Bandwidth Part Switching With Guard Band Duplex Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth part switching and duplex type transitions in cellular networks, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and increased complexity, particularly in next-generation networks like 5G.

Innovation Solution

A method and system for bandwidth part switching that involves determining guard band thresholds and selectively switching between different duplex types based on guard band satisfaction, using configuration data to manage transitions and reduce complexity, especially for user equipment not supporting cross-division duplexing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bandwidth part switching is implemented to improve data transmission efficiency, then bandwidth capacity and transmission speed are improved, but device complexity and configuration management difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission efficiencyVSAvoidbandwidth part management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-configuration of bandwidth parts by automatically determining guard band thresholds and configuring appropriate BWPs based on duplex types without requiring manual intervention or complex external configuration management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts bandwidth part parameters including guard band thresholds, frequency allocations, and duplex types based on network conditions and device capabilities, allowing flexible optimization of transmission efficiency while managing complexity through parameterization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If guard band thresholds are strictly enforced to prevent interference between bandwidth parts, then transmission reliability is improved, but bandwidth utilization and transmission capacity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmission reliabilityVSAvoidbandwidth utilization
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The guard band threshold is made dynamic rather than fixed, allowing the system to adjust the threshold value based on duplex type (FDD or TDD) and specific bandwidth part configurations, thereby optimizing the balance between interference prevention and bandwidth utilization in different operational scenarios

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different guard band threshold values are applied to different bandwidth parts and duplex types locally, rather than using a uniform threshold across all configurations, allowing each BWP to have optimally tuned protection margins that prevent excessive conservatism while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Adaptability or versatility

If cross-division duplexing is supported to enhance network flexibility and capacity, then adaptability and bandwidth capacity are improved, but user equipment complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoiduser equipment complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The base station is designed with universal functionality to support both FDD and TDD duplex types and can serve both xDD-capable and non-xDD-capable UEs, allowing the network to provide advanced features to capable devices while maintaining compatibility with simpler devices without requiring separate infrastructure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments UE capabilities into categories (xDD-capable and non-xDD-capable) and applies different configuration strategies for each segment, allowing complex xDD features to be deployed only where needed while simpler UEs receive streamlined configurations, thereby managing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Area of stationary object

If bandwidth part switching is implemented to improve coverage and capacity, then base station coverage and bandwidth capacity are improved, but data transmission latency increases due to switching overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebase station coverageVSAvoidtransmission latency
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Bandwidth parts and their configurations are pre-configured and prepared in advance, including pre-determining guard band thresholds and frequency allocations, so that when switching is needed, the transition can occur more quickly without extensive real-time configuration overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically manages BWP switching timing and configuration based on current transmission needs and duplex type transitions, optimizing the switching frequency and timing to achieve necessary coverage and capacity while minimizing the cumulative latency impact of switches

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4397106B1Bandwidth part switching
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 APPLE INC
  • EP4397106B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4397106B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4397106B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for signaling cross-division duplex configurations. One of the methods includes identifying, by a first device and for a first link with a second device, a switch in a first bandwidth part to a second bandwidth part for the first link, the first link associated with a second link having a third bandwidth part; determining, by the first device, whether a bandwidth band between the second bandwidth part and the third bandwidth part satisfies a threshold guard band; and selectively determining to maintain the third bandwidth part for the second link or to switch the third bandwidth part to a fourth bandwidth part for the second link using a result of the determination whether the bandwidth band between the second bandwidth part and the third bandwidth part satisfies the threshold guard band.