UE BWP Selection for Random Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In New Radio (NR) systems, User Equipment (UE) faces challenges in selecting the appropriate Bandwidth Part (BWP) for performing a random access procedure, as existing methods lack clear conditions for BWP selection, leading to inefficiencies and potential failures in completing the procedure.

Innovation Solution

The UE method involves determining if the currently active BWP meets conditions for a random access procedure, switching to an initial BWP if not, and receiving BWP switching indications from the network to choose between multiple BWPs based on preset conditions, ensuring timely completion of the random access process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If the UE performs random access on the currently active BWP, then the random access procedure can be completed quickly, but the BWP may not meet the conditions for performing random access

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access completion timeVSAvoidrandom access condition satisfaction
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the BWP selection dynamic by allowing the UE to switch between the currently active BWP and the initial BWP based on whether the active BWP meets random access conditions. The UE dynamically determines which BWP to use for random access, rather than being fixed to one BWP, thus resolving the contradiction between speed and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the BWP parameter (bandwidth part) based on conditions. When the current active BWP does not meet random access conditions, the UE switches to the initial BWP which is guaranteed to meet the conditions. This parameter change resolves the contradiction by adapting the BWP selection to the actual conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the UE switches to the initial BWP for random access, then the random access conditions are guaranteed to be met, but the random access procedure takes more time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverandom access condition satisfactionVSAvoidrandom access completion time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BWP selection where the UE first checks if the currently active BWP meets random access conditions. Only if the conditions are not met does the UE switch to the initial BWP. This dynamic approach ensures reliability while minimizing time loss by avoiding unnecessary switches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The UE autonomously determines whether to switch BWPs based on checking the conditions of the currently active BWP. The system serves itself by making intelligent decisions about BWP selection without requiring external intervention, thus optimizing both reliability and time efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the network sends BWP switching indication during random access, then the UE can switch to a more suitable BWP, but the random access procedure may be interrupted or delayed

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBWP selection flexibilityVSAvoidrandom access completion time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary checking of whether the currently active BWP meets random access conditions before initiating the random access procedure. This preliminary action allows the UE to proactively select the appropriate BWP, avoiding interruptions or delays that would occur if BWP switching were needed during the procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The network provides feedback through BWP switching indication information during random access. The UE uses this feedback to determine whether to continue on the current BWP or switch to another BWP. This feedback mechanism enables adaptive BWP selection while managing the timing and potential interruptions of the random access procedure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3681239B1Random access method and device
Publication Date: 2024.07.31 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3681239B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3681239B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3681239B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A random access method and apparatus are disclosed. The method includes: working, by the UE, on a first bandwidth part BWP, where the first BWP is a currently active BWP; when the UE needs to perform a random access procedure, if the first BWP does not meet a condition for performing a random access procedure, performing, by the UE, the random access procedure on an initial BWP; or if the first BWP meets a condition for performing a random access procedure, performing, by the UE, the random access procedure on the first BWP; and if the UE receives, when performing the random access procedure on the first BWP, BWP switching indication information sent by a network device and used to instruct the UE to use a second BWP, continuing, by the UE, to perform the random access procedure on the first BWP, or stopping, by the UE, performing the random access procedure on the first BWP, and performing the random access procedure on the second BWP. In this way, the UE can select a BWP to be used, to quickly implement the random access procedure.