Unlicensed frequency band with licensed frequency band timing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method comprising:
- transmitting from communication equipment first signals within a licensed frequency band using a timing structure comprising frames, subframes and timeslots;
transmitting from the communication equipment second signals within an unlicensed frequency band using the timing structure;
monitoring the unlicensed frequency band;
determining, at least partially based on the monitoring, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use; and
transmitting, from the communication equipment, the second signals within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use, whereina transmitting device transmits the second signals and the monitoring is performed by the transmitting device.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The timing used by communication equipment in a licensed frequency band by is used by the communication equipment for communication in an unlicensed frequency band. Time divisions, such as frames, subframes, timeslots, and symbol times, defined for use in the licensed frequency band are used by the communication equipment to communicate in the unlicensed frequency band. Before a transmitting device transmits within the unlicensed frequency band, the unlicensed frequency band is monitored for radio frequency energy to determine if the spectrum is currently being used. If no energy is detected, or the level is below a threshold, it is determined that the unlicensed band can be used by the transmitter.
22 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method comprising:
-
transmitting from communication equipment first signals within a licensed frequency band using a timing structure comprising frames, subframes and timeslots; transmitting from the communication equipment second signals within an unlicensed frequency band using the timing structure; monitoring the unlicensed frequency band; determining, at least partially based on the monitoring, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use; and transmitting, from the communication equipment, the second signals within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use, wherein a transmitting device transmits the second signals and the monitoring is performed by the transmitting device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
-
-
14. A transmitting device comprising:
-
a transmitter; a receiver; and a controller, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit first signals within a licensed frequency band using a timing structure comprising frames, subframes and timeslots, the transmitter is configured to transmit second signals within an unlicensed frequency band using the timing structure, the receiver is configured to monitor the unlicensed frequency band, the controller is configured to determine, at least partially based on the monitoring, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the second signals within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use.
-
-
15. A control apparatus configured to control a transmitting device, configured to:
-
transmit first signals within a licensed frequency band using a timing structure comprising frames, subframes and timeslots, transmit second signals within an unlicensed frequency band using the timing structure, monitor the unlicensed frequency band, determine, at least partially based on the monitoring, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use, and transmit the second signals within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use.
-
Specification