Active BWP Selection for Multi-Bandwidth UE Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth part (BWP) configurations for user equipment (UEs), particularly when multiple BWPs are involved, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and communication performance.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for UE and base station (BS) to configure and select a subset of BWPs for active use through radio resource control (RRC) signaling, allowing for dynamic BWP selection based on received communications, enabling efficient use of multiple BWPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple BWPs are configured for a UE, then adaptability and resource allocation flexibility are improved, but device complexity and management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBWP configuration flexibilityVSAvoidBWP management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the BWP management process into distinct phases: configuration phase (RRC signaling), activation phase (MAC CE or DCI), and operation phase. This segmentation allows complex BWP configurations to be handled through simplified, staged procedures, reducing the perceived complexity for the UE while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple BWPs through RRC signaling before actual communication begins. This allows the UE to have multiple BWPs ready in advance, enabling quick switching and flexible resource allocation without real-time configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If dynamic BWP switching is implemented, then communication efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but signaling overhead and processing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BWP switching through MAC CE commands or DCI indicators that allow real-time BWP changes based on current communication needs. This dynamic approach enables efficient resource utilization while using compact signaling formats to minimize overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the BWP parameters (frequency range, bandwidth, subcarrier spacing) dynamically based on traffic requirements, channel conditions, and QoS demands. This allows the system to adapt communication efficiency to varying conditions while using efficient parameter encoding to reduce signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of BWPs are configured, then adaptability to different communication scenarios is improved, but processing time and selection complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvescenario adaptabilityVSAvoidBWP selection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple BWPs with different characteristics (wideband for high data rate, narrowband for power saving, different subcarrier spacings for different services) before communication begins. This allows the UE to quickly switch between pre-configured options without real-time processing delays.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the UE to autonomously select from pre-configured BWPs based on received indications (MAC CE or DCI) without requiring complex real-time processing or additional network coordination, reducing selection time while maintaining scenario adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3915217B1Bandwidth part (BWP) selection
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3915217B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3915217B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3915217B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a second communication, of a bandwidth part (BWP) selection process, that indicates a subset of BWPs, of a set of BWPs, to be selected as a set of active BWPs, wherein the set of BWPs is configured to the UE for a component carrier via radio resource control signaling as a first communication of the BWP selection process, wherein the subset of BWPs includes one or more BWPs of the set of BWPs. In some aspects, the UE may select the subset of BWPs as the set of active BWPs based at least in part on receiving the second communication, wherein a particular BWP, of the subset of BWPs, is to be used for a post-BWP selection process communication. Numerous other aspects are provided.