HK1229132A1 - Enodeb and ue for dynamic cell on and off - Google Patents

Description

eNodeB and UE for dynamic cell opening and closing

Priority requirement

This patent application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. application serial No.14/554,221 filed on 26/11/2014, which claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 61/968,281 filed on 20/3/2014, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments pertain to wireless technologies. Some embodiments relate to coexistence of different wireless technologies.

Background

The popularity of mobile devices utilizing high speed data connections based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) and long term evolution-advanced (LTE-a) continues to increase. These mobile devices provide users with the ability to download richer content and a better user experience with them. For example, a user may stream high definition video, stream high quality music, play a network game, download an application, and so forth.

Drawings

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals may describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in this document.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example timeline showing DRX availability determined by the parameters onDurationTimer and LongDRXCycle, and a timeline of S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2A illustrates a diagram of indicating availability of an S-cell using a PDCCH of a P-cell according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2B illustrates a diagram of indicating availability of an S-cell using a PDCCH of a P-cell according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of indicating availability of scells using scheduling in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method for instructing an eNodeB with an scell turned on or off, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method performed by a UE to be informed of S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method performed by a UE to perform carrier specific DRX for an scell in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates a flow diagram showing a method performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 illustrates a logic diagram of an eNodeB and a UE according to some examples of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram that illustrates an example of a machine in which one or more embodiments may be implemented.

Detailed Description

The increased demand for these mobile devices has placed increasing pressure on wireless carriers to meet their increasing user base needs. Despite the increased efficiency in using existing licensed spectrum for wireless technologies such as, for example, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), LTE and LTE-a, operators are finding it difficult to meet the demand for data services with their current bandwidth allocations.

LTE unlicensed (LTE-U) is dedicated to unlicensed spectrum that is already utilized (e.g., the industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band). The aim is to increase the capacity of LTE networks by using these frequency bands. LTE-U is characterized by smaller cells with lower transmit power compared to standard LTE cells. In some examples, LTE-U may utilize carrier aggregation to aggregate licensed and unlicensed cells in the same location (co-located). Carrier aggregation enables multiple LTE carriers to be used together to provide high data rates for 4G LTE advanced.

While LTE-U offers the potential to increase the available bandwidth of LTE networks to better serve the increasing mobile data needs, the spectrum used by LTE-U is shared with other communication protocols. In some examples, networks such as networks operating according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 standard (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi), networks operating according to the bluetooth standard, networks operating according to the IEEE 802.15 standard (commonly referred to as ZigBee), and other networks may operate in these spectrum bands. In some examples, to avoid interference, LTE-U networks and other networks in these frequency bands may time partition the spectrum. That is, each network will have a portion of time (e.g., a time slot, time slice, or time window) during which the network has exclusive access to the medium. In other examples, an eNodeB (base station) providing an LTE-U cell may listen to the medium, look for periods when the medium is experiencing lighter traffic, and provide the LTE-U cell in these periods.

The purpose of implementing LTE-U is to reuse existing LTE functionality to reduce implementation time and complexity. However, to implement such a time multiplexing scheme, LTE-U cells operating in unlicensed spectrum must be turned on and off relatively quickly. Existing LTE functionality for signaling this to User Equipment (UE) is too slow.

Disclosed in some examples are methods, systems, and machine-readable media that reuse existing LTE functionality or require only minor changes to the LTE specifications to quickly inform (signal) UEs about the availability of LTE-U cells. Using these techniques, the on/off operation may be on the order of a few milliseconds (ms). Disclosed herein are several techniques, including: using Component Carrier (CC) dedicated Discontinuous Reception (DRX) signaling, Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) signaling, Downlink (DL) allocation based signaling, physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) signaling, beacon signaling, etc. As used herein, the term primary cell or P-cell is used to refer to a cell on the licensed frequency band and the secondary cell or S-cell is used to refer to a cell on the unlicensed frequency band. In some examples, the pcell and scell may include any number and combination of channels. Example channels may include a control channel (e.g., PDCCH), a data channel (e.g., Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)), a PHICH channel, one or more beacon channels, and so forth.

In some examples, multiple indications may be used as indicated by the hierarchy for more dynamic operation (e.g., subframes). For example, a second level of S-cell availability indication (or trigger) by PDCCH (discussed below) may be applied, and the second level of indication (e.g., by PDCCH) may override the first level of indication (e.g., DRX indication).

Use of DRX functionality

In some examples, the availability of LTE-U cells may be informed by modifying a power saving technique that places the mobile device in sleep. For example, DRX in LTE allows a UE to monitor a PDCCH for a predetermined period of time rather than continuously. Monitoring the PDCCH for these predetermined periods saves the UE's battery, as opposed to continuously monitoring the PDCCH. In LTE, DRX is applied in a UE-specific manner-that is, the mobile is awake or dormant for all carriers associated with the UE. In some examples, the DRX capabilities already present in LTE may only apply to S-cell carriers.

In some examples, the eNodeB may determine a period of time when the LTE-U cell will be available. For example, the eNodeB may coordinate with other users of the unlicensed spectrum by direct messaging, or by medium sensing. The eNodeB may set the DRX parameters of the UE to coincide with the period of S-cell availability. For example, the UE may be awake and monitor the PDCCH of the scell when the scell is available, and may be in a DRX sleep period when the scell is not available.

The DRX parameter may include an onDurationTimer (on duration timer), which may be the number of frames the UE reads the PDCCH per DRX cycle before going to sleep. Thus, the onDurationTimer specifies the length of time the UE remains awake once awake. The DRX parameter LongDRXCycle (long DRX cycle) is the "on" time plus the sleep time defined by the onDurationTimer.

Fig. 1 illustrates an example timeline 1000 showing DRX availability determined by the parameters onDurationTimer and LongDRXCycle, and a timeline of S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure. As shown in fig. 1, the onDurationTimer specifies the length of time the UE is awake at 1010 and 1020, and in some examples this may coincide with times 1030 and 1040 when the S-cell is available on the unlicensed spectrum. When the UE is awake, the UE may monitor the PDCCH for scells, receive Physical Downlink Shared Channels (PDSCH), measure Channel State Information (CSI), and/or perform Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. In period 1050, the UE is dormant. When the UE is dormant, the UE will not listen to the channel/signal for the S-cell carrier (and in some examples, also for the primary cell (pcell)), and thus may be dormant. This also corresponds to the time at 1060 when the scell is unavailable. In some examples, the UE may be awake and monitor the PDCCH for the P-cell, receive a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), measure Channel State Information (CSI), and/or perform Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements. During periods when scell is unavailable, scell may be turned off. LongDRXCycle 1070 specifies the entire DRX cycle and is calculated as the time the UE is awake + the time the UE is asleep. In fig. 1, while the time the UE is awake is exactly the same as the time the S-cell is available, and the time the UE is asleep is exactly the same as the time the S-cell is unavailable, in other examples the UE may be awake for only a portion of the S-cell availability.

Use of PDCCH

In carrier aggregation, multiple carriers are used to increase bandwidth while still maintaining compatibility with older devices. In some examples, the pcell and scell may be aggregated. When carrier aggregation is used, there are two possible mechanisms for scheduling scells. In one possibility, referred to as self carrier scheduling, each carrier uses its own PDCCH to schedule its own resources. In another possibility, referred to as cross carrier scheduling, resources from the S-cell are scheduled on the PDCCH on the P-cell.

In some examples, the S-cell is turned on or off by an information field in a PDCCH transmitted on the P-cell (cross-carrier scheduling) or by an information field in a PDCCH transmitted on the S-cell (self-carrier scheduling). The information field may be a simple binary 1 or 0 and may indicate that the scell is currently available (or unavailable) or available (or unavailable) during a particular period of time in the future.

In some examples, a specific field indicating the availability or non-availability of the scell may be inserted into the PDCCH. In other examples, one or more Radio Network Temporary Identities (RNTIs) may be selected that convey this information. The RNTI is used to scramble a cyclic redundancy check field of the PDCCH. The use of a specific RNTI may indicate that an scell is available, while the absence of a specific RNTI may indicate that an scell is not available. In other examples, the specific RNTI may indicate that the scell is unavailable, and the absence of the specific RNTI may indicate that the scell is available. In yet other examples, a particular RNTI may indicate that an scell is available, while a different RNTI may indicate that an scell is unavailable.

In other examples, S-cell availability may be indicated by whether the eNodeB schedules the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on the P-cell (cross-carrier scheduling) or on the S-cell (self-carrier scheduling).

Fig. 2A illustrates a diagram 2000 of indicating availability of an S-cell using a PDCCH of a P-cell in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. The PDCCH on the P-cell carrier 2010 indicates whether the S-cell carrier 2020 is on or off. In some examples, each period 2030-. At time element 2030, the scell is on and the pcell indicates this in the PDCCH. For example, a bit field in the PDCCH may indicate whether the scell is on or off. In other examples, the PDCCH CRC may be scrambled with a specific RNTI value to indicate that the scell is open. At time element 2040, the S cell is off and the P cell indicates this in the PDCCH. For example, a bit field in the PDCCH may indicate whether the scell is on or off. In other examples, pdcchrc may be scrambled with a particular RNTI value to indicate that the S cell is off. At time element 2050, the scell is on and the pcell indicates this in the PDCCH. For example, a bit field in the PDCCH may indicate whether the scell is on or off. In other examples, the PDCCH CRC may be scrambled with a specific RNTI value to indicate that the scell is open.

Fig. 2B shows a diagram 2100 for indicating availability of an S-cell using a PDCCH of a P-cell, according to some examples of the present disclosure. The PDCCH on P-cell carrier 2110 indicates whether S-cell carrier 2120 is on or off. In contrast to the example in fig. 2A, PDCCH 2110 of the P cell indicates the state of the S cell for a future period. As shown in fig. 2B, the future period is the next period, but in other examples, the indication for the current period in the PDCCH of the P-cell may indicate S-cell availability for one or more periods in the future. These examples may give the UE additional time to switch from the pcell to the scell and back. In fig. 2B, at time unit 2130, scell is on, however, scell indicates scell is off for time period 2140. The indication in the PDCCH may be the same indication discussed above with respect to fig. 2A. At time unit 2140, scell is off, but scell indicates scell is on for period 2150.

In some examples, the indication may be transmitted in any PDCCH transmitted from the P-cell or S-cell. For example, the scell indication may be transmitted on a PDCCH transmitted on the scell (which is a scheduling resource on the scell). In another example, the scell indication may be transmitted on PDCCH scheduling resources on the scell, and the scell indication may be transmitted on the pcell or scell. In some examples, the UE may assume that the scell is off if the UE cannot receive an indication from the PDCCH or cannot decode the PDCCH.

Although fig. 2A and 2B show a single transmission of an indication indicating availability/unavailability of the scell, in other examples, the indication may be sent multiple times. This may reduce false alarm detections due to CRC errors. For example, if the UE detects different indications for scells in the same time period, the UE may assume that the scell is off to avoid unnecessary activity on the scell during the time period in which the scell may be unavailable (e.g., avoid unnecessary channel state information/radio resource messaging measurements).

In some examples, the hybrid approach of fig. 2A and 2B may be employed, whereby the PDCCH on the P-cell may have an indication of the state of the S-cell for the current and future time periods.

Downlink allocation (e.g., (E) PDCCH) indication

Another indication of the S-cell status that may be used is the scheduling status of the subframe. The scheduling state of the subframe may implicitly indicate that the scheduled cell is turned on in the subframe. If there is scheduling on the scheduled cell in a subframe (i.e., there is PDCCH from the scheduling cell), then the cell is active in that subframe. If there is no scheduling on the scheduled cell in a subframe (i.e., no PDCCH from the scheduling cell), the cell may not be available during the subframe.

In some examples, different types of PDDCHs may be defined for different purposes. For example, a first PDCCH may be used to schedule PDSCH resources, while a second PDCCH may be used to indicate subframes for CSI and/or RRM measurements (i.e., cells in a subframe are turned on to transmit some signals to facilitate CSI/RRM measurements). This may be applicable to self-carrier indication and cross-carrier indication. The explicit bit field may indicate an on state or an off state-in which case the PDCCH will be present. A cell may be automatically considered to be on if semi-persistent scheduling (SPS) is configured for the scell, delivering the SPS PDSCH at each subframe without the corresponding PDCCH.

Fig. 3 illustrates a diagram 3000 indicating availability of scells using scheduling according to some examples of the present disclosure. At period 3030, the P cell schedules PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel) or E-PDSCH of the S cell, and thus, the S cell is available for the period. At time period 3040, the PDSCH or enhanced PDSCH (epdsch) of the P cell for the S cell does not schedule anything, and thus, the S cell is not available for that time period. At time period 3040, the P cell again schedules the PDSCH or EPDSCH of the S cell, and thus, the S cell is available for the time period.

In some examples, the presence of PDDCCH and scheduled PDSCH may indicate the current availability of the S-cell, or may indicate the availability of the S-cell in future time frames, similar to fig. 2B.

PHICH-based indication

In some examples, a physical hybrid automatic repeat request indicator channel (PHICH) may be used as an indication of the availability of the S-cell. The PHICH may be transmitted from the pcell or the scell. Using the PHICH channel as an indication is similar to using downlink allocation, except that the PHICH channel is used. Those skilled in the art, with the benefit of the applicant's disclosure, will appreciate that many different types of channels may be utilized.

For more dynamic operations (e.g., subframes), in some examples, multiple indications may be used as indicated by the hierarchy. For example, a second level of scell availability indication (or trigger) by PDCCH (discussed below) may be applied, and the second level of indication (e.g., by PDCCH) may override the first level indication (e.g., DRX indication).

In some examples, the presence of an indication on the PHICH may indicate the current availability of the scell, or may indicate the availability of the scell in a future time frame, similar to fig. 2B.

Indication based on beacon signals

In some examples, various beacon signals may be utilized to indicate whether an scell is available. In some examples, the presence or absence of a beacon signal may communicate the availability or unavailability of a beacon signal. In other examples, the beacon signal may contain an indication (e.g., a bit indicator). Example beacon signals may include one or more of the following: a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), a Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS), a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS), or a Discovery Reference Signal (DRS).

In some examples, if the beacon signal transmission time and frequency are predetermined or configured, the presence of a beacon at that time (e.g., at time unit N) indicates that the scell is available at N + K, where K is 0, 1, 2 … …. In some examples, K may be predetermined, or in other examples, K may be configurable.

Method and System description

Referring now to fig. 4, a flow diagram of a method 4000 for indicating eNodeB with scell turned on or off is shown, according to some examples of the present disclosure. In operation 4010, the eNodeB may provide a primary cell (pcell). In operation 4020, the eNodeB may determine that an S-cell frequency band is available to provide an S-cell. The operation may be for a current time period or for a future time period. The eNodeB may determine that the S-cell frequency band is idle based on a time scheduling algorithm in which the eNodeB has a certain period of time during which it can operate the S-cell. In other examples, the eNodeB may determine that the medium is idle by sensing traffic on the medium. In operation 4030, the eNodeB may send an indication to the UE that the scell is available. As mentioned above, this indication may take many forms. For example, the indication may be a DRX indication, a PDCCH indication, a scheduling indication, a beacon signal indication, a PHICH indication, and the like. In operation 4040, the eNodeB may provide the S-cell during the determined availability.

Referring now to fig. 5, a flow diagram of a method 5000 performed by a UE to be informed of scell availability is shown, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. At operation 5010, the UE may associate with the P cell. At operation 5020, the UE may receive an indication that the S-cell frequency band is available. As mentioned above, this indication may take many forms. For example, the indication may be a DRX indication, a PDCCH indication, a scheduling indication, a beacon signal indication, a PHICH indication, and the like. In operation 5030, the UE may utilize the S-cell.

Referring now to fig. 6, a flow diagram of a method 6000 performed by a UE to perform carrier specific DRX for an S-cell is shown, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. In operation 6010, the UE may receive a DRX parameter from an eNodeB. These parameters may be received via the S-cell or the P-cell. For example on the PDCCH. In some examples, the parameters may include LongDRXCycle and OnDurationTimer. In operation 6020, once the beginning of the first active period of the DRX period begins, the UE may set the OnDurationTimer 6020. In operation 6030, the UE may utilize the scell. Once the OnDurationTimer expires at operation 6040, the UE may switch back to the P-cell or may go to sleep. The UE may also set a timer equal to LongDRXCycle-OnDurationTimer to set the timer for the next awake period. At operation 6060, the timer expires and the flow diagram may transition to repeat operation 6020 and 6060.

Referring now to fig. 7, a flow diagram of a method 7000 performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability is shown, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. In operation 7010, the UE may receive a PDCCH on a P cell or an S cell. In operation 7020, the UE may decode S-cell availability from the PDCCH. In some examples, S cell availability may be determined by examining one or more fields in the PDCCH. In other examples, the RNTI used to decode the CRC bits may indicate whether the scell is active. If the S cell is determined to be active at operation 7030, the UE may utilize the S cell 7040 for the indicated time period. If the SCell is not active, the UE may return to normal operation, including: the PDCCH is received in operation 7010. Once the indicated time period ends, the UE may return to normal operation again at operation 7010.

Referring now to fig. 8, there is shown a flow diagram of a method 8000 performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability, according to some examples of the present disclosure. In operation 8010, the UE may receive a PDCCH on a P cell or an S cell. In operation 8020, the UE may decode the S-cell availability by determining whether the UE is scheduled on the S-cell. If the S cell is determined to be active in operation 8030, the UE may utilize the S cell 8040 for the indicated period of time. If the SCell is not active, the UE may return to normal operation, including: the PDCCH is received in operation 8010. Once the indicated time period ends, the UE may return to normal operation at operation 8010 again.

Referring now to fig. 9, shown is a flow diagram of a method 9000 performed by a UE to determine S-cell availability in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. In operation 9010, the UE may receive a beacon signal on the P cell or the S cell. In operation 9020, the UE may decode scell availability using the information in the beacon, as previously described. If the S-cell is determined to be active in operation 9030, the UE may utilize the S-cell 9040 for the indicated time period. If the SCell is not active, the UE may return to normal operation, including: a beacon is searched for in operation 9010. Once the indicated time period ends, the UE may return to normal operation again at operation 9010.

Referring now to fig. 10, a logical schematic diagram of an eNodeB 10010 and a UE10020 is shown, in accordance with some examples of the present disclosure. eNodeB 10010 and UE10020 may communicate via P-cell connection 10090 and/or S-cell connection 10100. The eNodeB 10010 includes a control module 10030. Control module 10030 may coordinate providing an indication of S-cell availability or unavailability to one or more UEs (e.g., UE 10020), providing a P-cell, an S-cell, etc. Control module 10030 may determine when S-cells are available and may direct other modules (e.g., P-cell module 10040 and S-cell module 10050) to send an indication of the availability of S-cells to the UE according to any of the methods disclosed herein for providing notifications to the UE. In some examples, control module 10030 may determine one or more carrier-specific (e.g., S-cell-specific) DRX parameters for one or more UEs (e.g., UE 10020) such that the UE is awake for a period consistent with the availability of S-cells. eNodeB 10010 may include a P-cell module 10040, which may provide a P-cell, including any PDCCH channel, PDSCH channel, pilot channel, PHICH channel, beacon signals, and so on. S-cell module 10050 may provide S-cells including any PDCCH channel, PDSCH channel, pilot channel, PHICH channel, beacon signals, etc.

UE10020 may include a control module 10060 that may coordinate between utilizing the P-cells and S-cells and determining S-cell availability. The P-cell module 10070 may associate with, and communicate with, an eNodeB 10010 via a P-cell 10090. P-cell module 10070 may decode PDCCH, beacon signals, PHICH, scheduling information, DRX information, and the like. The scell module 10080 may associate with and communicate with the eNodeB 10010 via scell 10100. S-cell module 10080 may decode PDCCH, beacon signals, PHICH, scheduling information, DRX information, and the like. P-cell module 10070 and S-cell module 10080 may communicate the received indication (e.g., DRX information, PDCCH indication, beacon signals, PHICH information, etc.) to control module 10060. Control module 10060 may determine whether the scell is available based on the indication, and in some examples, when the scell is available. Control module 10060 may also configure the UE based on any received DRX parameters. For example, control module 10060 may set one or more timers to wake up and sleep the UE. In some examples, the control module may determine whether the UE is associated with the eNodeB through a pcell or an scell.

The P-cell modules 10040, 10070 may implement one or more protocol stack layers, including a Physical (PHY) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, radio link control, packet data convergence protocol, etc., of the P-cell. The scell modules 10050, 10080 may implement one or more protocol stack layers, including a Physical (PHY) layer, a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, radio link control, packet data convergence protocol, etc., of the scell. In some examples, the eNodeB 10010 and the UE may operate in accordance with the Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards promulgated by the 3 rd generation partnership project (3 GPP). Other example protocols by which the UE and eNodeB may operate include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), global system for mobile communications (GSM), and the like.

Fig. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example machine 11000 that may perform any one or more of the techniques (e.g., methods) discussed herein. In alternative embodiments, the machine 11000 may operate as a standalone device or may be connected (e.g., networked) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 11000 may operate in the role of a server machine, a client machine, or both, in server-client network environments. In an example, the machine 11000 may operate in a peer-to-peer (P2P) (or other distributed) network environment as a peer machine. The machine 11000 may be a UE, an eNodeB, a Personal Computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), a mobile telephone, a smart phone, a web appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. The machine 11000 may implement any of the modules of fig. 10. Further, while only a single machine is illustrated, the term "machine" shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein (e.g., cloud computing, software as a service (SaaS), other computer cluster configurations).

The examples described herein may include or may operate on logic or multiple components, modules, or mechanisms. A module is a tangible entity (e.g., hardware) capable of performing specified operations and may be configured or arranged in a particular manner. In an example, the circuitry may be arranged as a module in a specified manner (e.g., internally or with respect to external entities (e.g., other circuitry)). In an example, all or portions of one or more computer systems (e.g., a stand-alone, client, or server computer system) or one or more hardware processors may be configured by firmware or software (e.g., instructions, application portions, or applications) to operate as a module to perform specified operations. In an example, the software may reside on a machine-readable medium. In an example, software, when executed by underlying hardware of a module, causes the hardware to perform specified operations.

Thus, the term "module" is understood to encompass a tangible entity, whether physically constructed, specifically configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily (e.g., momentarily) configured (e.g., programmed) to operate in a specified manner or to perform some or all of any of the operations described herein. Consider an example where the modules are temporarily configured, without having to instantiate each module at any one time. For example, where the modules include a general purpose hardware processor configured using software, the general purpose hardware processor may be configured as various modules at different times. The software may accordingly configure the hardware processor, for example, to constitute a particular module at one time and to constitute another module at another time.

The machine (e.g., computer system) 11000 may include a hardware processor 11002 (e.g., a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a hardware processor core, or any combination thereof), a main memory 11004, and a static memory 11006, some or all of which may communicate with each other via an interconnection link (e.g., a bus) 11008. The machine 11000 may also include a display unit 11010, an alphanumeric input device 11012 (e.g., a keyboard), and a User Interface (UI) navigation device 11014 (e.g., a mouse). In an example, the display unit 11010, the input device 11012, and the UI navigation device 11014 may be a touch screen display. The machine 11000 may additionally include a storage device (e.g., a driver unit) 11016, a signal generation device 11018 (e.g., a speaker), a network interface device 11020, and one or more sensors 11021 (e.g., a Global Positioning System (GPS) sensor, compass, accelerator, or other sensor). The machine 11000 may include an output controller 11028 such as a serial connection (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB)), a parallel connection, or other wired or wireless connection (e.g., Infrared (IR), Near Field Communication (NFC)), or the like) to communicate with or control one or more peripheral devices (e.g., a printer, card reader, or the like).

The storage device 11016 may include a machine-readable medium 11022 on which is stored one or more sets of data structures and instructions 11024 (e.g., software) embodying or utilized by one or more techniques or functions described herein. The instructions 11024 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 11004, within static memory 11006, or within the hardware processor 11002 during execution thereof by the machine 11000. In an example, one or any combination of the hardware processor 11002, the main memory 11004, the static memory 11006, or the storage device 11016 may constitute machine-readable media.

While the machine-readable medium 11022 is shown to be a single medium, the term "machine-readable medium" may include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more instructions 11024.

The term "machine-readable medium" may include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying instructions for execution by the machine 11000 and that cause the machine 11000 to perform any one or more of the techniques of the present disclosure, or that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying data structures used by or associated with such instructions. Non-limiting examples of machine-readable media can include solid-state memory as well as optical and magnetic media. Particular examples of a machine-readable medium may include: non-volatile memory (e.g., semiconductor memory devices such as electrically erasable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices); magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard disks and removable disks); magneto-optical disks; random Access Memory (RAM); a Solid State Drive (SSD); and CD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks. In some examples, the machine-readable medium may include a non-transitory machine-readable medium. In some examples, a machine-readable medium may include a machine-readable medium that is not a transitory transmission signal.

The instructions 11024 may further be transmitted or received over a communication network 11026 using a transmission medium via the network interface device 11020. The machine 11000 may communicate with one or more other machines using any one of a number of transfer protocols (e.g., frame relay, Internet Protocol (IP) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), User Datagram Protocol (UDP), hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), etc.). Example communication networkMay include a Local Area Network (LAN), a Wide Area Network (WAN), a packet data network (e.g., the internet), a mobile telephone network (e.g., a cellular network), a Plain Old Telephone (POTS) network, and a wireless data network (e.g., referred to as a "POTS") networkOf the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11 family of standards, referred to asIEEE 802.16 family of standards), IEEE 802.15.4 family of standards, Long Term Evolution (LTE) family of standards, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) family of standards, peer-to-peer (P2P) networks, and the like. In an example, the network interface device 11020 may include one or more physical jacks (e.g., ethernet jacks, coaxial jacks, or telephone jacks) or one or more antennas to connect to the communication network 11026. In an example, the network interface device 11020 may include multiple antennas to wirelessly communicate using at least one of single-input multiple-output (SIMO), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), or multiple-input single-output (MISO) technologies. In some examples, the network interface device 11020 may communicate wirelessly using multi-user MIMO techniques.

Other comments and examples

Example 1 includes a method, means, machine-readable medium having instructions stored thereon, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations, for informing a User Equipment (UE) of a theme (e.g., perform an action) when a cell is available in an unlicensed frequency band, comprising: providing a primary cell (Pcell) on a licensed frequency band; determining that the unlicensed frequency band is available for use by a secondary cell (SCell) for the determined time window; sending an indication to the UE that the unlicensed frequency band is available for use by the S-cell, the indication informing the UE that the frequency band is available for use by the UE for at least a portion of the determined time window; and providing S cells in the frequency band for the determined time window.

In example 2, the subject matter of example 1 may optionally include: wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle that directs the UE to access the S-cell during the determined time window.

In example 3, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-2 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

In example 4, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-3 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a bit field in the PDCCH.

In example 5, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-4 can optionally include: wherein the operation of sending the indication comprises: the PDCCH is constructed by scrambling a cyclic redundancy check field of the PDCCH using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) indicating that an unlicensed band is available for the S-cell.

In example 6, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-5 can optionally include: the operation of sending the indication comprises: a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S cell is scheduled on a PDCCH, which is transmitted on the P cell.

In example 7, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-6 can optionally include: the operation of sending the indication comprises: a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell is scheduled on a PDCCH, which is transmitted on the S-cell.

In example 8, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-7 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid ARQ indication channel (PHICH).

In example 9, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-8 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

In example 10, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-9 can optionally include: wherein at least a portion of the determined time window is the entire determined time window.

In example 11, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-10 can optionally include: wherein the operation of providing the scell comprises: providing the scell only in the determined time slot and in one or more other consecutive time slots.

In example 12, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-11 can optionally include: wherein the determined time window is configured in a cell-specific manner.

Example 13 includes the subject matter of any one of examples 1-12, or can optionally be combined therewith, to include subject matter (e.g., eNodeB, apparatus, device, or machine) comprising hardware processing circuitry configured to: providing a P cell on a primary frequency band; determining that a secondary frequency band is available for use by a secondary cell (SCell) during a time slot; sending an indication to the UE that the S-cell is available for association during the time slot; and providing an scell during the time slot, the scell including a data channel.

In example 14, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-13 can optionally include: wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle that directs the UE to access the S-cell during the determined time slot.

In example 15, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-14 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

In example 16, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-15 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a bit field in the PDCCH.

In example 17, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-16 can optionally include: wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication by constructing a PDCCH by at least scrambling a cyclic redundancy check field of the PDCCH using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) indicating that an unlicensed frequency band is available for use by the S-cell.

In example 18, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-17 can optionally include: wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication at least by scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of an S-cell on a PDCCH transmitted on a P-cell.

In example 19, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-18 can optionally include: wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication at least by scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of an S-cell on a PDCCH transmitted on the S-cell.

In example 20, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-19 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid ARQ indication channel (PHICH).

In example 21, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-20 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

In example 22, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-21 can optionally include: wherein at least a portion of the determined time slot is the entire determined time slot.

In example 23, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-22 can optionally include: wherein the scell is provided only in the determined time slot and in one or more other consecutive time slots.

In example 24, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-23 can optionally include: wherein the determined time slots are configured in a cell-specific manner.

Example 25 includes, or may optionally be combined with, the subject matter of any of examples 1-24 to include subject matter (e.g., a UE, a device, an apparatus, or a machine) comprising: hardware processing circuitry configured to: associating with a P cell on a licensed frequency band provided by an eNodeB; receiving, on a P-cell, an indication that a secondary cell (S-cell) is available on an unlicensed frequency band at a particular time period; the S cell is associated with the unlicensed frequency band for the particular time period, the S cell being provided by the eNodeB.

In example 26, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-25 can optionally include: wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

In example 27, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-26 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

In example 28, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-27 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a bit field in the PDCCH.

In example 29, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-28 can optionally include: wherein the indication is to scramble a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH using a specific Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI).

In example 30, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-29 can optionally include: the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH, which is received on the P-cell.

In example 31, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-30 can optionally include: the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH that is received on the S-cell.

In example 32, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-31 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) indicator channel (PHICH).

In example 33, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-32 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

Example 34 includes the subject matter of any of examples 1-33, or can be optionally combined therewith, to include the subject matter for accessing a cell (e.g., a method, unit for performing an action, machine-readable medium containing instructions for performing operations), comprising: at a User Equipment (UE): associating with a P cell on a licensed frequency band provided by an eNodeB; receiving, on a P-cell, an indication that a secondary cell (S-cell) is available on an unlicensed frequency band at a particular time period; the S cell is associated with the unlicensed frequency band for the particular time period, the S cell being provided by the eNodeB.

In example 35, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-34 can optionally include: wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

In example 36, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-35 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

In example 37, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-36 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a bit field in the PDCCH.

In example 38, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-37 can optionally include: wherein the indication is to scramble a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH using a specific Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI).

In example 39, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-38 can optionally include: the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH, which is received on the P-cell.

In example 40, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-39 can optionally include: the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH that is received on the S-cell.

In example 41, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-40 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) indicator channel (PHICH).

In example 42, the subject matter of any one or more of examples 1-41 can optionally include: wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

Claims (23)

1. An eNodeB, comprising:

hardware processing circuitry configured to:

providing a P cell on a primary frequency band;

determining that a secondary frequency band is available for use by a secondary cell (SCell) during a time slot;

sending an indication to the UE that the S-cell is available for association during the time slot; and

during the time slot, an scell is provided, the scell including a data channel.

2. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle that directs the UE to access the S-cell during the determined time slot.

3. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

4. The eNodeB of claim 3, wherein the indication is a bit field in the PDCCH.

5. The eNodeB of claim 3, wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication at least by constructing a PDCCH by scrambling a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) field of the PDCCH using a predetermined Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI) indicating that an unlicensed frequency band is available for use by S-cells.

6. The eNodeB of claim 3, wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication at least by scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of an S-cell on a PDCCH transmitted on a P-cell.

7. The eNodeB of claim 3, wherein the hardware processing circuitry is to transmit the indication at least by scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH transmitted on the S-cell.

8. The eNodeB of claim 3, wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid ARQ indication channel (PHICH).

9. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

10. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the determined time slot is the entire determined time slot.

11. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein the S-cell is provided only in the determined time slot and in one or more other successive time slots.

12. The eNodeB of claim 1, wherein the determined time slots are configured in a cell-specific manner.

13. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations for implementing the eNodeB of any of claims 1-12.

14. A User Equipment (UE), comprising:

hardware processing circuitry configured to:

associating with a P cell on a licensed frequency band provided by an eNodeB;

receiving, on a P-cell, an indication that a secondary cell (S-cell) is available on an unlicensed frequency band at a particular time period;

the S cell is associated with the unlicensed frequency band for the particular time period, the S cell being provided by the eNodeB.

15. The UE of claim 14, wherein the indication is a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message specifying a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

16. The UE of claim 14, wherein the indication is located in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH).

17. The UE of claim 16, wherein the indication is a bit field in the PDCCH.

18. The UE of claim 16, wherein the indication is to scramble a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) of the PDCCH using a specific Radio Network Temporary Identity (RNTI).

19. The UE of claim 16, in which the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH received on the P-cell.

20. The UE of claim 16, in which the indication is that the eNodeB schedules a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) of the S-cell on a PDCCH that is received on the S-cell.

21. The UE of claim 14, wherein the indication is located in a physical hybrid automatic repeat request (ARQ) indicator channel (PHICH).

22. The UE of claim 14, wherein the indication is located in a beacon signal.

23. A machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations for implementing the UE of any of claims 14-22.