Flexible Spectrum Integration in Virtual Cells for Fast Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly 5G NR, face challenges in spectrum utilization due to the need for new and contiguous spectrum, which may not be available everywhere, limiting improvements in power saving, latency reduction, and throughput enhancement.
Innovation Solution
Implementing flexible spectrum integration (FSI) through virtual cells that allow UEs to switch to a target bandwidth part (BWP) of a virtual cell in response to a switching command, independent of the number of non-contiguous frequency sub-bands, enabling better tradeoffs for power saving, latency reduction, and throughput enhancement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional carrier aggregation is used to aggregate multiple frequency resources, then spectrum utilization is improved, but switching latency increases and power consumption increases due to the number of non-contiguous sub-bands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the virtual cell into multiple bandwidth parts (BWPs), each corresponding to a contiguous frequency sub-band. This segmentation allows the UE to switch between BWPs independently, reducing switching latency while maintaining the ability to utilize non-contiguous spectrum resources through the virtual cell configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by grouping frequency resources into bandwidth parts (BWPs) within the virtual cell structure. This dimensional reorganization allows switching to occur at the BWP level rather than at the individual sub-band level, significantly reducing switching latency while preserving spectrum flexibility.
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional carrier aggregation is used to aggregate multiple frequency resources, then spectrum utilization is improved, but power consumption increases due to the number of non-contiguous sub-bands
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the virtual cell into multiple BWPs, the UE can selectively activate only the necessary BWPs for current communication needs. This segmentation enables power saving by keeping RF chains idle for non-active BWPs while maintaining the capability to quickly activate them when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic BWP activation and deactivation based on traffic requirements. The network can dynamically configure which BWPs are active, allowing the UE to adjust power consumption dynamically by activating RF chains only when and where needed, rather than continuously monitoring all non-contiguous sub-bands.
3Loss of time
If contiguous spectrum is allocated to achieve fast switching, then switching latency is reduced, but spectrum availability is limited in many regions
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual cell acts as an intermediary structure that connects discontinuous frequency resources. By introducing BWPs as intermediate organizational units, the system can aggregate non-contiguous sub-bands into coherent switching units, enabling fast switching without requiring the underlying spectrum to be contiguous.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual cell structure provides universal functionality by accommodating both contiguous and non-contiguous spectrum allocations through the same BWP mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the system to adapt to different spectrum availability scenarios while maintaining consistent fast switching performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Method and apparatus for flexible spectrum integration associated with virtual cells. The apparatus receives a virtual cell configuration for a virtual cell based on an aggregation of a plurality of non-contiguous frequency resources. The apparatus transmits, to a network entity, an indication of support for at least one capability associated with FSI for virtual cells. The apparatus switches to a target BWP of the virtual cell. The apparatus communicates, with the virtual cell in the target BWP. The apparatus may receive a switch command to switch to the target BWP of the virtual cell, where a switching time is independent of a number of non-contiguous frequency sub-bands comprised in the target BWP. The apparatus may transmit an ACK of the switch command to switch to the target BWP of the virtual cell.