BWP Inactivity Timer Management for 5G Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G wireless communication systems, the BWP inactivity timer management during random access procedures leads to interruptions and increased delays due to BWP switching, especially when random access is initiated on secondary cells, causing the ongoing procedure to be stopped and restarted, which affects the efficiency and reliability of the communication.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves stopping and restarting the BWP inactivity timers based on the type of serving cell on which the random access procedure is initiated, ensuring that the timers are managed differently for primary and secondary cells to prevent unnecessary BWP switching during the random access process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the BWP inactivity timer is managed uniformly for all serving cells, then the timer management is simple, but BWP switching interruptions occur during random access procedures on secondary cells
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating timer management behavior based on the type of serving cell. For primary cells, the BWP inactivity timer is stopped during random access procedures, while for secondary cells, the timer continues running. This localized differentiation prevents unnecessary BWP switching interruptions during random access on secondary cells while maintaining simple overall timer management architecture.
2Reliability
If the BWP inactivity timer is stopped during random access procedure on secondary cells, then BWP switching interruptions are prevented, but timer management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by applying different timer management rules to different cell types. Specifically, when a random access procedure is initiated on a secondary cell, the BWP inactivity timer is not stopped, allowing the timer to naturally expire and trigger BWP switching without interrupting the random access procedure. This selective approach maintains procedural continuity while avoiding unnecessary complexity.
3Productivity
If BWP switching is allowed during random access procedure, then bandwidth utilization is optimized, but procedure interruptions and delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively preventing BWP switching during random access procedures on primary cells. The BWP inactivity timer is stopped before it can expire and trigger a BWP switch, thereby preemptively avoiding interruptions to the random access procedure. This anticipatory measure ensures procedural continuity while allowing bandwidth optimization to occur after the random access completes.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as smart home, smart building, smart city, smart car, connected car, health care, digital education, smart retail, security and safety services. A method of a UE is provided. The method includes receiving, from a base station, first information of a timer associated with bandwidth part (BWP) inactivity; receiving, from the base station, physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) on an active BWP associated with a serving cell; identifying whether there is ongoing random access procedure associated with the serving cell; and starting or re-starting the timer in response to identifying that there is no ongoing random access procedure associated with the serving cell.