Carrier Aggregation for Irregular Spectrum Bandwidths

Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless operators face challenges in maximizing the use of their spectrum allocations, which are often not multiples of 5 MHz, due to the use of older narrowband systems, while 5G NR channel bandwidths are defined in multiples of 5 MHz, leading to increased complexity and difficulty in supporting all possible spectrum allocations.

Innovation Solution

Configuring narrow channels or separate channel bandwidths with 1 MHz or 1 resource block granularity and using carrier aggregation techniques to combine these with defined channel bandwidths, allowing for channels of irregular sizes to be supported without individually defining all possible spectrum allocations, thereby enabling efficient spectrum use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If channel bandwidths are defined in multiples of 5 MHz only, then device complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to various spectrum allocations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvechannel bandwidth definition complexityVSAvoidspectrum allocation adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel bandwidth into a base bandwidth (multiple of 5 MHz) and additional bandwidth components (1 MHz or 1 RB granularity). This allows the system to define channel bandwidths as combinations of standardized base channels with configurable additions, thereby maintaining device complexity management while achieving adaptability to various spectrum allocations like 7 MHz, 13 MHz, and other non-standard bandwidths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the channel bandwidth definition by allowing network side to configure additional bandwidth beyond the standardized 5 MHz multiples. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to adapt to different spectrum allocations without requiring all possible bandwidth combinations to be pre-defined, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed complexity and flexible adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If all possible spectrum allocations are individually defined, then adaptability to various spectrum allocations is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum allocation supportVSAvoidchannel bandwidth testing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal channel bandwidth definition framework where a standardized base channel (5 MHz multiple) can serve multiple purposes by combining with different configurations of additional bandwidth (1 MHz or 1 RB). This multi-functional approach allows a single base definition to support numerous spectrum allocation scenarios, eliminating the need for individual definitions of each possible bandwidth combination while maintaining comprehensive adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If narrow channels with 1 MHz or 1 RB granularity are configured and combined using carrier aggregation, then adaptability to irregular spectrum allocations is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveirregular channel bandwidth supportVSAvoidcarrier aggregation configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the channel bandwidth into a base bandwidth (multiple of 5 MHz) and additional bandwidth components (1 MHz or 1 RB granularity). This allows the system to define channel bandwidths as combinations of standardized base channels with configurable additions, thereby maintaining device complexity management while achieving adaptability to various spectrum allocations like 7 MHz, 13 MHz, and other non-standard bandwidths

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the channel bandwidth definition by allowing network side to configure additional bandwidth beyond the standardized 5 MHz multiples. This dynamic adjustment mechanism enables the system to adapt to different spectrum allocations without requiring all possible bandwidth combinations to be pre-defined, thus resolving the contradiction between fixed complexity and flexible adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11476984B2Flexible spectrum usage with carrier aggregation

Publication Date: 2022.10.18 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Aspects are provided in which narrow channels are configured and carrier aggregated with defined channel bandwidths in order to support irregular channel bandwidths that are not a multiple of 5 MHz or other defined bandwidth multiple. An apparatus such as a UE receives, from a base station, a configuration for carrier aggregation for a PCell and one or more SCells. A total bandwidth of the PCell and the one or more SCells is not a defined bandwidth multiple. The apparatus communicates with the base station through the PCell and the one or more SCells. In this way, the available spectrum of wireless operators that include channel bandwidths of irregular size may be supported.