Multiple Active BWPs With Timer Switching for Full-Duplex Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless communication systems limit efficiency and power consumption by allowing only one active bandwidth part (BWP) at a time, leading to delays and interruptions when transitioning between half-duplex and full-duplex slots.
Innovation Solution
Implementing timer-based switching to concurrently activate multiple BWPs, allowing seamless transitions between different BWPs based on elapsed time, with timers managing the status change of active BWPs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If only one BWP is active at a time, then power consumption is reduced and processing overhead is minimized, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to delays and interruptions during BWP transitions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by activating a second BWP before deactivating the first BWP. The base station signals the UE to activate the second BWP in advance, ensuring that when the first BWP needs to be deactivated, the second BWP is already active and ready for immediate use. This eliminates switching delays and interruptions, resolving the contradiction between maintaining single-BWP simplicity and achieving multi-BWP efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic BWP switching capability where the system can transition from a static single-BWP mode to a dynamic multi-BWP mode. The timer mechanism enables flexible, time-based switching between BWPs based on communication needs, allowing the system to adapt dynamically between half-duplex and full-duplex operations without fixed constraints.
2Productivity
If multiple BWPs are activated concurrently, then communication efficiency and full-duplex operations are improved, but device complexity increases due to timer management and status tracking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BWP management function by introducing separate timer mechanisms for different BWP states. Each BWP has its own timer (e.g., first timer for first BWP, second timer for second BWP) that independently tracks activation and deactivation timing. This segmentation simplifies the overall management logic by breaking down the complex coordination of multiple BWPs into independent, manageable timer components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors timer expiration events and provides signals to the UE accordingly. When a timer expires, the base station sends feedback signals to indicate BWP status changes, enabling the UE to automatically adjust its operation. This feedback loop simplifies complex state management by using explicit, timer-driven signals rather than continuous monitoring.
3Reliability
If timer-based switching is implemented, then seamless BWP transitions are achieved, but power consumption increases due to extended BWP activation periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action through timer-based switching, where BWPs are activated and deactivated in periodic cycles based on communication needs. The timers are configured to expire after specific durations, creating a rhythmic pattern of BWP activation. This periodic approach ensures reliable transitions while controlling power consumption by activating BWPs only when needed and deactivating them after a predetermined time, avoiding continuous activation.
Data Source
AI summary
This disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for full-duplex communications in wireless networks. Some implementations more specifically relate to multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), active concurrently, for communications in a given direction (such as a downlink (DL) direction or an uplink (UL) direction) between a user equipment (UE) and a base station. For example, a first active BWP may be used for DL or UL communications in a half-duplex (HD) slot and a second active BWP may be used for DL or UL communications in an adjacent full-duplex (FD) slot. In some implementations, the UE may further change a status of one or more active BWPs after a given amount of time has elapsed. For example, the UE may change the states of an active BWP by deactivating the active BWP, switching the active BWP to a default BWP, or changing a role assigned to the active BWP.