BWP Switching via Second Antenna Panel for Unlicensed Spectrum
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G NR systems, there is no effective solution for base stations to provide BWP switching indication to terminals using multiple antenna panels, which affects communication quality and data transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
The base station sends BWP switching indication information through a second antenna panel to indicate a target BWP with idle bandwidth units, allowing the terminal to switch and communicate with the first antenna panel, thereby improving spatial diversity and reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the base station uses multiple antenna panels to communicate with the terminal, then spatial diversity gain is improved, but the complexity of providing BWP switching indication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BWP switching indication process by separating the indication transmission (through second antenna panel) from the data communication (through first antenna panel). This allows independent optimization of each function, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining spatial diversity benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a second antenna panel as an intermediary to carry BWP switching indication information. This intermediary component handles the control signaling function, allowing the first antenna panel to focus on data transmission and reducing the complexity burden on individual antenna panels
2Loss of information
If the terminal monitors all M bandwidth units, then complete channel awareness is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the terminal monitor only N specific bandwidth units that are identified as idle, rather than uniformly monitoring all M bandwidth units. This localized monitoring approach reduces power consumption while maintaining necessary channel awareness for the active bandwidth units
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by having the terminal monitor a subset (N out of M) of bandwidth units rather than all bandwidth units. This partial monitoring is sufficient for maintaining communication on idle bandwidth units while significantly reducing the energy expenditure compared to complete monitoring
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for BWP switching indication on an unlicensed spectrum. A base station sends BWP switching indication information through a second antenna panel. The BWP switching indication information is configured to indicate a first target BWP to be switched to when a terminal communicates with a first antenna panel of the base station. The first target BWP including N BWUs in M BWUs detected by the first antenna panel to be idle. N is smaller than or equal to M, and M and N are positive integers. After receiving the BWP switching indication information, a terminal switches to the first target BWP for communicating with the first antenna panel.