U.S. patent application number 13/837564 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-21 for antenna selection devices, methods, & systems.
This patent application is currently assigned to QUALCOMM Incorporated. The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM INCORPORATED. Invention is credited to Rashid Ahmed Akbar ATTAR, Ramesh CHIRALA, Troy R. CURTISS, Daniel Fred FILIPOVIC, Ning HE, Jun HU, Gregory Robert LIE, Sharif A. MATIN, Valibabu SALADI, Viswanath SANKARAN, Gurdeep SINGH, Hongbo YAN.
Application Number | 20130308562 13/837564 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49580885 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130308562 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
MATIN; Sharif A. ; et
al. |
November 21, 2013 |
ANTENNA SELECTION DEVICES, METHODS, & SYSTEMS
Abstract
A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product for
wireless communication are provided in connection with improving
antenna selection for a UE as part of an access procedure. In an
example, a UE with two or more antennas is equipped to obtain
receive chain measurements for the two or more antennas associated
with the UE when an access procedure is initiated, select an
antenna, of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on
receive chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the
access procedure, and perform the access procedure using the
selected antenna. In another example, the UE is equipped to
determine that an Access procedure is to be initiated, select an
antenna from the two or more antennas based on a selection
algorithm, and perform the Access procedure based using the
selected antenna. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also
claimed and described.
Inventors: |
MATIN; Sharif A.; (San
Diego, CA) ; SALADI; Valibabu; (San Diego, CA)
; HE; Ning; (San Diego, CA) ; SANKARAN;
Viswanath; (San Diego, CA) ; YAN; Hongbo;
(Vista, CA) ; FILIPOVIC; Daniel Fred; (Solana
Beach, CA) ; CHIRALA; Ramesh; (San Diego, CA)
; SINGH; Gurdeep; (San Jose, CA) ; HU; Jun;
(San Diego, CA) ; LIE; Gregory Robert; (San Diego,
CA) ; CURTISS; Troy R.; (Erie, CO) ; ATTAR;
Rashid Ahmed Akbar; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM INCORPORATED |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
QUALCOMM Incorporated
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
49580885 |
Appl. No.: |
13/837564 |
Filed: |
March 15, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61649704 |
May 21, 2012 |
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61716582 |
Oct 21, 2012 |
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61734276 |
Dec 6, 2012 |
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61737715 |
Dec 14, 2012 |
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61716586 |
Oct 21, 2012 |
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61716599 |
Oct 21, 2012 |
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61716902 |
Oct 22, 2012 |
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61736541 |
Dec 12, 2012 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/329 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 76/18 20180201;
H04B 7/0608 20130101; H04B 7/0404 20130101; H04W 36/14 20130101;
H01Q 3/24 20130101; H04B 7/0814 20130101; H04W 72/085 20130101;
H04W 88/06 20130101; H04B 1/44 20130101; H04B 7/0802 20130101; H04W
24/02 20130101; H04B 7/0602 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/329 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/08 20060101
H04W072/08 |
Claims
1. A method of communications for a user equipment (UE),
comprising: obtaining, by a UE, receive chain measurements for two
or more antennas associated with the UE when an access procedure is
initiated; selecting an antenna, of the two or more antennas, for
transmission based on receive chain measurements for use during at
least a portion of the access procedure; and performing the access
procedure using the selected antenna.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the receive chain measurements
comprise at least one of: a receive signal code power (RSCP)
measurement; a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement;
a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurement; or an
automatic gain control (AGC) measurement.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured to operate
in at least one of a long term evolution (LTE) based access
network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) based
network, or a code division multiple access (CDMA) based network,
and wherein the access procedure is a access channel (ACH)
procedure.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receive chain measurements
are obtained and the antenna selection is performed once for a ACH
cycle.
5. The method of claim 3, wherein the receive chain measurements
are obtained and the antenna selection is performed prior to an
onset of each preamble in a ACH cycle.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
performed access procedure was unsuccessful; selecting a new
antenna from the two or more antennas based on one or more
subsequent try selection criteria; and performing the access
procedure using the selected new antenna.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more subsequent try
selection criteria comprise at least one of: a greatest receive
chain measurement value based on newly performed receive chain
measurements; a next greatest receive chain measurement value based
on previously performed receive chain measurements; an antenna
different than the previously selected antenna, where the two or
more antennas comprises two antennas; an antenna from a pool of
antennas that does not include the previously selected antenna,
where the two or more antennas comprises more than two antennas; or
a random antenna selection.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining that the
access procedure is to be initiated.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the determination that the access
procedure is to be initiated is based on reception of a paging
indicator.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein the determination that the
access procedure is to be initiated is based on internal reception
of a message to prompt the UE to engage in a mobile originated (MO)
call.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the UE is configured to operate
is a 1x based access network, and wherein the access procedure is
an access probe procedure.
12. A method of method of communications for a user equipment (UE),
comprising: determining that an Access procedure is to be
initiated; selecting an antenna, from the two or more antennas, for
transmission based on a selection algorithm; and performing the
Access procedure based using the selected antenna.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection algorithm
comprises randomly selecting the antenna from the two or more
antennas.
14. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection algorithm
comprises selecting the antenna based on a hopping pattern among
the two or more antennas.
15. The method of claim 12, wherein the selection algorithm
comprises selecting the antenna based on an antenna that was most
recently successfully used for the Access procedure.
16. An apparatus for communications by a user equipment (UE),
comprising: means for obtaining, by a UE, receive chain
measurements for two or more antennas associated with the UE when
an access procedure is initiated; means for selecting an antenna,
of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on receive
chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the access
procedure; and means for performing the access procedure using the
selected antenna.
17. An apparatus for communications by a user equipment (UE),
comprising: means for determining that an Access procedure is to be
initiated; means for selecting an antenna, from the two or more
antennas, for transmission based on a selection algorithm; and
means for performing the Access procedure based using the selected
antenna.
18. A computer program product, comprising: a non-transitory
computer-readable medium comprising code for: obtaining, by a UE,
receive chain measurements for two or more antennas associated with
the UE when an access procedure is initiated; selecting an antenna,
of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on receive
chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the access
procedure; and performing the access procedure using the selected
antenna.
19. A computer program product, comprising: a non-transitory
computer-readable medium comprising code for: determining, by a
user equipment (UE), that an Access procedure is to be initiated;
selecting an antenna, from the two or more antennas, for
transmission based on a selection algorithm; and performing the
Access procedure based using the selected antenna.
20. An apparatus for communications, comprising: a processing
system configured to: obtain, by a UE, receive chain measurements
for two or more antennas associated with the UE when an access
procedure is initiated; select an antenna, of the two or more
antennas, for transmission based on receive chain measurements for
use during at least a portion of the access procedure; and perform
the access procedure using the selected antenna.
21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the receive chain
measurements comprise at least one of: a receive signal code power
(RSCP) measurement; a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)
measurement; a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI)
measurement; or an automatic gain control (AGC) measurement.
22. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the UE is configured to
operate in at least one of a long term evolution (LTE) based access
network, a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) based
network, or a code division multiple access (CDMA) based network,
and wherein the access procedure is a access channel (ACH)
procedure.
23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receive chain
measurements are obtained and the antenna selection is performed
once for a ACH cycle.
24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the receive chain
measurements are obtained and the antenna selection is performed
prior to an onset of each preamble in a ACH cycle.
25. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processing system is
further configure to: determine that the performed access procedure
was unsuccessful; select a new antenna from the two or more
antennas based on one or more subsequent try selection criteria;
and perform the access procedure using the selected new
antenna.
26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the one or more subsequent
try selection criteria comprise at least one of: a greatest receive
chain measurement value based on newly performed receive chain
measurements; a next greatest receive chain measurement value based
on previously performed receive chain measurements; an antenna
different than the previously selected antenna, where the two or
more antennas comprises two antennas; an antenna from a pool of
antennas that does not include the previously selected antenna,
where the two or more antennas comprises more than two antennas; or
a random antenna selection.
27. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the processing system is
further configure to: determine that the access procedure is to be
initiated.
28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the determination that the
access procedure is to be initiated is based on reception of a
paging indicator.
29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the determination that the
access procedure is to be initiated is based on internal reception
of a message to prompt the UE to engage in a mobile originated (MO)
call.
30. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the UE is configured to
operate is a 1X based access network, and wherein the access
procedure is an access probe procedure.
31. An apparatus for communications, comprising: a processing
system configured to: determine, by a user equipment (UE), that an
Access procedure is to be initiated; select an antenna, from the
two or more antennas, for transmission based on a selection
algorithm; and perform the Access procedure based using the
selected antenna.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the processing system is
further configure to randomly select the antenna from the two or
more antennas.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the processing system is
further configure to select the antenna based on a hopping pattern
among the two or more antennas.
34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the processing system is
further configure to select the antenna based on an antenna that
was most recently successfully used for the Access procedure.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM & REFERENCE TO RELATED FILINGS
[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority to and
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. (a) 61/649,704,
filed 21 May 2012; (b) 61/716,582, filed 21 Oct. 2012; (c)
61/734,276, filed 6 Dec. 2012; (d) 61/737,715, filed 14 Dec. 2012;
(e) 61/716,586, filed 21 Oct. 2012; (f) 61/716,599, filed 21 Oct.
2012; (g) 61/716,902, filed 22 Oct. 2012; and (h) 61/736,541, filed
12 Dec. 2012. All of said applications are assigned to the assignee
hereof and are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein as
if fully set forth fully below in their entireties for all
applicable purposes.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication
systems, and more particularly, to improving antenna selection for
a user equipment (UE) during an access procedure.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to
provide various communication services such as telephony, video,
data, messaging, broadcasts, and so on. Such networks, which are
usually multiple access networks, support communications for
multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One
example of such a network is the Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network
(UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a
part of the UMTS, a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology
supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The
UMTS, which is the successor to Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) technologies, currently supports various air
interface standards, such as Wideband-Code Division Multiple Access
(W-CDMA), Time Division--Code Division Multiple Access (TD-CDMA),
and Time Division--Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access
(TD-SCDMA). The UMTS also supports enhanced 3G data communications
protocols, such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), which provides
higher data transfer speeds and capacity to associated UMTS
networks.
[0004] As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to
increase, research and development continue to advance the UMTS
technologies not only to meet the growing demand for mobile
broadband access, but to advance and enhance the user experience
with mobile communications.
[0005] Generally, when a user attempts to originate a call or
receives call, one antenna of two or more antennas of the UE may
have some blockage (e.g., due to hand restriction, etc.), based on
a device specific architecture. When such a blockage occurs, it is
possible that a second antenna of the UE has comparatively low
blockage and hence routing an access procedure (e.g., access
channel preambles/messages, etc.) through the second antenna may
provide a comparatively better/faster chance to reach a network
entity (e.g., NodeB, eNodeB, etc.).
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME SAMPLE EMBODIMENTS
[0006] 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.
[0007] In accordance with one or more aspects and corresponding
disclosure thereof, various aspects are described in connection
with improving antenna selection for a UE as part of an access
procedure. In an example, a UE with two or more antennas is
equipped to obtain receive chain measurements for the two or more
antennas associated with the UE when an access procedure is
initiated, select an antenna, of the two or more antennas, for
transmission based on receive chain measurements for use during at
least a portion of the access procedure, and perform the access
procedure using the selected antenna. In another example, the UE is
equipped to determine that an Access procedure is to be initiated,
select an antenna from the two or more antennas based on a
selection algorithm, and perform the Access procedure based using
the selected antenna.
[0008] According to related aspects, a method for improving antenna
selection for a UE as part of an access procedure is provided. The
method can include obtaining, by a UE, receive chain measurements
for two or more antennas associated with the UE when an access
procedure is initiated. Further, the method can include selecting
an antenna, of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on
receive chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the
access procedure. Moreover, the method may include performing the
access procedure using the selected antenna.
[0009] Another aspect relates to a communications apparatus with
improved antenna selection as part of an access procedure. The
communications apparatus can include means for obtaining, by a UE,
receive chain measurements for two or more antennas associated with
the UE when an access procedure is initiated. Further, the
communications apparatus can include means for selecting an
antenna, of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on
receive chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the
access procedure. Moreover, the communications apparatus can
include means for performing the access procedure using the
selected antenna.
[0010] Another aspect relates to a communications apparatus. The
apparatus can include a processing system configured to obtain, by
a UE, receive chain measurements for two or more antennas
associated with the UE when an access procedure is initiated.
Further, the processing system may be configured to select an
antenna, of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on
receive chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the
access procedure. Moreover, the processing system may further be
configured to perform the access procedure using the selected
antenna.
[0011] Still another aspect relates to a computer program product,
which can have a computer-readable medium including code for
obtaining, by a UE, receive chain measurements for two or more
antennas associated with the UE when an access procedure is
initiated. Further, the computer-readable medium can include code
for selecting an antenna, of the two or more antennas, for
transmission based on receive chain measurements for use during at
least a portion of the access procedure. Moreover, the
computer-readable medium can include code for performing the access
procedure using the selected antenna.
[0012] According to related aspects, a method for improving antenna
selection for a UE as part of an access procedure is provided. The
method can include determining that an Access procedure is to be
initiated. Further, the method can include selecting an antenna,
from the two or more antennas, for transmission based on a
selection algorithm. Moreover, the method may include performing
the Access procedure based using the selected antenna.
[0013] Another aspect relates to a communications apparatus with
improved antenna selection as part of an access procedure. The
communications apparatus can include means for determining that an
Access procedure is to be initiated. Further, the communications
apparatus can include means for selecting an antenna, from the two
or more antennas, for transmission based on a selection algorithm.
Moreover, the communications apparatus can include means for
performing the Access procedure based using the selected
antenna.
[0014] Another aspect relates to a communications apparatus. The
apparatus can include a processing system configured to determine
that an Access procedure is to be initiated. Further, the
processing system may be configured to select an antenna, from the
two or more antennas, for transmission based on a selection
algorithm. Moreover, the processing system may further be
configured to perform the Access procedure based using the selected
antenna.
[0015] Still another aspect relates to a computer program product,
which can have a computer-readable medium including code for
determining that an Access procedure is to be initiated. Further,
the computer-readable medium can include code for selecting an
antenna, from the two or more antennas, for transmission based on a
selection algorithm. Moreover, the computer-readable medium can
include code for performing the Access procedure based using the
selected antenna.
[0016] Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present
invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, upon reviewing the following description of specific,
exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with
the accompanying figures. While features of the present invention
may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below,
all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of
the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while
one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain
advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be
used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention
discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments
may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it
should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be
implemented in various devices, systems, and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an access
network architecture according to some embodiments.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of another
access network architecture according to some embodiments.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a network
entity and user equipment in an access network according to some
embodiments.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of another
access network architecture, according to some embodiments.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of an UL frame
structure in LTE according to some embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating events for a mobile
terminated call over time according to some embodiments.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating a first example method
for improving wireless device power consumption in an M2M
environment according to some embodiments.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a second example method
for improving wireless device power consumption in an M2M
environment according to some embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the
data flow between different modules/means/components according to
some embodiments.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware
implementation for an apparatus employing a processing system
according to some embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The detailed description set forth below in connection with
the appended drawings is intended as a description of various
configurations and is not intended to represent the only
configurations in which the concepts described herein may be
practiced. The detailed description includes specific details for
the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of various
concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
that these concepts may be practiced without these specific
details. In some instances, well known structures and components
are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring such
concepts.
[0028] Several aspects of telecommunication systems will now be
presented with reference to various apparatus and methods. These
apparatus and methods will be described in the following detailed
description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various
blocks, modules, components, circuits, steps, processes,
algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements"). These
elements may be implemented using electronic hardware, computer
software, or any combination thereof Whether such elements are
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall
system.
[0029] By way of example, an element, or any portion of an element,
or any combination of elements may be implemented with a
"processing system" that includes one or more processors. Examples
of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital
signal processors (DSPs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs),
programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic,
discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured
to perform the various functionality described throughout this
disclosure. One or more processors in the processing system may
execute software. Software shall be construed broadly to mean
instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code,
programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software
applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects,
executables, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc.,
whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode,
hardware description language, or otherwise.
[0030] Accordingly, in one or more exemplary embodiments, the
functions described may be implemented in hardware, software,
firmware, or any combination thereof If implemented in software,
the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more
instructions or code on a computer-readable medium.
Computer-readable media includes computer storage media. Storage
media may be any available media that can be accessed by a
computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such
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 in the form of instructions or data
structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), and floppy disk where disks
usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data
optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should also be
included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0031] By way of example and without limitation, the aspects of the
present disclosure illustrated in FIG. 1 are presented with
reference to a UMTS system 100 employing a W-CDMA air interface
and/or CDMA2000 air interface. A UMTS network includes three
interacting domains: a Core Network (CN) 104, a UMTS Terrestrial
Radio Access Network (UTRAN) 102, and User Equipment (UE) 110. In
this example, the UTRAN 102 provides various wireless services
including telephony, video, data, messaging, broadcasts, and/or
other services. The UTRAN 102 may include a plurality of Radio
Network Subsystems (RNSs) such as an RNS 107, each controlled by a
respective Radio Network Controller (RNC) such as an RNC 106. Here,
the UTRAN 102 may include any number of RNCs 106 and RNSs 107 in
addition to the RNCs 106 and RNSs 107 illustrated herein. The RNC
106 is an apparatus responsible for, among other things, assigning,
reconfiguring, and releasing radio resources within the RNS 107.
The RNC 106 may be interconnected to other RNCs (not shown) in the
UTRAN 102 through various types of interfaces such as a direct
physical connection, a virtual network, or the like, using any
suitable transport network.
[0032] Communication between a UE 110 and a Node B 108 may be
considered as including a physical (PHY) layer and a medium access
control (MAC) layer. Further, communication between a UE 110 and an
RNC 106 by way of a respective Node B 108 may be considered as
including a radio resource control (RRC) layer. In the instant
specification, the PHY layer may be considered layer 1; the MAC
layer may be considered layer 2; and the RRC layer may be
considered layer 3. Information hereinbelow utilizes terminology
introduced in the RRC Protocol Specification, 3GPP TS 25.331
v9.1.0, incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] The geographic region covered by the RNS 107 may be divided
into a number of cells, with a radio transceiver apparatus serving
each cell. A radio transceiver apparatus is commonly referred to as
a Node B in UMTS applications, but may also be referred to by those
skilled in the art as a base station (BS), a base transceiver
station (BTS), a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a
transceiver function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended
service set (ESS), an access point (AP), or some other suitable
terminology. For clarity, three Node Bs 108 are shown in each RNS
107; however, the RNSs 107 may include any number of wireless Node
Bs. The Node Bs 108 provide wireless access points to a CN 104 for
any number of mobile apparatuses. Examples of a mobile apparatus
include a cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation
protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a notebook, a netbook, a smartbook,
a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite radio, a global
positioning system (GPS) device, a multimedia device, a video
device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game
console, or any other similar functioning device. The mobile
apparatus is commonly referred to as a UE in UMTS applications, but
may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile
station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a
wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a
wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile
subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a
wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user
agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable
terminology. For illustrative purposes, one UE 110 is shown in
communication with a number of the Node Bs 108. The DL, also called
the forward link, refers to the communication link from a Node B
108 to a UE 110, and the UL, also called the reverse link, refers
to the communication link from a UE 110 to a Node B 108.
[0034] Further, UE 110 may be equipped with multiple antennas 111
that may enable communication using one or more radio access
technologies (RATs). The multiple antennas 111 may be used for
transmit diversity, range extension, etc. In an aspect, UE 110 may
select an antenna from the multiple antennas 111 to use to access
the network (e.g., Node B 108). In such an aspect, the UE 110
selection may be based on downlink measurements from the antennas
111. In an operational aspect, a user may attempt to originate a
call (mobile originated (MO)) and/or receive call (mobile
terminated (MT)). Further, one antenna the multiple antennas 111
may experience some blockage (e.g., due to hand restriction, etc.).
In such an aspect, a second antenna of the UE 110 may experience
relatively low blockage and hence routing the preambles/messages
through the second antenna may result in an improved (e.g., more
reliable and faster) chance to communicate with Node B 108.
[0035] The CN 104 interfaces with one or more access networks, such
as the UTRAN 102. As shown, the CN 104 is a GSM core network.
However, as those skilled in the art will recognize, the various
concepts presented throughout this disclosure may be implemented in
a RAN, or other suitable access network, to provide UEs with access
to types of CNs other than GSM networks.
[0036] The CN 104 includes a circuit-switched (CS) domain and a
packet-switched (PS) domain. Some of the circuit-switched elements
are a Mobile services Switching Centre (MSC) 112, a Visitor
location register (VLR), and a Gateway MSC. Packet-switched
elements include a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and a Gateway
GPRS Support Node (GGSN). Some network elements, like EIR, HLR, VLR
and AuC may be shared by both of the circuit-switched and
packet-switched domains. In the illustrated example, the CN 104
supports circuit-switched services with a MSC 112 and a GMSC 114.
In some applications, the GMSC 114 may be referred to as a media
gateway (MGW). One or more RNCs, such as the RNC 106, may be
connected to the MSC 112. The MSC 112 is an apparatus that controls
call setup, call routing, and UE mobility functions. The MSC 112
may also include a VLR that contains subscriber-related information
for the duration that a UE is in the coverage area of the MSC 112.
The GMSC 114 provides a gateway through the MSC 112 for the UE to
access a circuit-switched network 116. The GMSC 114 includes a home
location register (HLR) 115 containing subscriber data, such as the
data reflecting the details of the services to which a particular
user has subscribed. The HLR is also associated with an
authentication center (AuC) that contains subscriber-specific
authentication data. When a call is received for a particular UE,
the GMSC 114 queries the HLR 115 to determine the UE's location and
forwards the call to the particular MSC serving that location.
[0037] The CN 104 also supports packet-data services with a serving
General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) support node (SGSN) 118 and a
gateway GPRS support node (GGSN) 120. GPRS is designed to provide
packet-data services at speeds higher than those available with
standard circuit-switched data services. The GGSN 120 provides a
connection for the UTRAN 102 to a packet-based network 122. The
packet-based network 122 may be the Internet, a private data
network, or some other suitable packet-based network. The primary
function of the GGSN 120 is to provide the UEs 110 with
packet-based network connectivity. Data packets may be transferred
between the GGSN 120 and the UEs 110 through the SGSN 118, which
performs primarily the same functions in the packet-based domain as
the MSC 112 performs in the circuit-switched domain.
[0038] An air interface for UMTS may utilize a spread spectrum
Direct-Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) system. The
spread spectrum DS-CDMA spreads user data through multiplication by
a sequence of pseudorandom bits called chips. The "wideband" W-CDMA
air interface for UMTS is based on such direct sequence spread
spectrum technology and additionally calls for a frequency division
duplexing (FDD). FDD uses a different carrier frequency for the UL
and DL between a Node B 108 and a UE 110. Another air interface for
UMTS that utilizes DS-CDMA, and uses time division duplexing (TDD),
is the TD-SCDMA air interface. Those skilled in the art will
recognize that although various examples described herein may refer
to a W-CDMA air interface, the underlying principles may be equally
applicable to a TD-SCDMA air interface.
[0039] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an LTE network architecture
200. The LTE network architecture 200 may be referred to as an
Evolved Packet System (EPS) 200. The EPS 200 may include one or
more user equipment (UE) 202, an Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio
Access Network (E-UTRAN) 204, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 210, a
Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 220, and an Operator's IP Services
222. The EPS can interconnect with other access networks, but for
simplicity those entities/interfaces are not shown. As shown, the
EPS provides packet-switched services, however, as those skilled in
the art will readily appreciate, the various concepts presented
throughout this disclosure may be extended to networks providing
circuit-switched services.
[0040] The E-UTRAN includes the evolved Node B (eNB) 206 and other
eNBs 208. The eNB 206 provides user and control planes protocol
terminations toward the UE 202. The eNB 206 may be connected to the
other eNBs 208 via a backhaul (e.g., an X2 interface). The eNB 206
may also be referred to as a base station, a base transceiver
station, a radio base station, a radio transceiver, a transceiver
function, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS),
or some other suitable terminology. The eNB 206 provides an access
point to the EPC 210 for a UE 202. Examples of UEs 202 include a
cellular phone, a smart phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP)
phone, a laptop, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a satellite
radio, a global positioning system, a multimedia device, a video
device, a digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game
console, or any other similar functioning device. The UE 202 may
also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile
station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a
wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a
wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile
subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a
wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a
mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.
[0041] The eNB 206 is connected by an 51 interface to the EPC 210.
The EPC 210 includes a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 212, other
MMEs 214, a Serving Gateway 216, and a Packet Data Network (PDN)
Gateway 218. The MME 212 is the control node that processes the
signaling between the UE 202 and the EPC 210. Generally, the MME
212 provides bearer and connection management. All user IP packets
are transferred through the Serving Gateway 216, which itself is
connected to the PDN Gateway 218. The PDN Gateway 218 provides UE
IP address allocation as well as other functions. The PDN Gateway
218 is connected to the Operator's IP Services 222. The Operator's
IP Services 222 may include the Internet, the Intranet, an IP
Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), and a PS Streaming Service (PSS).
[0042] Further, UE 202 may be equipped with multiple antennas 203
that may enable communication using one or more radio access
technologies (RATs). The multiple antennas 203 may be used for
transmit diversity, range extension, etc. In an aspect, UE 202 may
select an antenna from the multiple antennas 203 to use to access
the network (e.g., perform an access channel (ACH) procedure). In
an aspect, the ACH procedure may be a random access channel (RACH)
procedure. In such an aspect, the UE 202 selection may be based on
downlink measurements from the antennas 203. In an operational
aspect, a user may attempt to originate a call (MO) and/or receive
call (MT). Further, one antenna the multiple antennas 203 may
experience some blockage (e.g., due to hand restriction, etc.). In
such an aspect, a second antenna of the UE 203 may experience
relatively low blockage and hence routing the preambles/messages
through the second antenna may result in an improved (e.g., more
reliable and faster) chance to communicate with eNB 206.
[0043] The modulation and multiple access scheme employed by the
access network 200 may vary depending on the particular
telecommunications standard being deployed. In LTE applications,
OFDM is used on the DL and SC-FDMA is used on the UL to support
both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing
(TDD). As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate from the
detailed description to follow, the various concepts presented
herein are well suited for LTE applications. However, these
concepts may be readily extended to other telecommunication
standards employing other modulation and multiple access
techniques. By way of example, these concepts may be extended to
Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO) or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB).
EV-DO and UMB are air interface standards promulgated by the 3rd
Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) as part of the CDMA2000
family of standards and employs CDMA to provide broadband Internet
access to mobile stations. These concepts may also be extended to
Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA) employing Wideband-CDMA
(W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA, such as TD-SCDMA; Global
System for Mobile Communications (GSM) employing TDMA; and Evolved
UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE
802.20, and Flash-OFDM employing OFDMA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE and
GSM are described in documents from the 3GPP organization. CDMA2000
and UMB are described in documents from the 3GPP2 organization. The
actual wireless communication standard and the multiple access
technology employed will depend on the specific application and the
overall design constraints imposed on the system.
[0044] Spatial multiplexing is generally used when channel
conditions are good. When channel conditions are less favorable,
beamforming may be used to focus the transmission energy in one or
more directions. This may be achieved by spatially precoding the
data for transmission through multiple antennas. To achieve good
coverage at the edges of the cell, a single stream beamforming
transmission may be used in combination with transmit
diversity.
[0045] In the detailed description that follows, various aspects of
an access network will be described with reference to a MIMO system
supporting OFDM on the DL. OFDM is a spread-spectrum technique that
modulates data over a number of subcarriers within an OFDM symbol.
The subcarriers are spaced apart at precise frequencies. The
spacing provides "orthogonality" that enables a receiver to recover
the data from the subcarriers. In the time domain, a guard interval
(e.g., cyclic prefix) may be added to each OFDM symbol to combat
inter-OFDM-symbol interference. The UL may use SC-FDMA in the form
of a DFT-spread OFDM signal to compensate for high peak-to-average
power ratio (PAPR).
[0046] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a network entity 310 (e.g.,
NodeB, eNB, pico node, a femto node, etc.) in communication with a
UE 350 in an access network. In the DL, upper layer packets from
the core network are provided to a controller/processor 375. The
controller/processor 375 implements the functionality of the L2
layer. In the DL, the controller/processor 375 provides header
compression, ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering,
multiplexing between logical and transport channels, and radio
resource allocations to the UE 350 based on various priority
metrics. The controller/processor 375 is also responsible for HARQ
operations, retransmission of lost packets, and signaling to the UE
350.
[0047] The transmit (TX) processor 316 implements various signal
processing functions for the L1 layer (i.e., physical layer). The
signal processing functions includes coding and interleaving to
facilitate forward error correction (FEC) at the UE 350 and mapping
to signal constellations based on various modulation schemes (e.g.,
binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying
(QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude
modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols are then split
into parallel streams. Each stream is then mapped to an OFDM
subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., pilot) in
the time and/or frequency domain, and then combined together using
an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) to produce a physical
channel carrying a time domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream
is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel
estimates from a channel estimator 374 may be used to determine the
coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing.
The channel estimate may be derived from a reference signal and/or
channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial
stream is then provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate
transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX modulates an RF carrier
with a respective spatial stream for transmission.
[0048] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal through
its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers
information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the
information to the receive (RX) processor 356. The RX processor 356
implements various signal processing functions of the L1 layer. The
RX processor 356 performs spatial processing on the information to
recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple
spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they may be combined
by the RX processor 356 into a single OFDM symbol stream. The RX
processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the
time-domain to the frequency domain using a Fast Fourier Transform
(FFT). The frequency domain signal comprises a separate OFDM symbol
stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols on each
subcarrier, and the reference signal, is recovered and demodulated
by determining the most likely signal constellation points
transmitted by the network entity 310. These soft decisions may be
based on channel estimates computed by the channel estimator 358.
The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover
the data and control signals that were originally transmitted by
the network entity 310 on the physical channel. The data and
control signals are then provided to the controller/processor
359.
[0049] The controller/processor 359 implements the L2 layer. The
controller/processor can be associated with a memory 360 that
stores program codes and data. The memory 360 may be referred to as
a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 359
provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels,
packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control
signal processing to recover upper layer packets from the core
network. The upper layer packets are then provided to a data sink
362, which represents all the protocol layers above the L2 layer.
Various control signals may also be provided to the data sink 362
for L3 processing. The controller/processor 359 is also responsible
for error detection using an acknowledgement (ACK) and/or negative
acknowledgement (NACK) protocol to support HARQ operations.
[0050] In the UL, a data source 367 is used to provide upper layer
packets to the controller/processor 359. The data source 367
represents all protocol layers above the L2 layer. Similar to the
functionality described in connection with the DL transmission by
the network entity 310, the controller/processor 359 implements the
L2 layer for the user plane and the control plane by providing
header compression, ciphering, packet segmentation and reordering,
and multiplexing between logical and transport channels based on
radio resource allocations by the network entity 310. The
controller/processor 359 is also responsible for HARQ operations,
retransmission of lost packets, and signaling to the network entity
310.
[0051] Channel estimates derived by a channel estimator 358 from a
reference signal or feedback transmitted by the network entity 310
may be used by the TX processor 368 to select the appropriate
coding and modulation schemes, and to facilitate spatial
processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368
are provided to different antenna 352 via separate transmitters
354TX. Each transmitter 354TX modulates an RF carrier with a
respective spatial stream for transmission.
[0052] The UL transmission is processed at the network entity 310
in a manner similar to that described in connection with the
receiver function at the UE 350. Each receiver 318RX receives a
signal through its respective antenna 320. Each receiver 318RX
recovers information modulated onto an RF carrier and provides the
information to a RX processor 370. The RX processor 370 may
implement the L1 layer.
[0053] The controller/processor 375 implements the L2 layer. The
controller/processor 375 can be associated with a memory 376 that
stores program codes and data. The memory 376 may be referred to as
a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller/processor 375
provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels,
packet reassembly, deciphering, header decompression, control
signal processing to recover upper layer packets from the UE 350.
Upper layer packets from the controller/processor 375 may be
provided to the core network. The controller/processor 375 is also
responsible for error detection using an ACK and/or NACK protocol
to support HARQ operations.
[0054] FIG. 4 depicts an example communication network 400 in which
efficient antenna selection as part of an access procedure may be
enabled, according to an aspect.
[0055] Communication network 400 may include a wireless device 402
(e.g., UE 110, UE 202, etc.), and a network entity 430 (e.g., Node
B, eNB, etc.).
[0056] Wireless device 402 may include an application processing
subsystem 404, access procedure module 408, and modem subsystem
414. In an aspect, application processing subsystem 404 may use
data transaction module 406 to obtain data as part of a MO call
initiation. In an aspect, modem subsystem 414 may receive a page
message (e.g., paging indicator) form a network entity 430 as part
of a MT call initiation. In an aspect, access procedure module 408
may determine that an access procedure is to be initiated based on
internal reception of a message from the application processing
subsystem 404 and/or the modem subsystem 414. Although depicted as
a separate module in FIG. 4, access procedure module 408 may be
associated with and/or coupled to application processing subsystem
404 and/or modem subsystem 414. In another aspect, access procedure
module 408 may include multiple sub-portions, and a sub-portion may
be more closely coupled to the modem subsystem 414. In another
aspect, modem subsystem 414 may be coupled to multiple antennas
418, 420 and configured to use multiple radios 416. Although FIG. 4
depicts only two antennas 418, 420, one or ordinary skill in the
art understands that the wireless device is not limited to two
antennas and may have additional antennas beyond the depicted.
[0057] Access procedure module 408 may include a receive chain
measurements module 410 and transmit antenna selection module 412.
In an aspect, receive chain measurements module 410 may receive
antenna 418, 420 receive chain measurements (422, 424) via modem
subsystem 414. In an aspect, the UE measurements may include, but
are not limited to a receive signal code power (RSCP) measurement,
a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement, a Received
Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) measurement, an automatic gain
control (AGC) measurement, etc. In an aspect, transmit antenna
selection module 412 may select an antenna (e.g., 420) for
transmissions 426 for at least a portion of an access procedure
(e.g., access channel (ACH) procedure). Generally, an antenna 420
that has greater Rx chain measurement value 424 may also have less
path loss on a downlink. As such, transmit antenna selection module
412 may select this antenna 420 for transmissions 426 as it may
have a greater chance of having lower path loss on an uplink.
Further description of an operational aspect, of access procedure
module 408 is provided with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 7
below. In another aspect, transmit antenna selection module 412 may
use a selection algorithm to select which antenna to use for
transmissions. In an aspect, the selection algorithm may prompt the
wireless device 402 to randomly and/or pseudo-randomly select an
antenna 418, 420 for transmissions for at least a portion of the
Access procedure. In another aspect, the selection algorithm may
prompt the wireless device 402 to select an antenna 418, 420 based
on a pre-determined antenna hopping pattern (e.g., antenna 0, then
1, then 0, then 1, etc.). In another aspect, the selection
algorithm may prompt the wireless device 402 to using an antenna
that was most recently previously successfully used. Further
description of an operational aspect, of access procedure module
408 is provided with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 8
below.
[0058] FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating an example of an UL
frame structure in LTE.
[0059] The available resource blocks for the UL may be partitioned
into a data section and a control section. The control section may
be formed at the two edges of the system bandwidth and may have a
configurable size. The resource blocks in the control section may
be assigned to UEs for transmission of control information. The
data section may include all resource blocks not included in the
control section. The UL frame structure results in the data section
including contiguous subcarriers, which may allow a single UE to be
assigned all of the contiguous subcarriers in the data section.
[0060] A UE may be assigned resource blocks 510a, 510b in the
control section to transmit control information to an eNB. The UE
may also be assigned resource blocks 520a, 520b in the data section
to transmit data to the eNB. The UE may transmit control
information in a physical UL control channel (PUCCH) on the
assigned resource blocks in the control section. The UE may
transmit only data or both data and control information in a
physical UL shared channel (PUSCH) on the assigned resource blocks
in the data section. A UL transmission may span both slots of a
subframe and may hop across frequency.
[0061] A set of resource blocks may be used to perform initial
system access and achieve UL synchronization in a physical random
access channel (PRACH) 530. The PRACH 530 carries a random sequence
and may carry a transmit preamble on an access slot boundary (e.g.,
.about.1 ms (4096 chips) using 1 of 16 signatures). Each random
access preamble occupies a bandwidth corresponding to six
consecutive resource blocks. The starting frequency is specified by
the network. That is, the transmission of the random access
preamble is restricted to certain time and frequency resources.
There is no frequency hopping for the PRACH. The PRACH attempt is
carried in a single subframe (1 ms) or in a sequence of few
contiguous subframes and a UE can make only a single PRACH attempt
per frame (10 ms).
[0062] FIG. 6 illustrating events 600 over time 602 for a mobile
terminated call in an LTE based access network, according to an
aspect.
[0063] As noted with reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, UTRAN 204 may
communicate with UE 202 using a paging channel. Paging 606 may
occurs through setting Paging Indicator (PI) symbol ON in the PICH.
When UE 202 wakes up 604 in its DRX cycle, it may monitor for the
PI symbol. When the PI symbol is set to ON, the UE 202 may read
paging messages of PCH Tr Ch in SCCPCH physical channel 608 (which
occurs Tau.sub.--.sub.PICH (3 slots, or 7680 chips) later).
Subsequently, a forward access channel (FACH) may be initiated 610
and the UE 202 may select 612 an antenna to use for the access
channel procedure. In an aspect, the antenna may be selected based
on receive chain measurements. In another aspect, the antenna may
be selected based on a selection algorithm. Thereafter, UE 202 may
initiate a RACH procedure 614 using PRACH 530 through the selected
antenna to get radio access to send L3 messaging (e.g., a RRC
Connection Request message) 616.
[0064] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate various methodologies in accordance
with various aspects of the presented subject matter. While, for
purposes of simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are shown
and described as a series of acts or sequence steps, it is to be
understood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is not
limited by the order of acts, as some acts may occur in different
orders and/or concurrently with other acts from that shown and
described herein. For example, those skilled in the art will
understand and appreciate 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 the claimed
subject matter. Additionally, it should be further appreciated that
the methodologies disclosed hereinafter and throughout this
specification are capable of being stored on an article of
manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferring such
methodologies to computers. The term article of manufacture, as
used herein, is intended to encompass a computer program accessible
from any computer-readable device, carrier, or media.
[0065] FIG. 7 depicts a first example method 700 utilizes transmit
(Tx) diversity on uplink for potentially more reliable radio access
by a user equipment (UE) to the network from Idle mode (e.g., for a
MT call, for a MO call, for Registration, etc.).
[0066] At block 702, a UE may determine that an access procedure is
to be initiated. In an aspect in which a MO call is initiated, UE
902 application processing module 910 may provide a message 928 to
access procedure module 908 indicating that application data 926
from application 911 is available to be communicated. In such an
aspect, access procedure module 908 may determine that an access
procedure is to be initiated based on reception of the message 928.
In an aspect in which there is a MT call, reception module 904 may
receive, using one or more antennas 906, a page 920 from a network
entity 430 indicating that a MT call has been initiated. In such an
aspect, access procedure module 908 may determine that an access
procedure is to be initiated based on reception of the page 920.
The UE may be enabled in use one or more access technologies, such
as but not limited to, a 1x based access network, a evolved data
optimized (EV-DO) based access network, a code division multiple
access (CDMA) based network, UMTS based network, a long term
evolution (LTE) based access network, etc. Where the UE is enabled
using a 1x (e.g., EV-DO) based access network, an access probe
transmission may indicate initiation of the access procedure. Where
the UE is enabled using a CDMA based access network (e.g., WCDMA),
a UMTS based network, a LTE based network, etc., transmission of an
access channel preamble may indicate initiation of the access
procedure. Where the UE is enabled to use a LTE based access
network and a MT call is indicated from the network, a UTRAN
communicates with UE through paging. In such an aspect, paging
occurs through setting a Paging Indicator (PI) symbol ON in PICH
channel. Further, when the UE wakes up in its DRX cycle, the UE
monitors for a PI symbol. Still further, when the UE detects that
the PI symbol is set to ON, the UE reads paging messages of PCH Tr
Ch in SCCPCH physical channel (which occurs Tau.sub.--.sub.PICH (3
slots, or 7680 chips) later. The UE may then initiate the RACH
procedure to obtain radio access to send a RRC Connection Request
message. In another aspect, when there is a MO call or
Registration, UE may use substantially the same sequence of events
as described for a MT call, except for replacing the `SCCPCH
Complete` step may be replaced with `Higher layer indication for
physical channel setup` and everything prior to this step may be
considered redundant.
[0067] At block 704, the UE may perform receive (Rx) chain
measurements for two or more antennas associated with the UE. In an
aspect, reception module 904 may perform receive chain measurements
922 for the two or more antennas 906. Generally, an antenna that
has greater Rx chain measurement value may also have less path loss
on a downlink. As such, the antenna may also have a greater chance
of having lower path loss on an uplink. In an aspect, the receive
chain measurements may include, but are not limited to, a RSCP
measurement, a RSRP measurement, a RSSI measurement, an AGC
measurement, etc. In an aspect in which the UE has two antennas,
receive chain measurements may be performed each of the antennas.
In an aspect in which the UE has antennas associated with various
access technologies (e.g., 1x, EV-DO, WCDMA, UMTS, LTE, etc), the
UE may either determine which access technology with which to
perform measurements and/or may perform measurements based on a
determined a hierarchy among the various access technologies. For
example, when the UE has multiple receiving circuits available, the
UE may turn on all receiving circuits concurrently, and measure all
antennas' performance for comparison. In another example, when the
UE has a single receiving circuit, the UE may connect different
antennas to that single receiving circuit in serial, and measure
each antenna performance sequentially for the comparison.
[0068] At block 706, the UE may select an antenna from the two or
more antennas based on the receive chain measurements. In an
aspect, reception module 904 may provide the receive chain
measurements 922 to access procedure module 908. Further, access
procedure module 908 selection algorithm module 909 may make a
selection 924 for which antenna to use for transmission. Further,
the antenna selection 924 may be provided to transmission module
912. In an aspect, the UE may select the antenna with the greatest
receive chain measurement value. In another aspect, the UE may
select the antenna from one or more antennas with receive chain
measurement values higher than a threshold level. In an aspect in
which the UE is enabled to access a LTE based access network, the
selection may occur once each access channel cycle. In another
aspect, the selection may occur prior to the onset of each preamble
in an access channel cycle.
[0069] At block 708, the UE may perform the access procedure using
the selected antenna. In an aspect, transmission module 912 may
perform the access procedure using the selected 924 antenna. After
successful completion of the access procedure, application 911 data
926 may be transmitted, via transmission module 912, to a network
entity 430.
[0070] In an optional aspect, at block 710, the UE may determine
whether the access procedure was successful. The process may end
when the UE determines the access procedure was successful.
[0071] By the contrast, in the optional aspect when the UE
determines that the access procedure was not successful, at block
712, the UE may select an antenna for use during the at least a
portion of the Access procedure based on one or more subsequent try
selection criteria. In an aspect, the newly selected antenna may be
based on the previously performed, or newly preformed receive chain
measurements. In another aspect, the newly selected antenna may be
randomly selected. In another aspect, where there are two antennas,
the previously unselected antenna may be selected. In still another
aspect, where there are three or more antennas, the antenna used in
the previously attempt may be removed from a selection pool, and
the newly selected antenna may be selected from the remaining
antennas in the selection pool based on receive chain
measurements.
[0072] FIG. 8 depicts a second example method 800 utilizes Tx
diversity on uplink for potentially more reliable radio access by a
UE to the network from Idle mode.
[0073] At block 802, a UE may determine that an access procedure is
to be initiated. In an aspect in which a MO call is initiated, UE
902 application processing module 910 may provide a message 928 to
access procedure module 908 indicating that application data 926
from application 911 is available to be communicated. In such an
aspect, access procedure module 908 may determine that an access
procedure is to be initiated based on reception of the message 928.
In an aspect in which there is a MT call, reception module 904 may
receive, using one or more antennas 906, a page 920 from a network
entity 430 indicating that a MT call has been initiated. In such an
aspect, access procedure module 908 may determine that an access
procedure is to be initiated based on reception of the page
920.
[0074] At block 804, the UE may select an antenna from two or more
antennas based on a selection algorithm. In an aspect, access
procedure module 908 selection algorithm module 909 may prompt 924
the UE 902 to select an antenna from two or more antennas based on
a selection algorithm. In an aspect, the selection algorithm module
909 may prompt 924 the UE 902 to randomly and/or pseudo-randomly
select an antenna for use during at least a portion of the Access
procedure. In another aspect, the selection algorithm module 909
may prompt 924 the UE 902 to select an antenna based on a
pre-determined antenna hopping pattern (e.g., antenna 0, then 1,
then 0, then 1, etc.). In another aspect, the selection algorithm
module 909 may prompt 924 the UE 902 to use an antenna that was
most recently previously successfully used.
[0075] At block 806, the UE may perform the Access procedure. In an
aspect, transmission module 912 may perform the access procedure
using the selected 924 antenna. After successful completion of the
access procedure, application 911 data 926 may be transmitted, via
transmission module 912, to a network entity 430.
[0076] FIG. 9 is a conceptual data flow diagram 900 illustrating
the data flow between different modules/means/components in an
example apparatus 902. The apparatus may be a service layer module
associated with a wireless device (e.g., UE 110, UE 202, wireless
device 402, etc.). As noted above with respect to the flowcharts
describe in FIGS. 7 and 8, the apparatus 902 may include a
reception module 904 associated with two or more antennas 906, an
access procedure module 908 including one or more selection
algorithm modules 909, an application processing module 910
supporting one or more applications 911, and a transmission module
912.
[0077] The apparatus may include additional modules that perform
each of the steps of the algorithm in the aforementioned call flows
and/or flow chart of FIGS. 7 and 8. As such, each step in the
aforementioned FIGS. 7 and 8 may be performed by a module and the
apparatus may include one or more of those modules. The modules may
be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry
out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor
configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within
a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or
some combination thereof.
[0078] FIG. 10 is a diagram 1000 illustrating an example of a
hardware implementation for an apparatus 902' employing a
processing system 1014. The processing system 1014 may be
implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the
bus 1024. The bus 1024 may include any number of interconnecting
buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the
processing system 1014 and the overall design constraints. The bus
1024 links together various circuits including one or more
processors and/or hardware modules, represented by the processor
1004, the modules 904, 908, 909, 910, 812, and the
computer-readable medium 1006. The bus 1024 may also link various
other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage
regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in
the art, and therefore, will not be described any further.
[0079] The processing system 1014 may be coupled to a transceiver
1010. The transceiver 1010 is coupled to two or more antennas 1020.
The transceiver 1010 provides a means for communicating with
various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The processing
system 1014 includes a processor 1004 coupled to a
computer-readable medium 1006. The processor 1004 is responsible
for general processing, including the execution of software stored
on the computer-readable medium 1006. The software, when executed
by the processor 904, causes the processing system 1014 to perform
the various functions described supra for any particular apparatus.
The computer-readable medium 1006 may also be used for storing data
that is manipulated by the processor 1004 when executing software.
The processing system further includes at least one of the modules
904, 908, 909, 910, and 912. The modules may be software modules
running in the processor 1004, resident/stored in the
computer-readable medium 1006, one or more hardware modules coupled
to the processor 1004, or some combination thereof In an aspect,
the processing system 1014 may be a component of the UE 350 and may
include the memory 360 and/or at least one of the TX processor 368,
the RX processor 356, and the controller/processor 359.
[0080] In a configuration, the apparatus 902/902' for wireless
communication includes means for obtaining, by a UE, receive chain
measurements for two or more antennas associated with the UE when
an access procedure is initiated, means for selecting an antenna,
of the two or more antennas, for transmission based on receive
chain measurements for use during at least a portion of the access
procedure, and means for performing the access procedure using the
selected antenna. In an aspect, apparatus 902/902' may include
means for determining that the performed access procedure was
unsuccessful. In such an aspect, apparatus 902/902' means for
selecting may be further configured to select a new antenna from
the two or more antennas based on one or more subsequent try
selection criteria. Further, in such an aspect, apparatus 902/902'
means for performing may be further configured to perform the
access procedure using the selected new antenna. In such an aspect,
apparatus 902/902' may include means for determining that the
access procedure is to be initiated.
[0081] In another configuration, the apparatus 902/902' for
wireless communication includes means for determining that an
Access procedure is to be initiated, means for selecting an
antenna, from the two or more antennas, for transmission based on a
selection algorithm, and means for performing the Access procedure
based using the selected antenna. In an aspect, the selection
algorithm may include randomly selecting the antenna from the two
or more antennas. In an aspect, the selection algorithm may include
selecting the antenna based on a hopping pattern among the two or
more antennas. In an aspect, the selection algorithm may include
selecting the antenna based on an antenna that was most recently
successfully used for the Access procedure.
[0082] As described supra, the processing system 1014 may include
the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor 356, and the
controller/processor 359. As such, in one configuration, the
aforementioned means may be the TX Processor 368, the RX Processor
356, and the controller/processor 359 configured to perform the
functions recited by the aforementioned means.
[0083] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of
steps in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary
approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that
the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be
rearranged. Further, some steps may be combined or omitted. The
accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in
a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific
order or hierarchy presented.
[0084] The previous description is provided to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described
herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily
apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles
defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Thus, the claims
are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but is
to be accorded the full scope consistent with the language claims,
wherein reference to an element in the singular is not intended to
mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather
"one or more." Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term
"some" refers to one or more. All structural and functional
equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described
throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known
to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated
herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the
claims. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be
dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is
explicitly recited in the claims. No claim element is to be
construed as a means plus function unless the element is expressly
recited using the phrase "means for."
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