BWP Switching Feedback Mechanism for 5G NR Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR networks, the process of switching between different bandwidth parts (BWPs) for energy saving can result in transmission loss due to the uncertainty of when user equipment (UE) has received and parsed BWP switching messages, leading to potential transmission losses if the base station schedules UE on the wrong BWP.
Innovation Solution
The method involves sending BWP switching messages through upper layer messages and monitoring uplink feedback information to determine when the UE has completed the switching process, allowing the base station to synchronize scheduling with the UE on the new BWP, thereby avoiding premature cancellation of the old BWP and ensuring seamless transition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the base station sends BWP switching messages through upper layer messages (RRC messages), then the UE can be instructed to switch BWPs for energy saving, but the processing time creates a fuzzy period where transmission loss may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces feedback mechanisms where the UE sends acknowledgment messages (ACK/NACK) to the base station to confirm successful reception and processing of BWP switching messages. This feedback allows the base station to reliably determine when the UE has completed the switching process, eliminating the fuzzy period and preventing transmission loss while maintaining the energy-saving BWP switching functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary actions by having the base station continue scheduling the UE on the current BWP until explicit confirmation is received that the switching is complete. Additionally, the base station prepares the new BWP configuration in advance and maintains scheduling on both BWPs during the transition period, ensuring no transmission loss occurs during the handover.
2Productivity
If the base station cancels scheduling on the first BWP too early, then resource efficiency is improved, but transmission loss occurs because the UE may not have finished processing the switching message
Solution Approach 1:
The UE sends feedback messages (ACK/NACK) to indicate whether the BWP switching message was successfully received and processed. The base station uses this feedback to determine the exact moment to cancel scheduling on the first BWP, ensuring resource efficiency is maximized while preventing transmission loss by waiting for explicit confirmation of successful switching.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical timing-based approach (waiting for a fixed processing period) with a signal-based feedback mechanism. Instead of guessing when processing is complete based on time estimates, the system uses explicit acknowledgment messages to precisely determine when the UE has finished processing, eliminating the uncertainty that causes transmission loss.
3Reliability
If the base station continues scheduling on the first BWP too long, then transmission loss is avoided, but resource efficiency deteriorates due to prolonged use of the old BWP
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback mechanism provides precise timing information to the base station about when the UE has completed processing the BWP switching message. This allows the base station to cancel scheduling on the first BWP at the optimal moment - immediately after confirmation of successful switching - thereby maintaining high transmission reliability while maximizing resource efficiency by minimizing the duration of dual-BWP scheduling.
4Adaptability or versatility
If RRC messages are used for BWP switching, then comprehensive control information can be transmitted, but the message processing time creates uncertainty about when the UE finishes parsing
Solution Approach 1:
The feedback message sent by the UE explicitly indicates completion of RRC message processing and BWP switching. This resolves the difficulty of detecting processing completion by providing a clear, unambiguous signal from the UE to the base station, allowing the base station to know exactly when it is safe to cancel scheduling on the old BWP while maintaining the ability to transmit comprehensive control information through RRC messages.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for adjusting information transmission, a base station and UE are provided. The method includes: sending BWP switching information to target UE through an upper layer message, the BWP switching information being used for instructing the target UE to switch a first BWP for presently carrying information transmission to a second BWP; monitoring preset uplink feedback information of the target UE, the preset uplink feedback information being used for indicating that the target UE has received and/or parsed the BWP switching information; and upon the preset uplink feedback information is received, stopping scheduling the target UE on the first BWP. When a base station instructs UE to switch BWPs through an upper layer message, the method provided by the present disclosure may ensure that during a BWP handover, the UE will not experience information transmission loss, thus effectively enhancing the reliability of information transmission during the BWP handover.