Linked UL-DL Bandwidth Part Mapping for Clear BWP Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communication networks, there is a lack of clarity on how to determine linked bandwidth parts for uplink and downlink transmissions, leading to uncertainties in resource allocation and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The method involves determining linked bandwidth parts through one-to-one or many-to-one mappings between uplink and downlink bandwidth parts, facilitated by RRC, MAC, or DCI signaling, ensuring synchronized activation, deactivation, and switching of UL and DL BWPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If bandwidth parts are configured for uplink and downlink transmissions, then resource allocation flexibility is improved, but clarity on linkage between UL and DL BWPs deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation flexibilityVSAvoidclarity on linkage between UL and DL BWPs
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the bandwidth part configuration into distinct components: UL BWP configuration, DL BWP configuration, and explicit linkage indication. By separating these elements and providing dedicated signaling for their relationships, the patent maintains configuration flexibility while eliminating ambiguity about which UL BWP links to which DL BWP.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary linkage indication mechanism (through RRC, MAC, or DCI signaling) that explicitly connects UL and DL bandwidth parts. This intermediary signaling structure serves as a mediator that preserves the adaptability of independent BWP configuration while ensuring clear information about their relationships is transmitted to the UE.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If multiple UL and DL bandwidth parts are configured, then network performance optimization is improved, but uncertainty in HARQ feedback, random access, power control, and spatial domain filtering increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork performanceVSAvoiduncertainty in HARQ feedback, random access, power control, and spatial domain filtering
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the network explicitly signals the linkage relationships between UL and DL BWPs to the UE. This feedback ensures that the UE has accurate information for determining HARQ feedback timing, random access procedures, power control parameters, and spatial domain filtering, thereby eliminating uncertainty while maintaining multiple BWP configurations for performance optimization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Device complexity

If bandwidth part linkage is not explicitly defined, then configuration complexity is reduced, but resource allocation efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration complexityVSAvoidresource allocation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining and signaling the linkage relationships between UL and DL bandwidth parts through RRC, MAC, or DCI signaling before actual transmissions occur. This preliminary configuration step, though adding some initial complexity, enables efficient resource allocation during operation by eliminating the need for dynamic determination and reducing processing overhead during active communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3753336B1Determining linked bandwidth parts
Publication Date: 2026.04.01 LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
  • EP3753336B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3753336B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3753336B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Apparatuses, methods, and systems are disclosed for determining linked bandwidth parts. One method (900) includes determining (902) an identification of a bandwidth part. The method (900) includes determining (904) an uplink bandwidth part and a downlink bandwidth part based on the identification of the bandwidth part. The method (900) includes using (906) the uplink bandwidth part and the downlink bandwidth part in response to determining the uplink bandwidth part and the downlink bandwidth part.