5G NR Bandwidth Part Configuration for Multicast Broadcast Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
5G NR base stations lack a mechanism for multicast and broadcast services (MBS) delivery due to bandwidth partitioning, limiting their ability to transmit the same information to multiple user equipment (UEs) effectively.
Innovation Solution
Configuring an initial BWP and an additional MBS BWP within a cell's bandwidth, allowing for multicast or broadcast of MBS information, with the MBS BWP potentially wider, narrower, or overlapping with the initial BWP, and indicating these BWPs in a system information block.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If base stations partition bandwidth into multiple BWPs for unicast communication, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but multicast and broadcast service delivery capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth into multiple BWPs, with specific BWPs designated for multicast and broadcast services. This allows the system to maintain efficient unicast communication in dedicated BWPs while preserving MBS delivery capability in other BWPs, thus resolving the contradiction between resource allocation efficiency and MBS delivery capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates BWPs that serve multiple functions - some BWPs can handle both unicast and multicast/broadcast traffic, or be dedicated to MBS while still allowing flexible resource allocation. This multi-functionality approach enables the system to maintain both efficient resource allocation and MBS delivery capability simultaneously
2Device complexity
If base stations use a single initial BWP for all communications, then device complexity is reduced, but multicast and broadcast service capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces additional BWPs beyond the initial BWP, creating a segmented structure where specific BWPs are designated for MBS. This segmentation enables MBS capability without requiring complete redesign of the base station, thus balancing complexity and functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent configures additional BWPs in advance for MBS before actual multicast/broadcast operations begin. This preliminary configuration allows the base station to have MBS capability ready without adding complexity during runtime operations
3Use of energy by moving object
If UEs select narrower BWPs to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but data rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows UEs to select BWPs with different characteristics - narrower BWPs for power-saving scenarios and wider BWPs for high-data-rate scenarios. By providing multiple BWP options with different bandwidths, the system enables UEs to choose the appropriate BWP based on their current needs, thus resolving the contradiction between power consumption and data rate
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3A
AI summary
A base station for configuring bandwidth parts (BWPs) in a certain cell, for access by UEs, configures (1502) an initial BWP within a bandwidth of a cell, configures (1504) a multicast and broadcast services (MBS) BWP within the bandwidth of the cell, wherein the MBS BWP is dedicated to conveying MBS information, and transmits (1506), in the cell, an indication of the initial BWP and the MBS BWP, to provide a UE with access to the initial BWP and the MBS BWP.