U.S. patent application number 13/369115 was filed with the patent office on 2012-08-09 for assigning mobile users in a half-frequency division duplex (hfdd) system to uplink (ul) sub-frames and to downlink (dl) sub-frames.
This patent application is currently assigned to Broadcom Corporation. Invention is credited to Harold Artes, Louay Jalloul, Anuj Puri.
Application Number | 20120201160 13/369115 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40955021 |
Filed Date | 2012-08-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120201160 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jalloul; Louay ; et
al. |
August 9, 2012 |
ASSIGNING MOBILE USERS IN A HALF-FREQUENCY DIVISION DUPLEX (HFDD)
SYSTEM TO UPLINK (UL) SUB-FRAMES AND TO DOWNLINK (DL)
SUB-FRAMES
Abstract
Methods assigning mobile users in a half-frequency division
duplex (HFDD) system to first and second UL groups of an uplink
(UL) sub-frame, and to first and second UL groups of a downlink
(DL) sub-frame, where the UL sub-frame has a first carrier
frequency and the DL sub-frame has a second carrier frequency, are
disclosed. One method includes determining a type of data, a
receive CINR (carrier interference plus noise ratio), and a Doppler
frequency parameter, for a plurality of mobile users. The mobile
users to are assigned to the first UL group, second UL group, first
DL group and second DL group based on time durations of the first
UL group, second UL group, first DL group and second DL group, and
at least one parameter of the determined parameters of the mobile
users.
Inventors: |
Jalloul; Louay; (Santa
Clara, CA) ; Artes; Harold; (Ottensheim, AT) ;
Puri; Anuj; (Hercules, CA) |
Assignee: |
Broadcom Corporation
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
40955021 |
Appl. No.: |
13/369115 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12378604 |
Feb 18, 2009 |
8130682 |
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13369115 |
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61066346 |
Feb 19, 2008 |
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61066418 |
Feb 20, 2008 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/252 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 5/0037 20130101;
H04W 4/08 20130101; H04W 72/0453 20130101; H04W 8/186 20130101;
H04L 5/006 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/252 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/00 20090101
H04W024/00; H04W 72/04 20090101 H04W072/04; H04W 4/06 20090101
H04W004/06 |
Claims
1. A method of assigning a mobile user to one of a first uplink
portion and a second uplink portion of an uplink sub-frame, and to
one of a first downlink portion and a second downlink portion of a
downlink sub-frame, the method comprising: determining a receive
CINR (carrier to interference-plus-noise ratio) of the mobile user;
and assigning the mobile user to one of the first uplink portion
and the second uplink portion of the uplink sub-frame, and to one
of the first downlink portion and the second downlink portion of
the downlink sub-frame based on the receive CINR.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a number
of mobile users currently assigned to each of the first uplink
portion, the second uplink portion, the first downlink portion and
the second downlink portion, wherein the assigning of the mobile
user to one of the first uplink portion and the second uplink
portion of the uplink sub-frame, and to one of the first downlink
portion and the second downlink portion of the downlink sub-frame
is based on the receive CINR and the number of mobile users
currently assigned to each of the portions.
3. The method of claim 1, farther comprising determining a Doppler
frequency parameter associated with the mobile user, wherein the
assigning of the mobile user to one of the first uplink portion and
the second uplink portion of the uplink sub-frame, and to one of
the first downlink portion and the second downlink portion of the
downlink sub-frame is based on the receive CINR and the Doppler
frequency parameter.
4. The method of claim 3, further comprising determining a
difference between the receive CINR and a function of the Doppler
frequency parameter; and comparing the difference to a
predetermined threshold, wherein the downlink sub-frame includes a
preamble portion, and wherein, if the difference is less than the
predetermined threshold, the mobile user is assigned to the one of
the first downlink portion and the second downlink portion that is
located furthest from the preamble portion within the downlink
sub-frame.
5. The method of claim 1, further comprising comparing the receive
CINR to a predetermined threshold, wherein the first downlink
portion has a different duration than the second downlink portion,
and the first uplink portion has a different duration than the
second uplink portion.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein if the receive CINR is below the
predetermined threshold, the mobile user is assigned to the one of
the first downlink portion and the second downlink portion that is
longer in duration.
7. The method of claim 5, wherein if the receive CINR is below the
predetermined threshold, the mobile user is assigned to the one of
the first uplink portion and the second uplink portion that is
longer is duration.
8. A method of assigning a mobile user to one of a first
communication group and a second communication group, the first
communication group including a first downlink portion of a
downlink sub-frame and a first uplink portion of an uplink
sub-frame, the second communication group including a second
downlink portion of the downlink sub-frame and a second uplink
portion of the uplink sub-frame, the method comprising: determining
a receive CINR (carrier to interference-plus-noise ratio) of the
mobile user; determining whether the mobile user is communicating
using voice over internet protocol (VoIP); and assigning the mobile
user to one of the first communication group and the second
communication group based on at least one of the receive CINR and
whether the mobile user is using VoIP.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first downlink portion has a
different duration than the second downlink portion, and the first
uplink portion has a different duration than the second uplink
portion.
10. The method of claim 9, further comprising determining whether
the mobile user is one of talking or listening using the voice over
internet protocol.
11. The method of claim 10, wherein the determining of whether the
mobile user is one of talking or listening is performed by
comparing an uplink usage of the mobile user to a predetermined
threshold.
12. The method of claim 11, wherein if the uplink usage of the
mobile user is above the predetermined threshold, the mobile user
is assigned to the communication group that includes the one of the
first uplink portion or the second uplink portion that has the
longer duration.
13. The method of claim 11, wherein if the uplink usage of the
mobile user is below the predetermined threshold, the mobile user
is assigned to the communication group that includes the one of the
first downlink portion or the second downlink portion that has the
longer duration.
14. A wireless communication device capable of assigning a mobile
user to one of a first communication group and a second
communication group, the first communication group including a
first downlink portion of a downlink sub-frame and a first uplink
portion of an uplink sub-frame, the second communication group
including a second downlink portion of the downlink sub-frame and a
second uplink portion of the uplink sub-frame, the wireless
communication device comprising: one or more processor configured
to: determine a receive CINR (carrier to interference-plus-noise
ratio) of the mobile user; and assign the mobile user to one of the
first communication group and the second communication group based
on at least one of the receive CINR and another parameter.
15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the
first downlink portion has a different duration than the second
downlink portion, and the first uplink portion has a different
duration than the second uplink portion.
16. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the one
or more processor is further configured to compare an uplink bit
rate of the mobile user to a downlink bit rate of the mobile
user.
17. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein if the
uplink bit rate exceeds the downlink bit rate, the one or more
processor is configured to assign the mobile user to the
communication group that includes the one of the first uplink
portion or the second uplink portion that has the longer
duration.
18. The wireless communication device of claim 16, wherein if the
uplink bit rate is below the downlink bit rate, the one or more
processor is configured to assign the mobile user to the
communication group that includes the one of the first downlink
portion or the second downlink portion that has the longer
duration.
19. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the one
or more processor is further configured to compare the receive CINR
to a predetermined threshold, and wherein if the receive CINR is
below the predetermined threshold, the mobile user is assigned to
the communication groups that includes the one of the first
downlink portion and the second downlink portion that is longer in
duration.
20. The wireless communication device of claim 15, wherein the one
or more processor is further configured to compare the receive CINR
to a predetermined threshold, and wherein if the receive CINR is
below the predetermined threshold, the mobile user is assigned to
the communication group that includes the one of the first uplink
portion and the second uplink portion that is longer is duration.
Description
FIELD OF THE DESCRIBED EMBODIMENTS
[0001] The invention relates generally to wireless communications.
More particularly, the invention relates to assigning mobile users
in a half-frequency division duplex (HFDD) system to uplink (UL)
sub-frames and to downlink (DL) sub-frames.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex
(TDD) are two prevalent duplexing schemes used in wireless
networks. FDD, which historically has been used in voice-only
applications, supports two-way radio communication by using two
distinct radio channels. Alternatively, TDD uses a single frequency
to transmit signals in both the downstream and upstream
directions.
[0003] For FDD systems, one frequency channel is transmitted
downstream from a radio A to radio B. A second frequency is used in
the upstream direction and supports transmission from radio B to
radio A. Because of the pairing of frequencies, simultaneous
transmission in both directions is possible. To mitigate
self-interference between upstream and downstream transmissions, a
minimum amount of frequency separation can be maintained between
the frequency pair.
[0004] For TDD systems, a single carrier frequency channel is used
to transmit signals in both the downstream and upstream
directions.
[0005] Half Frequency Division Duplex (HFDD) provides a duplexing
scheme in which a downstream user receives signals on one carrier
frequency over a first period of time, and transmits signals on
another carrier frequency over a second period of time.
[0006] It is desirable to have a TDD system implementation that is
operable as an HFDD system.
SUMMARY
[0007] An embodiment includes a method of assigning mobile users in
a half-frequency division duplex (HFDD) system to a first UL group
and second UL group of an uplink (UL) sub-frame, and to a first DL
group and a second DL group of a downlink (DL) sub-frame. This
embodiment further includes the UL sub-frame being assigned a first
carrier frequency and the DL sub-frame being assigned a second
carrier frequency. The method includes determining a type of data,
determining a receive CINR (carrier interference plus noise ratio)
of the mobile user, and determining a Doppler frequency parameter,
for each mobile user of a plurality of mobile users. The plurality
of mobile users to are assigned to the first UL group, the second
UL group, the first DL group and the second DL group based on time
durations of the first UL group, the second UL group, the first DL
group and the second DL group, and based on and at least one of the
data type, CINR, Doppler frequency spread of the mobile user, and a
number of mobile users previously assigned to the first UL group,
the second UL group, the first DL group and the second DL
group.
[0008] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating by way of
example the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 shows an example of a cellular network.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows an example of frames of frequency division
duplex transmission signals.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an example of frames of half frequency division
duplex (HFDD) transmission signals.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that includes steps of a method of
assigning mobile users to a first group or a second group of
downlink and uplink HFDD frames.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that includes steps of a method of
assigning mobile users in a half-frequency division duplex (HFDD)
system to a first UL group and second UL group of an uplink (UL)
sub-frame, and to a first DL group and a second DL group of a
downlink (DL) sub-frame.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Methods and apparatuses for assigning mobile users in a
half-frequency division duplex (HFDD) system to uplink (UL)
sub-frames and to downlink (DL) sub-frames are disclosed.
Embodiments of the methods generally include assigning each of the
mobile users to groups based on a type of data, a receive CINR
(carrier interference plus noise ratio), and/or a Doppler frequency
parameter of the mobile user. The different groups include downlink
(DL) and uplink (UL) sub-frames that are of different time
durations.
[0015] FIG. 1 shows an example of a cellular network. This
exemplary network includes base stations 110, 120 wirelessly
communicating with mobile users 130, 132, 134, 140, 142. The
cellular network can be, for example, an FDD (or HFDD) network in
which downstream traffic from a base station to a mobile user can
be allocated to one frequency channel, and upstream traffic from
the mobile user to the base station can be allocated to another
frequency channel. However, as will be described, sub-frames of the
UL channel and the DL channel of different allocated groups can
include different time durations. The time durations of the UL and
DL of the different groups can influence how the mobile users are
assigned to the different groups for UL and DL communication.
[0016] As shown, the mobile users can be fixed (such as, users 130,
134, 140, 142) or the users can be in motion (such as, user 132).
As will be described, the mobile user in motion has a different
Doppler parameter (such as, maximum Doppler frequency or Doppler
frequency spread) than a mobile user that is fixed. The Doppler
parameter of the mobile user can influence the assignment of the
mobile user to the one of the different groups.
[0017] The users can be located at an edge of a cell (such as user
134) or the users can be located proximate to a base station. The
proximity (as well as other factors) of the mobile user to the base
station, influences the CINR of signals transmitted between the
base station and the mobile user. The CINR of the mobile user can
influence the assignment of the mobile user to the one of the
different groups.
[0018] Additionally, the type of data being utilized by the mobile
user can vary. For example, the data type of the mobile user can be
voice (VoIP), web-centric data or video. Depending upon the data
type, and characteristics of the data (for example, primarily
upstream or primarily downstream traffic), the mobile user is
assigned a group accordingly.
[0019] FIG. 2 shows an example of frames of frequency division
duplex transmission signals. As shown, a downlink sub-frame 218 is
dedicated to downlink communications, and an uplink sub-frame 228
is dedicated to uplink communications. The downlink frame 218
occupies a different frequency channel than the uplink frame 228 as
indicated by the frequency axis of FIG. 2.
[0020] As shown, the downlink frame 210 includes a preamble 212, a
MAP 216, an FCH (frame control header) 214, and a data region 218.
The MAP 216 operates as a pointer to the data region that defines
its location, size and MCS (modulation and coding scheme).
[0021] As shown, the uplink frame 220 includes a control region 222
and a data region 228. The control region 222 provides information
transmitted by the mobile user, such as, for example, ACK/NACK
(Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement) of downlink
transmissions, CQICH (channel quality information channel, for
example, CINR), and ranging that is used for timing
adjustments.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows an example of frames of half frequency division
duplex (HFDD) transmission signals. The frames of the HFDD signals
include characteristics of both FDD and TDD signals. A first group
(Group 1) includes the downlink (DL1) sub-frame and the uplink
(UL1) sub-frame. The second group (Group 2) includes the downlink
(DL2) sub-frame and the uplink (UL2) sub-frame. As will be
described, a useful feature of the sub-frames as shown and
described is that the time duration of the uplink and downlink
sub-frames of each group have different time durations. This
feature is advantageously used for assigning different mobile users
associated with a base station to the groups (Group1, Group2).
[0023] As shown, the downlink frame (that includes the DL1
sub-frame and the DL2 sub-frame) additionally includes a preamble
312, FCH and a MAP 314. These features can additionally be
considered when assigning mobile users to the groups.
[0024] As can be observed, the embodiment of the UL and DL frames
of FIG. 3 include DL1 sub-frame and the UL1 sub-frame of the first
group are orthogonal in time. Additionally, the DL2 sub-frame and
the UL2 sub-frame of the second group are orthogonal in time.
[0025] It can also be observed that the time durations of DL1
sub-frame and the UL1 sub-frame of the first group are different,
and the time durations of the DL2 sub-frame, and the UL2 sub-frame
of the second group are different. However, the time duration of
the downlink frame that includes the DL1 sub-frame and the DL2
sub-frame is approximately the same as the time duration of the
uplink frame that includes the UL1 sub-frame and the UL2
sub-frame.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a flow chart that includes steps of a method of
assigning mobile users to a first group or a second group of
downlink and uplink HFDD frames. A first step 410 includes making
Doppler and CINR measurements of signals received by a mobile user.
A second step 420 includes comparing the CINR measurement with a
function of the Doppler measurement (f(Doppler)) and comparing a
difference with a predetermined threshold C. If the difference is
less than the threshold C, then the mobile user is assigned to the
second group--the group that is located the farthest away from the
preamble, if the difference is greater than the threshold C, then
the measurements of the mobile user are additionally processed. The
f(Doppler) is a correction term (fudge factor) to augment the CINR
measurement.
[0027] A third step 430 includes determining a loading factor of
the base station. If the loading factor is less than a threshold L,
then the mobile user is assigned to the second group. If the
loading factor is greater than the threshold L, then the mobile
user is assigned to the first group. The loading factor defines the
number of active mobile users connected to a particular base
station that have data for transmission.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a flow chart that includes steps of a method of
assigning mobile users in a half-frequency division duplex (HFDD)
system to a first UL group and second UL group of an uplink (UL)
sub-frame, and to a first DL group and a second DL group of a
downlink (DL) sub-frame. For this embodiment, the UL sub-frame
being is assigned a first carrier frequency and the DL sub-frame is
assigned a second carrier frequency, the method comprising. A first
step 510 includes for each mobile user of a plurality of mobile
users, determining a type of data. A second step 520 includes for
each mobile user, determining a receive CINR (carrier interference
plus noise ratio) of the mobile user. A third step 530 includes for
each mobile user, determining a Doppler frequency parameter. A
fourth step 540 includes assigning the plurality of mobile users to
the first UL group, the second UL group, the first DL group and the
second DL group based on time durations of the first UL group, the
second UL group, the first DL group and the second DL group, and
based on and at least one of the data type, CINR, Doppler frequency
spread of the mobile user, and a number of mobile users previously
assigned to the first UL group, the second UL group, the first DL
group and the second DL group.
[0029] The Doppler frequency parameter provides an indication of
movement of a mobile user with respect to a base station. Doppler
frequency parameters that can be measured include, for example, a
maximum Doppler frequency and a Doppler frequency spread.
[0030] The maximum Doppler frequency indicates a speed of the
mobile user or a rate of changes in the received signal across
multiple OFDM symbols. The Doppler frequency spread indicates the
rate of change in the received signal across a single OFDM symbol
period. The Doppler frequency and/or the Doppler frequency spread
can be determined by the mobile user using the received downlink
preambles transmitted from the base station. The Doppler frequency
and/or the Doppler frequency spread can be determined by the base
station using received uplink pilot tones transmitted from the
mobile unit.
[0031] An embodiment includes the time duration of the first UL
group of the UL sub-frame being different than the time duration of
the first DL group of a corresponding DL sub-frame. This embodiment
also includes the time duration of the second UL group of the UL
sub-frame being different than the time duration of the second DL
group of a corresponding DL sub-frame.
[0032] An embodiment includes multiple mobile users being assigned
to either a first group or a second group, wherein the first group
includes the first UL group and the first DL group, and the second
group includes the second UL group and the second DL group. As
described, the assignments are based on measurements of
communication signals at the mobile users.
[0033] An embodiment includes mobile users having a downlink CINR
below a downlink threshold being assigned to a one of the first
group and the second group corresponding to a longer time duration
of the first DL group and the second DL group.
[0034] Another embodiment includes mobile users having an uplink
CINR below an uplink threshold are assigned to a one of the first
group and the second group corresponding to a longer time duration
of the first UL group and the second UL group.
[0035] An embodiment includes the mobile users having a greater
downlink information bit rate requirement than an uplink
information bit rate requirement are assigned to a one of the first
group and the second group corresponding to a longer time duration
of the first DL group and the second DL group. The longer duration
DL allows for greater down link information bit rates. As
described, the DL and UL of each group are asymmetric. Generally,
the downlink information bit requirement of each mobile user is
dependent upon an application of the mobile user, and therefore,
the application being used by the mobile user can be used to
influence the group assignment of each mobile user.
[0036] For an embodiment, the mobile users determined to be
communicating through voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) on an
uplink are assigned to a one of the first group and the second
group corresponding to a longer time duration of the first UL group
and the second UL group.
[0037] For an embodiment, the mobile users determines to be
communicating through voice over interne protocol (VoIP) on an
uplink below a threshold, are assigned to a one of the first group
and the second group corresponding to a longer time duration of the
first DL group and the second DL group. That is, for example, while
a mobile user is operating a voice connection, the group assignment
of the mobile user can adjust or adapt to the mobile user
transmitting voice data through the uplink (talking), and then the
group assignments can adjust or adapt to when the mobile user is
receiving voice data through the downlink (listening).
[0038] An embodiment includes a first symbol of the DL sub-frame
including a preamble. As previously described, the preamble is a
set of known tones. This embodiment can further include assigning
mobile users having a Doppler measured above a threshold being
assigned to a one of the first group and the second group that
includes a preamble.
[0039] An embodiment includes the base stations per performing the
mobile user assignments. Embodiments include the base station
informing the mobile users of the group assignments. Embodiments
can also include the mobile users assisting the base station.
[0040] Each mobile user carries over state information when
switching between the first group and the second group. A
non-exhaustive list of examples of the state information includes a
connection ID, ARQ state, and HARQ state. The state information can
be carried over between groups by, for example, the base station
informing the mobile user of the state information.
[0041] Although specific embodiments have been described and
illustrated, the described embodiments are not to be limited to the
specific forms or arrangements of parts so described and
illustrated. The described embodiments are limited only by the
appended claims.
* * * * *