Dynamic BWP Switching for URLLC Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth part (BWP) switching, particularly for ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), which results in high latency overhead and inability to serve random URLLC traffic during BWP switching.

Innovation Solution

Implementing techniques for dynamic BWP switching at the mini-slot or symbol level, allowing for adaptive adjustment of frequency resources to optimize traffic processing within a slot transmission time interval, enabling faster and more efficient handling of different types of traffic such as URLLC and enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) traffic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If BWP switching is implemented at the slot level, then the system can manage frequency resources for different traffic types, but the latency overhead increases and random URLLC traffic cannot be served during switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency resource managementVSAvoidlatency overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by enabling BWP switching at the mini-slot or symbol level rather than fixed slot level, allowing the system to adapt the switching timing dynamically based on traffic requirements. This dynamic adjustment enables the system to reduce latency overhead while maintaining frequency resource management capabilities for different traffic types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the slot into mini-slots or symbols, allowing BWP switching to occur at finer granularity. This segmentation enables the system to serve random URLLC traffic during the switching process by allocating specific mini-slots or symbols for switching operations, thereby reducing the overall latency overhead associated with conventional slot-level switching.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If BWP switching is performed to support different traffic types, then resource allocation flexibility improves, but the complexity of managing multiple BWPs increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetraffic processing flexibilityVSAvoidBWP management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple BWPs with different numerologies before actual traffic processing begins. The network entity signals the UE with BWP switching configurations in advance, including parameters like subcarrier spacing, cyclic prefix length, and bandwidth. This pre-configuration reduces the complexity of managing multiple BWPs during operation, as the UE already has the necessary parameters ready to switch between predefined configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If dynamic BWP switching at mini-slot or symbol level is implemented, then latency is reduced and URLLC traffic is better served, but the signaling and control mechanisms become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovelatencyVSAvoidsignaling control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the intermediary principle by introducing a dedicated control mechanism where the network entity signals BWP switching configurations to the UE through standardized control channels. The signaling includes intermediary parameters such as BWP identifiers, timing information, and resource allocation details that facilitate smooth transitions between BWPs. This structured signaling approach reduces the complexity of controlling mini-slot or symbol-level switching by breaking down the control into manageable, standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3769572B1Considerations on bandwidth part (BWP) management for ultra-reliability low latency communication (URLLC)
Publication Date: 2023.06.07 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3769572B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3769572B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3769572B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communications systems, and more particularly, to improving efficiency of bandwidth part (BWP) switching.