Communications Device Bandwidth Part Activation Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communications networks face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth parts (BWPs) for diverse devices with different data traffic profiles, particularly in supporting Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC) services, where existing mechanisms lack control over the activation and deactivation of multiple BWPs simultaneously, leading to suboptimal resource utilization and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A communications device and infrastructure equipment configuration that allows for the dynamic activation and deactivation of multiple bandwidth parts using a processor-controlled transceiver, receiving indications for BWP activation/deactivation, and selecting BWPs based on a maximum permitted number, thereby optimizing resource use and power efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bandwidth parts are activated simultaneously to support diverse data traffic profiles, then the network's ability to handle different services is improved, but the device complexity and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support diverse data traffic profilesVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple BWPs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically activates and deactivates bandwidth parts based on real-time traffic requirements. The network can switch between different BWP configurations to adapt to varying service demands, transitioning from static to dynamic resource allocation, thereby managing complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

A single communications device is designed to handle multiple bandwidth parts with different configurations, making it universally capable of supporting diverse traffic profiles including eMBB, URLLC, and mMTC services through one multi-functional device rather than requiring separate dedicated devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple bandwidth parts are activated simultaneously to support diverse data traffic profiles, then the network's ability to handle different services is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support diverse data traffic profilesVSAvoidpower consumption of the communications device
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs periodic activation and deactivation of bandwidth parts based on traffic patterns. Instead of continuously activating all BWPs, the network periodically switches between active BWPs according to service demands, reducing power consumption while maintaining the ability to support diverse traffic profiles when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The communications device dynamically adjusts its active BWPs based on real-time traffic requirements, activating only the necessary bandwidth parts when specific services are needed and deactivating them when not required, thereby reducing overall power consumption while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If a maximum number of activated bandwidth parts is limited to manage device complexity, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity and resource utilization efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of BWP managementVSAvoidresource utilization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the total bandwidth into multiple distinct bandwidth parts, each optimized for specific traffic types. By limiting the number of simultaneously active BWPs to a manageable maximum, the system maintains simple device operation while achieving high resource utilization efficiency through selective activation of the most appropriate BWPs for current traffic demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3827543B1Communications device, infrastructure equipment and methods
Publication Date: 2024.10.30 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3827543B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3827543B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3827543B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communications device for communicating with an infrastructure equipment of a wireless communications network, the communications device comprising a transceiver configured to transmit signals and to receive signals on a wireless access interface of the wireless communications network using a plurality of activated bandwidth parts, each of the bandwidth parts being formed from communications resources of a carrier within a carrier bandwidth, and a processor configured to control the transceiver to transmit the signals and to receive the signals, wherein the processor is configured in combination with the transceiver to transmit signals or to receive signals using a first of the plurality of activated bandwidth parts, to receive, via the first activated bandwidth part, an indication of one or more bandwidth parts to be activated, to select one or more bandwidth parts to be de-activated in accordance with a maximum number of activated bandwidth parts permitted for the communications device, and in response to the selecting, to de-activate the selected one or more bandwidth parts.