Bandwidth Part Resource Switching for RAN Energy Savings

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth parts (BWPs) to optimize resource allocation and reduce power consumption based on varying RAN resource loads and user equipment demands, particularly in mobile devices with diverse QoS requirements.

Innovation Solution

A radio access network node dynamically adjusts BWP configurations by analyzing usage patterns and transmitting bandwidth part change indications to user equipment, allowing for resource arrangement changes that deactivate unused or low-demand resources, thereby optimizing energy consumption and resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the radio access network node operates all bandwidth part resources continuously to maintain service availability, then service reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice availabilityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BWP configuration where the network node monitors usage patterns and actively switches between different BWP resource arrangements based on real-time demand. The system transitions from static continuous operation to dynamic adaptive operation, activating or deactivating specific resource sets according to actual service requirements, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous availability and energy consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes operational parameters by switching between different BWP configurations (first resource arrangement with active resources, second resource arrangement with deactivated resources). By modifying the operational state of bandwidth part resources based on usage analysis, the system achieves energy savings while maintaining service availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the radio access network node maintains a first resource arrangement with more active resources to handle potential high demand, then service capacity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by activating only the necessary portion of bandwidth part resources based on actual usage patterns. Instead of maintaining all resources in an active state, the system selectively activates resource sets corresponding to active BWPs, using just enough capacity to meet current demand while avoiding energy waste from excessive resource activation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the bandwidth part resources into multiple configurable sets (first resource arrangement, second resource arrangement) that can be independently activated or deactivated. This segmentation allows the system to activate only the specific resource portions needed for current service requirements rather than maintaining all resources active, resolving the capacity-energy contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Use of energy by moving object

If the radio access network node frequently switches between different bandwidth part configurations to optimize resource usage, then energy efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network node continuously monitors BWP usage patterns and service demand, using this information to make informed decisions about resource arrangement switching. The feedback loop includes usage analysis, threshold evaluation, and adaptive configuration selection, which automates the complexity management and reduces manual intervention requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically monitoring its own resource usage patterns and autonomously switching between different BWP configurations without external intervention. The network node independently analyzes its usage data, determines optimal configurations, and executes switching decisions, thereby managing system complexity through self-regulation rather than external control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12538284B2Bandwidth part adaptation

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 DELL PROD LP

AI summary

A radio access network node transmits a bandwidth part configuration comprising one or more bandwidth part resource arrangements corresponding to one or more bandwidth parts. Responsive to determining that a bandwidth part change criterion is satisfied with respect to a particular bandwidth part, the node may indicate to only user equipment using the particular bandwidth part, via a resource arrangement change indication corresponding to a resource arrangement of the bandwidth part configuration, that the node has determined to change operation of the particular bandwidth part according to the resource arrangement indicated by the resource arrangement change indication. Other bandwidth parts used by user equipment with respect to the RAN may be unchanged by a bandwidth part resource arrangement change. A resource arrangement change indication may indicate deactivating of a resource and offloading functionality facilitated by the deactivated resource to an active resource of another bandwidth part.