Bandwidth Part Configuration for RRC Connection Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the New Radio (NR) system, user equipment (UE) may not support as large bandwidth as the serving cell, and existing methods for managing bandwidth parts (BWP) and radio resource control (RRC) connections are inefficient, leading to performance losses and unreliable handovers.
Innovation Solution
The system configures multiple BWPs within a carrier or across different bands, allowing the UE to dynamically switch between them based on RRC signaling, with default BWPs for fallback and explicit reconfiguration messages, ensuring seamless transitions during handovers and idle/active state changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the UE supports the full bandwidth of the serving cell, then the system capacity and data rate are improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the total carrier bandwidth into multiple smaller Bandwidth Parts (BWPs), each with its own numerology configuration. The UE is configured to operate on one or more specific BWPs rather than the entire carrier bandwidth, reducing the UE's bandwidth requirements while maintaining overall system capacity through multi-BWP aggregation and switching capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the UE dynamically switches between multiple BWPs, then the adaptability to different bandwidth requirements is improved, but the control signaling overhead and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures multiple BWPs with different numerology parameters (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, resource block sizes) before data transmission begins. This allows the UE to quickly switch between pre-defined BWPs without requiring complex real-time calculations, reducing control overhead while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables dynamic BWP switching where the active BWP can be changed based on current channel conditions, traffic requirements, and UE capabilities. The network can activate/deactivate specific BWPs through RRC signaling, allowing the system to adapt to varying bandwidth demands while managing complexity through standardized switching procedures.
3Speed
If implicit BWP release is used during handover, then the handover speed is improved, but the reliability of BWP configuration may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent includes mechanisms to verify and validate BWP configurations during handover preparation phases. The target gNB pre-configures appropriate BWPs and provides them to the UE through handover command messages, ensuring configuration reliability before the handover is executed. This cushioning approach prevents configuration errors while maintaining fast handover execution.
4Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BWPs are configured with different numerologies, then the system flexibility and service support are improved, but the resource management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each BWP is configured with specific numerology parameters (subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix type, resource block configuration) optimized for particular service requirements. For example, smaller subcarrier spacing with extended cyclic prefix for coverage-enhanced services, or larger subcarrier spacing for ultra-reliable low-latency communications. This local optimization allows diverse service support while managing complexity through standardized BWP templates.
Data Source
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AI summary
A communication device for handling a radio resource control (RRC) connection comprises at least one storage device and at least one processing circuit coupled to the at least one storage device. The at least one storage device stores, and the at least one processing circuit is configured to execute instructions of: communicating with a base station (BS) in a first bandwidth part (BWP) at a first carrier; receiving a RRC Connection Release message from the BS, wherein the RRC Connection Release message configures the communication device to enter an IDLE state or an INACTIVE state; and camping on a second BWP at the first carrier.