Sub-BWP Signaling for 5G IoT Power Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G radio systems face challenges in efficiently managing downlink control information, particularly in machine type communication (MTC) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, where low power consumption and minimal overhead are crucial, and existing technologies struggle to optimize communication operations during periods of inactivity and mobility changes.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a sub-bandwidth part (sub-BWP) signaling method that allows user equipment to perform timing and frequency synchronization using tracking reference signals, enabling efficient communication operations even during inactivity periods and allowing for limited mobility detection within neighbor cells, while reducing RF bandwidth usage and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If full bandwidth monitoring is used for downlink control information, then communication reliability is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the bandwidth into multiple sub-bandwidth parts (sub-BWPs), each monitored at different intervals. During active communication, full bandwidth is monitored for reliability, while during inactivity, monitoring is restricted to a subset of sub-BWPs, reducing power consumption while maintaining synchronization capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of sub-BWPs at different intervals based on communication activity state. During inactivity, the device monitors sub-BWPs at extended intervals (e.g., every 1, 2, 4, or 8 slots), reducing power consumption while maintaining ability to detect mobility changes and resume communication when needed.
2Measurement precision
If full bandwidth monitoring is used during inactivity, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth into sub-BWPs and selectively monitors only a subset during inactivity periods. This allows the device to maintain timing and frequency synchronization using tracking reference signals in the monitored sub-BWPs while consuming less power than full bandwidth monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different monitoring qualities to different sub-BWPs based on local conditions. Sub-BWPs containing tracking reference signals are monitored to maintain synchronization, while other sub-BWPs are monitored less frequently or not at all during inactivity, optimizing the balance between synchronization accuracy and power consumption.
3Use of energy by moving object
If reduced sub-bandwidth part monitoring is used, then power consumption is reduced, but detection of mobility changes becomes less reliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic monitoring of sub-BWPs at extended intervals during inactivity (e.g., every 1, 2, 4, or 8 slots). This periodic monitoring maintains sufficient detection capability for mobility changes while significantly reducing power consumption compared to continuous full bandwidth monitoring. The extended intervals are calibrated to detect mobility events within acceptable thresholds.
4Device complexity
If sub-bandwidth part operation is implemented, then device complexity is reduced, but control signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bandwidth into sub-BWPs and configures them through higher layer signaling (RRC). This segmentation simplifies device operation during inactivity by restricting monitoring to specific sub-BWPs, but requires additional control signaling to configure and activate sub-BWP operations, particularly for NB-IoT devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus to perform receiving at least one control signal in one of subframes or symbols of a sub-bandwidth part of signaling from a network node of a communication network; based on the at least one control signal of the sub-bandwidth part, performing timing and frequency synchronization for the communication network; and using the synchronized timing and frequency, maintain a connected state for communication operations with the communication network. Further, to perform configuring signaling including at least one control signal in one of subframes or symbols of a sub-bandwidth part of the signaling configured for a device, wherein the sub-bandwidth part of the signaling is configured for the device; and sending towards the device the signaling including the at least one control signal in the one of subframes or symbols of the sub-bandwidth part.