TDD PIPELINE PROCESSING

• US 20130258913A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 10/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/30/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Challa, Raghu N., Srinivas, Pillappakkam Bahukutumbi, Ke, Lei
• Application Number:
  US13/840,604
• Publication Number:
  US 20130258913A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/280
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3078 Circuits generating control signals for digitally modulated signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/06 Synchronising arrangements for television systems H04N5/04; bit-synchronisation H04L7/00

Abstract

Pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing is conducted by a mobile device when preparing for reception of one or more synchronization signals in a cell, when the mobile device has no knowledge of a timing and/or configuration of the synchronization signals in the cell. The mobile device triggers selection of a particular set of pipeline AGC processing operations and sets an amplifier with an amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication in a time division duplex (TDD) system, comprising:

preparing, by a mobile device, for reception of one or more synchronization signals in a cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a timing of the one or more synchronization signals in the cell;

triggering, by the mobile device, selection of a set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

setting, by the mobile device, an amplifier of the mobile device with an amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selection of a set of pipeline AGC processing operations includes:

determining, by the mobile device, a mode of operation of the mobile device;

selecting, by the mobile device, the set of pipeline AGC processing operations from a plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations based on the determined mode of operation, wherein the plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations comprises;

a pipeline initialization operation;

a full pipeline operation;

a free amplifier update operation; and

a fixed amplifier operation;

determining, by the mobile device, a current function of the mobile device within the determined mode of operation; and

performing, by the mobile device, an AGC operation of the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations, wherein the AGC operation performed is associated with the determined current function of the mobile device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the AGC operation is performed by the mobile device on a time division duplex (TDD) communication stream divided into one or more processing periods, the method further comprising:

measuring a signal power of one or more downlink symbols in each of the one or more processing periods.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the pipeline initialization operation or the full pipeline operation, the method further comprising;

determining the amplifier gain setting based on the measured signal power of a current processing period of the one or more processing periods; and

writing the determined amplifier gain setting to a gain circular buffer (GCB) on the mobile device at a location on the GCB corresponding to the current processing period.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the full pipeline operation or the free amplifier update operation, the method further comprising;

retrieving the amplifier gain setting from a GCB for each of the one or more processing periods; and

applying the retrieved amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for a corresponding one of the one or more processing periods.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the free amplifier update operation or the fixed amplifier operation, the method further comprising;

preserving current values of a GCB for the one or more processing periods.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the fixed amplifier operation and the pipeline initialization operation, the method further comprising;

applying a fixed amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for the one or more processing periods.

8. The method of claim 3, wherein the one or more processing periods comprises a timing uncertainty processing period equal in length with a timing uncertainty, wherein the measuring the signal power includes:

setting a downlink measurement window within the timing uncertainty processing period in response to the measuring, wherein the downlink measurement window is less than or equal to a minimum total number of consecutive downlink symbols in relation to a synchronization signal of the TDD communication stream minus the timing uncertainty minus an amplifier required range; and

taking the signal power measurement within the downlink measurement window.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the TDD communication stream is configured to have 9 or more symbols, the method further comprising:

setting the timing uncertainty to 1 ms.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein a DwPTS of the TDD communication stream is configured to have less than 9 symbols, the method further comprising:

setting the timing uncertainty to 0.5 ms.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein a right edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a right edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the right edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a right edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the right edge offset number of symbols being a first number of symbols between a right edge amplifier gain setting and a last known downlink symbol following a closest primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the TDD communication stream.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein a left edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a left edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the left edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a left edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the left edge offset number of symbols being a second number of symbols between a previous left edge amplifier gain setting and an earliest known downlink symbol prior to a closest secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the TDD communication stream.

13. The method of claim 3, wherein the mode of operation comprises one of:

frequency scan (FSCAN) mode;

acquisition mode;

X2L idle mode; and

X2L connected mode.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the determined mode is the FSCAN mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the full pipeline operation.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the determined mode is the acquisition mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device does not provide timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device provides timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the determined mode is the X2L connected mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:

entering a gap mode at the mobile device;

determining entry values to a GCB by a management layer of the mobile device based on a type of gap;

sending the GCB and timing information from the management layer of the mobile device to a firmware of the mobile device; and

performing the AGC operation by the firmware during the gap mode.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the performing the AGC operation by the firmware comprises:

applying, by the firmware, the amplifier gain setting from the GCB to the mobile device for each of the one or more processing periods;

determining an updated amplifier gain setting by the firmware based on the measured signal power;

writing the updated amplifier gain setting to a firmware GCB (FGCB);

reporting the FGCB from the firmware to the management layer prior to exiting the gap mode;

executing, by the firmware, one or both of a search function and a measurement function while in the gap mode; and

reporting results of the executed one or both of the search and measurement functions from the firmware to the management layer.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein a timing offset exists between consecutive gaps, the method further comprising:

applying a partial amplifier gain setting to a first partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap of the consecutive gaps, wherein the partial amplifier gain setting comprises one of;

the amplifier gain setting from the GCB when the second gap is a measurement gap and a default amplifier gain setting; and

maintaining a full amplifier gain setting to a last partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap, wherein the full amplifier gain setting is applied to a penultimate processing period of the one or more processing periods prior to the last partial processing period.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

scheduling one or more groups of six gaps for the pipeline AGC processing, wherein each of the one or more groups begins with AGC (A) gap, in which only a pipeline initialization operation is performed, wherein remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search (AS) gaps, when the GCB is empty, and wherein the remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search+measurement (ASM) gaps, when the GCB is not empty.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

reporting cell updates after three of the remaining ones of the six gaps are completed; and

deleting one or more cells, after completion of a group of gaps of the one or more groups of six gaps, from a list of cells, when the one or more cells are not selected at least twice in the group of gaps.

24. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

preparing, by the mobile device, for reception of one or more additional synchronization signals in an additional cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a subframe configuration of the one or more additional synchronization signals in the additional cell;

triggering, by the mobile device, another selection of the set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

setting, by the mobile device, the amplifier of the mobile device with a new amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

25. An apparatus of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing in wireless communication, comprising:

means for preparing, by a mobile device, for reception of one or more synchronization signals in a cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a timing of the one or more synchronization signals in the cell;

means for triggering, by the mobile device, selection of a set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

means for setting, by the mobile device, an amplifier of the mobile device with an amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the selection of a set of pipeline AGC processing operations includes:

means for determining, by the mobile device, a mode of operation of the mobile device;

means for selecting, by the mobile device, the set of pipeline AGC processing operations from a plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations based on the determined mode of operation, wherein the plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations comprises;

a pipeline initialization operation;

a full pipeline operation;

a free amplifier update operation; and

a fixed amplifier operation;

means for determining, by the mobile device, a current function of the mobile device within the determined mode of operation; and

means for performing, by the mobile device, an AGC operation of the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations, wherein the AGC operation performed is associated with the determined current function of the mobile device.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the AGC operation is performed by the mobile device on a time division duplex (TDD) communication stream divided into one or more processing periods, the apparatus further comprising:

means for measuring a signal power of one or more downlink symbols in each of the one or more processing periods.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the pipeline initialization operation or the full pipeline operation, the apparatus further comprising;

means for determining the amplifier gain setting based on the measured signal power of a current processing period of the one or more processing periods; and

means for writing the determined amplifier gain setting to a gain circular buffer (GCB) on the mobile device at a location on the GCB corresponding to the current processing period.

29. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the full pipeline operation or the free amplifier update operation, the apparatus further comprising;

means for retrieving the amplifier gain setting from a GCB for each of the one or more processing periods; and

means for applying the retrieved amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for a corresponding one of the one or more processing periods.

30. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the free amplifier update operation or the fixed amplifier operation, the apparatus further comprising;

means for preserving current values of a GCB for the one or more processing periods.

31. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the fixed amplifier operation and the pipeline initialization operation, the apparatus further comprising;

means for applying a fixed amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for the one or more processing periods.

32. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the one or more processing periods comprises a timing uncertainty processing period equal in length with a timing uncertainty, wherein the means for measuring the signal power includes:

means for setting a downlink measurement window within the timing uncertainty processing period in response to the means for measuring, wherein the downlink measurement window is less than or equal to a minimum total number of consecutive downlink symbols in relation to a synchronization signal of the TDD communication stream minus the timing uncertainty minus an amplifier required range; and

means for taking the signal power measurement within the downlink measurement window.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the TDD communication stream is configured to have 9 or more symbols, the apparatus further comprising:

means for setting the timing uncertainty to 1 ms.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein a DwPTS of the TDD communication stream is configured to have less than 9 symbols, the apparatus further comprising:

means for setting the timing uncertainty to 0.5 ms.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein a right edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a right edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the right edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a right edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the right edge offset number of symbols being a first number of symbols between a right edge amplifier gain setting and a last known downlink symbol following a closest primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the TDD communication stream.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein a left edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a left edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the left edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a left edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the left edge offset number of symbols being a second number of symbols between a previous left edge amplifier gain setting and an earliest known downlink symbol prior to a closest secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the TDD communication stream.

37. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the mode of operation comprises one of:

frequency scan (FSCAN) mode;

acquisition mode;

X2L idle mode; and

X2L connected mode.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determined mode is the FSCAN mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the full pipeline operation.

39. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determined mode is the acquisition mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

40. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device does not provide timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

41. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device provides timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

42. The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the determined mode is the X2L connected mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

43. The apparatus of claim 42, further comprising:

means for entering a gap mode at the mobile device;

determining entry values to a GCB by a management layer of the mobile device based on a type of gap;

means for sending the GCB and timing information from the management layer of the mobile device to a firmware of the mobile device; and

means for performing the AGC operation by the firmware during the gap mode.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the means for performing the AGC operation by the firmware comprises:

means for applying, by the firmware, the amplifier gain setting from the GCB to the mobile device for each of the one or more processing periods;

means for determining an updated amplifier gain setting by the firmware based on the measured signal power;

means for writing the updated amplifier gain setting to a firmware GCB (FGCB);

means for reporting the FGCB from the firmware to the management layer prior to exiting the gap mode;

means for executing, by the firmware, one or both of a search function and a measurement function while in the gap mode; and

means for reporting results of the executed one or both of the search and measurement functions from the firmware to the management layer.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a timing offset exists between consecutive gaps, the apparatus further comprising:

means for applying a partial amplifier gain setting to a first partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap of the consecutive gaps, wherein the partial amplifier gain setting comprises one of;

the amplifier gain setting from the GCB when the second gap is a measurement gap and a default amplifier gain setting; and

means for maintaining a full amplifier gain setting to a last partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap, wherein the full amplifier gain setting is applied to a penultimate processing period of the one or more processing periods prior to the last partial processing period.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, further comprising:

means for scheduling one or more groups of six gaps for the pipeline AGC processing, wherein each of the one or more groups begins with AGC (A) gap, in which only a pipeline initialization operation is performed, wherein remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search (AS) gaps, when the GCB is empty, and wherein the remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search+measurement (ASM) gaps, when the GCB is not empty.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, further comprising:

means for reporting cell updates after three of the remaining ones of the six gaps are completed; and

means for deleting one or more cells, after completion of a group of gaps of the one or more groups of six gaps, from a list of cells, when the one or more cells are not selected at least twice in the group of gaps.

48. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising:

means for preparing, by the mobile device, for reception of one or more additional synchronization signals, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a subframe configuration of the one or more additional synchronization signals in an additional cell;

means for triggering, by the mobile device, another selection of the set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

means for setting, by the mobile device, the amplifier of the mobile device with a new amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

49. A computer program product for wireless communications in a wireless network, comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium having program code recorded thereon, the program code including;

program code for causing a computer to prepare, by a mobile device, for reception of one or more synchronization signals in a cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a timing of the one or more synchronization signals in the cell;

program code for causing a computer to trigger, by the mobile device, selection of a set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

program code for causing a computer to set, by the mobile device, an amplifier of the mobile device with an amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

50. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the selection of a set of pipeline AGC processing operations includes:

program code for causing a computer to determine, by the mobile device, a mode of operation of the mobile device;

program code for causing a computer to select, by the mobile device, the set of pipeline AGC processing operations from a plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations based on the determined mode of operation, wherein the plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations comprises;

a pipeline initialization operation;

a full pipeline operation;

a free amplifier update operation; and

a fixed amplifier operation;

program code for causing a computer to determine, by the mobile device, a current function of the mobile device within the determined mode of operation; and

program code for causing a computer to perform, by the mobile device, an AGC operation of the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations, wherein the AGC operation performed is associated with the determined current function of the mobile device.

51. The computer program product of claim 50, wherein the AGC operation is performed by the mobile device on a time division duplex (TDD) communication stream divided into one or more processing periods, the program code further comprising:

program code for causing a computer to measure a signal power of one or more downlink symbols in each of the one or more processing periods.

52. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the pipeline initialization operation or the full pipeline operation, the program code further comprising;

program code for causing a computer to determine the amplifier gain setting based on the measured signal power of a current processing period of the one or more processing periods; and

program code for causing a computer to write the determined amplifier gain setting to a gain circular buffer (GCB) on the mobile device at a location on the GCB corresponding to the current processing period.

53. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the full pipeline operation or the free amplifier update operation, the program code further comprising;

program code for causing a computer to retrieve the amplifier gain setting from a GCB for each of the one or more processing periods; and

program code for causing a computer to apply the retrieved amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for a corresponding one of the one or more processing periods.

54. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the free amplifier update operation or the fixed amplifier operation, the program code further comprising;

program code for causing a computer to preserve current values of a GCB for the one or more processing periods.

55. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the fixed amplifier operation and the pipeline initialization operation, the program code further comprising;

program code for causing a computer to apply a fixed amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for the one or more processing periods.

56. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the one or more processing periods comprises a timing uncertainty processing period equal in length with a timing uncertainty, wherein the program code for causing a computer to measure the signal power includes:

program code for causing a computer to set a downlink measurement window within the timing uncertainty processing period in response to the program code for causing a computer to measure, wherein the downlink measurement window is less than or equal to a minimum total number of consecutive downlink symbols in relation to a synchronization signal of the TDD communication stream minus the timing uncertainty minus an amplifier required range; and

program code for causing a computer to take the signal power measurement within the downlink measurement window.

57. The computer program product of claim 56, wherein a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the TDD communication stream is configured to have 9 or more symbols, the program code further comprising:

program code for causing a computer to set the timing uncertainty to 1 ms.

58. The computer program product of claim 56, wherein a DwPTS of the TDD communication stream is configured to have less than 9 symbols, the program code further comprising:

program code for causing a computer to set the timing uncertainty to 0.5 ms.

59. The computer program product of claim 56, wherein a right edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a right edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the right edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a right edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the right edge offset number of symbols being a first number of symbols between a right edge amplifier gain setting and a last known downlink symbol following a closest primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the TDD communication stream.

60. The computer program product of claim 59, wherein a left edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a left edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the left edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a left edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the left edge offset number of symbols being a second number of symbols between a previous left edge amplifier gain setting and an earliest known downlink symbol prior to a closest secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the TDD communication stream.

61. The computer program product of claim 51, wherein the mode of operation comprises one of:

frequency scan (FSCAN) mode;

acquisition mode;

X2L idle mode; and

X2L connected mode.

62. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the determined mode is the FSCAN mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the full pipeline operation.

63. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the determined mode is the acquisition mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

64. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device does not provide timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

65. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device provides timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

66. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the determined mode is the X2L connected mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

67. The computer program product of claim 61, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for causing a computer to enter a gap mode at the mobile device;

program code for causing a computer to determine entry values to a GCB by a management layer of the mobile device based on a type of gap;

program code for causing a computer to send the GCB and timing information from the management layer of the mobile device to a firmware of the mobile device; and

program code for causing a computer to perform the AGC operation by the firmware during the gap mode.

68. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the program code for causing a computer to perform the AGC operation by the firmware comprises:

program code for causing a computer to apply, by the firmware, the amplifier gain setting from the GCB to the mobile device for each of the one or more processing periods;

program code for causing a computer to determine an updated amplifier gain setting by the firmware based on the measured signal power;

program code for causing a computer to write the updated amplifier gain setting to a firmware GCB (FGCB);

program code for causing a computer to report the FGCB from the firmware to the management layer prior to exiting the gap mode;

program code for causing a computer to execute, by the firmware, one or both of a search function and a measurement function while in the gap mode; and

program code for causing a computer to report results of the executed one or both of the search and measurement functions from the firmware to the management layer.

69. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein a timing offset exists between consecutive gaps, the program code further comprising:

program code for causing a computer to apply a partial amplifier gain setting to a first partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap of the consecutive gaps, wherein the partial amplifier gain setting comprises one of;

the amplifier gain setting from the GCB when the second gap is a measurement gap and a default amplifier gain setting; and

program code for causing a computer to maintain a full amplifier gain setting to a last partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap, wherein the full amplifier gain setting is applied to a penultimate processing period of the one or more processing periods prior to the last partial processing period.

70. The computer program product of claim 67, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for causing a computer to schedule one or more groups of six gaps for the pipeline AGC processing, wherein each of the one or more groups begins with AGC (A) gap, in which only a pipeline initialization operation is performed, wherein remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search (AS) gaps, when the GCB is empty, and wherein the remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search+measurement (ASM) gaps, when the GCB is not empty.

71. The computer program product of claim 70, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for causing a computer to report cell updates after three of the remaining ones of the six gaps are completed; and

program code for causing a computer to delete one or more cells, after completion of a group of gaps of the one or more groups of six gaps, from a list of cells, when the one or more cells are not selected at least twice in the group of gaps.

72. The computer program product of claim 49, wherein the program code further comprises:

program code for causing a computer to prepare, by the mobile device, for reception of one or more additional synchronization signals in an additional cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a subframe configuration of the one or more additional synchronization signals in the neighbor cell;

program code for causing a computer to trigger, by the mobile device, another selection of the set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

program code for causing a computer to set, by the mobile device, the amplifier of the mobile device with a new amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

73. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is configured;

to prepare, by a mobile device, for reception of one or more synchronization signals in a cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a timing of the one or more synchronization signals in the cell;

to trigger, by the mobile device, selection of a set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

to set, by the mobile device, an amplifier of the mobile device with an amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.

74. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the selection of a set of pipeline AGC processing operations includes configuration of the at least one processor:

to determine, by the mobile device, a mode of operation of the mobile device;

to select, by the mobile device, the set of pipeline AGC processing operations from a plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations based on the determined mode of operation, wherein the plurality of pipeline AGC processing operations comprises;

a pipeline initialization operation;

a full pipeline operation;

a free amplifier update operation; and

a fixed amplifier operation;

to determine, by the mobile device, a current function of the mobile device within the determined mode of operation; and

to perform, by the mobile device, an AGC operation of the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations, wherein the AGC operation performed is associated with the determined current function of the mobile device.

75. The apparatus of claim 74, wherein the AGC operation is performed by the mobile device on a time division duplex (TDD) communication stream divided into one or more processing periods, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to measure a signal power of one or more downlink symbols in each of the one or more processing periods.

76. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the pipeline initialization operation or the full pipeline operation, wherein the at least one processor is further configured;

to determine the amplifier gain setting based on the measured signal power of a current processing period of the one or more processing periods; and

to write the determined amplifier gain setting to a gain circular buffer (GCB) on the mobile device at a location on the GCB corresponding to the current processing period.

77. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the full pipeline operation or the free amplifier update operation, wherein the at least one processor is further configured;

to retrieve the amplifier gain setting from a GCB for each of the one or more processing periods; and

to apply the retrieved amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for a corresponding one of the one or more processing periods.

78. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the free amplifier update operation or the fixed amplifier operation, wherein the at least one processor is further configured;

to preserve current values of a GCB for the one or more processing periods.

79. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the AGC operation comprises one of:

the fixed amplifier operation and the pipeline initialization operation, wherein the at least one processor is further configured;

to apply a fixed amplifier gain setting at the mobile device for the one or more processing periods.

80. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the one or more processing periods comprises a timing uncertainty processing period equal in length with a timing uncertainty, wherein the configuration of the at least one processor to measure the signal power includes configuration:

to set a downlink measurement window within the timing uncertainty processing period in response to the measurement, wherein the downlink measurement window is less than or equal to a minimum total number of consecutive downlink symbols in relation to a synchronization signal of the TDD communication stream minus the timing uncertainty minus an amplifier required range; and

to take the signal power measurement within the downlink measurement window.

81. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the TDD communication stream is configured to have 9 or more symbols, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to set the timing uncertainty to 1 ms.

82. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein a DwPTS of the TDD communication stream is configured to have less than 9 symbols, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to set the timing uncertainty to 0.5 ms.

83. The apparatus of claim 80, wherein a right edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a right edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the right edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a right edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the right edge offset number of symbols being a first number of symbols between a right edge amplifier gain setting and a last known downlink symbol following a closest primary synchronization signal (PSS) in the TDD communication stream.

84. The apparatus of claim 83, wherein a left edge of the downlink measurement window is set to a left edge offset number of symbols from the amplifier gain setting, wherein the left edge offset number of symbols is determined from the timing uncertainty processing period in a left edge condition with respect to the TDD communication stream, the left edge offset number of symbols being a second number of symbols between a previous left edge amplifier gain setting and an earliest known downlink symbol prior to a closest secondary synchronization signal (SSS) in the TDD communication stream.

85. The apparatus of claim 75, wherein the mode of operation comprises one of:

frequency scan (FSCAN) mode;

acquisition mode;

X2L idle mode; and

X2L connected mode.

86. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the determined mode is the FSCAN mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the full pipeline operation.

87. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the determined mode is the acquisition mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

88. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device does not provide timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

89. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the determined mode is the X2L idle mode and a management layer of the mobile device provides timing information to a firmware of the mobile device, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

90. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the determined mode is the X2L connected mode, the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations comprising:

the pipeline initialization operation;

the free amplifier update operation; and

the fixed amplifier operation.

91. The apparatus of claim 85, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to enter a gap mode at the mobile device;

to determine entry values to a GCB by a management layer of the mobile device based on a type of gap;

to send the GCB and timing information from the management layer of the mobile device to a firmware of the mobile device; and

to perform the AGC operation by the firmware during the gap mode.

92. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the configuration of the at least one processor to perform the AGC operation by the firmware comprises configuration:

to apply, by the firmware, the amplifier gain setting from the GCB to the mobile device for each of the one or more processing periods;

to determine an updated amplifier gain setting by the firmware based on the measured signal power;

to write the updated amplifier gain setting to a firmware GCB (FGCB);

to report the FGCB from the firmware to the management layer prior to exiting the gap mode;

to execute, by the firmware, one or both of a search function and a measurement function while in the gap mode; and

to report results of the executed one or both of the search and measurement functions from the firmware to the management layer.

93. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein a timing offset exists between consecutive gaps, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to apply a partial amplifier gain setting to a first partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap of the consecutive gaps, wherein the partial amplifier gain setting comprises one of;

the amplifier gain setting from the GCB when the second gap is a measurement gap and a default amplifier gain setting; and

to maintain a full amplifier gain setting to a last partial processing period of the one or more processing periods of the second gap, wherein the full amplifier gain setting is applied to a penultimate processing period of the one or more processing periods prior to the last partial processing period.

94. The apparatus of claim 91, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to schedule one or more groups of six gaps for the pipeline AGC processing, wherein each of the one or more groups begins with AGC (A) gap, in which only a pipeline initialization operation is performed, wherein remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search (AS) gaps, when the GCB is empty, and wherein the remaining ones of the six gaps are scheduled as AGC+search+measurement (ASM) gaps, when the GCB is not empty.

95. The apparatus of claim 94, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to report cell updates after three of the remaining ones of the six gaps are completed; and

to delete one or more cells, after completion of a group of gaps of the one or more groups of six gaps, from a list of cells, when the one or more cells are not selected at least twice in the group of gaps.

96. The apparatus of claim 73, wherein the at least one processor is further configured:

to prepare, by the mobile device, for reception of one or more additional synchronization signals in an additional cell, wherein the mobile device has no knowledge of a subframe configuration of the one or more additional synchronization signals in the additional cell;

to trigger, by the mobile device, another selection of the set of pipeline automatic gain control (AGC) processing operations; and

to set, by the mobile device, the amplifier of the mobile device with a new amplifier gain setting determined by the selected set of pipeline AGC processing operations.