5G NR SSB Reception Beyond Active BWP Through Dynamic RRM
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Solution Overview
Problem
Devices may not be capable of operating on the full bandwidth of 5G NR networks, and monitoring the entire bandwidth can increase power consumption, necessitating more efficient radio resource management techniques for synchronization signal blocks outside the active bandwidth part.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) indicates support for bandwidth part operation without restriction, allowing it to receive synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) outside the active downlink BWP by adjusting RF communication parameters, and the network interprets this capability to coordinate RRM activities, including intra-frequency measurements and cell activation procedures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a device monitors the entire bandwidth of 5G NR networks, then it can receive all synchronization signal blocks, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), allowing the device to monitor only the active BWP for normal operations. This segmentation enables the device to reduce power consumption by limiting monitoring scope while still maintaining the capability to receive SSBs when needed by switching to appropriate BWPs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic BWP switching, where the device can transition between different BWPs based on operational requirements. When SSB reception is needed outside the active BWP, the device dynamically adjusts its monitoring bandwidth to include the necessary frequency range, then returns to the restricted active BWP afterward, optimizing power consumption while maintaining reception capability.
2Use of energy by moving object
If a device is configured to operate on a subset of total channel bandwidth (BWP), then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot receive SSBs outside the active BWP
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple BWPs including those that contain SSBs. When RRM activities require SSB reception outside the active BWP, the device can quickly switch to the pre-configured BWP that covers the necessary frequency range, perform the required measurements or receptions, and then return to the power-efficient active BWP.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the BWP configuration multi-functional by designing BWPs that serve dual purposes: some BWPs are optimized for power-efficient data transmission while other BWPs (or the same BWPs at different times) are configured to cover SSB frequencies. This universality allows a single BWP configuration set to handle both power-saving operations and RRM activities requiring SSB reception.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the network configures multiple BWPs for a device, then RRM flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by assigning specific characteristics to different BWPs: some BWPs are optimized for power efficiency with narrower bandwidth, while others are configured with wider bandwidth to cover SSB frequencies. Each BWP has locally optimized parameters appropriate for its specific function, allowing the device to operate in the most efficient mode for each operational context without requiring complex real-time optimization.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment (UE) for enhanced radio resource management (RRM) includes communicating, to an access node, a capability of the UE to support bandwidth part (BWP) without restriction. The UE determines that a synchronization signal block (SSB) is outside a downlink (DL) BWP configured for the UE. Based on determining that the SSB is outside the DL BWP configured for the UE, at least one radio frequency (RF) communication parameter of the UE is adjusted to adjust an operating bandwidth of the UE, and the SSB is received using the adjusted operating bandwidth.