RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR ENHANCED PHYSICAL DOWNLINK CONTROL CHANNEL (EPDCCH)

• US 20130201975A1
• Filed: 02/05/2013
• Published: 08/08/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Chen, Wanshi, Gaal, Peter, Xu, Hao
• Granted Patent: US 9,271,288 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/336
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1893 Physical mapping arrangements physical resource mapping in general H04L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0023 Time-frequency-space
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames

Abstract

Certain aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for systems that support DMRS-based transmissions, that may allow such systems to at least partially utilize resources in the center six RBs of subframes 0 and 5 for DMRS-based transmissions (e.g., EPDCCH), while avoiding collision with Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) or Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH).

Claims

1. A method for wireless communication by a User Equipment, comprising:

determining at least one decoding candidate for Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

determining whether or not the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the subframe; and

processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the determination of potential resource collision.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a configuration of EPDCCH resources; and

determining the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the received configuration.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

determining the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the received configuration.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based, at least in part, on the determination of the potential resource collision.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprises:

declaring the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate as a valid candidate if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPCDDH decoding candidate does not potentially collide with the resources used by at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprises:

monitoring and decoding the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is determined to be valid.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprises:

declaring the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate as an invalid candidate if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate potentially collide with the resources used by at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprises:

skipping monitoring the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is determined to be invalid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH comprises:

determining if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same resource based on a comparison of the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH comprises:

determining if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same physical resource block (PRB) pair, based on a comparison of a set of PRB pairs associated with EPDCCH resources and a set of PRB pairs used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the resources corresponding to at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate includes at least one physical resource block (PRB) pair of a set of PRB pairs used for transmission of at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH such that:

resources in the at least one PRB pair assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are not assigned for EPDCCH transmission; and

resources in the at least one PRB pair not assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are assigned for EPDCCH transmission.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is based on a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprise resources used by the DMRS.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein in a subframe comprising of two slots, the DMRS is located in at least one symbol not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS in a same slot as the at least one of the PSS or SSS.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the DMRS is located only in symbols not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the DMRS is located at least in one symbol originally occupied by at least one of PSS or SSS of a legacy type.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate scheduling a transmission on a first carrier is transmitted on a second carrier different from the first carrier.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate includes at least one Physical Resource Block Pair.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH includes at least one Physical Resource Block Pair.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for determining at least one decoding candidate for Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

means for determining whether or not the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the subframe; and

means for processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the determination of potential resource collision.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising:

means for determining validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based, at least in part, on the determination of the potential resource collision.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for determining the validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is configured to:

declare the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate as a valid candidate if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPCDDH decoding candidate does not potentially collide with the resources used by at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the means for processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is configured to:

monitor and decode the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is determined to be valid.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the means for determining the validity of the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is configured to:

declare the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate as an invalid candidate if the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate potentially collide with the resources used by at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the means for processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is configured to:

skip monitoring the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is determined to be invalid.

25. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is based on a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprise resources used by the DMRS.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein in a subframe comprising of two slots, the DMRS is located in at least one symbol not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS in a same slot as the at least one of the PSS or SSS.

27. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the DMRS is located only in symbols not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS.

28. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the DMRS is located at least in one symbol originally occupied by at least one of PSS or SSS of a legacy type.

29. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate scheduling a transmission on a first carrier is transmitted on a second carrier different from the first carrier.

30. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

determine at least one decoding candidate for Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

determine whether or not the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the subframe; and

process the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the determination of potential resource collision; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

31. A computer program product for wireless communication, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

determining at least one decoding candidate for Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

determining whether or not the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate can potentially collide with resources used for transmitting at least one of a Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS) or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the subframe; and

processing the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate based on the determination of potential resource collision.

32. A method for wireless communications by a Base Station (BS), comprising:

determining potential collision conditions for each of a set of decoding candidates for transmitting Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

selecting at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate from the set based on the determination; and

transmitting an EPDCCH on the selected EPDCCH decoding candidate.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the selecting comprises selecting the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if resources corresponding to the candidate do not collide with the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH in the subframe.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the determining comprises:

determining if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same resource based on a comparison of the resources corresponding to the EPDCCH decoding candidate and the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the determining comprises:

determining if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same physical resource block (PRB) pair, based on a comparison of a set of PRB pairs associated with EPDCCH resources and a set of PRB pairs used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

36. The method of claim 33, wherein the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate includes at least one physical resource block (PRB) pair of a set of PRB pairs used for transmission of at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH such that:

resources in the at least one PRB pair assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are not assigned for EPDCCH transmission; and

resources in the at least one PRB pair not assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are assigned for EPDCCH transmission.

37. The method of claim 32, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is based on a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprise resources used by the DMRS.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein in a subframe comprising of two slots, the DMRS is located in at least one symbol not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS in a same slot as the at least one of PSS or SSS.

39. The method of claim 37, wherein the DMRS is located only in symbols not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS.

40. The method of claim 37, wherein the DMRS is located at least in one symbol originally occupied by at least one of PSS or SSS of a legacy type.

41. The method of claim 32, wherein resources corresponding to each EPDCCH decoding candidate includes at least one Physical Resource Block Pair.

42. The method of claim 32, wherein resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH includes at least one Physical Resource Block Pair.

43. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for determining potential collision conditions for each of a set of decoding candidates for transmitting Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

means for selecting at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate from the set based on the determination; and

means for transmitting an EPDCCH on the selected EPDCCH decoding candidate.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for selecting is configured to select the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate if resources corresponding to the candidate do not collide with the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH in the subframe.

45. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the means for determining is configured to:

determine if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same resource based on a comparison of the resources corresponding to the EPDCCH decoding candidate and the resources used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

46. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the means for determining is configured to:

determine if the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate and at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH use a same physical resource block (PRB) pair, based on a comparison of a set of PRB pairs associated with EPDCCH resources and a set of PRB pairs used for transmitting at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH.

47. The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate includes at least one physical resource block (PRB) pair of a set of PRB pairs used for transmission of at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH such that:

resources in the at least one PRB pair assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are not assigned for EPDCCH transmission; and

resources in the at least one PRB pair not assigned to at least one of the PSS, SSS or PBCH are assigned for EPDCCH transmission.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate is based on a demodulation reference signal (DMRS), and resources corresponding to the at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate comprise resources used by the DMRS.

49. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein in a subframe comprising of two slots, the DMRS is located in at least one symbol not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS in a same slot as the at least one of PSS or SSS.

50. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the DMRS is located only in symbols not occupied by at least one of the PSS or SSS.

51. The apparatus of claim 48, wherein the DMRS is located at least in one symbol originally occupied by at least one of PSS or SSS of a legacy type.

52. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

determine potential collision conditions for each of a set of decoding candidates for transmitting Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

select at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate from the set based on the determination; and

transmit an EPDCCH on the selected EPDCCH decoding candidate; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor.

53. A computer program product for wireless communications, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for;

determining potential collision conditions for each of a set of decoding candidates for transmitting Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH) in a subframe;

selecting at least one EPDCCH decoding candidate from the set based on the determination; and

transmitting an EPDCCH on the selected EPDCCH decoding candidate.