5G Bandwidth Part Switching with Multi-Band LBT Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G wireless networks face challenges in efficiently switching bandwidth parts (BWP) for user equipment (UE) due to inadequate signaling mechanisms, leading to suboptimal data transmission and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing enhanced signaling schemes for UE and base stations to identify and select frequency bands, perform listen before talk (LBT) operations, and determine bandwidth parts (BWP) for data transmission, using configuration messages via RRC, DCI, or common signaling to optimize BWP selection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enhanced signaling schemes are implemented for BWP switching, then data transmission efficiency and resource utilization are improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bandwidth part configuration is segmented into multiple frequency bands, allowing the UE to select and operate on specific subsets of bands rather than managing the entire spectrum as a single unit. This segmentation simplifies the signaling required for BWP switching while maintaining efficient data transmission across multiple divided frequency resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements dynamic BWP switching where the UE can adaptively select and switch between different bandwidth parts based on current channel conditions, traffic requirements, and LBT outcomes. This dynamic adaptation optimizes data transmission efficiency without requiring complex pre-configured signaling for all possible scenarios.
2Reliability
If the UE performs LBT operation on multiple frequency bands, then reliability of data transmission is improved, but time consumption and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary LBT operations and determines the availability of frequency bands before allocating them to the UE through configuration messages. This preliminary action ensures that when the UE receives the configuration, the indicated frequency bands are already validated as available, eliminating the need for the UE to perform time-consuming LBT operations on multiple bands and reducing transmission latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station acts as an intermediary that performs LBT operations on behalf of the UE and communicates the results through configuration messages. This intermediary approach allows the network to leverage its superior processing capabilities and centralized channel sensing, reducing the time burden on the UE while maintaining reliable transmission through pre-validated frequency band selections.
3Productivity
If the UE selects a subset of frequency bands, then resource utilization is optimized, but the complexity of frequency band management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The UE is empowered to autonomously select and determine the optimal subset of frequency bands from the configured options based on its own measurements, capabilities, and current transmission requirements. This self-service approach allows the UE to optimize resource utilization for its specific needs without requiring complex network-controlled selection procedures, thereby simplifying the overall management process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention includes receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a configuration message indicating one or more frequency bands for transmitting a radio signal and determining, by the UE, a subset of the one or more frequency bands; the UE then performs a listen before talk (LET) operation on each frequency band of the subset of the one or more frequency bands and the UE transmits a radio signal in at least one of the frequency bands of the subset. The transmitting can include transmitting at least one of a random access request, an information data signal or a control signal. The determining can includes determining a bandwidth part (BWP) in the frequency bands of the subset, wherein the BWP spans across at least one of the frequency bands of the subset. The UE can select the BWP for the transmission of the radio signal.