Narrowband time-division duplex frame structure for narrowband communications

• US 10,469,159 B2
• Filed: 09/18/2017
• Issued: 11/05/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sridharan, Arvind, Bhattad, Kapil, Chandrasekar, Manikandan, Somichetty, Gowrisankar, Rico Alvarino, Alberto, Wang, Xiao feng
• Primary Examiner(s): Pancholi, Rina C
• Application Number:
  US15/706,966
• Publication Number:
  US 20180234170A1
• Time in Patent Office: 778 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2606 Arrangements for base station coverage control, e.g. by using relays in tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2656 for structure of frame, burst
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2668 Arrangements for Wireless Code-Division Multiple Access [CDMA] System Synchronisation, for code acquisition H04B1/7075, for code tracking H04B1/7085
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/0682 by delay compensation, e.g. by compensation of propagation delay or variations thereof, by ranging
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/04 using frequency diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/08 by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2001/0093 Point-to-multipoint
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0023 Time-frequency-space
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/006 Quality of the received signal, e.g. BER, SNR, water filling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0091 Signaling for the administration of the divided path
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/023 Multiplexing of multicarrier modulation signals multicarrier modulation H04L27/2601
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/143 for modulated signals H04L5/1469 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/24 : with start-stop synchronous converters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0005 : synchronizing of arrival of multiple uplinks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/008 : detecting arrival of signal based on received raw signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA

Abstract

There is a need to support narrowband TDD frame structure for narrowband communications. The present disclosure provides a solution by supporting one or more narrowband TDD frame structure(s) for narrowband communications. In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may determine a TDD mode for narrowband communications. The apparatus may determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of narrowband TDD frame structures. In one aspect, at least one common subframe in each narrowband TDD frame structure in the group of narrowband TDD frame structures may be configured as a downlink subframe. The apparatus may transmit a PSS using the at least one common subframe in the narrowband TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

determining a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determining a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set;

determining at least one common subframe for use in transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the at least one common subframe being configured as a downlink subframe in each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures; and

transmitting the PSS using the at least one common subframe in the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the at least one common subframe includes a plurality of common subframes, the method comprises:

determining one of the plurality of common subframes for use in transmitting the PSS, the one of the plurality of common subframes being determined as a function of the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein a first periodicity associated with transmitting the PSS using the TDD frame structure is reduced or increased as compared to a second periodicity associated with transmission of a second PSS using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

4. A method of wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

determining a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determining a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set; and

transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) using the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications, a set of PSS sequences being associated with at least one of the TDD mode or the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is the same as a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is different than a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different Zadoff Chu sequence for initialization than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different cover code than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the set of PSS sequences is a function of one or more of a deployment mode, the TDD frame structure, or a location of at least one of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrier, a system information block (SIB) carrier, or a PSS carrier.

10. An apparatus for wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

means for determining a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

wherein the means for determining is configured to determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set;

wherein the means for determining is further configured to determine at least one common subframe for use in transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the at least one common subframe being configured as a downlink subframe in each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures; and

means for transmitting the PSS using the at least one common subframe in the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the at least one common subframe includes a plurality of common subframes, the apparatus further comprises:

means for determining one of a plurality of common subframes for use in transmitting the PSS, the one of the plurality of common subframes being determined as a function of the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein a first periodicity associated with the transmitting the PSS using the TDD frame structure is reduced or increased as compared to a second periodicity associated with transmission of a second PSS using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

13. An apparatus for wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

means for determining a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

wherein the means for determining is configured to determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set; and

means for transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) using the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications, a set of PSS sequences being associated with at least one of the TDD mode or the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is the same as a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is different than a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different Zadoff Chu sequence for initialization than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different cover code than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the set of PSS sequences is a function of one or more of a deployment mode, the TDD frame structure, or a location of at least one of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrier, a system information block (SIB) carrier, or a PSS carrier.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

determine a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set;

determine at least one common subframe for use in transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the at least one common subframe being configured as a downlink subframe in each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures; and

transmit the PSS using the at least one common subframe in the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein when the at least one common subframe includes a plurality of common subframes, the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine one of the plurality of common subframes for use in transmitting the PSS, the one of the plurality of common subframes being determined as a function of the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein a first periodicity associated with the transmitting the PSS using the TDD frame structure is reduced or increased as compared to a second periodicity associated with transmission of a second PSS using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

22. An apparatus for wireless communication for a base station, comprising:

a memory; and

at least one processor coupled to the memory and configured to;

determine a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set; and

transmit a primary synchronization signal (PSS) using the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications, a set of PSS sequences being associated with at least one of the TDD mode or the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is the same as a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is different than a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different Zadoff Chu sequence for initialization than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different cover code than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the set of PSS sequences is a function of one or more of a deployment mode, the TDD frame structure, or a location of at least one of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrier, a system information block (SIB) carrier, or a PSS carrier.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for a base station, comprising code to:

determine a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set;

determine at least one common subframe for use in transmitting a primary synchronization signal (PSS), the at least one common subframe being configured as a downlink subframe in each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures; and

transmit the PSS using the at least one common subframe in the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein when the at least one common subframe includes a plurality of common subframes, the code is configured to:

determine one of the plurality of common subframes for use in transmitting the PSS, the one of the plurality of common subframes being determined as a function of the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28, wherein a first periodicity associated with the transmitting the PSS using the TDD frame structure is reduced or increased as compared to a second periodicity associated with transmission of a second PSS using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

31. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for a base station, comprising code to:

determine a time-division duplex (TDD) mode for narrowband communications, the TDD mode including an in-band mode, a guard band mode, or a standalone mode;

determine a TDD frame structure for the narrowband communications from a group of TDD frame structures, each TDD frame structure in the group of TDD frame structures having a different ordered subframe arrangement of downlink, uplink, special, or flexible subframes, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a first set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in one of the in-band mode or the guard band mode, wherein the TDD frame structure is selected from a second set of TDD frame structures when the base station is operating in the standalone mode, and wherein the second set includes at least one TDD frame structure different from the first set; and

transmit a primary synchronization signal (PSS) using the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications, a set of PSS sequences being associated with at least one of the TDD mode or the TDD frame structure determined for the narrowband communications.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is the same as a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 31, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure is different than a second set of PSS sequences transmitted using a frequency-division duplex (FDD) frame structure for narrowband communications.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different Zadoff Chu sequence for initialization than the second set of PSS sequence transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the set of PSS sequences transmitted using the TDD frame structure has a different cover code than the second set of PSS sequences transmitted using the FDD frame structure.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 33, wherein the set of PSS sequences is a function of one or more of a deployment mode, the TDD frame structure, or a location of at least one of a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) carrier, a system information block (SIB) carrier, or a PSS carrier.