Adaptive OFDM Bandwidth Switching for Reduced-Capability NR Reception

Solution Overview

Problem

Future wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently supporting reduced capability NR communications devices with varying bandwidth requirements during initial access and connected phases, leading to increased complexity and power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where a communications device receives downlink data during initial access and connected phases with varying OFDM symbol and sub-carrier configurations, allowing for reduced processing rates and bandwidth adaptation without increasing complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reduced capability NR communications devices are supported with varying bandwidth requirements during initial access and connected phases, then device versatility and network coverage are improved, but device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice versatilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the communications device to adapt its bandwidth configuration dynamically between initial access phase and connected phase. The device can switch between different bandwidth configurations (e.g., first bandwidth for initial access, second bandwidth for connected phase) based on operational requirements, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate hardware configurations for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the bandwidth parameter of the communications device based on the operational phase. The system changes the active bandwidth configuration from a first bandwidth during initial access to a second bandwidth during connected phase, allowing the device to optimize its performance for different use cases while maintaining a unified device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If reduced capability NR communications devices are supported with varying bandwidth requirements, then network coverage and device support are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverageVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the communications device to adapt its bandwidth configuration dynamically between initial access phase and connected phase. The device can switch between different bandwidth configurations (e.g., first bandwidth for initial access, second bandwidth for connected phase) based on operational requirements, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate hardware configurations for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the bandwidth parameter of the communications device based on the operational phase. The system changes the active bandwidth configuration from a first bandwidth during initial access to a second bandwidth during connected phase, allowing the device to optimize its performance for different use cases while maintaining a unified device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If more sub-carriers are available in OFDM symbols during initial access phase, then data reception capability is improved, but processing rate requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata reception capabilityVSAvoidprocessing rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling the communications device to adapt its bandwidth configuration dynamically between initial access phase and connected phase. The device can switch between different bandwidth configurations (e.g., first bandwidth for initial access, second bandwidth for connected phase) based on operational requirements, allowing a single device to serve multiple purposes without requiring separate hardware configurations for each scenario.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements parameter changes by modifying the bandwidth parameter of the communications device based on the operational phase. The system changes the active bandwidth configuration from a first bandwidth during initial access to a second bandwidth during connected phase, allowing the device to optimize its performance for different use cases while maintaining a unified device architecture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250385768A1Communications devices, network infrastructure equipment, wireless communications networks and methods

Publication Date: 2025.12.18 SONY GROUP CORP

AI summary

A method of receiving data at a communications device from a wireless communications network is provided. The method comprises receiving, by a receiver of the communications device, downlink data during an initial access phase of a communications session of the communications device from a wireless access interface provided by the wireless communications network, and receiving, by the receiver of the communications device, other downlink data during a connected phase of the communications session the communications device transmitted to the communications device via the wireless access interface, the wireless access interface providing communications resources comprising a predetermined number of OFDM symbols in each of a plurality of time slots, the OFDM symbols in the initial access phase having a greater number of sub-carriers available to carry the downlink data within greater frequency domain physical resources than the OFDM symbols in the connected phase.