U.S. patent application number 13/914193 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-17 for method and apparatus for enhancing control channel transmission.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Srinivasan BALASUBRAMANIAN, Thomas KLINGENBRUNN, Kuo-Chun LEE, Zhengwei LIU, Jack S. SHAUH, Jun WANG, Xiaoxia ZHANG.
Application Number | 20130272185 13/914193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47192184 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130272185 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BALASUBRAMANIAN; Srinivasan ;
et al. |
October 17, 2013 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENHANCING CONTROL CHANNEL TRANSMISSION
Abstract
Methods and apparatuses are provided that include enhancing
decoding of multicast broadcast control communications, which can
be of a relatively large size. A configuration message related to a
broadcast channel structure can be received in multiple instances
and/or segmented data units. A receiver can combine multiple
instances and/or accumulate segmented data units to obtain and/or
decode a control channel over which the configuration message is
communicated. Communicating segmented data units of the
configuration message can allow a broadcast station to utilize a
lower data rate, more reliable modulation and coding scheme to
encode the configuration message.
Inventors: |
BALASUBRAMANIAN; Srinivasan;
(San Diego, CA) ; KLINGENBRUNN; Thomas; (San
Diego, CA) ; LIU; Zhengwei; (San Diego, CA) ;
SHAUH; Jack S.; (San Diego, CA) ; WANG; Jun;
(San Diego, CA) ; ZHANG; Xiaoxia; (San Diego,
CA) ; LEE; Kuo-Chun; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47192184 |
Appl. No.: |
13/914193 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13302129 |
Nov 22, 2011 |
|
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13914193 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/312 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 1/001 20130101;
H04W 72/005 20130101; H04L 1/0038 20130101; H04W 28/065 20130101;
H04L 1/0004 20130101; H04W 4/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/312 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/00 20060101
H04W072/00 |
Claims
1. A method for decoding multicast broadcast control data in a
wireless network, comprising: receiving a first control data signal
in a first multicast control channel (MCCH) repetition period of a
MCCH modification period; receiving a second control data signal
instance in a second MCCH repetition period of the MCCH
modification period; combining the first control data signal
instance and the second control data signal instance to generate a
combined signal; and decoding the combined signal to acquire the
MCCH.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a third
control data signal instance in a third MCCH repetition period of
the MCCH modification period, wherein the combining further
comprises combining the third control data signal instance with at
least one of the first control data signal instance or the second
control data signal instance to generate the combined signal.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising obtaining a
configuration message for broadcast data from the MCCH.
4. An apparatus for decoding multicast broadcast control data in a
wireless network, comprising: means for receiving a first control
data signal instance in a first multicast control channel (MCCH)
repetition period and receiving a second control data signal
instance in a second MCCH repetition period of a MCCH modification
period; means for combining the first control data signal instance
and the second control data signal instance to generate a combined
signal; and means for decoding the combined signal to acquire the
MCCH.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for receiving
receives a third control data signal instance in a third MCCH
repetition period of the MCCH modification period, and wherein the
means for combining further combines the third control data signal
instance with at least one of the first control data signal
instance or the second control data signal instance to generate the
combined signal.
6. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising means for obtaining
a configuration message for broadcast data from the MCCH.
7. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: at least
one processor configured to: receive a first control data signal
instance in a first multicast control channel (MCCH) repetition
period of a MCCH modification period; receive a second control data
signal instance in a second MCCH repetition period of the MCCH
modification period; combine the first control data signal instance
and the second control data signal instance to generate a combined
signal; and decode the combined signal to acquire the MCCH; and a
memory coupled to the at least one processor.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is
further configured to receive a third control data signal instance
in a third MCCH repetition period of the MCCH modification period,
and wherein the at least one processor combines the third control
data signal instance with at least one of the first control data
signal instance or the second control data signal instance to
generate the combined signal.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one processor is
further configured to obtain a configuration message for broadcast
data from the MCCH.
10. A computer program product for receiving multicast broadcast
data in a wireless network, comprising: a computer-readable medium,
comprising: code for causing at least one computer to receive a
first control data signal instance in a first multicast control
channel (MCCH) repetition period of a MCCH modification period;
code for causing the at least one computer to receive a second
control data signal instance in a second MCCH repetition period of
the MCCH modification period; code for causing the at least one
computer to combine the first control data signal instance and the
second control data signal instance to generate a combined signal;
and code for causing the at least one computer to decode the
combined signal to acquire the MCCH.
11. The computer program product of claim 10, wherein the
computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the at
least one computer to receive a third control data signal instance
in a third MCCH repetition period of the MCCH modification period,
and wherein the code for causing the at least one computer to
combine further combines the third control data signal instance
with at least one of the first control data signal instance or the
second control data signal instance to generate the combined
signal.
12. The computer program product of claim 10, further comprising
code for obtaining a configuration message for broadcast data from
the MCCH.
13. An apparatus for decoding multicast broadcast control data in a
wireless network, comprising: a receiving component for receiving a
first control data signal instance in a first multicast control
channel (MCCH) repetition period and receiving a second control
data signal instance in a second MCCH repetition period of a MCCH
modification period; a channel instance combining component for
combining the first control data signal instance and the second
control data signal instance to generate a combined signal; and a
modulation and coding scheme decoding component for decoding the
combined signal to acquire the MCCH.
13. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the receiving component
receives a third control data signal instance in a third MCCH
repetition period of a MCCH modification period, and wherein the
channel instance combining component further combines the third
control data signal instance with at least one of the first control
data signal instance or the second control data signal instance to
generate the combined signal.
14. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a configuration
message obtaining component for obtaining a configuration message
for broadcast data from the MCCH.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120
[0001] The present Application for Patent is a divisional of patent
application Ser. No. 13/302,129 entitled "METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR
ENHANCING CONTROL CHANNEL TRANSMISSION" filed Nov. 22, 2011,
pending, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The following description relates generally to wireless
network communications, and more particularly to improving
communication of a control channel in broadcast services.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to
provide various types of communication content such as, for
example, voice, data, and so on. Typical wireless communication
systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting
communication with multiple users by sharing available system
resources (e.g., bandwidth, transmit power, . . . ). Examples of
such multiple-access systems may include code division multiple
access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA)
systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems,
orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, and
the like. Additionally, the systems can conform to specifications
such as third generation partnership project (3GPP) (e.g., 3GPP LTE
(Long Term Evolution)/LTE-Advanced), ultra mobile broadband (UMB),
evolution data optimized (EV-DO), etc.
[0006] Generally, wireless multiple-access communication systems
may simultaneously support communication for multiple mobile
devices. Each mobile device may communicate with one or more base
stations via transmissions on forward and reverse links. The
forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from
base stations to mobile devices, and the reverse link (or uplink)
refers to the communication link from mobile devices to base
stations. Further, communications between mobile devices and base
stations may be established via single-input single-output (SISO)
systems, multiple-input single-output (MISO) systems,
multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, and so forth.
[0007] Evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service (eMBMS) can
also be supported such that base stations or other devices can
broadcast multimedia data over multimedia broadcast over single
frequency network (MBSFN) subframes or similar subframes. Devices
can receive and consume the data based at least in part on
parameters regarding structure and occurrence of the MBSFN
subframes. In one specific example, a base station can transmit a
configuration message (e.g., MBSFNAreaConfiguration message) over a
control channel that specifies allocated resources and periods for
transmitting channels (e.g., physical multicast channels (PMCH)),
corresponding logical channel identifiers for the channels,
multicast channel (MCH) scheduling period (MSP) over which a MCH
scheduling information (MSI) media access control (MAC) control
element is transmitted, etc. Such configuration messages can
comprise information regarding a large number of channels, and can
thus be relatively large. Thus, a modulation and coding scheme of a
high data rate can be used to communicate the configuration
messages, which can degrade transmission robustness and
reliability.
SUMMARY
[0008] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
aspects in order to provide a basic understanding of such aspects.
This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated
aspects, and is intended to neither identify key or critical
elements of all aspects nor delineate the scope of any or all
aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or
more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0009] In accordance with one or more aspects and corresponding
disclosure thereof, the present disclosure describes various
aspects in connection with enhancing control channel communications
in broadcast services. In one example, a configuration message can
be transmitted multiple times over a multicast control channel to
improve reliability of receiving the configuration message. In
another example, multiple instances of one or more configuration
messages, as received over the control channel in one or more time
periods, can be combined to attempt decoding of a received
configuration message. Moreover, in an example, the configuration
message can be segmented into multiple signals, which are combined
upon receipt to decode the configuration message.
[0010] According to an example, a method for decoding multicast
broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided including
receiving a plurality of media access control (MAC) protocol data
units (PDU) from a broadcast station and determining the plurality
of MAC PDUs include a control channel based in part on a modulation
and coding scheme (MCS) utilized to successfully decode the
plurality of MAC PDUs. The method further includes acquiring the
control channel from the plurality of MAC PDUs.
[0011] In another aspect, an apparatus for decoding multicast
broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided. The
apparatus includes means for receiving a plurality of MAC PDUs from
a broadcast station. The apparatus further includes means for means
for determining the plurality of MAC PDUs relate to a control
channel based in part on a MCS utilized to successfully decode the
plurality of MAC PDUs and means for acquiring the control channel
from the plurality of MAC PDUs.
[0012] In yet another aspect, an apparatus for wireless
communications is provided that includes at least one processor
configured to receive a plurality of MAC PDUs from a broadcast
station. The at least one processor can be further configured to
determine the plurality of MAC PDUs relate to a control channel
based in part on a MCS utilized to successfully decode the
plurality of MAC PDUs and acquire the control channel from the
plurality of MAC PDUs. The apparatus also includes a memory coupled
to the at least one processor.
[0013] Still, in another aspect, a computer-program product for
decoding multicast broadcast control data in a wireless network is
provided including a computer-readable medium having code for
causing at least one computer to receive a plurality of MAC PDUs
from a broadcast station. The computer-readable medium further
includes code for causing the at least one computer to determine
the plurality of MAC PDUs relate to a control channel based in part
on a MCS utilized to successfully decode the plurality of MAC PDUs
and code for causing the at least one computer to acquire the
control channel from the plurality of MAC PDUs.
[0014] Moreover, in an aspect, an apparatus for decoding multicast
broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided that
includes a receiving component for receiving a plurality of MAC
PDUs from a broadcast station and a MCS decoding component for
determining the plurality of MAC PDUs relate to a control channel
based in part on a MCS utilized to successfully decode the
plurality of MAC PDUs. The apparatus further includes a control
channel acquiring component for acquiring the control channel from
the plurality of MAC PDUs.
[0015] According to another example, a method for decoding
multicast broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided
including receiving a first control data signal instance in a first
multicast control channel (MCCH) repetition period of a MCCH
modification period and receiving a second control data signal
instance in a second MCCH repetition of the MCCH modification
period. The method further includes combining the first control
data signal instance and the second control data signal instance to
generate a combined signal and decoding the combined signal to
acquire the MCCH.
[0016] In another aspect, an apparatus for decoding multicast
broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided. The
apparatus includes means for receiving a first control data signal
instance in a first MCCH repetition period and receiving a second
control data signal instance in a second MCCH repetition period of
a MCCH modification period. The apparatus further includes means
for combining the first control data signal instance and the second
control data signal instance to generate a combined signal and
means for decoding the combined signal to acquire the MCCH.
[0017] In yet another aspect, an apparatus for wireless
communications is provided that includes at least one processor
configured to receive a first control data signal instance in a
first MCCH repetition period of a MCCH modification period and
receive a second control data signal instance in a second MCCH
repetition period of the MCCH modification period. The at least one
processor can be further configured to combine the first control
data signal instance and the second control data signal instance to
generate a combined signal and decode the combined signal to
acquire the MCCH. The apparatus also includes a memory coupled to
the at least one processor.
[0018] Still, in another aspect, a computer-program product for
receiving multicast broadcast data in a wireless network is
provided including a computer-readable medium having code for
causing at least one computer to receive a first control data
signal instance in a first MCCH repetition period of a MCCH
modification period and code for causing the at least one computer
to receive a second control data signal instance in a second MCCH
repetition period of the MCCH modification period. The
computer-readable medium further includes code for causing the at
least one computer to combine the first control data signal
instance and the second control data signal instance to generate a
combined signal and code for causing the at least one computer to
decode the combined signal to acquire the MCCH.
[0019] Moreover, in an aspect, an apparatus for decoding multicast
broadcast control data in a wireless network is provided that
includes a receiving component for receiving a first control data
signal instance in a first MCCH repetition period and receiving a
second control data signal instance in a second MCCH repetition
period of a MCCH modification period. The apparatus further
includes a channel instance combining component for combining the
first control data signal instance and the second control data
signal instance to generate a combined signal and a modulation and
coding scheme decoding component for decoding the combined signal
to acquire the MCCH.
[0020] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative features of the one or more aspects. These features
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various aspects may be employed, and this
description is intended to include all such aspects and their
equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The disclosed aspects will hereinafter be described in
conjunction with the appended drawings, provided to illustrate and
not to limit the disclosed aspects, wherein like designations
denote like elements, and in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aspect of an example frame
configuration for multicast broadcast data.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an aspect of example protocol
data units (PDU) for multicast broadcast data.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example apparatus for
decoding multicast broadcast control data.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example communication
timeline for communicating a configuration message over a control
channel.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a flow chart of an aspect of a methodology for
decoding multicast broadcast control data.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an aspect of a methodology for
accumulating media access control service data units to acquire a
control channel.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an aspect of a methodology for
combining control data signal instances to decode a control
channel.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of an example system that decodes
multicast broadcast control data.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an example system that combines
control data signal instances to decode a control channel.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a block diagram of an aspect of an example mobile
device in accordance with aspects described herein.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of an aspect of a wireless
communication system in accordance with various aspects set forth
herein.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of an aspect of a
wireless network environment that can be employed in conjunction
with the various systems and methods described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Various aspects are now described with reference to the
drawings. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more aspects. It may be
evident, however, that such aspect(s) may be practiced without
these specific details.
[0035] Described further herein are various considerations related
to improving control channel communications in broadcast services.
For example, configuration message transmissions can be relatively
large, and can use high data rate modulation and coding (MCS)
schemes for transmission, which can degrade reliability of
receiving such messages. Thus, in one example, the configuration
message can be transmitted in multiple control data signal
instances in a repetition period. In another example, a device
receiving the configuration message can attempt to decode the
configuration message from the multiple control data signal
instances (e.g., in combination with one or more previously
received instances) to improve probability of successful decoding.
In yet another example, the configuration message can be segmented
into multiple signals for transmission, which can allow a lower
data rate, more reliable MCS to be used for each of the multiple
signals. A device receiving the multiple signals can determine when
the configuration message or a related control channel is received
in full before decoding thereof
[0036] As used in this application, the terms "component,"
"module," "system" and the like are intended to include a
computer-related entity, such as but not limited to hardware,
firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or
software in execution, etc. For example, a component may be, but is
not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a
processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a
program, and/or a computer. By way of illustration, both an
application running on a computing device and the computing device
can be a component. One or more components can reside within a
process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized
on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers.
In addition, these components can execute from various computer
readable media having various data structures stored thereon. The
components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes
such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data
packets, such as data from one component interacting with another
component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a
network such as the Internet with other systems by way of the
signal.
[0037] Furthermore, various aspects are described herein in
connection with a terminal, which can be a wired terminal or a
wireless terminal. A terminal can also be called a system, device,
subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, mobile
device, remote station, remote terminal, access terminal, user
terminal, terminal, communication device, user agent, user device,
or user equipment (UE), etc. A wireless terminal may be a cellular
telephone, a satellite phone, a cordless telephone, a Session
Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL)
station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device
having wireless connection capability, a computing device, a
tablet, a smart book, a netbook, or other processing devices
connected to a wireless modem, etc. Moreover, various aspects are
described herein in connection with a base station. A base station
may be utilized for communicating with wireless terminal(s) and may
also be referred to as an access point, a Node B, evolved Node B
(eNB), or some other terminology.
[0038] Moreover, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive
"or" rather than an exclusive "or." That is, unless specified
otherwise, or clear from the context, the phrase "X employs A or B"
is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That
is, the phrase "X employs A or B" is satisfied by any of the
following instances: X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A
and B. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this
application and the appended claims should generally be construed
to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from the
context to be directed to a singular form.
[0039] The techniques described herein may be used for various
wireless communication systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA,
SC-FDMA and other systems. The terms "system" and "network" are
often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio
technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA),
cdma2000, etc. UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other
variants of CDMA. Further, cdma2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and
IS-856 standards. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology
such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA
system may implement a radio technology such as Evolved UTRA
(E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE
802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM.RTM., etc. UTRA and E-UTRA
are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP
Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA,
which employs OFDMA on the downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink.
UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE/ LTE-Advanced and GSM are described in
documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership
Project" (3GPP). Additionally, cdma2000 and UMB are described in
documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership
Project 2" (3GPP2). Further, such wireless communication systems
may additionally include peer-to-peer (e.g., mobile-to-mobile) ad
hoc network systems often using unpaired unlicensed spectrums,
802.xx wireless LAN, BLUETOOTH and any other short- or long-range,
wireless communication techniques.
[0040] Various aspects or features will be presented in terms of
systems that may include a number of devices, components, modules,
and the like. It is to be understood and appreciated that the
various systems may include additional devices, components,
modules, etc. and/or may not include all of the devices,
components, modules etc. discussed in connection with the figures.
A combination of these approaches may also be used.
[0041] FIG. 1 illustrates an example multicast resource
configuration 100 for multicast broadcast communication. For
example, multicast broadcast services can be provided over a time
division multiplexing (TDM), orthogonal frequency division
multiplexing (OFDM) or similar system for wireless communications.
For example, multicast resource configuration 100 can include
multiple communication subframes, such as subframe 102 over which
broadcast data can be communicated. In one example, subframe 102
can include one or more OFDM symbols that additionally include a
number of frequency subcarriers that can be assigned to various
communications. In this example, multicast resource configuration
100 can be a number of frames or subframes reserved for
communicating multicast broadcast data.
[0042] Frame 100 can include multiple (e.g., n, where n is an
integer) physical multicast channels (PMCH) 104 over which
broadcast data can be communicated in one or more frames. Each PMCH
104 can include a number of subframes 102. Each PMCH 104 can also
include a number (e.g., m, where m is an integer) of logical
multicast traffic channels (MTCH) 106 within the subframes 102 of
the PMCH. Moreover, for example, a given PMCH can be defined over
one or more and/or a portion of a subframe, and the MTCHs 106 can
correspond to the one or more and/or a portion of the given
subframe. MTCHs 106 can also include a number of OFDM subframes
108, which can be the same as subframes 102 and/or portions
thereof.
[0043] In a specific example, a base station or other broadcasting
entity can schedule PMCHs 104 for carrying certain multicast
broadcast data, and can broadcast configuration information. For
example, in evolved multicast broadcast multimedia service (eMBMS),
a base station can broadcast a multimedia broadcast over single
frequency network (MBSFN) configuration message (e.g.,
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message), or other configuration message,
over a multicast control channel (MCCH) that indicates resources
allocated for transmitting PMCHs 104 in an MBSFN area, a temporary
mobile group identity (TMGI) and session identifier of the MTCHs
106, a multicast channel (MCH) scheduling period (MSP) over which a
MCH scheduling information (MSI) MAC control element can be
transmitted, etc. The MSI MAC control element schedules MTCHs 106
and/or can indicate subframe resource information for the MTCHs
106.
[0044] Assuming that the MBSFN configuration is received, the PMCH
transmission structure can be obtained as well as the MSP during
which each PMCH communicates a corresponding MSI MAC control
element that indicates an MTCH 106 structure within the PMCH 104.
The MBSFN configuration, however, can be relatively large. For
example, an MBSFNAreaConfiguration message can have a length of at
least 1740 bytes (e.g., 29 MTCHs per PMCH.times.15 PMCHs.times.a 4
byte TMGI per MTCH=1740 bytes). A high data rate MCS, such as
M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), can be used to transmit
this message, as described, which can degrade transmission
robustness and/or a likelihood that the message is successful
received. Without this message, information for decoding broadcast
communications may not be available. Thus, enhancements for
communicating such configuration messages are described herein.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates example MAC PDUs 200 and 216 for
communicating multicast broadcast data. MAC PDU 200 can include a
plurality of subheaders 202, a MSI MAC control element 204, a MAC
SDU 206, and/or padding bits 208. At least one of the subheaders
202 can be a MAC subheader that includes a logical channel
identifier (LCID) 210 related to data in the MAC SDU 206 (e.g., the
LCID 210 can identify a logical channel corresponding to the data).
For example, the LCID 210 can indicate whether the MAC SDU 206
includes a portion of the MCCH, MTCH, MSI MAC control element, or
other data. In a specific example, LCID 210 of 0 can indicate MCCH;
1-28 can indicate MTCHs (or 0-28 where no MCCH is present); 29 can
indicate MSI MAC control element 204; 30 can be reserved; and 31
can indicate padding 208.
[0046] The MAC SDU 206 can include a radio link control (RLC) layer
PDU with no length indicator (LI). MAC SDU 206 can also include
framing information 212 along with the data 214 where the framing
information 212 can include parameters regarding whether certain
bits in data 214 correspond to first or last bits in the RLC PDU.
In one example, the framing information can be two bits defined as:
00--first byte of the data 214 field corresponds to the first byte
of an RLC SDU, and last byte of the data 214 field corresponds to
the last byte of a RLC SDU; 01--first byte of the data 214 field
corresponds to the first byte of an RLC SDU, and last byte of the
data 214 field does not correspond to the last byte of a RLC SDU;
10--first byte of the data 214 field does not correspond to the
first byte of an RLC SDU, and last byte of the data 214 field
corresponds to the last byte of a RLC SDU; and 11--first byte of
the data 214 field does not correspond to the first byte of an RLC
SDU, and last byte of the data 214 field does not correspond to the
last byte of a RLC SDU. In some examples, the framing information
can be used to determine whether the MAC SDU 206 includes a last
MAC SDU for a given LCID, as described further herein. MAC PDU 216
is similar to MAC PDU 200 other than that the RLC PDU includes LIs
218, e.g., LI1, LI2, etc.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates an example apparatus 300 for processing
multicast broadcast data received from one or more sources.
Apparatus 300 can be a UE, modem (or other tethered device), femto
node (or component thereof, such as a network listening module),
home Node B or home eNode B (H(e)NB), a pico node, micro node,
relay station, mobile base station, macro node, a portion thereof,
and/or substantially any node equipped to receive broadcast signals
in a wireless network.
[0048] Apparatus 300 can include a receiving component 302 for
receiving multicast broadcast control data in one or more signals,
a control channel acquiring component 304 for acquiring a control
channel communicated in the one or more signals, and a
configuration message obtaining component 306 for receiving a
configuration message from the control channel. Control channel
acquiring component 304 can optionally include a channel instance
combining component 308 for utilizing repetitive control signals to
attempt to decode a control channel, a MCS decoding component 310
for attempting to decode control signals according to one or more
MCSs, and/or a framing information analyzing component 312 for
determining whether a signal includes a control channel based on
framing information.
[0049] According to an example, receiving component 302 can receive
one or more multicast broadcast control data signals from a
broadcast station (e.g., a base station, relay node, etc.). Though
described herein as generally received from a broadcast station, it
is to be appreciated that receiving component 302 can receive the
one or more multicast broadcast control data signals from a
plurality of broadcast stations in MBSFN, where the plurality of
broadcast stations transmit substantially the same signal that can
differ at the receiving component 302 due to propagation delay,
interference over a channel, and/or the like.
[0050] In one example, the broadcast station can transmit multiple
instances of the same control data signal that include information
for acquiring a control channel within a period of time. In this
example, control channel acquiring component 304 can provide the
multiple instances to the channel instance combining component 308
to generate a combined control data signal, and can utilize the MCS
decoding component 310 to decode the control channel from the
combined control data signal. For example, the MCS decoding
component 310 can utilize an MCS related to a control channel to
decode the control channel from the combined control data signal,
as described further herein. For example, the MCS can include
binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying
(QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-QAM, and/or the like. Upon
decoding the control channel, configuration message obtaining
component 306 can extract a configuration message from the control
channel for determining a channel structure of related multicast
broadcast data.
[0051] In one example, the broadcast station can transmit multiple
instances of the control data signal in a time period related to
corresponding broadcast data. The number of instances, in an
example, can be signaled in a system information block (SIB) or
other broadcast message. For example, in LTE, a MCCH modification
period related to an MCCH can include one or more MCCH repetition
periods, during which a control data signal including control
channel information can be transmitted. Thus, for example, the
broadcast station can transmit a plurality of control data signal
instances related to an MCCH, which can each include an
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message, at the beginning of a given MCCH
repetition period. In this example, receiving component 302 can
receive a plurality of the control data signal instances in a given
MCCH repetition period. Channel instance combining component 308
can combine the control data signal instances into a single signal,
and MCS decoding component 310 can attempt to decode the single
signal to acquire the MCCH, and corresponding
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message.
[0052] In another example, receiving component 302 can receive a
first control data signal instance, and MCS decoding component 310
can attempt to decode the first control data signal instance to
acquire the MCCH. If decoding fails, for example, receiving
component 302 can receive a second control data signal instance,
and MCS decoding component 310 can attempt to decode the second
control data signal instance to acquire the MCCH. For example, the
second control data signal instance can be received in a second
MCCH repetition period in the same MCCH modification period as the
first control data signal instance. If decoding of the second
control data signal instance fails, channel instance combining
component 308 can combine the signals of the first and second
control data signal instances, and MCS decoding component 310 can
attempt to decode the combined signal to acquire the MCCH. In
another example, channel instance combining component 308 can
combine signals of the first and second control data signal
instances without MCS decoding component 310 attempting to decode
the second control data signal instance alone. Moreover, where a
third control data signal instance is received (e.g., in a third
MCCH repetition period of the MCCH modification period), MCS
decoding component 310 can attempt to decode the third control data
signal instance alone, in combination with the second control data
signal instance, in combination with the first control data signal
instance, or in combination with the first and second control data
signal instances, as combined by channel instance combining
component 308, for example, to acquire the MCCH. It is to be
appreciated that the MCS decoding component 310 can attempt to
decode additional control data signal instances as well for
combining with other control data signal instances to acquire the
MCCH.
[0053] In one example, the MCS decoding component 310 can utilize
control data signal instances received by receiving component 302
across time periods to attempt to decode the control channel. For
example, receiving component 302 can utilize a control data signal
instance received in a plurality of MCCH repetition periods, MCCH
modification periods, and/or the like. Thus, for example, where the
MCS decoding component 310 is unable to decode a control data
signal instance received by receiving component 302, channel
instance combining component 308 can combine the control data
signal instance with one or more previously received control data
signal instances (e.g., in a previous MCCH repetition period, MCCH
modification period, or other time period), and attempt to decode
the MCCH from the combined signals. In this example, the control
channel acquiring component 304 can store the previously received
bits of one or more control data signal instances in the decoder
buffer for channel instance combining component 308 to combine one
or more previous copies for attempted decoding of the MCCH. In any
case, once the combined control data signal instances are decoded,
the control channel acquiring component 304 can acquire the MCCH
from the decoding.
[0054] In another example, a broadcast station can transmit the
control channel in multiple signals or related data units, as
described further herein. In one example, the broadcast station can
utilize framing information to indicate a first and/or last data
unit carrying the control channel, and thus framing information
analyzing component 312 can use the framing information to
determine whether a data unit received by receiving component 302
is a last data unit. When the last data unit is encountered, the
MCS decoding component 310 can attempt to decode the control
channel from the received data units. In another example, the
broadcast station can utilize a different MCS for encoding the
control channel than for data channels. In this example, MCS
decoding component 310 can attempt to decode data units received by
receiving component 302 using the MCS for control channels. Once
decoding fails, control channel acquiring component 304 can acquire
the control channel from the corresponding data units.
[0055] In a specific example, receiving component 302 can receive
one or more MAC PDUs in one or more signals from a broadcast
station, and control channel acquiring component 304 can attempt to
decode the signals using an MCS for MCCH (e.g., signaling-MCS in
LTE), which can indicate, upon successful decoding, that the
signals relate to or otherwise include a MCCH. In one example,
framing information analyzing component 312 can obtain framing
information from a MAC SDU related to the MAC PDU to determine
whether the MAC SDU includes an end of the MCCH (e.g., where the
framing information is 00 or 10 in the example of FIG. 2). If not,
receiving component 302 can receive a subsequent signal, and/or MCS
decoding component 310 can decode a MAC PDU in a next subframe
until the end of the MCCH is determined from the framing
information. Once the end of the MCCH is determined, the control
channel acquiring component 304 can acquire the control channel by
accumulating and combining SDUs for which the PDUs are successfully
decoded by MCS decoding component 310 using the MCS for MCCH.
[0056] In another example, MCS decoding component 310 can continue
decoding signals or related MAC PDUs until decoding the MCCH using
the MCS for the MCCH results in an unsuccessful decoding, which can
indicate the related MAC PDU does not correspond to the MCCH. For
example, the MAC PDU can be a different channel, such as a MTCH,
MSI MAC control element, and/or the like encoded using a different
MCS, such as data-MCS. In this example, control channel acquiring
component 304 can utilize the successfully decoded PDUs to acquire
the MCCH. In any case, once the control channel is decoded,
configuration message obtaining component 306 can extract the
configuration message, such as an MBSFNAreaConfiguration message,
to determine a subsequent PMCH channel structure.
[0057] FIG. 4 depicts an example timeline 400 for communicating
configuration messages in multicast broadcast services. Timeline
400 includes multiple MCCH modification periods 402 and 416 during
which MCCH configuration information can be communicated. In
addition, a given MCCH modification period 402 can include a
plurality of MCCH repetition periods 404 and 406 during which the
MCCH and related configuration information can be repeatedly
transmitted to improve successful receipt of the information. For
example, in a given MCCH repetition period 404 or 406 a broadcast
station can transmit a MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 408 or 410
over resources of the MCCH. As described, such messages can be
large, and the broadcast station can attempt to improve receipt by
transmitting multiple control data signal instances corresponding
to the MCCH that includes the MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 412 or
414 in the given MCCH repetition period 404 or 406.
[0058] A receiver of the messages 408 and 412, for example, can
attempt to obtain the MBSFNAreaConfiguration message by combining
the related control data signal instances including the
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 408 and 412 for decoding (e.g.,
where an attempted decoding of MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 408
or the related control data signal instance is unsuccessful). In
another example, a receiver can attempt to combine control data
signal instances comprising MBSFNAreaConfiguration messages in
different MCCH repetition periods of the same modification period,
such as MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 408 and
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 410 in MCCH modification period 402.
For example, the receiver can attempt to combine the messages 408
and 410 after an attempt to decode MBSFNAreaConfiguration message
408 or the related control data signal instance is
unsuccessful.
[0059] In another example, MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 408 can
be a portion of a complete MBSFNAreaConfiguration message, and
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message 412 can be at least another portion
of the complete message. For example, MBSFNAreaConfiguration
message 408 can be one of multiple MAC SDUs that include the
complete MBSFNAreaConfiguration message or a related control data
signal instance. In this example, as described, the receiver of the
messages can decode the partial MBSFNAreaConfiguration messages
(e.g., the SDUs) and accumulate the partial messages to generate
the complete MBSFNAreaConfiguration message. For example, this
allows the broadcast station to encode the portions of the
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message with an MCS that uses at a lower
data rate and/or provides more reliability.
[0060] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate example methodologies relating to
decoding multicast broadcast control communications. While, for
purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown
and described as a series of acts, it is to be understood and
appreciated that the methodologies are not limited by the order of
acts, as some acts may, in accordance with one or more embodiments,
occur concurrently with other acts and/or in different orders from
that shown and described herein. For example, it is to be
appreciated that a methodology could alternatively be represented
as a series of interrelated states or events, such as in a state
diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated acts may be required to
implement a methodology in accordance with one or more
embodiments.
[0061] FIG. 5 depicts an example methodology 500 for acquiring a
multicast broadcast control channel. At 502, a plurality of MAC
PDUs can be received from a broadcast station. It is to be
appreciated that the MAC PDUs can be received from additional
broadcast stations in a MBSFN, in one example as described. For
example, the MAC PDUs can be received in one or more broadcast
signals, such as eMBMS signals received over MBSFN resources. The
plurality of MAC PDUs can be encoded with one or more MCSs.
[0062] At 504, the plurality of MAC PDUs can be determined to
relate to a control channel based on a MCS utilized to successfully
decode the plurality of MAC PDUs. For example, the broadcast
station can use a specific MCS, such as signaling-MCS, to encode
the control channel, while using a different MCS to encode other
channels, such as MTCHs. Thus, successfully decoding the MAC PDUs
using the MCS can indicate the MAC PDUs correspond to the control
channel.
[0063] At 506, the control channel can be acquired from the
plurality of MAC PDUs. The broadcast station can have segmented the
control channel into multiple MAC PDUs, and encoded the MAC PDUs
using the MCS for the control channel. For example, a last MAC PDU
of the control channel can be determined based on framing
information, failed decoding using the MCS, etc., and the PDUs
identified up to the last PDU can be accumulated to acquire the
control channel.
[0064] FIG. 6 depicts an example methodology 600 for decoding
multicast broadcast control communications. At 602, a subframe can
be set to a beginning of an MCCH. For example, this can include
setting a receiving window at a receiver to the beginning of the
MCCH. At 604, it can be determined whether the subframe is
successfully decoded using signaling-MCS. Signaling-MCS can be an
MCS defined by a wireless network for decoding control channel
communications, while other MCSs can be defined for decoding data
and/or other channels. If the subframe is successfully decoded
using signaling-MCS, this can indicate the channel is MCCH, and it
can be determined whether the end of the MCCH has been reached at
606. For example, this can include determining whether the subframe
includes the end of the MCCH based on at least one of framing
information in a MAC PDU, unsuccessful decoding using the
signaling-MCS, etc. If the end of the MCCH has been reached, at
608, the MCCH can be acquired by accumulating the MAC SDUs in the
MAC PDUs received in the subframes. When the end of the MCCH is not
reached, at 610, a next MBSFN subframe can be received, and the
decoding process can continue at 604. When the subframe is not
successfully decoded with signaling-MCS, at 612, a failure can be
determined in acquiring the MCCH.
[0065] FIG. 7 shows an example methodology 700 for decoding a MCCH
from multiple instances. At 702, a first control data signal
instance can be received in a first MCCH repetition period of a
MCCH modification period, and at 704, a second control data signal
instance can be received in a second MCCH repetition period of the
MCCH modification period. For example, the control data signal
instances can be received from one or more broadcast stations in
the plurality of MCCH repetition periods. At 706, the first control
data signal instance and the second control data signal instance
can be combined to generate a combined signal. For example, the
first control data signal instance can be determined for combining
with the second control data signal instance after an unsuccessful
decoding attempt of the second control data signal instance to
acquire an MCCH. At 708, the combined signal can be decoded to
acquire the MCCH. Thus, in some examples, the control data signal
instances can be the same in different MCCH repetition periods, and
thus combination of the instances can be attempted where an
instance is not properly received. In addition, the foregoing can
be utilized to obtain specific messages in the MCCH, such as a
MBSFNAreaConfiguration message. In one example, a third control
data signal instance can be received, as described, and combined
with the first and second control data signal instances to acquire
the MCCH.
[0066] It will be appreciated that, in accordance with one or more
aspects described herein, inferences can be made regarding
determining an end of a MCCH, determining whether to receive a
subsequent control data signal instance for acquiring an MCCH,
and/or the like, as described. As used herein, the term to "infer"
or "inference" refers generally to the process of reasoning about
or inferring states of the system, environment, and/or user from a
set of observations as captured via events and/or data. Inference
can be employed to identify a specific context or action, or can
generate a probability distribution over states, for example. The
inference can be probabilistic--that is, the computation of a
probability distribution over states of interest based on a
consideration of data and events. Inference can also refer to
techniques employed for composing higher-level events from a set of
events and/or data. Such inference results in the construction of
new events or actions from a set of observed events and/or stored
event data, whether or not the events are correlated in close
temporal proximity, and whether the events and data come from one
or several event and data sources.
[0067] FIG. 8 illustrates a system 800 for decoding multicast
broadcast control communications. For example, system 800 can
reside at least partially within a device or other receiver. It is
to be appreciated that system 800 is represented as including
functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware). System 800 includes a logical grouping
802 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For
instance, logical grouping 802 can include an electrical component
for receiving a plurality of MAC PDUs from a broadcast station 804.
Logical grouping 802 can also include an electrical component for
determining the plurality of MAC PDUs relate to a control channel
based in part on a MCS utilized to successfully decode the
plurality of MAC PDUs 806.
[0068] For example, electrical component 806 can attempt to decode
the plurality of MAC PDUs using a signaling-MCS or other MCS
related to control channels. Logical grouping 802 can also include
an electrical component for acquiring the control channel from the
plurality of MAC PDUs 808. As described, electrical component 806
or another component can determine a last MAC PDU related to the
control channel, and the MAC PDUs can be accumulated to acquire the
control channel by electrical component 808. For example,
electrical component 804 can include a receiving component 302, and
electrical component 806 can include a MCS decoding component 310,
as described above. In addition, for example, electrical component
808, in an aspect, can include a control channel acquiring
component 304, as described above.
[0069] Additionally, system 800 can include a memory 810 that
retains instructions for executing functions associated with the
electrical components 804, 806, and 808. While shown as being
external to memory 810, it is to be understood that one or more of
the electrical components 804, 806, and 808 can exist within memory
810. Electrical components 804, 806, and 808, in an example, can be
interconnected over a bus 812 or similar connection to allow
communication among the components. In one example, electrical
components 804, 806, and 808 can include at least one processor, or
each electrical component 804, 806, and 808 can be a corresponding
module of at least one processor. Moreover, in an additional or
alternative example, electrical components 804, 806, and 808 can be
a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium,
where each electrical component 804, 806, and 808 can be
corresponding code.
[0070] FIG. 9 illustrates a system 900 for decoding multicast
broadcast control communications. For example, system 900 can
reside at least partially within a device or other receiver. It is
to be appreciated that system 900 is represented as including
functional blocks, which can be functional blocks that represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware). System 900 includes a logical grouping
902 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. For
instance, logical grouping 902 can include an electrical component
for receiving a first control data signal instance in a first MCCH
repetition period and receiving a second control data signal
instance in a second MCCH repetition period of an MCCH modification
period 904. In one example, the electrical component 904 can
receive the control data signal instances from a broadcast station.
Logical grouping 902 can also include an electrical component for
combining the first control data signal instance and the second
control data signal instance to generate a combined signal 906.
[0071] In an example, electrical component 906 can combine the
control data signal instances based in part on an unsuccessful
decoding attempt of the second control data signal instance.
Logical grouping 902 can also include an electrical component for
decoding the combined signal to acquire the MCCH 908. As described,
where the MCCH is the same in different repetition periods, the
electrical component 908 can successfully decode the MCCH from the
combined signal. For example, electrical component 904 can include
a receiving component 302, and electrical component 906 can include
a channel instance combining component 308, as described above. In
addition, for example, electrical component 908, in an aspect, can
include a control channel acquiring component 304.
[0072] Additionally, system 900 can include a memory 910 that
retains instructions for executing functions associated with the
electrical components 904, 906, and 908. While shown as being
external to memory 910, it is to be understood that one or more of
the electrical components 904, 906, and 908 can exist within memory
910. Electrical components 904, 906, and 908, in an example, can be
interconnected over a bus 912 or similar connection to allow
communication among the components. In one example, electrical
components 904, 906, and 908 can include at least one processor, or
each electrical component 904, 906, and 908 can be a corresponding
module of at least one processor. Moreover, in an additional or
alternative example, electrical components 904, 906, and 908 can be
a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium,
where each electrical component 904, 906, and 908 can be
corresponding code.
[0073] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a mobile device 1000 that
facilitates decoding multicast broadcast control communications.
Mobile device 1000 may include a receiver 1002 that receives a
signal from, for instance, a receive antenna (not shown), performs
typical actions on (e.g., filters, amplifies, downconverts, etc.)
the received signal, and digitizes the conditioned signal to obtain
samples. Receiver 1002 can include a demodulator 1004 that can
demodulate received symbols and provide them to a processor 1006
for channel estimation. Processor 1006 can be a processor dedicated
to analyzing information received by receiver 1002 and/or
generating information for transmission by a transmitter 1008, a
processor that controls one or more components of mobile device
1000, and/or a processor that both analyzes information received by
receiver 1002, generates information for transmission by
transmitter 1008, and controls one or more components of mobile
device 1000.
[0074] Mobile device 1000 can additionally include memory 1010 that
is operatively coupled to processor 1006 and that can store data to
be transmitted, received data, information related to available
channels, data associated with analyzed signal and/or interference
strength, information related to an assigned channel, power, rate,
or the like, and any other suitable information for estimating a
channel and communicating via the channel. Memory 1010 can
additionally store protocols and/or algorithms associated with
estimating and/or utilizing a channel (e.g., performance based,
capacity based, etc.).
[0075] It will be appreciated that the data store (e.g., memory
1010) described herein can be either volatile memory or nonvolatile
memory, or can include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. By way
of illustration, and not limitation, nonvolatile memory can include
read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM), electrically
programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM), or
flash memory. Volatile memory can include random access memory
(RAM), which acts as external cache memory. By way of illustration
and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms such as
synchronous RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM
(SDRAM), double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), enhanced SDRAM
(ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and direct Rambus RAM (DRRAM).
The memory 1010 of the subject systems and methods is intended to
include, without being limited to, these and any other suitable
types of memory.
[0076] In one example, receiver 1002 can be similar to a receiving
component 302. Processor 1006 can further be optionally operatively
coupled to a control channel acquiring component 1012, which can be
similar to a control channel acquiring component 304 and include
components thereof described above, and/or a configuration message
obtaining component 1014, which can be similar to configuration
message obtaining component 306.
[0077] Mobile device 1000 still further includes a modulator 1016
that modulates signals for transmission by transmitter 1008 to, for
instance, a base station, another mobile device, etc. Moreover, for
example, mobile device 1000 can include multiple transmitters 1008
for multiple network interfaces, as described. Although depicted as
being separate from the processor 1006, it is to be appreciated
that the control channel acquiring component 1012, configuration
message obtaining component 1014, demodulator 1004, and/or
modulator 1016 can be part of the processor 1006 or multiple
processors (not shown)), and/or stored as instructions in memory
1010 for execution by processor 1006.
[0078] FIG. 11 illustrates a wireless communication system 1100 in
accordance with various embodiments presented herein. System 1100
includes a base station 1102 that can include multiple antenna
groups. For example, one antenna group can include antennas 1104
and 1106, another group can include antennas 1108 and 1110, and an
additional group can include antennas 1112 and 1114. Two antennas
are illustrated for each antenna group; however, more or fewer
antennas can be utilized for each group. Base station 1102 can
additionally include a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, each
of which can in turn include a plurality of components or modules
associated with signal transmission and reception (e.g.,
processors, modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers,
antennas, etc.), as is appreciated.
[0079] Base station 1102 can communicate with one or more mobile
devices such as mobile device 1116 and mobile device 1122; however,
it is to be appreciated that base station 1102 can communicate with
substantially any number of mobile devices similar to mobile
devices 1116 and 1122. Mobile devices 1116 and 1122 can be, for
example, cellular phones, smart phones, laptops, handheld
communication devices, handheld computing devices, satellite
radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, and/or any other suitable
device for communicating over wireless communication system 1100.
As depicted, mobile device 1116 is in communication with antennas
1112 and 1114, where antennas 1112 and 1114 transmit information to
mobile device 1116 over a forward link 1118 and receive information
from mobile device 1116 over a reverse link 1120. Moreover, mobile
device 1122 is in communication with antennas 1104 and 1106, where
antennas 1104 and 1106 transmit information to mobile device 1122
over a forward link 1124 and receive information from mobile device
1122 over a reverse link 1126. In a frequency division duplex (FDD)
system, forward link 1118 can utilize a different frequency band
than that used by reverse link 1120, and forward link 1124 can
employ a different frequency band than that employed by reverse
link 1126, for example. Further, in a time division duplex (TDD)
system, forward link 1118 and reverse link 1120 can utilize a
common frequency band and forward link 1124 and reverse link 1126
can utilize a common frequency band.
[0080] Each group of antennas and/or the area in which they are
designated to communicate can be referred to as a sector of base
station 1102. For example, antenna groups can be designed to
communicate to mobile devices in a sector of the areas covered by
base station 1102. In communication over forward links 1118 and
1124, the transmitting antennas of base station 1102 can utilize
beamforming to improve signal-to-noise ratio of forward links 1118
and 1124 for mobile devices 1116 and 1122. Also, while base station
1102 utilizes beamforming to transmit to mobile devices 1116 and
1122 scattered randomly through an associated coverage, mobile
devices in neighboring cells can be subject to less interference as
compared to a base station transmitting through a single antenna to
all its mobile devices. Moreover, mobile devices 1116 and 1122 can
communicate directly with one another using a peer-to-peer or ad
hoc technology as depicted. According to an example, system 1100
can be a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system
or similar system that allows assigning multiple carriers between
base station 1102 and mobile devices 1116 and/or 1122. For example,
base station 1102 can be a broadcast station that communicates
multicast broadcast data to mobile devices 1116 and/or 1122, and
the mobile devices 1116 and/or 1122 can decode the data and related
control data, as described herein.
[0081] FIG. 12 shows an example wireless communication system 1200.
The wireless communication system 1200 depicts one base station
1210 and one mobile device 1250 for sake of brevity. However, it is
to be appreciated that system 1200 can include more than one base
station and/or more than one mobile device, wherein additional base
stations and/or mobile devices can be substantially similar or
different from example base station 1210 and mobile device 1250
described below. In addition, it is to be appreciated that base
station 1210 and/or mobile device 1250 can employ the frame
configurations (FIG. 1), PDUs (FIG. 2), systems (FIGS. 3, 8, 9, and
11), communication timelines (FIG. 4), methods (FIGS. 5-7), and/or
mobile devices (FIG. 10) described herein to facilitate wireless
communication there between. For example, components or functions
of the systems and/or methods described herein can be part of a
memory 1232 and/or 1272 or processors 1230 and/or 1270 described
below, and/or can be executed by processors 1230 and/or 1270 to
perform the disclosed functions.
[0082] At base station 1210, traffic data for a number of data
streams is provided from a data source 1212 to a transmit (TX) data
processor 1214. According to an example, each data stream can be
transmitted over a respective antenna. TX data processor 1214
formats, codes, and interleaves the traffic data stream based on a
particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide
coded data.
[0083] The coded data for each data stream can be multiplexed with
pilot data using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the pilot symbols can be
frequency division multiplexed (FDM), time division multiplexed
(TDM), or code division multiplexed (CDM). The pilot data is
typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner
and can be used at mobile device 1250 to estimate channel response.
The multiplexed pilot and coded data for each data stream can be
modulated (e.g., symbol mapped) based on a particular modulation
scheme (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature
phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK),
M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), etc.) selected for that
data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding,
and modulation for each data stream can be determined by
instructions performed or provided by processor 1230.
[0084] The modulation symbols for the data streams can be provided
to a TX MIMO processor 1220, which can further process the
modulation symbols (e.g., for OFDM). TX MIMO processor 1220 then
provides N.sub.T modulation symbol streams to N.sub.T transmitters
(TMTR) 1222a through 1222t. In various embodiments, TX MIMO
processor 1220 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the
data streams and to the antenna from which the symbol is being
transmitted.
[0085] Each transmitter 1222 receives and processes a respective
symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and further
conditions (e.g., amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog
signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission
over the MIMO channel. Further, N.sub.T modulated signals from
transmitters 1222a through 1222t are transmitted from N.sub.T
antennas 1224a through 1224t, respectively.
[0086] At mobile device 1250, the transmitted modulated signals are
received by N.sub.R antennas 1252a through 1252r and the received
signal from each antenna 1252 is provided to a respective receiver
(RCVR) 1254a through 1254r. Each receiver 1254 conditions (e.g.,
filters, amplifies, and downconverts) a respective signal,
digitizes the conditioned signal to provide samples, and further
processes the samples to provide a corresponding "received" symbol
stream.
[0087] An RX data processor 1260 can receive and process the
N.sub.R received symbol streams from N.sub.R receivers 1254 based
on a particular receiver processing technique to provide N.sub.T
"detected" symbol streams. RX data processor 1260 can demodulate,
deinterleave, and decode each detected symbol stream to recover the
traffic data for the data stream. The processing by RX data
processor 1260 is complementary to that performed by TX MIMO
processor 1220 and TX data processor 1214 at base station 1210.
[0088] The reverse link message can include various types of
information regarding the communication link and/or the received
data stream. The reverse link message can be processed by a TX data
processor 1238, which also receives traffic data for a number of
data streams from a data source 1236, modulated by a modulator
1280, conditioned by transmitters 1254a through 1254r, and
transmitted back to base station 1210.
[0089] At base station 1210, the modulated signals from mobile
device 1250 are received by antennas 1224, conditioned by receivers
1222, demodulated by a demodulator 1240, and processed by a RX data
processor 1242 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by
mobile device 1250. Further, processor 1230 can process the
extracted message to determine which precoding matrix to use for
determining beamforming weights.
[0090] Processors 1230 and 1270 can direct (e.g., control,
coordinate, manage, etc.) operation at base station 1210 and mobile
device 1250, respectively. Respective processors 1230 and 1270 can
be associated with memory 1232 and 1272 that store program codes
and data. Moreover, processors 1230 and 1270 can assist in decoding
multicast broadcast control data, as described herein. For example,
processors 1230 and 1270 can execute functions described with
respect to such decoding and/or memory 1232 and 1272 can store such
functions and/or data related thereto.
[0091] The various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules,
components, and circuits described in connection with the
embodiments disclosed 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, a
plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in
conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Additionally, at least one processor may include one or more
modules operable to perform one or more of the steps and/or actions
described above. An exemplary storage medium may be coupled to the
processor, such that the processor can read information from, and
write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the
storage medium may be integral to the processor. Further, in some
aspects, the processor and the storage medium may reside in an
ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In the
alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as
discrete components in a user terminal.
[0092] In one or more aspects, the functions, methods, or
algorithms described may be implemented in hardware, software,
firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software,
the functions may be stored or transmitted as one or more
instructions or code on a computer-readable medium, which may be
incorporated into a computer program product. 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 media that can be accessed by a computer. By way of
example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can
include 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 in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be
accessed by a computer. Also, substantially any connection may be
termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if 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, includes 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
usually reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the
above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0093] While the foregoing disclosure discusses illustrative
aspects and/or embodiments, it should be noted that various changes
and modifications could be made herein without departing from the
scope of the described aspects and/or embodiments as defined by the
appended claims. Furthermore, although elements of the described
aspects and/or embodiments may be described or claimed in the
singular, the plural is contemplated unless limitation to the
singular is explicitly stated. Additionally, all or a portion of
any aspect and/or embodiment may be utilized with all or a portion
of any other aspect and/or embodiment, unless stated otherwise.
* * * * *