Narrowband communication for different device capabilities in unlicensed spectrum

• US 10,218,406 B2
• Filed: 06/29/2017
• Issued: 02/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/02/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Liu, Chih-Hao, Yerramalli, Srinivas, Patel, Chirag, Kadous, Tamer, Xu, Hao
• Primary Examiner(s): Haider, Syed
• Application Number:
  US15/637,178
• Publication Number:
  US 20180069589A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/005 adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/006 using switches for selecting the desired band H04B1/0057 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/26 for superheterodyne receivers multiple frequency-changing H03D7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/707 using direct sequence modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/24 for communication between two or more posts wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2634 for channel frequency control
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0006 Assessment of spectral gaps suitable for allocating digitally modulated signals, e.g. for carrier allocation in cognitive radio for spectrum sharing between different networks H04W16/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0064 Rate requirement of the data, e.g. scalable bandwidth, data priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0069 Allocation based on distance or geographical location allocation based on terminal or device properties in general, H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0091 Signaling for the administration of the divided path
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 based on terminal or device properties

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. Resources for narrowband communication in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be configured and allocated based on resource availability, regulatory constraints, and device capability or category. A narrowband wireless device, such as a machine type communication device or other relatively low complexity device, may communicate using one or more narrowband carriers, which may occupy between one tone and multiple resource blocks in an unlicensed spectrum band (e.g., any number of resources between one (1) tone and multiple resource blocks (RBs)). Different device types may thus be configured differently as they move between geographic regions. The base station may then communicate with the narrowband mobile device based on the resource allocation and the carrier configuration.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

transmitting an indication of a capability of a wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

receiving a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier;

identifying, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wherein the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device;

receiving, on the resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicating on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more additional carriers are contiguous to one another.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an uplink message on the resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein a number of the one or more additional carriers in the configuration is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving the assignment of resources comprises:

receiving a downlink control message having a format that is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating on the one or more additional carriers comprises:

receiving a downlink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, wherein a format of the downlink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting an uplink control message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein a format of the uplink control message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating on the one or more additional carriers comprises:

transmitting an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, wherein a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein a bandwidth of each narrowband region comprises a bandwidth of twelve Long Term Evolution (LTE) subcarriers (1RB).

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a system information broadcast message on the resources of the first carrier; and

identifying the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the system information broadcast message.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing a random access procedure using resources of the first carrier, wherein the configuration message is received during the random access procedure.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving one or more synchronization signals on the resources of the first carrier.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

identifying a location of the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the one or more synchronization signals.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

determining that a base station has gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on receiving the one or more synchronization signals; and

tuning one or more radio frequency (RF) chains to frequencies of the different narrowband regions based at least in part on determining that the base station gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

monitoring for the one or more synchronization signals while operating in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the one or more synchronization signals comprise a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

17. A method for wireless communication, comprising:

receiving an indication of a capability of a first wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

transmitting a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, wherein the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and wherein the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device;

transmitting, on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicating with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting an additional configuration message on the first carrier in the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a second wireless device, wherein the additional configuration message identifies a configuration of a second set of additional carriers that are in different narrowband regions.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein each carrier of the first set of additional carriers is contiguous to another carrier of the first set of additional carriers.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an uplink message from the first wireless device on the resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein a number of carriers in the first set of additional carriers in the configuration is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the assignment of resources comprises:

transmitting a downlink control message having a format that is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein communicating on the first set of additional carriers comprises:

transmitting a downlink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, wherein a format of the downlink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

24. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving an uplink control message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein a format of the uplink control message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein communicating on the first set of additional carriers comprises:

receiving an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, wherein a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

26. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting a system information broadcast message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein the system information broadcast message identifies the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

performing a random access procedure with the first wireless device using resources of the first carrier, wherein the configuration message is transmitted during the random access procedure.

28. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting one or more synchronization signals on the resources of the first carrier.

29. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for transmitting an indication of a capability of a wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

means for receiving a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier;

means for identifying, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wherein the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device;

means for receiving, on the resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

means for communicating on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for receiving an indication of a capability of a first wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

means for transmitting a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier to a the first wireless device, wherein the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and wherein the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device;

means for transmitting, on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

means for communicating with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

31. An apparatus for wireless communication, in a system comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and operable, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to;

transmit an indication of a capability of a wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

receive a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier;

identify, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wherein the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device;

receive, on the resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicate on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the one or more additional carriers are contiguous to one another.

33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit an uplink message on the resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region.

34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a number of the one or more additional carriers in the configuration is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive a downlink control message having a format that is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive a downlink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, wherein a format of the downlink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit an uplink control message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein a format of the uplink control message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

38. The apparatus of claim 31, the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, wherein a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device.

39. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein a bandwidth of each narrowband region comprises a bandwidth of twelve Long Term Evolution (LTE) subcarriers (1RB).

40. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive a system information broadcast message on the resources of the first carrier; and

identify the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the system information broadcast message.

41. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

perform a random access procedure using resources of the first carrier, wherein the configuration message is received during the random access procedure.

42. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive one or more synchronization signals on the resources of the first carrier.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

identify a location of the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on the one or more synchronization signals.

44. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

determine that a base station has gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based at least in part on receiving the one or more synchronization signals; and

tune one or more radio frequency (RF) chains to frequencies of the different narrowband regions based at least in part on determining that the base station gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

monitor for the one or more synchronization signals while operating in a radio resource control (RRC) idle mode.

46. The apparatus of claim 42, wherein the one or more synchronization signals comprise a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS).

47. An apparatus for wireless communication, in a system comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory and operable, when executed by the processor, to cause the apparatus to;

receiving an indication of a capability of a first wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

transmit a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, wherein the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and wherein the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device;

transmit, on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

48. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit an additional configuration message on the first carrier in the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a second wireless device, wherein the additional configuration message identifies a configuration of a second set of additional carriers that are in different narrowband regions.

49. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein each carrier of the first set of additional carriers is contiguous to another carrier of the first set of additional carriers.

50. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive an uplink message from the first wireless device on the resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region.

51. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein a number of carriers in the first set of additional carriers in the configuration is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

52. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit a downlink control message having a format that is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

53. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit a downlink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, wherein a format of the downlink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

54. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive an uplink control message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein a format of the uplink control message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

55. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

receive an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, wherein a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device.

56. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit a system information broadcast message on the resources of the first carrier, wherein the system information broadcast message identifies the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

57. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

perform a random access procedure with the first wireless device using resources of the first carrier, wherein the configuration message is transmitted during the random access procedure.

58. The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to:

transmit one or more synchronization signals on the resources of the first carrier.

59. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable to:

transmitting an indication of a capability of a wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

receive a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier;

identify, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wherein the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device;

receive, on the resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicate on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

60. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing code for wireless communication, the code comprising instructions executable to:

receiving an indication of a capability of a first wireless device on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radiofrequency spectrum band;

transmit a configuration message on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, wherein the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and wherein the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based at least in part on the capability of the first wireless device;

transmit, on the resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and

communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.