Initial UL BWP Selection for Reduced-Capability Random Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in signal transmission and reception due to varying user equipment capabilities, particularly for devices with reduced bandwidth.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for user equipment (UE) in a 3GPP-based wireless communication system that allows selection of initial uplink bandwidth parts (BWPs) based on predetermined conditions, enabling efficient operation for UEs with reduced capability by selecting appropriate BWPs from a plurality of BWPs, including a first BWP for UEs with smaller bandwidth and a second BWP for other UEs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single initial UL BWP is provided for all UEs, then device complexity is reduced, but UEs with reduced capability cannot perform random access procedures due to bandwidth and numerology incompatibility
Solution Approach 1:
The initial UL BWP is segmented into multiple BWPs with different bandwidths and numerologies. Each BWP is specifically configured to support different UE capabilities, allowing reduced-capability UEs to access the network using a BWP matching their constraints while full-capability UEs use the standard BWP.
Solution Approach 2:
Different properties (bandwidth, numerology) are assigned to different parts (BWPs) of the initial UL configuration. Each BWP has locally optimized characteristics suited for specific UE types, rather than using a uniform configuration for all UEs.
2Reliability
If multiple initial UL BWPs are provided for different UE types, then support for reduced capability UEs is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple configurations
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple initial UL BWPs are pre-configured and made available to UEs before random access procedures begin. Each UE type can directly select the appropriate pre-configured BWP without requiring runtime configuration or complex negotiation, thereby improving access reliability while managing complexity.
3Use of energy by moving object
If reduced capability UEs use a smaller bandwidth BWP, then power consumption is reduced, but cell coverage is reduced due to lower transmission power capability
Solution Approach 1:
The BWP configuration allows changing key parameters (bandwidth, numerology) to match UE capabilities. Reduced-capability UEs operate with smaller bandwidth and adjusted numerology, which reduces their power consumption while maintaining reliable communication within their coverage area through optimized parameter selection rather than forcing full-bandwidth operation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a terminal can acquire an RACH configuration for at least one from among a plurality of UL BWPs, select an initial UL BWP from among the plurality of UL BWPs, and transmit a random access preamble on the basis of the RACH configuration on the selected initial UL BWP, the plurality of UL BWPs can include: a first UL BWP related to only a first type terminal of which the capability is reduced to support a bandwidth that is less than a predetermined bandwidth; and a second UL BWP related to a second type terminal that is different from the first type terminal, and the terminal, as the first type terminal, can be configured to select the first UL BWP or the second UL BWP as the initial UL BWP according to whether a predetermined condition is satisfied.