Multi-BWP Activation for Wireless Spectrum Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing bandwidth parts (BWPs) in shared radio frequency spectrum, leading to increased latency and signaling overhead due to the limitations of activating only one BWP for downlink and uplink at a time, which is insufficient for diverse user requirements and unlicensed frequency spectrum deployments.
Innovation Solution
The method involves configuring and activating multiple BWPs for both downlink and uplink across multiple sub-bands at a given time, using clear channel assessment (CCA) and channel reservation (CR) signals to determine availability and occupancy status, allowing for flexible numerologies and resource allocation to meet diverse user needs and improve spectrum usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If only one BWP is activated for downlink and uplink at a time, then device complexity is reduced and signaling overhead is minimized, but bandwidth utilization is limited and latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total bandwidth into multiple BWPs that can be simultaneously activated. Instead of managing a single BWP, the system divides the frequency spectrum into distinct parts (BWP1, BWP2, etc.) that can be independently activated for different users or services, thereby increasing bandwidth utilization while maintaining manageable complexity through structured segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension to BWP management by enabling simultaneous activation of multiple BWPs across different frequency resources. This moves the system from a single-active-BWP constraint to a multi-dimensional resource allocation framework where multiple BWPs coexist in the frequency domain, increasing adaptability without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple BWPs are activated simultaneously for downlink and uplink, then bandwidth utilization is enhanced and latency is reduced, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges BWP activation indications into existing DCI structures rather than creating separate signaling messages. By combining multiple BWP activation indications into a single DCI format that can simultaneously activate multiple BWPs, the system reduces signaling overhead while maintaining the ability to enhance network efficiency through multi-BWP operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple BWPs are activated simultaneously, then resource allocation flexibility is increased for diverse user requirements, but interference management becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different BWPs to have different characteristics and be optimized for specific user requirements. Each BWP can be configured with appropriate numerology, bandwidth, and resource allocation patterns suited to local conditions, enabling flexible resource allocation while managing interference through localized optimization rather than uniform system-wide parameters.
Data Source
AI summary
Enhancement for bandwidth part (BWP) is disclosed. A base station configures a plurality of BWPs, and activate multiple BWPs for downlink and multiple BWPs for uplink from the plurality of the configured BWPs at a given time. Downlink control information (DCI) that includes BWP activation information can be transmitted on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to a user equipment (UE). The BWP activation information includes a link direction, a schedule of the one or more multiple BWPs for downlink and multiple BWPs for uplink, numerologies, reserved sub-band information, tracking reference signal configuration, or any combination thereof. Correspondingly, a UE receives DCI on a PDCCH that includes BWP activation information, and determines activation of multiple BWPs for downlink and multiple BWPs for uplink at a given time based on the received DCI and its capabilities. Associated enhancement for PDCCH and PDSCH scheduling and LBT procedures are also disclosed.