Selection of different initial bandwidth parts for reduced capability user equipment

A method comprising, at a reduced capability user equipment (RedCap UE):

• receiving a cell-defining synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) that defines a shared initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP) for RedCap UEs and non-RedCap UEs;
• switching to a separate initial downlink BWP for RedCap UEs;
• accessing a cell via the separate initial downlink BWP;
• receiving a configuration of an active downlink BWP for RedCap UEs;
• and
• determining whether to switch from the active downlink BWP to the shared initial BWP or the separate initial downlink BWP to obtain information.

An apparatus for a base station to support a reduced capability user equipment (RedCap UE), comprising:

• a transceiver;
• a memory storing computer-executable instructions;
• and
• a processor coupled with the transceiver and the memory and configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to:
• transmit a cell-defining synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) that defines a shared initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP) for RedCap UEs and non-RedCap UEs;
• transmit a non-CD-SSB for a separate initial downlink BWP for RedCap UEs;
• configure an active downlink BWP for the RedCap UE including a paging search space;
• transmit a paging physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) indicating that system information has been updated;
• and
• transmit updated system information on the shared initial downlink BWP, the separate initial downlink BWP, or the active downlink BWP as indicated by the paging PDCCH.

A method of supporting a reduced capability user equipment (RedCap UE), comprising:

• transmitting a cell-defining synchronization signal block (CD-SSB) that defines a shared initial downlink bandwidth part (BWP) for RedCap UEs and non-RedCap UEs;
• transmitting a non-CD-SSB for a separate initial downlink BWP for RedCap UEs;
• configuring an active downlink BWP for the RedCap UE including a paging search space;
• transmitting a paging physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) indicating that system information has been updated;
• and
• transmitting updated system information on the shared initial downlink BWP, the separate initial downlink BWP, or the active downlink BWP as indicated by the paging PDCCH.