UE Control Channel Resource Reuse in Downlink BWP
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, the process of monitoring and processing downlink channel information across multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs) leads to inefficient communications due to increased computational processing at user equipment (UE), especially during initial access and subsequent communication procedures.
Innovation Solution
The described techniques enable UE to reuse control channel resources from an initial access bandwidth in a downlink BWP by determining if the downlink BWP fully contains the initial access bandwidth, either independently or through explicit signaling from the network, allowing efficient monitoring of control information using defined control resources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the UE monitors downlink channel information across multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), then the UE can identify control information in different bandwidths, but the computational processing at the UE increases resulting in inefficient communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling the UE to reuse the initial access BWP for multiple purposes: both for initial access procedures and for subsequent downlink communications. Instead of creating separate dedicated BWPs for different functions, the system makes the initial access BWP multi-functional, allowing it to serve as both an access channel and a communication channel, thereby reducing the need for additional computational processing while maintaining adaptability across different communication phases
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the initial access BWP with the downlink BWP by determining that they occupy the same frequency resources. This consolidation combines what would traditionally be separate bandwidth allocations into a unified resource pool, allowing the UE to monitor control information in a single BWP context rather than switching between multiple BWPs, thus reducing computational overhead while preserving the ability to handle diverse communication requirements
2Reliability
If the UE is configured to monitor additional bandwidths or BWPs distinct from the initial access bandwidth, then the UE can receive downlink channel information, but this results in additional computational processing at the UE
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of downlink monitoring from the context of separate dedicated BWPs and relocates it to the initial access BWP. By taking out the monitoring function from the framework of multiple distinct BWPs and placing it within the initial access BWP, the system maintains reliable downlink channel information reception while eliminating the overhead associated with configuring and monitoring additional separate bandwidths
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach where the UE is configured with separate dedicated BWPs for downlink communications after initial access, the patent inverts this logic by having the UE continue using the initial access BWP for downlink monitoring. This reversal of the typical BWP allocation strategy eliminates the need for additional BWP configurations and reduces computational processing while maintaining communication reliability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may obtain access to a base station by performing an initial access procedure within an initial access bandwidth that contains control channel resources. The UE may receive a configuration of a downlink bandwidth part (BWP) following the initial access procedure, and may determine that the downlink BWP fully contains the initial access bandwidth. In some cases, the UE may make the determination based on an indication sent from the base station. For instance, the indication may be provided as part of one or more control channel configurations transmitted to the UE. Based on determining that the downlink BWP fully contains the initial access bandwidth, the UE may monitor for control information in the downlink BWP using control channel resources in the downlink BWP that correspond to control channel resources used in the initial access bandwidth.