Uplink Control Channel BWP Switching Resource Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

In next-generation mobile communication systems, the switching of BandWidth Parts (BWPs) during multi-slot PUCCH transmission can lead to a deterioration in communication throughput and frequency use efficiency due to inadequate resource management of PUCCH resources.

Innovation Solution

A user terminal is equipped with a control section that manages the transmission of the uplink control channel by controlling the use of PUCCH resources after BWP switching, ensuring appropriate resource allocation and minimizing disruptions during BWP adaptation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If BWP switching is performed during multi-slot PUCCH transmission, then adaptability and resource utilization are improved, but communication throughput and frequency use efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveBWP adaptabilityVSAvoidcommunication throughput

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent determines PUCCH resources based on the BWP configuration at the time of PUCCH resource determination, before BWP switching occurs. This preliminary determination ensures that PUCCH resources are pre-configured to match the initial BWP, preventing resource mismatches that would occur if resources were determined after BWP switching. The control section maintains this resource allocation even after BWP switching, ensuring continuous operation without throughput degradation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of determining PUCCH resources after BWP switching (which would cause resource mismatches), the patent inverts the timing by determining resources before BWP switching occurs. This reverse approach ensures that resource allocation is based on the known initial BWP configuration, and the same resources are used after switching, avoiding the need to re-determine resources in the new BWP context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If BWP switching is performed during multi-slot PUCCH transmission, then frequency band flexibility is improved, but frequency use efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefrequency band flexibilityVSAvoidfrequency use efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-determines PUCCH resources based on the initial BWP configuration before switching occurs. This preliminary resource allocation ensures that the frequency resources are optimized for the initial band, and by maintaining these resources after switching, the system avoids the frequency use efficiency loss that would result from re-determining resources in the new BWP context.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent maintains continuous PUCCH transmission across BWP switching events by using the same pre-determined resources before and after switching. This continuity ensures that the useful action of control information transmission is not interrupted or optimized sub-optimally due to BWP changes, thereby maintaining frequency use efficiency throughout the transmission process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Data Source

PatentUS11356228B2User terminal and radio communication method

Publication Date: 2022.06.07 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A user terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a transmission section that transmits an uplink control channel over multiple slots; and a control section that, when changing an active Bandwidth Part (BWP) during the transmission of the uplink control channel, controls the transmission of the uplink control channel after the BWP changing. According to the one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent a communication throughput from lowering even when a BWP is switched.