Concurrent wireless communications over licensed and unlicensed spectrum

• US 10,681,760 B2
• Filed: 09/06/2016
• Issued: 06/09/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Bhushan, Naga, Malladi, Durga Prasad, Wei, Yongbin, Gaal, Peter, Luo, Tao, Ji, Tingfang, Horn, Gavin Bernard, Chen, Wanshi, Damnjanovic, Aleksandar
• Primary Examiner(s): Jain, Raj
• Application Number:
  US15/257,457
• Publication Number:
  US 20160381567A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,372 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/00 Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received correcting synchronisation H04L7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0009 by adapting the channel coding H04L1/1812 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/003 Adaptive formatting arrangements particular to signalling, e.g. variable amount of bits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/009 arrangements specific to transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0612 Space-time modulation
• 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 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2603 Signal structure ensuring backward compatibility with legacy system
• 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 5/005 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 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/1469 using time-sharing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0252 per individual bearer or channel dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 : Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 : Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 : one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 : Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/006 : in the downlink, i.e. towards the terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 : Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0808 : using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0816 : with collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 : Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are described for wireless communications. A first method includes transmitting a first Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communications signal to a wireless node in a licensed spectrum, and transmitting, concurrently with the transmission of the first OFDMA communications signal, a second OFDMA communications signal to the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum. A second method includes receiving a first Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communications signal from a wireless node in a licensed spectrum, and receiving, concurrently with the reception of the first OFDMA communications signal, a second OFDMA communication signal from the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum. A third method includes generating a periodic gating interval for a cellular downlink in an unlicensed spectrum, and synchronizing at least one boundary of the periodic gating interval with at least one boundary of a periodic frame structure associated with a primary component carrier of the cellular downlink.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

receiving a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal from a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

receiving, concurrently with the reception of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA signal from the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless node comprises a user equipment (UE).

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals are received at an evolved Node B (eNB).

4. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

39. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

40. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

7. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for receiving a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal from a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

means for receiving, concurrently with the reception of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA signal from the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the wireless node comprises a user equipment (UE).

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals are received at an evolved Node B (eNB).

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

13. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

receive a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal from a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

receive, concurrently with the reception of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA signal from the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the wireless node comprises a user equipment (UE).

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals are received at an evolved Node B (eNB).

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

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

receive a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal from a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

receive, concurrently with the reception of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA signal from the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the wireless node comprises a user equipment (UE).

21. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

23. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

transmitting a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal to a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

transmitting, concurrently with the transmission of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA communications signal to the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the wireless node comprises an evolved Node B (eNB).

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the first and second single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signals are transmitted from a user equipment (UE).

26. The method of claim 23, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

28. The method of claim 23, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

29. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for transmitting a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal to a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

means for transmitting, concurrently with the transmission of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA communications signal to the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the wireless node comprises an evolved Node B (eNB).

31. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals are transmitted from a user equipment (UE).

32. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

33. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

34. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.

35. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

transmit a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal to a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

transmit, concurrently with the transmission of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA communications signal to the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the wireless node comprises an evolved Node B (eNB).

37. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals are transmitted from a user equipment (UE).

38. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein each of the first and second SC-FDMA communications signals comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE) signal.

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

transmit a first single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) communications signal to a wireless node in a licensed spectrum; and

transmit, concurrently with the transmission of the first SC-FDMA communications signal, a second SC-FDMA communications signal to the wireless node in an unlicensed spectrum.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the wireless node comprises an evolved Node B (eNB).

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal comprises an interleaved signal.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 41, wherein the second SC-FDMA communications signal occupies a greater bandwidth than the first SC-FDMA communications signal.