Bandwidth Part Switching for 5G Battery and Latency Trade-Offs

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G/NR devices face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth parts (BWPs) due to constraints such as insufficient control channel elements (CCEs) for distant UEs, resource congestion, and latency requirements, leading to suboptimal energy consumption and performance trade-offs.

Innovation Solution

A combination of time-division multiplexing (TDM) and frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) approaches is employed to dynamically transition between different operating modes based on traffic information and resource loads, optimizing battery consumption while meeting stringent latency requirements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a user equipment (UE) is configured to monitor multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs) for flexible bandwidth allocation, then spectral efficiency and communication flexibility are improved, but device energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth allocation flexibilityVSAvoiddevice energy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BWP switching where the UE transitions between different bandwidth parts based on real-time traffic conditions and network instructions. The UE monitors which BWP has the least congestion and switches to that BWP, making the system adaptive and dynamic rather than static, thereby optimizing energy consumption while maintaining flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic BWP monitoring where the UE periodically checks the congestion status of different bandwidth parts and switches between them in cycles. This periodic switching allows the system to maintain adaptability while reducing continuous energy consumption by not all BWPs are monitored simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If control channel elements (CCEs) are allocated for distant UEs, then communication reliability for remote users is improved, but resource congestion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control channel resources by separating CCE allocations for different UE types and distances. Distant UEs are allocated specific CCE resources while close UEs use other resources, preventing resource congestion while ensuring reliable communication for remote users through dedicated control elements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring CCE allocation strategies to different spatial locations. Distant UEs receive enhanced CCE allocation for reliability, while closer UEs have different resource allocation, optimizing both reliability for remote users and overall resource utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Duration of action of moving object

If bandwidth parts are divided into smaller portions to support low-bitrate devices, then battery life is extended, but latency performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery lifeVSAvoidlatency

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between narrowband BWPs (for battery saving) and wideband BWPs (for low latency). The UE can transition to wideband BWP when latency is critical and back to narrowband BWP when battery conservation is prioritized, making the system dynamically adaptable to changing requirements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bandwidth parameter dynamically based on traffic conditions. When latency is not critical, the system uses narrower bandwidth portions to extend battery life. When low latency is required, the system switches to wider bandwidth portions, optimizing the trade-off between battery life and latency performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12550174B2Systems and methods for transitioning between operating modes associated with bandwidth parts for efficient battery consumption

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A device may determine traffic information of a user equipment (UE) operating in a first operating mode. The first operating mode may be associated with the UE monitoring a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), via a first bandwidth part (BWP), according to a first rate. The device may determine, based on the traffic information, that the UE is to operate in a different operating mode including one of: a second operating mode associated with monitoring the PDCCH, via the first BWP, according to a second rate exceeding the first rate, a third operating mode associated with monitoring the PDCCH, via a second BWP less than the first BWP, according to the second rate, or a fourth operating mode associated with monitoring the PDCCH, via the second BWP, according to the first rate. The device may cause the UE to transition to the different operating mode.