Bandwidth Part Indication for Reduced Capability NR Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems in cellular networks face challenges in efficiently determining and communicating the preferred bandwidth part (BWP) between a terminal and a base station, particularly for reduced capability NR devices, which can lead to sub-optimal bandwidth allocation and potential barring or blocking due to limitations in initial UL and DL BWP configurations.

Innovation Solution

The system allows a terminal to determine and indicate a preferred BWP based on its capability, using reserved PRACH resources, PUSCH allocations, and physical layer configurations, enabling the network to adjust initial BWP settings to support both normal and reduced capability devices, thereby optimizing bandwidth allocation and preventing barring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the base station configures initial UL and DL BWP with fixed bandwidth, then the system complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different device capabilities deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidadaptability to device capabilities

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal determines its preferred BWP capability before accessing the network, and indicates this capability to the base station during the random access procedure (Msg1, Msg3, or Msg5). This preliminary indication allows the base station to configure appropriate BWPs in advance, avoiding the need for complex real-time negotiations while ensuring adaptability to different device capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal autonomously determines its own preferred BWP capability based on its hardware and processing limitations, and proactively communicates this information to the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the base station to probe or infer device capabilities, simplifying the overall system complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If the base station uses a narrow initial BWP, then reduced capability devices can access the network, but the bandwidth allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess capability for reduced capability devicesVSAvoidbandwidth allocation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the initial BWP bandwidth based on the terminal's indicated capability. Reduced capability devices receive narrower BWPs suitable for their processing power, while normal capability devices receive wider BWPs for optimal performance. This dynamic configuration ensures both access capability for diverse devices and efficient bandwidth utilization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different BWP configurations are assigned to different terminals based on their specific capabilities. Normal capability devices receive full-bandwidth initial BWPs, while reduced capability devices receive narrowed initial BWPs. This localized quality approach ensures each device receives appropriately sized bandwidth without affecting others, maintaining overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Productivity

If the base station uses a wide initial BWP, then bandwidth allocation efficiency is improved, but reduced capability devices may be barred or blocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebandwidth allocation efficiencyVSAvoidaccess reliability for reduced capability devices

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal indicates its preferred BWP capability to the base station before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary indication allows the base station to configure appropriate initial BWPs that match device capabilities, ensuring reduced capability devices can access the network without being barred or blocked, while normal devices can utilize wide BWPs for efficient bandwidth allocation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If the terminal indicates preferred BWP capability early in the random access procedure, then the adaptability to device capabilities is improved, but the signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to device capabilitiesVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The preferred BWP capability indication is integrated into existing random access messages (Msg1, Msg3, or Msg5) that are already required for network access. By embedding the capability indication within these universal access messages rather than creating separate signaling procedures, the patent achieves multi-functionality, improving adaptability while minimizing additional signaling overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20230140310A1Apparatus, Method, and Computer Program

Publication Date: 2023.05.04 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

An apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: provide an indication of a preferred bandwidth part among a first bandwidth part and at least one second bandwidth part indicated by a base station or an indication of a bandwidth part capability of the apparatus to the base station.