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Bandwidth Part (BWP)

in 5G-NR
TechLTE World 62 articles Follow
5G-NR| ORAN | LTE |Training

August 21, 2023

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A Bandwidth Part (BWP) is a designated portion extracted

from the overall carrier bandwidth. It represents a subset of
the total available spectrum in the carrier.

Within this BWP, a contiguous grouping of Common

Resource Blocks (CRBs) is formed. This set of CRBs is
situated within the larger carrier bandwidth and spans
across a sequence of adjacent CRBs.

Each individual BWP has its own defined numerology,

which encompasses parameters such as Subcarrier Spacing
(SCS) and Cyclic Prefix (CP). This distinction ensures specific
communication characteristics within the BWP.

User Equipment (UE) can be configured to work with up to

four separate downlink BWPs and up to four uplink BWPs
for each serving cell. In scenarios involving Supplementary
Uplink (SUL), an additional four uplink BWPs can exist on
the SUL carrier. This configuration structure offers flexibility
in managing different communication streams and
optimizing spectrum usage.

BWP operates within NR's spectrum management

hierarchy.

NR defines frequency ranges (FRs) with operating

bands, each tied to specific RF requirements.

NR supports channel bandwidths from 5 – 400 MHz,

accommodating various spectrum scenarios.

BWP is a set of contiguous resource blocks (RBs) in a

channel bandwidth.

Minimum bandwidth of a BWP should be equal or

larger than SSB Bandwidth

BWP's size can be equal to or smaller than the cell

bandwidth.

It is not mandatory for every BWP should transmit SSB

Max number of BWP that can configured is 4, but only

one of them can be active at a specific time

BWP serves purposes like UE bandwidth adaptation

and supporting devices with different capabilities.

Reference Xingqin Lin, Dongsheng Yu, Henning Wiemann -5G NR spectrum

management and configuration

NR employs scalable OFDM numerologies with

subcarrier spacing (SCS) of 2𝜇⋅15 kHz (𝜇 = 0, 1, …, 4)
for efficient communication.

A Resource Block (RB) includes 12 consecutive

subcarriers in the frequency domain, using "Point A" as
a reference point for RB grids.

A Bandwidth Part (BWP) begins at a specific common

RB and encompasses contiguous RBs with a given
 numerology on a carrier.

For a UE's serving cell, at least one downlink (DL) BWP

is configured, with the option for up to four DL BWPs,
but only one active at a time.

Similar to DL, for cells with uplink (UL), at least one UL

BWP is configured, with potential for up to four, but
only one active at a time.

Supplementary UL (SUL) is supported, allowing UL BWP

configuration similar to normal UL.

In frequency division duplex (FDD) scenarios, DL and

UL BWPs are configured separately; in time division
duplex (TDD), paired DL and UL BWPs share indices.

Paired DL and UL BWPs in TDD share the same centre

frequency while potentially having different
bandwidths.

UE typically receives PDSCH, PDCCH, or CSIRS within

an active DL BWP; RRM measurements occur outside
via measurement gaps.

UE transmits PUSCH or PUCCH within an active UL

BWP; for an active serving cell, SRS isn't transmitted
outside an active UL BWP

Why BWP came in to picture?

LTE's maximum carrier bandwidth is much smaller than

that of NR, with LTE at 20 MHz and NR at 400 MHz.

Scanning the entire NR carrier bandwidth (e.g., 400

MHz) in NR UE would consume excessive power.

NR supports various UE types and capabilities; not all

devices can handle the full carrier bandwidth.

BWPs offer the advantage of reducing UE power

consumption, especially for UEs capable of receiving
the full carrier bandwidth.

Resource Efficiency: 5G networks are designed to support a

wide range of services with varying bandwidth
requirements. BWP enables efficient utilization of the
available spectrum by allowing dynamic allocation of
smaller portions of spectrum, catering to the specific needs
of different services and devices. This efficient use of
resources enhances overall network capacity and
performance.
Spectrum Flexibility: Different parts of the available
frequency spectrum might have different characteristics
and regulatory constraints. BWP allows for the creation of
customized subsets of the spectrum, enabling operators to
adapt to regulatory requirements and optimize usage for
specific services.

Service Differentiation: 5G serves diverse use cases such as

enhanced mobile broadband, massive machine-type
communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency
communications. BWP permits operators to allocate
appropriate portions of spectrum to each service, tailoring
the network to meet the distinct requirements of each
application.

Bandwidth Adaptation: BWP provides the capability for

User Equipment (UE) to adjust its bandwidth dynamically.
This adaptation is particularly useful to conserve power
consumption. For instance, a UE can utilize wider
bandwidth when high data rates are necessary and switch
to narrower bandwidth during periods of lower activity,
reducing energy usage.

Interference Management: BWP allows for focused

allocation of resources within a cell's bandwidth. This
minimizes interference with neighboring cells, leading to
improved network performance and better user
experiences.

Device Compatibility: With the diversity of devices in the

5G ecosystem, not all devices support the same
bandwidths. BWP enables devices with varying bandwidth
capabilities to coexist within the network by allocating
resources that match the devices' capabilities.

Dynamic Traffic Handling: BWP facilitates dynamic changes

in resource allocation based on real-time traffic demands.
For instance, during periods of high network congestion,
BWPs can be adjusted to prioritize critical services or
specific areas with increased demand.

BWP Switching and Types of Active BWPs in 5G NR:

BWP Switching Overview:

Switching between an active and an inactive BWP is

termed "BWP switching."

BWP switching prevents the deactivation of all BWPs or

activating more than one simultaneously.
 In paired spectrum (FDD), DL and UL BWPs can be
switched separately.

For unpaired spectrum (TDD), paired DL and UL BWPs

switch together.

Types of Active BWPs:

Initial DL/UL BWP:

Used for initial access before Radio Resource Control

(RRC) connection establishment.

An initial BWP, denoted as BWP #0, is configured for

this purpose.

UE performs cell search using synchronization signals

(SSBs) including PSS, SSS, and PBCH.

System Information Block 1 (SIB1) carries key info,

including initial BWP configuration.

UE follows SIB1 to perform random access for RRC

connection.

Initial DL BWP aligns with CORESET #0's frequency

range initially.

First Active DL/UL BWP:

Configured for Special Cell (SpCell) or secondary cell

(SCell).

In master cell group (MCG), SpCell is the primary

connection cell.

In secondary cell group (SCG), SpCell is the primary

SCell for random access.

SCell provides additional resources in a cell group.

First active DL and UL BWPs apply after RRC

(re-)configuration or SCell activation.
 Figure reference: www.sharetechnote.com

Default BWP:

Configurable for a serving cell, UE may switch to it due

to inactivity.

UE shifts to default BWP after a timer indicates no

scheduled transmission/reception.

Default DL BWP is configurable; else, initial DL BWP is

used.

In unpaired spectrum, switching DL BWP triggers UL

BWP switch, common for TDD.

How does a UE use BWP in RRC idle mode

and RRC connected mode?

From above picture, these BWP types from a UE

perspective.

below is summary:

UE network access initiates by capturing

Synchronization Signal Block (SSB): includes PSS, SSS,
and PBCH, spanning 4 OFDM symbols and 20 RBs,
containing Master Information Block (MIB).
 MIB holds CORESET#0 config, used by UE to deduce
initial Downlink Bandwidth Part (DL BWP).

UE decodes CORESET#0, holding System Information

Block 1 (SIB1) that sets initial BWP for DL and UL;
termed BWP#0. DL BWP#0 includes CORESET#0.

Random Access Channel (RACH) employs UL BWP#0.

Network uses DL BWP#0 until Radio Resource Control
(RRC) connection.

After RRC connection, UE can be configured with

personalized UE-specific BWPs.

Example figure illustrates BWP#0 (24 RBs), BWP#1 (270

RBs), and default DL BWP#2 (52 RBs).

In Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), DL switches to

BWP#2, UL stays at BWP#1. In Time Division Duplex
(TDD), DL and UL BWP switching occurs
simultaneously.

Illustrative Example:

Let's consider a practical example involving a 5G base

station and a user equipment (UE) operating within a
frequency band from 2.8 GHz to 3.5 GHz. Within this band,
"Point A" is positioned at 3.0 GHz.

Subcarrier Allocation:

"Point A" at 3.0 GHz serves as the starting reference

point for subcarrier allocation.

Subcarriers are distributed in both directions from

"Point A" at regular intervals, such as every 15 kHz.

Resource Block Structure:

The base station divides the spectrum into resource

blocks, each comprising a certain number of
subcarriers.

For instance, a resource block might consist of 12

consecutive subcarriers.

Channel Allocation:

Different channels, including control channels and data

channels, are allocated based on the positioning of
"Point A."

These channels are placed relative to the reference

point for consistent and organized communication.
UE Discovery and Communication:

The UE detects synchronization signals (SSBs)

broadcasted by the base station.

By decoding the SIB1 carried in these signals, the UE

learns the location of "Point A" (3.0 GHz).

Resource Allocation:

All physical resource blocks used for transmitting

actual signals are positioned relative to "Point A."

The base station allocates resources based on the

reference point to ensure efficient and controlled
communication.

In this example, "Point A" at 3.0 GHz serves as the anchor for
establishing the entire frequency structure. It guides how
subcarriers, resource blocks, and channels are organized and
allocated, leading to well-structured communication within
the 5G network.

What is the process of BWP adaptation or switching

During the shift from idle mode to RRC connected

mode, the RRC signaling possesses the capability to
configure UE-specific Bandwidth Parts (BWPs).

In specific scenarios, the RRC configuration or

reconfiguration message might single out one of these
BWPs for activation, consequently prompting BWP
switching.

However, this process can exhibit a delay due to the

inherent processing time of the RRC, potentially
occurring within the realm of tens of milliseconds.

Reference: Xingqin Lin, Dongsheng Yu, Henning Wiemann Understanding the BWP
Indicator Field within DCI Format 0_1/1_1 for Switching BWPs Based on DCI

Once a UE is equipped with multiple BWPs through

configuration, the network holds the authority to
instruct BWP switching in the UE.
 This is effectively accomplished through the utilization
of Downlink Control Information (DCI) within the
Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

Employing DCI format 1_1 for downlink assignment

and format 0_1 for uplink grant, these formats
incorporate a BWP indicator variable that can take
either 1 or 2 bits.

In instances where more than 2 BWPs are integrated

into the system, a 2-bit indicator serves this purpose
efficiently.

A third mechanism for BWP switching materializes

when the BWP inactivity timer attains its endpoint,
triggering an automatic transition to the default BWP.

The temporal range of this timer extends from 2 to

2560 milliseconds.

It's important to note that the highest value of this

timer is correlated with the Discontinuous Reception
(DRX) inactivity timer, revealing a harmonious
synchronization of timing components.

DCI- and timer-based BWP switch delay requirements

Network and UE Transmission/Reception Delay:

Delay exists between network and UE due to DCI-based

BWP switch.

UE must finalize active DL and/or UL BWP switch within set

BWP switch delay.

BWP switch time limits specified in Table 2 for DCI and

timer-based BWP switch

BWP Switch Delay Types:

Two levels of BWP switch delay: type 1 and type 2 (Table 2).

TBWPswitchDelay for DCI-based BWP switch:

· Defined as slot difference between DL slot of switch

request and first slot for PDSCH reception (DL) or PUSCH
transmission (UL) on new BWP.

UL/DL Signals during Switch Delay:

 UE not obliged to send UL signals or receive DL signals
for TBWPswitchDelay during DCI-based BWP switch on
serving cell.

Dependency on SCS:

BWP switch delay tied to Subcarrier Spacing (SCS).

If switch spans BWPs of differing SCS values:

· Delay rule follows smaller SCS's requirement.

FIG : DCI- and timer-based BWP switch delay requirements

Bandwidth Adaptation (BA) introduces a transformative

capability for User Equipment (UE), allowing it to
independently regulate its reception and transmission
bandwidth without being constrained by the cell's total
bandwidth. This versatile feature empowers the UE to
conserve energy while dynamically accommodating
fluctuating data demands. The responsiveness of
bandwidth adjustments becomes evident across a range of
scenarios:

Important Points:

Efficient Utilization: BA enables the UE to adopt a narrower

bandwidth, making it ideal for tasks like monitoring control
channels or receiving moderate data loads. This strategic
move optimizes power consumption.

Seamless Scaling: In scenarios demanding data-intensive

transfers, the UE seamlessly transitions to a broader or full
bandwidth to fulfil the escalated requirements.

Frequency Domain Agility: BA introduces adaptability in

the frequency domain, permitting the UE's location to shift,
along with customizable subcarrier spacing. This
adaptability effectively caters to the diverse needs of
various services.

BWP Configuration: The realization of BA entails

configuring the UE with Bandwidth Parts (BWPs), which act
as adjustable segments of bandwidth.
Dynamic Activation: From the array of configured BWPs,
the active BWP is explicitly communicated to the UE,
allowing instant adaptability.

Scenario Perspective: Illustratively, envision a scenario

where three distinct BWPs are configured. In the Primary
Cell (PCell), both uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) BWPs are
configured, seamlessly accommodating BA. In the context
of Carrier Aggregation (CA) involving Secondary Cells
(SCells), at least DL BWPs are configured. However, the
presence of UL BWPs for SCells hinges on the specific
configuration.

Mapping between normalized Channel Resource Blocks

(nCRB) and normalized Physical Resource Blocks (nPRB).

Physical resource blocks for subcarrier spacing

configuration μ are defined within a bandwidth part and
numbered from 0 to

, where i is the number of the bandwidth

part.

The relation between the physical resource block

in bandwidth part i and the common resource block

is given by
 Reference: 38.211 v2.0.0 - 4.4.4.4

where

, is the common resource block where

bandwidth part i starts relative to common resource block
0.

When there is no risk for confusion the index μ may be

dropped.

Figure reference: www.sharetechnote.com

BWP Activation/Deactivation:

RRC-Based Adaptation:

Suited for semi-static services like Voice.

Resource allocation changes infrequently during the

same data session.

MAC CE Initiation:

Initiated during Random Access Channel (RACH)

procedure.

DCI-Based:

Enables rapid BWP switching for low-latency services.

Requires additional considerations for error handling.

 In case of missed BWP activation in DCI_0 and DCI_1
message.

Timer-Based Implicit Fallback:

Designed to counter potential DCI errors.

If no explicit BWP scheduling post timer expiration, UE

transitions to default BWP.

RRC Parameters for BandwidthPart Configuration

Initial Downlink BWP (initialDownlinkBWP):

Configuration for first downlink bandwidth-part (DL

BWP#0).

If optional elements are configured, UE treats BWP#0

as RRC-configured.

Otherwise, BWP#0 isn't considered RRC-configured by

UE.

Network assigns value if no other BWPs configured.

Changing BWP requires RRC Reconfiguration if

dedicated initial UL/DL BWP config is absent.

First Active Downlink BWP (firstActiveDownlinkBWP-Id):

Identifies DL BWP to activate post initial attach or NR

addition.

For SpCell: Activated after reconfiguration.

Absence means no BWP switch in RRC reconfiguration.

For SCell: Used upon MAC-activation.

Initial bandwidth part referred by BWP-Id = 0.

Default Downlink BWP (defaultDownlinkBWP-Id):

Automatically switched when no activity in current

BWP until bwp-InactivityTimer.

0 signifies defaultDownlinkBWP = initialDownlinkBWP.

 BWP-Id used after BWP inactivity timer expires.

UE-specific field; absent field uses initial BWP as

default.

BWP Inactivity Timer (bwp-InactivityTimer):

Duration (ms) before UE reverts to default Bandwidth

Part.

0.5 ms for carriers > 6 GHz.

UE stops timer on network's timer release, no default

BWP switch.

Initial Uplink BWP (initialUplinkBWP):

For SpCell: Identifies DL BWP after reconfiguration.

Absence means no BWP switch in RRC reconfiguration.

For SCell: Identifies uplink bandwidth part after MAC-

activation.

Initial bandwidth part referred by BandwidthPartId = 0.

First Active Uplink BWP (firstActiveUplinkBWP-Id):

Dedicated config for initial uplink bandwidth-part.

BWP Identifier (BWP-Id):

ID for a bandwidth part in RRC configuration.

BWP ID=0 is initial BWP and not used elsewhere.

BWP Switching via DCI:

NW triggers UE to switch UL/DL BWP using DCI field.

DCI code points map to RRC-configured BWP-IDs.

Up to 3 additional BWPs (initial, first dedicated, ...).

If 4 dedicated parts, DCI codes 0 to 3.

DCI can't switch to initial BWP if all 4 dedicated

configured.

Corresponds to L1 parameter 'UL-BWP-index' / 'DL-

BWP-index'.
Reference: 3gpp 38.211, 38.331, 38.133 , Xingqin Lin,
Dongsheng Yu, Henning Wiemann

#bwpin5g #bwp #BandwidthPart #5gnetwork #5G

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5G-NR| ORAN | LTE |Training 62 articles Follow
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