U.S. patent application number 17/455372 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-10 for support of wideband physical resource group (prg) in long term evolution (lte).
The applicant listed for this patent is QUALCOMM Incorporated. Invention is credited to Supratik Bhattacharjee, Amir Farajidana, Seyedkianoush Hosseini, Alexandros Manolakos, Alberto Rico Alvarino.
Application Number | 20220078776 17/455372 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005975754 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220078776 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rico Alvarino; Alberto ; et
al. |
March 10, 2022 |
SUPPORT OF WIDEBAND PHYSICAL RESOURCE GROUP (PRG) IN LONG TERM
EVOLUTION (LTE)
Abstract
In an aspect, a method of wireless communication includes
receiving, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information
(DCI) having a resource allocation of allocated physical resource
blocks (PRBs). The method additionally includes employing at least
one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a wideband channel estimator, c) a
bandwidth-specific decoder, or d) a bandwidth-specific channel
estimator for wireless communications based at least on a feature
of the resource allocation in the DCI. In other aspects a UE
transmits, to a base station, an indication of UE capabilities
regarding support of wideband physical resource group (PRG) for
various transmission time interval (TTI) durations.
Inventors: |
Rico Alvarino; Alberto; (San
Diego, CA) ; Manolakos; Alexandros; (Escondido,
CA) ; Farajidana; Amir; (Sunnyvale, CA) ;
Bhattacharjee; Supratik; (San Diego, CA) ; Hosseini;
Seyedkianoush; (San Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
QUALCOMM Incorporated |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005975754 |
Appl. No.: |
17/455372 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
16671053 |
Oct 31, 2019 |
11206661 |
|
|
17455372 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/044 20130101;
H04L 5/0042 20130101; H04W 72/042 20130101; H04L 5/0007
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 72/04 20060101
H04W072/04; H04L 5/00 20060101 H04L005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 2, 2018 |
GR |
20180100502 |
Claims
1. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:
transmitting, by a user equipment (UE) to a base station, an
indication of UE capabilities regarding at least one of: whether
the UE can support wideband physical resource groups (PRGs) in
transmission time intervals (TTIs) having durations of one
millisecond (1 ms) or more; whether the UE can support wideband
PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms; or whether
the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs having
durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms; and receiving a configuration, by the
UE from the base station, to perform wireless communications in
wideband mode for a given TTI.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting includes
transmitting an indication that the UE can support wideband PRGs in
TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms, but not both
simultaneously.
3. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:
receiving, by a base station from a user equipment (UE), an
indication of UE capabilities regarding at least one of: whether
the UE can support wideband physical resource groups (PRGs) in
transmission time intervals (TTIs) having durations of one
millisecond (1 ms) or more; whether the UE can support wideband
PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms; or whether
the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs having
durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms; and configuring the UE, by the base
station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
given TTI based at least on the indication of UE capabilities.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the receiving includes receiving
an indication that the UE can support wideband PRGs in TTIs having
durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms, but not both simultaneously.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 16/671,053, entitled, "SUPPORT OF WIDEBAND
PHYSICAL RESOURCE GROUP (PRG) IN LONG TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)," filed
Oct. 31, 2019, and claims the benefit of Greece Provisional Patent
Application No. 20180100502, entitled, "SUPPORT OF WIDEBAND
PHYSICAL RESOURCE GROUP (PRG) IN LONG TERM EVOLUTION (LTE)," filed
on Nov. 2, 2018, which is expressly incorporated by reference
herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to
wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to support
of wideband physical resource group (PRG) in long term evolution
(LTE).
INTRODUCTION
[0003] Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to
provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet
data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These wireless networks
may be multiple-access networks capable of supporting multiple
users by sharing the available network resources. Such networks,
which are usually multiple access networks, support communications
for multiple users by sharing the available network resources.
[0004] A wireless communication network may include a number of
base stations or node Bs that can support communication for a
number of user equipments (UEs). A UE may communicate with a base
station via downlink and uplink. The downlink (or forward link)
refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE,
and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link
from the UE to the base station.
[0005] A base station may transmit data and control information on
the downlink to a UE and/or may receive data and control
information on the uplink from the UE. On the downlink, a
transmission from the base station may encounter interference due
to transmissions from neighbor base stations or from other wireless
radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, a transmission
from the UE may encounter interference from uplink transmissions of
other UEs communicating with the neighbor base stations or from
other wireless RF transmitters. This interference may degrade
performance on both the downlink and uplink.
[0006] As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to
increase, the possibilities of interference and congested networks
grows with more UEs accessing the long-range wireless communication
networks and more short-range wireless systems being deployed in
communities. Research and development continue to advance wireless
communication technologies not only to meet the growing demand for
mobile broadband access, but to advance and enhance the user
experience with mobile communications.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EMBODIMENTS
[0007] The following summarizes some aspects of the present
disclosure to provide a basic understanding of the discussed
technology. This summary is not an extensive overview of all
contemplated features of the disclosure, and is intended neither to
identify key or critical elements of all aspects of the disclosure
nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects of the disclosure.
Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects
of the disclosure in summary form as a prelude to the more detailed
description that is presented later.
[0008] In an aspect, a method of wireless communication includes
receiving, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information
(DCI) having a resource allocation of allocated physical resource
blocks (PRBs). The method additionally includes employing at least
one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a wideband channel estimator, c) a
bandwidth-specific decoder, or d) a bandwidth-specific channel
estimator for wireless communications based at least on a feature
of the resource allocation in the DCI.
[0009] In another aspect, a method of wireless communication
includes transmitting, by a user equipment (UE) to a base station,
an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may be
regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The method additionally
includes receiving a configuration, by the UE from the base
station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
given TTI.
[0010] In another aspect, a method of wireless communication
includes receiving, by a base station from a user equipment (UE),
an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may be
regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The method additionally
includes configuring the UE, by the base station, to perform
wireless communications in wideband mode for a given TTI based at
least on the indication of UE capabilities.
[0011] In another aspect, an apparatus of wireless communication
has means for receiving, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control
information (DCI) having a resource allocation of allocated
physical resource blocks (PRBs). The apparatus additionally has
means for employing at least one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a
wideband channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific decoder, or d)
a bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless communications
based at least on a feature of the resource allocation in the
DCI.
[0012] In another aspect, an apparatus of wireless communication
has means for transmitting, by a user equipment (UE) to a base
station, an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The apparatus also has
means for receiving a configuration, by the UE from the base
station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
given TTI.
[0013] In another aspect, an apparatus of wireless communication
has means for receiving, by a base station from a user equipment
(UE), an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may be
regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The apparatus additionally
has means for configuring the UE, by the base station, to perform
wireless communications in wideband mode for a given TTI based at
least on the indication of UE capabilities.
[0014] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium
has program code recorded thereon, including program code
executable by a computer for causing the computer to receive, by a
user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) having a
resource allocation of allocated physical resource blocks (PRBs).
The program code additionally includes program code executable by
the computer for causing the computer to employ at least one of a)
a wideband decoder, b) a wideband channel estimator, c) a
bandwidth-specific decoder, or d) a bandwidth-specific channel
estimator for wireless communications based at least on a feature
of the resource allocation in the DCI.
[0015] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium
has program code recorded thereon, including program code
executable by the computer for causing the computer to transmit, by
a user equipment (UE) to a base station, an indication of UE
capabilities. The UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband physical resource groups (PRGs) in
transmission time intervals (TTIs) having durations of one
millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or additionally, the UE
capabilities may be regarding whether the UE can support wideband
PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms.
Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding
whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs
having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs
having durations of less than 1 ms. The program code additionally
includes program code executable by the computer to receive a
configuration, by the UE from the base station, to perform wireless
communications in wideband mode for a given TTI.
[0016] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium
having program code recorded thereon, including program code
executable by the computer for causing the computer to receive, by
a base station from a user equipment (UE), an indication of UE
capabilities. The UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband physical resource groups (PRGs) in
transmission time intervals (TTIs) having durations of one
millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or additionally, the UE
capabilities may be regarding whether the UE can support wideband
PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms.
Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding
whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs
having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs
having durations of less than 1 ms. The program code additionally
includes program code executable by the computer for causing the
computer to configure the UE, by the base station, to perform
wireless communications in wideband mode for a given TTI based at
least on the indication of UE capabilities.
[0017] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless
communication has at least one processor and a memory coupled to
the at least one processor. The at least one processor is
configured to receive, by a user equipment (UE), downlink control
information (DCI) having a resource allocation of allocated
physical resource blocks (PRBs). The at least one processor is
additionally configured to employ at least one of a) a wideband
decoder, b) a wideband channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific
decoder, or d) a bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless
communications based at least on a feature of the resource
allocation in the DCI.
[0018] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless
communication has at least one processor and a memory coupled to
the at least one processor. The at least one processor is
configured to transmit, by a user equipment (UE) to a base station,
an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may be
regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The at least one processor
is additionally configured to receive a configuration, by the UE
from the base station, to perform wireless communications in
wideband mode for a given TTI.
[0019] In another aspect, an apparatus configured for wireless
communication has at least one processor and a memory coupled to
the at least one processor. The at least one processor is
configured to receive, by a base station from a user equipment
(UE), an indication of UE capabilities. The UE capabilities may be
regarding whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the UE capabilities may be regarding whether the UE
can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the UE capabilities may
be regarding whether the UE can support simultaneous wideband PRGs
in TTIs having durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short
TTIs having durations of less than 1 ms. The at least one processor
is additionally configured to configure the UE, by the base
station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
given TTI based at least on the indication of UE capabilities.
[0020] Other aspects, features, and embodiments of the present
invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art, upon reviewing the following description of specific,
exemplary embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with
the accompanying figures. While features of the present invention
may be discussed relative to certain embodiments and figures below,
all embodiments of the present invention can include one or more of
the advantageous features discussed herein. In other words, while
one or more embodiments may be discussed as having certain
advantageous features, one or more of such features may also be
used in accordance with the various embodiments of the invention
discussed herein. In similar fashion, while exemplary embodiments
may be discussed below as device, system, or method embodiments it
should be understood that such exemplary embodiments can be
implemented in various devices, systems, and methods.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the
present disclosure may be realized by reference to the following
drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features
may have the same reference label. Further, various components of
the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label
by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar
components. If just the first reference label is used in the
specification, the description is applicable to any one of the
similar components having the same first reference label
irrespective of the second reference label.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating details of a wireless
communication system according to some embodiments of the present
disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design
of a base station/gNB and a UE configured according to some
embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3A is a block diagram illustrating example blocks of a
wireless communication process carried out by a UE according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 3B is a block diagram illustrating example blocks of a
wireless communication process carried out by a UE according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 4A is a block diagram illustrating example blocks of a
wireless communication process carried out by a UE according to
some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 4B is a block diagram illustrating example blocks of a
wireless communication process carried out by a base station
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design
of a UE configured to carry out wireless communications according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design
of a UE configured to carry out wireless communications according
to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 7 is a block diagram conceptually illustrating a design
of a base station configured to carry out wireless communications
according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] The detailed description set forth below, in connection with
the appended drawings, is intended as a description of various
possible configurations and is not intended to limit the scope of
the disclosure. Rather, the detailed description includes specific
details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of
the inventive subject matter. It will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that these specific details are not required in every
case and that, in some instances, well-known structures and
components are shown in block diagram form for clarity of
presentation.
[0032] This disclosure relates generally to providing or
participating in communication as between two or more wireless
devices in one or more wireless communications systems, also
referred to as wireless communications networks. In various
embodiments, the techniques and apparatus may be used for wireless
communication networks such as code division multiple access (CDMA)
networks, time division multiple access (TDMA) networks, frequency
division multiple access (FDMA) networks, orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA)
networks, single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks, long term
evolution (LTE) networks, Global System for Mobile Communications
(GSM) networks, as well as other communications networks. As
described herein, the terms "networks" and "systems" may be used
interchangeably according to the particular context.
[0033] A CDMA network, for example, may implement a radio
technology such as universal terrestrial radio access (UTRA),
cdma2000, and the like. UTRA includes wideband-CDMA (W-CDMA) and
low chip rate (LCR). CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856
standards.
[0034] A TDMA network may, for example implement a radio technology
such as GSM. 3GPP defines standards for the GSM EDGE (enhanced data
rates for GSM evolution) radio access network (RAN), also denoted
as GERAN. GERAN is the radio component of GSM/EDGE, together with
the network that joins the base stations (for example, the Ater and
Abis interfaces) and the base station controllers (A interfaces,
etc.). The radio access network represents a component of a GSM
network, through which phone calls and packet data are routed from
and to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and Internet to
and from subscriber handsets, also known as user terminals or user
equipments (UEs). A mobile phone operator's network may comprise
one or more GERANs, which may be coupled with Universal Terrestrial
Radio Access Networks (UTRANs) in the case of a UMTS/GSM network.
An operator network may also include one or more LTE networks,
and/or one or more other networks. The various different network
types may use different radio access technologies (RATs) and radio
access networks (RANs).
[0035] An OFDMA network may, for example, implement a radio
technology such as evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), Institute of Electrical
and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11, IEEE 802.16, IEEE 802.20,
flash-OFDM and the like. UTRA, E-UTRA, and GSM are part of
universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS). In particular,
LTE is a release of UMTS that uses E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, GSM, UMTS
and LTE are described in documents provided from an organization
named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP), and cdma2000 is
described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation
Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2). These various radio technologies
and standards are known or are being developed. For example, the
3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is a collaboration
between groups of telecommunications associations that aims to
define a globally applicable third generation (3G) mobile phone
specification. 3GPP long term evolution (LTE) is a 3GPP project
aimed at improving the universal mobile telecommunications system
(UMTS) mobile phone standard. The 3GPP may define specifications
for the next generation of mobile networks, mobile systems, and
mobile devices.
[0036] For clarity, certain aspects of the apparatus and techniques
may be described below with reference to exemplary LTE
implementations or in an LTE-centric way, and LTE terminology may
be used as illustrative examples in portions of the description
below; however, the description is not intended to be limited to
LTE applications. Indeed, the present disclosure is concerned with
shared access to wireless spectrum between networks using different
radio access technologies or radio air interfaces.
[0037] Moreover, it should be understood that, in operation,
wireless communication networks adapted according to the concepts
herein may operate with any combination of licensed or unlicensed
spectrum depending on loading and availability. Accordingly, it
will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the systems,
apparatus and methods described herein may be applied to other
communications systems and applications than the particular
examples provided.
[0038] While aspects and embodiments are described in this
application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the
art will understand that additional implementations and use cases
may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios.
Innovations described herein may be implemented across many
differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes,
packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and/or uses may
come about via integrated chip embodiments and/or other
non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices,
vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial
equipment, retail/purchasing devices, medical devices, AI-enabled
devices, etc.). While some examples may or may not be specifically
directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of
applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations
may range from chip-level or modular components to non-modular,
non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregated,
distributed, or original equipment manufacturer (OEM) devices or
systems incorporating one or more described aspects. In some
practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and
features may also necessarily include additional components and
features for implementation and practice of claimed and described
embodiments. It is intended that innovations described herein may
be practiced in a wide variety of implementations, including both
large/small devices, chip-level components, multi-component systems
(e.g. RF-chain, communication interface, processor), distributed
arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and
constitution.
[0039] FIG. 1 shows wireless network 100 for communication
according to some embodiments. While discussion of the technology
of this disclosure is provided relative to an LTE-A network (shown
in FIG. 1), this is for illustrative purposes. Principles of the
technology disclosed can be used in other network deployments,
including fifth generation (5G) networks. As appreciated by those
skilled in the art, components appearing in FIG. 1 are likely to
have related counterparts in other network arrangements including,
for example, cellular-style network arrangements and
non-cellular-style-network arrangements (e.g., device to device or
peer to peer or ad hoc network arrangements, etc.).
[0040] Turning back to FIG. 1 wireless network 100 includes a
number of base stations, such as may comprise evolved node Bs
(eNBs) or G node Bs (gNBs). These may be referred to as gNBs 105. A
gNB may be a station that communicates with the UEs and may also be
referred to as a base station, a node B, an access point, and the
like. Each gNB 105 may provide communication coverage for a
particular geographic area. In 3GPP, the term "cell" can refer to
this particular geographic coverage area of a gNB and/or a gNB
subsystem serving the coverage area, depending on the context in
which the term is used. In implementations of wireless network 100
herein, gNBs 105 may be associated with a same operator or
different operators (e.g., wireless network 100 may comprise a
plurality of operator wireless networks), and may provide wireless
communications using one or more of the same frequencies (e.g., one
or more frequency band in licensed spectrum, unlicensed spectrum,
or a combination thereof) as a neighboring cell.
[0041] A gNB may provide communication coverage for a macro cell or
a small cell, such as a pico cell or a femto cell, and/or other
types of cell. A macro cell generally covers a relatively large
geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow
unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the
network provider. A small cell, such as a pico cell, would
generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow
unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the
network provider. A small cell, such as a femto cell, would also
generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home)
and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide
restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell
(e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG), UEs for users in the
home, and the like). A gNB for a macro cell may be referred to as a
macro gNB. A gNB for a small cell may be referred to as a small
cell gNB, a pico gNB, a femto gNB or a home gNB. In the example
shown in FIG. 1, gNBs 105a, 105b and 105c are macro gNBs for the
macro cells 110a, 110b and 110c, respectively. gNBs 105x, 105y, and
105z are small cell gNBs, which may include pico or femto gNBs that
provide service to small cells 110x, 110y, and 110z, respectively.
A gNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the
like) cells.
[0042] Wireless network 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous
operation. For synchronous operation, the gNBs may have similar
frame timing, and transmissions from different gNBs may be
approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the gNBs
may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different
gNBs may not be aligned in time. In some scenarios, networks may be
enabled or configured to handle dynamic switching between
synchronous or asynchronous operations.
[0043] UEs 115 are dispersed throughout wireless network 100, and
each UE may be stationary or mobile. It should be appreciated that,
although a mobile apparatus is commonly referred to as user
equipment (UE) in standards and specifications promulgated by the
3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP), such apparatus may also
be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station
(MS), a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a
wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a
wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile
subscriber station, an access terminal (AT), a mobile terminal, a
wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a terminal, a user
agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable
terminology. Within the present document, a "mobile" apparatus or
UE need not necessarily have a capability to move, and may be
stationary. Some non-limiting examples of a mobile apparatus, such
as may comprise embodiments of one or more of UEs 115, include a
mobile, a cellular (cell) phone, a smart phone, a session
initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a laptop, a personal computer
(PC), a notebook, a netbook, a smart book, a tablet, and a personal
digital assistant (PDA). A mobile apparatus may additionally be an
"Internet of things" (IoT) device such as an automotive or other
transportation vehicle, a satellite radio, a global positioning
system (GPS) device, a logistics controller, a drone, a
multi-copter, a quad-copter, a smart energy or security device, a
solar panel or solar array, municipal lighting, water, or other
infrastructure; industrial automation and enterprise devices;
consumer and wearable devices, such as eyewear, a wearable camera,
a smart watch, a health or fitness tracker, a mammal implantable
device, gesture tracking device, medical device, a digital audio
player (e.g., MP3 player), a camera, a game console, etc.; and
digital home or smart home devices such as a home audio, video, and
multimedia device, an appliance, a sensor, a vending machine,
intelligent lighting, a home security system, a smart meter, etc. A
mobile apparatus, such as UEs 115, may be able to communicate with
macro gNBs, pico gNBs, femto gNBs, relays, and the like. In FIG. 1,
a lightning bolt (e.g., communication links 125) indicates wireless
transmissions between a UE and a serving gNB, which is a gNB
designated to serve the UE on the downlink and/or uplink, or
desired transmission between gNBs. Although backhaul communication
134 is illustrated as wired backhaul communications that may occur
between gNB s, it should be appreciated that backhaul
communications may additionally or alternatively be provided by
wireless communications.
[0044] FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of a design of base station/gNB
105 and UE 115. These can be one of the base stations/gNBs and one
of the UEs in FIG. 1. For a restricted association scenario (as
mentioned above), the gNB 105 may be small cell gNB 105z in FIG. 1,
and UE 115 may be UE 115z, which in order to access small cell gNB
105z, would be included in a list of accessible UEs for small cell
gNB 105z. gNB 105 may also be a base station of some other type.
gNB 105 may be equipped with antennas 234a through 234t, and UE 115
may be equipped with antennas 252a through 252r.
[0045] At gNB 105, transmit processor 220 may receive data from
data source 212 and control information from controller/processor
240. The control information may be for the physical broadcast
channel (PBCH), physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH),
physical hybrid-ARQ indicator channel) PHICH, physical downlink
control channel (PDCCH), etc. The data may be for the physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH), etc. Transmit processor 220 may
process (e.g., encode and symbol map) the data and control
information to obtain data symbols and control symbols,
respectively. Transmit processor 220 may also generate reference
symbols, e.g., for the primary synchronization signal (PSS),
secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and cell-specific reference
signal (CRS). Transmit (TX) multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO)
processor 230 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on
the data symbols, the control symbols, and/or reference symbols, if
applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to modulators
(MODs) 232a through 232t. Each modulator 232 may process a
respective output symbol stream (e.g., for orthogonal
frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM), etc.) to obtain an output
sample stream. Each modulator 232 may additionally or alternatively
process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert)
the output sample stream to obtain a downlink signal. Downlink
signals from modulators 232a through 232t may be transmitted via
antennas 234a through 234t, respectively.
[0046] At UE 115, antennas 252a through 252r may receive the
downlink signals from gNB 105 and may provide received signals to
demodulators (DEMODs) 254a through 254r, respectively. Each
demodulator 254 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert,
and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples.
Each demodulator 254 may further process the input samples (e.g.,
for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. MIMO detector 256 may
obtain received symbols from all demodulators 254a through 254r,
perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and
provide detected symbols. Receive processor 258 may process (e.g.,
demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, provide
decoded data for UE 115 to data sink 260, and provide decoded
control information to controller/processor 280.
[0047] On the uplink, at UE 115, transmit processor 264 may receive
and process data (e.g., for the PUSCH) from data source 262 and
control information (e.g., for the PUCCH) from controller/processor
280. Transmit processor 264 may also generate reference symbols for
a reference signal. The symbols from transmit processor 264 may be
precoded by TX MIMO processor 266 if applicable, further processed
by modulators 254a through 254r (e.g., for SC-FDM, etc.), and
transmitted to gNB 105. At gNB 105, the uplink signals from UE 115
may be received by antennas 234, processed by demodulators 232,
detected by MIMO detector 236 if applicable, and further processed
by receive processor 238 to obtain decoded data and control
information sent by UE 115. Processor 238 may provide the decoded
data to data sink 239 and the decoded control information to
controller/processor 240.
[0048] Controllers/processors 240 and 280 may direct the operation
at gNB 105 and UE 115, respectively. Controller/processor 240
and/or other processors and modules at gNB 105 and/or
controllers/processor 280 and/or other processors and modules at UE
115 may perform or direct the execution of various processes for
the techniques described herein, such as to perform or direct the
execution illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 4A, and 4B, and/or other
processes for the techniques described herein. Memories 242 and 282
may store data and program codes for gNB 105 and UE 115,
respectively. Scheduler 244 may schedule UEs for data transmission
on the downlink and/or uplink.
[0049] Recently, interest has arisen regarding indication of
wideband physical resource group (PRG) size so that a UE can use an
appropriate decoder and/or channel estimator for wireless
communications. For example, use of a higher layer parameter (e.g.,
RRC parameter, etc.) to indicate whether the PRG size corresponds
to the whole scheduled bandwidth is currently under consideration.
Also under consideration is an optional UE capability to indicate
whether the UE can support a PRG size corresponding to the whole
scheduled bandwidth.
[0050] In new radio (NR), a similar technique is employed with
downlink control information (DCI) signalling. One bit in the DCI
indicates if the PRG is wideband. Some conditions apply for setting
the bit. For example, the allocation has to be a single cluster of
length>N consecutive PRBs, with N being fixed in the NR standard
specification.
[0051] In long term evolution (LTE), there is no DCI bit that
indicates whether the PRG bundling corresponds to the whole
scheduled bandwidth or less. In some cases (e.g., small allocation,
or non-contiguous allocation), the UE cannot perform wideband
channel estimation, and there may be performance loss with respect
to allowing the eNB to use multiple precoders. The present
disclosure presents some rules that allow the UE to implicitly
determine, based on a resource allocation in a DCI, whether
wideband PRG is used. The present disclosure also provides some
mechanisms for a UE to indicate its capabilities to support
wideband PRG for different transmission time interval (TTI)
durations to a base station. Accordingly, the present disclosure
presents advantageous solutions to various problems, such as
avoiding performance loss in LTE by helping the eNB avoid the use
of multiple precoders, and without increasing overhead by adding an
explicit indication in DCI of wideband PRG size. Also, UE
indication of its capabilities to support wideband PRG for
different TTI durations solves a problem relating to complexity at
the UE regarding use of shorter TTI durations and/or wideband PRG.
Using a shorter TTI duration is more complex at the UE because all
of the operations are performed more quickly. At the same time,
supporting wideband PRG, in general, is more complicated than
narrowband PRG. Accordingly, a UE may be able to support wideband
PRG for 1 ms TTI durations but not for shorter TTI durations. Thus,
UE indication of its capabilities to support wideband PRG for
different TTI durations also avoids performance loss and waste of
resources.
[0052] In some aspects, a UE assumes wideband PRG size or falls
back to a bandwidth-specific PRG size depending on one or more
features of a resource allocation in DCI (e.g., allocated PRBs).
That is, the UE selects a PRG size among a plurality of PRG sizes,
for example, a wideband PRG and a bandwidth-specific PRG, based on
a feature of the resource allocation in the DCI (e.g., whether the
resource allocation is contiguous, almost contiguous,
non-contiguous, a small resource allocation, and/or the like). For
example, it is envisioned that the UE may assume (i.e., select)
wideband PRG size if the resource allocation is contiguous and the
allocation is more than a predetermined number N PRBs (e.g.,
N.gtoreq.10 PRBs). The predetermined number may be set in the
standards or determined and signaled by the network. Alternatively,
the UE may assume (or select) wideband PRG size if the resource
allocation is almost contiguous.
[0053] It is envisioned that the UE may determine that a resource
allocation is almost contiguous if the allocation is for two sets
of M1, M2 consecutive PRBs that meet two conditions. The first
condition is that the value of each M1 and M2 is larger than N PRBs
(e.g., N.gtoreq.10 PRBs), with M1 not necessarily being equal to
M2. The second condition is that there are less than K PRBs between
the two sets (e.g., K in the range of 1 to 3 PRBs). This proposal
may be extended to more sets, (e.g. {M1/M2/M3/M4 . . . }) with less
than K PRBs between them. Alternatively, it is envisioned that the
UE may determine that a resource allocation is almost contiguous if
the allocation is for a set of M PRBs contained within N
consecutive PRBs (e.g., M.gtoreq.X0 and N-M.ltoreq.X1, and
X0.gtoreq.10, X1.ltoreq.3).
[0054] In some cases, the resource allocation in DCI and the actual
PRBs used for PDSCH may be different. For example, a physical
downlink shared channel (PDSCH) may collide with other signals,
such as a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary
synchronization signal (SSS), and/or a physical broadcast channel
(PBCH). In this case, the eNB can allocate those PRBs and the UE
can rate match around the resources corresponding to the collision.
In dealing with this situation, there are a couple of alternatives.
An advantageous alternative is to determine PRG size based on
actual PDSCH mapping, and this alternative is advantageous because
since it reflects the PRBs that carry the demodulation reference
signals (DMRS), which are used for channel estimation. Another
alternative is to determine (or select) PRG size from among a
plurality of PRG sizes based on a resource allocation field in a
DCI.
[0055] It is envisioned that the values for a UE to assume (or
select) wideband PRG size (e.g., N, M1, M2, K, number of sets,
etc.) can be signaled by an eNB (e.g. in broadcast radio resource
control (RRC) signaling and/or unicast RRC signaling) or based on
UE capability. Demodulation reference signal (DMRS) density can
also change depending on the PRG size. For example, for wideband
PRG size, the DMRS density can be smaller due to the presence of
smaller edge effect, for example.
[0056] The capability and configuration of a UE to support wideband
PRG size can further be different for different TTI durations
(i.e., lengths). For example, a UE may be able to support wideband
PRG in 1 ms TTI but not in a 2 or 3 OFDM symbol (os) short TTI
(sTTI). The UE can also signal the capability of supporting
simultaneous wideband estimation for multiple channels (e.g.,
sTTI+1 ms TTI).
[0057] Turning now to FIG. 3A, a method of wireless communication
begins at block 300. At block 300, the method includes receiving,
by a user equipment (UE), downlink control information (DCI) having
a resource allocation of allocated physical resource blocks (PRBs).
Processing may proceed from block 300 to block 302.
[0058] At block 302, the method includes an optional selection of a
physical resource group (PRG) size among a wideband PRG and a
bandwidth-specific PRG based on a feature of the resource
allocation in the DCI. Upon receiving the DCI, the UE may determine
the PRG size by examining a feature the resource allocation of the
PRBs. Where the feature indicates that the allocated PRBs are
contiguous or nearly contiguous, the UE may determine the PRG size
as wideband. Otherwise, the UE will fall-back to a
bandwidth-specific PRG size.
[0059] At block 304, the method includes reception of the allocated
PRBs based on the PRG size. Once the PRB size is selected (e.g., a
wideband PRG is selected or a bandwidth-specific PRG is selected)
based on the feature of the resource allocation received in DCI,
the UE can receive the allocated PRBs based on the selected PRG
size.
[0060] Within the reception of the allocated PRBs at block 304, at
block 306, the method includes employing at least one of a) a
wideband decoder, b) a wideband channel estimator, c) a
bandwidth-specific decoder, or d) a bandwidth-specific channel
estimator for wireless communications based at least on a feature
of the resource allocation in the DCI. For example, it is
envisioned that the feature may correspond to the resource
allocation being contiguous and the resource allocation being for
more than a predetermined number N of PRBs. As noted above, the
predetermined number may be set by standards or determined and
signaled by the network. Here, it is envisioned that N may be an
integer greater than or equal to ten PRBs (i.e., N.gtoreq.10),
and/or the predetermined number N of PRBs may be based on a UE
capability. Alternatively, it is envisioned that the feature may
correspond to numbers of PRBs in each of two or more sets of PRBs
each exceeding a predetermined number N of PRBs, and one or more
numbers of PRBs between each of the two or more sets being less
than a predetermined number K of PRBs. Here, it is envisioned that
N may be an integer greater than or equal to ten PRBs (i.e.,
N.gtoreq.10), and K may reside within a range of one to three PRBs
(i.e., 1.ltoreq.K.ltoreq.3). Additionally, it is envisioned that at
least one value of at least one of N or K may be based on a UE
capability. Alternatively, it is envisioned that the feature may
correspond to the resource allocation being for a set of an integer
M PRBs contained within a predetermined number N of consecutive
PRBs. Here, it is envisioned that the integer M may be greater than
or equal to ten PRBs (i.e., M.gtoreq.10), and a difference between
N and M lies in a range less than or equal to three PRBs (e.g.,
N-M.ltoreq.3). Additionally, it is envisioned that at least one
value of at least one of N, M, or N-M may be based on a UE
capability.
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 3B, a method of wireless communication
includes blocks 352 and 354, which respectively include one or more
of the functionalities for blocks 300, 302, 304, and 306 (see FIG.
3A), as detailed above. In addition, the method includes block 350.
At block 350, the method includes receiving, by the user equipment
(UE), a higher layer configuration. For example, the UE may receive
a higher layer configuration that includes values for N, M, K, N-M,
numbers of sets, etc. In such cases, it is envisioned that the UE
may, at block 354, employ at least one of a) a wideband decoder, b)
a wideband channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific decoder, or
d) a bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless
communications based at least on a feature of the resource
allocation in the DCI, for which the values for N, M, K, N-M,
numbers of sets, etc. are based on the higher layer configuration
by the base station, based on UE capabilities, or combinations
thereof. Alternatively or additionally, block 350 may include
receiving a higher layer configuration indicative of use of
wideband PRG. In such cases, it is envisioned that the UE may, at
block 354, employ at least one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a
wideband channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific decoder, or d)
a bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless communications
further based at least on the higher layer configuration. For
example, the UE may, at block 350, receive multiple higher layer
configurations indicative of use of wideband PRG for different TTI
lengths. In such cases, it is envisioned that the UE may, at block
354, employ at least one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a wideband
channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific decoder, or d) a
bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless communications
further based at least on a TTI length associated to the DCI
received at block 352.
[0062] Turning now to FIG. 4A, a method of wireless communication
begins at block 400. At block 400, the method includes
transmitting, by a user equipment (UE) to a base station, an
indication of UE capabilities. For example, the indication may
correspond to an indication whether the UE can support wideband
physical resource groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals
(TTIs) having durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more.
Alternatively or additionally, the indication may correspond to an
indication whether the UE can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs
having durations of less than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally,
the indication may correspond to an indication whether the UE can
support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs having durations of 1 ms
or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. For example, the indication may correspond to an
indication that the UE can support wideband PRGs in TTIs having
durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms, but not both simultaneously.
Processing may proceed from block 400 to block 402.
[0063] At block 402, the method includes receiving a configuration,
by the UE from the base station, to perform wireless communications
in wideband mode for a given TTI. For example, the base station may
configure the UE to perform wireless communications in wideband
mode for a TTI having a duration of 1 ms or more, but not for a
short TTI having a duration of less than 1 ms. Alternatively, the
base station may configure the UE to perform wireless
communications in wideband mode for a TTI having a duration of 1 ms
or more and for a short TTI having a duration of less than 1 ms,
but not both simultaneously. Accordingly, the UE performs wireless
communication in wideband mode according to the configuration.
[0064] Referring now to FIG. 4B, a method of wireless communication
begins at block 450. At block 450, the method includes receiving,
by a base station from a user equipment (UE), an indication of UE
capabilities. For example, the indication may correspond to an
indication whether the UE can support wideband physical resource
groups (PRGs) in transmission time intervals (TTIs) having
durations of one millisecond (1 ms) or more. Alternatively or
additionally, the indication may correspond to an indication
whether the UE can support wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms. Alternatively or additionally, the
indication may correspond to an indication whether the UE can
support simultaneous wideband PRGs in TTIs having durations of 1 ms
or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having durations of less
than 1 ms. For example, the indication may correspond to an
indication that the UE can support wideband PRGs in TTIs having
durations of 1 ms or more and wideband PRGs in short TTIs having
durations of less than 1 ms, but not both simultaneously.
Processing may proceed from block 450 to block 452.
[0065] At block 452, the method includes configuring the UE, by the
base station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode
for a given TTI based at least on the indication of UE
capabilities. For example, the base station may configure the UE to
perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a TTI having a
duration of 1 ms or more, but not for a short TTI having a duration
of less than 1 ms. Alternatively, the base station may configure
the UE to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
TTI having a duration of 1 ms or more and for a short TTI having a
duration of less than 1 ms, but not both simultaneously.
[0066] Turning now to FIG. 5, a UE 500, such as a UE 115 (see FIG.
2), may have a controller/processor 280, a memory 282, and antennas
252a through 252r, as described above. UE 500 may also have
wireless radios 501a to 501r that comprise additional components
also described above with reference to FIG. 2. The memory 282 of UE
500 stores algorithms that configure processor/controller 280 to
carry out procedures as described above with reference to FIGS. 3A
and 3B.
[0067] Algorithms stored by memory 282 configure
processor/controller 280 to carry out procedures relating to
wireless communication by the UE 500, as previously described. For
example, configuration receiver 502 configures controller processor
280 to carry out operations that include receiving, by the user
equipment (UE) 500, a higher layer configuration in any manner
previously described, such as in block 350 (see FIG. 3B).
Additionally, DCI receiver 503 configures controller processor 280
to carry out operations that include receiving, by the user
equipment (UE) 500, downlink control information (DCI) having a
resource allocation of allocated physical resource blocks (PRBs) in
any manner previously described, such as in blocks 300 (see FIG.
3A) and/or 352 (see FIG. B). Also, decoder/estimator employer 504
configures controller processor 280 to carry out operations that
include employing at least one of a) a wideband decoder, b) a
wideband channel estimator, c) a bandwidth-specific decoder, or d)
a bandwidth-specific channel estimator for wireless communications
based at least on a feature of the resource allocation in the DCI
in any manner previously described, such as in blocks 306 (see FIG.
3A) and/or 354 (see FIG. 3B). It is also understood that wideband
or band-specific decoders or channel estimators may additionally or
alternatively be implemented in radio 501a-r or receive processor
258 with reference to FIG. 2.
[0068] Turning now to FIG. 6, a UE 600, such as a UE 115 (see FIG.
2), may have a controller/processor 280, a memory 282, and antennas
252a through 252r, as described above. UE 600 may also have
wireless radios 601a to 601r that comprise additional components
also described above with reference to FIG. 2. The memory 282 of UE
600 stores algorithms that configure processor/controller 280 to
carry out procedures as described above with reference to FIG.
4A.
[0069] Algorithms stored by memory 282 configure
processor/controller 280 to carry out procedures relating to
wireless communication by the UE 600, as previously described. For
example, indication transmitter 602 configures controller processor
280 to carry out operations that include transmitting, by a user
equipment (UE) 600 to a base station, an indication of UE
capabilities in any manner previously described, such as in block
400 (see FIG. 4A). Additionally, configuration receiver 603
configures controller processor 280 to carry out operations that
include receiving a configuration, by the UE 600 from the base
station, to perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a
given TTI in any manner previously described, such as in blocks 402
(see FIG. 4A). It is also understood that indication transmitter
602 can additionally or alternatively be implemented in processor
264 where processor 264 and/or 280 may then instruct transmission
of an indication of the UE capabilities as discussed above.
Furthermore, configuration receiver 603 can additionally or
alternatively be implemented in receive processor 258.
[0070] Turning now to FIG. 7, a base station 700, such as a NR-SS
base station 105 (see FIG. 2), may have a controller/processor 240,
a memory 242, and antennas 234a through 234t, as described above.
The base station 700 may also have wireless radios 701a to 701t
that comprise additional components also described above with
reference to FIG. 2. The memory 242 of base station 700 stores
algorithms that configure processor/controller 240 to carry out
procedures as described above with reference to FIG. 4B.
[0071] Algorithms stored by memory 242 configure
processor/controller 240 to carry out operations relating to
wireless communication by the base station 700, as previously
described. For example, indication receiver 702 configures
controller processor 240 to carry out operations that include
receiving, by the base station 700 from a user equipment (UE), an
indication of UE capabilities in any manner previously described,
such as in block 450 (see FIG. 4B). Additionally, UE configurator
703 configures controller processor 240 to carry out operations
that include configuring the UE, by the base station 700, to
perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a given TTI
based at least on the indication of UE capabilities in any manner
previously described, such as in block 452 (see FIG. 4B)). It is
understood that indication receiver 702 can additionally or
alternatively be implemented in receive processor 238. Furthermore,
UE configurator 703 can additionally or alternatively be
implemented in transmit processor 230, where transmit processor 230
and/or processor 240 may be configured to transmit, or instruct the
transmission of, a configuration instructing or enabling the UE to
perform wireless communications in wideband mode for a given TTI
based at least on the indication of UE capabilities.
[0072] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0073] The functional blocks and modules described herein (e.g.,
the functional blocks and modules in FIGS. 2-7) may comprise
processors, electronics devices, hardware devices, electronics
components, logical circuits, memories, software codes, firmware
codes, etc., or any combination thereof.
[0074] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure. Skilled
artisans will also readily recognize that the order or combination
of components, methods, or interactions that are described herein
are merely examples and that the components, methods, or
interactions of the various aspects of the present disclosure may
be combined or performed in ways other than those illustrated and
described herein.
[0075] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and
circuits described in connection with the disclosure herein may be
implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a
digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other
programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic,
discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed
to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose
processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the
processor may be any conventional processor, controller,
microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be
implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a
combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of
microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a
DSP core, or any other such configuration.
[0076] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection
with the disclosure herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in
a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of
the two. A software module may reside in random access memory (RAM)
memory, flash memory, read-only memory (ROM) memory, erasable
programmable read-only memory (EPROM) memory, electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) memory, registers, hard
disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage
medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to
the processor such that the processor can read information from,
and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative,
the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor
and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside
in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the
storage medium may reside as discrete components in a user
terminal.
[0077] In one or more exemplary designs, 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. Computer-readable storage media
may be any available media that can be accessed by a general
purpose or special purpose 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 means in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose
or special-purpose processor. Also, a connection may be 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, or digital
subscriber line (DSL), then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable,
twisted pair, or DSL, 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), hard disk, solid
state 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.
[0078] As used herein, including in the claims, the term "and/or,"
when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the
listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two
or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a
composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C,
the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in
combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A,
B, and C in combination. Also, as used herein, including in the
claims, "or" as used in a list of items prefaced by "at least one
of" indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of
"at least one of A, B, or C" means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or
ABC (i.e., A and B and C) or any of these in any combination
thereof.
[0079] The previous description of the disclosure is provided to
enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure.
Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to
those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein
may be applied to other variations without departing from the
spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not
intended to be limited to the examples and designs described herein
but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the
principles and novel features disclosed herein.
* * * * *