Almost Blank Subframe in Carrier Aggregation

• US 20190327721A1
• Filed: 06/28/2019
• Published: 10/24/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/29/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Dinan, Esmael Hejazi
• Granted Patent: US 10,893,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/33 by plural channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/06 Hybrid resource partitioning, e.g. channel borrowing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/12 using downlink control channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/143 Downlink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/244 Interferences in heterogeneous networks, e.g. among macro and femto or pico cells or other sector / system interference [OSI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/346 distributing total power among users or channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/60 using different transmission rates for TPC commands
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

Methods, apparatus, and systems are described relating to wireless communications. A base station may transmit a message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of subframes. The indicated subframes may correspond to Almost Blank Subframes transmitted by the base station. The base station may transmit a message to a wireless device indicating measurement subframe allocation bitmaps. A first measurement subframe allocation bitmap may exclude the plurality of subframes. A second measurement subframe allocation bitmap may exclude subframes of the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap. These and other features are described.

Claims

1. A base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the base station to;

transmit a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmit, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmit, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmit a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

2. The base station of claim 1, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

3. The base station of claim 1, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

4. The base station of claim 1, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

5. A base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the base station to;

transmit a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmit, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmit, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmit a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

6. The base station of claim 5, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

7. The base station of claim 5, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

8. The base station of claim 5, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

9. A base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the base station to;

transmit a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, and eighth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmit, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmit, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmit a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

10. The base station of claim 9, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

11. The base station of claim 9, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

12. The base station of claim 9, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

13. The base station of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the base station to:

transmit, in response to a decrease in traffic load by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

14. The base station of claim 9, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the base station to:

transmit, in response to an increase in traffic load by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

15. A base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the base station to;

transmit a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmit, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmit, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmit a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

16. The base station of claim 15, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

17. The base station of claim 15, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

18. The base station of claim 15, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

19. The base station of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the base station to:

transmit, in response to a decrease in traffic load of the base station by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

20. The base station of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the base station to:

transmit, in response to an increase in traffic load of the base station by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

21. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station, a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmitting, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmitting a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

25. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station, a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmitting, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmitting a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

27. The method of claim 25, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

28. The method of claim 25, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

29. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station, a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, and eighth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmitting, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmitting a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

32. The method of claim 29, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

33. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting, in response to a decrease in traffic load by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

34. The method of claim 29, further comprising:

transmitting, in response to an increase in traffic load by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

35. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station, a first message comprising a subframe allocation bitmap indicating a plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a plurality of frames;

transmitting, to a wireless device, a first measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a first plurality of measurement subframes, of a primary carrier, that are not Almost Blank Subframes;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a second measurement subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of measurement subframes, of the primary carrier, different from the first plurality of measurement subframes; and

transmitting a first Almost Blank Subframe at a power level that is lower than during a subframe that is not an Almost Blank Subframe.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the first Almost Blank Subframe consists essentially of a common reference signal in a control region.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap excludes the plurality of Almost Blank Subframes.

38. The method of claim 35, wherein the wireless device periodically reports channel state information for one or both of:

subframes indicated in the first measurement subframe allocation bitmap;

or

subframes indicated in the second measurement subframe allocation bitmap.

39. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

transmitting, in response to a decrease in traffic load of the base station by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of second, fourth, seventh, and ninth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.

40. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

transmitting, in response to an increase in traffic load of the base station by an amount greater than a first value, a third message comprising a second subframe allocation bitmap indicating a second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes, wherein the second plurality of Almost Blank Subframes consists of third and eighth subframes of each frame in a second plurality of frames.