Method and apparatus for aligning downlink discontinuous reception patterns in multiflow HSDPA

• US 9,007,974 B2
• Filed: 03/06/2013
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ge, Weiyan, Bharadwaj, Arjun, Sambhwani, Sharad Deepak
• Primary Examiner(s): Chou, Albert T
• Application Number:
  US13/787,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20130242829A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 370/336, 370/311
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/022 Site diversity; Macro-diversity using two or more spaced independent antennas H04B7/04
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0619 using feedback from receiving side feedback signaling for adaptive modulation/coding H04L1/0001
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0212 managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/005 compensating for timing error by adjustment in the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Aspects of this disclosure relate to methods and apparatuses for aligning downlink discontinuous reception patterns in multiflow High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA). One aspect of the disclosure provides a method for wireless communications. The method includes: communicatively connecting with a user equipment (UE), a first cell, and a second cell; determining a sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell; and selectively updating the sub-frame pairing based on a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications comprising:

communicatively connecting with a user equipment (UE), a first cell, and a second cell;

determining a sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell;

determining a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell;

selectively updating the sub-frame pairing based on the timing offset by aligning a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of the first cell with a second DRX pattern of the second cell based on the sub-frame pairing;

transmitting timing information of the first and second DRX patterns to the UE; and

signaling the first cell and the second cell of the DRX patterns and corresponding timings.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing, to the UE.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the sub-frame pairing comprises receiving the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell, from the UE.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving the timing offset from the UE, as detected by the UE.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the sub-frame pairing comprises autonomously determining the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell at a radio network controller (RNC).

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining which of the first and second cells has an earlier timing; and

if the first cell has the earlier timing, updating the timing of the second DRX pattern based on the first DRX pattern while maintaining the timing of the first DRX pattern.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the aligned first and second DRX patterns each comprise a first sub-frame, and a timing offset between the first sub-frames is 1.5 slots or less.

8. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first DRX pattern comprises sub-frames of a first HS-SCCH and the second DRX pattern comprises sub-frames of a second HS-SCCH, and

wherein the second HS-SCCH comprises a CFN_DRX(n) that starts at a time later than the start of a CFN_DRX(n) of the first HS-SCCH, where n is the frame number.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting a tentative sub-frame pairing to the UE.

10. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for communicatively connecting with a user equipment (UE), a first cell, and a second cell;

means for determining a sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell;

means for determining a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell;

means for selectively updating the sub-frame pairing based on the timing offset by aligning a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of the first cell with a second DRX pattern of the second cell based on the sub-frame pairing;

means for transmitting timing information of the first and second DRX patterns to the UE; and

means for signaling the first cell and the second cell of the DRX patterns and corresponding timings.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for transmitting a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing, to the UE.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the means for determining the sub-frame pairing comprises means for receiving the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell, from the UE.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising means for receiving the timing offset from the UE, as detected by the UE.

14. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a radio network controller (RNC) to;

communicatively connect with a user equipment (UE), a first cell, and a second cell;

determine a sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell;

determine a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell;

selectively update the sub-frame pairing based on the timing offset by aligning a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of the first cell with a second DRX pattern of the second cell based on the sub-frame pairing;

transmit timing information of the first and second DRX patterns to the UE; and

signal the first cell and the second cell of the DRX patterns and corresponding timings.

15. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the RNC to transmit a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing, to the UE.

16. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the RNC to receive the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell, from the UE.

17. The computer program product of claim 14, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the RNC to receive the timing offset from the UE, as detected by the UE.

18. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

at least one processor;

a memory coupled to the at least one processor; and

a communication interface coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

communicatively connect with a user equipment (UE), a first cell, and a second cell;

determine a sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell;

determine a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell;

selectively update the sub-frame pairing based on the timing offset by aligning a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern of the first cell with a second DRX pattern of the second cell based on the sub-frame pairing;

transmit timing information of the first and second DRX patterns to the UE; and

signal the first cell and the second cell of the DRX patterns and corresponding timings.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing, to the UE.

20. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell, from the UE.

21. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive the timing offset from the UE, as detected by the UE.

22. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to autonomously determine the sub-frame pairing between the first cell and the second cell.

23. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine which of the first and second cells has an earlier timing; and

if the first cell has the earlier timing, update the timing of the second DRX pattern based on the first DRX pattern while maintaining the timing of the first DRX pattern.

24. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the aligned first and second DRX patterns each comprise a first sub-frame, and a timing offset between the first sub-frames is 1.5 slots or less.

25. The apparatus of claim 18,

wherein the first DRX pattern comprises sub-frames of a first HS-SCCH, and the second DRX pattern comprises sub-frames of a second HS-SCCH, and

wherein the second HS-SCCH comprises a CFN_DRX(n) that starts at a time later than the start of a CFN_DRX(n) of the first HS-SCCH, where n is the frame number.

26. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to transmit a tentative sub-frame pairing to the UE.

27. A method for wireless communications comprising:

transmitting a current sub-frame pairing between a first cell and a second cell to an RNC, the current sub-frame pairing having a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell; and

receiving a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or an updated sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing, from the RNC,

wherein, when receiving the updated sub-frame pairing, receiving timing information for a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern for the first cell and a second DRX pattern for the second cell, the first and second DRX patterns being aligned based on the timing offset.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising entering into a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode based on the confirmation, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising detecting the timing offset and transmitting the timing offset to the RNC.

30. The method of claim 27, further comprising:

determining at an UE the current sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing.

31. The method of claim 27, wherein when the first cell is characterized by an earlier timing than that of the second cell, the timing of the second DRX pattern is different between the current and updated sub-frame pairings, while the timing of the first DRX pattern remains the same in the current and updated sub-frame pairings.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein a first sub-frame of the first DRX pattern is paired with a second sub-frame of the second DRX pattern, and a timing offset between the first sub-frame and the second sub-frame is 1.5 slots or less.

33. The method of claim 27,

wherein the first DRX pattern and the second DRX pattern comprise a first HS-SCCH and a second HS-SCCH, respectively, aligned in sub-frame timing, and

wherein the second HS-SCCH comprises a CFN_DRX(n) that starts at a time later than the start of a CFN_DRX(n) of the first HS-SCCH, where n is the frame number.

34. The method of claim 27, further comprising, before transmitting the current sub-frame pairing to the RNC, receiving a tentative sub-frame pairing from the RNC.

35. An apparatus for wireless communications comprising:

means for transmitting a current sub-frame pairing between a first cell and a second cell to an RNC, the current sub-frame pairing having a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell; and

means for receiving a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or an updated sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing, from the RNC,

wherein, when receiving the updated sub-frame pairing, the means for receiving is further configured to receive timing information for a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern for the first cell and a second DRX pattern for the second cell, the first and second DRX patterns being aligned based on the timing offset.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising means for entering into a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode based on the confirmation, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing.

37. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising means for detecting the timing offset and transmitting the timing offset to the RNC.

38. The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising:

means for determining the current sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing.

39. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium comprising code for causing a UE to;

transmit a current sub-frame pairing between a first cell and a second cell to an RNC, the current sub-frame pairing having a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell; and

receive a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or an updated sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing, from the RNC,

wherein, when receiving the updated sub-frame pairing, the code for causing a UE to receive is further configured to receive timing information for a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern for the first cell and a second DRX pattern for the second cell, the first and second DRX patterns being aligned based on the timing offset.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the UE to enter into a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode based on the confirmation, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing.

41. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the UE to detect the timing offset and transmit the timing offset to the RNC.

42. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the computer-readable medium further comprises code for causing the UE to determine the current sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing.

43. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

at least one processor;

a communication interface coupled to the at least one processor; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor,

wherein the at least one processor is configured to;

transmit a current sub-frame pairing between a first cell and a second cell to an RNC, the current sub-frame pairing having a timing offset representative of a sub-frame delay between the first cell and the second cell; and

receive a confirmation regarding the sub-frame pairing, or an updated sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing, from the RNC,

wherein when receiving the updated sub-frame pairing, the at least one processor is further configured to receive timing information for a first downlink discontinuous reception (DRX) pattern for the first cell and a second DRX pattern for the second cell, the first and second DRX patterns being aligned based on the timing offset.

44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to enter into a discontinuous reception (DRX) mode based on the confirmation, or the updated sub-frame pairing and corresponding timing.

45. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to detect the timing offset and transmit the timing offset to the RNC.

46. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to determine the current sub-frame pairing between the first and second cells and corresponding timing.

47. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein when the first cell is characterized by an earlier timing than that of the second cell, and the timing of the second DRX pattern is different between the current and updated sub-frame pairings, while the timing of the first DRX pattern remains the same in the current and updated sub-frame pairings.

48. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a first sub-frame of the first DRX pattern is paired with a second sub-frame of the second DRX pattern, and a timing offset between the first sub-frame and the second sub-frame is 1.5 slots or less.

49. The apparatus of claim 43,

wherein the first DRX pattern and the second DRX pattern comprise a first HS-SCCH and a second HS-SCCH, respectively, aligned in sub-frame timing, and

wherein the second HS-SCCH comprises a CFN_DRX(n) that starts at a time later than the start of a CFN_DRX(n) of the first HS-SCCH, where n is the frame number.

50. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to receive, before transmitting the current sub-frame pairing to the RNC, a tentative sub-frame pairing from the RNC.