UE Bandwidth Part Switching for Battery and Resource Efficiency

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing wireless communication systems, particularly LTE and NR, face limitations in bandwidth part configurations per UE, leading to inefficiencies in battery consumption and network resource utilization.

Innovation Solution

A UE is capable of configuring a bandwidth part that is less than its full communication bandwidth, allowing transitions between full bandwidth and partial bandwidth configurations to conserve battery power and manage network resources effectively.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a UE configures multiple bandwidth parts to support diverse communication requirements, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to management overhead

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth part configuration flexibilityVSAvoidbandwidth part management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments bandwidth management by dividing the total bandwidth into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), each with distinct characteristics. The UE is configured with multiple BWPs that can be independently activated based on service requirements, allowing flexible adaptation without managing a single complex bandwidth configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic BWP switching where the UE can transition between different bandwidth parts based on real-time communication needs. The network can trigger BWP switches via DCI signaling, and the UE maintains multiple BWP configurations that are dynamically activated/deactivated, providing adaptability while keeping active configuration complexity manageable through time-multiplexed operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If a UE operates over full bandwidth to maximize data throughput, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata throughputVSAvoidUE battery consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by configuring the UE to operate on only a subset of the total available bandwidth through bandwidth parts. Instead of continuously utilizing full bandwidth, the UE activates only the necessary BWP size required for current service demands, reducing energy consumption while maintaining adequate throughput for the active service.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic bandwidth adjustment through BWP switching. The UE transitions between different BWP configurations based on traffic conditions - using larger BWPs when high throughput is needed and smaller or fewer BWPs when throughput requirements are lower, thereby optimizing the balance between productivity and energy consumption in real-time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3659378B1Techniques and apparatuses for bandwidth part management
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3659378B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3659378B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3659378B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may determine a limit on a number of concurrently active bandwidth parts, wherein the limit applies per component carrier used by the UE or across component carriers used by the UE. The UE may communicate using one or more bandwidth parts on one or more component carriers used by the UE based at least in part on the limit, wherein at least one bandwidth part of the one or more bandwidth parts is less than a full bandwidth that the UE is capable of using. Numerous other aspects are provided.