Single DCI Switching for Downlink Uplink Bandwidth Parts
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems require separate DCI messages to switch downlink and uplink bandwidth parts (BWPs) or sub-bands for sub-band full-duplex communications, leading to increased signaling overhead and latency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a single DCI message that dynamically switches both downlink and uplink BWPs or sub-bands by utilizing unused fields, reserved bits, or reinterpreting BWP indicator fields, allowing for simultaneous indication of new bandwidth configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate DCI messages are used to switch downlink and uplink BWPs or sub-bands, then the switching can be performed independently for each direction, but the signaling overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate downlink and uplink BWP switching operations into a single DCI message. The DCI format includes a BWP indicator field that can indicate both downlink and uplink BWPs simultaneously, merging what were previously two separate control messages into one unified message, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining independent switching capability
Solution Approach 2:
The DCI message is designed with multi-functionality to handle both downlink and uplink BWP switching. The BWP indicator field can be configured to indicate downlink BWP, uplink BWP, or both simultaneously depending on the configuration, making the same DCI structure universal for different switching scenarios without requiring separate specialized messages
2Ease of operation
If separate DCI messages are used to switch downlink and uplink BWPs or sub-bands, then each direction can be switched independently, but the latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging downlink and uplink BWP switching into a single DCI message transmission, the patent eliminates the sequential delay of receiving separate messages. The network entity can indicate both BWPs in one message, and the UE can switch both simultaneously, reducing the total time from one message transmission cycle to another
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary configuration where the UE is pre-configured with multiple BWP pairs (downlink BWP and corresponding uplink BWP). When the DCI message arrives with a BWP indicator, the UE can immediately switch to the pre-configured BWP pair without needing separate switching decisions, reducing processing latency
3Quantity of substance
If a single DCI message is used to switch both downlink and uplink BWPs or sub-bands, then the signaling overhead and latency are reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the BWP indicator field into different interpretable parts. The same DCI message can be interpreted differently based on configuration - the BWP indicator can point to downlink BWP only, uplink BWP only, or both simultaneously. This segmentation allows flexible interpretation without requiring completely different message structures, managing complexity through configurable meaning rather than structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes in the DCI format configuration to control behavior. By changing the interpretation parameter of the BWP indicator field (through RRC configuration), the system can switch between different modes (DL-only, UL-only, or both) without changing the fundamental DCI structure. This allows complex functionality to be controlled through simple parameter changes rather than complex structural modifications
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may be configured to receive, from a network node, control signaling indicating a first downlink bandwidth part (BWP) and a first uplink BWP, or a first downlink sub-band and a first uplink sub-band, or both, for performing sub-band full-duplex (SBFD) communications. The UE may receive, from the network node, a downlink control information (DCI) message indicating to switch to a second downlink BWP and a second uplink BWP, or to switch to a second downlink sub-band and a second uplink sub-band, or both. The UE may then perform full-duplex communications with the network node within the second downlink BWP and the second uplink BWP, or within the second downlink sub-band and the second uplink sub-band, or both.