Multi-Band Frequency Resource Switching for Uplink Spectrum Utilization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current flexible spectrum access technologies, user equipment (UE) struggles to determine the switching period location accurately when switching across multiple bands, leading to reduced spectrum resource utilization and impact on uplink communication quality, especially when the same band has the highest priority.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for determining the switching period location by identifying a frequency domain resource that is not of the highest priority or does not include a physical uplink control channel, ensuring efficient switching across multiple bands without disrupting high-priority communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the UE switches across multiple bands dynamically, then spectrum resource utilization is improved, but the UE cannot accurately determine the switching period location in some scenarios, leading to reduced spectrum utilization

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectrum resource utilizationVSAvoidswitching period location determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces multiple determination criteria for switching period location based on different parameter conditions: (1) priority of frequency domain resources, (2) presence of physical uplink control channels, and (3) association relationships between frequency domain resources. By changing the determination parameters according to different scenarios, the system can accurately identify switching period locations even when the same band has the highest priority, thus resolving the contradiction between spectrum utilization improvement and determination accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the frequency domain resources into different categories based on their characteristics (priority levels, control channel presence, association relationships). This segmentation allows the UE to apply different determination rules to different segments of frequency domain resources, enabling accurate switching period location determination in complex multi-band switching scenarios while maintaining high spectrum utilization

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Speed

If the switching period is located on a high-priority band, then the UE can complete band switching efficiently, but information transmission on high-priority frequency domain resources is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveband switching speedVSAvoidinformation transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses the priority parameter of frequency domain resources as a key criterion for determining switching period location. By selecting frequency domain resources with lower priority (or no highest priority) as switching period locations, the system ensures that high-priority resources remain uninterrupted for information transmission, while still enabling efficient band switching on lower-priority resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces the concept of an intermediary frequency domain resource - a resource that is not of the highest priority and can serve as a buffer for switching operations. This intermediary resource acts as a mediator between the need for efficient switching and the requirement to maintain high-priority transmission, allowing switching to occur without disrupting critical communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4694460A1Communication method and communication apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694460A1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP4694460A1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP4694460A1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

This application provides a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method includes: When switching from M frequency domain resources to N frequency domain resources, the communication apparatus determines, from the M frequency domain resources and the N frequency domain resources, a frequency domain resource on which a switching period is located. M and N are positive integers and a sum of M and N is greater than 2. The switching period is a time period for switching from the M frequency domain resources to the N frequency domain resources. Optionally, the method further includes: The communication apparatus switches from the M frequency domain resources to the N frequency domain resources within the switching period. According to the solution provided in this application, effectiveness of determining the frequency domain resource on which the switching period is located can be improved, thereby improving spectrum utilization.