FUTUREWEI · 10.5.0

Futurewei proposes studying intra-cell carrier aggregation (Method 1 'Gothia cell') using multiple contiguous/non-contiguous physical carriers up to 400 MHz logical bandwidth, and inter-cell carrier aggregation including FR1+FR2 non-collocated scenarios with possible DC-like realization. They require prioritization of Option 1 as the clean reference for contiguous wideband operation, with Option 2 or Option 3 as practical implementation candidates subject to RAN4 feasibility. They propose that the smallest maximum supported RF and BB UE BW for lowest-tier devices is 20MHz, arguing that 5MHz HD-FDD devices cannot meet RAN peak data rate requirements and that overall device complexity is driven by economies of scale. They propose studying a common initial-access framework where DL and UL IA bandwidth share center frequencies and are contained in the same carrier, supporting transition to post-IA wideband operation under both aggregation frameworks.

Futurewei proposes agreeing to Opt1 for SSB design with bandwidth larger than 3MHz and selecting a single maximum bandwidth option to limit device types and maximize economies of scale. They propose redefining the serving cell concept to support multiple carriers with intra-cell CA using one PCC for control/RRC and one or more SCCs for data exchange, forming a 2-level CA framework with inter-cell CA. For 400MHz support, they propose 2x 200MHz RF chains with 2x 8k FFT and consider 1x 400MHz RF chain. They argue coverage range in meters is the most direct metric rather than a single MCL/MIL/MPL value. They propose studying SCS options for around 15GHz and supporting TDD, FDD, SBFD, and HD-FDD duplex modes from day one, while further investigating SBFD/SSFD impact on frame structure. For initial access energy efficiency, they propose transmitting MIB/SIB1 with larger periodicities than synchronization signals or on-demand, supporting on-demand SSB/SIB1, and time-adaptive/flexible scalable PRACH from Day 1.