U.S. patent application number 11/398255 was filed with the patent office on 2007-10-04 for simultaneous dual mode operation in cellular networks.
Invention is credited to Peter Bruce Darwood, Paul Howard, Alan Edward Jones.
Application Number | 20070232349 11/398255 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38336340 |
Filed Date | 2007-10-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070232349 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jones; Alan Edward ; et
al. |
October 4, 2007 |
Simultaneous dual mode operation in cellular networks
Abstract
Embodiments of the present invention provide for determining
whether an insufficient guard band exists in a spectrum carrying
potentially interfering signals and allocating a temporary guard
band to spectrally separate the two signals, thereby reducing or
preventing inter-signal interference.
Inventors: |
Jones; Alan Edward;
(Wiltshire, GB) ; Darwood; Peter Bruce;
(Sheffield, GB) ; Howard; Paul; (Bristol,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MORRISON & FOERSTER LLP
755 PAGE MILL RD
PALO ALTO
CA
94304-1018
US
|
Family ID: |
38336340 |
Appl. No.: |
11/398255 |
Filed: |
April 4, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/552.1 ;
455/127.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 16/14 20130101;
H04W 76/10 20180201; H04W 72/082 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/552.1 ;
455/127.4 |
International
Class: |
H04B 1/04 20060101
H04B001/04; H04M 1/00 20060101 H04M001/00 |
Claims
1: A system for communicating using a first signal operating in a
first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the
system comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and
program code executable on the processor, the program code operable
for: receiving the first signal in the first mode from a user
equipment (UE); determining that the UE requests operation in the
second mode; and determining whether an insufficient guard band
exists.
2: The system of claim 1, wherein the first mode comprises time
division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises
frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.
3: A method for communicating using a first signal operating in a
first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the
method comprising: receiving the first signal in the first mode
from a user equipment (UE); determining that the UE requests
operation in the second mode; and determining whether an
insufficient guard band exists.
4: The method of claim 3, wherein the first mode comprises time
division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises
frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.
5: The method of claim 3, further comprising creating a guard band
if the insufficient guard band exists.
6: The method of claim 5, wherein the guard band comprises a
bandwidth that falls at least partially within a first band
operating in the first mode.
7: The method of claim 5, wherein the guard band comprises a
bandwidth that falls at least partially within a second band
operating in the second mode.
8: The method of claim 5, wherein the guard band comprises a
bandwidth that falls partially within a first band operating in the
first mode and falls partially within a second band operating in
the second mode.
9. The method of claim 5, wherein creating a guard band comprises
reconfiguring one or more transmitters to limit transmissions
within the guard band.
10: The method of claim 3, wherein: receiving the first signal
comprises receiving a first message sent from the UE; and
determining at the UE requests operation in the second mode
comprises determining from the first message that the UE requests
operation in the second mode.
11: The method of claim 10, wherein the received message from the
UE comprises a request for a service.
12: The method of claim 11, wherein the service comprises a
broadcast service.
13: The method of claim 10, wherein the received message from the
UE comprises an explicit request for dual-mode operation.
14: The method of claim 11, wherein the received message from the
UE comprises an implicit request for dual-mode operation.
15: The method of claim 3, further comprising sending, to a UE, a
request for an indication from the UE of a sufficient guard band
bandwidth.
16: The method of claim 3, further comprising receiving an
indication from the UE of a sufficient guard band bandwidth.
17: The method of claim 3, further comprising sending, to a UE, one
or more parameters indicative of a service provided in the second
mode.
18: The method of claim 17, wherein at least one of the one or more
parameters comprises an encryption parameter.
19: A computer program product comprising program code for
communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a
second signal operating in a second mode, the computer program
product comprising program code for: receiving the first signal in
the first mode from a user equipment (UE); determining that the UE
requests operation in the second made; and determining whether an
insufficient guard band exists.
20: User equipment (UE) for communicating using a first signal
operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second
mode, the UE comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the
memory; a transmission system operable to communicate
contemporaneously using the first signal operating in the first
mode and the second signal operating in the second mode; and
program code executable on the processor, the program code operable
for: sending the first signal in the first mode from the UE to a
network; and indicating to the network that the UE requests
operation in the second mode.
21: A method of using user equipment (UE) for communicating using a
first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal
operating in a second mode, the method comprising: sending the
first signal in the first mode from the UE to a network; indicating
to the network that the UE requests operation in the second mode;
and communicating contemporaneously using the first signal
operating in the first mode and the second signal operating in the
second mode.
22: The method of claim 21, wherein the first mode comprises time
division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises
frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.
23: The method of claim 21, wherein communicating contemporaneously
comprises receiving and processing a broadcast signal in the second
mode while communicating signal in the first mode.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to communication
systems and more particularly to guard bands between a first mode
and a second mode of communication.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Wireless service providers are often provided one or more
blocks of spectrum. Often one block of spectrum neighbors another
block of spectrum carrying a different signal type. In some
circumstances, a signal at one end of a block of spectrum may be
interfered by a signal of the different type from a neighboring
block of spectrum. For example, the different signal time may be
transmitted with a much higher power. If the higher power signal
spills over into the adjacent band, reception of signals within the
band may be hampered.
[0006] One solution to reduce interference between signals from
neighboring blocks of spectrum is for a permanent guard band to be
placed at one end or both ends of a block of spectrum. The
permanent guard band spectrally separates signals from possibly
interfering signals from other bands.
[0007] Therefore, a need exists to more efficiently temporarily
allocate a guard bands when an interfering signal may be present,
thereby both reducing inter-band interference. Furthermore, a need
exist to free the allocated guard bend when no interfering signal
is expected, thereby more optimally using spectrum where the guard
band would otherwise exist.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments of the present invention provide for determining
whether an insufficient guard band exists in a spectrum carrying
potentially interfering signals and allocating a temporary guard
band to spectrally separate the two signals, thereby reducing or
preventing inter-signal interference.
[0009] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a
system for communicating using a first signal operating in a first
mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the system
comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; and
program code executable on the processor, the program code operable
for: receiving the first signal in the first mode from a user
equipment (UE); determining that the UE requests operation in the
second mode; and determining whether an insufficient guard band
exists. In some embodiments, the first mode comprises time division
duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprise frequency
division duplex (FDD) operation.
[0010] Other embodiments of the present invention provide for a
method for communicating using a first signal operating in a first
mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the method
comprising: receiving the first signal in the first mode from a
user equipment (UE); determining that the UE requests operation in
the second mode; and determining whether an insufficient guard band
exists. In some embodiments, the first mode comprises time division
duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises frequency
division duplex (FDD) operation.
[0011] Some embodiments further comprise creating a guard band if
the insufficient guard band exists. In some alternative
embodiments, the guard band comprises a bandwidth that falls at
least partially within a first band operating in the first mode, or
a bandwidth that falls at least partially within a second band
operating in the second mode, or a bandwidth that falls partially
within a first band operating in the first mode and falls partially
within a second band operating in the second mode. In some
embodiments, creating a guard band comprises reconfiguring one or
more transmitters to limit transitions within the guard band.
[0012] In some embodiments, receiving the first signal comprises
receiving a first message sent from the UE; and determining that
the UE requests operation in the second mode comprises determining
from the first message that the UE requests operation in the second
mode. In some embodiments, the received message from the UE
comprises a request for a service, such as a broadcast service, or
an explicit request for dual-mode operation, or an implicit request
for dual-mode operation. Some embodiments further comprise sending,
to a UE, a request for an indication from the UE of a sufficient
guard band bandwidth; and/or receiving an indication from the UE of
a sufficient guard band bandwidth; and/or sending, to a UE, one or
more parameters indicative of a service provided in the second
mode. In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more
parameters comprises an encryption parameter.
[0013] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a
computer program product comprising program code for communicating
using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal
operating in a second mode, the computer program product comprising
program code for: receiving the first signal in the first mode from
a user equipment (UE); determining that the UE requests operation
in the second mode; and determining whether an insufficient guard
band exists.
[0014] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for user
equipment (UE) for communicating using a first signal operating in
a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the UE
comprising: a memory; a processor coupled to the memory; a
transmission system operable to communicate contemporaneously using
the first signal operating in the first mode and the second signal
operating in the second mode; and program code executable on the
processor, the program code operable for: sending the first signal
in the first mode from the UE to a network; and indicating to the
network that the UE requests operation in the second mode.
[0015] Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a
method of using user equipment (UE) for communicating using a first
signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a
second mode, the method comprising: sending the first signal in the
first mode from the UE to a network; indicating to the network that
the UE requests operation in the second mode; and communicating
contemporaneously using the first signal operating in the first
mode and the second signal operating in the second mode. In some
embodiments, the first mode comprises time division duplex (TDD)
operation and the second mode comprises frequency division duplex
(FDD) operation. In some embodiments, communicating
contemporaneously comprises receiving and processing a broadcast
signal in the second mode while communicating signals in the first
mode.
[0016] Other features and aspects of the invention will become
apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way
of example, the features in accordance with embodiments of the
invention. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention, which is defined solely by the claims attached
hereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a UE located in overlapping
coverage areas provided by one or two Node Bs.
[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates first mode and second mode signals within
a spectrum.
[0019] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate contiguous and non-contiguous
allocated bands.
[0020] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show various positions of a guard band
within allocated bands in accordance with the present
invention.
[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates first mode and second mode signals
separated by a guard band in accordance with the present
invention.
[0022] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate signaling between a UE
and a Node B in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] In the following description, reference is made to the
accompanying drawings which illustrate several embodiments of the
present invention. It is understood that other embodiments may be
utilized and mechanical, compositional, structural, electrical, and
operational changes may be made without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present disclosure. The following detailed
description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope
of the embodiments of the present invention is defined only by the
claims of the issued patent.
[0024] Embodiments of the present invention provide for determining
whether an insufficient guard band exists in a spectrum carrying
potentially interfering signals and allocating a temporary guard
band to spectrally separate the two signals, thereby reducing or
preventing inter-signal interference. Some embodiments provide for
systems communicating band allocations near a band edge. The system
may be integrated with a neighboring system to provide improved
control. Communication may be initiated by User Equipment and/or by
a base station. Some embodiments provide for systems reallocating
an active user to spectrum away from a band edge. Some embodiments,
a User Equipment and/or a Node B determine whether an interfering
signal exists.
[0025] Some portions of the detailed description which follows are
presented in terms of procedures, steps, logic blocks, processing,
and other symbolic representations of operations on data bits that
can be performed on computer memory. A procedure, computer executed
step, logic block, process, etc., are here conceived to be a
self-consistent sequence of steps or instructions leading to a
desired result. The steps are those utilizing physical
manipulations of physical quantities. These quantities can take the
form of electrical, magnetic, or radio signals capable of being
stored, transferred, combined, compared, and otherwise manipulated
in a computer system. These signals may be referred to at times as
bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms, numbers, or the
like. Each step may be performed by hardware, software, firmware,
or combinations thereof.
[0026] A wireless communication system usually include both user
elements and network elements. Such wireless communication systems
include GSM, 3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Program (3GPP), and
IEEE 802.11 systems, and the like. A user element, such as User
Equipment (UE) in a 3GPP system, wirelessly communicates with one
or more network elements, such as a Node B in a 3GPP system. Such
wireless communication systems may include one or more UEs and/or
one or more Node Bs.
[0027] Herein, a UE, mobile, cellular unit, cell phone, terminal
and the like associated with such a wireless system may be referred
to as User Equipment or a UE. UEs are typically but not necessarily
mobile units having battery supplied power. Alternatively, a UE may
be a fix device obtaining power from a power grid. A UE may include
memory, a processor and program code executable on the processor.
The memory and/or the processor and/or the program code may be
combined into a silicon structure. For example, a processor may
include a dedicated processor, a form of built-in RAM and program
code saved in a form of ROM.
[0028] Similarly, herein, network elements such as a Node B, base
station (BS), base transceiver station (BTS), base station
system/subsystem (BSS), or the like may be referred to as a Node B.
Network elements may also include elements such as a base station
controller (BSC), mobile switching center (MSC), and the like.
[0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a UE located in overlapping
coverage areas provided by one or two Node Bs. As shown in FIG. 1A,
a Node B 100 may provide two communication mode signals (110, 120)
having overlapping footprints. Alternatively, two Node Bs may be
co-located, thus providing an equivalent overlapping coverage area.
In FIG. 1B, two Node Bs (100A, 100B) are geographically separated,
however, the pair of Node Bs provide respective mode signals (110,
120) similarly resulting in an overlapping coverage area.
[0030] At times, a UE 130 may be positioned as shown in an
overlapping coverage area. The one or more Node Bs 100 resulting in
an overlapping footprint may provide multiple modes of operation.
For example, a first mode of operation may be a Time Division
Duplex-Code Division Multiple Access (TDD-CDMA) mode and a second
mode of operation may be a Frequency Division Duplex-CDMA
(FDD-CDMA) mode. Alternatively, a first mode of operation may
operate in an FDD-CDMA mode and a second mode of operation may
operate in a TDD-CDMA mode. Alternatively, a first mode of
operation may operate in a frequency division multiple access
(FDMA) mode and a second mode of operation may operate in a
TDD-CDMA mode. Those skilled in the art will realize that other
mode combinations are also possible.
[0031] Signaling provided in one mode of operation may allow for a
service that another mode or other modes may not support. For
example, a system operating using a FDD-CDMA mode may provide for
efficient use of resources for point-to-point data traffic but a
system operating using an TDD-CDMA mode may provide for more
efficient use of resources for point-to-multi-point broadcast
services. To more optimally utilize resources, a UE may begin
communication with a first mode and subsequently may access service
using the second mode.
[0032] Systems operating with separate communication modes may
share an overlapping spectrum allocation. Alternatively, systems
operating with two different modes may have non-overlapping
spectrums, which may be separated by a large band used for other
communications, or which may be separated by a small guard band to
help reduce intersystem interference, or which may be share a
common boundary.
[0033] FIG. 2 illustrates first mode and second mode signals within
a spectrum. A band 200 allocated to a first mode and a band 300
allocated to a second mode are separated by a common boundary 400.
A first system allocated to the first band 200 may include one or
more distinct communication signals (210, 220). Similarly, a second
system allocated to the second band 300 may include one or more
distinct communication signals (310, 320). Neighboring signals may
or may not be separated by an intra-band guard band (215, 315) or
an inter-band guard band (404). FIG. 2 also shows a power spectral
v. spectrum plot of two active signals (210, 310) having respective
center frequencies (214, 314).
[0034] In the example shown in FIG. 2, the first signal 210 has a
peak power 216 that is substantially less than a peak power 316 of
the second signal 310. Even though the second signal is allocated
spectrum only within the second band 300, the second signal 310 is
shown to spill into the first band 200 and interfere with the first
signal 210 as illustrated in region 406.
[0035] FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate contiguous and non-contiguous
allocated bands. A first band 200 provides for channels (210, 220,
230, 240) for a first mode of operation. Two bands (300, 301)
provide for channels (310, 320, . . . , N.sub.0 & 311, 321, . .
. , N.sub.1) for a second mode of operation. For example, band 200
may represent a band operating in a TDD-CDMA mode, and bands 300
and 301 may represent bands used for operating in a FDD-CDMA mode.
Uplink and downlink communications may be separated by time and/or
channel in the TDD band 200. In FDD-CDMA operation, band 300 may
provide uplink channels and band 301 may provide corresponding
downlink channels. As described above, bands may be adjacent or
contiguous as shown in FIG. 3A at 400, or alternatively, may be
separated by a guard band or spectrum as shown in FIG. 3A at
408.
[0036] FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C show various positions of a guard band
within allocated bands in accordance with the present invention. At
or near a band delineation frequency (401, 402, 403), a signal at
one end of an allocated band 300 may interfere with a signal at the
close end of another allocated band 200 if no guard band exists or
if a small guard band exists. In either case, an insufficient guard
band may exist, thus allowing for the possibility of interference
between signals from respective bands. If an insufficient guard
band exists, a guard band may be created thus separating otherwise
possibly interfering signals. The created guard band may reside
entirely outside band 200 as shown at 501 to the right of 401 in
FIG. 4A. Alternatively, the created guard band may reside entirely
outside band 300 as shown at 502 to the left of 402 in FIG. 4B.
Alternatively, the created guard band may reside partially inside
both band 200 and band 300 as shown at 503 straddling 403 in FIG.
4C.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates first mode and second mode signals
separated by a guard band in accordance with the present invention.
The first signal 210 operating in a first mode and the second
signal 310 operating in the second mode previously shown
interfering in FIG. 2 are here shown separated by a guard band 500.
For convenience, the three positions of a guard band (501, 502,
503) relative to the band delineation frequency (401, 402, 403) of
FIGS. 4A-4C are shown combined on a single chart. The signals 210
and 310 continue to have relative peak power differences (216, 316)
as before, however, the interference between the signals (210, 310)
in region 406 (FIG. 2) has been significantly reduced as shown in
region 407.
[0038] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D illustrate signaling between a UE
and a Node B in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 6A
shows an exchange between a UE 130 and a Node B 100. To initiate a
request for service, a UE 130 sends the Node B 100 a request for
dual mode service indication (request-dual-mode message 710). A
request-dual-mode message 710 may be an explicit request for dual
mode operation. For example, the UE 130 may precisely and clearly
express an expectation for a resource in the second mode of
operation if such a resource is available in the network.
Alternatively, the request-dual-mode message 710 may be an implied
request for dual mode operation. For example, the UE 130 may
suggest that it may use a resource, if available, in the second
mode of operation or may be a request for a service that is offered
in the second mode of operation. In either case, the UE 130 may
either be currently operating using the first mode of
communications, or alternatively, the UE 130 may initiate operation
in the request-dual-mode message 710 as a first message in the
first mode.
[0039] Upon receiving request-dual-mode message 710, the Node B 100
and/or other network element(s) may determine that the UE 130
requests dual mode operation, either explicitly or implicitly.
Alternatively, the Node B 100 and/or other network element(s) may
infer that the UE 130 requests dual mode operation. For example,
the Node B 100 or other network element(s) may determine based on
information known by the network about a UE that the UE may use a
resource in the second mode of operation, if available.
Alternatively, the Node B 100 or other network element(s) may
determine that dual mode operation is requested based on a type of
request received from the UE 130. For example, the UE may request a
service, such as to receive point-to-multipoint broadcast
programming, that is offered in the second mode. In some
embodiments, the network may determine that the UE 130 has the
capability to function in dual mode prior to granting the
request.
[0040] The Node B 100 and/or other network element(s) may determine
whether or not an insufficient guard band exists. Having an
insufficient guard band may allow interference between data
communicated using the first mode and data communicated using the
second mode. For example, a UE 130 may be exchanging data with the
network using the first mode. A spectral resource neighboring the
first mode signal may be available but may also be too close in
frequency, thus leading to potential inter-signal interference.
Similarly, a signal presently used by a different UE may be
positioned in the spectrum such that it may interfere with the
first mode signal of the UE 130, a second mode signal of the UE
130, or both.
[0041] If an insufficient guard band exists, the network may create
a temporary guard band. The temporary guard band may fall at least
partially within a first band operating in the first mode, or may
fall at least partially within a second band operating in the
second mode, or may fall partially within a first band operating in
the first mode and falls partially within a second band operating
in the second mode. In addition, creating a guard band may include
reconfiguring one or more transmitters to limit transmissions
within the temporary guard band. After the need for the temporary
guard band has passed (e.g., dual mode operation has finished), the
network may free the temporary guard band to allow the spectrum to
be used to satisfy other requests.
[0042] If a resource is currently available for the UE 130 for use
in the second mode of operation, the Node B 100 and/or other
network element(s) may instruct the UE 130 to start dual mode
operation (start-dual-mode message 720). Alternatively, if a
resource can be made available for use in the second mode of
operation, the Node B 100 and/or other network element(s) may
instruct one or more UEs to reconfigure thereby making available
the resource for UE 130, as described below with reference to FIG.
6D. The start-dual-mode message 720 may be an expressed instruction
to begin dual mode operation. Alternately, the start-dual-mode
message 720 may be a message granting a service, thus implying dual
mode operation. For example, the message 720 may be a response to a
request for a broadcast service (message 710). The message 720 may
include information that the UE 130 may use to properly receive and
process the requested broadcast service.
[0043] Upon receipt of the start-dual-mode message 720, the UE 130
determines, either explicitly or implicitly, that the UE may begin
dual mode operation. Alternatively, the network may deny the UE's
request explicitly (e.g., by sending the UE 130 a request-denied
message (not shown)), or implicitly by not responding to the UE 130
dual-mode-request 710. In the later case, the UE 130 may time out
and may send one or more additional request-dual-mode messages 710.
Alternatively, the UE 130 may time out and may terminate its
request for dual mode operation.
[0044] After receipt of start-dual-mode message 720, the UE 130 and
Node B 100 may continue to communicate data in the first mode, as
indicated by message(s) 800. Concurrently, the UE 130 and Node B
100 may begin to communication data in the second mode, as
indicated by message(s) 900. Contemporaneous operation between the
UE 130 and the network(s) in both first mode operation and second
mode operation allows the UE 130 benefits of a service provided in
the first mode and a service provided in the second mode over the
same time period.
[0045] FIG. 6B shows an exchange of messages used to determine
whether or not a UE 130 has one or more general or specific
capabilities. In some embodiments, a Node B 100 sends a request to
a UE 130 to determine its capabilities (UE-capability-request
message 730). In response, the UE 130 may reply with its
capabilities (UE-capability-response message 740). In other
embodiments, the UE 130 may send capability information in an
unsolicited message (not shown).
[0046] The solicited pair of messages (730, 740) or the unsolicited
message (740) may occur at various points in an exchange of
information between a UE 130 and a network. For example, in some
embodiments capability information may be exchanged during an
initial UE exchange with the network. In some embodiments, the
capability information may be exchanged before or as part of a
request-dual-mode message 710. In some embodiments, capability
information may be exchanged either before or after a
start-dual-mode message 720.
[0047] The capability information may be used by the network, for
example, to determine a minimum bandwidth of a temporary guard
band. Some UEs may include an input filter having a shaper
frequency cut-off, thus allowing these UEs to have spectral
resource allocated more closely together. As another example,
capability information may inform a network whether or not a UE is
enabled to operate with an encryption algorithm. As a further
example, capability information may inform a network as to
determine whether or not a UE has a concurrent dual-mode
ability.
[0048] FIG. 6C shows an exchange of messages, as in FIG. 6A, with
the network providing an additional set of information that a UE
130 may use to establish an encrypted link (e.g., encryption keys
for service in the second mode). Encryption information may be
provided to the UE 130 as part of a start-dual-mode message 720, or
alternatively as a separate message 750, as shown.
[0049] FIG. 6D shows an exchange of messages that may be used to
reconfigure a UE 131. The UE 131 may be a separate UE from the
requesting UE 130 described above. Equally, the UE 131 may be the
same UE 130 as describe above. For example, the UE 131 may be
operating using a resource that the network determines it will
reclaim in order to create a temporary guard band needed for dual
mode operation of UE 130. The network may allocate a new resource
for use by the UE 131, then send a message from the Node B 100 to
the UE 131 to instruct the UE 131 to free the current resource and
use the new resource. Thereby, a previously used resource may be
free such that the network may create a temporary guard band for UE
130.
[0050] FIGS. 6E, 6F AND 6G illustrate signaling following a
measurement by a UE 130. After a UE 130 performs a measurement of a
current cell and/or one or more neighboring cells, the UE 130 may
report this measurement information to the network. A UE 130 may
report measurement information to a network along with another
message, as shown in FIG. 6E. FIG. 6E shows a UE 130 requesting a
dual mode service, as described above with reference to message
710, however, the request-dual-mode message 715 includes
measurement report information. Alternatively, the measurement
information may be reported to the network in a dedicated
measurement reporting message 780, as shown in FIG. 6F.
[0051] Alternatively, a UE 130 may use results from one or more
measurement to determine that a specific action should be
requested. For example, FIG. 6G shows a UE 130 taking measurements
of a current cell and/or one or more neighboring cells. Based on
the measurement(s), the UE 130 determines to send a request for
reconfiguration (request-reconfiguration message 790). For example,
if the UE 130 determines that a second signal is interfering with
either the UE's first mode signal or the UE's second mode signal,
the UE can request a reconfiguration of UEs and resources to
alleviate the interference. Upon receiving the
request-reconfiguration message 790 by the Node B 100, the network
may determine that a reconfiguration of resources would benefit
system performance or the like. The network may reallocate a UE 131
(as shown in FIG. 6D) or may reallocate the UE 130 as shown by a
response message from the Node B 100 (response message 795).
[0052] While the invention has been described in terms of
particular embodiments and illustrative figures, those of ordinary
skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited
to the embodiments or figures described. For example, many of the
embodiments described above are described with reference to
TDD-CDMA and FDD-CDMA standards, however, the present invention is
also applicable to other wireless networks. Furthermore,
embodiments are not limited to wireless links. For example, the
present invention is applicable to wired links, such as coaxial
cable, twisted pairs, and optical cable, as may be appreciated by
those skilled in the art.
[0053] The figures provided are merely representational and may not
be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated,
while others may be minimized. The figures are intended to
illustrate various implementations of the invention that can be
understood and appropriately carried out by those of ordinary skill
in the art. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention
can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit
and scope of the appended claims. The description is not intended
to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be
practiced with modification and alteration and that the invention
be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
* * * * *