U.S. patent application number 14/875370 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-28 for method and apparatus for facilitating reliable transmission of a control region size and detection of cross-carrier signaling.
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Naga BHUSHAN, Wanshi CHEN, Jelena M. DAMNJANOVIC, Peter GAAL, Aamod Dinkar KHANDEKAR, Juan MONTOJO.
Application Number | 20160028529 14/875370 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42710822 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160028529 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GAAL; Peter ; et
al. |
January 28, 2016 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING RELIABLE TRANSMISSION OF A
CONTROL REGION SIZE AND DETECTION OF CROSS-CARRIER SIGNALING
Abstract
Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are
disclosed for facilitating indicating and detecting control region
sizes. A multi-carrier communication between a wireless terminal
and a base station is facilitated by a first carrier having a first
control region size and a second carrier having a second control
region size. Embodiments are disclosed in which control region
sizes are ascertained from a control signal, wherein the control is
generated by either scrambling an aspect of the control signal
based on the second control region size, or relating the second
control region size with the first control region size. Other
disclosed embodiments for ascertaining control region sizes include
a reverse interleaver embodiment, wherein a set of modulation
symbols is mapped beginning from a last data symbol and ending with
a first available data symbol.
Inventors: |
GAAL; Peter; (San Diego,
CA) ; CHEN; Wanshi; (San Diego, CA) ;
DAMNJANOVIC; Jelena M.; (Del Mar, CA) ; KHANDEKAR;
Aamod Dinkar; (San Diego, CA) ; MONTOJO; Juan;
(San Diego, CA) ; BHUSHAN; Naga; (San Diego,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
42710822 |
Appl. No.: |
14/875370 |
Filed: |
October 5, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
12773807 |
May 4, 2010 |
9154272 |
|
|
14875370 |
|
|
|
|
61176465 |
May 7, 2009 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/330 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 5/0007 20130101;
H04W 72/042 20130101; H04L 1/0071 20130101; H04L 5/0053 20130101;
H04L 5/0092 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 5/00 20060101
H04L005/00; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04; H04L 1/00 20060101
H04L001/00 |
Claims
1. A method that facilitates indicating a size of a control region,
the method comprising: establishing a multi-carrier communication
with at least one user equipment, the multi-carrier communication
facilitated by a first carrier and a second carrier; implementing a
reverse interleaver, wherein the reverse interleaver is configured
to map a set of modulation symbols beginning from a last data
symbol and ending with a first available data symbol; and
transmitting the set of modulation symbols to the at least one user
equipment.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of modulation symbols is
associated with a Physical Downlink Shared Channel.
3. The method of claim 1, the reverse interleaver mapping the set
of modulation symbols according to a frequency first, time second,
interleaving scheme.
4. A method that facilitates determining a size of a control region
comprising: configuring a user equipment (UE) to monitor a first
carrier and a second carrier, the first carrier having a first
control region size, the second carrier having a second control
region size; receiving a set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols, wherein the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols
are mapped beginning from a last data symbol and ending with a
first available data symbol; and ascertaining the first control
region size and the second control region size, the ascertaining
including de-interleaving the set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols.
5. The method of claim 4, the ascertaining comprising erasing an
initial sequence of the set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols, the initial sequence beginning with the last data
symbol.
6. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of reverse interleaved
modulation symbols is associated with a Physical Downlink Shared
Channel.
7. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of reverse interleaved
modulation symbols is mapped according to a frequency first, time
second, interleaving scheme.
8. An apparatus configured to determine a size of a control region,
the apparatus comprising: a processor configured to: initialize a
user equipment (UE) to monitor a first carrier and a second
carrier, the first carrier having a first control region size, the
second carrier having a second control region size; receive a set
of reverse interleaved modulation symbols, wherein the set of
reverse interleaved modulation symbols are mapped beginning from a
last data symbol and ending with a first available data symbol; and
decode the first control region size and the second control region
size by de-interleaving the set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols.
9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the processor is further
configured to erase an initial sequence of the set of reverse
interleaved modulation symbols, the initial sequence beginning with
the last data symbol.
10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the set of reverse
interleaved modulation symbols is associated with a Physical
Downlink Shared Channel.
11. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the set of reverse
interleaved modulation symbols is mapped according to a frequency
first, time second, interleaving scheme.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/773,807, filed May 4, 2010, assigned U.S.
Pat. No. 9,154,272 with an issue date of Oct. 6, 2015, which claims
the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
61/176,465 entitled "A METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RELIABLE PCFICH
TRANSMISSION AND DETECTION OF CROSS-CARRIER PDCCH SIGNALLING,"
which was filed May 7, 2009. The aforementioned applications are
herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] I. Field
[0003] The following description relates generally to wireless
communications, and more particularly to methods and apparatuses
for facilitating reliable transmission of control region size and
detection of cross-carrier signaling.
[0004] II. Background
[0005] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to
provide various types of communication content such as voice, data,
and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of
supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the
available system resources (e.g., bandwidth and transmit power).
Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division
multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access
(TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems,
3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency
division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.
[0006] Generally, a wireless multiple-access communication system
can simultaneously support communication for multiple wireless
terminals. Each terminal communicates with one or more base
stations via transmissions on the forward and reverse links. The
forward link (or downlink) refers to the communication link from
the base stations to the terminals, and the reverse link (or
uplink) refers to the communication link from the terminals to the
base stations. This communication link may be established via a
single-in-single-out, multiple-in-signal-out or a
multiple-in-multiple-out (MIMO) system.
[0007] A MIMO system employs multiple (N.sub.T) transmit antennas
and multiple (N.sub.R) receive antennas for data transmission. A
MIMO channel formed by the N.sub.T transmit and N.sub.R receive
antennas may be decomposed into N.sub.S independent channels, which
are also referred to as spatial channels, where
N.sub.S.ltoreq.min{N.sub.T, N.sub.R}. Each of the N.sub.S
independent channels corresponds to a dimension. The MIMO system
can provide improved performance (e.g., higher throughput and/or
greater reliability) if the additional dimensionalities created by
the multiple transmit and receive antennas are utilized.
[0008] A MIMO system supports a time division duplex (TDD) and
frequency division duplex (FDD) systems. In a TDD system, the
forward and reverse link transmissions are on the same frequency
region so that the reciprocity principle allows the estimation of
the forward link channel from the reverse link channel. This
enables the access point to extract transmit beamforming gain on
the forward link when multiple antennas are available at the access
point.
[0009] With respect to LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, it is noted
that each user equipment (UE) may be configured via radio resource
control (RRC) to monitor multiple component carriers. For such
configurations, it is desirable to design control for multi-carrier
operation by considering overhead, efficiency, reliability,
robustness, complexity, and so on. In the case of cross-carrier
Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) signaling, the PDCCH is
typically sent from the so-called anchor carrier. Currently,
however, there are concerns over the reliability of Physical
Control Format Indicator Channel (PCFICH) detection on the
non-anchor carriers, and the resulting performance loss when
Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) decoding is based on a
wrong PCFICH. For example, this may occur in heterogeneous networks
where the non-anchor carrier(s) may be highly interfered.
[0010] The above-described deficiencies of current wireless
communication systems are merely intended to provide an overview of
some of the problems of conventional systems, and are not intended
to be exhaustive. Other problems with conventional systems and
corresponding benefits of the various non-limiting embodiments
described herein may become further apparent upon review of the
following description.
SUMMARY
[0011] The following presents a simplified summary of one or more
embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of such
embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all
contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key
or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of
any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some
concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a
prelude to the more detailed description that is presented
later.
[0012] In accordance with one or more embodiments and corresponding
disclosure thereof, various aspects are described in connection
with locating a wireless terminal. In one aspect, methods and
computer program products are disclosed that facilitate indicating
a size of a control region. These embodiments include establishing
a multi-carrier communication facilitated by a first carrier and a
second carrier. A first control region size and a second control
region size are then ascertained. For these embodiments, the first
control region size is associated with the first carrier, whereas
the second control region size is associated with the second
carrier. A control signal is then generated by either scrambling an
aspect of the control signal based on the second control region
size, or relating the second control region size with the first
control region size. The control signal is then transmitted over
the first carrier to support the multi-carrier communication on the
second carrier for at least one user equipment. In another aspect,
an apparatus configured to facilitate indicating a size of a
control region is disclosed. Within such embodiment, the apparatus
includes a processor configured to execute computer executable
components stored in memory. The computer executable components
include a communication component, a control format component, and
a generation component. The communication component is configured
to establish a multi-carrier communication, wherein a control
signal is communicated via the multi-carrier communication. For
this embodiment, the control signal is transmitted over a first
carrier to support the multi-carrier communication on a second
carrier for at least one user equipment. The control format
component is then configured to ascertain a first control region
size and a second control region size, wherein the first control
region size is associated with the first carrier, and wherein the
second control region size is associated with the second carrier.
The generation component is then configured to generate the control
signal by performing at least one of scrambling an aspect of the
control signal based on the second control region size, or relating
the second control region size with the first control region
size.
[0013] In a further aspect, another apparatus is disclosed. Within
such embodiment, the apparatus includes means for transmitting,
means for determining, and means for generating. For this
embodiment, the means for transmitting transmits a control signal
via a multi-carrier communication, wherein the control signal is
transmitted over a first carrier to support the multi-carrier
communication on a second carrier for at least one user equipment.
The means for determining determines a first control region size
and a second control region size, wherein the first control region
size is associated with the first carrier, and wherein the second
control region size is associated with the second carrier. The
means for generating then generates the control signal by
performing at least one of scrambling an aspect of the control
signal based on the second control region size, or relating the
second control region size with the first control region size.
[0014] In another aspect, other methods and computer program
products are disclosed for indicating a size of a control region.
For these embodiments, a multi-carrier communication facilitated by
a first carrier and a second carrier is established with at least
one user equipment. A reverse interleaver is then implemented to
reverse interleave a set of modulation symbols. Within such
embodiments, the reverse interleaver maps a set of modulation
symbols beginning from a last data symbol and ending with a first
available data symbol. The set of modulation symbols are then
transmitted to the at least one user equipment.
[0015] Another apparatus for indicating a size of a control region
is also disclosed. Within such embodiment, the apparatus includes a
processor configured to execute computer executable components
stored in memory. The computer executable components include a
reverse interleaver component and a communication component. The
reverse interleaver component is configured to map a set of
modulation symbols beginning from a last data symbol and ending
with a first available data symbol, whereas the communication
component is configured to transmit the set of modulation symbols
to at least one user equipment via a multi-carrier communication.
Within such embodiment, the multi-carrier communication is
facilitated by a first carrier and a second carrier.
[0016] In a further aspect, another apparatus is disclosed. Within
such embodiment, the apparatus includes means for reverse
interleaving and means for providing. For this embodiment, the
means for reverse interleaving interleaves a set of modulation
symbols, wherein the set of modulation symbols are mapped beginning
from a last data symbol and ending with a first available data
symbol. Meanwhile, the means for providing provides the set of
modulation symbols to at least one user equipment via a
multi-carrier communication. For this embodiment, the multi-carrier
communication is also facilitated by a first carrier and a second
carrier.
[0017] In other aspects, methods and computer program products are
disclosed for facilitating determining a size of a control region.
Such embodiments may include a series of acts and/or instructions.
For instance an act/instruction is included to configure a user
equipment to monitor a first carrier and a second carrier. A
control signal is then received via the first carrier and the
second carrier, wherein the first carrier has a first control
region size, and wherein the second carrier has a second control
region size. These embodiments further include ascertaining the
first control region size and the second control region size by
performing at least one of descrambling an aspect of the control
signal, or relating the second control region size with the first
control region size.
[0018] An apparatus configured to facilitate determining a size of
a control region is also disclosed. Within such embodiment, the
apparatus includes a processor configured to execute computer
executable components stored in memory. The computer executable
components include a configuration component, a communication
component, and a decoding component. The configuration component is
configured to direct a user equipment to monitor a first carrier
and a second carrier. The communication component is configured to
receive a control signal via the first carrier and the second
carrier, wherein the first carrier has a first control region size,
and wherein the second carrier has a second control region size.
The decoding component is then configured to determine the first
control region size and the second control region size by
performing at least one of descrambling an aspect of the control
signal, or relating the second control region size with the first
control region size.
[0019] In a further aspect, another apparatus is disclosed. Within
such embodiment, the apparatus includes means for initializing,
means for receiving, and means for ascertaining. The means for
initializing initializes a user equipment to monitor a first
carrier and a second carrier. The means for receiving receives a
control signal via the first carrier and the second carrier,
wherein the first carrier has a first control region size, and
wherein the second carrier has a second control region size. The
means for ascertaining then ascertains the first control region
size and the second control region size by performing at least one
of descrambling an aspect of the control signal, or relating the
second control region size with the first control region size. In a
particular embodiment, the apparatus further includes a means for
decoding the second control region size from the first carrier.
[0020] In yet another aspect, other methods and computer program
products are disclosed for facilitating determining a size of a
control region. Within such embodiments, a user equipment is
configured to monitor a first carrier and a second carrier, wherein
the first carrier has a first control region size, and wherein the
second carrier has a second control region size. A set of reverse
interleaved modulation symbols are then received. For these
embodiments, the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols are
mapped beginning from a last data symbol and ending with a first
available data symbol. Furthermore, these embodiments include
ascertaining the first control region size and the second control
region size by de-interleaving the set of reverse interleaved
modulation symbols.
[0021] Another apparatus for facilitating determining a size of a
control region is also disclosed. Within such embodiment, the
apparatus includes a processor configured to execute computer
executable components stored in memory. The computer executable
components include a configuration component, a communication
component, and a decoding component. The configuration component is
configured to initialize a user equipment to monitor a first
carrier and a second carrier, wherein the first carrier has a first
control region size, and wherein the second carrier has a second
control region size. The communication component is configured to
receive a set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols. For this
embodiment, the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols are
mapped beginning from a last data symbol and ending with a first
available data symbol. The decoding component is then configured to
decode the first control region size and the second control region
size by de-interleaving the set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols.
[0022] In a further aspect, yet another apparatus is disclosed.
Within such embodiment, the apparatus includes means for
configuring, means for receiving, and means for de-interleaving.
For this embodiment, the means for configuring configures a user
equipment to monitor a first carrier and a second carrier, wherein
the first carrier has a first control region size, and wherein the
second carrier has a second control region size. The means for
receiving then receives a set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols. Here, the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols
are again mapped beginning from a last data symbol and ending with
a first available data symbol. The means for de-interleaving is
then configured to de-interleave the set of reverse interleaved
modulation symbols to ascertain the first control region size and
the second control region size.
[0023] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the
one or more embodiments comprise the features hereinafter fully
described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following
description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain
illustrative aspects of the one or more embodiments. These aspects
are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which
the principles of various embodiments can be employed and the
described embodiments are intended to include all such aspects and
their equivalents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] FIG. 1 is an illustration of a wireless communication system
in accordance with various aspects set forth herein.
[0025] FIG. 2 is an illustration of an exemplary wireless network
environment that can be employed in conjunction with the various
systems and methods described herein.
[0026] FIG. 3 is an illustration of an exemplary system for
facilitating reliable transmission of control region size and
detection of cross-carrier signaling according to an
embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary base
station that facilitates indicating a control region size in
accordance with an aspect of the subject specification.
[0028] FIG. 5 is an illustration of a first exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate indicating a control region
size.
[0029] FIG. 6 is an illustration of a second exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate indicating a control region
size.
[0030] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a third exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate indicating a control region
size.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary methodology
for facilitating indicating a control region size in accordance
with an aspect of the subject specification.
[0032] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless
terminal that facilitates determining a control region size in
accordance with an aspect of the subject specification.
[0033] FIG. 10 is an illustration of a first exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate determining a control region
size.
[0034] FIG. 11 is an illustration of a second exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate determining a control region
size.
[0035] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a third exemplary coupling of
electrical components that effectuate determining a control region
size.
[0036] FIG. 13 is flow chart illustrating an exemplary methodology
for facilitating determining a control region size in accordance
with an aspect of the subject specification.
[0037] FIG. 14 is an illustration of an exemplary communication
system implemented in accordance with various aspects including
multiple cells.
[0038] FIG. 15 is an illustration of an exemplary base station in
accordance with various aspects described herein.
[0039] FIG. 16 is an illustration of an exemplary wireless terminal
implemented in accordance with various aspects described
herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Various embodiments are now described with reference to the
drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like
elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of
explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to
provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments. It may
be evident, however, that such embodiment(s) may be practiced
without these specific details. In other instances, well-known
structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to
facilitate describing one or more embodiments.
[0041] The subject specification is directed towards facilitating
reliable transmission of control region size and detection of
cross-carrier signaling. As stated previously, it is desirable to
design an efficient and reliable control scheme for LTE-A
multi-carrier operation. To this end, it is noted that at least two
particular options are contemplated for encoding the layer 2
control information to a UE. In the first option, a separate PDCCH
for each component carrier is contemplated where either one PDCCH
indicates an allocation on the same component carrier, or one PDCCH
indicates an allocation on the same or a different component
carrier (i.e., cross-carrier PDCCH signaling). In the second
option, a common PDCCH is contemplated, wherein the information for
the component carriers assigned to one UE is jointly encoded, and
wherein either the downlink control information (DCI) format size
is dynamically changed according to the number of component
carriers assigned, or the DCI format size is semi-statically fixed
according to the number of component carriers the UE is
monitoring.
[0042] As stated previously, in the case of cross-carrier PDCCH
signaling, the PDCCH is typically sent from the so-called anchor
carrier, which raises particular concerns over the reliability of
PCFICH detection on the non-anchor carriers, as well as the
resulting performance loss when PDSCH decoding is based on a wrong
PCFICH. This may occur in heterogeneous networks, for example,
where the non-anchor carrier(s) may be highly interfered. The
subject disclosure provides novel techniques for improving the
reliability of PCFICH transmission and detection. Moreover, several
design options are disclosed which enhance PCFICH detection
reliability for PDSCH decoding on the non-anchor carriers in case
of cross-layer signaling for LTE-A multi-carrier operation. Several
techniques for transmitting the PCFICH of the non-anchor carriers
using the anchor carrier are also provided.
[0043] The techniques described herein can be used for various
wireless communication systems such as code division multiple
access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency
division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division
multiple access (OFDMA), single carrier-frequency division multiple
access (SC-FDMA), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), and other
systems. The terms "system" and "network" are often used
interchangeably. A CDMA system can implement a radio technology
such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), CDMA2000, etc.
UTRA includes Wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and other variants of CDMA.
CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95 and IS-856 standards. A TDMA system
can implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM). An OFDMA system can implement a radio
technology such as Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Ultra Mobile Broadband
(UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20,
Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile
Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) is
a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA, which employs OFDMA on the
downlink and SC-FDMA on the uplink.
[0044] Single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA)
utilizes single carrier modulation and frequency domain
equalization. SC-FDMA has similar performance and essentially the
same overall complexity as those of an OFDMA system. A SC-FDMA
signal has lower peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR) because of its
inherent single carrier structure. SC-FDMA can be used, for
instance, in uplink communications where lower PAPR greatly
benefits access terminals in terms of transmit power efficiency.
Accordingly, SC-FDMA can be implemented as an uplink multiple
access scheme in 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Evolved
UTRA.
[0045] High speed packet access (HSPA) can include high speed
downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology and high speed uplink
packet access (HSUPA) or enhanced uplink (EUL) technology and can
also include HSPA+technology. HSDPA, HSUPA and HSPA+ are part of
the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) specifications
Release 5, Release 6, and Release 7, respectively.
[0046] High speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) optimizes data
transmission from the network to the user equipment (UE). As used
herein, transmission from the network to the user equipment UE can
be referred to as the "downlink" (DL). Transmission methods can
allow data rates of several Mbits/s. High speed downlink packet
access (HSDPA) can increase the capacity of mobile radio networks.
High speed uplink packet access (HSUPA) can optimize data
transmission from the terminal to the network. As used herein,
transmissions from the terminal to the network can be referred to
as the "uplink" (UL). Uplink data transmission methods can allow
data rates of several Mbit/s. HSPA+ provides even further
improvements both in the uplink and downlink as specified in
Release 7 of the 3GPP specification. High speed packet access
(HSPA) methods typically allow for faster interactions between the
downlink and the uplink in data services transmitting large volumes
of data, for instance Voice over IP (VoIP), videoconferencing and
mobile office applications
[0047] Fast data transmission protocols such as hybrid automatic
repeat request, (HARQ) can be used on the uplink and downlink. Such
protocols, such as hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ), allow a
recipient to automatically request retransmission of a packet that
might have been received in error.
[0048] Various embodiments are described herein in connection with
an access terminal. An access terminal can also be called a system,
subscriber unit, subscriber station, mobile station, mobile, remote
station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal,
wireless communication device, user agent, user device, or user
equipment (UE). An access terminal can be a cellular telephone, a
cordless telephone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a
wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant
(PDA), a handheld device having wireless connection capability,
computing device, or other processing device connected to a
wireless modem. Moreover, various embodiments are described herein
in connection with a base station. A base station can be utilized
for communicating with access terminal(s) and can also be referred
to as an access point, Node B, Evolved Node B (eNodeB), access
point base station, or some other terminology.
[0049] Referring now to FIG. 1, a wireless communication system 100
is illustrated in accordance with various embodiments presented
herein. System 100 comprises a base station 102 that can include
multiple antenna groups. For example, one antenna group can include
antennas 104 and 106, another group can comprise antennas 108 and
110, and an additional group can include antennas 112 and 114. Two
antennas are illustrated for each antenna group; however, more or
fewer antennas can be utilized for each group. Base station 102 can
additionally include a transmitter chain and a receiver chain, each
of which can in turn comprise a plurality of components associated
with signal transmission and reception (e.g., processors,
modulators, multiplexers, demodulators, demultiplexers, antennas,
etc.), as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.
[0050] Base station 102 can communicate with one or more access
terminals such as access terminal 116 and access terminal 122;
however, it is to be appreciated that base station 102 can
communicate with substantially any number of access terminals
similar to access terminals 116 and 122. Access terminals 116 and
122 can be, for example, cellular phones, smart phones, laptops,
handheld communication devices, handheld computing devices,
satellite radios, global positioning systems, PDAs, and/or any
other suitable device for communicating over wireless communication
system 100. As depicted, access terminal 116 is in communication
with antennas 112 and 114, where antennas 112 and 114 transmit
information to access terminal 116 over a forward link 118 and
receive information from access terminal 116 over a reverse link
120. Moreover, access terminal 122 is in communication with
antennas 104 and 106, where antennas 104 and 106 transmit
information to access terminal 122 over a forward link 124 and
receive information from access terminal 122 over a reverse link
126. In a frequency division duplex (FDD) system, forward link 118
can utilize a different frequency band than that used by reverse
link 120, and forward link 124 can employ a different frequency
band than that employed by reverse link 126, for example. Further,
in a time division duplex (TDD) system, forward link 118 and
reverse link 120 can utilize a common frequency band and forward
link 124 and reverse link 126 can utilize a common frequency
band.
[0051] Each group of antennas and/or the area in which they are
designated to communicate can be referred to as a sector of base
station 102. For example, antenna groups can be designed to
communicate to access terminals in a sector of the areas covered by
base station 102. In communication over forward links 118 and 124,
the transmitting antennas of base station 102 can utilize
beamforming to improve signal-to-noise ratio of forward links 118
and 124 for access terminals 116 and 122. Also, while base station
102 utilizes beamforming to transmit to access terminals 116 and
122 scattered randomly through an associated coverage, access
terminals in neighboring cells can be subject to less interference
as compared to a base station transmitting through a single antenna
to all its access terminals.
[0052] FIG. 2 shows an example wireless communication system 200.
The wireless communication system 200 depicts one base station 210
and one access terminal 250 for sake of brevity. However, it is to
be appreciated that system 200 can include more than one base
station and/or more than one access terminal, wherein additional
base stations and/or access terminals can be substantially similar
or different from example base station 210 and access terminal 250
described below. In addition, it is to be appreciated that base
station 210 and/or access terminal 250 can employ the systems
and/or methods described herein to facilitate wireless
communication there between.
[0053] At base station 210, traffic data for a number of data
streams is provided from a data source 212 to a transmit (TX) data
processor 214. According to an example, each data stream can be
transmitted over a respective antenna. TX data processor 214
formats, codes, and interleaves the traffic data stream based on a
particular coding scheme selected for that data stream to provide
coded data.
[0054] The coded data for each data stream can be multiplexed with
pilot data using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM)
techniques. Additionally or alternatively, the pilot symbols can be
frequency division multiplexed (FDM), time division multiplexed
(TDM), or code division multiplexed (CDM). The pilot data is
typically a known data pattern that is processed in a known manner
and can be used at access terminal 250 to estimate channel
response. The multiplexed pilot and coded data for each data stream
can be modulated (e.g., symbol mapped) based on a particular
modulation scheme (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK),
quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK),
M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM), etc.) selected for that
data stream to provide modulation symbols. The data rate, coding,
and modulation for each data stream can be determined by
instructions performed or provided by processor 230.
[0055] The modulation symbols for the data streams can be provided
to a TX MIMO processor 220, which can further process the
modulation symbols (e.g., for OFDM). TX MIMO processor 220 then
provides N.sub.T modulation symbol streams to N.sub.T transmitters
(TMTR) 222a through 222t. In various embodiments, TX MIMO processor
220 applies beamforming weights to the symbols of the data streams
and to the antenna from which the symbol is being transmitted.
[0056] Each transmitter 222 receives and processes a respective
symbol stream to provide one or more analog signals, and further
conditions (e.g., amplifies, filters, and upconverts) the analog
signals to provide a modulated signal suitable for transmission
over the MIMO channel. Further, N.sub.T modulated signals from
transmitters 222a through 222t are transmitted from N.sub.T
antennas 224a through 224t, respectively.
[0057] At access terminal 250, the transmitted modulated signals
are received by N.sub.R antennas 252a through 252r and the received
signal from each antenna 252 is provided to a respective receiver
(RCVR) 254a through 254r. Each receiver 254 conditions (e.g.,
filters, amplifies, and downconverts) a respective signal,
digitizes the conditioned signal to provide samples, and further
processes the samples to provide a corresponding "received" symbol
stream.
[0058] An RX data processor 260 can receive and process the N.sub.R
received symbol streams from N.sub.R receivers 254 based on a
particular receiver processing technique to provide N.sub.T
"detected" symbol streams. RX data processor 260 can demodulate,
deinterleave, and decode each detected symbol stream to recover the
traffic data for the data stream. The processing by RX data
processor 260 is complementary to that performed by TX MIMO
processor 220 and TX data processor 214 at base station 210.
[0059] A processor 270 can periodically determine which available
technology to utilize as discussed above. Further, processor 270
can formulate a reverse link message comprising a matrix index
portion and a rank value portion.
[0060] The reverse link message can comprise various types of
information regarding the communication link and/or the received
data stream. The reverse link message can be processed by a TX data
processor 238, which also receives traffic data for a number of
data streams from a data source 236, modulated by a modulator 280,
conditioned by transmitters 254a through 254r, and transmitted back
to base station 210.
[0061] At base station 210, the modulated signals from access
terminal 250 are received by antennas 224, conditioned by receivers
222, demodulated by a demodulator 240, and processed by a RX data
processor 242 to extract the reverse link message transmitted by
access terminal 250. Further, processor 230 can process the
extracted message to determine which precoding matrix to use for
determining the beamforming weights.
[0062] Processors 230 and 270 can direct (e.g., control,
coordinate, manage, etc.) operation at base station 210 and access
terminal 250, respectively. Respective processors 230 and 270 can
be associated with memory 232 and 272 that store program codes and
data. Processors 230 and 270 can also perform computations to
derive frequency and impulse response estimates for the uplink and
downlink, respectively.
[0063] Referring next to FIG. 3, an exemplary system for
facilitating reliable transmission of control region size and
detection of cross-carrier signaling according to an embodiment is
provided. As illustrated, system 300 includes base station 310
which is communicatively coupled to wireless terminal 320. Within
such embodiment, a multi-carrier communication is facilitated by at
least a first and second carrier having respective control region
sizes, as shown. Here, the first carrier may be an anchor carrier,
whereas the second carrier may be a non-anchor carrier. In order to
address the aforementioned concerns over the reliability of PCFICH
detection on the non-anchor carriers, as well as the resulting
performance loss when PDSCH decoding is based on a wrong PCFICH, a
few preliminary solutions are contemplated.
[0064] In a first preliminary solution, the PCFICH information is
embedded as the PDCCH payload in the PDCCH. Here, although such
solution is relatively simple and robust, it may nevertheless be
undesirable if a reuse of the LTE Release-8 DCI formats is desired
as much as possible for LTE-A multi-carrier operations, since the
payload size of the PDCCH is generally increased.
[0065] A second preliminary solution would be to hard-code the
PCFICH information from a PDSCH perspective on the non-anchor
carriers. That is, for cross-carrier signaling, the indicated PDSCH
transmission via PDCCH on non-anchor carriers can be assumed to be
a fixed PCFICH value on the corresponding carriers (e.g., three
symbols). Here, although such solution is relatively simple, it
also includes an overhead cost. In heterogeneous networks, for
example, if the non-anchor carriers are heavily interfered, the
usable PDSCH symbols are limited by the maximum number of PCFICH
symbols from all the strongest interfering cells. In that case, the
three hard-coded symbols may not be very pessimistic. Nevertheless,
it is noted that two modes of operations can be implemented,
wherein one mode implements a "regular" PCFICH transmission and
detection from the non-anchor carrier for PDSCH (e.g., consistent
with Release-8), and wherein the other mode implements the
hardcoded PCFICH value from the PDSCH decoding perspective as
described above. For such embodiment, the configuration of which
mode is to be used can then be on a per UE basis or on a per cell
basis. In a further aspect, the fixed PCFICH value for PDSCH
decoding can be broadcasted and/or signaled, instead of hard-coded
at one value all the time.
[0066] A third preliminary solution would be to have the PCFICH
information of the non-anchor carriers transmitted from the anchor
carrier. Moreover, within such embodiment, the PCFICH for
non-anchor PDSCH decoding is transmitted from the anchor carrier,
and can be in accordance with a Release-8 PCFICH structure.
Although such approach may be relatively inefficient due to its
broadcast nature, it is noted that the eNodeB may strategically
turn the PCFICH on/off for some carriers based on the actual
scheduled transmissions.
[0067] In an aspect, several further solutions are contemplated,
which attempt to address the limitations of the aforementioned
preliminary solutions. For instance, in a first embodiment, the
PDCCH cyclic redundancy check (CRC) is scrambled based on the
PCFICH of the carrier for which the PDCCH signaling is intended.
Within such embodiment, a "generalized" PCFICH value can be
implemented on the second carrier, wherein the cross-carrier
signaled PCIFCH value may not necessarily be the same as the
same-carrier signaled PCIFCH value. In other words, on the second
carrier, the same-carrier signaled PCIFCH value may be broadcast as
usual. However, for UEs with cross-carrier signaling where PDCCH is
sent on the first carrier and PDSCH is sent on the second carrier,
the cross-carrier signaled PCFICH value (e.g., the PCFICH value
sent via scrambling, etc.) may not necessarily be the same as the
PCIFCH value that is broadcast on the second carrier.
[0068] Generally, it may be desirable to have the number of
cross-carrier signaled PCFICH values no less than the number of
broadcasted same-carrier PCFICH values. For some embodiments,
however, the number of cross-carrier signaled PCFICH values may be
less than the number of same-carrier PCFICH values for the purpose
of overhead and performance tradeoff. For example, the number of
cross-carrier PCFICH values may be less than the three fixed PCFICH
values for same-carrier signaling. Here, it is thus noted that
PCFICH may take up to three different values, and that these three
values of PCFICH for scrambling PDCCH CRC are similar to having
three different RNTIs (Radio Network Temporary Identities), which
may increase the false alarm probability.
[0069] In order to address these false alarm probability concerns,
the PDCCH CRC scrambling technique can be combined with the
aforementioned third preliminary solution in which PCFICH
information of the non-anchor carriers is transmitted from the
anchor carrier. Namely, by combining PCFICH-based PDCCH CRC
scrambling and having PCFICH for non-anchor carriers transmitted
from the anchor carrier, the PCFICH transmission and detection
reliability can be greatly improved, without increasing the false
alarm probability. Furthermore, it is noted that the broadcast
nature of having the PCFICH information of the non-anchor carriers
transmitted from the anchor carrier may help other UEs detect the
PCFICH transmitted on the non-anchor carrier via cross-checking of
the same PCFICH transmitted on the anchor carrier.
[0070] In another aspect, the PCFICH-based PDCCH CRC scrambling
technique is combined with continuing to transmit PCFICH on the
non-anchor carrier. As a result, the UE may rely on the PCFICH
transmitted on the non-anchor carrier (the one the PDSCH is
transmitted on) and the PCFICH used for CRC scrambling of the
corresponding PDCCH transmitted from the anchor carrier for the
purpose of PCFICH detection. By implementing such a combined
technique, PCFICH reliability can be significantly enhanced.
[0071] In yet another embodiment, the same PCFICH value can be
utilized across carriers on a per UE basis. For instance, within
such embodiment, each UE being assigned PDSCH(s) via cross-layer
signaling can just assume that the non-anchor carrier(s) have the
same PCFICH value as the one on the anchor carrier.
[0072] An interleaver-based embodiment is also contemplated, which
implements a new channel interleaver design for mapping modulation
symbols onto resource elements. For this embodiment, the modulation
symbols can be mapped from the last orthogonal frequency-division
multiplexing (OFDM) symbol in the sub-frame following the same
"frequency first, time second" interleaving structure as in
Release-8. In this case, for decoding with unreliable PCFICH, the
receiver could "erase" the modulation symbols "falling" in the
first three OFDM symbols (since these symbols could be control
symbols). Namely, the process at the receiver may include erasing
an initial sequence of a set of reverse interleaved modulation
symbols, wherein the initial sequence begins with the last data
symbol.
[0073] As mentioned previously, a potential solution for reliable
PCFICH transmission is to communicate the PCFICH of the non-anchor
carriers via the anchor carrier. For this particular approach, it
would be desirable to maintain backward compatibility in terms of
PCFICH/PHICH (Physical Hybrid ARQ (HARQ) Indicator Channel)/PDCCH
design on the anchor carrier. A few exemplary options on how to
transmit the PCFICH are contemplated herein. In a first exemplary
option, the actual resource used for the non-anchor PCFICH can be
from the unused resource element groups (REGs) residing after the
anchor PCFICH/PHICH/PDCCH, and/or the last control channel
element(s) (CCE(s)) for PDCCH since the last CCEs for PDCCH are
typically the least used for actual PDCCH transmissions.
[0074] In a second exemplary option, the cross-carrier PCFICH is
conveyed on specific PHICH-configured resources. For instance, some
PHICH resources can be designated for PCFICH, wherein exactly which
PHICH resources can be specified in the system information.
Although such technique may pose a slight scheduling restriction,
it also provides for better granularity (i.e., smaller than CCE)
and configurability compared to fixing it to the last CCE in
PDCCH.
[0075] In a third exemplary option, the PCFICH is sent in a
dedicated manner as part of the PDSCH resources. For this
particular embodiment, the grant can be provided on one (anchor)
carrier and would assign certain bandwidth resources on possibly
another carrier, wherein the PCFICH would be embedded in the
assigned PDSCH according to a particular pattern (e.g., making sure
it is placed after the third OFDM symbol). Moreover, this process
includes conveying a control region size of a non-anchor carrier in
a data region of an anchor carrier, wherein the conveying occurs
according to a pre-determined pattern and during a cross-carrier
communication. The process may also include puncturing and/or rate
matching PDSCH data transmissions. Here, assuming that some form of
inter-cell interference coordination (ICIC) is present on the data
channel, reliability should not be an issue.
[0076] Referring next to FIG. 4, a block diagram of an exemplary
base station that facilitates indicating a size of a control region
according to an embodiment is provided. As shown, base station 400
may include processor component 410, memory component 420,
communication component 430, control format component 440,
generation component 450, allocation component 460, and reverse
interleaver component 470.
[0077] In one aspect, processor component 410 is configured to
execute computer-readable instructions related to performing any of
a plurality of functions. Processor component 410 can be a single
processor or a plurality of processors dedicated to analyzing
information to be communicated from base station 400 and/or
generating information that can be utilized by memory component
420, communication component 430, control format component 440,
generation component 450, allocation component 460, and/or reverse
interleaver component 470. Additionally or alternatively, processor
component 410 may be configured to control one or more components
of base station 400.
[0078] In another aspect, memory component 420 is coupled to
processor component 410 and configured to store computer-readable
instructions executed by processor component 410. Memory component
420 may also be configured to store any of a plurality of other
types of data including generated by any of communication component
430, control format component 440, generation component 450,
allocation component 460, and/or reverse interleaver component 470.
Memory component 420 can be configured in a number of different
configurations, including as random access memory, battery-backed
memory, hard disk, magnetic tape, etc. Various features can also be
implemented upon memory component 420, such as compression and
automatic back up (e.g., use of a Redundant Array of Independent
Drives configuration).
[0079] In yet another aspect, base station 400 includes
communication component 430, which is coupled to processor
component 410 and configured to interface base station 400 with
external entities. For instance, communication component 430 may be
configured to communicate a control signal via a multi-carrier
communication. For this particular embodiment, the control signal
is transmitted over a first carrier to support the multi-carrier
communication on a second carrier for at least one user
equipment.
[0080] As illustrated, base station 400 may also include control
format component 440. Within such embodiment, control format
component 440 is configured to ascertain control region sizes. For
instance, in a particular embodiment, control format component 440
is configured to ascertain a first control region size associated
with the first carrier, and a second control region size associated
with the second carrier.
[0081] In another aspect, base station 400 may further include
generation component 450, which is configured to generate the
aforementioned control signal. Here, it should be noted that
generation component 450 may be configured to generate control
signals in any of a plurality of ways. For instance, in a first
exemplary embodiment, generation component 450 generates a control
signal by relating the second control region size with the first
control region size. Within such embodiment, generation component
450 is configured to perform the relating by configuring the at
least one user equipment to assume that the first control region
size is equal to the second control region size during a
cross-carrier communication. For this particular embodiment,
communication component 430 may be configured to transmit a
Physical Downlink Control Channel transmission over the first
carrier, and to transmit a Physical Downlink Shared Channel
transmission over the second carrier.
[0082] In a second exemplary embodiment, however, generation
component 450 is configured to generate the control signal by
scrambling an aspect of the control signal (e.g., a cyclic
redundancy check) based on the second control region size. Within
such embodiment, generation component 450 may be configured to
encode the second control region size onto the first carrier. For
instance, generation component may be configured to convey the
second control region size in a data region of the first carrier
according to a pre-determined pattern and during a cross-carrier
communication. For this particular embodiment, communication
component 430 may also be configured to transmit a Physical
Downlink Control Channel transmission over the first carrier, and
to transmit a Physical Downlink Shared Channel transmission over
the second carrier. In an aspect, generation component 450 is
configured to puncture the Physical Downlink Shared Channel
transmission using the data region of the first carrier whereas, in
another aspect, generation component 450 is configured to rate
match the Physical Downlink Shared Channel transmission using the
data region of the first carrier.
[0083] In a further aspect, generation component 450 may be further
configured to provide a generalized Physical Control Format
Indicator Channel value on the second carrier. For such
embodiments, it is noted that the cross-carrier signaled Physical
Control Format Indicator Channel value (e.g., the value sent via
scrambling, etc.) may not necessarily be the same as the Physical
Control Format Indicator Channel value that is broadcast on the
second carrier. Moreover, for such embodiments, the cross-carrier
number of Physical Control Format Indicator Channel values may be
different than the same-carrier number of Physical Control Format
Indicator Channel values.
[0084] It should be further noted that generation component 450 may
utilize allocation component 460 to facilitate encoding the second
control region size onto the first carrier. For instance,
allocation component 460 may be configured to allocate any of a
plurality of resources for encoding the second control region size
onto the first carrier. In an aspect, the allocated resource is at
least one of a last set of control channel elements in a sequence
of control channel elements, wherein the last set of control
channel elements is associated with a Physical Downlink Control
Channel. In another aspect, the allocated resource is associated
with a Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel.
In yet another aspect, the allocated resource is an unused resource
element group in a sequence of resource element groups, wherein the
unused resource element group resides after a used resource element
group. For this particular embodiment, allocation component 460 is
configured to allocate the used resource element group to the first
carrier, wherein the used resource element group is associated with
at least one of a Physical Control Format Indicator Channel, a
Physical Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel, or a
Physical Downlink Control Channel.
[0085] For some embodiments, rather than indicating a size of a
control region via a control signal, base station 400 utilizes
reverse interleaver component 470. For such embodiments, reverse
interleaver component 470 may be configured to map a set of
modulation symbols beginning from a last data symbol and ending
with a first available data symbol, whereas communication component
430 may be configured to transmit the set of modulation symbols to
a user equipment via a multi-carrier communication facilitated by a
first and second carrier. In an aspect, reverse interleaver
component 470 is configured to map the set of modulation symbols
according to a frequency first, time second, interleaving scheme.
In another aspect, the set of modulation symbols is associated with
a Physical Downlink Shared Channel.
[0086] Turning to FIG. 5, illustrated is a system 500 that
facilitates indicating a size of a control region according to an
embodiment. System 500 and/or instructions for implementing system
500 can reside within a network entity (e.g., base station 400) or
a computer-readable storage medium, for instance. As depicted,
system 500 includes functional blocks that can represent functions
implemented by a processor, software, or combination thereof (e.g.,
firmware). System 500 includes a logical grouping 502 of electrical
components that can act in conjunction. As illustrated, logical
grouping 502 can include an electrical component for establishing a
multi-carrier communication facilitated by a first carrier and a
second carrier 510, as well as an electrical component for
ascertaining a first control region size associated with the first
carrier and a second control region size associated with the second
carrier 512. Logical grouping 502 can also include an electrical
component for generating a control signal by scrambling an aspect
of the control signal based on the second control region size 514.
Further, logical grouping 502 can include an electrical component
for transmitting the control signal over the first carrier to
support the multi-carrier communication on the second carrier for
at least one user equipment 516. Additionally, system 500 can
include a memory 520 that retains instructions for executing
functions associated with electrical components 510, 512, 514, and
516, wherein any of electrical components 510, 512, 514, and 516
can exist either within or outside memory 520.
[0087] Referring next to FIG. 6, illustrated is another system 600
that facilitates indicating a size of a control region according to
an embodiment. System 600 and/or instructions for implementing
system 600 can also reside within a network entity (e.g., base
station 400) or a computer-readable storage medium, for instance,
wherein system 600 includes functional blocks that can represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware). Moreover, system 600 includes a logical
grouping 602 of electrical components that can act in conjunction
similar to logical grouping 502 in system 500. As illustrated,
logical grouping 602 can include an electrical component for
establishing a multi-carrier communication facilitated by a first
carrier and a second carrier 610, as well as an electrical
component for ascertaining a first control region size associated
with the first carrier and a second control region size associated
with the second carrier 612. Logical grouping 602 can also include
an electrical component for generating a control signal by relating
the second control region size with the first control region size
614. Further, logical grouping 602 can include an electrical
component for transmitting the control signal over the first
carrier to support the multi-carrier communication on the second
carrier for at least one user equipment 616. Additionally, system
600 can include a memory 620 that retains instructions for
executing functions associated with electrical components 610, 612,
614, and 616. While shown as being external to memory 620, it is to
be understood that electrical components 610, 612, 614, and 616 can
exist within memory 620.
[0088] Referring next to FIG. 7, yet another exemplary system 700
that facilitates indicating a size of a control region is
illustrated. System 700 and/or instructions for implementing system
700 can physically reside within a network entity (e.g., base
station 400) or computer-readable storage medium, for instance,
wherein system 700 includes functional blocks that can represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware). Moreover, system 700 includes a logical
grouping 702 of electrical components that can act in conjunction
similar to logical groupings 502 and 602 in systems 500 and 600,
respectively. As illustrated, logical grouping 702 can include an
electrical component for establishing a multi-carrier communication
with a user equipment via a first carrier and a second carrier 710.
Furthermore, logical grouping 702 can include an electrical
component for implementing a reverse interleaver configured to map
a set of modulation symbols from a last data symbol to a first
available data symbol 712. Logical grouping 702 can also include an
electrical component for transmitting the set of modulation symbols
to the at least one user equipment 714. Additionally, system 700
can include a memory 720 that retains instructions for executing
functions associated with electrical components 710, 712, and 714.
While shown as being external to memory 720, it is to be understood
that electrical components 710, 712, and 714 can exist within
memory 720.
[0089] Referring next to FIG. 8, a flow chart illustrating an
exemplary method for facilitating indicating a size of a control
region is provided. As illustrated, process 800 includes a series
of acts that may be performed by various components of a network
entity (e.g., base station 400) according to an aspect of the
subject specification. Process 800 may be implemented by employing
at least one processor to execute computer executable instructions
stored on a computer readable storage medium to implement the
series of acts. In another embodiment, a computer-readable storage
medium comprising code for causing at least one computer to
implement the acts of process 800 are contemplated.
[0090] In an aspect, process 800 begins with control region sizes
being ascertained at act 810. Since multi-carrier operations are
contemplated, act 810 may include ascertaining a first control
region size associated with a first carrier, as well as
ascertaining a second control region size associated with a second
carrier.
[0091] Next, at act 820, a particular indication algorithm for
communicating the control region sizes to a wireless terminal is
initiated. Here, it should be noted that any of a plurality of
algorithms can be implemented including, for example,
interleaver-based algorithms, as well as algorithms in which
control region sizes are encoded within a control signal. At act
830, for instance, process 800 may include a determination of
whether an interleaver-based algorithm is implemented.
[0092] If an interleaver-based algorithm is implemented, process
800 proceeds to act 840 where a set of modulation symbols are
encoded. Once the modulation symbols are encoded, the modulation
symbols are then reverse interleaved at act 850. Next, at act 860,
a multi-carrier communication is established with a wireless
terminal, wherein the control region sizes are subsequently
communicated at act 870 in accordance with the interleaver-based
algorithm.
[0093] However, if an interleaver-based algorithm is not
implemented, process 800 may proceed to act 835 where resources are
allocated to facilitate encoding the control region sizes within a
control signal. Once the resources are allocated, the control
signal is then generated at act 845. Here, it should be noted that
the control region sizes may be encoded onto the control signal in
any of a plurality of ways. For instance, the control signal may be
generated by scrambling an aspect of the control signal based on
the second control region size, and/or relating the second control
region size with the first control region size. Once the control
signal is generated, process 800 proceeds to act 860 where a
multi-carrier communication is established with a wireless
terminal. The control region sizes are then communicated by
transmitting the control signal to the wireless terminal at act
870.
[0094] Referring next to FIG. 9, a block diagram illustrates an
exemplary wireless terminal that facilitates determining a size of
a control region in accordance with various aspects. As
illustrated, wireless terminal 900 may include processor component
910, memory component 920, configuration component 930,
communication component 940, and decoding component 950.
[0095] Similar to processor component 410 in base station 400,
processor component 910 is configured to execute computer-readable
instructions related to performing any of a plurality of functions.
Processor component 910 can be a single processor or a plurality of
processors dedicated to analyzing information to be communicated
from wireless terminal 900 and/or generating information that can
be utilized by memory component 920, configuration component 930,
communication component 940, and/or decoding component 950.
Additionally or alternatively, processor component 910 may be
configured to control one or more components of wireless terminal
900.
[0096] In another aspect, memory component 920 is coupled to
processor component 910 and configured to store computer-readable
instructions executed by processor component 910. Memory component
920 may also be configured to store any of a plurality of other
types of data including data generated by any of configuration
component 930, communication component 940, and/or decoding
component 950. Here, it should be noted that memory component 920
is analogous to memory component 420 in base station 400.
Accordingly, it should be appreciated that any of the
aforementioned features/configurations of memory component 420 are
also applicable to memory component 920.
[0097] As illustrated, wireless terminal 900 may also include
configuration component 930, communication component 940, and/or
decoding component 950. In an aspect, configuration component 930
configures wireless terminal 900 to monitor a first and second
carrier. Communication component 940 is then configured to
interface wireless terminal 900 with external entities, whereas
decoding component 950 is configured to determine a first control
region size associated with the first carrier and a second control
region size associated with the second carrier.
[0098] In a first exemplary embodiment, wireless terminal 900 is
configured to determine control region sizes via a received control
signal. Within such embodiment, communication component 940 is
configured to receive a control signal via the first and second
carriers, whereas decoding component 950 is configured to determine
the first control region size and the second control region size by
either descrambling an aspect of the control signal, or relating
the second control region size with the first control region size.
For instance, when descrambling the control signal, decoding
component 950 may be configured to descramble a cyclic redundancy
check of the control signal. The descrambling may also be
facilitated by having decoding component 950 configured to decode
the second control region size from the first carrier.
[0099] When relating the second control region size with the first
control region size, decoding component 950 may be configured to
assume that the first control region size is equal to the second
control region size during a cross-carrier communication. Within
such embodiment communication component 940 may be configured to
receive a Physical Downlink Control Channel via the first carrier,
whereas a Physical Downlink Shared Channel is received via the
second carrier.
[0100] In a second exemplary embodiment, wireless terminal 900 is
configured to determine control region sizes by decoding a set of
reverse interleaved modulation symbols. Within such embodiment,
communication component 940 is configured to receive a set of
reverse interleaved modulation symbols which are mapped beginning
from a last data symbol and ending with a first available data
symbol, whereas decoding component 950 is configured to decode the
first control region size and the second control region size by
de-interleaving the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols.
In an aspect, the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols is
mapped according to a frequency first, time second, interleaving
scheme whereas, in another aspect, the set of modulation symbols is
associated with a Physical Downlink Shared Channel. In yet another
aspect, decoding component 950 is configured to erase an initial
sequence of the set of reverse interleaved modulation symbols,
wherein the initial sequence begins with the last data symbol.
[0101] Turning to FIG. 10, illustrated is a system 1000 that
facilitates determining a size of a control region according to an
embodiment. System 1000 and/or instructions for implementing system
1000 can reside within a user equipment (e.g., wireless terminal
900) or a computer-readable storage medium, for instance. As
depicted, system 1000 includes functional blocks that can represent
functions implemented by a processor, software, or combination
thereof (e.g., firmware). System 1000 includes a logical grouping
1002 of electrical components that can act in conjunction. As
illustrated, logical grouping 1002 can include an electrical
component for configuring a user equipment to monitor a first
carrier having a first control region size and a second carrier
having a second control region size 1010. Furthermore, logical
grouping 1002 can include an electrical component for receiving a
control signal via the first carrier and the second carrier 1012.
Logical grouping 1002 can also include an electrical component for
ascertaining the first control region size and the second control
region size by descrambling an aspect of the control signal 1014.
Additionally, system 1000 can include a memory 1020 that retains
instructions for executing functions associated with electrical
components 1010, 1012, and 1014. While shown as being external to
memory 1020, it is to be understood that electrical components
1010, 1012, and 1014 can exist within memory 1020.
[0102] Referring next to FIG. 11, illustrated is another system
1100 that facilitates determining a size of a control region
according to an embodiment. System 1100 and/or instructions for
implementing system 1100 can also reside within a user equipment
(e.g., wireless terminal 900) or a computer-readable storage
medium, for instance, wherein system 1100 includes functional
blocks that can represent functions implemented by a processor,
software, or combination thereof (e.g., firmware). Moreover, system
1100 includes a logical grouping 1102 of electrical components that
can act in conjunction similar to logical grouping 1002 in system
1000. As illustrated, logical grouping 1102 can include an
electrical component for configuring a user equipment to monitor a
first carrier having a first control region size and a second
carrier having a second control region size 1110. Furthermore,
logical grouping 1102 can include an electrical component for
receiving a control signal via the first carrier and the second
carrier 1112. Logical grouping 1102 can also include an electrical
component for ascertaining the first and second control region
sizes by relating the second control region size with the first
control region size 1114. Additionally, system 1100 can include a
memory 1120 that retains instructions for executing functions
associated with electrical components 1110, 1112, and 1114. While
shown as being external to memory 1120, it is to be understood that
electrical components 1110, 1112, and 1114 can exist within memory
1120.
[0103] Referring next to FIG. 12, yet another exemplary system 1200
that facilitates determining a size of a control region is
illustrated. System 1200 and/or instructions for implementing
system 1200 can physically reside within a user equipment (e.g.,
wireless terminal 900) or computer-readable storage medium, for
instance, wherein system 1200 includes functional blocks that can
represent functions implemented by a processor, software, or
combination thereof (e.g., firmware). Moreover, system 1200
includes a logical grouping 1202 of electrical components that can
act in conjunction similar to logical groupings 1002 and 1102 in
systems 1000 and 1100, respectively. As illustrated, logical
grouping 1202 can include an electrical component for configuring a
user equipment to monitor a first carrier having a first control
region size and a second carrier having a second control region
size 1210. Furthermore, logical grouping 1202 can include an
electrical component for receiving a set of modulation symbols in a
reverse order in which they are mapped from a last data symbol to a
first available data symbol 1212. Logical grouping 1202 can also
include an electrical component for ascertaining the first control
region size and the second control region size by de-interleaving
the set of modulation symbols 1214. Additionally, system 1200 can
include a memory 1220 that retains instructions for executing
functions associated with electrical components 1210, 1212, and
1214. While shown as being external to memory 1220, it is to be
understood that electrical components 1210, 1212, and 1214 can
exist within memory 1220.
[0104] Referring next to FIG. 13, a flow chart illustrating an
exemplary method for facilitating determining a size of a control
region is provided. As illustrated, process 1300 includes a series
of acts that may be performed by various components of a user
equipment (e.g., wireless terminal 900) according to an aspect of
the subject specification. Process 1300 may be implemented by
employing at least one processor to execute computer executable
instructions stored on a computer readable storage medium to
implement the series of acts. In another embodiment, a
computer-readable storage medium comprising code for causing at
least one computer to implement the acts of process 1300 are
contemplated.
[0105] In an aspect, process 1300 begins with a wireless terminal
being configured at act 1310. Here, it should be noted that the
wireless terminal may be pre-configured and/or dynamically
configured according to instructions received from a network
entity. Also, since multi-carrier operations are contemplated, a
multi-carrier communication is subsequently received from a network
entity at act 1320.
[0106] As stated previously, a network entity may implement any of
a plurality of algorithms for indicating control region sizes. In
an aspect, the configuration of the wireless terminal at act 1310
is in accordance with the particular algorithm implemented by the
network entity, which may include interleaver-based algorithms, as
well as algorithms in which control region sizes are encoded within
a control signal. Accordingly, at act 1330, process 1300 may
include a determination of whether an interleaver-based algorithm
was implemented.
[0107] If an interleaver-based algorithm was indeed implemented,
process 1300 proceeds to act 1340 where a set of reverse
interleaved modulation symbols received from the network entity are
de-interleaved. Once the modulation symbols are de-interleaved, the
modulation symbols are then decoded at act 1350. Next, at act 1360,
process 1300 concludes with the control region sizes being
ascertained in accordance with the interleaver-based algorithm.
[0108] In an aspect, if an interleaver-based algorithm was not
implemented, the control region sizes may be decoded from the
control signal. Within such embodiment, process 1300 may proceed to
act 1335 where a first control region, associated with a first
carrier, is decoded. Once the first control region is decoded,
aspects of the first control region are subsequently processed at
act 1345, wherein the control region sizes are subsequently
ascertained at act 1360 by either descrambling an aspect of the
control signal, and/or relating the first control region size with
a second control region size associated with a second carrier.
[0109] Referring next to FIG. 14, an exemplary communication system
1400 implemented in accordance with various aspects is provided
including multiple cells: cell I 1402, cell M 1404. Here, it should
be noted that neighboring cells 1402, 1404 overlap slightly, as
indicated by cell boundary region 1468, thereby creating potential
for signal interference between signals transmitted by base
stations in neighboring cells. Each cell 1402, 1404 of system 1400
includes three sectors. Cells which have not been subdivided into
multiple sectors (N=1), cells with two sectors (N=2) and cells with
more than 3 sectors (N>3) are also possible in accordance with
various aspects. Cell 1402 includes a first sector, sector I 1410,
a second sector, sector II 1412, and a third sector, sector III
1414. Each sector 1410, 1412, and 1414 has two sector boundary
regions; each boundary region is shared between two adjacent
sectors.
[0110] Sector boundary regions provide potential for signal
interference between signals transmitted by base stations in
neighboring sectors. Line 1416 represents a sector boundary region
between sector I 1410 and sector II 1412; line 1418 represents a
sector boundary region between sector II 1412 and sector III 1414;
line 1420 represents a sector boundary region between sector III
1414 and sector I 1410. Similarly, cell M 1404 includes a first
sector, sector I 1422, a second sector, sector II 1424, and a third
sector, sector III 1426. Line 1428 represents a sector boundary
region between sector I 1422 and sector II 1424; line 1430
represents a sector boundary region between sector II 1424 and
sector III 1426; line 1432 represents a boundary region between
sector III 1426 and sector I 1422. Cell I 1402 includes a base
station (BS), base station I 1406, and a plurality of end nodes
(ENs) in each sector 1410, 1412, 1414. Sector I 1410 includes EN(1)
1436 and EN(X) 1438 coupled to BS 1406 via wireless links 1440,
1442, respectively; sector II 1412 includes EN(1') 1444 and EN(X')
1446 coupled to BS 1406 via wireless links 1448, 1450,
respectively; sector III 1414 includes EN(1'') 1452 and EN(X'')
1454 coupled to BS 1406 via wireless links 1456, 1458,
respectively. Similarly, cell M 1404 includes base station M 1408,
and a plurality of end nodes (ENs) in each sector 1422, 1424, and
1426. Sector I 1422 includes EN(1) 1436' and EN(X) 1438' coupled to
BS M 1408 via wireless links 1440', 1442', respectively; sector II
1424 includes EN(1') 1444' and EN(X') 1446' coupled to BS M 1408
via wireless links 1448', 1450', respectively; sector 3 1426
includes EN(1'') 1452' and EN(X'') 1454' coupled to BS 1408 via
wireless links 1456', 1458', respectively.
[0111] System 1400 also includes a network node 1460 which is
coupled to BS I 1406 and BS M 1408 via network links 1462, 1464,
respectively. Network node 1460 is also coupled to other network
nodes, e.g., other base stations, AAA server nodes, intermediate
nodes, routers, etc. and the Internet via network link 1466.
Network links 1462, 1464, 1466 may be, e.g., fiber optic cables.
Each end node, e.g. EN 1 1436 may be a wireless terminal including
a transmitter as well as a receiver. The wireless terminals, e.g.,
EN(1) 1436 may move through system 1400 and may communicate via
wireless links with the base station in the cell in which the EN is
currently located. The wireless terminals, (WTs), e.g. EN(1) 1436,
may communicate with peer nodes, e.g., other WTs in system 1400 or
outside system 1400 via a base station, e.g. BS 1406, and/or
network node 1460. WTs, e.g., EN(1) 1436 may be mobile
communications devices such as cell phones, personal data
assistants with wireless modems, etc. Respective base stations
perform tone subset allocation using a different method for the
strip-symbol periods, from the method employed for allocating tones
and determining tone hopping in the rest symbol periods, e.g., non
strip-symbol periods. The wireless terminals use the tone subset
allocation method along with information received from the base
station, e.g., base station slope ID, sector ID information, to
determine tones that they can employ to receive data and
information at specific strip-symbol periods. The tone subset
allocation sequence is constructed, in accordance with various
aspects to spread inter-sector and inter-cell interference across
respective tones. Although the subject system was described
primarily within the context of cellular mode, it is to be
appreciated that a plurality of modes may be available and
employable in accordance with aspects described herein.
[0112] FIG. 15 illustrates an example base station 1500 in
accordance with various aspects. Base station 1500 implements tone
subset allocation sequences, with different tone subset allocation
sequences generated for respective different sector types of the
cell. Base station 1500 may be used as any one of base stations
1406, 1408 of the system 1400 of FIG. 14. The base station 1500
includes a receiver 1502, a transmitter 1504, a processor 1506,
e.g., CPU, an input/output interface 1508 and memory 1510 coupled
together by a bus 1509 over which various elements 1502, 1504,
1506, 1508, and 1510 may interchange data and information.
[0113] Sectorized antenna 1503 coupled to receiver 1502 is used for
receiving data and other signals, e.g., channel reports, from
wireless terminals transmissions from each sector within the base
station's cell. Sectorized antenna 1505 coupled to transmitter 1504
is used for transmitting data and other signals, e.g., control
signals, pilot signal, beacon signals, etc. to wireless terminals
1600 (see FIG. 16) within each sector of the base station's cell.
In various aspects, base station 1500 may employ multiple receivers
1502 and multiple transmitters 1504, e.g., an individual receivers
1502 for each sector and an individual transmitter 1504 for each
sector. Processor 1506, may be, e.g., a general purpose central
processing unit (CPU). Processor 1506 controls operation of base
station 1500 under direction of one or more routines 1518 stored in
memory 1510 and implements the methods. I/O interface 1508 provides
a connection to other network nodes, coupling the BS 1500 to other
base stations, access routers, AAA server nodes, etc., other
networks, and the Internet. Memory 1510 includes routines 1518 and
data/information 1520.
[0114] Data/information 1520 includes data 1536, tone subset
allocation sequence information 1538 including downlink
strip-symbol time information 1540 and downlink tone information
1542, and wireless terminal (WT) data/info 1544 including a
plurality of sets of WT information: WT 1 info 1546 and WT N info
1560. Each set of WT info, e.g., WT 1 info 1546 includes data 1548,
terminal ID 1550, sector ID 1552, uplink channel information 1554,
downlink channel information 1556, and mode information 1558.
[0115] Routines 1518 include communications routines 1522 and base
station control routines 1524. Base station control routines 1524
includes a scheduler module 1526 and signaling routines 1528
including a tone subset allocation routine 1530 for strip-symbol
periods, other downlink tone allocation hopping routine 1532 for
the rest of symbol periods, e.g., non strip-symbol periods, and a
beacon routine 1534.
[0116] Data 1536 includes data to be transmitted that will be sent
to encoder 1514 of transmitter 1504 for encoding prior to
transmission to WTs, and received data from WTs that has been
processed through decoder 1512 of receiver 1502 following
reception. Downlink strip-symbol time information 1540 includes the
frame synchronization structure information, such as the superslot,
beaconslot, and ultraslot structure information and information
specifying whether a given symbol period is a strip-symbol period,
and if so, the index of the strip-symbol period and whether the
strip-symbol is a resetting point to truncate the tone subset
allocation sequence used by the base station. Downlink tone
information 1542 includes information including a carrier frequency
assigned to the base station 1500, the number and frequency of
tones, and the set of tone subsets to be allocated to the
strip-symbol periods, and other cell and sector specific values
such as slope, slope index and sector type.
[0117] Data 1548 may include data that WT1 1600 has received from a
peer node, data that WT 1 1600 desires to be transmitted to a peer
node, and downlink channel quality report feedback information.
Terminal ID 1550 is a base station 1500 assigned ID that identifies
WT 1 1600. Sector ID 1552 includes information identifying the
sector in which WT1 1600 is operating. Sector ID 1552 can be used,
for example, to determine the sector type. Uplink channel
information 1554 includes information identifying channel segments
that have been allocated by scheduler 1526 for WT1 1600 to use,
e.g., uplink traffic channel segments for data, dedicated uplink
control channels for requests, power control, timing control, etc.
Each uplink channel assigned to WT1 1600 includes one or more
logical tones, each logical tone following an uplink hopping
sequence. Downlink channel information 1556 includes information
identifying channel segments that have been allocated by scheduler
1526 to carry data and/or information to WT1 1600, e.g., downlink
traffic channel segments for user data. Each downlink channel
assigned to WT1 1600 includes one or more logical tones, each
following a downlink hopping sequence. Mode information 1558
includes information identifying the state of operation of WT1
1600, e.g. sleep, hold, on.
[0118] Communications routines 1522 control the base station 1500
to perform various communications operations and implement various
communications protocols. Base station control routines 1524 are
used to control the base station 1500 to perform basic base station
functional tasks, e.g., signal generation and reception,
scheduling, and to implement the steps of the method of some
aspects including transmitting signals to wireless terminals using
the tone subset allocation sequences during the strip-symbol
periods.
[0119] Signaling routine 1528 controls the operation of receiver
1502 with its decoder 1512 and transmitter 1504 with its encoder
1514. The signaling routine 1528 is responsible controlling the
generation of transmitted data 1536 and control information. Tone
subset allocation routine 1530 constructs the tone subset to be
used in a strip-symbol period using the method of the aspect and
using data/info 1520 including downlink strip-symbol time info 1540
and sector ID 1552. The downlink tone subset allocation sequences
will be different for each sector type in a cell and different for
adjacent cells. The WTs 1600 receive the signals in the
strip-symbol periods in accordance with the downlink tone subset
allocation sequences; the base station 1500 uses the same downlink
tone subset allocation sequences in order to generate the
transmitted signals. Other downlink tone allocation hopping routine
1532 constructs downlink tone hopping sequences, using information
including downlink tone information 1542, and downlink channel
information 1556, for the symbol periods other than the
strip-symbol periods. The downlink data tone hopping sequences are
synchronized across the sectors of a cell. Beacon routine 1534
controls the transmission of a beacon signal, e.g., a signal of
relatively high power signal concentrated on one or a few tones,
which may be used for synchronization purposes, e.g., to
synchronize the frame timing structure of the downlink signal and
therefore the tone subset allocation sequence with respect to an
ultra-slot boundary.
Exemplary Wireless Terminal
[0120] FIG. 16 illustrates an example wireless terminal (end node)
1600 which can be used as any one of the wireless terminals (end
nodes), e.g., EN(1) 1436, of the system 1400 shown in FIG. 14.
Wireless terminal 1600 implements the tone subset allocation
sequences. The wireless terminal 1600 includes a receiver 1602
including a decoder 1612, a transmitter 1604 including an encoder
1614, a processor 1606, and memory 1608 which are coupled together
by a bus 1610 over which the various elements 1602, 1604, 1606,
1608 can interchange data and information. An antenna 1603 used for
receiving signals from a base station (and/or a disparate wireless
terminal) is coupled to receiver 1602. An antenna 1605 used for
transmitting signals, e.g., to a base station (and/or a disparate
wireless terminal) is coupled to transmitter 1604.
[0121] The processor 1606, e.g., a CPU controls the operation of
the wireless terminal 1600 and implements methods by executing
routines 1620 and using data/information 1622 in memory 1608.
[0122] Data/information 1622 includes user data 1634, user
information 1636, and tone subset allocation sequence information
1650. User data 1634 may include data, intended for a peer node,
which will be routed to encoder 1614 for encoding prior to
transmission by transmitter 1604 to a base station, and data
received from the base station which has been processed by the
decoder 1612 in receiver 1602. User information 1636 includes
uplink channel information 1638, downlink channel information 1640,
terminal ID information 1642, base station ID information 1644,
sector ID information 1646, and mode information 1648. Uplink
channel information 1638 includes information identifying uplink
channels segments that have been assigned by a base station for
wireless terminal 1600 to use when transmitting to the base
station. Uplink channels may include uplink traffic channels,
dedicated uplink control channels, e.g., request channels, power
control channels and timing control channels. Each uplink channel
includes one or more logic tones, each logical tone following an
uplink tone hopping sequence. The uplink hopping sequences are
different between each sector type of a cell and between adjacent
cells. Downlink channel information 1640 includes information
identifying downlink channel segments that have been assigned by a
base station to WT 1600 for use when the base station is
transmitting data/information to WT 1600. Downlink channels may
include downlink traffic channels and assignment channels, each
downlink channel including one or more logical tone, each logical
tone following a downlink hopping sequence, which is synchronized
between each sector of the cell.
[0123] User info 1636 also includes terminal ID information 1642,
which is a base station-assigned identification, base station ID
information 1644 which identifies the specific base station that WT
has established communications with, and sector ID info 1646 which
identifies the specific sector of the cell where WT 1600 is
presently located. Base station ID 1644 provides a cell slope value
and sector ID info 1646 provides a sector index type; the cell
slope value and sector index type may be used to derive tone
hopping sequences. Mode information 1648 also included in user info
1636 identifies whether the WT 1600 is in sleep mode, hold mode, or
on mode.
[0124] Tone subset allocation sequence information 1650 includes
downlink strip-symbol time information 1652 and downlink tone
information 1654. Downlink strip-symbol time information 1652
include the frame synchronization structure information, such as
the superslot, beaconslot, and ultraslot structure information and
information specifying whether a given symbol period is a
strip-symbol period, and if so, the index of the strip-symbol
period and whether the strip-symbol is a resetting point to
truncate the tone subset allocation sequence used by the base
station. Downlink tone info 1654 includes information including a
carrier frequency assigned to the base station, the number and
frequency of tones, and the set of tone subsets to be allocated to
the strip-symbol periods, and other cell and sector specific values
such as slope, slope index and sector type.
[0125] Routines 1620 include communications routines 1624 and
wireless terminal control routines 1626. Communications routines
1624 control the various communications protocols used by WT 1600.
Wireless terminal control routines 1626 controls basic wireless
terminal 1600 functionality including the control of the receiver
1602 and transmitter 1604. Wireless terminal control routines 1626
include the signaling routine 1628. The signaling routine 1628
includes a tone subset allocation routine 1630 for the strip-symbol
periods and an other downlink tone allocation hopping routine 1632
for the rest of symbol periods, e.g., non strip-symbol periods.
Tone subset allocation routine 1630 uses user data/info 1622
including downlink channel information 1640, base station ID info
1644, e.g., slope index and sector type, and downlink tone
information 1654 in order to generate the downlink tone subset
allocation sequences in accordance with some aspects and process
received data transmitted from the base station. Other downlink
tone allocation hopping routine 1630 constructs downlink tone
hopping sequences, using information including downlink tone
information 1654, and downlink channel information 1640, for the
symbol periods other than the strip-symbol periods. Tone subset
allocation routine 1630, when executed by processor 1606, is used
to determine when and on which tones the wireless terminal 1600 is
to receive one or more strip-symbol signals from the base station
1500. The uplink tone allocation hopping routine 1630 uses a tone
subset allocation function, along with information received from
the base station, to determine the tones in which it should
transmit on.
[0126] 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 transmitted over as one or more instructions or
code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media
includes both computer storage media and communication media
including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer
program from one place to another. A storage 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. Also, any connection is properly termed a
computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is
transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a
coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber
line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair,
DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and
microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc,
as used herein, includes compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical
disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and Blu-ray disc
where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs
reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above
should also be included within the scope of computer-readable
media.
[0127] When the embodiments are implemented in program code or code
segments, it should be appreciated that a code segment can
represent a procedure, a function, a subprogram, a program, a
routine, a subroutine, a module, a software package, a class, or
any combination of instructions, data structures, or program
statements. A code segment can be coupled to another code segment
or a hardware circuit by passing and/or receiving information,
data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information,
arguments, parameters, data, etc. can be passed, forwarded, or
transmitted using any suitable means including memory sharing,
message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
Additionally, in some aspects, the steps and/or actions of a method
or algorithm can reside as one or any combination or set of codes
and/or instructions on a machine readable medium and/or computer
readable medium, which can be incorporated into a computer program
product.
[0128] For a software implementation, the techniques described
herein can be implemented with modules (e.g., procedures,
functions, and so on) that perform the functions described herein.
The software codes can be stored in memory units and executed by
processors. The memory unit can be implemented within the processor
or external to the processor, in which case it can be
communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is
known in the art.
[0129] For a hardware implementation, the processing units can be
implemented within one or more application specific integrated
circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal
processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs),
field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers,
micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed
to perform the functions described herein, or a combination
thereof.
[0130] What has been described above includes examples of one or
more embodiments. It is, of course, not possible to describe every
conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes
of describing the aforementioned embodiments, but one of ordinary
skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and
permutations of various embodiments are possible. Accordingly, the
described embodiments are intended to embrace all such alterations,
modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term
"includes" is used in either the detailed description or the
claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar
to the term "comprising" as "comprising" is interpreted when
employed as a transitional word in a claim.
[0131] As used herein, the term to "infer" or "inference" refers
generally to the process of reasoning about or inferring states of
the system, environment, and/or user from a set of observations as
captured via events and/or data. Inference can be employed to
identify a specific context or action, or can generate a
probability distribution over states, for example. The inference
can be probabilistic--that is, the computation of a probability
distribution over states of interest based on a consideration of
data and events. Inference can also refer to techniques employed
for composing higher-level events from a set of events and/or data.
Such inference results in the construction of new events or actions
from a set of observed events and/or stored event data, whether or
not the events are correlated in close temporal proximity, and
whether the events and data come from one or several event and data
sources.
[0132] Furthermore, as used in this application, the terms
"component," "module," "system," and the like are intended to refer
to a computer-related entity, either hardware, firmware, a
combination of hardware and software, software, or software in
execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to
being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an
executable, a thread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By
way of illustration, both an application running on a computing
device and the computing device can be a component. One or more
components can reside within a process and/or thread of execution
and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed
between two or more computers. In addition, these components can
execute from various computer readable media having various data
structures stored thereon. The components can communicate by way of
local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal
having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component
interacting with another component in a local system, distributed
system, and/or across a network such as the Internet with other
systems by way of the signal).
* * * * *