U.S. patent application number 14/833957 was filed with the patent office on 2015-12-17 for method, base station and mobile station for tdd operation in a communication system.
This patent application is currently assigned to SONY CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is SONY CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Joseph Chung Shing Cheung, Alan Edward Jones, William John JONES.
Application Number | 20150365221 14/833957 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9952802 |
Filed Date | 2015-12-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150365221 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
JONES; William John ; et
al. |
December 17, 2015 |
METHOD, BASE STATION AND MOBILE STATION FOR TDD OPERATION IN A
COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
Abstract
A method, NodeB and User Equipment for TDD operation in a
communication system operating in TDD mode in a frequency band
allocated for FDD operation. Preferably, operation is in TDD uplink
and downlink mode in a first frequency band designated or normally
used for FDD uplink communication, and in TDD downlink-only mode in
a second frequency band designated or normally used for FDD
downlink communication. The invention provides the following
advantages: Provides a flexible method to deploy a time division
duplex architecture in frequency division duplex spectrum. Allows
flexible use of system capacity by adjusting the uplink and
downlink capacity split. Removes previous FDD duplex
restrictions.
Inventors: |
JONES; William John;
(Chippenham, GB) ; Cheung; Joseph Chung Shing;
(Santa Clara, CA) ; Jones; Alan Edward;
(Wiltshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SONY CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SONY CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
9952802 |
Appl. No.: |
14/833957 |
Filed: |
August 24, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14043472 |
Oct 1, 2013 |
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14833957 |
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12979560 |
Dec 28, 2010 |
8929900 |
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14043472 |
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10544451 |
Jun 16, 2006 |
7890113 |
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PCT/GB04/00526 |
Feb 11, 2004 |
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12979560 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/280 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 16/06 20130101;
H04J 4/00 20130101; H04L 5/1438 20130101; H04W 16/04 20130101; H04L
5/1469 20130101; H04B 7/2643 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 5/14 20060101
H04L005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 11, 2003 |
GB |
0303079.8 |
Claims
1. An electronic device comprising: processing circuitry configured
to transmit an Aux DL capability message to a base station and
receive another Aux DL capability message from the base station so
as to enable the base station to use both a lower frequency channel
and an upper frequency channel simultaneously in downlink
communication, and communicate via wireless communications with the
base station in both the lower frequency channel and the upper
frequency channel simultaneously in downlink communication so as to
provide the electronic device with increased communications
capacity as compared to other user equipment which is not capable
of supporting dual simultaneous channels, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a predetermined bandwidth that supports user
equipment not capable of supporting dual simultaneous channels, and
the upper frequency channel has a bandwidth that is a different
width than the predetermined bandwidth of the lower frequency
channel, the lower frequency channel being contiguous with the
upper frequency channel.
2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to use a common signaling
protocol in the lower frequency channel and the upper frequency
channel.
3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a wider bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
4. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the first
lower frequency channel has a narrower bandwidth than the upper
frequency channel.
5. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to receive an instruction from
the base station to perform frequency tuning for the upper
frequency channel.
6. An electronic device comprising: processing circuitry configured
to transmit an Aux DL capability message to a user equipment and
receive another Aux DL capability message from the user equipment
so as to enable the electronic device to use both a lower frequency
channel and an upper frequency channel simultaneously in downlink
communication, communicate via wireless communications with the
user equipment in both the lower frequency channel and the upper
frequency channel simultaneously in downlink communication so as to
provide the electronic device with increased communications
capacity as compared to another electronic device which is not
capable of supporting dual simultaneous channels, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a predetermined bandwidth that supports user
equipment not capable of supporting dual simultaneous channels, and
the upper frequency channel has a bandwidth that is a different
width than the predetermined bandwidth of the lower frequency
channel, the lower frequency channel being contiguous with the
upper frequency channel.
7. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to use a common signaling
protocol in the lower frequency channel and the upper frequency
channel.
8. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a wider bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
9. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a narrower bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
10. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to transmit an instruction to
the user equipment to perform frequency tuning for the upper
frequency channel.
11. An electronic device comprising: at least one antenna that
supports wireless communications; and processing circuitry
configured to transmit an Aux DL capability message to a base
station and receive another Aux DL capability message from the base
station so as to enable the base station to use both a lower
frequency channel and a-an upper frequency channel simultaneously
in downlink communication, communicate via wireless communications
with the base station in both the lower frequency channel and the
upper frequency channel simultaneously in downlink communication so
as to provide the electronic device increased communications
capacity as compared to other user equipment which is not capable
of supporting dual simultaneous channels, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a predetermined bandwidth that supports user
equipment not capable of supporting dual simultaneous channels, and
the upper frequency channel has a bandwidth that is a different
width than the predetermined bandwidth of the lower frequency
channel, the lower frequency channel being contiguous with the
upper frequency channel.
12. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to use a common signaling
protocol in the lower frequency channel and the upper frequency
channel.
13. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a wider bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
14. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a narrower bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
15. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to receive an instruction from
the base station to perform frequency tuning for the upper
frequency channel.
16. An electronic device comprising: at least one antenna that
supports wireless communications; and processing circuitry
configured to transmit an Aux DL capability message to a user
equipment and receive another Aux DL capability message from the
user equipment so as to enable the electronic device to use both a
lower frequency channel and an upper frequency channel
simultaneously in downlink communication, communicate via wireless
communications with the user equipment in both the lower frequency
channel and the upper frequency channel simultaneously in downlink
communication so as to provide the electronic device with increased
communications capacity as compared to another electronic device
which is not capable of supporting dual simultaneous channels,
wherein the lower frequency channel has a predetermined bandwidth
that supports user equipment not capable of supporting dual
simultaneous channels, and the upper frequency channel has a
bandwidth that is a different width than the predetermined
bandwidth of the lower frequency channel, the lower frequency
channel being contiguous with the upper frequency channel.
17. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to use a common signaling
protocol in the lower frequency channel and the upper frequency
channel.
18. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a wider bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
19. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the lower
frequency channel has a narrower bandwidth than the upper frequency
channel.
20. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to transmit an instruction to
the user equipment to perform frequency tuning for the upper
frequency channel.
21. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the
processing circuitry is further configured to communicate
simultaneously with the base station in downlink communication in
both the lower and upper frequency channels in a paired band.
22. The electronic device according to claim 6, wherein the
processing circuitry is further configured to communicate
simultaneously with the user equipment in downlink communication in
both the lower and upper frequency channels in a paired band.
23. The electronic device according to claim 11, wherein the
processing circuitry is further configured to communicate
simultaneously with the base station in downlink communication in
both the lower and upper frequency channels in a paired band.
24. The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the
processing circuitry is further configured to communicate
simultaneously with the user equipment in downlink communication in
both the lower and upper frequency channels in a paired band.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of and is based upon and
claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 for U.S.
Ser. No. 14/043,472, filed Oct. 1, 2013, which is a continuation of
U.S. Ser. No. 12/979, 560, filed Dec. 28, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No.
8,929,900, issued Jan. 6, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S.
Ser. No. 10/544,451 filed Jun. 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No.
7,890,113, issue Feb. 15, 2011, the entire contents of each are
incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Ser. No. 10/544,451, now
U.S. Pat. No. 7,890,113, is a National Stage of PCT/GB2004/000526,
filed Feb. 11, 2004, and claims the benefit of priority under 35
U.S.C. .sctn.119 from United Kingdom Patent Application No.
0303079.8, filed Feb. 11, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to communication systems and
particularly Time Division Duplex (TDD) operation in cellular
communication systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] In the field of this invention it is known that first and
second generation cellular standards all use "Frequency Division
Duplex" (FDD) in which there are separate downlink (base station to
mobile) and uplink (mobile to base station) frequency allocations.
These allocations are separated by a "duplex spacing" to prevent
interference between the simultaneous transmission and reception
taking place at both the base station and mobile. FDD allocations
are typically termed "paired spectrum".
[0004] "Time Division Duplex" (TDD) is used in more recent
standards, such as "3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP)
"Time Division--Code Division Multiple Access" (TD-CDMA) and 3GPP
"Time Division--Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access"
(TD-SCDMA). In TDD systems, transmission and reception takes place
alternately in time on the same frequency. TDD is very well suited
for packet data communication where uplink and downlink capacity
can easily be adjusted to meet subscriber traffic profile.
[0005] TDD is not used in FDD bands, because of interference
concerns. TDD can operate in the mobile transmit (uplink) portion
of a FDD band without detrimental interference. The allocation of
TDD channels immediately adjacent to the FDD uplink channels in the
"International Mobile Telecommunications 2000" (IMT-2000,
International Telecommunication Union designated `3G` band)
provides evidence of the feasibility of this. The frequency
allocation for IMT-2000 is shown in FIG. 1.
[0006] However, operation of TDD in the downlink portion of an FDD
band is problematic, because of adjacent channel interference from
existing FDD base stations to the receivers of co-located or nearby
TDD base stations, both of which typically transmit at higher power
than the corresponding user terminals.
[0007] Consequently, where a wireless operator has an FDD spectrum
allocation, TDD technology can normally only be operated in the FDD
uplink part of the spectrum, leaving the FDD downlink spectrum
unutilized and effectively `wasted`.
[0008] A need therefore exists for an arrangement, method and unit
for TDD operation in a communication system wherein the
abovementioned disadvantage (s) may be alleviated.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a method for TDD operation in a communication
system as claimed in claim 1.
[0010] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention
there is provided a base station for TDD operation in a
communication system as claimed in claim 8.
[0011] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention
there is provided a mobile station for TDD operation in a
communication system as claimed in claim 15.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] One method, base station and mobile station for TDD
operation in a communication system incorporating the present
invention will now be described, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a block schematic illustration of IMT-2000
frequency allocation;
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a block schematic illustration of TDD with
auxiliary downlink utilization; and
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a block schematic illustration of system
architecture of TDD with auxiliary downlink.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0016] The present invention is based on the realization by the
inventors that it is possible to: [0017] Enable operation of TDD
technology in a band allocated as paired spectrum for FDD [0018]
Provide the ability to use the FDD downlink spectrum effectively to
provide capacity and therefore avoid wastage. This is referred to
as an auxiliary TDD downlink channel. [0019] Avoid detrimental
interference in operation of TDD in the FDD downlink spectrum.
[0020] Remove the fixed duplex frequency separation
requirement.
[0021] An example of TDD operation with auxiliary downlink is shown
in FIG. 2. As illustrated, standard TDD operates in the uplink FDD
spectrum (210) while the auxiliary downlink operates in the
downlink FDD spectrum (220). In the illustration, an example of a
15-time slot frame structure is shown. An upward pointing arrow in
a radio frame denotes an uplink time slot, and a downward pointing
arrow denotes a downlink time slot. As can be seen, system capacity
is expanded by use of the auxiliary downlink.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows the basic architecture of a 3GPP cellular
communication system 300 incorporating the present invention. As
illustrated, a NodeB (or base station) 310 is controlled (over the
`Iub` interface) by a Radio Network Controller (RNC) 320 and
communicates over the Uu radio interface with User Equipment (UE or
mobile terminal) 330.
[0023] It will be understood that in other respects the system 300
operates in accordance with relevant 3GPP Technical Specifications
(available at the website http://www.3gpp.org), and need not be
described in further detail herein. However, as will be explained
further below, for the NodeB 320 the following is to be noted that
the base station (NodeB) includes a lower band logical unit 322 and
an upper band logical unit 324 and operates in both the upper (FDD
downlink) and lower (FDD uplink) bands simultaneously, under the
control of the RNC 310.
[0024] The lower band logical unit 322 supports normal TDD
operation, where the radio resource is divided into time slots.
[0025] The upper band logical unit 324 supports auxiliary downlink
operation. This logical unit supports downlink operation only. The
radio resource is divided into time slots.
[0026] In the system of FIG. 3, three types of UE 330 can be
supported:
[0027] 1. Single frequency standard TDD UE (not shown): [0028] This
is the standard TDD UE where both uplink and downlink operate on a
single frequency. This type of UE will operate by communicating
with the lower band logical unit in the NodeB.
[0029] 2. Single instantaneous frequency UE (not shown): [0030]
This type of UE is able to tune to two different frequencies (the
lower and upper FDD bands) in the same TDD frame under the control
of the network. The UE operates uplink transmission in the lower
FDD band. The UE can operate in either the standard TDD downlink
(lower FDD band) or auxiliary downlink (upper FDD band) under the
control of the network.
[0031] 3. Dual simultaneous frequency UE 330: [0032] This type of
UE has a lower band UL/DL logical unit 332, an upper `Aux DL`
logical unit 334 and an `Aux DL` Capability Messaging logical unit
336, and is able to simultaneously tune to both the lower and upper
FDD bands. The UE operates uplink transmission in the lower FDD
band. The UE operates standard TDD downlink (lower FDD band) and
auxiliary downlink (upper FDD band) under the control of the
network. With dual simultaneous frequency capability the UE is able
to operate with increased downlink capacity.
[0033] In operation of the system of FIG. 3, the auxiliary downlink
(`Aux DL`) capability allows an inherently TDD technology to
efficiently utilize the FDD downlink band, avoiding wastage of
spectrum, and the downlink resource in the lower and upper bands is
treated as a combined `single pool` resource, which can be
allocated to users according to demand. The NodeB 320 provides
common signalling for both TDD frequencies.
[0034] At any time, an individual UE that can support the `Aux DL`
mode of operation may be allocated downlink capacity in the lower
band or upper band or both.
[0035] UE's and NodeB's exchange `Aux DL` capability messages, such
that the NodeB's and UE's with and without the `Aux DL` feature can
co-exist in the network and each operate to the best of their
respective abilities.
[0036] A UE that does not support auxiliary downlink, e.g., a
roaming UE from another TDD network, is compatible with the
auxiliary downlink architecture by operating in standard TDD mode
in lower band. In this case, the auxiliary downlink feature is
transparent to the UE.
[0037] While the Auxiliary Downlink increases the total downlink
capacity, it also enables uplink capacity to be increased, as
additional timeslots can be allocated in the lower TDD band to
uplink traffic channels.
[0038] The separation of the lower and upper band is not restricted
by the standard FDD duplex frequency separation. The UE is
instructed by the network to tune to the correct frequency for the
auxiliary downlink. At the network level the auxiliary downlink in
the upper band can even be adjacent to the lower band (even though
the UE may be required to operate only on one downlink frequency at
one time to minimize the receive filtering requirements). This
effectively allows the operator to deploy the proposed TDD
technology in contiguous frequency allocation.
[0039] It will be understood that the arrangement, method and unit
for TDD operation in a communication system described above
provides the following advantages: [0040] Provides a flexible
method to deploy a time division duplex architecture in frequency
division duplex spectrum. [0041] Allows flexible use of system
capacity by adjusting the uplink and downlink capacity split.
[0042] Removes previous FDD duplex restrictions.
* * * * *
References