Bandwidth Part Switching for Low-Overhead Cell Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge in wireless communication systems is the inefficient management of bandwidth parts (BWP) during cell change procedures, leading to unnecessary power consumption, complexity, and signaling overheads, particularly due to maintaining candidate cells without actual transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing BWPs in a wireless communication system, involving UE operations such as receiving configuration information, activating and transmitting random access preambles on candidate cells, and deactivating BWPs based on cell switching commands, to optimize BWP management and reduce unnecessary activation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If candidate cells are maintained for cell change procedure, then cell switching capability is improved, but power consumption and signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple candidate cells with their BWPs before actual cell switching is needed. The UE receives configuration information for multiple candidate cells in advance, preparing the necessary BWP parameters and random access preambles ahead of time. This allows rapid cell switching when needed without maintaining all candidate cells continuously, thus reducing power consumption while preserving switching capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making BWP activation and deactivation flexible and adaptive. Instead of maintaining all candidate cell BWPs continuously, the system dynamically activates only the necessary BWP when a cell switching command is received. The UE activates a first BWP for a first candidate cell, transmits random access preambles, and only then activates a second BWP for a second candidate cell if needed, deactivating unused BWPs to save energy.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BWPs are activated for candidate cells, then cell change procedure readiness is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the BWP management into distinct, manageable segments. Instead of managing all candidate cell BWPs as a single complex unit, the system segments the process into: (1) receiving configuration information for multiple candidate cells, (2) activating only the necessary first BWP, (3) transmitting random access preambles, and (4) conditionally activating the second BWP. This segmentation reduces management complexity while maintaining procedure readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action to simplify BWP management complexity by pre-configuring all necessary BWP parameters, random access preambles, and timing advance values before actual cell switching. The UE stores this configuration information in advance, so when cell switching is needed, it only needs to activate the appropriate pre-configured BWP rather than managing and configuring multiple BWPs in real-time, significantly reducing operational complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If BWPs are maintained for candidate cells without actual transmissions, then cell switching capability is preserved, but signaling overheads increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring and storing BWP parameters, random access preambles, and timing advance values before cell switching occurs. The network provides configuration information for multiple candidate cells in advance, including all necessary BWP settings and associated preambles. When cell switching is needed, the UE simply activates the pre-configured BWP and transmits the pre-provided random access preamble, eliminating the need for real-time signaling to configure these parameters and significantly reducing signaling overheads.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making BWP activation conditional and selective. Instead of maintaining all candidate cell BWPs in a static, always-ready state that requires continuous signaling, the system dynamically activates only the necessary BWP when a cell switching command is received. The UE activates the first BWP for the first candidate cell only when needed, transmits the random access preamble, and then activates the second BWP for the second candidate cell only if required, deactivating unused BWPs. This dynamic approach preserves cell switching capability while reducing signaling overheads by avoiding continuous maintenance of all BWPs.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a method of performing operations for a User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system. In particular, the method includes receiving, from a source cell, configuration information related to a first candidate cell and a second candidate cell; activating a first bandwidth part (BWP) of the first candidate cell; transmitting a first random access (RA) preamble on the first BWP of the first candidate cell; activating a second BWP of the second candidate cell; transmitting a second RA preamble on the second BWP of the second candidate cell; and based on receiving, from the source cell, a cell switching command for switching from the source cell to the first candidate cell, deactivating the second BWP for the second candidate cell.