BWP Inactivity Timer Handling During Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks, the management of bandwidth parts (BWP) during a random access procedure is challenging due to the need for efficient BWP switching and inactivity timer handling, which affects power consumption and network performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where the user equipment (UE) starts a BWP timer for a serving cell during a contention-based random access procedure and stops it upon successful completion, with specific conditions for restarting or expiring the timer based on PDCCH receptions, ensuring seamless BWP switching between default and active BWPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the BWP timer is continuously running during random access procedure, then the BWP switching can respond quickly to network conditions, but it causes unnecessary BWP switching and increases power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBWP switching response speedVSAvoidUE power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by stopping the BWP inactivity timer before the random access procedure begins. This preparatory action prevents the timer from expiring during the random access process, thereby avoiding unnecessary BWP switching and the associated power consumption while maintaining the ability to switch BWPs quickly when needed after successful access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the BWP timer is stopped during random access procedure, then power consumption is reduced, but the BWP switching responsiveness may be delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveUE power consumptionVSAvoidBWP switching response speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSSpeed

Solution Approach 1:

The timer is stopped in advance before random access starts, and this stopping action is maintained throughout the procedure. After successful random access completion, the timer is restarted, ensuring that BWP switching responsiveness is restored without causing unnecessary switching during the access process itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The BWP inactivity timer dynamically changes its state based on the random access procedure status. It is stopped when random access is initiated and restarted when random access completes successfully. This dynamic adjustment optimizes both power consumption and switching responsiveness according to the current operational phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If the BWP timer expires during random access, then default BWP switching occurs, but it may interrupt the random access procedure

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBWP management reliabilityVSAvoidrandom access procedure continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The BWP inactivity timer is stopped before the random access procedure begins as a preliminary protective action. This prevents the timer from expiring during the critical random access phase, thereby avoiding any potential interruption or failure of the access procedure while maintaining reliable BWP management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple BWP switches occur during random access, then the system adapts to changing network conditions, but it increases complexity and potential for errors

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBWP adaptation to network conditionsVSAvoidBWP switching control complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by stopping the BWP inactivity timer before random access begins. This single preliminary action effectively prevents multiple BWP switches during the entire random access procedure, thereby reducing complexity and potential for errors while still allowing the system to adapt to network conditions after successful access when the timer is restarted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11317446B2Method and apparatus of handling BWP inactivity timer during random access procedure in a wireless communication system

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 ASUSTEK COMPUTER INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses of handling a bandwidth part (BWP) inactivity timer during a Random Access procedure in a wireless communication system are disclosed herein. In one method, a user equipment (UE) starts a BWP timer for a serving cell operating in a paired spectrum. The UE initiates a contention-based Random Access (RA) procedure on the serving cell and stops the BWP timer. The UE starts the BWP timer upon successful completion of the RA procedure, wherein the UE considers the contention-based RA procedure successfully completed if a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) addressed to a Cell Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI) of the UE is received and the PDCCH contains an uplink grant for a new transmission.