Communication resource scheduling for device-to-device (D2D) communication in an unlicensed frequency band

• US 10,721,748 B2
• Filed: 05/22/2015
• Issued: 07/21/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 05/22/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Kalhan, Amit
• Primary Examiner(s): Gidado, Rasheed
• Application Number:
  US15/311,768
• Publication Number:
  US 20170118765A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,887 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2615 using hybrid frequency-time division multiple access [FDMA-TDMA]
• 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 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0808 using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0866 using a dedicated channel for access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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

A transmitting user equipment (UE) device transmits scheduling assignment information within a scheduling assignment region of a physical channel structure where the physical channel structure is defined by at least one revision of a communication specification governing communication within a licensed frequency band. The scheduling assignment information identifies time-frequency communication resources of an unlicensed frequency band. The transmitting UE device transmits data to a receiving UE device using the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting, from a transmitting user equipment (UE) device, scheduling assignment information within a scheduling assignment region of a physical channel structure, the physical channel structure defined by at least one revision of a communication specification governing communication within at least a licensed frequency band, the scheduling assignment information identifying time-frequency communication resources of an unlicensed frequency band;

transmitting data, using the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band, from the transmitting UE device to a receiving UE device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the transmitting the scheduling assignment information comprises transmitting the scheduling assignment information within the unlicensed frequency band.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

monitoring the unlicensed frequency band;

determining, at least partially based on the monitoring, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use; and

transmitting, the scheduling assignment within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving, from an enhanced Node B (eNB), communication resource information identifying the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication resource information identifies a set of resources including the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band, the method further comprising:

selecting the time-frequency communication resources to generate the scheduling assignment information.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication resource information is received over a dedicated control channel within the licensed frequency band.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication resource information is received over a broadcast control channel within the licensed frequency band.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein the communication resource information is received over a broadcast control channel within the unlicensed frequency band.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the scheduling assignment information comprises transmitting the scheduling assignment information while the transmitting UE device and the receiving UE device are outside of all eNB service areas.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein transmitting the scheduling assignment information comprises transmitting the scheduling assignment information in an uplink channel of the licensed frequency band.

11. The method of claim 2, wherein the scheduling assignment region comprises an eNB scheduling assignment.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the physical channel structure is in accordance with a revision of The Third-Generation Partnership Project Long-Term Evolution (3GPP LTE) communication specification.

13. A transmitting user equipment (UE) device comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit scheduling assignment information within a scheduling assignment region of a physical channel structure, the physical channel structure defined by at least one revision of a communication specification governing communication within at least a licensed frequency band, the scheduling assignment information identifying time-frequency communication resources of an unlicensed frequency band, the transmitter configured to transmit data, using the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band, to a receiving UE device.

14. The transmitting UE device of claim 13, wherein the transmitter transmits the scheduling assignment information within the unlicensed frequency band.

15. The transmitting UE device of claim 14, further comprising:

an unlicensed band receiver configured to monitor the unlicensed frequency band; and

a controller configured to determine, at least partially based on the monitoring by the receiver, whether the unlicensed frequency band is in use, the transmitter transmitting the scheduling assignment within the unlicensed frequency band only if the unlicensed frequency band is determined to not be in use.

16. The transmitting UE device of claim 15, further comprising:

a licensed band receiver configured to receive, from an eNodeB (eNB), communication resource information identifying the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band.

17. The transmitting UE device of claim 15, wherein the communication resource information identifies a set of resources including the time-frequency communication resources of the unlicensed frequency band, the controller further configured to select the time-frequency communication resources to generate the scheduling assignment information.

18. The transmitting UE device of claim 15, wherein the communication resource information is received over a dedicated control channel within the licensed frequency band.

19. The transmitting UE device of claim 15, wherein the communication resource information is received over a broadcast control channel within the licensed frequency band.

20. The transmitting UE device of claim 15, wherein the communication resource information is received over a broadcast control channel within the unlicensed frequency band.