High-Pathloss BWP Configuration for Reliable Wireless Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wireless communication systems face challenges in managing high pathloss scenarios, particularly in millimeter wave frequencies, where existing techniques struggle to maintain effective communication when pathloss exceeds threshold values, leading to network failures.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a high pathloss mode in wireless devices that involves configuring a high pathloss bandwidth part (BWP) through RRC signaling, with additional bits indicating the mode change, and defining specific rules for signal duration, resources, and parameters to enhance communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing communication techniques are used in high pathloss scenarios, then normal communication operations can be maintained under typical conditions, but communication reliability deteriorates when pathloss exceeds threshold values

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidadaptability to high pathloss conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between normal operation mode and high pathloss mode based on detected pathloss conditions. The base station and wireless device adjust communication parameters including bandwidth part configuration, signal duration, and transmission resources according to the current pathloss state, enabling adaptive response to varying channel conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies multiple communication parameters to address high pathloss: configuring specific bandwidth parts for high pathloss operation, adjusting signal duration lengths, modifying resource allocation, and changing transmission power levels. These parameter changes enable the system to maintain reliable communication when pathloss exceeds conventional thresholds

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If communication parameters are optimized for high pathloss conditions, then communication reliability improves in high pathloss scenarios, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliability in high pathloss modeVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and configures only the essential parameters needed for high pathloss operation through dedicated RRC signaling. By identifying and configuring specifically the bandwidth part, signal duration, and resource allocation parameters required for high pathloss mode, the system minimizes unnecessary signaling while ensuring all critical parameters are properly set for reliable operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The base station performs preliminary configuration of high pathloss communication parameters through RRC signaling before actual high pathloss communication begins. This advance configuration includes setting up the bandwidth part, signal duration, and resource allocation in preparation for high pathloss operation, reducing the need for frequent parameter adjustments during communication

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If signal duration is extended for high pathloss operations, then communication reliability improves in high pathloss conditions, but transmission time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtransmission time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts signal duration based on the detected pathloss condition. In normal conditions, standard signal durations are used to maintain efficient transmission. When high pathloss is detected, the system extends signal duration specifically for high pathloss bandwidth parts to ensure reliable detection and communication, then returns to normal duration when conditions improve

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3957017B1Communication configuration for high pathloss operations
Publication Date: 2025.12.17 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3957017B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3957017B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3957017B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described that provide for the management of different operation modes in wireless systems. For example, wireless device(s) may operate in a high pathloss operation mode or a normal pathloss operation mode based on the pathloss experienced between the transmitting and receiving devices. In some cases, a first wireless device may transmit a message to a second wireless device to configure a bandwidth part (BWP) for high pathloss mode communications. The message may be transmitted via control signaling and after receipt of the message, the second wireless device may enter a high pathloss mode for communications with the first wireless device (e.g., after a given time duration). Some parameters may be configurable (e.g., transmission duration, coding scheme) between high pathloss mode and normal pathloss mode, while other parameters may remain the same (e.g., processing time, switching time).