Bandwidth Part Configuration via RRC Messages for NR Handover

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing and reconfiguring bandwidth parts (BWPs) in New Radio (NR) systems, particularly during handover procedures, which affect system capacity and coverage.

Innovation Solution

A communication device and method that enables the configuration and reconfiguration of bandwidth parts (BWPs) through Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages, allowing for dynamic association of random access channels with synchronization signals and CSI-RS, and flexible beam management to optimize BWP usage based on signal strength measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If bandwidth parts are reconfigured during handover procedures, then system capacity and coverage are improved, but the complexity of handover management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem capacityVSAvoidhandover management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple bandwidth parts (first BWP and second BWP) before handover occurs. The network side device configures the UE with multiple BWPs in advance, allowing the UE to switch between pre-configured BWPs during handover without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, thus improving system capacity while managing handover complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling dynamic switching between different bandwidth parts during handover procedures. The network side device can dynamically activate different BWPs based on real-time conditions, allowing flexible adaptation to changing network conditions while maintaining manageable handover complexity through structured switching mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If bandwidth parts are dynamically reconfigured, then adaptability to different conditions improves, but the time required for reconfiguration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different conditionsVSAvoidreconfiguration time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple bandwidth parts before handover is needed. The network side device configures the UE with multiple BWPs in advance, including their parameters and associations with synchronization signals, so that when handover is triggered, the UE can switch between pre-configured BWPs without requiring complex real-time reconfiguration, thus improving adaptability while minimizing reconfiguration time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by creating multiple bandwidth part configurations that replicate the structure of a single BWP but with different parameters. Each BWP copy includes complete configuration information (frequency, time resources, association with synchronization signals), allowing the UE to switch between copies without needing to reconstruct configuration data during handover, thereby improving adaptability while reducing reconfiguration time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bandwidth parts are configured with different associations, then beam management flexibility improves, but the complexity of configuration increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam management flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the bandwidth into multiple independent parts (first BWP, second BWP), each with its own configuration parameters and association with synchronization signals. This segmentation allows the network to independently manage and optimize each BWP for different beam directions and conditions, improving beam management flexibility while reducing overall configuration complexity through modular structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by assigning different characteristics to different bandwidth parts, where each BWP is optimized for specific local conditions (beam direction, signal strength, coverage requirements). The first BWP may be associated with first synchronization signals for certain beams while the second BWP is associated with second synchronization signals for other beams, allowing localized optimization without requiring complex global reconfiguration

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3439365B1Base station and method of handling bandwidth parts
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 HTC CORP
  • EP3439365B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3439365B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3439365B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station (BS) for handling bandwidth parts (BWPs) comprises at least one storage device storing instructions of communicating with a communication device via a first DL BWP and a first UL BWP in a cell; transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) message in the first DL BWP to the communication device, wherein the RRC message configures at least one of a second DL BWP and a second UL BWP in the cell to the communication device; receiving a RRC response message from the communication device in the first UL BWP; receiving a RA preamble from the communication device in the first UL BWP or the second UL BWP; transmitting a RA response (RAR) to the communication device in the first DL BWP or the second DL BWP; and communicating with the communication device via the at least one of the second DL BWP and the second UL BWP.