Patent Application
20220039150
Embodiments herein relate to a User Equipment (UE), a network node and methods therein. In some aspects, they relate to obtaining a Band Width Part (BWP) for a respective Downlink (DL), first Uplink (UL1), and second Uplink (UL2) e.g. for a Random Access of the UE to a wireless communication network.
In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or User Equipment (UE), communicate via a Local Area Network such as a Wi-Fi network or a Radio Access Network (RAN) to one or more core networks (CN). The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB as denoted in 5G. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.
Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and this work continues in the coming 3GPP releases, for example to specify a Fifth Generation (5G) network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR). The EPS comprises the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), also known as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) radio access network, and the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), also known as System Architecture Evolution (SAE) core network. E-UTRAN/LTE is a variant of a 3GPP radio access network wherein the radio network nodes are directly connected to the EPC core network rather than to RNCs used in 3G networks. In general, in E-UTRAN/LTE the functions of a 3G RNC are distributed between the radio network nodes, e.g. eNodeBs in LTE, and the core network. As such, the RAN of an EPS has an essentially “flat” architecture comprising radio network nodes connected directly to one or more core networks, i.e. they are not connected to RNCs. To compensate for that, the E-UTRAN specification defines a direct interface between the radio network nodes, this interface being denoted the X2 interface.
Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. The performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication channel. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.
The evolving 5G standard New Radio (NR) may be aiming to operate in a wide range of frequencies from below 1 GHz up to 100 GHz. In such a frequency range, the random access procedure in NR may be improved to mitigate the potential propagation losses at high frequency carriers.
For NR, there is an ongoing discussion in the 3gpp standardization on the use of Band Width Parts (BWPs). The reasons for using BWPs are that some UEs might not be able to use the entire BW, in which case they are assigned a smaller BWP which they are capable of handling. Another reason may be for battery savings. A UE may be assigned a narrower BWP to reduce the needed energy for reception and transmission. Yet another reason may be for load balancing when the UEs do not need the entire BW to meet the bit rate requirements.
It has been agreed that each UE may be assigned with at least an initial BWP, the same for all UEs and narrow enough for all UEs to handle, and a default BWP. The default BWP may be the same as the initial BWP but may also be different, i.e. different UEs will typically have different default BWPs. In addition to initial and default BWP, the UE may be configured with additional BWPs. It has been agreed that a UE may have up to four downlink (DL)/uplink (UL) BWPs. An important agreement may also be that at any point in time, only one BWP is active for a specific UE.
In NR, a Supplementary Uplink (SUL) may also be configured. The SUL typically operates on a lower frequency and has a narrower bandwidth, than a Normal Uplink (NUL). The SUL may also be configured with BWPs in the same way as a NUL. In the current specification the NUL BWP and SUL BWP configurations are independent, i.e. the number of BWPs and their configurations may be different for NUL and SUL.
The UE may be configured with BWPs using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling (except the initial) and switching between BWPs may be done by Downlink Control Information (DCI) on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) which instructs the UE to switch BWP. There may also be a possibility to switch to the default BWP when a bwp-InactivityTimer expires or when Random Access is initiated.
A BWP may also be configured with Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) occasions, allowing the UE to initiate a Random Access procedure on the BWP. A PRACH occasion when used herein means a time and frequency where the PRACH preamble may transmitted. The PRACH occasions are configured by the RACH-ConfigGeneric IE by the parameters prach-Configurationlndex, msg1-FDM and msg1-FrequencyStart. The configuration of PRACH occasions on a BWP may not be mandatory except on the initial BWP, where it may always be present to allow initial access. Also for Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) a BWP may or may not have PUCCH resources configured. The reason for not having a PUCCH configured is that it may occupy resources which may lead to overhead, especially in configured but not active BWPs.
An object of embodiments herein is to improve the way of handling BWP a wireless communications network.
According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a User Equipment, UE, for obtaining a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, to a wireless communication network.
When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, the UE obtains an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, the UE obtains an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id.
Else, the UE performs any one out of:
According to a further aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a network node for configuring a User Equipment, UE, to obtain a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, to a wireless communication network. The network node configures the UE to any one or more out of:
When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtaining an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtaining an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id,
else, performing any one out of:
when there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, selecting an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL, which UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP thereby comprises the same first bwp id.
According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a User Equipment, UE, configured for obtaining a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, to a wireless communication network. The UE is configured to comprise any one or more out of:
When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtain an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtain an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise the same first bwp id,
else, perform any one out of:
According to a further aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a network node for configuring a User Equipment, UE, to obtain a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, to a wireless communication network. The network node is adapted to configure the UE to any one or more out of:
When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtain, an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtain an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id,
else, perform any one out of:
As a part of developing embodiments herein the inventors identified a problem which first will be discussed.
When a UE initiates a Random Access procedure, it may first ensure that the active BWP contains PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP has the same bwp-id as the active UL BWP. This is specified in 3GPP 38.321 v15.2.0 in Section 5.15 BWP Operation according to:
“Upon initiation of the Random Access procedure on a Serving Cell, the MAC entity shall for this Serving Cell:
When performing Random access, also a selection of NUL or SUL may be done. This is described in Section 5.1.1, Initiation of Random Access procedure according to:
The reason why the UL BWP and the DL BWP may need to be the same, i.e. having the same bwp id, are that when the UE sends a preamble on an UL BWP with bwp id=k, the network responds with a Random Access Response (RAR) message on a DL BWP with bwp id=k. This means that the UL BWP and the DL BWP need to be the same since otherwise the UE will look for the RAR on the wrong BWP.
If the preamble is sent on the initial UL BWP, the network responds with a Random Access Response (RAR) message on the initial DL BWP.
If there would be a mismatch between UL BWPs and DL BWPs, it may not be guaranteed that the RAR would be received by the UE. This is since at any point in time, the UE will have one active UL BWP and one active DL BWP. The UE will only transmit and receive on the active BWP. Each UL BWP and DL BWP have bwp ids and it has been specified that the RAR will be sent on the DL BWP which has the same BWP id as the UL BWP where the PRACH preamble was sent.
An open issue raised in “R2-1812950, Considering on the RA triggered BWP switch in case SUL is configured, ZTE, Sanechips, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #103, 20th-24 Aug. 2018”, is that it is not clearly described how the BWP switch is carried out if both NUL and SUL are configured to be switched. The solution proposed in “R2-1812950, Considering on the RA triggered BWP switch in case SUL is configured, ZTE, Sanechips, 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 Meeting #103, 20-24 Aug. 2018” is to do the NUL/SUL selection first and herby only need to consider the selected carrier when doing the BWP switch.
If the BWP switch is carried out prior to selecting the NUL/SUL, the BWPs on both carriers as well as the DL BWP may need to be switched to the same bwp-id. Thereby the need to perform a new switch after selecting the NUL/SUL may be avoided (since the DL bwp id must match the UL BWP). A problem is that how to do this, considering that both the configured BWPs (and whether they contain PRACH occasions) and the active BWPs can be different between SUL and NUL is not clear.
An object of embodiments herein may therefore be to improve the way of handling BWP when a UE is configured with both NUL and SUL in a UE in a wireless communications network.
Example embodiments herein e.g. relate to methods to address the issue of BWP switching when both the NUL and the SUL are configured. According to embodiments herein, different switching schemes are described depending on what assumptions may be made on the BWP configurations on the NUL and SUL carriers. In embodiments herein, it may be assumed that if a BWP has PRACH occasions configured (irrespective of NUL or SUL), there is a DL BWP with the same bwp id. For the UL BWP configurations, the main assumption may be that if there is a NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with PRACH occasion on the SUL with the same bwp id.
An advantage of embodiments herein is that efficient switching of BWPs is provided when both the NUL and the SUL are configured such that both the NUL and the SUL have the same bwp-id, have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
Embodiments herein relate to wireless communication networks in general.
Network nodes operate in the wireless communications network 100, such as a network node 110, providing radio coverage over a geographical area, a cell 11. The cell 11 may also be referred to as a service area, beam or a group of beams multiple TRPs, or multiple BWPs. The cell 11 is configured with multiple UL carries such as multiple beams, multiple TRPs, or multiple BWPs. E.g. an NR cell configured with both a SUL carrier and an NR UL carrier. The cell 11 comprises at least a first UL carrier (UL1) and a second UL (UL2) carrier, wherein the first UL carrier UL1 may be a NUL carrier 111 and the second UL carrier UL2 may be a SUL carrier 112. It may also be the other way around wherein the second UL carrier UL2 may be a NUL carrier 111 and the first UL carrier UL1 may be a SUL carrier 112. The SUL carrier may e.g. be associated with the NR UL carrier, i.e., the NR UL carrier may be the carrier that the SUL carrier provides extended UL coverage towards.
The network node 110 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNode B), an NR Node B (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point or an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, or any other network unit capable of communicating with a UE within the cell 11 served by the network node 110 depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used. The network node 110 may be referred to as a serving radio network node and communicates with a UE 120 with Downlink (DL) transmissions to the UE 120 and Uplink (UL) transmissions from the UE 120.
Wireless devices such as e.g. a UE 120 operate in the wireless communications network 100. The UE 120 may e.g. be an NR device a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-IoT device, an eMTC device, a CAT-M device, a WiFi device, an LTE device and an a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, that communicates via a base station such as e.g. the network node 110, one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that “UE” is a non-limiting term which means any terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, Device to Device (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.
Methods according to embodiments herein may be performed by the UE 120 or by the network node 110. As an alternative, a Distributed Node DN and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 140 as shown in
According to embodiments herein, different switching schemes will be performed depending on what assumptions that are made on the BWP configurations on the UL1 such as e.g. NUL and UL2 such as e.g. SUL carriers. This is to provide efficient switching of BWPs is provided when both the UL1 such as e.g. NUL and the UL2 such as e.g. SUL are configured such that both the NUL and the SUL have the same bwp-id, have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
In optional Action 200a shown in
When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same bwp id, the UE 120 decides that Actions 201 and 202 below shall be performed.
When there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, the UE 120 decides that Actions 203 and 204 below shall be performed.
When there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, the UE 120 decides that Action 205 below shall be performed.
In optional Action 200b shown in
In (a) it is assumed that or configured with for every UL1 such as e.g. NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity (bwp id), on UL2 such as e.g. SUL with Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), occasions.
In (b) it is assumed that or configured with for every UL2 such as e.g. SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on UL1 such as e.g. NUL with PRACH occasions.
When (a) is assumed or configured, the UE 120 performs a switching scheme of BWP for any of the UL1 such as e.g. NUL, UL2 such as e.g. SUL and DL for Random Access according to a first rule e.g. comprising such as relating to Actions 201 and 202.
When (b) is assumed or configured, the UE 120 performs switching of BWP for any of the UL1 such as e.g. NUL, UL2 such as e.g. SUL and DL for Random Access according to a second rule e.g. comprising such as relating to Actions 201 and 202.
When none of (a) and (b) is assumed or configured, the UE 120 performs switching of BMP for any of the UL1 such as e.g. NUL, UL2 such as e.g. SUL and DL for Random Access according to a third rule e.g. comprising Action 205.
The below actions are shown in both
Action 201. When it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same bwp id the UE 120 obtains, e.g. remains or switches to, an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id. In some embodiments, the UE 120 may obtain the UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions by remaining on an active BWP or switching to an initial BWP.
Action 202. After the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, the UE 120 obtains, e.g. remains or switches to, an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id. In this way an efficient switching of BWPs is provided wherein both the UL1 and the UL2 are configured such that both the UL1 and the UL2 have the same bwp-id, have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
In some embodiments relating to (a), the first rule comprises:
When there is no PRACH in an active NUL BWP, the obtaining in Action 201 may comprise switching the active NUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, and after the NUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, the obtaining in Action 202 may comprise switching the SUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
When there is a PRACH in an active NUL BWP the obtaining in Action 201 may comprise switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, the obtaining in Action 202 may comprise switching the SUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
In some embodiments relating to (b), the second rule comprises:
When there is no PRACH in an active SUL BWP, the obtaining in Action 201 (201) comprises switching the active SUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, and after the SUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtaining (202) comprises switching the NUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id, when there is a PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtaining (201) comprises switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtaining (202) comprises switching (209b) the NUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Action 203. When there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, the UE 120 selects these UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP.
Action 204. Thereafter the UE 120 also selects a DL BWP comprising the same first bwp id. Also in this way an efficient switching of BWPs is provided wherein both the UL1 and the UL2 are configured such that both the UL1 and the UL2 have the same bwp-id, have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
Action 205. When there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, none of (a) and (b), the UE 120 selects an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL. Thereby the UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP comprise the same first bwp id. This relates to the third rule. Thus also in this way, an efficient switching of BWPs is provided wherein both the UL1 and the UL2 are configured such that both the UL1 and the UL2 have the same bwp-id, have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
In some embodiments, UL1 is represented by a Normal Uplink (NUL) and UL2 is represented by a Supplementary Uplink (SUL).
In some other embodiments, UL2 is represented by a NUL and UL1 is represented by a SUL.
In Action 300, the network node 110 may decide whether any one out of (a), (b) or none of (a) and (b) are assumed and/or configured.
In Action 301, the network node 110 configures the UE 120 to obtain a BWP for a respective DL, UL1, and UL2 according to any one or more out of the method Actions 200-205 above, e.g. for a Random Access of a UE 120 to a wireless communication network 100, which configuring may be hardcoded or signalled to the UE 120.
The examples below, as illustrated in
In the
There are multiple embodiments described below to explain the details of embodiments herein.
In the examples below, according to some other embodiments, NUL is represented by a first UL (UL1), and SUL is represented by a second UL (UL2).
In some other embodiments NUL is represented by a second UL (UL2) and SUL is represented by a first UL (UL1).
In some first embodiments, it is assumed that for every NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same bwp id on SUL with PRACH occasions. This is illustrated in
In some of the first embodiments, the UE 120 decides that the BWP switch shall be carried out according to 3GPP 38.321 v15.2.0, Section 5.15 “Bandwidth Part Operation”, for the NUL carrier.
Before the switching the NUL BWP with bwp-id=3 is active with no PRACH occasion. See
In the example this means that the NUL BWP and the DL BWP is switched to the Initial BWP since there is no PRACH in the active NUL BWP. See
In this case no switch of NUL is needed but the DL BWP is switched to the same bwp-id, i.e. bwp-id=2 as the NUL. After this, also the SUL is switched to bwp-id 2 to match the NUL carrier.
In some second embodiments, it is assumed that for every SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same bwp id on NUL with PRACH occasions. This is illustrated in
In some of the second embodiments, the BWP switch is carried out according to 3GPP 38.321 v15.2.0, Section 5.15 “Bandwidth Part Operation”, for the SUL carrier.
Before the switching the NUL BWP with bwp-id=3 is active with no PRACH occasion. See
In the example this means that the SUL remains at its active BWP and the DL BWP is switched to the BWP with bwp id=1. According to embodiments herein, after the SUL and DL BWPs have been switched, the NUL is also switched to this BWP with bwp id=1. With the current assumptions, the switching scheme guarantees that both NUL and SUL have the same bwp-id and have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id. This also relates to Actions 201 and 202.
According to some third embodiments, illustrated in
In some of the third embodiments, a first check may be done if there is any common bwp id, except the initial BWP, where both NUL and SUL have PRACH occasions.
If there is only one common BWP with PRACH occasions on both NUL and SUL, this BWP is selected.
If there is more than one common BWP with PRACH occasions on both NUL and SUL, the selection of BWP may be performed according to one of the following:
If there is no common BWP with PRACH occasions on both NUL and SUL switch to the initial BWP as depicted in
Once the UL BWPs have been selected according to the above, switching the DL BWP to the selected bwp-id is performed.
This switching scheme according to embodiments herein may guarantee that both the NUL and the SUL have the same bwp-id and that they have PRACH occasions and that the DL BWP is on the same bwp-id.
The network node 110 may configure the BWP such that for each NUL BWP with 25 PRACH occasion comprising a bwp id there is a corresponding SUL BWP with PRACH occasion comprising the same bwp id.
The UE 120 may comprise an input and output interface 800 configured to communicate with each other. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).
The UE 120 may comprise an obtaining unit 810, a selecting unit 820, a deciding unit 830 and a switching unit 840 to perform the method actions as described herein.
The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the processor 850 of a processing circuitry in the UE 120 depicted in
The UE 120 may further comprise respective a memory 860 comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the UE 120. The memory is arranged to be used to store assumptions, instructions, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the UE 120.
In some embodiments, a computer program 870 comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the UE 120 to perform the actions above.
In some embodiments, a respective carrier 880 comprises the respective computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the UE 120, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the UE 120, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors described above cause the respective at least one processor to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).
The network node 110 may comprise an input and output interface 900 configured to communicate with each other. The input and output interface may comprise a wireless receiver (not shown) and a wireless transmitter (not shown).
The network node 110 may comprise a configuring unit 910, an obtaining unit 920, a selecting unit 930 and a deciding unit 940 to perform the method actions as described herein.
The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as the processor 950 of a processing circuitry in the network node 110 depicted in
The network node 110 may further comprise respective a memory 960 comprising one or more memory units. The memory comprises instructions executable by the processor in the network node 110.
The memory is arranged to be used to store instructions, data, configurations, and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the network node 110.
In some embodiments, a computer program 970 comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor of the network node 110 to perform the actions above.
In some embodiments, a respective carrier 980 comprises the respective computer program, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.
Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the network node 110, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the network node 110, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the processors described above cause the respective at least one processor to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).
When using the word “comprise” or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as non-limiting, i.e. meaning “consist at least of”.
The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.
Below, some example Embodiments 1-32 are shortly described. See e.g.
Embodiment 1. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, 120 for obtaining a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, e.g. for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, 120 to a wireless communication network 100, the method comprising: any one or more out of:
when it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtaining 201 e.g. remaining or switching to 201 an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtaining 202 e.g. remaining or switching to an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id,
else, performing any one out of:
when there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, selecting 203 these UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP, and selecting 204 a DL BWP comprising the same first bwp id,
when there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, selecting 205 an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL, which UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP thereby comprises the same first bwp id.
Embodiment 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein any one out of:
UL1 is represented by a Normal Uplink, NUL, and UL2 is represented by a Supplementary Uplink, SUL, and
UL2 is represented by a NUL and UL1 is represented by a SUL.
Embodiment 3. The method according to any of the embodiments 1-2, wherein
any obtaining 201, 202 is represented by any one out of: remaining on or switching to.
Embodiment 4. The method according to any of the embodiments 1-2, wherein
obtaining 201 UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions obtaining for the UL1 BWP comprises any one out of: remaining on an active BWP or switching to an initial BWP.
Embodiment 5. A method of any of the embodiments 2-4:
deciding 200 whether any one out of a, b or none of a and b are assumed,
a it is assumed that for every NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on SUL with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions
b it is assumed that for every SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on NUL with PRACH occasions, and
when a is assumed, performing a switching scheme of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a first rule,
when b is assumed, performing switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a second rule,
when none of a and b is assumed, performing switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a third rule.
Embodiment 6. The method according to embodiment 5, wherein the first rule comprises:
when there is no PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtaining 201 comprises switching the active NUL and a Downlink, DL, to a respective initial BWP, and after the NUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching the SUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtaining 201 comprises switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 201 comprises switching the SUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 7. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the second rule comprises:
when there is no PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtaining 201 comprises switching the active SUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, and after the SUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching the NUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtaining 201 comprises switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching 209b the NUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 8. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the embodiments 1-7.
Embodiment 9. A carrier comprising the computer program of embodiment 8, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.
Embodiment 10. A method performed by a network node 110 for configuring a User Equipment, UE, 120 to obtain a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, e.g. for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, 120 to a wireless communication network 100, which configuring may be hardcoded or signaled to the UE 120, the method comprising: configuring 301 the UE 120 to any one or more out of:
when it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtaining 201 e.g. remaining or switching to 201 an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtaining 202 e.g. remaining or switching to an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id,
else, performing any one out of:
when there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, selecting 203 these UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP, and selecting 204 a DL BWP comprising the same first bwp id,
when there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, selecting 205 an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL, which UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP thereby comprises the same first bwp id.
Embodiment 11. The method according to embodiment 10, wherein any one out of:
UL1 is represented by a Normal Uplink, NUL, and UL2 is represented by a Supplementary Uplink, SUL, and
UL2 is represented by a NUL and UL1 is represented by a SUL.
Embodiment 12. The method according to any of the embodiments 10-11, wherein
any obtaining 201, 202 is represented by any one out of: remaining on or switching to.
Embodiment 13. The method according to any of the embodiments 10-12, wherein
obtaining 201 UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions obtaining for the UL1 BWP comprises any one out of: remaining on an active BWP or switching to an initial BWP.
Embodiment 14. The method according to any of the embodiments 10-13:
deciding 300 whether any one out of (a), (b) or none of (a) and (b) are assumed and/or configured,
(a) it is assumed that for every NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on SUL with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions
(b) it is assumed that for every SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on NUL with PRACH occasions, and
when (a) is assumed, performing a switching scheme of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a first rule,
when (b) is assumed, performing switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a second rule,
when none of a and b is assumed, performing switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a third rule.
Embodiment 15. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein the first rule comprises:
when there is no PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtaining 201 comprises switching the active NUL and a Downlink, DL, to a respective initial BWP, and after the NUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching the SUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtaining 201 comprises switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 201 comprises switching the SUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 16. The method according to embodiment 14, wherein the second rule comprises:
when there is no PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtaining 201 comprises switching the active SUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, and after the SUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching the NUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtaining 201 comprises switching the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtaining 202 comprises switching 209b the NUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 17. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the embodiments 10-16.
Embodiment 18. A carrier comprising the computer program of embodiment 17, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.
Embodiment 19. A User Equipment, UE, 120 configured for obtaining a Band Width Part, BWP, fora respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, e.g. for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, 120 to a wireless communication network 100, the UE 120 being configured to comprise any one or more out of:
when it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtain, e.g. remaining or switching to, an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the UE 120, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtain, e.g. remaining or switching to, an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit 810 in the UE 120,
else, perform any one out of:
when there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, select, these UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP, and select a DL BWP comprising a same first bwp id, e.g. by means of a selecting unit 820 in the UE 120,
when there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, select an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL, which UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP thereby is adapted to comprise a same first bwp id, e.g. by means of the selecting unit 820 in the UE 120.
Embodiment 20. The UE according to embodiment 19, wherein any one out of:
Embodiment 21. The UE according to any of the embodiments 19-20, wherein
any obtain is adapted to be represented by any one out of: remain on or switch to.
Embodiment 22. The UE according to any of the embodiments 19-20, wherein the UE 120 further is configured to:
obtain the UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions is adapted to comprise any one out of: remain on an active BWP or switch to an initial BWP.
Embodiment 23. The UE according to any of the embodiments 20-22, wherein the UE 120 further is configured to:
decide whether any one out of a, b or none of a and b are adapted to be assumed, e.g. by means of a deciding unit 830 in the UE 120,
a it is assumed that for every NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same bwp id, on SUL with PRACH, occasions
b it is assumed that for every SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp id, on NUL with PRACH occasions, and
when a is assumed, perform a switching scheme of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a first rule,
when b is assumed, perform switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a second rule,
when none of a and b is assumed, perform switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a third rule,
e.g. by means of a switching unit 840 in the UE.
Embodiment 24. The UE according to embodiment 23, wherein the first rule is adapted to comprise:
the UE 120 further being configured to, when there is no PRACH in an active NUL BWP, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the active NUL and a Downlink, DL, to a respective initial BWP, e.g. by means of a switching unit in the UE 120 and after the NUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the SUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id, e.g. by means of a switching unit in the UE 120, and
when there is a PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtain is adapted to comprise switch the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, e.g. by means of a switching unit in the UE 120, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the SUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 25. The UE according to embodiment 19, wherein the second rule is adapted to comprise:
the UE 120 further being configured to when there is no PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtain is adapted to comprises switch the active SUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, and after the SUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the NUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active SUL BWP, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the NUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 26. A network node 110 for configuring a User Equipment, UE, 120 to obtain a Band Width Part, BWP, for a respective Downlink, DL, first Uplink, UL1, and second Uplink, UL2, e.g. for a Random Access of a User Equipment, UE, 120 to a wireless communication network 100, which configuring may be hardcoded or signaled to the UE 120, the network node 110 being adapted to comprise: configure the UE 120, e.g. by means of a configuring unit in the network node 110, the network node 110 being adapted to configure the UE 120 to any one or more out of:
when it is assumed that for every UL1 BWP with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions, there is a corresponding UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions that has the same band width part identity, bwp id, obtain, e.g. remain or switch to, an UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions adapted to comprise a first bwp id and a DL BWP with the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, and after the UL1 BWP and DL BWP have been obtained, obtain e.g. remaining or switching to an UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions comprising the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110,
else, perform any one out of:
when there is a UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, select these UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP, and select a DL BWP adapted to comprise the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of a selecting unit in the network node 110,
when there is no UL1 BWP and UL2 BWP with PRACH occasions with a common first bwp id, select an initial BWP for each of the respective UL1, UL2 and DL, which UL1 BWP, UL2 BWP and DL BWP thereby being adapted to comprise the same first bwp id, e.g. by means of a selecting unit in the network node 110.
Embodiment 27. The network node 110 according to embodiment 26, wherein any one out of:
UL1 is adapted to represent a Normal Uplink, NUL, and UL2 is adapted to represent a Supplementary Uplink, SUL, and
UL2 is adapted to represent a NUL and UL1 is adapted to represent a SUL.
Embodiment 28. The network node 110 according to any of the embodiments 26-27, wherein
any of the obtain is adapted to represent any one out of: remain on or switch to.
Embodiment 29. The network node 110 according to any of the embodiments 26-28, wherein
obtain UL1 BWP with PRACH occasions is adapted to comprise any one out of: remain on an active BWP or switch to an initial BWP.
Embodiment 30. The network node 110 according to any of the embodiments 26-29, wherein the network node 110 further is adapted to configure the UE 120 to:
decide whether any one out of (a), (b) or none of (a) and (b) are adapted to be assumed and/or configured, e.g. by means of an deciding unit in the network node 110,
(a) it is assumed that for every NUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on SUL with Physical Random Access Channel, PRACH, occasions
(b) it is assumed that for every SUL BWP with PRACH occasions, there is a corresponding BWP with the same band width part identity, bwp, id, on NUL with PRACH occasions, and
when a is assumed, perform a switching scheme of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a first rule,
when b is assumed, perform switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a second rule,
when none of a and b is assumed, perform switching of BMP for any of the NUL, SUL and DL for Random Access according to a third rule.
Embodiment 31. The network node 110 according to embodiment 30, wherein the first rule is adapted to comprise:
when there is no PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtain is adapted to comprise switch the active NUL and a Downlink, DL, to a respective initial BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, and after the NUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the SUL to an initial BWP, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110,
when there is a PRACH in an active NUL BWP obtain is adapted to comprise switch the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, and after the DL BWP have been switched, obtain is adapted to comprise switch the SUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active NUL BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
Embodiment 32. The network node 110 according to embodiment 30, wherein the second rule is adapted to comprise:
when there is no PRACH in an active SUL BWP, the obtain is adapted to comprise switch the active SUL and a DL to a respective initial BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, and after the SUL BWP and DL BWP have been switched, the obtain is adapted to comprise switch the NUL to an initial BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id,
when there is a PRACH in an active SUL BWP, the obtain is adapted to comprise switch the DL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, and after the DL BWP have been switched, the obtain is adapted to comprise switch the NUL to a BWP having the same bwp id as the active SUL BWP, e.g. by means of an obtaining unit in the network node 110, wherein the SUL, the NUL and the DL all have the same bwp id.
With reference to
The telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to a host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud-implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 3221, 3222 between the telecommunication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).
The communication system of
Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to
The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in
The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 already referred to. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.
It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in
In
The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the applicable RAN effect: data rate, latency, power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as corresponding effect on the OTT service: e.g. reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime.
A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311, 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer's 3310 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 3311, 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/SE2019/050818 | 9/2/2019 | WO | 00 |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62737146 | Sep 2018 | US |
