Dual Band LTE Small Cell

• US 20130337821A1
• Filed: 06/14/2012
• Published: 12/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/14/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NETGEAR, Inc.
• Original Assignee: NETGEAR, Inc.
• Inventors: Clegg, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,874,124 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/452.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/16 for PBS [Private Base Station] arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/17 Selecting a data network PoA [Point of Attachment]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

A dual band LTE small cell base station communicates on both licensed bands and unlicensed bands. The small cell base station modifies the communication protocol utilized by the licensed band to enable communication over an unlicensed band. This modification involves replacing the physical (PHY) layer of the licensed band communication protocol with the PHY layer of a to-be-used protocol in an unlicensed band.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, said method comprising:

considering, at a small cell base station, communicating on at least one unlicensed band;

prioritizing, at said small cell base station, said at least one unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

selecting, at said small cell base station, an unlicensed band for communication based upon said prioritizing; and

transmitting, from said small cell base station, data on said selected unlicensed band using an LTE protocol.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

re-prioritizing, at said small cell base station, said at least one unlicensed band; and

selecting, at said small cell base station, a second unlicensed band for communication based upon said re-prioritizing.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

comparing characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and a licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, making a decision to communicate on one of said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising optimizing communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one channel characteristic of said selected unlicensed band.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising optimizing communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one other device operating on said selected unlicensed band.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said consideration is based upon data received from a user equipment.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said small cell base station.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said indication is based upon information received from a controller.

9. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to said at least one processor, wherein the said least one processor is configured to;

consider communicating on at least one unlicensed band;

prioritize at least one unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

select an unlicensed band for communication based upon said prioritizing; and

transmit data on said selected unlicensed band using an LTE protocol.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

re-prioritize said at least one unlicensed band; and

select a second unlicensed band for communication based upon said re-prioritizing.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

compare characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and a licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, make a decision to communicate on one of said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to:

optimize communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one channel characteristic of said selected unlicensed band.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said processor is further configured to optimize communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one other device operating on said selected unlicensed band.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said consideration is based upon data received from a user equipment.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said small cell base station.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said indication is based upon information received from a controller.

17. A wireless communication method, said method comprising:

considering, at a user equipment, communicating on at least one unlicensed band;

prioritizing, at said user equipment, at least one unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

transmitting, from said user equipment, a signal indicating a preference for communicating on said unlicensed band abed on said prioritizing; and

receiving, at said user equipment, data transmitted from a small cell base station, said data received on said preferred unlicensed band using an LTE protocol.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said modifying comprises:

re-prioritizing, at said user equipment, said at least one unlicensed band; and

selecting, at said user equipment, a second unlicensed band for communication based upon said re-prioritizing.

19. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

comparing characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and a licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, making a decision to communicate on one of said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

20. The method of claim 17 further comprising:

optimizing communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one channel characteristic of said selected unlicensed band.

21. The method of claim 17 further comprising optimizing communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one other device operating on said selected unlicensed band.

22. The method of claim 17 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said user equipment.

23. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to said at least one processor, wherein the said least one processor is configured to;

consider communicating on at least one unlicensed band;

prioritize at least one unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

transmit a signal indicating a preference for communicating on said unlicensed band abed on said prioritizing; and

receive data transmitted from a small cell base station, said data received on said preferred unlicensed band using an LTE protocol.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said processor is further configured to:

re-prioritize said at least one unlicensed band; and

select a second unlicensed band for communication based upon said re-prioritizing.

25. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said processor is further configured to:

compare characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and a licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, make a decision to communicate on one of said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

26. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said processor is further configured to:

optimize communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one channel characteristic of said selected unlicensed band.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said processor is further configured to:

optimize communication on said selected unlicensed channel based on at least one other device operating on said selected unlicensed band.

28. A wireless communication method, said method comprising:

considering, at a femtocell base station, an indication to communicate on an unlicensed band;

selecting, at said femtocell base station, an unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

modifying, at said femtocell base station, a licensed band communication protocol to enable communication on said selected unlicensed band; and

transmitting, from said femtocell base station, data on said selected unlicensed band using said modified licensed band communication protocol to a user equipment.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said modifying comprises:

replacing a physical layer component of said licensed band communication protocol with a physical layer component of an unlicensed band communication protocol.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said licensed band communication protocol is LTE and said unlicensed band communication protocol is WiFi.

31. The method of claim 28 further comprising:

comparing characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and said licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, making a decision to continue communicating on said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

32. The method of claim 28 wherein said indication comprises data received from said user equipment.

33. The method of claim 28 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said femtocell base station.

34. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to said at least one processor, wherein the said least one processor is configured to;

consider an indication to communicate on an unlicensed band;

select an unlicensed band for communication based upon said considering;

modify a licensed band communication protocol to enable communication on said selected unlicensed band; and

transmit data on said selected unlicensed band using said modified licensed band communication protocol to a user equipment.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said modifying comprises:

replacing a physical layer component of said licensed band communication protocol with a physical layer component of an unlicensed band communication protocol.

36. The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said licensed band communication protocol is LTE and said unlicensed band communication protocol is WiFi.

37. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said processor is further configured to:

compare characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and said licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, make a decision to continue communicating on said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

38. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said indication comprises data received from a user equipment.

39. The apparatus of claim 34 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said apparatus.

40. A wireless communication method, said method comprising:

considering, at a user equipment, an indication to communicate on an unlicensed band;

transmitting, from said user equipment, a signal indicating a preference for communicating on said unlicensed band; and

receiving, at said user equipment, data transmitted from a femtocell base station, said data received on an unlicensed band according to a modified licensed band communication protocol.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein said modifying comprises:

replacing a physical layer component of said licensed band communication protocol with a physical layer component of an unlicensed band communication protocol.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein said licensed band communication protocol is LTE and said unlicensed band communication protocol is WiFi.

43. The method of claim 40 further comprising:

comparing characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and said licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, making a decision to continue communicating on said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

44. The method of claim 40 wherein said indication comprises data received from said femtocell base station.

45. The method of claim 40 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said user equipment.

46. An apparatus configured for wireless communication, said apparatus comprising:

at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to said at least one processor, wherein the said least one processor is configured to;

consider an indication to communicate on an unlicensed band;

transmit a signal indicating a preference for communicating on said unlicensed band; and

receive data transmitted from a femtocell base station, said data received on an unlicensed band according to a modified licensed band communication protocol.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said modifying comprises:

replacing a physical layer component of said licensed band communication protocol with a physical layer component of an unlicensed band communication protocol.

48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein said licensed band communication protocol is LTE and said unlicensed band communication protocol is WiFi.

49. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said processor is further configured to:

compare characteristics of said selected unlicensed band and said licensed band; and

based upon said comparing, make a decision to continue communicating on said selected unlicensed band or said licensed band.

50. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said indication comprises data received from a femtocell base station.

51. The apparatus of claim 46 wherein said indication is based upon information collected at said apparatus.

52. A method for conducting wireless communications in a small cell on a communication band above 2.4 GHz and below 5 GHz, said method comprising:

identifying, at a small cell eNodeB, a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) sharing access to said communication band;

prioritizing, at said small cell eNodeB, said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs sharing access to said communication band;

identifying, at said small cell eNodeB, one of said plurality of UEs having a highest priority; and

optimizing, at said small cell eNodeB, communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority;

wherein said optimizing comprises mitigating interference from the other of said plurality of UEs for communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein said optimizing comprises mitigating interference from devices communicating in external networks for communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority.

54. The method of claim 52 wherein said identifying, at said small cell eNodeB, one of said plurality of UEs having a highest priority comprises identifying preexisting UEs previously communicating in said communication band.

55. The method of claim 52 further comprising:

coordinating, at said small cell eNodeB, communications with remaining of said UEs according to said priority.

56. The method of claim 52 wherein said prioritizing is performed, at least in part, based on quality of service requirement for at least one of said plurality of UEs.

57. The method of claim 52 wherein said prioritizing is performed, at least in part, based on a comparison of quality of service requirements for said plurality of UEs.

58. The method of claim 52 further comprising re-prioritizing, at said small cell eNodeB, said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs on a periodic basis.

59. The method of claim 52 further comprising:

re-prioritizing, at said small cell eNodeB, said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs on a aperiodic basis.

60. The method of claim 52 further comprising:

providing shared access to said plurality of UEs using frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing with respect to said plurality of UEs.

61. The method of claim 52 wherein said communication band is above 3 GHz and below 4 GHz.

62. A small cell eNodeB operating on a communication between 2.4 GHz and GHz, said small cell eNodeB comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to said processor;

wherein said processor is configured to;

identify, at said small cell eNodeB, a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) sharing access to said communication band;

prioritize, at said small cell eNodeB, said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs sharing access to said communication band;

identify, at said small cell eNodeB, one of said plurality of UEs having a highest priority; and

optimize, at said small cell eNodeB, communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority;

wherein said optimizing comprises mitigating interference from the other of said plurality of UEs for communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority.

63. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to mitigate interference from devices communicating in external networks for communication between said small cell eNodeB and said identified UE having a highest priority.

64. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to identify one of said plurality of UEs having a highest priority comprises identifying preexisting UEs previously communicating in said communication band.

65. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to coordinate communications with remaining of said UEs according to said priority.

66. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to prioritize said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs based, at least in part, on quality of service requirement for at least one of said plurality of UEs.

67. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to prioritize said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs based, at least in part, on a comparison of quality of service requirements for said plurality of UEs.

68. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to reprioritize said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs on a periodic basis.

69. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said processor is further configured to reprioritize said communication band with respect to said plurality of UEs on a aperiodic basis.

70. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 further comprising:

providing shared access to said plurality of UEs using frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing with respect to said plurality of UEs.

71. The small cell eNodeB of claim 62 wherein said communication band is above 3 GHz and below 4 GHz.