Bandwidth Part Switching Critical Section

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems, particularly in LTE and NR technologies, face challenges in optimizing bandwidth part signaling and switching to enhance mobile broadband access and power efficiency as demand increases, necessitating improved methods for bandwidth management and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method and apparatus that allow user equipment (UE) to determine and transition between different bandwidth parts based on a defined critical section, using techniques such as time division duplexing and frequency division duplexing, to optimize bandwidth part switching and signaling, thereby improving resource allocation and power management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bandwidth part switching is implemented to optimize resource allocation, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth part switching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the total bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), each with distinct characteristics and purposes. This segmentation allows the system to allocate different BWPs for different traffic types, QoS requirements, or frequency ranges, thereby improving spectral efficiency through optimized resource allocation while managing complexity through structured organization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic bandwidth part switching capabilities that allow the system to adaptively transition between different BWPs based on real-time network conditions, traffic demands, and channel quality. This dynamic approach enables spectral efficiency optimization without requiring static, overly complex configurations, as the system can flexibly adjust bandwidth allocation as needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If bandwidth part signaling is enhanced to improve resource allocation, then mobile broadband access is enhanced, but use of energy increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobile broadband accessVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by configuring specific bandwidth parts with particular characteristics suited for specific functions or user requirements. Instead of uniformly allocating the entire bandwidth, the system tailors individual BWP configurations (e.g., different numerologies, frequency positions, bandwidth sizes) to local needs, improving mobile broadband access efficiency while reducing overall energy consumption by avoiding unnecessary wideband transmissions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If critical section definition is implemented for bandwidth part switching, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth part switching reliabilityVSAvoidswitching time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent defines critical sections that establish predetermined time windows and procedures for bandwidth part switching operations. By preparing and defining the switching framework in advance (including setting up BWP configurations, defining switching triggers, and establishing critical section parameters), the system ensures reliable switching execution while minimizing actual switching time through pre-planned procedures

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3714570B1Bandwidth part signaling and switching
Publication Date: 2024.08.14 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3714570B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3714570B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3714570B1 patent drawingFigure 3a

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment may determine a bandwidth part switch from a first bandwidth part to a second bandwidth part. The user equipment may transition from the first bandwidth part to the second bandwidth part after determining the bandwidth part switch and based at least in part on a critical section defined for the transitioning from the first bandwidth part to the second bandwidth part. Numerous other aspects are provided.