Multiple simultaneous bandwidth segments for a base station of a cellular network

Abstract

Various configurations for improving cell coverage are presented. The cellular network can define a first bandwidth portion and a second bandwidth portion that are simultaneously implemented by a base station of the cellular network. The first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion may be non-overlapping and separated by a guard band. The first bandwidth portion can have a wider bandwidth and wider subcarrier spacing than the second bandwidth portion. The cellular network can determine a first set of user equipment to use the first bandwidth portion for communication with the base station and a second set of user equipment to use the second bandwidth portion for communication with the base station. Communication may be performed between the first set of user equipment using the first bandwidth portion and the second set of user equipment using the second bandwidth portion.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] (CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS) This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 518,863, entitled "MULTIPLE CONCURRENT BANDWIDTH PARTS FOR A BASE STATION OF A CELLULAR NETWORK," filed July 22, 2019, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[0002] This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16 / 518,866, entitled “Bandwidth Adjustment of Multiple Concurrent Bandwidth Parts for a Base Station of a Cellular Network,” filed on even date herewith, Attorney Docket No. P2019-04-08(1138066), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. [Background technology]

[0003] 5G cellular network base stations may support multiple subcarrier spacings (SCS). A wider SCS may have certain advantages, such as lower latency, while a narrower SCS may have other advantages, such as allowing the base station to extend coverage to a larger area. Furthermore, the battery life of the UE may be improved with a narrower bandwidth and narrower SCS being used for communication between the UE and the base station. Traditionally, when a single bandwidth portion (BWP) was used for communication with the UE, these factors may be weighted against each other to determine a compromise configuration. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Various embodiments are described for methods for improving cell coverage. In some embodiments, a method for improving cell coverage is described. The method may include defining, by a cellular network, a first bandwidth portion and a second bandwidth portion that are simultaneously implemented by a base station of the cellular network. The first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion may be non-overlapping and may be separated by a guard band. The first bandwidth portion may have a wider bandwidth than the second bandwidth portion. The first bandwidth portion may have a wider subcarrier spacing (SCS) than the second bandwidth portion. The method may include determining, by the cellular network, a first set of user equipment to use the first bandwidth portion for communication with the base station and a second set of user equipment to use the second bandwidth portion for communication with the base station. The first set of user equipment may be different from the second set of user equipment. The method may include performing, by the base station, communication with the first set of user equipment using the first bandwidth portion and the second set of user equipment using the second bandwidth portion.

[0005] An embodiment of such a method may include one or more of the following features: measuring, by the user equipment, a signal strength of a signal received from the base station; and providing, by the user equipment, an indication of the signal strength to the base station. Determining, by the cellular network, a first set of user equipment to use a first bandwidth portion for communication with the base station and a second set of user equipment to use a second bandwidth portion for communication with the base station may include selecting, for the user equipment, the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion based on the indication of the signal strength. Selecting the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion based on the indication of the signal strength may further include comparing the indication of the signal strength to a predefined signal strength threshold. The first bandwidth portion may be selected in response to the indication of the signal strength being greater than the predefined signal strength threshold. The second bandwidth portion may be selected in response to the indication of the signal strength being less than the predefined signal strength threshold. The cellular network may use a 5G New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT). The method may further include monitoring, by the cellular network, bandwidth usage within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion, and reallocating, by the cellular network, relative bandwidth amounts within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion based on the monitored bandwidth usage. A first set of user equipment communicating with the base station using the first bandwidth portion may experience lower latency than a second set of user equipment communicating with the base station using the second bandwidth portion. The second bandwidth portion may provide coverage in a larger geographic area than the first bandwidth portion.

[0006] In some embodiments, a cellular communication system is described. The system may include a base station serving as part of a cellular network communicating with a plurality of user equipment. The base station may be configured by the cellular network to define a first bandwidth portion and a second bandwidth portion to be simultaneously implemented by the base station of the cellular network. The first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion may be non-overlapping and may be separated by a guard band. The first bandwidth portion may have a wider bandwidth than the second bandwidth portion. The first bandwidth portion may have a wider subcarrier spacing (SCS) than the second bandwidth portion. The base station may be configured to determine a first set of user equipment of the plurality of user equipment to use the first bandwidth portion for communication with the base station and a second set of user equipment of the plurality of user equipment to use the second bandwidth portion for communication with the base station. The first set of user equipment may be different from the second set of user equipment. The base station may be configured to perform communication with the first set of user equipment using the first bandwidth portion and the second set of user equipment using the second bandwidth portion.

[0007] An embodiment of such a system may include one or more of the following features, and the system may further include a plurality of user equipment. A user equipment of the plurality of user equipment may be configured to measure a signal strength of a signal received from the base station and provide an indication of the signal strength to the base station. The base station may be configured to determine a first set of user equipment to use a first bandwidth portion for communication with the base station and a second set of user equipment to use a second bandwidth portion for communication with the base station may include the base station being configured to select, for the user equipment instance, the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion based on the indication of the signal strength. The base station being configured to select, for the user equipment instance, the first bandwidth portion or the second bandwidth portion based on the indication of the signal strength may further include the base station being configured to compare the indication of the signal strength to a predefined signal strength threshold. The first bandwidth portion may be selected in response to the indication of the signal strength being greater than the predefined signal strength threshold. The second bandwidth portion may be selected in response to the indication of the signal strength being less than the predefined signal strength threshold. The cellular network may use a 5G New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT), and the base station may be a gNodeB (gNB). The base station may be further configured to monitor bandwidth usage within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion, and reallocate relative bandwidth amounts within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion based on the monitored bandwidth usage. The system may further include a plurality of user equipment. A first set of user equipment communicating with the base station using the first bandwidth portion may experience lower latency than a second set of user equipment communicating with the base station using the second bandwidth portion. The second bandwidth portion may provide coverage in a larger geographic area than the first bandwidth portion.

[0008] A further understanding of the properties and advantages of the various embodiments may be realized by reference to the following figures. In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference numbers. Furthermore, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference number with a dash followed by a second number that distinguishes between the similar components. When only a first reference number is used in this specification, the description is applicable to any of the similar components having the same first reference number regardless of the second reference number. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of how subcarrier spacing (SCS) may be selected for cells of a cellular network. [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular system 200 in which a base station communicates with multiple UEs. [Diagram 3] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular base station using multiple bandwidth portions to communicate with different sets of UEs. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates an embodiment of multiple bandwidth portions allocated for use simultaneously by a base station. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates an embodiment of multiple bandwidth portions allocated for use simultaneously by a base station. [Diagram 5] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a method for improving the coverage of a cellular network base station by using multiple bandwidth portions simultaneously. [Figure 6] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a bandwidth adjustment transition performed for a base station and a UE in communication with the base station. [Figure 7] 1 illustrates an embodiment of a method for transitioning bandwidth allocation of a base station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] A base station may be configured to divide a channel bandwidth available for communication by the base station (BS) into multiple bandwidth portions that are used simultaneously by the BS for communication with different user equipments (UEs). For a UE located relatively close to the BS (e.g., a UE receiving a high level of signal strength from the BS), the UE may be assigned to use a first bandwidth portion (BWP). The first BWP may have a wider bandwidth than the second BWP. The first BWP may have a wider subcarrier spacing, which may reduce latency. For a UE located relatively far from the BS (e.g., a UE receiving a relatively lower level of signal strength from the BS), the UE may be assigned to use a second BWP. The second BWP may have a narrower bandwidth than the first BWP. The second BWP may have a narrower subcarrier spacing, which may result in a larger latency than when the first BWP is used. However, it is possible that the second BWP has a narrower bandwidth than the first BWP. The bandwidth of the second BWP having a narrower bandwidth may result in a smaller search portion of the UE, and may reduce power usage in the UE for searching for scheduled data in the reception band and transmitting to the BS (which may also extend battery life).

[0011] When network traffic using a particular BWP increases above a predefined threshold, the BWP for which high traffic is detected by the base station may have its bandwidth increased by the base station. Other BWPs may have their bandwidth reduced by the base station, thereby more dynamically allocating bandwidth based on traffic volume. In some embodiments, each UE may be provided with up to four BWP definitions. Of the up to four BWP definitions, only one BWP definition is used by the UE at a given time. If the base station decides to transition from using the first and second BWP definitions to using the third and fourth BWP definitions, the transition may include a first transition of the BWP with a reduced bandwidth. Once all associated UEs are using the narrower bandwidth BWP definition, the other BWP definitions may be transitioned to a BWP using a wider bandwidth BWP. Further definitions regarding such transitions are described in connection with Figures 6 and 7.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment 100 of how subcarrier spacing can be selected for cells of a cellular network. A bandwidth portion (BWP) can be understood as a subset of contiguous physical resource blocks on a carrier. A BWP defines a carrier bandwidth for communication with a base station. At any time, a UE communicates using a single active BWP for uplink communication and another single active BWP for downlink communication for a given cell. In FIG. 1, a narrower SCS may be used to achieve a larger cell size (and thereby extend coverage to a larger geographical area). When a narrower SCS is used, latency may increase. As shown in block 101, when the cell size is large, the BS may use a 15KHz SCS. For medium size cells, a 15KHz or 30KHz SCS can be used at the lower frequency, as shown in block 102. Also, for medium size cells, a 30KHz SCS can be used at the intermediate frequency, as shown in block 103. For small cells, blocks 104, 105, 106 and 107 show possible SCSs at different frequencies.

[0013] 2 illustrates an embodiment of a cellular system 200 in which a BS communicates with multiple UEs. The cellular system 200 may include a UE 210, a UE 215, a BS 235 (which may include a BS tower 220 and a gNodeB 230), a core cellular network 240, and a BWP management system 250.

[0014] In some embodiments, the cellular system 200 represents a 5G New Radio (NR) cellular system. In other embodiments, other forms of radio access technologies (RATs) may be used.

[0015] UE refers to a wireless computerized device that communicates with the BS 235. For example, each UE can be a smartphone, a cellular phone, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a gaming device, a smart home device, an IoT device, or any other computerized device configured to use an appropriate RAT to communicate with the BS 235. The UE may include one or more access points (APs). An access point may provide network access to one or more other devices. For example, some devices may be capable of wireless communication by Wi-Fi. An AP may communicate locally with the device using Wi-Fi and may communicate with the BS 235 using a different RAT. As shown, two UEs 210 and 215 are shown. It should be understood that the BS 235 may communicate with many more UEs at the same time. For example, hundreds of UEs may be served by the BS 235 at a given time.

[0016] The BS 235 may provide service to a particular cell of the cellular network. The BS 235 may include the BS tower 220 and the gNodeB 230. Specifically, if the cellular network is a 5G NR network, only the gNodeB 230 may be present. In other embodiments, an eNodeB may be present, such as when a 4G network is used. The gNodeB or eNodeB may represent hardware connected to a cellular network that communicates directly with the UE over the air. An antenna may be located on the BS tower 220.

[0017] The core cellular network 240 may be in communication with many base stations. Various processing functions may be provided directly by the core cellular network 240, the gNodeB 230, or a separate system in communication with the core cellular network 240 or the gNodeB 230. For example, the BWP management system 250 may be separate from and in communication with the gNodeB 230. Alternatively, the BWP management system 250 may be incorporated as part of the core cellular network 240 or the gNodeB 230. The BWP management system 250 may be part of a network management (NM) or a system level radio resource management (RRM).

[0018] The BWP management system 250 may simultaneously manage the amount of bandwidth allocated to different BWPs of a given BS. The BWPs may dynamically change the BW allocated to each BWP to accommodate different traffic loads for each BWP. The BWP management system 250 may include one or more computer server systems.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 300 of a cellular BS using multiple bandwidth portions to communicate with different sets of UEs. Such a configuration can improve cell coverage by the BS. In the embodiment 300, the BS 305 is located near the center of the cell. The BS 305 may represent an embodiment of the BS 235 of FIG. 2. The BS 305 may use different BWPs to communicate with the UEs. The BS 305 may use a first BWP to communicate (uplink or downlink transmissions) with UEs located relatively close to the BS 305. More precisely, signal strength measurements may be used to determine which UEs are relatively close to the BS 305.

[0020] UEs 311, 312, 313, and 314 are in a region 310 where a relatively strong signal strength is received by each UE from BS 305. For each of those UEs, a first BWP definition may be used. The first BWP definition may define a relatively wideband BWP. For the first BWP, a first SCS may be used. The SCS may be wider than the second BWP to allow for lower latency.

[0021] UEs 315, 316, and 317 are in an area 320 where a relatively weak signal strength is received from BS 305 by each UE. For each of those UEs, a second BWP definition may be used. The second BWP definition may define a relatively narrow BWP (when compared to the first BWP). A second SCS different from the first SCS may be used for the second BWP. This SCS may be narrower than the SCS used for the first BWP. Such a configuration may increase latency, but may substantially increase the coverage of the cell of BS 305 by enabling communication with UEs that experience lower signal strength from BS 305. Thus, for example, UEs 315, 316, and 317 may be substantially out of communication range with BS 305 only if a wider SCS was used. However, UEs 315, 316, and 317 can substantially communicate with BS 305 due to the second BWP defined to enable communication using the narrower SCS.

[0022] Whether the first or second BWP is used for communication between a BS and a particular UE may depend on the signal strength measured by that UE (or BS). In particular, the UE 313 may move in a direction 308. As the UE 313 moves, the signal strength may drop and the BS 305 may transition the UE 313 from communicating using the first BWP to communicating using the second BWP. In some embodiments, this action is accomplished by sending a definition of the second BWP to the UE 313. In other embodiments, the UE 313 already stores definitions of both the first and second BWPs, and in such embodiments, the BS 305 may send a message that configures the UE 313 to activate the second BWP instead of the first BWP. In some embodiments, the message may include a timer that defines when the second BWP is activated.

[0023] Similarly, the UE 317 may move in the direction 309. As the UE 317 moves, the signal strength may increase and the BS 305 may transition the UE 317 from communicating using the second BWP to communicating using the first BWP. In some embodiments, this action is accomplished by sending a definition of the first BWP to the UE 317. In other embodiments, the UE 317 already has definitions of both the first and second BWPs stored, and in such embodiments, the BS 305 may send a message configuring the UE 317 to activate the first BWP instead of the second BWP.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, both the first and second BWPs are simultaneously being used by the BS 305 to communicate with different UEs. Thus, while the UE 311 is using the first BWP to communicate with the BS 305, the UE 316 is using the second BWP to communicate with the BS 305. Although the embodiments in this document focus on two BWPs defined and simultaneously being used by the BS 305, it should be understood that more than two BWPs may be used by the BS 305 simultaneously.

[0025] 4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an embodiment of multiple bandwidth portions allocated for simultaneous use by a BS. In the embodiment 400A of FIG. 4A, two BWPs with guard bands are shown. A first bandwidth portion 420 has a wider bandwidth than BWP 410. BWP 420 may use a first SCS that is wider than BWP 410. For example, BWP 420 may use an SCS of 30 KHz, while BWP 410 uses an SCS of 15 KHz. The relative amounts of bandwidth allocated to BWP 420 and BWP 410 may be based on the relative amounts of UE traffic using each BWP. There may be a guard band 415 between BWP 420 and BWP 410. The guard band 415 may be necessary to avoid inter-numerology interference due to different SCSs being used for BWP 420 and BWP 410.

[0026] Similarly, in embodiment 400B of FIG. 4B, two BWPs with guard bands are shown. A first bandwidth portion 440 has a wider bandwidth than BWP 430. BWP 440 may use a first SCS that is wider than BWP 430. Compared to embodiment 400A, the relative amounts of bandwidth allocated to BWP 420 and BWP 410 are adjusted to compensate for the heavy bandwidth usage of BWP 410 that occurs. As detailed in relation to guard band 415, a guard band 435 may exist between BWP 440 and BWP 430 to avoid inter-numerology interference due to the different SCS used by BWP 440 and BWP 430.

[0027] Various methods may be performed using the systems and configurations detailed in connection with Figures 1-3. In particular, various methods may be performed to enable simultaneous use of multiple BWPs by a BS to improve coverage characteristics. Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a method for improving coverage of a cellular network BS by using multiple bandwidth portions simultaneously. Method 500 may be performed using cellular system 200 of Figure 2. More particularly, the blocks of method 500 may be performed using a UE, a BS, a core cellular network, and / or a BWP management system.

[0028] In block 510, a first BWP and a second BWP may be defined and an indication of the BWP may be provided to the UE. The first BWP and the second BWP are non-overlapping and both are within the full channel bandwidth for use by the cellular network. The first BWP and the second BWP may be defined for simultaneous use by the BS, such that some UEs will be using the first BWP and the remaining UEs will be using the second BWP. Block 510 may be performed by a base station (e.g., a gNodeB), a component of the core cellular network, or a BWP management system in communication with a component of the cellular network. The first BWP may have 1) a wider SCS than the second BWP and / or 2) a wider bandwidth than the second BWP (e.g., similar to embodiment 400A of FIG. 4A). Thus, the second BWP may have 1) a narrower SCS than the first BWP and / or 2) a wider bandwidth than the first BWP (eg, similar to embodiment 400A of FIG. 4A).

[0029] At block 520, the UE may perform signal strength measurements based on the signals received from the base station. The UE may transmit an indication of the measured signal strength to the base station. In other embodiments, the BS may measure the signal strength of one or more signals received from the UE.

[0030] In block 530, the signal strength measurements by either the UE or the base station may be compared to a stored signal strength threshold. This comparison in block 530 may be performed locally at the UE, or, if the signal strength measurements were transmitted to the base station or made by the base station, block 530 may be performed by the base station. In some embodiments, the signal strength threshold may be adjusted to perform load balancing; that is, if a large number of UEs are either above or below the threshold, the threshold may be adjusted to achieve a different distribution of UEs above or below the threshold.

[0031] At block 540, a determination may be made for a given UE whether the signal strength measurement is greater than a signal strength threshold. This determination may be made at the UE or at the base station. If the signal strength measurement is greater than the signal strength threshold, method 500 may proceed to block 550. If the signal strength measurement is less than the signal strength threshold, method 500 may proceed to block 570.

[0032] At block 550, the UE may be assigned to use the first BWP for communication. The message from the BS may include instructions to the UE to use the first BWP, the definition of which is stored. The first BWP may be used for uplink or downlink communication between the BS and the UE. In some embodiments, a definition of the first BWP indicating the SCS to be used and resource blocks available for use as part of the first BWP is transmitted to the UE.

[0033] At block 560, communication between the BS and the UE may be performed using the first BWP. The UE may experience lower latency due to the wider SCS being used. Occasionally, or periodically, method 500 may return to block 520 to repeat the signal strength measurements and reconsider whether the UE should use the first BWP or the second BWP.

[0034] In block 570, the UE may be assigned to use a second BWP for communication. This may include a message including a command to switch to using the second BWP sent by the BS to the UE. Each of the downlink channel bandwidth and the uplink channel bandwidth may be divided into multiple BWPs. Depending on whether the BWP is assigned for uplink or downlink communication, the second BWP may be used for uplink or downlink communication. If the second BWP uses a narrower bandwidth than the first BWP, the UE may require less power to communicate using the second BWP than the first BWP. In other embodiments, the definitions of the first BWP and the second BWP are provided to the UE, but only one of the BWPs is indicated in the message from the BS to the UE to be activated.

[0035] At block 580, communication (e.g., uplink communication) between the BS and the UE may be performed using the second BWP. The UE may experience higher latency due to the narrower SCS being used, but the UE may experience extended battery life (if the second BWP has a narrower bandwidth than the first BWP). Furthermore, the UE may be able to communicate with the BS because the narrower SCS is being used, but the UE may not be able to successfully communicate with the BS if only the first BWP is available. Occasionally or periodically, method 500 may return to block 520 to repeat signal strength measurements and reconsider whether the UE should use the first BWP or the second BWP.

[0036] Some number of UEs may be using a first BWP for communication with the BS, while other UEs are using a second BWP for communication with the BS, and thus the BS is simultaneously using two (or more) BWP definitions for communication with UEs.

[0037] As detailed in connection with Figures 4A and 4B, it is possible to use different bandwidth amounts for different BWPs. For example, BWP 410 may be determined to have insufficient bandwidth for the volume of data transmission and / or the number of UEs communicating using BWP 410. Thus, the base station or some component of the core cellular network 240 may determine that the bandwidth of BWP 410 needs to be increased. To achieve this, a reduction in the bandwidth amount of BWP 420 may be necessary, and guard bands may need to be maintained between BWP 410 and BWP 420. Because BWP 410 and BWP 420 use different subcarrier spacings, the cellular network must first ensure that all UEs use the appropriate guard bands to prevent inter-numerology interference. Further details regarding how transitions between bandwidth portion definitions are performed are described in connection with Figures 6 and 7.

[0038] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment 600 of a bandwidth adjustment transition performed for a base station and a UE communicating with the base station. The bandwidth adjustment of embodiment 600 can be performed by a base station, such as BS 235. The total allocated bandwidth amount can remain unchanged, but the amount of bandwidth using a particular SCS can be adjusted. In some embodiments, BS 235 can be instructed to perform the transition by core cellular network 240. Initially, two BWPs (BWP 410 and BWP 420) with different SCSs can be used by the base station for communication with the UE. The base station can decide to expand BWP 410 to become BWP 430. Thus, BWP 410 and BWP 430 can have the same subcarrier spacing, but BWP 430 has a wider allocated bandwidth.

[0039] In some embodiments, the bandwidth of BWP 430 is predefined, i.e., only two predefined options may be possible: BWP 410 or BWP 430. In other embodiments, the bandwidth of BWP 430 may be dynamic in that a base station may customize the amount of bandwidth allocated to be part of BWP 430 depending on factors such as the amount of communication traffic that seeks to use the BWP and / or the number of UEs using the BWP.

[0040] First, as shown by BWP configuration 601, a base station may have two active BWP definitions corresponding to BWP 410 and BWP 420, which are separable by a guard band, at the same time. In BWP configuration 601, which corresponds to embodiment 400A of FIG. 4A, BWP 410 and BWP 420 use different subcarrier spacings, and thus a guard band 415 between BWP 410 and BWP 420 is required to prevent inter-numerology interference. As can be seen from FIG. 6, due to the reduced bandwidth of the BWP, part of BWP 420 overlaps with BWP 430, which has a different SCS. Therefore, to prevent inter-numerology interference, a UE may need to not be scheduled to communicate using BWP 420 before the UE starts communicating using BWP 430.

[0041] A first transition from BWP configuration 601 to BWP configuration 602 may be performed. As part of the first transition, the UE may receive an instruction to communicate using BWP 440 instead of BWP 420. In some embodiments, the UE may be assigned four definitions of BWP. Thus, a message may be received to deactivate the definition corresponding to BWP 420 and activate the BWP corresponding to BWP 440. In other embodiments, a new definition of BWP 440 is sent to the UE that deactivates or replaces the definition corresponding to BWP 420. In some embodiments, a message using BWP 440 is provided to all UEs communicating with that BS. Thus, if the UE is communicating using BWP 410, the UE may not be affected by the change related to BWP 420.

[0042] As shown in BWP configuration 602, a period of time may elapse to ensure that communications between all UEs and the base station occur over BWP 410 and BWP 440. Thus, when BWP configuration 602 is active, a temporary appropriate guard band 610 exists.

[0043] A second transition from BWP configuration 602 to BWP configuration 603 may be performed. As part of the second transition, the UE may receive an instruction to communicate using BWP 430 instead of BWP 410. In some embodiments, the UE may be assigned and stored with up to four definitions of BWP. Thus, a message (or messages) may be received that deactivates the definition corresponding to BWP 410 and activates the definition corresponding to BWP 430. In other embodiments, a new definition of BWP 430 is sent to the UE that deactivates or replaces the definition corresponding to BWP 410. A message using BWP 430 is provided to all UEs communicating with that BS. Thus, when a UE is communicating using BWP 440, the UE may be immune to changes related to BWP 430 (at least initially).

[0044] Once the transition to BWP configuration 603 is complete, the transition process may be complete. An example of BWP configuration 603 corresponds to embodiment 400B of FIG. 4B. As detailed in connection with FIG. 4B, BWP 430 and BWP 440 operate using different SCSs. Required guard bands 435 are maintained to prevent interference between BWP 430 and BWP 440 due to the different SCSs.

[0045] The transitions are bidirectional, as indicated by transition arrow 604 and transition arrow 605. Thus, BWP configuration 603 can be transitioned to BWP configuration 602, and then to BWP configuration 601. Such transitions can be used to increase the bandwidth of BWP 440 and decrease the bandwidth of BWP 430 (e.g., in response to an increase in communication traffic at BWP 440, or a decrease in communication traffic at BWP 430).

[0046] Figure 7 illustrates an embodiment of a method 700 for transitioning bandwidth allocation of a base station, as detailed in connection with Figure 6. Method 700 may be performed using the cellular system 200 of Figure 2. More specifically, the blocks of method 700 may be performed using a UE, a BS, a core cellular network, and / or a BWP management system.

[0047] In block 705, a first BWP and a second BWP (or more BWPs) may be defined by the BS or a core cellular network in communication with the BS. The definitions of the first BWP and the second BWP may indicate a portion of the bandwidth allocated to each BWP. Defining the first BWP and the second BWP may include transmitting the definitions of the first BWP and the second BWP to a UE in communication with the BS. Thus, each UE may receive two (or more) BWP definitions. At a given time, only a single BWP definition may be active (e.g., as detailed in connection with method 500).

[0048] In block 710, during any period (e.g., second, minute, hour, day, week), the BS may communicate with the UE using a first BWP and a second BWP having different SCSs. For example, referring to FIG. 2, to increase power efficiency, range, and / or data throughput, the UE may communicate with the BS using different BWPs having different SCSs.

[0049] In block 715, the base station or core cellular network component may determine that either the first BWP or the second BWP has insufficient bandwidth for the current communication conditions. For example, a large number of UEs may be communicating using the particular BWP or a large amount of data may be transmitted to the BS over the particular BWP. The determination may be made by the BS or core cellular network component by comparing the total number of UEs using the particular BWP to a stored threshold. The determination may be made by the BS or core cellular network component based on a comparison of an amount of data received on the particular BWP to a stored threshold. In some embodiments, in addition to or as an alternative to the number of UEs using the particular BWP or the amount of data transmitted on the particular BWP being above a threshold, the determination may be based on other BWPs being underutilized (e.g., data throughput is below a stored threshold and / or the number of UEs using the underutilized BWP is below a stored threshold).

[0050] At block 720, the third BWP and the fourth BWP may be defined by the BS or a core cellular network in communication with the BS. The definitions of the third BWP and the fourth BWP may indicate a portion of the bandwidth allocated to each BWP. The definitions of the third and fourth BWPs represent a change from the allocations of the first and second BWPs. For purposes of this example, the first and third BWPs have the same first SCS, and the second and fourth BWPs have the same second SCS that is different from the first SCS. The bandwidth of the first BWP may be increased (thereby increasing the amount of bandwidth) by transitioning to the third BWP definition. Thus, the second BWP is transitioned to the fourth BWP, thereby decreasing the amount of bandwidth using the required SCS.

[0051] Defining the third and fourth BWPs may include transmitting the third and fourth BWP definitions to the UEs in communication with the BS. Thus, each UE may receive two additional BWP definitions. In some embodiments, blocks 705 and 720 may be performed together. That is, each UE may receive the four BWP definitions as part of a single message or group of messages. At a given time, a UE may have a single active BWP selected from a group of those permitted to be active. At any particular time, a UE may only be able to use a single BWP definition for communication. In other embodiments, the third and fourth BWP definitions may be provided at a later time. In such embodiments, it may be possible to customize the amount of bandwidth allocated to each BWP based on the amount of network traffic.

[0052] In block 725, either the first BWP or the second BWP being transitioned to a narrower bandwidth may be transitioned. Such a transition may be similar to the transition from BWP configuration 601 to BWP configuration 602 shown in FIG. 6. For example, referring to FIG. 6, a first transition may include a transition of a UE from communicating using BWP 420 to communicating using BWP 440. Performing this transition may include sending an instruction by the BS to the UE indicating the BWP definition to be used. All UEs communicating with the BS may receive the instruction for the transition, but only UEs currently using the particular BWP being transitioned may be affected.

[0053] In block 735, the BWP whose bandwidth is increased may be adjusted according to the new BWP definition being used by each UE. For example, referring to FIG. 6 and the transition from BWP configuration 602 to BWP configuration 603, each UE may use BWP 430. Referring to the example of FIG. 6, after this second transition, BWP 430 may use a portion of the bandwidth previously used by BWP 420.

[0054] At block 740, at some time period (e.g., second, minute, hour, day, week), the BS may communicate with the UE using a third BWP and a fourth BWP having different SCS. Such communication may occur such that different UEs use different BWPs (with different SCS) to communicate with the BS simultaneously. At some future time, another set of transitions may be performed to reallocate bandwidth due to the changing needs of the cellular network.

[0055] The methods, systems, and devices described above are examples. Various configurations may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components, as appropriate. For example, in alternative configurations, the methods may be performed in different orders than those described above, and / or various steps may be added, omitted, and / or combined. Furthermore, features described with respect to particular configurations may be combined in various other configurations. Different aspects and elements of the configurations may be combined in a similar manner. Also, technology evolves, and thus many of the elements are examples and do not limit the scope of the disclosure or the claims.

[0056] Specific details are provided herein to provide a thorough understanding of example configurations (including implementations). However, the configurations may be practiced without those specific details. For example, well-known circuits, processes, algorithms, structures, and techniques are provided without unnecessary detail to avoid obscuring the configurations. This specification presents only example configurations and does not limit the scope, applicability, or configurations of the claims. Rather, the above description of the configurations provides those skilled in the art with an enabling description for implementing the techniques described above. Various changes may be made to the function and arrangement of elements without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.

[0057] Also, the configurations may be described as processes that are illustrated as flow diagrams or block diagrams. Although each may describe operations as a sequential process, many of the operations can be performed in parallel or simultaneously. Additionally, the order of operations may be rearranged. A process may have additional steps not included in the figures. Furthermore, method embodiments may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or combinations thereof. When implemented in software, firmware, middleware, or microcode, the program code or code segments to perform the necessary tasks may be stored in a non-transitory computer readable medium, such as a storage medium. A processor may perform the tasks described above.

[0058] While several example configurations have been described, various modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents may be used without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, the elements described above may be components of a larger system where other rules may take precedence over or otherwise modify the application of the invention. Additionally, numerous steps may be performed before, during, and after the elements described above are considered.

Claims

1. 1. A method for improving cell coverage, comprising: Defining, by a cellular network, a first bandwidth portion and a second bandwidth portion simultaneously implemented by a base station of said cellular network, wherein: the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion are non-overlapping and separated by a guard band; the first bandwidth portion has a wider bandwidth than the second bandwidth portion; the first bandwidth portion uses a first subcarrier spacing (SCS) that is greater than a second SCS of the second bandwidth portion; The above definitions; comparing, by a base station of the cellular network, signal strengths of the base station as measured by a plurality of user equipments (UEs) with a stored signal strength threshold; assigning, by the cellular network, a first set of UEs from the plurality of UEs to use the first bandwidth portion and the first SCS for communication with the base station based on a signal strength of the base station measured by each UE in the first set of UEs being greater than the stored signal strength threshold; assigning, by the cellular network, a second set of UEs from the plurality of UEs to use the second bandwidth portion and the second SCS for communication with the base station based on a signal strength of the base station measured by each UE in the second set of UEs being less than the stored signal strength threshold; conducting, by the base station, communication between the first set of UEs using the first bandwidth portion and the second set of UEs using the second bandwidth portion; The method includes:

2. Measuring, by the UE, a signal strength of a signal received from the base station; providing, by the UE, an indication of the signal strength to the base station; 10. The method for improving cell coverage of claim 1, further comprising:

3. 2. The method for improving cell coverage of claim 1, wherein the cellular network uses a 5G New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT).

4. monitoring, by the cellular network, bandwidth usage within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion; reallocating, by the cellular network, relative amounts of bandwidth within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion based on the monitored bandwidth usage; 10. The method for improving cell coverage of claim 1, further comprising:

5. 2. The method for improving cell coverage of claim 1, wherein the first set of UEs communicating with the base station using the first bandwidth portion experience lower latency than the second set of UEs communicating with the base station using the second bandwidth portion.

6. 2. The method for improving cell coverage of claim 1, wherein the second bandwidth portion provides coverage in a larger geographic area than the first bandwidth portion.

7. 1. A cellular communication system comprising: A base station functioning as part of a cellular network in communication with a plurality of user equipments (UEs), wherein the base station comprises: defining a first bandwidth portion and a second bandwidth portion simultaneously implemented by the base station of the cellular network, wherein: the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion are non-overlapping and separated by a guard band; the first bandwidth portion has a wider bandwidth than the second bandwidth portion; the first bandwidth portion uses a first subcarrier spacing (SCS) that is greater than a second SCS of the second bandwidth portion; The above definitions; comparing signal strengths of the base station measured by the plurality of UEs to a stored signal strength threshold; allocating, from the plurality of UEs, a first set of UEs to use the first bandwidth portion and the first SCS for communication with the base station based on a signal strength of the base station measured by each UE in the first set of UEs being greater than the stored signal strength threshold; allocating, from the plurality of UEs, a second set of UEs to use the second bandwidth portion and the second SCS for communication with the base station based on a signal strength of the base station measured by each UE of the second set of UEs being less than the stored signal strength threshold; conducting communication between the first set of UEs using the first bandwidth portion and the second set of UEs using the second bandwidth portion; configured to: Cellular communication systems.

8. The method further includes the method of claim 1, wherein one UE of the plurality of UEs comprises: measuring the signal strength of a signal received from said base station; providing an indication of said signal strength to said base station 8. The cellular communication system according to claim 7, configured as follows:

9. 8. The cellular communication system of claim 7, wherein the cellular network uses a 5G New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT) and the base station is a gNodeB (gNB).

10. The base station, monitoring bandwidth usage within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion; reallocating relative amounts of bandwidth within the first bandwidth portion and the second bandwidth portion based on the monitored bandwidth usage. The cellular communication system of claim 7 further configured as follows:

11. 8. The cellular communication system of claim 7, further comprising the plurality of UEs, wherein the first set of UEs communicating with the base station using the first bandwidth portion experience lower latency than the second set of UEs communicating with the base station using the second bandwidth portion.

12. The cellular communication system of claim 7 , wherein the second bandwidth portion provides coverage in a larger geographic area than the first bandwidth portion.

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