Cluster BWP Configuration for Low-Overhead Non-Contiguous Spectrum Aggregation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in managing intra-band non-contiguous spectrum due to increased signaling overhead and wasted radio resources from independent carriers and varying LBT results, particularly in licensed and unlicensed bands.
Innovation Solution
The method extends bandwidth part (BWP) configuration to cluster BWPs, aggregating distributed spectrum blocks within a frequency range by single carrier operation, enabling dynamic aggregation and filtering out unknown RATs based on LBT results.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If independent carriers are used for intra-band non-contiguous spectrum, then spectrum aggregation is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent carriers into a single carrier by configuring multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs) within one carrier. This allows the UE to aggregate non-contiguous spectrum blocks while being managed under a single carrier framework, thereby reducing signaling overhead associated with multiple independent carriers while maintaining spectrum aggregation capability.
2Ease of operation
If LBT is performed per subchannel in unlicensed band, then channel access is achieved, but radio resources are wasted due to varying LBT results
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple subchannels into a single carrier with multiple BWPs, allowing LBT to be performed at the carrier level rather than per subchannel. This merging approach enables more efficient resource utilization by reducing the fragmentation of LBT operations and minimizing wasted radio resources when LBT results vary across subchannels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic BWP configuration that allows the network to activate or deactivate specific BWPs based on LBT results. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to adapt to varying channel conditions and LBT outcomes, optimizing resource utilization by activating only those BWPs corresponding to successfully accessed subchannels.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple serving RATs are configured for intra-band non-contiguous spectrum, then frequency domain flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes a single carrier serve multiple functions by configuring multiple BWPs within it, allowing the same carrier to handle different spectrum blocks and serve different purposes. This universal approach eliminates the need for multiple independent carriers and their associated complexity, while maintaining the flexibility to operate across non-contiguous frequency bands.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of efficient wideband operation for intra-band non-contiguous spectrum using extending bandwidth part (BWP) configuration is proposed. The BWP definition is extended to cluster BWPs to aggregate distributed spectrum blocks within a frequency range (e.g., 200 MHz) by single carrier operation and facilitate UE to filter out the transmission of unknown RAT between any two of the distributed spectrum blocks. In addition, the cluster BWP configuration enables dynamic aggregation of the number and location of the distributed spectrum blocks based on LBT results in unlicensed spectrum. Specifically, the BWP definition is extended to a group of one or multiple radio resource clusters, each of which contains a set of contiguous PRBs in frequency domain within the associated carrier.