U.S. patent application number 13/670369 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for set management for flexible bandwidth carriers.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Olufunmilola O. AWONIYI, Soumya DAS, Edwin C. PARK.
Application Number | 20130115994 13/670369 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48223635 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130115994 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AWONIYI; Olufunmilola O. ;
et al. |
May 9, 2013 |
SET MANAGEMENT FOR FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH CARRIERS
Abstract
Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for
wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth
carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency
and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of
bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to
facilitate the mobility management. For example, one or more cells
of a wireless communications system may be identified. A respective
bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified
cell may be identified. A user equipment may be configured
determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with
one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The user equipment
may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with
one of the respective sets based on their respective associated
bandwidth scaling factors.
Inventors: |
AWONIYI; Olufunmilola O.;
(San Diego, CA) ; DAS; Soumya; (San Diego, CA)
; PARK; Edwin C.; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated; |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
48223635 |
Appl. No.: |
13/670369 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61556777 |
Nov 7, 2011 |
|
|
|
61568742 |
Dec 9, 2011 |
|
|
|
61607502 |
Mar 6, 2012 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
455/517 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 36/00835 20180801;
H04W 36/00837 20180801; H04W 36/0083 20130101; H04W 24/10 20130101;
H04W 36/0085 20180801; H04L 1/0038 20130101; H04W 36/0022 20130101;
H04W 28/20 20130101; H04W 48/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/517 |
International
Class: |
H04W 24/00 20090101
H04W024/00 |
Claims
1. A method of mobility management for a wireless communications
system, the method comprising: identifying one or more cells of the
wireless communications system; identifying a respective bandwidth
scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell;
determining a plurality of sets, wherein each respective set is
associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors;
and associating each respective identified cell with one of the
respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth
scaling factors.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a
candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell
from within the plurality of sets utilizes at least a serving cell
ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling
factor.
4. The method of claim 2, further comprising: utilizing one or more
offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the
candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: utilizing one or more
power offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine
the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of sets
comprises: determining a plurality of active sets, wherein each
respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth
scaling factor.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein each respective active set is
further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier
frequency, or a channel number.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a
plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective
bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an active set.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least
one active set that is associated with a plurality of bandwidth
scaling factors.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of
sets comprises: determining a plurality of virtual active sets,
wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor.
11. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a
plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective
bandwidth scaling factor is associated with a virtual active
set.
12. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least
one virtual active set that is associate with a plurality of
bandwidth scaling factors.
13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of
sets comprises: determining one or more monitored or candidate
sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
14. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining a
plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective
bandwidth scaling factor is associated with at least a monitored
set or a candidate set.
15. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining at least
monitored set or candidate set that is associated with a plurality
of bandwidth scaling factors.
16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of
sets comprises determining one or more detected or neighbor sets,
wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with
a respective scaling factor.
17. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the one or more
cells of the wireless communications system comprises: determining
a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and
determining that the measurement of each of the one or more
identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein the measurement includes at
least a signal strength, a relative strength, a signal quality, or
a measurement error statistic.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the determined measurement
threshold is remapped with a bandwidth.
20. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell
from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a
first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible
bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and
the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling
factor.
21. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell
from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a
first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible
bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and
the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling
factor.
22. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell
from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a
normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
23. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell
from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a
first radio access technology and a system with a flexible
bandwidth carrier.
24. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications
system includes a plurality of cells configured for simultaneous
communication with a user equipment, wherein each cell utilizes at
least a different carrier or a different bandwidth.
25. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications
system includes a plurality of cells configured to connect with a
user equipment, wherein each cell includes a plurality of
carriers.
26. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications
system includes a cell configured to utilize two different carrier
frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user
equipment.
27. A wireless communications system configured for mobility
management for wireless communications, the system comprising:
means for identifying one or more cells of the wireless
communications system; means for identifying a respective bandwidth
scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell;
means for determining a plurality of sets, wherein each respective
set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling
factors; and means for associating each respective identified cell
with one of the respective sets based on their respective bandwidth
associated scaling factors.
28. The wireless communications system of claim 27, further
comprising: means for determining a candidate cell from within the
plurality of sets.
29. The wireless communications system of claim 28, further
comprising: means for utilizing one or more offsets with respect
the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within
the plurality of sets.
30. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the
means for determining the plurality of sets comprises: means for
determining a plurality of active sets, wherein each respective
active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor.
31. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the
means for determining the plurality of sets comprises: means for
determining a plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each
respective virtual active set is associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor.
32. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the
means for determining the plurality of sets comprises: means for
determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each
respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor.
33. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the
means for determining the plurality of sets comprises: means for
determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each
respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective
scaling factor.
34. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the
means for identifying the one or more cells comprises: means for
determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified
cells; and means for determining that the measurement of each of
the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement
threshold.
35. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the
means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality
of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth
carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein
the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth
carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.
36. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the
means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality
of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth
carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein
the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth
carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.
37. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the
means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality
of sets facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and
a flexible bandwidth carrier.
38. A computer program product for mobility management for a
wireless communications system comprising: a non-transitory
computer-readable medium comprising: code for identifying one or
more cells of the wireless communications system; code for
identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with
each respective identified cell; code for creating a plurality of
sets, wherein each respective set is associated with one of the
respective bandwidth scaling factors; and code for associating each
respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on
their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.
39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the
non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising: code
for determining a candidate cell from within the plurality of
sets.
40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the
non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising: code
for utilizing one or more offsets with respect to the plurality of
sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of
sets.
41. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for
determining the plurality of sets comprises: code for determining a
plurality of active sets, wherein each respective active set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
42. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for
determining the plurality of sets comprises: code for determining a
plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each respective virtual
active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor.
43. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for
determining the plurality of sets comprises: code for determining
one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each respective
monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor.
44. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for
determining the plurality of sets comprises: code for determining
one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each respective
detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective bandwidth
scaling factor.
45. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for
identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system
comprises: code for determining a measurement of each of the one or
more identified cells; and code for determining that the
measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a
determined measurement threshold.
46. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for
determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets
facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and
a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first
flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize
the same bandwidth scaling factor.
47. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for
determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets
facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and
a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first
flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize
different bandwidth scaling factor.
48. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for
determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets
facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a
flexible bandwidth carrier.
49. A wireless communications device configured for mobility
management for a wireless communications system, the device
comprising: at least one processor configured to: identify one or
more cells of the wireless communications system; identify a
respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective
identified cell; create a plurality of sets, wherein each
respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth
scaling factors; and associate each respective identified cell with
one of the respective sets based on their respective associated
scaling factors; and at least one memory coupled with the at least
one processor.
50. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor is further configured to: determine a candidate
cell from within the plurality of sets.
51. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at
least one processor is further configured to utilize one or more
offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the
candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.
52. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets
is configured to: determine a plurality of active sets, wherein
each respective active set is associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor.
53. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets
is configured to: determine a plurality of virtual active sets,
wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor.
54. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets
is configured to: determine one or more monitored or candidate
sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
55. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets
is configured to: determining one or more detected or neighbor
sets, wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
56. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at
least one processor configured to identify one or more cells of the
wireless communications system is configured to: determine a
measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and
determine that the measurement of each of the one or more
identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.
57. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from
within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first
flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible
bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and
the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling
factor.
58. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from
within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first
flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible
bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and
the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling
factor.
59. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at
least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from
within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a normal
bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
Description
CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application for patent claims priority to
Provisional Application No. 61/556,777 entitled "FRACTIONAL SYSTEMS
IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS" filed Nov. 7, 2011, and assigned to the
assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference
herein for all purposes. The present application for patent also
claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/568,742 entitled
"SIGNAL CAPACITY BOOSTING, COORDINATED FORWARD LINK BLANKING AND
POWER BOOSTING, AND REVERSE LINK THROUGHPUT INCREASING FOR FLEXIBLE
BANDWIDTH SYSTEMS" filed Dec. 9, 2011, and assigned to the assignee
hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein for
all purposes. The present application for patent also claims
priority to Provisional Application No. 61/607,502 entitled
"MOBILITY MANAGEMENT FOR FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH SYSTEMS AND DEVICES"
filed Mar. 6, 2012, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby
expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to
provide various types of communication content such as voice,
video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems
may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication
with multiple users by sharing the available system resources
(e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such
multiple-access systems include code-division multiple access
(CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems,
frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, 3GPP Long Term
Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency-division multiple
access (OFDMA) systems.
[0003] Service providers are typically allocated blocks of
frequency spectrum for exclusive use in certain geographic regions.
These blocks of frequencies are generally assigned by regulators
regardless of the multiple access technology being used. In most
cases, these blocks are not integer multiple of channel bandwidths,
hence there may be unutilized parts of the spectrum. As the use of
wireless devices has increased, the demand for and value of this
spectrum has generally surged, as well. Nonetheless, in some cases,
wireless communications systems may not utilize portions of the
allocated spectrum because the portions are not big enough to fit a
standard or normal waveform. The developers of the LTE standard,
for example, recognized the problem and decided to support many
different system bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz).
Another approach may be to utilize flexible bandwidth carrier
systems that may involve wireless communications systems that
utilize portions of spectrum that may not fit a normal waveform.
However, different mobility management issues may arise when
utilizing flexible bandwidth carrier systems, such as facilitating
migration between mixed legacy and flexible bandwidth carrier
systems.
SUMMARY
[0004] Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for
wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth
carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency
and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of
bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to
facilitate the mobility management. For example, it may be known
that connected mode sets may be utilized in different situations.
After a cell is measured and identified during a search, the cell
may be placed in different sets, such as sets based on cells
signaled from the network like a virtual set, an active set, or a
monitored set. A detected set may be made of cells not signaled by
the network but discovered by a user equipment (UE). The methods,
systems, and devices provided may help a flexible bandwidth carrier
UE manage the set of cells that have been identified as it moves
from one cell to another; the cells may be flexible or non-flexible
bandwidth cells, including UMTS or GSM cells, for example.
[0005] Flexible bandwidth carrier systems may involve wireless
communications systems that may utilize portions of spectrum that
may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform through utilizing
flexible waveforms. A flexible bandwidth carrier system may be
generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through
dilating a frame length or scaling down a chip rate of the flexible
bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth
carrier system, for example. In some embodiments, a flexible
bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal
bandwidth carrier system through dilating the frame lengths, or
scaling down, the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier
system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system. Some
embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through
expanding, or scaling up a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth
carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a
flexible waveform through decreasing the frame lengths, or scaling
up the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system.
[0006] Some embodiments include a method of mobility management for
a wireless communications system. The method may include:
identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications
system; identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate
with each respective identified cell; determining multiple sets,
where each respective set is associated with one of the respective
bandwidth scaling factors; and/or associating each respective
identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their
respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.
[0007] Some embodiments include determining a candidate cell from
within the multiple sets. Determining the candidate cell from
within the multiple sets may utilize at least a serving cell ID, a
center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some
embodiments include utilizing one or more offsets with respect to
the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within the
plurality of sets. Some embodiments include utilizing one or more
power offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the
candidate cell from within the multiple sets.
[0008] Determining the multiple sets may include determining
multiple active sets, where each respective active set may be
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Each
respective active set may be further associated with at least a
cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number. Some
embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors,
where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with
an active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one
active set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling
factors.
[0009] Determining the multiple sets may include determining
multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active
set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling
factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor may be
associated with a virtual active set. Some embodiments include
determining at least one virtual active set that is associated with
multiple bandwidth scaling factors.
[0010] Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or
more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored
or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth
scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is
associated with at least a monitored set or a candidate set. Some
embodiments include determining at least monitored set or candidate
set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.
Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or more
detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or
neighbor set may be associated with a respective scaling
factor.
[0011] In some embodiments, identifying the one or more cells of
the wireless communications system includes: determining a
measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or
determining that the measurement of each of the one or more
identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold. The
measurement may include at least a signal strength, a relative
strength, a signal quality, or a measurement error statistic. The
determined measurement threshold may be remapped with a
bandwidth.
[0012] Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets
may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier
and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the
first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier
utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the
candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate
mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second
bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible
bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize
different bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell
from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a
normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may
facilitate mobility between a first radio access technology and a
system with a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0013] In some embodiments, the wireless communications system
includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous communication
with a user equipment, where each cell may utilize at least a
different carrier or a different bandwidth. Some embodiments may
include a wireless communications system that may include multiple
cells configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell
may include multiple carriers. In some cases, the wireless
communications system may include a cell configured to utilize two
different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a
user equipment.
[0014] Some embodiments include a wireless communications system
configured for mobility management for wireless communications. The
system may include: means for identifying one or more cells of the
wireless communications system; means for identifying a respective
bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified
cell; means for determining multiple, where each respective set is
associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors;
and/or means for associating each respective identified cell with
one of the respective sets based on their respective bandwidth
associated scaling factors.
[0015] Some embodiments include means for determining a candidate
cell from within the multiple sets. Some embodiments include means
for utilizing one or more offsets with respect the multiple sets to
determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.
[0016] The means for determining the multiple sets may include
means for determining multiple active sets, where each respective
active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor. The means for determining the multiple sets may include
means for determining multiple virtual active sets, where each
respective virtual active set may be associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the multiple
sets may include means for determining one or more monitored or
candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set
may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The
means for determining the multiple sets may include means for
determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each
respective detected or neighbor set may be associated with a
respective scaling factor.
[0017] The means for identifying the one or more cells may include:
means for determining a measurement of each of the one or more
identified cells; and/or means for determining that the measurement
of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined
measurement threshold.
[0018] The means for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible
bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth
carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second
bandwidth carrier may utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.
The means for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiples sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible
bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth
carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second
bandwidth carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.
The means for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth
carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0019] Some embodiments include a computer program product for
mobility management for a wireless communications system that may
include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may include:
code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless
communications system; code for identifying a respective bandwidth
scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; code
for creating multiple sets, where each respective set may be
associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors;
and/or code for associating each respective identified cell with
one of the respective sets based on their respective associated
bandwidth scaling factors.
[0020] The non-transitory computer-readable medium may further
include code for determining a candidate cell from within the
multiple sets. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may
further include code for utilizing one or more offsets with respect
to the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within
the plurality of sets.
[0021] The code for determining the multiple sets may include code
for determining multiple active sets, where each respective active
set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
The code for determining the multiple sets may include code for
determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective
virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth
scaling factor. The code for determining the multiple sets may
include code for determining one or more monitored or candidate
sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set may be
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The code for
determining the multiple sets may include code for determining one
or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected
or neighbor set may be associated with a respective bandwidth
scaling factor.
[0022] The code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless
communications system may include: code for determining a
measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or
code for determining that the measurement of each of the one or
more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement
threshold.
[0023] The code for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible
bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth
carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second
bandwidth carrier may utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.
The code for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible
bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth
carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second
bandwidth carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.
The code for determining the candidate cell from within the
multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth
carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0024] Some embodiments include a wireless communications device
configured for mobility management for a wireless communications
system. The device may include at least one processor that may be
configured to: identify one or more cells of the wireless
communications system; identify a respective bandwidth scaling
factor associate with each respective identified cell; create
multiple sets, where each respective set is associated with one of
the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and/or associate each
respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on
their respective associated scaling factors. The device may also
include at least one memory coupled with the at least one
processor.
[0025] The at least one processor may be further configured to
determine a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. The at
least one processor may be further configured to utilize one or
more offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the
candidate cell from within multiple sets.
[0026] The at least one processor configured to determine the
multiples sets may be configured to determine multiple active sets,
where each respective active set may be associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor
configured to determine the multiples sets may be configured to
determine multiple virtual active sets, where each respective
virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth
scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine
the multiples sets may be configured to determine one or more
monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or
candidate set may associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the
multiples sets may be configured to determine one or more detected
or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set
may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.
[0027] The at least one processor configured to identify one or
more cells of the wireless communications system may be configured
to: determine a measurement of each of the one or more identified
cells; and/or determine that the measurement of each of the one or
more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement
threshold.
[0028] The at least one processor configured to determine the
candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate
mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second
bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible
bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize the
same bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor
configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple
sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth
carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where
the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth
carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The at
least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from
within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal
bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0029] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and
technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in
order that the detailed description that follows may be better
understood. Additional features and advantages will be described
hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be
readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other
structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present
disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features which are
believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein,
both as to their organization and method of operation, together
with associated advantages will be better understood from the
following description when considered in connection with the
accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the
purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a
definition of the limits of the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0030] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present invention may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If only the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0031] FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system in accordance with various embodiments;
[0032] FIG. 2A shows an example of a wireless communications system
where a flexible waveform fits into a portion of spectrum not broad
enough to fit a normal waveform in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0033] FIG. 2B shows an example of a wireless communications system
where a flexible waveform fits into a portion of spectrum near an
edge of a band in accordance with various embodiments;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system in accordance with various embodiments;
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating mobility
management procedures in accordance with various embodiments;
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a table that includes several mobility
management single carrier scenarios in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0037] FIGS. 6A and 6B shows block diagrams of devices configured
for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments;
[0038] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a device configured for
mobility management in accordance with various embodiments;
[0039] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of cell sets when the mobile
device is in connected mode;
[0040] FIG. 9 shows a set transition diagram for inter-frequency
scenarios in accordance with various embodiments;
[0041] FIG. 10 shows a set transition diagram in accordance with
various embodiments;
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a communications diagram for an
inter-frequency mobility scenario in accordance with various
embodiments;
[0043] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a user equipment in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0044] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system that includes a base station and a user equipment in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications
system that includes a base station and a user equipment in
accordance with various embodiments;
[0046] FIG. 15A shows a flow diagram of a method of mobility
management in a wireless communications system in accordance with
various embodiments; and
[0047] FIG. 15B shows a flow diagram of a method of mobility
management in a wireless communications system in accordance with
various embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0048] Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for
wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth
carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency
and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of
bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to
facilitate the mobility management.
[0049] For single carrier cells in mobility scenarios,
inter-frequency mobility scenarios may refer to scenarios where the
handover or reselection may be performed between two cells, each
cell having a center carrier frequency (or channel number) that may
be different from the center carrier frequency (i.e., different
channel number) used in the other cell. The bandwidth of both
carriers could be the same or different. For intra-frequency
scenarios, the two cells both may have carriers with the same
center frequencies and the same or different bandwidths. For
example, there can be inter-frequency-same-bandwidth and
intra-frequency-same-bandwidth,
inter-frequency-different-bandwidth, intra-frequency-same-bandwidth
and intra-frequency-different-bandwidth. Such demarcations can be
generalized. For example, it may be known that connected mode sets
may be utilized in different situations for cell acquisition or
mobility. After a cell that is signaled by the network to the user
equipment (UE) is measured and identified during a search, the cell
may be placed in different sets, such as a virtual set, an active
set, or a monitored set. A detected set may be made of cells not
signaled by the network but discovered by a UE. The methods,
systems, and devices provided may help a flexible bandwidth carrier
UE manage the set of cells that have been identified as it moves
from one cell to another; the cells may be flexible or non-flexible
bandwidth cells, including UMTS or GSM cells, for example.
[0050] Flexible bandwidth carrier systems may involve wireless
communications systems that may utilize portions of spectrum that
may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform through utilizing
flexible waveforms. A flexible bandwidth carrier system may be
generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through
dilating a frame length or scaling down a chip rate of the flexible
bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth
carrier system, for example. In some embodiments, a flexible
bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal
bandwidth carrier system through dilating the frame lengths, or
scaling down, the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier
system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system. Some
embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through
expanding, or scaling up a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth
carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a
flexible waveform through decreasing the frame lengths, or scaling
up the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system. A
flexible carrier can be part of a multi-flow system (i.e., system
where multiple cells may be simultaneously in communication with
one UE, the cells can have same or different carriers, and the same
or different bandwidths), a multi-carrier system (i.e., a system
whereby the UE may be connected to a system with multiple cells and
each of these cells have multiple carriers with the same or
different bandwidths.), a dual-cell system (i.e., this may be
similar to the dual-cell UMTS where a cell may use two different
carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with the UE; the
two carriers may have the same bandwidth), and/or a supplemental
downlink and/or uplink system. Set management may also be done on
these carrier combinations.
[0051] Set management may handle intra-frequency cells and/or
inter-frequency cells in accordance with various embodiments. Since
intra-frequency cells may have the same bandwidth scaling factor
(e.g., same bandwidth, chip-scaling factor), a UE may generate only
one active, one monitored, and one detected sets. This may be the
same as what is performed in UMTS, for example. Triggering
conditions for moving cells from the monitored to the active set
may need to be modified for flexible bandwidth cells (e.g., cell
power offset may be modified for flexible bandwidth cells,
reporting ranges, active set sizes could be optimized for flexible
bandwidth deployment, etc. For inter-frequency cells, multiple
virtual active sets may be created. One virtual active set may be
created for each unique frequency/bandwidth pair. In contrast, only
one monitored and one detected set may be used for keeping records
of intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT cells in some
cases. In flexible bandwidth carrier systems, since a different
frequency may have the same bandwidth scaling factor or different
bandwidth scaling factors, the UE may generate a virtual active set
for each frequency but they may have different bandwidth scaling
factors. Cells identified by the UE as belonging to the monitored
and detected sets may be added to the appropriate sets with the
bandwidth scaling factor values.
[0052] Techniques described herein may be used for various wireless
communications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA,
Peer-to-Peer, and other systems. The terms "system" and "network"
are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio
technology such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.
IS-2000 Releases 0 and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X,
1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000
1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband
CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system may
implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM). An OFDMA or OFDM system may implement a radio
technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA
(E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20,
Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile
Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and
LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA.
UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents
from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project"
(3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an
organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2).
The techniques described herein may be used for the systems and
radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and
radio technologies.
[0053] Thus, the following description provides examples, and is
not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set
forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and
arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit
and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may omit,
substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate.
For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order
different from that described, and various steps may be added,
omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to
certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.
[0054] Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrates an
example of a wireless communications system 100 in accordance with
various embodiments. The system 100 includes base stations 105,
user equipment 115, a base station controller 120, and a core
network 130 (the controller 120 may be integrated into the core
network 130 in some embodiments; in some embodiments, controller
120 may be integrated into base stations 105). The system 100 may
support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of
different frequencies). Multi-carrier transmitters can transmit
modulated signals simultaneously on the multiple carriers. Each
modulated signal may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)
signal, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, Frequency
Division Multiple Access (FDMA) signal, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA)
signal, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated
signal may be sent on a different carrier and may carry control
information (e.g., pilot signals), overhead information, data, etc.
The system 100 may be a multi-carrier LTE network capable of
efficiently allocating network resources.
[0055] The user equipment 115 may be any type of mobile station,
mobile device, access terminal, subscriber unit, or user equipment.
The user equipment 115 may include cellular phones and wireless
communications devices, but may also include personal digital
assistants (PDAs), smartphones, other handheld devices, netbooks,
notebook computers, etc. Thus, the term user equipment should be
interpreted broadly hereinafter, including the claims, to include
any type of wireless or mobile communications device.
[0056] The base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with the
user equipment 115 via a base station antenna. The base stations
105 may be configured to communicate with the user equipment 115
under the control of the controller 120 via multiple carriers. Each
of the base station 105 sites can provide communication coverage
for a respective geographic area. In some embodiments, base
stations 105 may be referred to as a NodeB, eNodeB, Home NodeB,
and/or Home eNodeB. The coverage area for each base station 105
here is identified as 110-a, 110-b, or 110-c. The coverage area for
a base station may be divided into sectors (not shown, but making
up only a portion of the coverage area). The system 100 may include
base stations 105 of different types (e.g., macro, micro, femto,
and/or pico base stations).
[0057] The different aspects of system 100, such as the user
equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network 130, and/or
the controller 120 may be configured to utilize flexible bandwidth
and waveforms in accordance with various embodiments. System 100,
for example, shows transmissions 125 between user equipment 115 and
base stations 105. The transmissions 125 may include uplink and/or
reverse link transmission, from a user equipment 115 to a base
station 105, and/or downlink and/or forward link transmissions,
from a base station 105 to a user equipment 115. The transmissions
125 may include flexible and/or normal waveforms. Normal waveforms
may also be referred to as legacy and/or normal waveforms.
[0058] The different aspects of system 100, such as the user
equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network 130, and/or
the controller 120 may be configured to utilize flexible bandwidth
and waveforms in accordance with various embodiments. For example,
different aspects of system 100 may utilize portions of spectrum
that may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform. Devices such
as the user equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network
130, and/or the controller 120 may be configured to adapt the chip
rates and/or scaling factors to generate and/or utilize flexible
bandwidth and/or waveforms. Some aspects of system 100 may form a
flexible subsystem (such as certain user equipment 115 and/or base
stations 105) that may be generated with respect to a normal
subsystem (that may be implemented using other user equipment 115
and/or base stations 105) through dilating, or scaling down, the
time of the flexible subsystem with respect to the time of the
normal subsystem.
[0059] In some embodiments, the different aspects of system 100,
such as the user equipment 115 may be configured to identify one or
more cells of the wireless communications systems 100. A respective
bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with each
respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment 115
may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set
may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling
factors. User equipment 115 may be configured to associate each
respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on
their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.
[0060] Some embodiments may include user equipment 115 and/or base
stations 105 that may generate flexible waveforms and/or normal
waveforms. Flexible waveforms may occupy less bandwidth than a
normal waveform. For example, at a band edge, there may not be
enough available spectrum to place a normal waveform. For a
flexible waveform in some embodiments, as time gets dilated, the
frequency occupied by a waveform goes down, thus making it possible
to fit a flexible waveform into spectrum that may not be broad
enough to fit a normal waveform. Flexible waveforms may also be
generated in some embodiments through using a scaling factor. Other
embodiments may generate a flexible waveform to fit a portion of
spectrum through altering a rate or chip rate (e.g., a spreading
factor may change). Some embodiments may change a frequency of
processing to change a chip rate or utilize a scaling factor.
Embodiments may utilize a flexible bandwidth carrier. Changing
frequency of processing may include changing an interpolation rate,
an interrupt rate, and/or a decimation rate. In some embodiments, a
chip rate may be changed or a scaling factor utilized through
filtering, by decimation, and/or by changing a frequency of an ADC,
a DAC, and/or an offline clock. A divider may be used to change the
frequency of at least one clock. In some embodiments, a chip rate
divider (Dcr) may be utilized. In some embodiments, a scaling
factor for a flexible bandwidth carrier may be referred to as a
bandwidth scaling factor.
[0061] In some embodiments, a flexible system or waveform may be a
fractional system or waveform. Fractional systems and/or waveforms
may or may not change bandwidth for example. A fractional system or
waveform may be flexible because it may offer more possibilities
than a normal system or waveform (e.g., N=1 system). A normal
system or waveform may refer to a standard and/or legacy system or
waveform.
[0062] FIG. 2A shows an example of a wireless communications system
200-a with a base station 105-a and a user equipment 115-a in
accordance with various embodiments, where a flexible waveform
210-a fits into a portion of spectrum not broad enough to fit a
normal waveform 220-a. System 200-a may be an example of system 100
of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the flexible waveform 210-a may
overlap with the normal waveform 220-a that either the base 105-a
and/or the user equipment 115-a may transmit. Some embodiments may
also utilize multiple flexible waveforms 210. In some embodiments,
another base station and/or user equipment (not shown) may transmit
the normal waveform 220-a and/or the flexible waveform 210-a. FIG.
2B shows an example of a wireless communications system 200-b with
a base station 105-b and user equipment 115-b, where a flexible
waveform 210-b fits into a portion of spectrum near an edge of a
band, which may be a guard band, where normal waveform 220-b may
not fit. System 200-b may be an example of system 100 of FIG.
1.
[0063] In some embodiments, the user equipment 115-a and/or 115-b
may be configured to facilitate mobility management with respect to
one or more flexible bandwidth cells, or base stations 105. Set
management and/or handover may occur with carriers that are
co-located (with different N, for example) and carriers that may
not be co-located (with different N, for example). The user
equipment 115-a and/or 115-b may be configured to identify one or
more cells of the wireless communications systems 200-a/200-b. A
respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with
each respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment
115-a/115-b may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each
respective set may be associated with one of the respective
bandwidth scaling factors. User equipment 115-a/115-b may be
configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of
the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth
scaling factors.
[0064] FIG. 3 shows a wireless communications system 300 with base
station 105-c and/or base station 105-d and user equipment 115-c
and/or user equipment 115-d in accordance with various embodiments.
In some embodiments, the user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be
configured for mobility management, including set management. For
such set management, some embodiments include intra-frequency
and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of
bandwidth scaling factors N. The user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d
may be configured to identify one or more cells, which may include
base station 105-d and/or cells of base station 105-c and/or 105-d,
of the wireless communications systems 300. In some cases, one or
more base station such as 105-c may include multiple cells. A
respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with
each respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment
115-c and/or 115-d may be configured to determine multiple sets.
Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective
bandwidth scaling factors. User equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be
configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of
the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth
scaling factors. System 300 may be an example of system 100 of FIG.
1 and/or system 200 of FIG. 2.
[0065] Transmissions 305-a, 305-b, 305-c between the user equipment
115-c and/or 115-d and the base station 105-c may utilize flexible
waveforms that may be generated to occupy less (or more) bandwidth
than a normal waveform. In some cases, the transmissions 305-d
and/or 305-e may utilize flexible waveforms. For example, at a band
edge, there may not be enough available spectrum to place a normal
waveform. For a flexible waveform, as time gets dilated, the
frequency occupied by a waveform goes down, thus making it possible
to fit a flexible waveform into spectrum that may not be broad
enough to fit a normal waveform. In some embodiments, the flexible
waveform may be scaled utilizing a scaling factor N with respect to
a normal waveform. Scaling factor N may take on numerous different
values including, but not limited to, integer values such as 1, 2,
3, 4, 8, etc. N, however, does not have to be an integer. In some
cases, a chip rate divider (Dcr) may be utilized, which may have
the same numerical value as a bandwidth scaling factor. Merely by
way of example, a flexible bandwidth carrier system with N=2 may
occupy half the bandwidth of an normal bandwidth carrier system or
flexible bandwidth carrier system with N=1. For example,
ransmissions 305-a, 305-b, and/or 305-c between the user equipment
115-c and/or 115-d and the base station 105-c may utilize different
bandwidth scaling factors N. In some cases, carriers and/or
transmissions 305 may be changed (with different bandwidth scaling
factors), but there still may be communication to the base station
105-c at the same location. In some cases, transmission 305-a
between base station 105-c and user equipment 115-c may change
bandwidth scaling factors. Set management and/or handover may occur
with carriers and/or transmissions 305 that are co-located (with
different N, for example) and carriers that may not be co-located
(with different N, for example). System 300 may be part of a
multi-flow system (i.e., system where multiple cells may be
simultaneously in communication with one UE, the cells can have
same or different carriers, and the same or different bandwidths),
a multi-carrier system (i.e., a system whereby the UE may be
connected to a system with multiple cells and each of these cells
have multiple carriers with the same or different bandwidths.), a
dual-cell system (i.e., this may be similar to the dual-cell UMTS
where a cell may use two different carrier frequencies
simultaneously to communicate with the UE; the two carriers may
have the same bandwidth), and/or a supplemental downlink and/or
uplink system. Set management may also be done on these carrier
combinations.
[0066] Some embodiments may utilize additional terminology. A new
unit D may be utilized. The unit D is dilated. The unit is unitless
and has the value of N. One can talk about time in the flexible
system in terms of "dilated time". For example, a slot of say 10 ms
in normal time may be represented as 10 Dms in flexible time (note:
even in normal time, this will hold true since N=1 in normal time:
D has a value of 1, so 10 Dms=10 ms). In time scaling, one can
replace most "seconds" with "dilated-seconds". Note frequency in
Hertz is 1/s.
[0067] As discussed above, a flexible waveform may be a waveform
that occupies less bandwidth than a normal waveform. Thus, in a
flexible bandwidth system, the same number of symbols and bits may
be transmitted over a longer duration compared to a normal
bandwidth system. This may result in time stretching, whereby slot
duration, frame duration, etc., may increase by a scaling factor N.
Scaling factor N may represent the ratio of the normal bandwidth to
flexible bandwidth (BW). Thus, data rate in a flexible bandwidth
system may equal (Normal Rate.times.1/N), and delay may equal
(Normal Delay.times.N). In general, a flexible systems channel
BW=channel BW of normal systems/N. Delay.times.BW may remain
unchanged. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a flexible waveform
may be a waveform that occupies more bandwidth than a normal
waveform.
[0068] Throughout this specification, the term normal system,
subsystem, and/or waveform may be utilized to refer to systems,
subsystems, and/or waveforms that involve embodiments that may
utilize a scaling factor that may be equal to one (e.g., N=1) or a
normal or standard chip rate. These normal systems, subsystems,
and/or waveforms may also be referred to as standard and/or legacy
systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms. Furthermore, flexible
systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms may be utilized to refer to
systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms that involve embodiments that
may utilize a scaling factor that may be not equal to one (e.g.,
N=2, 3, 4, 8, 1/2, 1/4, etc.). For N>1, or if a chip rate is
decreased, the bandwidth of a waveform may decrease. Some
embodiments may utilize scaling factors or chip rates that increase
the bandwidth. For example, if N<1, or if the chip rate is
increased, then a waveform may be expanded to cover bandwidth
larger than a normal waveform. Flexible systems, subsystems, and/or
waveforms may also be referred to as fractional systems,
subsystems, and/or waveforms in some cases. Fractional systems,
subsystems, and/or waveforms may or may not change bandwidth, for
example. A fractional system, subsystem, or waveform may be
flexible because it may offer more possibilities than a normal or
standard system, subsystem, or waveform (e.g., N=1 system).
[0069] A flexible waveform may include a waveform that occupies
less bandwidth than a normal waveform. For example, at the band
edge, there may not be enough available spectrum to place a normal
waveform. Unlike normal waveforms, there can be partial or complete
overlap between normal and flexible waveforms. It is to be noted
that the flexible waveform may increase the system capacity. There
can be a trade off between extent of overlap and the bandwidth of
the flexible waveform. The overlap may create additional
interference. Embodiments may be directed at methods, systems,
and/or devices and be aimed at reducing the interference.
[0070] Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram 400 illustrates
mobility management procedures in accordance with various
embodiments. Aspects of block diagram 400 may be implemented in
whole or in part utilizing various wireless communications devices
including, but not limited to: a base station 105 as seen in FIG.
1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; a device 600-a as seen
in FIG. 6A; a device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG.
7; a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12,
FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or a core network 130 and/or
controller 120 as seen in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13. At block 405, a
network may signal assistance information to UE to assist UE in
mobility management. The network may signal assistance information
about neighboring available cells to the UEs, for example. At block
410, bandwidth information, such as one or more bandwidth scaling
factors N or flexible bandwidths, may be determined at a UE. This
may be part of a search procedure. For example, the UE may search
for cells or carriers autonomously and/or with the help of the
network. The cells may be flexible bandwidth cells; the carriers
may be flexible bandwidth carriers. In some cases, the bandwidth
scaling factors and/or flexible bandwidths associated with
different flexible bandwidth cells or carriers may be signaled to
the UE from the network, through a base station, for example. In
cases where the value of N or the bandwidth is not signaled to the
UE, the UE may determine the one or more bandwidth scaling factors
and/or flexible bandwidths associated with one or more cells using
a variety of procedures as discussed herein. For example, many N
hypotheses could be tried. At block 415, set management procedures
may be performed. For example, a UE may develop various mobility
cell sets to be used for further handovers and reselections as
shown in block 420.
[0071] Embodiments may include a variety of mobility management
scenarios. A flexible bandwidth UE, for example, may use the
mobility procedures to migrate according to different mobility
scenarios. A flexible bandwidth UE may move from a flexible
bandwidth carrier or cell with bandwidth scaling factor N=x to
another flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with the same N. These
cells may be deployed on the same carrier frequency but separated
by different identifications (e.g., PSCs), for example. The two
cells could also be deployed on different carrier frequencies in
some embodiments. A flexible bandwidth UE may move from a flexible
bandwidth carrier or cell with N=x to another flexible bandwidth
carrier or cell with a different N, N=y. Both cells may be deployed
on different carrier frequencies. A flexible bandwidth UE may move
from a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with N=x to a
non-flexible, or legacy, cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM cells, for
example. Likewise, the UE may move from a non-flexible bandwidth
carrier or cell, or legacy cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM to a
flexible bandwidth carrier or cell. Both cells may be deployed on
different carrier frequencies. In some cases, the non-flexible
bandwidth carrier or cell, or legacy cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM
cells, and flexible bandwidth carrier or cells may be co-located at
the same site or deployed in different sites. In some embodiments,
once a UE moves to a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell, it may
perform mobility procedures (e.g., send registration message,
location area updates, routing area updates, etc.) as currently
performed in non-flexible networks, or legacy networks, such as
UMTS networks, for example. While some of the above examples
include UMTS and/or GSM cells, other embodiments may utilize other
radio access technologies (RATs). Flexible bandwidth system may be
treated as an extension (or mode) of the legacy RAT or can be
treated as a separate RAT in some cases.
[0072] FIG. 5 shows a table 500 that includes several different
mobility scenarios for single carrier cells, though some
embodiments may utilize other scenarios. Handover/Reselection
scenarios 510 show several different cases of possible UE moves
from one carrier to another, where the carriers may be flexible
bandwidth carriers and/or normal (or legacy) bandwidth carriers.
Deployment scenarios 520 for each case reflect whether the
deployment scenarios may be intra-frequency, inter-frequency,
and/or inter-RAT. During mobility operations involving
multi-carrier or multi-flow scenarios, each of the cells/carriers
in the system may experience a mobility scenario similar to the
single carrier scenarios illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, a
multicarrier system A (with two carriers) may involve a handover to
multicarrier system B (i.e., Carrier A1 may handover to Carrier B1
and Carrier A2 to Carrier B2). In this case, the links between
Carriers A1 and B1, and Carrier A2 and B2 may experience handover
situation similar to those illustrated Cases 1 to 4 in FIG. 5.
Aspects of table 500 may be implemented in whole or in part
utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but
not limited to: a base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG.
3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; a device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; a
device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG. 7; a user
equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13,
and/or FIG. 14; and/or a core network 130 and/or controller 120 as
seen in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13.
[0073] Turning next to FIG. 6A, a block diagram illustrates a
device 600-a for mobility management in accordance with various
embodiments. The device 600-a may be an example of one or more
aspects of user equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1,
FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 600-a
may also be a processor. The device 600-a may include a receiver
module 605, a set management module 615, and/or a transmitter
module 615. Each of these components may be in communication with
each other.
[0074] These components of the device 600-a may, individually or
collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the
applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may
be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on
one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types
of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform
ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other
Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in
the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in
whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted
to be executed by one or more general or application-specific
processors.
[0075] The receiver module 605 may receive information such as
packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device
600-a has received or transmitted. The received information may be
utilized by the set management module 615 for a variety of
purposes.
[0076] For example, the set management module 615 may be configured
to identify one or more cells of a wireless communications system.
A respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each
respective identified cell may be identified. The set management
module 615 may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each
respective set may be associated with one of the respective
bandwidth scaling factors. The set management module 615 may be
configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of
the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth
scaling factors.
[0077] The set management module 615 may be configured to determine
a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Determining the
candidate cell from within the multiple sets may utilize at least a
serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth
scaling factor. The candidate cell may be considered a best cell.
One or more offsets may be utilized by the set management module
615 may be configured to with respect to the one or more sets to
determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Power
offsets may be utilized in some cases.
[0078] The set management module 615 may be configured to determine
the multiple sets may include determining multiple active sets,
where each respective active set is associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor. Each respective active sets may be
further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier
frequency, or a channel number. The set management module 615 may
be configured to determine multiple bandwidth scaling factors,
where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with
an active set. The set management module 615 may be configured to
determine at least one active set that is associated with multiple
bandwidth scaling factors.
[0079] The set management module 615 may be configured to determine
the multiple sets may include determining multiple virtual active
sets, where each respective virtual active set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615
may be configured to determine multiple bandwidth scaling factors,
where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with
an virtual active set. The set management module 615 may be
configured to determine at least one virtual active set that is
associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.
[0080] The set management module 615 may be configured to determine
the multiple sets may include determining one or more monitored or
candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The set
management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple
bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling
factor is associated with a monitored set. The set management
module 615 may be configured to determine at least one monitored
set that is associated with a multiple bandwidth scaling factors.
The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the
multiple sets may include determining one or more detected or
neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set is
associated with a respective scaling factor.
[0081] The set management module 615 may be configured to identify
the one or more cells of the wireless communications systems may
include determining a signal strength or a measurement of each of
the one or more identified cells. It may be determined whether the
signal strength or the measurement of each of the one or more
identified cells exceeds a determine signal strength threshold or a
determined measurement threshold. The set management module 615 may
use other information and statistics from the cell. Such
information can be signal strength, channel power, relative channel
power, error rates, error numbers, etc. Furthermore, the threshold
may be modified by over the air messages. The thresholds may be
mapped or modified with respect to the bandwidth. For example, take
a system with one N=1 and one N=2 carries located at the same
location and transmitting the same power spectral density (PSD).
All other things being equal, to compare signal strengths of the
two systems, the signal threshold for the 1/2 BW system could be
scaled by 3 dB with respect to the N=1 system.
[0082] The set management module 615 may be configured to determine
the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate
mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second
bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible
bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same
bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615 may be
configured to determine the candidate cell from the multiple sets
may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier
and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the
first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier
utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The set management
module 615 may be configured to determine the candidate cell from
within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal
flexible bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0083] Device 600-a may be part of wireless communications system
that includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous
communication with a user equipment, where each cell utilizes at
least a different carrier or a different bandwidth. In some cases,
the wireless communications system may includes multiple cells
configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell
includes a plurality of carriers. The wireless communications
system may include cell configured to utilize two different carrier
frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user
equipment.
[0084] Turning next to FIG. 6B, a block diagram illustrates a
device 600-b for mobility management in accordance with various
embodiments. The device 600-b may be an example of one or more
aspects of user equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1,
FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 600-b
may also be a processor. The device 600-a may include a receiver
module 605-a, a set management module 615-a, and/or a transmitter
module 615-a. Set management module 615-a may include virtual
active set management module 610, active set management module 611,
monitored set management module 612, and/or detected set management
module 613. Each of these components may be in communication with
each other. Device 600-b may be an example of device 600-a of FIG.
6A.
[0085] These components of the device 600-b may, individually or
collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the
applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may
be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on
one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types
of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform
ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other
Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in
the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in
whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted
to be executed by one or more general or application-specific
processors.
[0086] The receiver module 605-a may receive information such as
packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device
600-b has received or transmitted. The received information may be
utilized by the set management module 615-a for a variety of
purposes.
[0087] For example, the set management module 615-a may be
configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless
communications systems. A respective bandwidth scaling factor or
bandwidth associate with each respective identified cell may be
identified. The set management module 615 may be configured to
determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with
one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The set management
module 615 may be configured to associate each respective
identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their
respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.
[0088] The active set (AS) management module 611 may be configured
to determine the multiple sets may include determining multiple
active sets, where each respective active set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor. The virtual active set (VAS)
management module 610 may be configured to determine the multiple
sets may include determining multiple virtual active sets, where
each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective
bandwidth scaling factor. The monitored set management module 612
may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include
determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each
respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a
respective bandwidth scaling factor. The detected set management
module 613 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may
include determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where
each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a
respective scaling factor.
[0089] In some cases, a VAS may be for a frequency that is measured
but not being used so that s UE has the right cells if the UE
decides to move to that frequency in some cases. An AS may be for
the currently used frequency in some cases. The VAS and AS may have
different BW scaling factors, with the scaling factor remaining
same within each set. Each set may have cells with different
scaling factors. An AS in the currently used frequency may have
only one N or multiple N cells/carriers. Each cell in the AS may
have a Radio Link with the UE. If an AS can only contain cells with
one N, then intra-frequency other N cells, if any, (i.e., cells
with different N but same channel number) may need to be maintained
in a separate set. A VAS may be used for those same frequency cells
belonging to different N, for example. There can be different VASs
for different Ns for the same channel number, VASs for different Ns
for different channel number, and/or VASs for same N for the
different channel number.
[0090] In some embodiments, if a currently used frequency is i and
N=N1, then: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i); intra-frequency,
different N VAS: VAS (N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N
VAS: VAS(N1,j) where j may not bed same as i; and/or
inter-frequency, different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,j) where j
may not be same as i.
[0091] In some embodiments, for single carrier intra-frequency
scenarios with different Ns, the cell information can be stored in
the AS, where each cell in the AS have an associated N. The current
cell may only have a Radio link with cells in the AS with the same
N. Some embodiments may utilize: intra-frequency, different N AS:
AS (N other than N1,i).
[0092] For multi-carrier and/or multi-flow scenarios or if an AS
can contain multiple N cells on a same frequency, the following
sets may be utilized for some embodiments. If frequencies are i and
j, then: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i); intra-frequency,
different N AS: AS(N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N AS:
AS(N1,j) where j may not be same as i; and/or inter-frequency,
different N AS: AS(N other than N1,j) where j may not be same as i.
The last two sets may be for multi-carrier and multi-flow
scenarios.
[0093] For multi-carrier and/or multi-flow scenarios, each cell in
the multi-carrier or the multi-flow scenario may have similar cell
sets as discussed in the single carrier scenario. In this case,
each multi-carrier/multi-flow cell (e.g., a cell with ID A1, N=N1
and frequency i) could have the following sets for example:
intra-frequency, same N AS: AS_A1(N1,i); intra-frequency, different
N VAS: VAS_A1(N other than N1,i); intra-frequency, different N AS:
AS_A1(N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N VAS: VAS_A1(N1,j)
where j may not be same as i; and/or inter-frequency, different N
VAS: VAS_A1(N other than N1,j) where j may not be same as i. In
these examples, AS_A1 and VAS_A1 may refer to the active set of
cell A1 and VAS_A1 refer to the virtual active set of cell A1.
[0094] The cell sets (e.g., AS and VAS) from the multi-carrier
and/or multi-flow cells in the system may be maintained separately
or combined to form super active and virtual active sets in some
embodiments. In cases where they are combined, in the super AS and
VAS, the components sets belonging to cell A1 may be denoted as
such: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i,A1); intra-frequency,
different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,i,A1) or intra-frequency,
different N AS: AS(N other than N1,i,A1); inter-frequency, same N
VAS: VAS(N1,j,A1) where j may not be same as I; and/or
inter-frequency, different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,j,A1) where j
may not be same as i.
[0095] Turning next to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrates a device
700 for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments.
The device 700 may be an example of one or more aspects of user
equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3,
FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 700 may also be a
processor. The device 700 may include a receiver module 605-b, a
cell identification module 710, a bandwidth scaling factor
identification module 715, and/or a set management module 615-b,
and/or a transmitter module 615-b. Each of these components may be
in communication with each other. Device 700 may be an example of
device 600-a of FIG. 6A and/or device 600-b of FIG. 6B.
[0096] These components of the device 700 may, individually or
collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific
integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the
applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may
be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on
one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types
of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform
ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other
Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in
the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in
whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted
to be executed by one or more general or application-specific
processors.
[0097] The receiver module 605-b may receive information such as
packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device
700 has received or transmitted. The received information may be
utilized by the cell identification module 710, the bandwidth
scaling factor identification module 715, and/or the set management
module 615-b, for a variety of purposes. Set management module
615-b may perform the functions as described with respect to set
management module 615 of FIG. 6A and/or set management module 615-a
of FIG. 6B.
[0098] For example, the cell identification module 710 may be
configured to identify one or more cells of a wireless
communications system. The bandwidth scaling factor identification
module 715 be configured to determine a respective bandwidth
scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may
be identified. The set management module 615-b may be configured to
determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with
one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The set management
module 615-b may be configured to associate each respective
identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their
respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.
[0099] The cell identification module 710 may be configured to
identify the one or more cells of the wireless communications
systems through determining a signal strength of each of the one or
more identified cells. It may be determined whether the signal
strength of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a
determine signal strength threshold. The cell identification module
710 may use other information and statistics from the cell. Such
information can be signal strength, channel power, relative channel
power, error rates, error numbers, etc. Furthermore, the threshold
may be modified by over the air messages. The thresholds may be
mapped or modified with respect to the bandwidth. For example, take
a system with one N=1 and one N=2 carries located at the same
location and transmitting the same power spectral density (PSD).
All other things being equal, to compare signal strengths of the
two systems, the signal threshold for the 1/2 BW system could be
scaled by 3 dB with respect to the N=1 system.
[0100] Some embodiments may utilize set management to facilitate
mobility management. For example, it may be known that connected
mode sets may be utilized in different situations. For example,
after a cell is measured and identified during the search, the cell
may be placed in the active/virtual active or monitored set. A
detected set may be made of cells not signaled by the network but
discovered by the UE. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 that
reflects these different forms of sets.
[0101] Set management in accordance with various embodiments may
handle intra-frequency cells 810 and/or inter-frequency cells 830
with respect to connected mode 805. Since all intra-frequency cells
may have the same N (same bandwidth), UE may generate only one
active set 815, one monitored set 820, and/or one detected set 825
set. This may be the same as what is performed in UMTS, for
example. In some cases, the intra-frequency cells may have a
virtual active set 816, possibly one of each N. Each set can either
have all Ns or there can be multiple instances of each set, one for
each N. Triggering conditions for moving cells from the monitored
to the Active set may need to be modified for flexible bandwidth
cells (e.g., cell offset may be modified for fractional bandwidth
cells, reporting ranges, active set sizes could be optimized for
flexible bandwidth deployment, etc.). For inter-frequency cells,
multiple virtual active sets 835 may be created. One virtual active
set 835 may be created for each unique frequency. In contrast, only
one monitored set 840 and one detected set 845 may be used for
keeping records of intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT
cells in some cases. In flexible bandwidth systems, since a
different frequency may have the same N or different Ns, the UE may
generate a virtual active set for each frequency but they may have
different Ns. Cells identified by the UE as belonging to the
monitored and detected sets may be added to the appropriate sets
with the N values also included.
[0102] During cell evaluation, an offset may be required for fair
comparison between cells belonging to different Ns as flexible
bandwidth cells may have lower transmit power than full bandwidth
N=1 system. FIG. 9 shows a set diagram 900 in accordance with
various embodiments that may reflect the transitions between the
different sets, including virtual active sets (VA) 910-a, 910-b, .
. . , 910-s, monitored set (M) 920, and/or detected set (D) 930.
Note that each VA may have a scaling factor N associated with it,
along with a frequency. Some embodiments may include choosing the
best candidate. The best candidate may not necessarily be the
dominating parameter that goes into whether to promote a cell to
the active set. For example, the best candidate may be on different
N so promoting that candidate will remove the current active set at
a different N. For example, there may be multiple candidates at N1
but the best candidate may be at N2. The UE may choose N1 active
set since there may be more "acceptable" candidates in that
frequency.
[ECP: Can we generalize? Feel free to change the wording: Other
groups are possible including a VA of multiple N's or multiple VAs
of the same N.]
[0103] FIG. 10 shows a set diagram 1000 in accordance with various
embodiments. Set diagram 1000 may provide an example of CDMA set
management with flexible bandwidth cells. Flexible bandwidth
inter-frequency cells can have the same N or different Ns as the
serving cell. User equipment or UEs may generate an active set (A)
1010 for each frequency but they may have different N. Candidate
(C) sets (1020-a, 1020-b, 1020-c, 1020-d), Neighbor sets (N)
(1030-a, 1030-b, 1030-c, 1030-d), and/or Remaining (R) sets
(1040-a, 1040-b, 1040-c, 1040-d) may have identified cells with N
factor also identified. Other embodiments may include more or less
Candidate sets 1020, Neighbor sets 1030, and/or Remaining sets
1040.
[0104] In DO or 1X, an Active set may have sectors from different
frequencies but user equipment may go to a different frequency when
all sectors in Active Set belonging to a given frequency have gone
below a threshold. This may ensure stickiness to a certain
frequency. Embodiments can have sets (e.g., A 1010, C 1020, N 1030,
R 1040) for each N. The criteria to qualify for inclusion in Active
set for different Ns may be different. Cells with different N in
the Active set may provide another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10.
However, UE may use the N value of frequency it is in. During cell
evaluation, an offset may be utilized for fair comparison between
cells belonging to different Ns as fractional BW cells might same
lower transmit power (i.e., same PSD as full BW system). Different
may be sent to flexible bandwidth UE (the UE may sometimes be
referred to as access terminals (AT)). This information may
include, but is not limited to: SID/NID (1.times.) and Subnet ID
(EV-DO) if different from that of full BW system, Channel
Information--Band Class, Channel Number etc., PN Offset, flexible
bandwidth scaling factor (N), and/or Relative Time since Jan. 6,
1980 or some other reference (as time is slowed/dilated); sync
message in EV-DO might need to convey this instead of absolute
time.
[0105] FIG. 11 shows a communications diagram 1100 that shows an
example of a UE moving from a UMTS cell, Cell A, to a flexible
bandwidth carrier or cell, Cell B, with N=4. While the UE may be in
idle mode on Cell B, flexible bandwidth carrier or cell information
may be signaled to UE on SIB 11 (e.g., carrier frequency, primary
scrambling code (PSC), etc.) but the N value for cell B may not be
signaled. UE may determine N using spectrum estimation and stores
the N information for cell B). UE may determine N using spectrum
estimation and may store the N information for cell B. The UE may
transition into connected mode with Cell A for data or voice
connection. In the connected mode, if the link between the UE and
the network experiences degradation in signal strength, the network
may provide compressed gaps to the UE to measure flexible bandwidth
carrier or Cell B. Since Cell B may have already been identified in
idle mode, the N and cell timing may be known so the acquisition
delay may be minimized. The UE may then measure the signal strength
on the cell and may add the cell to a virtual active set due in
case the strong signal strength may be detected on that cell. In
the case the signal strength of Cell B is above a threshold, an
inter-frequency event may be triggered so UE sends a measurement
report to the network. The network may order an inter-frequency
handover in case the network finds the flexible bandwidth carrier
or Cell B to be more suited for the UE than Cell A. The UE may tune
to flexible bandwidth carrier or Cell B and may update the network
with its location (e.g., sending a routing area update (RAU) or a
location area update (LAU) as currently performed in UMTS
networks). Aspects of communications diagram 1100 may be
implemented in whole or in part utilizing various wireless
communications devices including, but not limited to: a base
station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG.
14; a device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; a device 600-b as seen in
FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG. 7; a user equipment 115 as seen in
FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or a
core network 130 and/or controller 120 as seen in FIG. 1 and/or
FIG. 13.
[0106] FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 of a user equipment 115-e
configured to facilitate the mobility management in accordance with
various embodiments. The user equipment 115-e may have any of
various configurations, such as personal computers (e.g., laptop
computers, netbook computers, tablet computers, etc.), cellular
telephones, PDAs, digital video recorders (DVRs), internet
appliances, gaming consoles, e-readers, etc. The user equipment
115-e may have an internal power supply (not shown), such as a
small battery, to facilitate mobile operation. In some embodiments,
the user equipment 115-e may be the user equipment 115 as seen in
FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or
device 600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700
of FIG. 7. The user equipment 115-e may be a multi-mode user
equipment. The user equipment 115-e may be referred to as a
wireless communications device in some cases.
[0107] The user equipment 115-e may include antennas 1240, a
transceiver module 1250, memory 1280, and a processor module 1270,
which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with
each other (e.g., via one or more buses). The transceiver module
1250 is configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the
antennas 1240 and/or one or more wired or wireless links, with one
or more networks, as described above. For example, the transceiver
module 1250 may be configured to communicate bi-directionally with
base stations 105 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG.
14. The transceiver module 1250 may include a modem configured to
modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the
antennas 1240 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received
from the antennas 1240. While the user equipment 115-e may include
a single antenna, the user equipment 115-e will typically include
multiple antennas 1240 for multiple links.
[0108] The memory 1280 may include random access memory (RAM) and
read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1280 may store
computer-readable, computer-executable software code 1285
containing instructions that are configured to, when executed,
cause the processor module 1270 to perform various functions
described herein (e.g., call processing, database management,
message routing, etc.). Alternatively, the software 1285 may not be
directly executable by the processor module 1270 but be configured
to cause the computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform
functions described herein.
[0109] The processor module 1270 may include an intelligent
hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) such as
those made by Intel.RTM. Corporation or AMD.RTM., a
microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
etc. The processor module 1270 may include a speech encoder (not
shown) configured to receive audio via a microphone, convert the
audio into packets (e.g., 30 ms in length) representative of the
received audio, provide the audio packets to the transceiver module
1250, and provide indications of whether a user is speaking.
Alternatively, an encoder may only provide packets to the
transceiver module 1250, with the provision or
withholding/suppression of the packet itself providing the
indication of whether a user is speaking.
[0110] According to the architecture of FIG. 12, the user equipment
115-e may further include a communications management module 1260.
The communications management module 1260 may manage communications
with other user equipment 115. By way of example, the
communications management module 1260 may be a component of the
user equipment 115-e in communication with some or all of the other
components of the user equipment 115-e via a bus. Alternatively,
functionality of the communications management module 1260 may be
implemented as a component of the transceiver module 1250, as a
computer program product, and/or as one or more controller elements
of the processor module 1270.
[0111] The components for user equipment 115-e may be configured to
implement aspects discussed above with respect to device 600-a of
FIG. 6A, 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of FIG. 7 and may not
be repeated here for the sake of brevity. For example, the cell
identification module 710-a may be the cell identification module
710 of FIG. 7. The bandwidth scaling factor identification module
715-a may be the bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715
of FIG. 7. The set management module 615-c may be the set
management module 615 of FIG. 6A, set management module 615-a of
FIG. 6B, and/or set management module 415-b of FIG. 7
[0112] The user equipment 115-e may also include a spectrum
identification module 1215. The spectrum identification module 1215
may be utilized to identify spectrum available for flexible
waveforms. In some embodiments, a handover module 1225 may be
utilized to perform handover procedures of the user equipment 115-e
from one base station to another. For example, the handover module
1225 may perform a handover procedure of the user equipment 115-e
from one base station to another where normal waveforms are
utilized between the user equipment 115-e and one of the base
stations and flexible waveforms are utilized between the user
equipment and another base station. A scaling module 1210 may be
utilized to scale and/or alter chip rates to generate flexible
waveforms.
[0113] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1250 in
conjunction with antennas 1240, along with other possible
components of user equipment 115-e, may transmit information
regarding flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors from the user
equipment 115-e to base stations or a core network. In some
embodiments, the transceiver module 1250, in conjunction with
antennas 1240 along with other possible components of user
equipment 115-e, may transmit information, such as flexible
waveforms and/or scaling factors, to base stations or a core
network such that these devices or systems may utilize flexible
waveforms.
[0114] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communications system
1300 that may be configured for mobility management in accordance
with various embodiments. This system 1300 may be an example of
aspects of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1, systems 200 of FIG.
2, system 300 of FIG. 3, and/or system 1400 of FIG. 14. The base
station 105-e may include antennas 1345, a transceiver module 1350,
memory 1370, and a processor module 1365, which each may be in
communication, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., over
one or more buses). The transceiver module 1350 may be configured
to communicate bi-directionally, via the antennas 1345, with the
user equipment 115-f, which may be a multi-mode user equipment. The
transceiver module 1350 (and/or other components of the base
station 105-e) may also be configured to communicate
bi-directionally with one or more networks. In some cases, the base
station 105-e may communicate with the network 130-a and/or
controller 120-a through network communications module 1375. Base
station 105-e may be an example of an eNodeB base station, a Home
eNodeB base station, a NodeB base station, and/or a Home NodeB base
station. Controller 120-a may be integrated into base station 105-e
in some cases, such as with an eNodeB base station. Base station
105-e may be an example of base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG.
2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 14. User equipment 115-f may be an example
of device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; device 600-b as seen in FIG.
6B; device 700 of FIG. 7; and/or user equipment 115 as seen in FIG.
1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, and/or FIG. 14.
[0115] Base station 105-e may also communicate with other base
stations 105, such as base station 105-m and base station 105-n.
Each of the base stations 105 may communicate with user equipment
115-f using different wireless communications technologies, such as
different Radio Access Technologies. In some cases, base station
105-e may communicate with other base stations such as 105-m and/or
105-n utilizing base station communication module 1315. In some
embodiments, base station communication module 1315 may provide an
X2 interface within an LTE wireless communication technology to
provide communication between some of the base stations 105. In
some embodiments, base station 105-e may communicate with other
base stations through controller 120-a and/or network 130-a.
[0116] The memory 1370 may include random access memory (RAM) and
read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1370 may also store
computer-readable, computer-executable software code 1371
containing instructions that are configured to, when executed,
cause the processor module 1365 to perform various functions
described herein (e.g., call processing, database management,
message routing, etc.). Alternatively, the software 1371 may not be
directly executable by the processor module 1365 but be configured
to cause the computer, e.g., when compiled and executed, to perform
functions described herein.
[0117] The processor module 1365 may include an intelligent
hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) such as
those made by Intel.RTM. Corporation or AMD.RTM., a
microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
etc. The processor module 1365 may include a speech encoder (not
shown) configured to receive audio via a microphone, convert the
audio into packets (e.g., 20 ms in length) representative of the
received audio, provide the audio packets to the transceiver module
1350, and provide indications of whether a user is speaking.
Alternatively, an encoder may only provide packets to the
transceiver module 1350, with the provision or
withholding/suppression of the packet itself providing the
indication of whether a user is speaking.
[0118] The transceiver module 1350 may include a modem configured
to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the
antennas 1345 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received
from the antennas 1345. While some examples of the base station
105-e may include a single antenna 1345, the base station 105-e
preferably includes multiple antennas 1345 for multiple links which
may support carrier aggregation. For example, one or more links may
be used to support macro communications with user equipment
115-f.
[0119] According to the architecture of FIG. 13, the base station
105-e may further include a communications management module 1330.
The communications management module 1330 may manage communications
with other base stations 105. By way of example, the communications
management module 1330 may be a component of the base station 105-e
in communication with some or all of the other components of the
base station 105-e via a bus. Alternatively, functionality of the
communications management module 1330 may be implemented as a
component of the transceiver module 1350, as a computer program
product, and/or as one or more controller elements of the processor
module 1365.
[0120] The base station 105-e may also include a spectrum
identification module 1315. The spectrum identification module 1315
may be utilized to identify spectrum available for flexible
waveforms. In some embodiments, a handover module 1325 may be
utilized to perform handover procedures of the user equipment 115-f
from one base station 105 to another. For example, the handover
module 1325 may perform a handover procedure of the user equipment
115-f from base station 105-e to another where normal waveforms are
utilized between the user equipment 115-f and one of the base
stations and flexible waveforms are utilized between the user
equipment and another base station. A scaling module 1310 may be
utilized to scale and/or alter chip rates to generate flexible
waveforms.
[0121] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1350 in
conjunction with antennas 1345, along with other possible
components of base station 105-e, may transmit information
regarding flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors from the base
station 105-e to the user equipment 115-f, to other base stations
105-m/105-n, or core network 130-a. In some embodiments, the
transceiver module 1350 in conjunction with antennas 1345, along
with other possible components of base station 105-e, may transmit
information to the user equipment 115-f, to other base stations
105-m/105-n, or core network 130-a, such as flexible waveforms
and/or scaling factors, such that these devices or systems may
utilize flexible waveforms.
[0122] FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a system 1400 including a base
station 105-f and a user equipment 115-g in accordance with various
embodiments. This system 1400 may be an example of the system 100
of FIG. 1, systems 200 of FIG. 2, system 300 of FIG. 3, and/or
system 1300 of FIG. 13. The base station 105-f may be equipped with
antennas 1434-a through 1434-x, and the user equipment 115-g may be
equipped with antennas 1452-a through 1452-n. At the base station
105-f, a transmit processor 1420 may receive data from a data
source. Base station 105-f may be an example of base station 105 as
seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 13. User equipment
115-g may be an example of device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; device
600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; device 700 of FIG. 7; and/or user
equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, and/or
FIG. 13.
[0123] The transmitter processor 1420 may process the data. The
transmitter processor 1420 may also generate reference symbols, and
a cell-specific reference signal. A transmit (TX) MIMO processor
1430 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on data
symbols, control symbols, and/or reference symbols, if applicable,
and may provide output symbol streams to the transmit modulators
1432-a through 1432-x. Each modulator 1432 may process a respective
output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output
sample stream. Each modulator 1432 may further process (e.g.,
convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output
sample stream to obtain a downlink (DL) signal. In one example, DL
signals from modulators 1432-a through 1432-x may be transmitted
via the antennas 1434-a through 1434-x, respectively. The
transmitter processor 1420 may receive information from a processor
1440. The processor 1440 may be configured to generate flexible
waveforms through altering a chip rate and/or utilizing a scaling
factor; this may be done dynamically in some cases. The processor
1440 may also provide for different alignment and/or offsetting
procedures. The processor 1440 may also utilize scaling and/or chip
rate information to perform measurements on the other subsystems,
perform handoffs to the other subsystems, perform reselection, etc.
The processor 1440 may invert the effects of time stretching
associated with the use of flexible bandwidth through parameter
scaling. In some embodiments, the processor 1440 may be implemented
as part of a general processor, the transmitter processor 1420,
and/or the receiver processor 1438.
[0124] At the user equipment 115-g, the user equipment antennas
1452-a through 1452-n may receive the DL signals from the base
station 105-f and may provide the received signals to the
demodulators 1454-a through 1454-n, respectively. Each demodulator
1454 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and
digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples.
Each demodulator 1454 may further process the input samples (e.g.,
for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 1456
may obtain received symbols from all the demodulators 1454-a
through 1454-n, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if
applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 1458
may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the
detected symbols, providing decoded data for the user equipment
115-g to a data output, and provide decoded control information to
a processor 1480, or memory 1482.
[0125] On the uplink (UL), at the user equipment 115-g, a
transmitter processor 1464 may receive and process data from a data
source. The transmitter processor 1464 may also generate reference
symbols for a reference signal. The symbols from the transmitter
processor 1464 may be precoded by a transmit MIMO processor 1466 if
applicable, further processed by the demodulators 1454-a through
1454-n (e.g., for SC-FDMA, etc.), and be transmitted to the base
station 105-f in accordance with the transmission parameters
received from the base station 105-E The transmitter processor 1464
may also be configured to generate flexible waveforms through
altering a chip rate and/or utilizing a scaling factor; this may be
done dynamically in some cases. The transmitter processor 1464 may
receive information from processor 1480. The processor 1480 may
provide for different alignment and/or offsetting procedures. The
processor 1480 may also utilize scaling and/or chip rate
information to perform measurements on the other subsystems,
perform handoffs to the other subsystems, perform reselection, etc.
The processor 1480 may invert the effects of time stretching
associated with the use of flexible bandwidth through parameter
scaling. At the base station 105-f, the UL signals from the user
equipment 115-g may be received by the antennas 1434, processed by
the demodulators 1432, detected by a MIMO detector 1436 if
applicable, and further processed by a receive processor. The
receive processor 1438 may provide decoded data to a data output
and to the processor 1480. In some embodiments, the processor 1480
may be implemented as part of a general processor, the transmitter
processor 1464, and/or the receiver processor 1458.
[0126] In some embodiments, the processor 1480 is configured
mobility management. For example, processor 1480 may be configured
for mobility management, including set management. For such set
management, some embodiments include intra-frequency and
inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth
scaling factors N. The processor 1480 may be configured to identify
one or more cells of the wireless communications systems 1400. A
respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective
identified cell may be identified. Processor 1480 may be configured
to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated
with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. Processor
1480 may be configured to associate each respective identified cell
with one of the respective sets based on their respective
associated bandwidth scaling factors.
[0127] Turning to FIG. 15A, a flow diagram of a method 1500-a for
mobility management for wireless communications systems in
accordance with various embodiments. Method 1500-a may be
implemented utilizing various wireless communications devices
including, but not limited to: a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG.
1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or device
600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of
FIG. 7.
[0128] At block 1505, one or more cells of the wireless
communication systems may be identified. At block 1510, a
respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective
identified cell may be identified. At block 1515, multiple sets may
be determined Each respective set may be associated with one of the
respective bandwidth scaling factors. At block 1520, each
respective identified cell may be associated with one of the
respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth
scaling factors.
[0129] Some embodiments of method 1500-a include determining a
candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Determining the
candidate cell from within the multiple sets may utilize at least a
serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth
scaling factor. The candidate cell may be considered a best cell.
One or more offsets may be utilized with respect to the one or more
sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.
Power offsets may be utilized in some cases.
[0130] Determining the multiple sets may include determining
multiple active sets, where each respective active set is
associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Each
respective active sets may be further associated with at least a
cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number. Some
embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors,
where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with
an active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one
active set that is associate with multiple bandwidth scaling
factors.
[0131] Determining the multiple sets may include determining
multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active
set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some
embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors,
where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with
an virtual active set. Some embodiments include determining at
least one virtual active set that is associate with a multiple
bandwidth scaling factors.
[0132] Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or
more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored
or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling
factor. Determining the multiple sets may include determining one
or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected
or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor.
Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling
factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is
associated with at least a monitored set of a candidate set. Some
embodiments include determining at least monitored set or candidate
set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.
[0133] Identifying the one or more cells of the wireless
communications systems may include determining a signal strength or
measurement of each of the one or more identified cells. It may be
determined whether the signal strength or the measurement of each
of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determine signal
strength threshold or a determined measurement threshold. Other
information and statistics from the identified cells may also be
utilized. Such information can be signal strength, channel power,
relative channel power, error rates, error numbers, etc.
Furthermore, the threshold may be modified by over the air
messages. The thresholds may be mapped or modified with respect to
the bandwidth. For example, take a system with one N=1 and one N=2
carries located at the same location and transmitting the same
power spectral density (PSD). All other things being equal, to
compare signal strengths of the two systems, the signal threshold
for the 1/2 BW system could be scaled by 3 dB with respect to the
N=1 system.
[0134] Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets
may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier
and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first
flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize
the same bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell
from the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first
flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible
bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and
the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling
factor. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple
sets may facilitate mobility between a normal flexible bandwidth
carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.
[0135] Method 1500-a may be utilized with a wireless communications
system that may includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous
communication with a user equipment, where each cell utilizes at
least a different carrier or a different bandwidth. In some
embodiments, the wireless communications system includes multiple
cells configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell
includes a plurality of carriers. In some embodiments, the wireless
communications system includes a cell configured to utilize two
different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a
user equipment.
[0136] Turning to FIG. 15B, a flow diagram of a method 1500-b for
mobility management for wireless communications systems in
accordance with various embodiments. Method 1500-a may be
implemented utilizing various wireless communications devices
including, but not limited to: a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG.
1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or device
600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of
FIG. 7. Method 1500-b may be an example of method 1500-a of FIG.
15A.
[0137] At block 1505-a, one or more cells of the wireless
communications system may be identified. At block 1510-a, a
respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective
identified cell may be identified. At block 1515-a, virtual,
active, monitored, and/or detected sets may be determined. Each
respective set may be associated with one of the respective
bandwidth scaling factors. At block 1520-a, each respective
identified cell may be associated with one of the respective sets
based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors. At
block 1525, a candidate cell from within the multiple sets may be
determined The candidate cell may be considered a best cell. One or
more offsets may be utilized with respect to the one or more sets
to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.
[0138] The detailed description set forth above in connection with
the appended drawings describes exemplary embodiments and does not
represent the only embodiments that may be implemented or that are
within the scope of the claims. The term "exemplary" used
throughout this description means "serving as an example, instance,
or illustration," and not "preferred" or "advantageous over other
embodiments." The detailed description includes specific details
for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described
techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without
these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures
and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid
obscuring the concepts of the described embodiments.
[0139] Information and signals may be represented using any of a
variety of different technologies and techniques. For example,
data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols,
and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description
may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves,
magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any
combination thereof.
[0140] The various illustrative blocks and modules described in
connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or
performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the
functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a
microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any
conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of
computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration.
[0141] The functions described herein may be implemented in
hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any
combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a
processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as
one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit
of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the
nature of software, functions described above can be implemented
using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware,
hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing
functions may also be physically located at various positions,
including being distributed such that portions of functions are
implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein,
including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items prefaced
by "at least one of" indicates a disjunctive list such that, for
example, a list of "at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C
or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).
[0142] Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media
and communication media including any medium that facilitates
transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage
medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and
not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are
also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0143] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure the
term "example" or "exemplary" indicates an example or instance and
does not imply or require any preference for the noted example.
Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and
designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed
herein.
* * * * *