Encoding information in beacon signals

• US 9,025,680 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Li, Junyi, Richardson, Thomas, Laroia, Rajiv
• Primary Examiner(s): Aghdam, Freshteh N
• Application Number:
  US11/764,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20080101447A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,881 Days
• Field of Search: 375/260, 375/267, 375/295, 375/316, 375/324
• US Class Current: 375/260
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/261 Details of reference signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0051 of dedicated pilots, i.e. pilots destined for a single user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0064 Rate requirement of the data, e.g. scalable bandwidth, data priority
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 Resource management for broadcast services

Abstract

Systems and methodologies are described that facilitate transmitting at least two different types of information in a single signal, whereby the different types of information can be encoded and decoded independently. Thus, changes to one type of information does not affect a second type of information.

Claims

1. A method that uses a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols for transmitting information, comprising:

designating at least some frequency tones and some time symbols as a block, wherein a block comprises a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols;

partitioning the designated block into at least two subgroups, each subgroup includes a subset of frequency tones in a subset of time symbols;

dividing each of the at least two subgroups into micro blocks, each micro block including at least one frequency tone in one time symbol;

selecting one of the micro blocks for transmitting information to a wireless device;

selecting one of the at least two subgroups as a function of a first information stream;

selecting a micro block degree of freedom within the at least two subgroups as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, the selected one of the micro blocks being the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the at least two subgroups, the information conveying the first information stream through the selection of the one of the at least two subgroups and the second information stream through the selection of the micro block degree of freedom; and

transmitting over the set of frequency tones using a transmitter.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a mapping based on the first and the second information streams are mutually exclusive on the frequency tones and the time symbols.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the information in the selected micro block at high energy as compared to non-selected micro blocks.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the designation of the block and the selection of the micro block conveys information that is included in the transmitted information.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising modifying a first subcomponent of the information to be transmitted without affecting a second subcomponent of the information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two subgroups are next to each other.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two subgroups are disjoint from each other.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the micro blocks are not equally spaced.

9. A wireless communications apparatus that selectively uses a portion of frequency tones in a portion of time symbols to transmit information to a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for separating a block that represents frequency tones and time symbols into two or more subgroups, dividing each of the two or more subgroups into at least one frequency tone in one time symbol that represents a micro block, and selecting one micro block in which to transmit a signal; and

instructions for selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream and for selecting a micro block degree of freedom within the two or more subgroups as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, the selected one micro block being the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the two or more subgroups, the information conveying the first information stream through the selection of the one of the two or more subgroups and the second information stream through the selection of the micro block degree of freedom;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the signal.

10. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 9, wherein a mapping based on the first information stream and the second information are mutually exclusive on the frequency tone and the time symbol.

11. A wireless communications apparatus that selectively uses a portion of frequency tones in a portion of time symbols to transmit information to a wireless device, the apparatus comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for separating a block that represents frequency tones and time symbols into two or more subgroups, dividing each of the two or more subgroups into at least one frequency tone in one time symbol that represents a micro block, and selecting one micro block in which to transmit a signal; and

instructions for selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream and selecting a micro block degree of freedom within the two or more subgroups as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, wherein a change to the first information stream does not change the second information stream and vice versa, the selected one micro block is the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the two or more subgroups, and the information conveys the first information stream through the selection of the one of the two or more subgroups and the second information stream through the selection of the micro block degree of freedom;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the signal.

12. A wireless communications apparatus that selectively uses a portion of frequency tones in a portion of time symbols to transmit information comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for separating a block that represents frequency tones and time symbols into two or more subgroups, dividing each of the two or more subgroups into at least one frequency tone in one time symbol that represents a micro block, and selecting one micro block in which to transmit a signal; and

instructions for selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream and selecting the micro block in which to transmit the signal as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, the memory further retains instructions for combining the first information stream and the second information stream before transmitting a high-energy signal that includes both streams;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting the signal.

13. A wireless communications apparatus that enables transmission of information to a wireless device using a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

means for choosing a block that includes a set of frequency tones and a set of time symbols;

means for separating the block into two or more subgroups and selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream;

means for segmenting each of the two or more subgroups into micro blocks and selecting a micro block degree of freedom within the two or more subgroups as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, each of the micro blocks includes one or more frequency tones in one time symbol; and

means for choosing a micro block in which to transmit the information as a high energy beacon,

wherein the chosen micro block is the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the two or more subgroups, and the information conveys the first information stream through the selection of the one of the two or more subgroups and the second information stream through selection of the micro block degree of freedom.

15. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein a mapping based on the first and the second information streams are mutually exclusive on the frequency tones and the time symbols.

16. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, wherein the micro blocks are not equally spaced.

17. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 13, separating the block and segmenting each of the two or more subgroups is performed in a predetermined manner.

14. A wireless communications apparatus that enables transmission of information to a wireless device using a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

means for choosing a block that includes a set of frequency tones and a set of time symbols;

means for separating the block into two or more subgroups and selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream;

means for segmenting each of the two or more subgroups into micro blocks and selecting a micro block degree of freedom within the two or more subgroups as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream, each of the micro blocks includes one or more frequency tones in one time symbol, wherein changes to the first information stream does not change the second information stream; and

means for choosing a micro block in which to transmit the information as a high energy beacon,

wherein the chosen micro block is the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the two or more subgroups, and the information conveys the first information stream through the selection of the one of the two or more subgroups and the second information stream through selection of the micro block degree of freedom.

18. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

choosing some frequency tones and some time symbols as a block,

separating the block into at least two subgroups, each subgroup includes a subset of frequency tones in a subset of time symbols;

dividing each of the at least two subgroups into micro blocks, each micro block includes at least one frequency tone in one time symbol; and

choosing one of the micro blocks for transmitting information to a wireless device,

wherein the choosing the one of the micro blocks comprises selecting one of the at least two subgroups as a function of a first information stream and selecting a micro block degree of freedom as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream,

wherein the chosen one of the micro blocks is the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the at least two subgroups, and the information conveys the first information stream through the selection of the one of the at least two subgroups and the second information stream through the selection of the micro block degree of freedom.

19. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

assign some frequency tones and some time symbols to represent a block, wherein a block comprises a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols;

separate the block into two or more subgroups, each subgroup includes a subset of frequency tones in a subset of time symbols;

divide each of the two or more subgroups into micro blocks, each micro block includes at least one frequency tone in one time symbol; and

select one of the micro blocks to transmit information to a wireless device; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor for transmitting in the micro block,

wherein the processor is configured to select the one of the micro blocks by selecting one of the two or more subgroups as a function of a first information stream and selecting a micro block degree of freedom as a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream,

wherein the selected one of the micro blocks is the selected micro block degree of freedom within the selected one of the two or more subgroups, and the information conveys the first information stream through the selection of the one of the two or more subgroups and the second information stream through the selection of the micro block degree of freedom.

20. A method that facilitates receiving information within a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

receiving at a receiver information in a micro block that comprises at least one frequency tone in one time symbol;

determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups in which the micro block belongs; and

identifying a block that contains the at least two subgroups, the block comprises a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols,

wherein the determination of the subgroup and the received micro block conveys information, the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising receiving the information in the selected micro block at high energy as compared to other received micro blocks.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein a mapping based on the first and the second information streams are mutually exclusive on the frequency tone and the time symbol.

23. The method of claim 20, further comprising decoding the first information stream without affecting a decoding of the second information stream.

24. A wireless communications apparatus that receives information that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for;

receiving information in a micro block that comprises at least one frequency tone in one time symbol, determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups in which the micro block belongs, and identifying a block that contains the at least two subgroups wherein the block comprises a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, wherein the determination of the subgroup and the received micro block conveys information, the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream; and

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory; and

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving the information, wherein the processor and the receiver are distinct components.

25. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 24, wherein a mapping based on the first information stream and the second information are mutually exclusive on the frequency tones and the time symbols.

26. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 24, wherein a change to the first information stream does not change the second information stream and vice versa.

27. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 24, wherein the memory retains instructions for analyzing the first information stream utilizing the equation Xi=floor(Zi/L), where Xi is the first information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

28. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 24, wherein the memory retains instructions for analyzing the second information stream utilizing the equation Yi=mod(Zi,L), where Yi is the second information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

29. A wireless communications apparatus that receives information during a frequency portion and a time portion, comprising:

means for receiving a high-energy beacon symbol that represents a micro block that includes at least one frequency tone in one time symbol;

means for determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups in which the micro block belongs, each subgroup includes a subset of frequency tones in a subset of time symbols; and

means for analyzing information contained in the high-energy beacon to determine a block in which the subgroup belongs, the block comprises a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols,

wherein the determination of the subgroup and the received micro block conveys information, the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream.

30. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 29, wherein changes to a frequency portion and a time portion do not affect each other.

31. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 29, further comprising means for analyzing the first information stream utilizing the equation Xi=floor(Zi/L), where Xi is the first information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

32. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 29, further comprising means for analyzing the second information stream utilizing the equation Yi=mod(Zi,L), where Yi is the second information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

33. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions for:

receiving information within a micro block that includes at least one frequency tone in one time symbol;

determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups in which the micro block belongs, the subgroup includes a subset of frequency tones in a subset of time symbols;

ascertaining a block in which the subgroup belongs, the block includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream; and

decoding the first information stream and the second information stream for information included thereon.

34. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 33, wherein the micro block is received at a high energy as compared to other received micro blocks.

35. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 33, the decoding of the first information stream and the second information stream are performed independently.

36. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 33, decoding the first information stream includes utilizing the equation Xi=floor(Zi/L), where Xi is the first information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

37. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 33, decoding the second information stream includes utilizing the equation Yi=mod(Zi,L), where Yi is the second information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom.

38. In a wireless communication system, an apparatus comprising:

a processor configured to;

receive a micro block that includes information,

determine a subgroup from at least two subgroups that contains the micro block, the subgroup is a function of a first information stream;

determine a micro block degree of freedom within the determined subgroup that contains the micro block, the micro block degree of freedom is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream; and

decode the first information stream based on the determined subgroup and the second information stream based on the determined micro block degree of freedom into corresponding frequency tones and time symbols; and

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving the micro block, wherein the processor and the receiver are distinct components.

39. A wireless communications apparatus that receives information that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for;

receiving a signal that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols,

ascertaining a micro block in which the signal was received,

determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups that contains the micro block, the subgroup being a function of a first information stream, and

determining a micro block degree of freedom within the determined subgroup that contains the micro block, the micro block degree of freedom being a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream,

wherein a change to the first information stream does not change the second information stream and vice versa;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory; and

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving the signal, wherein the processor and the receiver are distinct components.

40. A wireless communications apparatus that receives information that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for receiving a signal that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, ascertaining a micro block in which the signal was received, determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups that contains the micro block and identifying a block that includes the at least two subgroups, wherein the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory, and the memory retains instructions for analyzing the first information stream utilizing the equation Xi=floor(Zi/L), where Xi is the first information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom; and

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving the signal, wherein the processor and the receiver are distinct components.

41. A wireless communications apparatus that receives information that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, comprising:

a memory that retains instructions for receiving a signal that includes a set of frequency tones in a set of time symbols, ascertaining a micro block in which the signal was received, determining a subgroup from at least two subgroups that contains the micro block and identifying a block that includes the at least two subgroups, wherein the subgroup is a function of a first information stream and the micro block is a function of a second information stream different than the first information stream;

a processor, coupled to the memory, configured to execute the instructions retained in the memory and the memory retains instructions for analyzing the second information stream utilizing the equation Yi=mod(Zi,L), where Yi is the second information stream, Zi is the information in the micro block, and where L is a number of degrees of freedom; and

a receiver coupled to the processor for receiving the signal, wherein the processor and the receiver are distinct components.