Reduced Capability UE Bandwidth Part Segmentation for System Information Acquisition
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, user equipment (UE) with reduced capability faces challenges in accessing cells due to limitations in receiving master information blocks (MIB) and system information blocks (SIB), particularly in legacy NR cells, leading to reduced cell coverage and power consumption issues.
Innovation Solution
The method involves providing two initial downlink bandwidth parts (DL BWP) by the base station, allowing UEs with reduced capability to switch between them for receiving system information, with the first DL BWP supporting legacy UEs and the second DL BWP tailored for UEs with reduced capability, enabling efficient system information acquisition and cell access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single initial DL BWP is provided for all UEs, then legacy UEs can access the cell, but UEs with reduced capability cannot acquire system information efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The initial DL BWP is segmented into multiple BWPs (first initial DL BWP and second initial DL BWP) with different bandwidth configurations. The first BWP is designed for legacy UEs while the second BWP is optimized for UEs with reduced capability, allowing each UE type to access the appropriate BWP for efficient system information acquisition.
Solution Approach 2:
Different quality characteristics are assigned to different BWPs based on UE capability. The second initial DL BWP has bandwidth characteristics specifically tailored for reduced capability UEs, while the first BWP maintains broader compatibility for legacy devices, enabling localized optimization for each UE type.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the initial DL BWP bandwidth is increased to cover all UE types, then all UEs can receive system information, but UEs with reduced capability consume excessive power
Solution Approach 1:
The bandwidth resource is segmented into two separate initial DL BWPs with different bandwidth sizes. Reduced capability UEs are directed to the second BWP with bandwidth matched to their capabilities, avoiding the excessive power consumption that would result from receiving wideband signals beyond their processing capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The bandwidth parameter of the initial DL BWP is changed based on UE capability. Reduced capability UEs receive system information through a narrower second initial DL BWP configured with bandwidth parameters appropriate for their reduced processing capability, thereby reducing power consumption.
3Productivity
If multiple initial DL BWPs are provided for different UE types, then each UE type can access efficiently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base station segments the initial DL BWP into multiple BWPs with distinct characteristics for different UE types. This segmentation enables efficient cell access for each UE type while the base station manages the multiple BWPs through standardized configuration procedures defined in the patent.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station implements a universal mechanism that handles multiple initial DL BWPs through a unified configuration and signaling approach. The same base station infrastructure and protocol stack are used to manage both the first and second initial DL BWPs, reducing the increase in device complexity despite supporting multiple BWPs.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal having reduced capability so as to support a bandwidth smaller than a specific bandwidth, according to one embodiment of the present invention, can detect a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) signal through a synchronization signal block (SSB) on a first downlink (DL) bandwidth part (BWP), obtain a part of system information including a master information block (MIB) carried by the PBCH signal from among pieces of first system information provided on the first DL BWP, and obtain second system information provided on a second DL BWP that is different from the first DL BWP.