps 531 to 533 is 56 OFDM symbols. The UE initiates the new BWP#2 at the start of the subframe or time slot. In this scenario, the UE monitors the first three OFDM symbols to obtain the active BWP handover DCI indication, and when the command is successfully obtained, the UE switches its BWP accordingly.

[0047] In another novel aspect, each configured DL / UL BWP also includes SPS configuration when SPS is configured for the serving cell.

[0048] Figure 6An example diagram illustrating an SPS configuration with multiple BWPs according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. Since the SPS is primarily used for smaller data packets, the configured or activated SPS opportunities (DL or UL) should be able to accommodate all configured (DL or UL) BWPs. For SPSs without DCI-based activation / deactivation, the configured SPS opportunities can remain valid after the UE switches its active DL (UL) BWPs from one to another, using a scheduling DCI-based or timer-based scheme. In one embodiment, only the SPS opportunities in the active DL (UL) BWPs are activated to the UE. For SPSs with DCI-based activation / deactivation, when the UE switches its active DL (UL) BWPs from one to another using a scheduling DCI-based or timer-based scheme, it should be assumed that the activated SPS has been released by default. At step 601, the UE's serving cell is configured with an SPS. At step 602, each BWP is also configured with an SPS accordingly. At step 603, the UE receives a BWP handover command. At step 611, the UE determines whether the BWP handover command is a DCI-based BWP activation or deactivation. If step 611 is determined to be no, the UE proceeds to step 621, where the configured SPS remains active, either based on a scheduling DCI or a timer. In one embodiment, only the SPS opportunity in the active DL (UL) BWP is activated to the UE. If step 611 is determined to be yes, the UE proceeds to step 622, where the configured SPS is released. The handover of the UE's active BWP is triggered by at least one of the following conditions: receiving a DCI indicating a change in the active BWP and the BWP timer expiring.

[0049] Figure 7 An example flowchart of timer-based active BWP handover according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. In step 701, the UE configures multiple BWPs in the wireless network, wherein each BWP comprises multiple contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs), and the UE sets one of the initial BWPs or configured BWPs as the default BWP based on higher-layer signaling. At step 702, the UE starts a BWP timer when one or more BWP timer start trigger events are detected. In one embodiment, the BWP timer trigger event is successful decoding of physical layer signaling indicating a handover from the default BWP to an active BWP other than the default BWP. At step 703, the UE resets the BWP timer when one or more BWP timer reset trigger events are detected. In one embodiment, the BWP timer reset trigger event is successful decoding of a DCI that schedules one or more PDSCHs of an active BWP other than the default BWP. At step 704, when the BWP timer expires, the UE switches to the default BWP.

[0050] Figure 8 An example flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the present invention describes active BWP handover being valid only in the first three OFDM symbols of a subframe or time slot. At step 801, the UE configures multiple BWPs in the radio network, wherein each BWP comprises multiple consecutive PRBs. At step 802, the UE monitors one or more PDCCHs in one or more CORSETs of the active DL BWP. At step 803, if an active BWP handover indication is obtained by decoding one or more PDCCHs in a CORSET within the first three OFDM symbols of the time slot, an active BWP handover command is obtained. At step 804, the UE ignores the indication of the active BWP handover command in a CORSET outside the first three OFDM symbols of the time slot.

[0051] Figure 9 An example flowchart of SPS configuration with active BWP handover according to an embodiment of the present invention is described. At step 901, the UE configures multiple BWPs in the wireless network, wherein each BWP includes multiple consecutive PRBs. At step 902, the UE configures SPS in its serving cell. At step 903, the UE configures SPS opportunities in all of its BWPs based on the SPS configuration of the serving cell.

[0052] Although the invention has been described in conjunction with certain specific embodiments for guiding purposes, the invention is not limited thereto. Therefore, various modifications, adaptations, and combinations of various features of the described embodiments can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A method for adapting the effective bandwidth of a wideband carrier, characterized by Comprising: a user equipment receiving from a base station a higher layer signaling comprising a plurality of bandwidth part configurations; applying the plurality of bandwidth part configurations in wireless communication with the base station, wherein one bandwidth part comprises a plurality of contiguous physical resource blocks; configuring a plurality of bandwidth parts in a wireless network, wherein one bandwidth part comprises a plurality of contiguous physical resource blocks; monitoring, by the user equipment, one or more physical downlink control channels in one or more control resource sets of an active downlink bandwidth part; if obtaining a first indication of an active bandwidth part switch in a decoded physical downlink control channel in a first control resource set within the first three orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols of a slot, applying the first indication of the active bandwidth part switch; and if obtaining a second indication of an active bandwidth part switch in a decoded physical downlink control channel in a second control resource set partially or fully outside the first three orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols of the slot, ignoring the second indication of the active bandwidth part switch.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the effective bandwidth of the wideband carrier is adapted based on a number of active carriers in the wideband carrier. The active bandwidth part switch involves an active downlink bandwidth part switch.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the effective bandwidth of the wideband carrier is adapted by, The active bandwidth part switch involves an active uplink bandwidth part switch.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the effective bandwidth of the wideband carrier is adapted by, The bandwidth part switch involves a switch from a default bandwidth part to an active bandwidth part.

5. The effective bandwidth adaptation method for broadband carriers as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The default bandwidth part is configured by a higher layer signaling.

6. A user equipment for effective bandwidth adaptation of a wideband carrier, c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y, The user equipment comprises a processor for performing the steps of the method of adapting the active bandwidth of a wideband carrier as claimed in any of claims 1-5.

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