Patent Description:
As a next generation of radio access scheme of Long Term Evolution (LTE), New Radio (NR) is a radio access technology (RAT) different from the LTE. NR is an access technology applicable to various use cases such as Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), Massive machine type communications (mMTCs) and Ultra reliable and low latency communications (URLLCs).

Due to the new features of NR such as a wider bandwidth and flexible configuration, a concept of Bandwidth Part (BWP) is introduced in NR. In particular, some of user equipment (UE) may not need or cannot support such a wide bandwidth, so the UE may only use a part of the bandwidth with the BWP technology, thereby improving the flexibility and compatibility of the system. Moreover, energy consumption of the UE can be reduced with the BWP technology. One other example can be found in non patent document <NPL>.

In the following, an overview of the present disclosure is given simply to provide basic understanding to some aspects of the present disclosure. It should be understood that this overview is not an exhaustive overview of the present disclosure. It is not intended to determine a critical part or an important part of the present disclosure, nor to limit the scope of the present disclosure. An object of the overview is only to give some concepts in a simplified manner, which serves as a preface of a more detailed description described later.

With the electronic apparatuses and methods according to the present disclosure, the activation time of a BWP on an unlicensed frequency band for use by the user equipment is controlled by using timers, such that the BWP is utilized more flexibly, thereby improving spectrum utilization efficiency, and reducing a waiting time of the user equipment.

These and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent by illustrating in detail a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure in conjunction with accompanying drawings below.

To further set forth the above and other advantages and features of the present disclosure, detailed description will be made in the following taken in conjunction with accompanying drawings in which identical or like reference signs designate identical or like components. The accompanying drawings, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated into and form a part of the specification. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings only illustrate, by way of example, typical embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be construed as a limitation to the scope of the disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:.

An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of conciseness and clarity, not all features of an embodiment are described in this specification. However, it should be understood that multiple decisions specific to the embodiment have to be made in a process of developing any such embodiment to realize a particular object of a developer, for example, conforming to those constraints related to a system and a business, and these constraints may change as the embodiments differs. Furthermore, it should also be understood that although the development work may be very complicated and time-consuming, for those skilled in the art benefiting from the present disclosure, such development work is only a routine task.

Here, it should also be noted that in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure due to unnecessary details, only a device structure and/or processing steps closely related to the solution according to the present disclosure are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, and other details having little relationship to the present disclosure are omitted.

As mentioned above, the technology regarding BWP is newly introduced in the NR. Generally, BWP is adopted on a licensed frequency band. If BWP is adopted on an unlicensed frequency band, it is uncertain whether the user equipment can occupy a BWP. This is because that in the use of the unlicensed frequency band resources, there is non-continuity, for example, setting of Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT), and opportunity, for example, competition due to coexistence with other communication systems. In a case that the user equipment uses resources of BWP for communication, it is required to firstly perform channel detection by the user equipment to confirm that a current channel is available. If the channel detection indicates that the current channel is unavailable, the user equipment may be required to be switched to another BWP to continue communication, where the switching indicates a de-activation of a current BWP and an activation of another BWP. The embodiment aims to provide a timely and reliable manner of realize such switching.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing functional modules of an electronic apparatus <NUM> for wireless communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> includes: a first timer unit <NUM> and a first switching unit <NUM>. The first timer unit <NUM> is configured to set a first timer for timing activation time of a current BWP for use by user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band. The first switching unit <NUM> is configured to switch the user equipment to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires.

The first timer unit <NUM> and the first switching unit <NUM> may be implemented by one or more processing circuitry, and the processing circuitry, for example, may be implemented as a chip. Moreover, it should be noted that, the functional units in the apparatus shown in <FIG> are only logic modules which are divided based on the specific functions thereof, and are not intended to limit the specific implementations. This also applies to subsequent description about examples of other electronic apparatus.

The electronic apparatus <NUM>, for example, may be arranged on user equipment (UE) side or may be communicatively connected to the UE. It should be noted that the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be implemented at a chip level or a device level. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may function as user equipment itself, or may include an external device such as a memory and a transceiver (not shown in the <FIG>). The memory may be configured to store programs and related data information for implementing various functions by the user equipment. The transceiver may include one or more communication interfaces to support communication with different devices (for example, a base station and other user equipment). The implementation of the transceiver is not limited here. This also adapts to subsequent description of other configuration examples of the electronic apparatus on the UE side.

In the electronic apparatus <NUM>, the first timer is provided for timing the activation time of the current BWP. Within a time period defined by a timing duration of the first timer, the activated BWP for the user equipment is the current BWP.

For example, the activation and de-activation of BWP may be performed based on Downlink Control Information (DCI) scheduling, and the DCI is transmitted via a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). However, on the unlicensed frequency band, the transmission of DCI depends on successful occupation of the channel, so there may be a case where the DCI cannot be acquired. In order to perform BWP switching, the first timer may be used to determine the timing of the switching.

In an embodiment, the first timer unit <NUM> is further configured to start the first timer when the current BWP is activated. The timing duration of the first timer is variable, for example, the timing duration of the first timer may be determined by a base station in accordance with a characteristic of data to be transmitted. The characteristic of data includes, for example, the magnitude of the data amount.

The timing duration of the first timer may be acquired via a radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The user equipment is switched to another BWP when the first timer expires. As mentioned above, the switching here includes de-activating the current BWP and activating another BWP. Another BWP may be a default BWP, an initial BWP, or another BWP among multiple BWPs which are configured by the RRC signaling.

For example, in a standalone scenario, that is, without the assistance of a licensed frequency band, the control signaling is also transmitted on an unlicensed frequency band, and the first switching unit <NUM> may switch the user equipment to a default BWP or an initial BWP when the first timer expires. In a License Assisted Access (LAA) scenario, since the control channel may be transmitted on a licensed frequency band, information of DCI scheduling can be acquired, and the first switching unit <NUM> may directly switch the user equipment to another BWP in accordance with the DCI scheduling.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams showing data transmission during a timing duration of a first timer respectively. In an activated BWP on an unlicensed frequency band, channel detection, such as Listen Before Talk (LBT), is performed firstly. When LBT indicates that a current channel is available, data transmission is performed on the current channel and maximum time during which the channel is occupied each time is MCOT. As shown in <FIG>, within the timing duration of the first timer, each LBT indicates that the channel is available, so that data transmission is performed until the first timer expires. As shown in <FIG>, after data transmission is performed for a time duration of one or several pieces of MCOT, the LBT indicates that the channel is unavailable, so that data transmission cannot be performed in subsequent time, and the user equipment waits until the first timer expires and is switched to another BMP.

In addition, the first switching unit <NUM> may be further configured to continue occupying the current channel for a time duration of one piece of MCOT in a case that channel detection indicates that the current channel is available when the first timer expires, which can effectively ensure the integrity of data transmission. <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing a case that a current channel is continually occupied for a time duration of one piece of MCOT when a first timer expires.

In an example, the first switching unit <NUM> may be further configured to detect Reference Signal Reception Power (RSRP) of a current beam, and determine whether to switch to another BWP based on the RSRP. For example, the first switching unit <NUM> may be configured to compare a detected RSRP with a preset threshold, and determine to switch to another BWP if the detected RSRP is lower than the preset threshold. In this case, a beam management mechanism or a radio link management mechanism may be reused in the BWP switching scenario. It should be noted that, in this example, the first timer may or may not be provided.

With the electronic apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment, the activation time of a BWP for use by the user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band is controlled by using the first timer, such that the BWP can be utilized more flexibly, thereby improving spectrum utilization efficiency, and reducing waiting time of the user equipment.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing functional modules of an electronic apparatus <NUM> for wireless communications according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Besides the first timer unit <NUM> and the first switching unit <NUM> which are described with reference to <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> further includes: a second timer unit <NUM> and a second switching unit <NUM>. The second timer unit <NUM> is configured to set a second timer for timing a time duration during which the user equipment does not occupy the current BWP in an activated state to perform transmission. The second switching unit <NUM> is configured to switch the user equipment to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the second timer expires.

Similarly, the second timer unit <NUM> and the second switching unit <NUM> may be implemented by one or more processing circuitry, and the processing circuitry, for example, may be implemented as a chip. Moreover, it should be noted that, functional units in the apparatus shown in <FIG> are only logic modules which are divided according to the specific functions thereof, and are not intended to limit the specific implementations. The electronic apparatus <NUM>, for example, may be provided on user equipment (UE) side or may be communicatively connected to the UE.

In the embodiment, besides the first timer, a second timer is further provided. The first timer is configured to time the activation time of the current BWP, and the second timer is configured to time a time duration during which the UE does not occupy the currently activated BWP to perform transmission. For example, when the channel detection indicates that a channel is unavailable, the second timer times the time during which the channel is unavailable. When the time during which the channel is unavailable exceeds a timing duration of the second timer, that is, the second timer expires, the second switching unit <NUM> switches the UE from the current BWP to another BWP.

It can be understood that in a case that it is continuously detected that the channel is unavailable, implying that the current BWP is busy and it is difficult for the UE to occupy the channel to perform transmission in a short time, so it is expected to switch the UE to another BWP to continue performing data transmission. In this case, if the time when the second timer expires is earlier than the time when the first timer expires, the waiting of the UE may be ended in advance, and the UE may be switched to a new BWP to perform transmission. In this way, the waiting time and energy consumption of the UE are reduced and the spectrum utilization efficiency is improved.

In an example, a timing duration of the second timer is shorter than that of the first timer. For example, the timing duration of the second timer may be a length of N pieces of MCOT, where N is a natural number which is equal to or larger than <NUM>. The timing duration of the second timer may be determined by a base station and notified to the user equipment via RRC signaling.

<FIG> is a diagram showing an example of a second timer and a first timer. It can be seen that when the second timer expires, the first timer does not expire, and BWP switching occurs at this time. It should be understood that <FIG> only shows an example, and the first timer may expire first, depending on factors such as the time duration during which the channel is unavailable.

When the second timer expires, the second switching unit <NUM> performs the BWP switching, and when the first timer expires, the first switching unit <NUM> performs the BWP switching. The BWP switching performed by the first switching unit <NUM> and the second switching unit <NUM> may be different according to whether there is assistance of control signaling on the licensed frequency band.

For example, in the standalone scenario, the first switching unit <NUM> or the second switching unit <NUM> may switch the user equipment to a default BWP on the unlicensed frequency band. In addition, the first switching unit <NUM> or the second switching unit <NUM> is further configured to acquire the scheduling DCI on the default BWP to determine a new BWP to be activated, and switch the user equipment to the new BWP. <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing BWP switching in a standalone scenario. In <FIG>, BWP1 represents the currently activated BWP, the LBT detection indicates that the current channel is unavailable, and the unavailable state of the current channel continues until the second timer expires. Since the channel is unavailable, transmission cannot be performed for PDCCH or PUCCH. The second switching unit <NUM> switches the user equipment to the default BWP, transmits a switching request to a base station on the default BWP, and receives the scheduling DCI from the base station, where the scheduling DCI indicates that BWP2 is the new BWP. Then, the second switching unit <NUM> switches the user equipment from the default BWP to BWP2.

On the other hand, in the LAA scenario, the first switching unit <NUM> or the second switching unit <NUM> may receive the scheduling DCI on the licensed frequency band, and determines and activates a new BWP based on the DCI, to directly switch the user equipment to the new BWP. In the LAA scenario, PDCCH is continuously transmitted on the licensed frequency band. Therefore, when the second timer <NUM> or the first timer <NUM> expires, the user equipment may send a switching request to the base station. The base station may send scheduling DCI to the user equipment to instruct the user equipment to switch to the new BWP. <FIG> is a schematic diagram showing BWP switching in a License Assisted Access (LAA) scenario. It can be seen that in the LAA scenario, it is unnecessary to firstly switch the user equipment to the default BWP as a transition, such that the delay caused by switching can be further reduced.

As another example, the second timer unit <NUM> is configured to start the second timer when a piece of MCOT ends, and interrupt the second timer when the user equipment receives data from the base station or when the channel detection by the user equipment indicates that the current channel is available. For example, for uplink transmission, the user equipment is required to perform channel detection, such as LBT, when the MCOT ends. Therefore, if the channel detection indicates that the current channel is available, implying that the user equipment may continue occupying the currently activated BWP to perform data transmission, the timing of the second timer is interrupted. For downlink transmission, the channel detection is performed by the base station, and the user equipment does not know the result of the channel detection, the user equipment may determine to continue occupying the currently activated BWP to perform data transmission only when receiving data from the base station, and at this time, the timing of the second timer is interrupted.

With the electronic apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment, a second timer is arranged to further reduce the waiting time and energy consumption of the user equipment, thereby improving the spectrum utilization efficiency.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing functional modules of an electronic apparatus <NUM> for wireless communications according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> includes: a first setting unit <NUM> and a first determining unit <NUM>. The first setting unit <NUM> is configured to set a first timer for user equipment, and the first timer is used for timing activation time of a current BWP for use by the user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band. The first determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine that the user equipment is to be switched to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band.

The first setting unit <NUM> and the first determining unit <NUM> may be implemented by one or more processing circuitry, and the processing circuitry, for example, may be implemented as a chip. Moreover, it should be noted that, functional units in the apparatus shown in <FIG> are only logic modules which are divided according to the specific functions thereof, and are not intended to limit the implementations.

The electronic apparatus <NUM>, for example, may be provided on a base station side or may be communicatively connected to the base station. It should be noted that the electronic apparatus <NUM> may be implemented at a chip level or a device level. For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> may function as a base station itself, or may include an external device such as a memory and a transceiver (not shown in <FIG>). The memory may be configured to store programs and related data information for implementing various functions by the base station. The transceiver may include one or more communication interfaces to support communication with different devices (for example, user equipment and other base stations). The implementation of the transceiver is not limited here. This also adapts to the subsequent description of other configuration examples of electronic apparatus on the base station side.

The first setting unit <NUM> is configured to set a first timer for user equipment to time activation time of an activated BWP for use by the user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band. The first timer corresponds to the first timer on the user equipment side described in the above embodiment, and is used by the base station side to acquire utilizing timing of a currently activated BWP. Specific details may refer to the first embodiment, which are not described herein again.

For example, the first setting unit <NUM> may start the first timer when the current BWP is activated. The timing duration of the first timer is variable. The first setting unit <NUM> may determine, in accordance with a characteristic of data to be transmitted, the timing duration of the first timer. The characteristic of data includes, for example, the magnitude of the data amount. In addition, the first setting unit <NUM> notifies the user equipment of the timing duration of the first timer via RRC signaling, so that a first timer having the same timing duration is maintained on the user equipment side.

When the first timer expires, the user equipment is switched to another BWP. The first determining unit <NUM> may determine that the user equipment is to be switched to another BWP based on the expiration of the first timer at the base station side. In the standalone scenario, another BWP may be the default BWP or the initial BWP. In the LAA scenario, another BWP may be a BWP among BWPs which have been configured for the user equipment.

In addition, the first determining unit <NUM> may be further configured to continue occupying the current channel for a time duration of one piece of MCOT in a case that channel detection indicates that the current channel is available, when the first timer expires, which effectively ensures the integrity of data transmission.

In an example, the first determining unit <NUM> may be further configured to determine, based on reference signal receiving power (RSRP) of a current beam detected by the UE, whether the UE is to be switched to another BWP. For example, the first determining unit <NUM> may compare the detected RSRP with a preset threshold, and determine that the user equipment is to be switched to another BWP if the detected RSRP is lower than the preset threshold. In this case, a beam management mechanism or a radio link management mechanism may be reused in the BWP switching scenario. It should be noted that in the example, the first timer may or may not be set. Alternatively, it may be determined by the user equipment whether to switch to another BWP, and the first determining unit <NUM> acquires an indication from the user equipment that it is to be switched to another BWP.

With the electronic apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment, the activation time of a BWP for use by user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band is controlled by using a first timer, such that the BWP can be utilized more flexibly, thereby improving spectrum utilization efficiency, and reducing waiting time of the user equipment.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing functional modules of an electronic apparatus <NUM> for wireless communications according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Besides the first setting unit <NUM> and the first determining unit <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the electronic apparatus <NUM> further includes: a second setting unit <NUM> and a second determining unit <NUM>. The second setting unit <NUM> is configured to set a second timer for the user equipment, which is used for timing a time duration during which the user equipment does not occupy the current BWP in an activated state to perform transmission. The second determining unit <NUM> is configured to determine that the user equipment is to be switched to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the second timer expires.

Similarly, the second setting unit <NUM> and the second determining unit <NUM> may be implemented by one or more processing circuitry, and the processing circuitry, for example, may be implemented as a chip. Moreover, it should be noted that, functional units in the apparatus shown in <FIG> are only logic modules which are divided according to the specific functions thereof, and are not intended to limit the implementations. The electronic apparatus <NUM>, for example, may be provided on a base station side or may be communicatively connected to a base station.

In the embodiment, besides the first timer, a second timer is further provided. The second timer corresponds to the second timer on the user equipment side described in the above embodiment, and is used by the base station side to acquire a timing duration during which no data transmission is performed on the currently activated BWP. Specific details may refer to the second embodiment, which are not described herein again.

For example, a timing duration of the second timer is shorter than that of the first timer. For example, the timing duration of the second timer is a length of N pieces of maximum channel occupation time, where N is a natural number which is equal to or larger than <NUM>. The second setting unit <NUM> may set the timing duration of the second timer based on, such as data transmission requirements, current communication environment, or empirical values, and notify the timing duration of the second timer to the user equipment via RRC signaling.

For example, in the standalone scenario, the second determining unit <NUM> determines that the user equipment is to be switched to a default BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the second timer expires. Therefore, the second determining unit <NUM> may acquire a switching request from the user equipment on the default BWP. Accordingly, the second determining unit <NUM> may further be configured to transmit scheduling DCI on the default BWP to notify the user equipment of a new BWP to be activated, and the user equipment is to be switched to the new BWP. Practically, the first timer may expire firstly, and in this case, the above operations are performed by the first determining unit <NUM>.

In the LAA scenario, the second determining unit <NUM> transmits, for example, in response to a switching request received from the user equipment on the licensed frequency band, the scheduling DCI on the licensed frequency band when the second timer expires, to notify the UE of a new BWP to be activated, and the UE is to be switched to the new BWP. Practically, the first timer may expire firstly, and in this case, the above operations are performed by the first determining unit <NUM>.

In an example, the second determining unit <NUM> is configured to start the second timer when a piece of MCOT ends, and interrupt the second timer when receiving data from the UE or channel detection by the base station indicates that a current channel is available. For example, for downlink transmission, the base station is required to perform channel detection, such as LBT, when a piece of MCOT ends. Therefore, if the channel detection indicates that the current channel is available, implying that the currently activated BWP can be continuously occupied to perform data transmission, the timing of the second timer is interrupted. For uplink transmission, the channel detection is performed by the user equipment, and the base station does not know the result of the channel detection, so the base station may determine that the currently activated BWP can be continuously occupied to perform data transmission only when receiving data from the user equipment, and at this time the timing of the second timer is interrupted.

With the electronic apparatus <NUM> in the embodiment, a second timer is arranged to further reduce the waiting time and energy consumption of the UE and improve the spectrum utilization efficiency.

In the process of describing the electronic apparatus for wireless communications in the embodiments described above, obviously, some processing and methods are also disclosed. Hereinafter, an overview of the methods is given without repeating some details disclosed above. However, it should be noted that, although the methods are disclosed in a process of describing the electronic apparatus for wireless communications, the methods do not certainly employ or are not certainly executed by the aforementioned components. For example, the embodiments of the electronic apparatus for wireless communications may be partially or completely implemented with hardware and/or firmware, the methods for wireless communications described below may be executed by a computer-executable program completely, although the hardware and/or firmware of the electronic apparatus for wireless communications can also be used in the methods.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method for wireless communications according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the method includes: setting a first timer (S11) for timing activation time of a current BWP for use by UE on an unlicensed frequency band; and switching the UE to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires (S13). The method, for example, is performed on the user equipment side.

For example, the first timer may be started when the current BWP is activated. The timing duration of the first timer is variable, for example, the timing duration of the first timer may be determined by a base station in accordance with a characteristic of data to be transmitted such as data amount. The timing duration of the first timer may be acquired via RRC signaling.

In addition, although not shown in <FIG>, the method may further include: continuously occupying the current channel for a time duration of one piece of MCOT in a case that channel detection indicates that the current channel is available, when the first timer expires. RSRP of a current beam may also be detected, and it is determined, based on the RSRP, whether to switch to another BWP. The switching includes deactivating the current BWP and activating another BWP.

As shown by a dashed line block in <FIG>, the method may further include a step S12: setting a second timer for timing a time duration during which the UE does not occupy the current BWP in an activated state to perform transmission. In addition, the step S13 further includes: switching the UE to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the second timer expires.

A timing duration of the second timer may be shorter than that of the first timer. For example, the timing duration of the second timer is a length of N pieces of Maximum Channel Occupancy Time, where N is a natural number which is equal to or larger than <NUM>.

The second timer may be started when a piece of MCOT ends, and the second timer may be interrupted when the UE receives data from a base station or channel detection by the UE indicates that a current channel is available.

In step S13, in the standalone scenario, the UE is switched to a default BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires or the second timer expires. Then scheduling DCI is acquired on the default BWP to determine a new BWP to be activated, and the UE is switched to the new BWP. In the LAA scenario, the UE is switched to a new BWP when the first timer expires or the second timer expires, where the new BWP is determined and activated via scheduling DCI received on the licensed frequency band.

<FIG> is a flowchart showing a method for wireless communications according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in <FIG>, the method includes: setting a first timer for user equipment (S21), the first time being used for timing activation time of a current bandwidth part BWP for use by the user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band; and determining that the UE is to be switched to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires (S23). The method, for example, is performed on the base station side.

The first timer is started when the current BWP is activated, where a timing duration of the first timer is variable. For example, the timing duration of the first timer may be determined in accordance with a characteristic of data to be transmitted. The timing duration may be notified to the UE via RRC signaling.

As shown by a dashed line block in <FIG>, the method includes a step S22: setting a second timer for the UE, which is used for timing a time duration during which the UE does not occupy the current BWP in an activated state to perform transmission. In this case, step S13 further includes: determining that the UE is to be switched to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the second timer expires.

For example, the second timer may be started when a piece of MCOT ends, and the second timer may be interrupted when receiving data from the UE or channel detection by the base station indicates that a current channel is available.

A timing duration of the second timer is shorter than that of the first timer. For example, the timing duration of the second timer is a length of N pieces of MCOTs, where N is a natural number which is equal to or larger than <NUM>.

In step S13, it is determined that the UE is to be switched to a default BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires or the second timer expires. Then, scheduling DCI is transmitted on the default BWP to notify the UE of a new BWP to be activated, and the UE is to be switched to the new BWP. Alternatively, the scheduling DCI is transmitted on the licensed frequency band when the first timer expires or the second timer expires to notify the UE of a new BWP to be activated, and the UE is to be switched to the new BWP.

It should be noted that above methods may be utilized in combination or separately. Details of the above methods are described in the first to fourth embodiments, and are not described here.

The technology according to the present disclosure is applicable to various products.

For example, the electronic apparatus <NUM> or <NUM> may be implemented as various base stations. The base station may be implemented as any type of evolution Node B (eNB) or gNB (a <NUM> base station). The eNB includes, for example, a macro eNB and a small eNB. The small eNB may be an eNB covering a cell smaller than a macro cell, such as a pico eNB, a micro eNB, and a home (femto) eNB. The case for the gNB is similar to the above. Alternatively, the base station may be implemented as any other type of base station, such as a NodeB and a base transceiver station (BTS). The base station may include a main body (that is also referred to as a base station apparatus) configured to control radio communication, and one or more remote radio heads (RRHs) disposed in a different place from the main body. In addition, various types of user equipments may each operate as the base station by temporarily or semi-persistently executing a base station function.

The electronic apparatus <NUM> or <NUM> may be implemented as various user equipments. The user equipment may be implemented as a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone, a tablet personal computer (PC), a notebook PC, a portable game terminal, a portable/dongle-type mobile router, and a digital camera device) or an in-vehicle terminal such as a car navigation apparatus. The user equipment may also be implemented as a terminal (also referred to as a machine type communication (MTC) terminal) that performs machine-to-machine (M2M) communication. In addition, the user equipment may be a wireless communication module (such as an integrated circuit module including a single chip) mounted on each of the terminals described above.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a first example of an exemplary configuration of an eNB or a gNB to which the technology according to the present disclosure may be applied. It should be noted that the following description is given by taking the eNB as an example, which is also applicable to the gNB. An eNB <NUM> includes one or more antennas <NUM> and a base station apparatus <NUM>. The base station apparatus <NUM> and each of the antennas <NUM> may be connected to each other via a radio frequency (RF) cable.

Each of the antennas <NUM> includes a single or multiple antennal elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna), and is used for the base station apparatus <NUM> to transmit and receive wireless signals. As shown in <FIG>, the eNB <NUM> may include the multiple antennas <NUM>. For example, the multiple antennas <NUM> may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the eNB <NUM> includes the multiple antennas <NUM>, the eNB <NUM> may also include a single antenna <NUM>.

The base station apparatus <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a network interface <NUM>, and a radio communication interface <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> may be, for example, a CPU or a DSP, and operates various functions of a higher layer of the base station apparatus <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> generates a data packet from data in signals processed by the radio communication interface <NUM>, and transfers the generated packet via the network interface <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may bundle data from multiple base band processors to generate the bundled packet, and transfer the generated bundled packet. The controller <NUM> may have logical functions of performing control such as radio resource control, radio bearer control, mobility management, admission control and scheduling. The control may be performed in corporation with an eNB or a core network node in the vicinity. The memory <NUM> includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores a program executed by the controller <NUM> and various types of control data (such as terminal list, transmission power data and scheduling data).

The network interface <NUM> is a communication interface for connecting the base station apparatus <NUM> to a core network <NUM>. The controller <NUM> may communicate with a core network node or another eNB via the network interface <NUM>. In this case, the eNB <NUM>, and the core network node or another eNB may be connected to each other via a logic interface (such as an S1 interface and an X2 interface). The network interface <NUM> may also be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface for wireless backhaul. If the network interface <NUM> is a wireless communication interface, the network interface <NUM> may use a higher frequency band for wireless communication than that used by the radio communication interface <NUM>.

The radio communication interface <NUM> supports any cellular communication scheme (such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-advanced), and provides wireless connection to a terminal located in a cell of the eNB <NUM> via the antenna <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may typically include, for example, a baseband (BB) processor <NUM> and an RF circuit <NUM>. The BB processor <NUM> may perform, for example, encoding/decoding, modulating/demodulating, and multiplexing/demultiplexing, and performs various types of signal processing of layers (such as L1, Media Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)). The BB processor <NUM> may have a part or all of the above-described logical functions instead of the controller <NUM>. The BB processor <NUM> may be a memory storing communication control programs, or a module including a processor and a related circuit configured to execute the programs. Updating the program may allow the functions of the BB processor <NUM> to be changed. The module may be a card or a blade that is inserted into a slot of the base station apparatus <NUM>. Alternatively, the module may also be a chip that is mounted on the card or the blade. Meanwhile, the RF circuit <NUM> may include, for example, a mixer, a filter, and an amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may include the multiple BB processors <NUM>. For example, the multiple BB processors <NUM> may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may include multiple RF circuits <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For example, the multiple RF circuits <NUM> may be compatible with multiple antenna elements. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the radio communication interface <NUM> includes the multiple BB processors <NUM> and the multiple RF circuits <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may also include a single BB processor <NUM> and a single RF circuit <NUM>.

In the eNB <NUM> shown in <FIG>, a transceiver of the electronic apparatus <NUM> or <NUM> may be implemented by the radio communication interface <NUM>. At least a part of the functions may also be implemented by the controller <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> may perform the functions of the first setting unit <NUM> and the first determining unit <NUM> or perform the functions of the first setting unit <NUM>, the first determining unit <NUM>, the second setting unit <NUM>, and the second determining unit <NUM>, to switch the user equipment to another BWP appropriately.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing a second example of an exemplary configuration of the eNB or gNB to which the technology according to the present disclosure may be applied. It should be noted that the following description is given by taking the eNB as an example, which is also applied to the gNB. An eNB <NUM> includes one or more antennas <NUM>, a base station apparatus <NUM>, and an RRH <NUM>. The RRH <NUM> and each of the antennas <NUM> may be connected to each other via an RF cable. The base station apparatus <NUM> and the RRH <NUM> may be connected to each other via a high speed line such as an optical fiber cable.

Each of the antennas <NUM> includes a single or multiple antennal elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in an MIMO antenna), and is used for the RRH <NUM> to transmit and receive wireless signals. As shown in <FIG>, the eNB <NUM> may include the multiple antennas <NUM>. For example, the multiple antennas <NUM> may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the eNB <NUM> includes the multiple antennas <NUM>, the eNB <NUM> may also include a single antenna <NUM>.

The base station apparatus <NUM> includes a controller <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a network interface <NUM>, a radio communication interface <NUM>, and a connection interface <NUM>. The controller <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the network interface <NUM> are the same as the controller <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, and the network interface <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

The radio communication interface <NUM> supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-advanced), and provides wireless communication to a terminal located in a sector corresponding to the RRH <NUM> via the RRH <NUM> and the antenna <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may typically include, for example, a BB processor <NUM>. The BB processor <NUM> is the same as the BB processor <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, except that the BB processor <NUM> is connected to an RF circuit <NUM> of the RRH <NUM> via the connection interface <NUM>. As show in <FIG>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may include the multiple BB processors <NUM>. For example, the multiple BB processors <NUM> may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the eNB <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the radio communication interface <NUM> includes the multiple BB processors <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may also include a single BB processor <NUM>.

The connection interface <NUM> is an interface for connecting the base station apparatus <NUM> (radio communication interface <NUM>) to the RRH <NUM>. The connection interface <NUM> may also be a communication module for communication in the above-described high speed line that connects the base station apparatus <NUM> (radio communication interface <NUM>) to the RRH <NUM>.

The RRH <NUM> includes a connection interface <NUM> and a radio communication interface <NUM>.

The connection interface <NUM> is an interface for connecting the RRH <NUM> (radio communication interface <NUM>) to the base station apparatus <NUM>. The connection interface <NUM> may also be a communication module for communication in the above-described high speed line.

The radio communication interface <NUM> transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may typically include, for example, the RF circuit <NUM>. The RF circuit <NUM> may include, for example, a mixer, a filter and an amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may include multiple RF circuits <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. For example, the multiple RF circuits <NUM> may support multiple antenna elements. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the radio communication interface <NUM> includes the multiple RF circuits <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may also include a single RF circuit <NUM>.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of exemplary configuration of a smartphone <NUM> to which the technology of the present disclosure may be applied. The smartphone <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a storage <NUM>, an external connection interface <NUM>, a camera <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a microphone <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, a radio communication interface <NUM>, one or more antenna switches <NUM>, one or more antennas <NUM>, a bus <NUM>, a battery <NUM>, and an auxiliary controller <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be, for example, a CPU or a system on a chip (SoC), and controls functions of an application layer and another layer of the smartphone <NUM>. The memory <NUM> includes a RAM and a ROM, and stores a program executed by the processor <NUM> and data. The storage <NUM> may include a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory and a hard disk. The external connection interface <NUM> is an interface for connecting an external device (such as a memory card and a universal serial bus (USB) device) to the smartphone <NUM>.

The camera <NUM> includes an image sensor (such as a charge coupled device (CCD) and a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS)), and generates a captured image. The sensor <NUM> may include a group of sensors, such as a measurement sensor, a gyro sensor, a geomagnetism sensor, and an acceleration sensor. The microphone <NUM> converts sounds that are inputted to the smartphone <NUM> to audio signals. The input device <NUM> includes, for example, a touch sensor configured to detect touch onto a screen of the display device <NUM>, a keypad, a keyboard, a button, or a switch, and receives an operation or information inputted from a user. The display device <NUM> includes a screen (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display), and displays an output image of the smartphone <NUM>. The speaker <NUM> converts audio signals that are outputted from the smartphone <NUM> to sounds.

The radio communication interface <NUM> supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-advanced), and performs a wireless communication. The radio communication interface <NUM> may include, for example, a BB processor <NUM> and an RF circuit <NUM>. The BB processor <NUM> may perform, for example, encoding/decoding, modulating/demodulating, and multiplexing/de-multiplexing, and perform various types of signal processing for wireless communication. The RF circuit <NUM> may include, for example, a mixer, a filter and an amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna <NUM>. It should be noted that although <FIG> shows a case that one RF link is connected to one antenna, which is only illustrative, and a case that one RF link is connected to multiple antennas through multiple phase shifters may also exist. The radio communication interface <NUM> may be a chip module having the BB processor <NUM> and the RF circuit <NUM> integrated thereon. The radio communication interface <NUM> may include multiple BB processors <NUM> and multiple RF circuits <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the radio communication interface <NUM> includes the multiple BB processors <NUM> and the multiple RF circuits <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may also include a single BB processor <NUM> or a single RF circuit <NUM>.

Furthermore, in addition to a cellular communication scheme, the radio communication interface <NUM> may support another type of wireless communication scheme such as a short-distance wireless communication scheme, a near field communication scheme, and a radio local area network (LAN) scheme. In this case, the radio communication interface <NUM> may include the BB processor <NUM> and the RF circuit <NUM> for each wireless communication scheme.

Each of the antenna switches <NUM> switches connection destinations of the antennas <NUM> among multiple circuits (such as circuits for different wireless communication schemes) included in the radio communication interface <NUM>.

Each of the antennas <NUM> includes a single or multiple antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in an MIMO antenna) and is used for the radio communication interface <NUM> to transmit and receive wireless signals. The smartphone <NUM> may include the multiple antennas <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the smartphone <NUM> includes the multiple antennas <NUM>, the smartphone <NUM> may also include a single antenna <NUM>.

Furthermore, the smartphone <NUM> may include the antenna <NUM> for each wireless communication scheme. In this case, the antenna switches <NUM> may be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone <NUM>.

The bus <NUM> connects the processor <NUM>, the memory <NUM>, the storage <NUM>, the external connection interface <NUM>, the camera <NUM>, the sensor <NUM>, the microphone <NUM>, the input device <NUM>, the display device <NUM>, the speaker <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM>, and the auxiliary controller <NUM> to each other. The battery <NUM> supplies power to blocks of the smart phone <NUM> shown in <FIG> via feeder lines that are partially shown as dashed lines in <FIG>. The auxiliary controller <NUM>, operates a minimum necessary function of the smart phone <NUM>, for example, in a sleep mode.

In the smart phone <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the transceiver of the electronic apparatus <NUM> or <NUM> may be implemented by the radio communication interface <NUM>. At least a part of the functions may be implemented by the processor <NUM> or the auxiliary controller <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> or the auxiliary controller <NUM> may perform the functions of the first timer unit <NUM> and the first switching unit <NUM>, or perform the functions of the first timer unit <NUM>, the first switching unit <NUM>, the second timer unit <NUM> and the second switching unit <NUM> to switch the user equipment to another BWP.

<FIG> is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation apparatus <NUM> to which the technology according to the present disclosure may be applied. The car navigation apparatus <NUM> includes a processor <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a global positioning system (GPS) module <NUM>, a sensor <NUM>, a data interface <NUM>, a content player <NUM>, a storage medium interface <NUM>, an input device <NUM>, a display device <NUM>, a speaker <NUM>, a radio communication interface <NUM>, one or more antenna switches <NUM>, one or more antennas <NUM>, and a battery <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> may be, for example a CPU or a SoC, and controls a navigation function and additional function of the car navigation apparatus <NUM>. The memory <NUM> includes RAM and ROM, and stores a program that is executed by the processor <NUM>, and data.

The GPS module <NUM> determines a position (such as latitude, longitude and altitude) of the car navigation apparatus <NUM> by using GPS signals received from a GPS satellite. The sensor <NUM> may include a group of sensors such as a gyro sensor, a geomagnetic sensor and an air pressure sensor. The data interface <NUM> is connected to, for example, an in-vehicle network <NUM> via a terminal that is not shown, and acquires data (such as vehicle speed data) generated by the vehicle.

The content player <NUM> reproduces content stored in a storage medium (such as a CD and a DVD) that is inserted into the storage medium interface <NUM>. The input device <NUM> includes, for example, a touch sensor configured to detect touch onto a screen of the display device <NUM>, a button, or a switch, and receives an operation or information inputted from a user. The display device <NUM> includes a screen such as an LCD or OLED display, and displays an image of the navigation function or content that is reproduced. The speaker <NUM> outputs a sounds for the navigation function or the content that is reproduced.

The radio communication interface <NUM> supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-Advanced), and performs wireless communication. The radio communication interface <NUM> may typically include, for example, a BB processor <NUM> and an RF circuit <NUM>. The BB processor <NUM> may perform, for example, encoding/decoding, modulating/demodulating and multiplexing/demultiplexing, and perform various types of signal processing for wireless communication. The RF circuit <NUM> may include, for example, a mixer, a filter and an amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna <NUM>. The radio communication interface <NUM> may also be a chip module having the BB processor <NUM> and the RF circuit <NUM> integrated thereon. The radio communication interface <NUM> may include multiple BB processors <NUM> and multiple RF circuits <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the radio communication interface <NUM> includes the multiple BB processors <NUM> and the multiple RF circuits <NUM>, the radio communication interface <NUM> may also include a single BB processor <NUM> and a single RF circuit <NUM>.

Furthermore, in addition to a cellular communication scheme, the radio communication interface <NUM> may support another type of wireless communication scheme such as a short-distance wireless communication scheme, a near field communication scheme, and a wireless LAN scheme. In this case, the radio communication interface <NUM> may include the BB processor <NUM> and the RF circuit <NUM> for each wireless communication scheme.

Each of the antennas <NUM> includes a single or multiple antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in an MIMO antenna), and is used by the radio communication interface <NUM> to transmit and receive wireless signals. As shown in <FIG>, the car navigation apparatus <NUM> may include the multiple antennas <NUM>. Although <FIG> shows the example in which the car navigation apparatus <NUM> includes the multiple antennas <NUM>, the car navigation apparatus <NUM> may also include a single antenna <NUM>.

Furthermore, the car navigation apparatus <NUM> may include the antenna <NUM> for each wireless communication scheme. In this case, the antenna switches <NUM> may be omitted from the configuration of the car navigation apparatus <NUM>.

The battery <NUM> supplies power to the blocks of the car navigation apparatus <NUM> shown in <FIG> via feeder lines that are partially shown as dash lines in <FIG>. The battery <NUM> accumulates power supplied from the vehicle.

In the car navigation device <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the transceiver of the electronic apparatus <NUM> or <NUM> may be implemented by the radio communication interface <NUM>. At least a part of the functions may be implemented by the processor <NUM> or the auxiliary controller <NUM>. For example, the processor <NUM> or the auxiliary controller <NUM> may perform the functions of the first timer unit <NUM> and the first switching unit <NUM>, or perform the functions of the first timer unit <NUM>, the first switching unit <NUM>, the second timer unit <NUM> and the second switching unit <NUM> to switch the user equipment to another BWP.

The technology of the present disclosure may also be implemented as an in-vehicle system (or a vehicle) <NUM> including one or more blocks of the car navigation apparatus <NUM>, the in-vehicle network <NUM> and a vehicle module <NUM>. The vehicle module <NUM> generates vehicle data (such as a vehicle speed, an engine speed, and failure information), and outputs the generated data to the in-vehicle network <NUM>.

The basic principle of the present disclosure has been described above in conjunction with particular embodiments. However, as can be appreciated by those ordinarily skilled in the art, all or any of the steps or components of the method and apparatus according to the disclosure can be implemented with hardware, firmware, software or a combination thereof in any computing device (including a processor, a storage medium, etc.) or a network of computing devices by those ordinarily skilled in the art in light of the disclosure of the disclosure and making use of their general circuit designing knowledge or general programming skills.

Moreover, the present disclosure further discloses a program product in which machine-readable instruction codes are stored. The aforementioned methods according to the embodiments can be implemented when the instruction codes are read and executed by a machine.

Accordingly, a memory medium for carrying the program product in which machine-readable instruction codes are stored is also covered in the present disclosure. The memory medium includes but is not limited to soft disc, optical disc, magnetic optical disc, memory card, memory stick and the like.

In the case where the present disclosure is realized with software or firmware, a program constituting the software is installed in a computer with a dedicated hardware structure (e.g. the general computer <NUM> shown in <FIG>) from a storage medium or network, wherein the computer is capable of implementing various functions when installed with various programs.

In <FIG>, a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM> executes various processing according to a program stored in a read-only memory (ROM) <NUM> or a program loaded to a random access memory (RAM) <NUM> from a memory section <NUM>. The data needed for the various processing of the CPU <NUM> may be stored in the RAM <NUM> as needed. The CPU <NUM>, the ROM <NUM> and the RAM <NUM> are linked with each other via a bus <NUM>. An input/output interface <NUM> is also linked to the bus <NUM>.

The following components are linked to the input/output interface <NUM>: an input section <NUM> (including keyboard, mouse and the like), an output section <NUM> (including displays such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a loudspeaker and the like), a memory section <NUM> (including hard disc and the like), and a communication section <NUM> (including a network interface card such as a LAN card, modem and the like). The communication section <NUM> performs communication processing via a network such as the Internet. A driver <NUM> may also be linked to the input/output interface <NUM>, if needed. If needed, a removable medium <NUM>, for example, a magnetic disc, an optical disc, a magnetic optical disc, a semiconductor memory and the like, may be installed in the driver <NUM>, so that the computer program read therefrom is installed in the memory section <NUM> as appropriate.

In the case where the foregoing series of processing is achieved through software, programs forming the software are installed from a network such as the Internet or a memory medium such as the removable medium <NUM>.

Claim 1:
An electronic apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>) for use
at a user equipment side for wireless communications, comprising:
processing circuitry (<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>), configured to:
set a first timer for timing activation time of a current bandwidth part, BWP; for use by the user equipment on an unlicensed frequency band;
switch the user equipment to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band when the first timer expires;
set a second timer for timing time during which the user equipment does not occupy the current BWP in an activated state to perform transmission; and
determine whether to switch the user equipment to another BWP on the unlicensed frequency band based on the second timer;
wherein the processing circuitry acquires the timing duration of the second timer via a radio resource control, RRC, signaling.