Initial BWP Bandwidth Determination for 5G Terminal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, such as NR and 5G, controlling the reception and transmission of downlink and uplink shared channels assigned in an initial bandwidth part (BWP) is challenging due to the wider bandwidths used, which are not adequately addressed by existing LTE systems.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves determining the bandwidth of the initial BWP based on an index in the master information block (MIB) or bandwidth/location information in System Information Block 1 (SIB1), and controlling the number of bits in the frequency domain resource assignment field in the DCI and bit selection in rate matching based on the user terminal's state, whether it is connected or not.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wider bandwidth carriers (100-400 MHz) are used in future radio communication systems, then data rates and capacity are improved, but control of reception and transmission in initial BWP becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata rateVSAvoidcontrol of reception and transmission
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the wide bandwidth carrier into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), with a specific focus on defining an initial BWP for access procedures. This segmentation allows the system to manage wide bandwidths (100-400 MHz) by creating smaller, controllable frequency ranges, making it easier to control reception and transmission in the initial access phase while maintaining the overall high capacity benefits of wide bandwidth carriers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If bandwidth part (BWP) configuration is introduced for wide carriers, then bandwidth management is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth managementVSAvoidterminal control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes an initial BWP configuration that is determined before actual data transmission begins. This preliminary configuration, which can be based on indices in MIB or SIB1 messages, prepares the terminal with predefined bandwidth and frequency location information for the initial access phase. By performing this configuration in advance, the system achieves flexible bandwidth management while reducing the complexity of real-time BWP switching and configuration during active communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3820216B1Terminal, wireless communication method, base station and system
Publication Date: 2024.04.17 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3820216B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3820216B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3820216B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives downlink control information including a certain field indicating a frequency domain resource assigned to a downlink shared channel; and a control section that determines the bandwidth to use for determination of a number of bits of the certain field, based on specified information included in information about an initial downlink BWP, when the terminal is in a connected state and the information about the initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP) in a cell is given by a higher layer.