Anchor–Non-Anchor BWP Pairing for Mixed-Numerology Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing NR technology faces challenges in supporting wider bandwidths and mitigating phase noise at higher carrier frequencies, particularly in the 60 GHz band, leading to reduced coverage and increased PDCCH monitoring burden due to the use of higher subcarrier spacing, which is not effectively addressed by current BWP frameworks.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an anchor and non-anchor BWP pair with the same BWP index, where the anchor BWP has higher priority and lower subcarrier spacing, allowing for prioritization of signals and channels, enabling cross-numerology operation within a single cell without frequent BWP switching, and maintaining a single active BWP index.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If higher subcarrier spacing is used to support wider bandwidths and higher carrier frequencies, then bandwidth support is improved, but coverage is reduced and PDCCH monitoring burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bandwidth into multiple BWPs with different numerologies. Each BWP is segmented to support specific subcarrier spacing values, allowing the system to simultaneously support both wide bandwidth (via higher SCS BWPs) and good coverage (via lower SCS BWPs) by selecting appropriate segments for different transmission scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different BWPs based on channel conditions, traffic requirements, and coverage needs. This dynamic adaptation allows the network to optimize between bandwidth utilization and coverage reliability in real-time without requiring frequent BWP switching by maintaining a single active BWP index.
2Area of stationary object
If higher subcarrier spacing is used to support wider bandwidths, then bandwidth support is improved, but PDCCH monitoring burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
Different BWPs are assigned different local qualities in terms of subcarrier spacing and monitoring requirements. The system applies localized optimization where critical control channels can use lower SCS BWPs with reduced monitoring rates, while data channels utilize higher SCS BWPs for wide bandwidth support, thus reducing overall PDCCH monitoring burden while maintaining bandwidth efficiency.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BWPs with different numerologies are supported simultaneously, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single active BWP index mechanism provides universal management for multiple BWPs with different numerologies. This multi-functional approach allows the same index structure to handle both legacy single-numerology scenarios and new mixed-numerology scenarios, reducing device complexity while maintaining high adaptability across different deployment scenarios.
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for for BWP enhancement. For example, certain embodiments may enable configuration of an anchor and non-anchor BWP pair having the same BWP index, where signals or channels on the anchor BWP are prioritized over signals or channels on the non-anchor BWP.