APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR INTER-BAND PAIRING OF CARRIERS FOR TIME DIVISION DUPLEX TRANSMIT- AND RECEIVE-SWITCHING AND ITS APPLICATION TO MULTIPLEXING OF DIFFERENT TRANSMISSION TIME INTERVALS

• US 20150333898A1
• Filed: 12/11/2014
• Published: 11/19/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 05/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ji, Tingfang, Smee, John Edward, Bhushan, Naga, Gaal, Peter, Gorokhov, Alexei Yurievitch, Mukkavilli, Krishna Kiran, Ang, Peter, Howard, Michael Alexander, Cooper, Rotem, Soriaga, Joseph Binamira
• Granted Patent: US 11,019,620 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2615 using hybrid frequency-time division multiple access [FDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/08 by repeating transmission, e.g. Verdan system H04L1/1858 and H04L1/189 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0005 Time-frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• 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: H04L 5/22 using time-division multiplexing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/26 combined with the use of different frequencies
• 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 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/535 based on resource usage policies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections

Abstract

Aspects of the present disclosure provide for the pairing of an inter-band carrier with a time division duplex (TDD) carrier. If the paired band is a frequency division duplex (FDD) band, then base stations and mobile devices may transmit and receive additional thin control channels on FDD carriers to enable full duplex operations. If the paired band is a TDD band, then a conjugate or inverse carrier may be used such that full duplex, or a close approximation thereto, is achieved. With the introduction of a paired channel and fast control channels, rapid uplink/downlink switching may be achieved for TDD carriers efficiently and effectively. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication operable at a subordinate entity, comprising:

wirelessly communicating with a scheduling entity utilizing a first transmission time interval (TTI) over a first carrier, the first carrier being a time division duplex (TDD) carrier; and

wirelessly communicating with the scheduling entity utilizing a second TTI different from the first TTI and at least partially overlapping the first TTI, over a second carrier paired with the first carrier but separated from the first carrier in frequency.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the second TTI is shorter in duration than the first TTI.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the second carrier comprises at least one control channel for controlling data transmissions on the first carrier.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the second carrier is a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

transmitting a scheduling request to the scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the FDD carrier;

receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the FDD carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the TDD carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

driving a zero input to a power amplifier associated with a transceiver to suspend uplink transmissions in accordance with the grant modification.

7. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

receiving downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant from the scheduling entity on the TDD carrier utilizing the second TTI.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the downlink grant and the downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant are received simultaneous to one another.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving and buffering a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI, while transmitting uplink data on the TDD carrier.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

modifying reception of the downlink data on the TDD carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the modifying reception of the downlink data comprises suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second carrier is a TDD carrier having a conjugate pairing with the first carrier, wherein at least a portion of time slots in the first carrier are complementary in direction to a direction of time-aligned time slots in the second carrier.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the first carrier;

receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the second carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising

receiving a grant modification on the second carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI;

and

modifying the uplink data transmission in accordance with the grant modification.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the modifying the uplink data comprises suspending transmission of the uplink data.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

receiving downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant, from the scheduling entity on the first carrier utilizing the second TTI.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the downlink grant and the downlink data are received simultaneous to one another.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving and buffering a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI, while transmitting uplink data on the first carrier utilizing the first TTI.

19. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

transmitting a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the second carrier;

receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI on the first carrier in accordance with the uplink grant.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the grant modification and the downlink data are received simultaneous to one another.

21. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the first carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

modifying reception of the downlink data on the second carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the modifying reception of the downlink data comprises suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

23. A subordinate entity configured for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one processor;

a computer-readable medium communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; and

a transceiver communicatively coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

utilize the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with a scheduling entity utilizing a first transmission time interval (TTI) over a first carrier, the first carrier being a time division duplex (TDD) carrier; and

utilize the transceiver to wirelessly communicate with the scheduling entity utilizing a second TTI different from the first TTI and at least partially overlapping the first TTI, over a second carrier paired with the first carrier but separated from the first carrier in frequency.

24. The subordinate entity of claim 23, wherein the second TTI is shorter in duration than the first TTI.

25. The subordinate entity of claim 23, wherein the second carrier comprises at least one control channel for controlling data transmissions on the first carrier.

26. The subordinate entity of claim 23, wherein the second carrier is a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

27. The subordinate entity of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to transmit a scheduling request to the scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the FDD carrier;

utilize the transceiver to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the FDD carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the TDD carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

28. The subordinate entity of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

drive a zero input to a power amplifier associated with the transceiver to suspend uplink transmissions in accordance with the grant modification.

29. The subordinate entity of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to receive downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant from the scheduling entity on the TDD carrier utilizing the second TTI.

30. The subordinate entity of claim 29, wherein the downlink grant and the downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant are received simultaneous to one another.

31. The subordinate entity of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

buffer the downlink grant while transmitting uplink data on the TDD carrier.

32. The subordinate entity of claim 26, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

modify reception of the downlink data on the TDD carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

33. The subordinate entity of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor, being configured to modify reception of the downlink data, is further configured to suspend reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

34. The subordinate entity of claim 23, wherein the second carrier is a TDD carrier having a conjugate pairing with the first carrier, wherein at least a portion of time slots in the first carrier are complementary in direction to a direction of time-aligned time slots in the second carrier.

35. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to transmit a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the first carrier;

utilize the transceiver to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the second carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

36. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive a grant modification on the second carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

modify the uplink data transmission in accordance with the grant modification.

37. The subordinate entity of claim 36, wherein the at least one processor, being configured to modify the uplink data, is further configured to suspend transmission of the uplink data.

38. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to receive downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant, from the scheduling entity on the first carrier utilizing the second TTI.

39. The subordinate entity of claim 38, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the downlink grant and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

40. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

buffer the downlink grant while transmitting uplink data on the first carrier utilizing the first TTI.

41. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to transmit a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the second carrier;

utilize the transceiver to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI on the first carrier in accordance with the uplink grant.

42. The subordinate entity of claim 41, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the grant modification and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

43. The subordinate entity of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

utilize the transceiver to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the first carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

utilize the transceiver to modify reception of the downlink data on the second carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

44. The subordinate entity of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor, being configured to modify reception of the downlink data, is further configured to suspend reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

45. A subordinate entity configured for wireless communication, comprising:

means for wirelessly communicating with a scheduling entity utilizing a first transmission time interval (TTI) over a first carrier, the first carrier being a time division duplex (TDD) carrier; and

means for wirelessly communicating with the scheduling entity utilizing a second TTI different from the first TTI and at least partially overlapping the first TTI, over a second carrier paired with the first carrier but separated from the first carrier in frequency.

46. The subordinate entity of claim 45, wherein the second TTI is shorter in duration than the first TTI.

47. The subordinate entity of claim 45, wherein the second carrier comprises at least one control channel for controlling data transmissions on the first carrier.

48. The subordinate entity of claim 45, wherein the second carrier is a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

49. The subordinate entity of claim 48, further comprising:

means for transmitting a scheduling request to the scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the FDD carrier;

means for receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the FDD carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the TDD carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

means for transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

50. The subordinate entity of claim 48, further comprising:

means for receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

means for driving a zero input to a power amplifier associated with a transceiver to suspend uplink transmissions in accordance with the grant modification.

51. The subordinate entity of claim 48, further comprising:

means for receiving a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

means for receiving downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant from the scheduling entity on the TDD carrier utilizing the second TTI.

52. The subordinate entity of claim 51, wherein the means for receiving the downlink grant and the means for receiving the downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant are configured to receive the downlink grant and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

53. The subordinate entity of claim 48, further comprising:

means for receiving and buffering a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI while transmitting uplink data on the TDD carrier.

54. The subordinate entity of claim 48, further comprising:

means for receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

means for modifying reception of the downlink data on the TDD carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

55. The subordinate entity of claim 54, wherein the means for modifying reception of the downlink data is configured for suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

56. The subordinate entity of claim 45, wherein the second carrier is a TDD carrier having a conjugate pairing with the first carrier, wherein at least a portion of time slots in the first carrier are complementary in direction to a direction of time-aligned time slots in the second carrier.

57. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for transmitting a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the first carrier;

means for receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the second carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

means for transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

58. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for receiving a grant modification on the second carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

means for modifying the uplink data transmission in accordance with the grant modification.

59. The subordinate entity of claim 58, wherein the means for modifying the uplink data are configured for suspending transmission of the uplink data.

60. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for receiving a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

means for receiving downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant, from the scheduling entity on the first carrier utilizing the second TTI.

61. The subordinate entity of claim 60, wherein the means for receiving the downlink grant and the means for receiving the downlink data are configured to receive the downlink grant and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

62. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for receiving and buffering a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI, while transmitting uplink data on the first carrier utilizing the first TTI.

63. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for transmitting a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the second carrier;

means for receiving an uplink grant from the scheduling entity in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

means for transmitting the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI on the first carrier in accordance with the uplink grant.

64. The subordinate entity of claim 63, wherein the means for receiving the grant modification and the means for receiving the downlink data are configured to receive the grant modification and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

65. The subordinate entity of claim 56, further comprising:

means for receiving from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the first carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

means for modifying reception of the downlink data on the second carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

66. The subordinate entity of claim 65, wherein the means for modifying reception of the downlink data are configured for suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

67. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code on a subordinate entity configured for wireless communication, comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to wirelessly communicate with a scheduling entity utilizing a first transmission time interval (TTI) over a first carrier, the first carrier being a time division duplex (TDD) carrier; and

instructions for causing a computer to wirelessly communicate with the scheduling entity utilizing a second TTI different from the first TTI and at least partially overlapping the first TTI, over a second carrier paired with the first carrier but separated from the first carrier in frequency.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the second TTI is shorter in duration than the first TTI.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the second carrier comprises at least one control channel for controlling data transmissions on the first carrier.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 69, wherein the second carrier is a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to transmit a scheduling request to the scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the FDD carrier;

instructions for causing a computer to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the FDD carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the TDD carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to drive a zero input to a power amplifier associated with a transceiver to suspend uplink transmissions in accordance with the grant modification.

73. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to receive downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant from the scheduling entity on the TDD carrier utilizing the second TTI.

74. The computer-readable medium of claim 73, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to receive a downlink grant and the instructions for causing a computer to receive downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant are configured to receive the downlink grant and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

75. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive and buffer a downlink grant from the scheduling entity on a grant channel on the FDD carrier utilizing the second TTI, while transmitting uplink data on the TDD carrier.

76. The computer-readable medium of claim 70, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the FDD carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to modify reception of the downlink data on the TDD carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

77. The computer-readable medium of claim 76, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to modify reception of the downlink data are further configured for suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.

78. The computer-readable medium of claim 67, wherein the second carrier is a TDD carrier having a conjugate pairing with the first carrier, wherein at least a portion of time slots in the first carrier are complementary in direction to a direction of time-aligned time slots in the second carrier.

79. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to transmit a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the first carrier;

instructions for causing a computer to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity on the second carrier in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI in accordance with the uplink grant.

80. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive a grant modification on the second carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for an uplink data transmission utilizing the first TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to modify the uplink data transmission in accordance with the grant modification.

81. The computer-readable medium of claim 80, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to modify the uplink data are further configured for suspending transmission of the uplink data.

82. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to receive downlink data corresponding to the downlink grant, from the scheduling entity on the first carrier utilizing the second TTI.

83. The computer-readable medium of claim 82, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to receive a downlink grant and the instructions for causing a computer to receive downlink data are configured to receive the downlink grant and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

84. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive and buffer a downlink grant from a scheduling entity on a grant channel on the second carrier utilizing the second TTI, while transmitting uplink data on the first carrier utilizing the first TTI.

85. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to transmit a scheduling request to a scheduling entity on a feedback channel on the second carrier;

instructions for causing a computer to receive an uplink grant from the scheduling entity in response to the scheduling request, the uplink grant configured to identify granted resources on the first carrier for an uplink data transmission utilizing the second TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to transmit the uplink data to the scheduling entity utilizing the second TTI on the first carrier in accordance with the uplink grant.

86. The computer-readable medium of claim 85, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to receive a grant modification and the instructions for causing a computer to receive downlink data are configured to receive the grant modification and the downlink data simultaneous to one another.

87. The computer-readable medium of claim 78, further comprising:

instructions for causing a computer to receive from the scheduling entity a grant modification on the first carrier, the grant modification configured to modify an existing grant of resources for downlink data utilizing the first TTI; and

instructions for causing a computer to modify reception of the downlink data on the second carrier utilizing the first TTI in accordance with the grant modification.

88. The computer-readable medium of claim 87, wherein the instructions for causing a computer to modify reception of the downlink data are further configured for suspending reception of the downlink data during at least one second TTI.