RedCap UE vBWP Hopping for Frequency Diversity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RedCap UEs face challenges with reduced bandwidth leading to loss of frequency diversity, interference, and resource fragmentation, particularly in indoor environments, and coexistence with wider band UEs degrades PDSCH and PDCCH coverage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a virtual bandwidth part (vBWP) configuration that allows NB UEs to hop across multiple narrowband BWPs within a larger carrier bandwidth, using DCI to identify bandwidth locations and dynamically adjust PUCCH transmission to mitigate interference and resource fragmentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If RedCap UE bandwidth is limited to 5 MHz, then device complexity and cost are reduced, but frequency diversity is significantly lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 5 MHz BWP into multiple narrower sub-BWPs (e.g., 1.4 MHz or 2.5 MHz) that can be dynamically selected and switched between. This allows the UE to maintain a simple 5 MHz bandwidth constraint while accessing multiple frequency segments to achieve frequency diversity, effectively resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and frequency diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic BWP switching mechanisms where the network can dynamically activate different BWP configurations (5 MHz, 20 MHz, or both simultaneously) based on channel conditions and UE requirements. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between device complexity and frequency diversity depending on the operational context.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If network operating bandwidth is reduced to 5 MHz, then interference is reduced, but PDSCH and PDCCH coverage are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple 5 MHz BWPs within a wider carrier bandwidth. Each BWP can be independently activated for PDSCH and PDCCH transmission, allowing the network to distribute coverage across multiple frequency segments while maintaining low interference within each segment. This resolves the contradiction by providing both narrow-band low-interference operation and wide-band coverage through segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple 5 MHz BWPs to form a virtual wider bandwidth for PDSCH and PDCCH transmission. By combining the coverage of multiple segmented BWPs, the system achieves extended coverage similar to wider bandwidth operation while maintaining the low interference characteristics of narrow-band operation within each segment.
3Device complexity
If multiple NB UEs are in the same 5 MHz BWP, then resource allocation is simplified, but traffic congestion occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the 5 MHz BWP into smaller sub-BWPs, creating additional frequency resources within the same overall bandwidth. This segmentation increases the number of available resource blocks and reduces congestion by providing more granular resource allocation options, while maintaining relatively simple allocation mechanisms through extended CSRs that manage the segmented resources efficiently.
4Adaptability or versatility
If NB UEs share bandwidth with WB UEs, then spectrum utilization is improved, but bandwidth fragmentation risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the total bandwidth into distinct 5 MHz BWP units that can be independently allocated to NB UEs and WB UEs. This segmentation allows flexible spectrum utilization where NB UEs can be assigned specific BWP segments while WB UEs access other segments or aggregated BWPs, maintaining bandwidth continuity through proper segmentation and allocation management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic BWP activation and deactivation mechanisms where the network can dynamically adjust which BWPs are active for NB UEs and which are available for WB UEs. This dynamic management allows the system to optimize spectrum utilization by adapting BWP assignments in real-time while preventing fragmentation through coordinated activation of contiguous BWPs.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method are disclosed for wireless communication with an external device. The apparatus may be a user equipment (UE) provided for wireless communication with an external device. The UE includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to receive, via the transceiver, a radio resource control (RRC) signal; determine a virtual bandwidth part (vBWP) based on the RRC signal, the vBWP including a plurality of narrowband (NB) bandwidth parts (BWPs) in a carrier bandwidth for the UE to perform communication at a given time instance, and determine a bandwidth location in the carrier bandwidth of at least one of the plurality of NB BWPs. If a first relative frequency of the bandwidth location in a first NB BWP is the same as a second relative frequency of a bandwidth location in a second NB BWP, then information included in downlink control information (DCI) is re-used to identify the bandwidth location.