UE Capability Signaling for Low-Latency BWP Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of managing power consumption in mobile devices due to increased bandwidth demands in 5G networks, particularly during BWP switching, has not been adequately addressed, leading to inefficiencies in power usage and potential performance issues.

Innovation Solution

Implementing UE capability for RRC-based BWP switching delay optimization, which adjusts bandwidth and location dynamically to minimize power consumption while maintaining network performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the bandwidth is increased to meet higher data traffic demands in 5G networks, then the data rate and network capacity are improved, but the power consumption of mobile devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic BWP switching that allows the UE to adaptively change its active bandwidth based on current traffic conditions. The UE can switch between multiple pre-configured BWPs (e.g., narrow BWP for low traffic, wide BWP for high traffic) to optimize the balance between data rate and power consumption, making the bandwidth allocation dynamic rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the bandwidth parameter by configuring multiple BWPs with different bandwidth values and allowing the UE to switch between them. The network can indicate which BWP to activate through DCI signaling, enabling flexible adjustment of the operating bandwidth to match traffic demands while managing power consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If BWP switching is performed frequently to adapt to changing traffic conditions, then the adaptability and power efficiency are improved, but the switching delay and latency increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic adaptationVSAvoidswitching delay

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple BWPs and their parameters before switching is needed. The UE and network prepare the BWP configuration in advance through RRC signaling, so when switching is required, the UE can quickly activate the pre-prepared BWP without extensive reconfiguration delays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the total bandwidth into multiple discrete BWP segments that can be independently configured and switched. Each BWP represents a segmented portion of the total available bandwidth, allowing the UE to switch between segments based on traffic needs without having to reconfigure the entire bandwidth allocation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS12557126B2User equipment (UE) capability for radio resource control (RRC) based bandwidth part (BWP) switching delay

Publication Date: 2026.02.17 APPLE INC

AI summary

The disclosure relates to RRC based BWP switching delay and use of UE capability information to minimize the amount of schedules BWP switching delay for those UE with capabilities that can properly transmit and receive data under lower BWP switching delay constraints.