5G NR Bandwidth Partitioning for Terminal Complexity Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing LTE system faces challenges in efficiently supporting ultra-wide bandwidth in 5G NR systems due to limited terminal capabilities, leading to increased complexity and reduced flexibility in resource usage, especially when dealing with large bandwidths like 1 GHz, where the number of component carriers needed increases exponentially, affecting terminal reception and base station control complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method for dynamically and flexibly using the entire bandwidth by partitioning the bandwidth into smaller bands of varying sizes, allowing terminals to operate within configured partial bands, enabling efficient resource allocation, scheduling, and modulation schemes, while minimizing scheduling and handover delays, and allowing for quick recovery from connection issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a base station transmits ultra-wide bandwidth signals to a single carrier, then the bandwidth utilization is improved, but the terminal reception capability is exceeded and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the ultra-wide bandwidth into multiple component carriers (CCs), each with a manageable bandwidth (e.g., 20 MHz). The terminal receives signals on one primary CC and can be configured to receive additional secondary CCs, effectively segmenting the overwhelming wideband signal into multiple manageable narrowband signals that the terminal can process sequentially or in limited parallel groups.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a temporal dimension to bandwidth utilization by enabling dynamic activation and deactivation of component carriers. The terminal can switch between different CC configurations over time based on traffic demands and channel conditions, transforming the static bandwidth limitation into a dynamic resource allocation problem that can be managed through time-varying configurations.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple component carriers are used to support ultra-wide bandwidth, then the bandwidth capacity is improved, but the number of carriers increases exponentially and control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal control mechanism where a single primary component carrier serves multiple functions: it provides the main control channel (PDCCH), carries system information, and manages the configuration of secondary component carriers. This multi-functional primary CC reduces the need for separate control mechanisms for each CC, thereby managing complexity while supporting multiple carriers for ultra-wide bandwidth.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces cross-carrier scheduling as an intermediary mechanism where control information for secondary component carriers is transmitted through the primary component carrier. This intermediary approach allows the base station to control multiple CCs through a centralized control point, reducing the exponential growth of control signaling complexity that would otherwise result from each CC requiring independent control channels.
3Use of energy by moving object
If terminals are configured to operate in limited bandwidth, then power consumption is reduced, but flexibility in bandwidth usage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth adaptation where the terminal's active bandwidth is not fixed but can be adjusted in real-time. The base station can activate or deactivate secondary component carriers based on traffic demands, allowing the terminal to expand its operational bandwidth when needed and conserve power when traffic is light. This dynamic configuration enables the terminal to adapt its bandwidth usage to match actual service requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the terminal by allowing dynamic modification of the active component carrier set. The terminal can be reconfigured through RRC signaling to add or remove secondary CCs, effectively changing its operational bandwidth parameter. This parameter flexibility allows the terminal to maintain low power consumption during idle periods while being capable of rapid expansion to ultra-wide bandwidth when high data rates are required.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of a communication technique in which a fifth generation (5G) communication system for supporting more high data transmission rate after a fourth generation (4G) system converges with an internet of things (IoT) technology, and a system is provided. The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services (e.g., a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car or a connected car, healthcare, digital education, a retail business, security and safety-related services, or the like) based on a 5G communication technology and an IoT-related technology. A terminal receives, from a base station, a first message including configuration information of at least one band, receive, from the base station, a second message for activating a band among the at least one band, and activate the band according to the second message, the configuration information including indication of the at least one band, and each band of the at least one band being part of a bandwidth.