User Equipment BWP Switching Reference Signal Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the process of switching between partial frequency bands (BWP) can lead to degradation of communication quality if not managed properly during radio link monitoring or beam failure detection operations.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves controlling the reference signal operations by discarding the measurement results of the previous BWP configuration after switching, or using the measurement results of the new BWP configuration based on quasi-co-location relationships, to ensure accurate and efficient RLM/BFD operations post-switching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If BWP switching is performed to enable flexible frequency band usage, then spectral efficiency and system capacity are improved, but communication quality degradation occurs due to improper reference signal handling during switching

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespectral efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring multiple reference signals (first reference signal for first BWP, second reference signal for second BWP) in advance before switching occurs. The UE evaluates these pre-configured reference signals to determine RLM/BFD status before BWP switching takes place, ensuring continuous monitoring capability. This resolves the contradiction by preparing reference signal evaluation infrastructure ahead of time, enabling smooth transitions without communication quality degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Measurement precision

If reference signals are configured for each BWP to enable accurate RLM/BFD operations, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple reference signal configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveRLM/BFD measurement accuracyVSAvoidreference signal configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the reference signal configuration into separate, manageable components - a first reference signal associated with the first BWP and a second reference signal associated with the second BWP. Each reference signal is independently configured and evaluated, allowing the UE to handle RLM/BFD operations for different BWPs separately. This modular approach improves measurement precision for each BWP while reducing overall system complexity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the UE evaluates measurement results based on current BWP configuration, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time occurs during BWP switching transitions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveBWP adaptabilityVSAvoidswitching transition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE evaluate measurement results of the first reference signal before switching to the second BWP. The UE determines the RLM/BFD status based on the first reference signal evaluation in advance, then uses this information during the transition. This ensures that the UE maintains adaptability to different BWPs while minimizing transition time, as the evaluation infrastructure is already in place and operational.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3836741B1User equipment and radio communication method
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP3836741B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1C
  • EP3836741B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3836741B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

In order to suppress degradation of communication quality even when BWP switching is performed, a user terminal according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section configured to receive a reference signal configured for each bandwidth part (BWP) in a given BWP; and a control section configured to perform control not to use the reference signal of the given BWP for at least one of a radio link monitor operation and a beam failure detection operation in other BWP when switching from the given BWP to the other BWP occurs, or control presence or absence of use of the reference signal of the given BWP based on a relationship between reference signals configured for each of the given BWP and the other BWP.