Determination of enhanced physical downlink control channel candidates in a wireless communication network

• US 9,386,487 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2015
• Issued: 07/05/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Zhu, Yuan, Chen, Xiaogang, Han, Seunghee, Fwu, Jong-Kae, Li, Qinghua
• Primary Examiner(s): Jiang, Charles C
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEFAUW, THAD N
• Application Number:
  US14/743,205
• Publication Number:
  US 20150289240A1
• Time in Patent Office: 383 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/0086 Search parameters, e.g. search strategy, accumulation length, range of search, thresholds code acquisition in DSSS H04B1/7075
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/1694 Allocation of channels in TDM/TDMA networks, e.g. distributed multiplexers Passive Optical Networks H04Q11/0062
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1861 Physical mapping arrangements for ACK signaling see also H04L5/0053
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1864 ARQ related signaling H04L1/1607 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1893 Physical mapping arrangements physical resource mapping in general H04L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/069 using logs of notifications; Post-processing of notifications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/5032 Generating service level reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/16 Threshold monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0055 Physical resource allocation for ACK/NACK for physical mapping arrangements in ARQ protocols H04L1/1861
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0057 Physical resource allocation for CQI
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0073 Allocation arrangements that take into account other cell interferences for intercell interference mitigation or co-ordination in orthogonal multiplex systems H04J11/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0091 Signaling for the administration of the divided path
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/60 Network streaming of media packets
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/612 for unicast
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/65 : Network streaming protocols, e.g. real-time transport protocol [RTP] or real-time control protocol [RTCP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/762 : at the source reformatting of additional data in video distribution servers H04N21/2355
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 : in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 : Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0205 : at the air interface dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0215 : based on user or device properties, e.g. MTC-capable devices services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC] H04W4/70; wireless resource selection or allocation plan definition based on terminal or device properties H04W72/51
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0221 : power availability or consumption
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0252 : per individual bearer or channel dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0268 : using specific QoS parameters for wireless networks, e.g. QoS class identifier [QCI] or guaranteed bit rate [GBR] negotiating SLA or negotiating QoS H04W28/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/16 : Central resource management; Negotiation of resources or communication parameters, e.g. negotiating bandwidth or QoS [Quality of Service]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 : of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0066 : of control information between different types of networks in order to establish a new radio link in the target network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0083 : Determination of parameters used for hand-off, e.g. generation or modification of neighbour cell lists
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0085 : Hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0088 : Scheduling hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 : Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/14 : Reselecting a network or an air interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/005 : Routing actions in the presence of nodes in sleep or doze mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 40/246 : Connectivity information discovery
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/14 : using user query or user detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 : Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 : in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• 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 52/0225 : using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 : controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 : managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/04 : TPC
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/14 : Separate analysis of uplink or downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/044 : based on the type of the allocated resource
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 : Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• 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 72/30 : Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/52 : based on load
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/002 : Transmission of channel access control information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/004 : in the uplink, i.e. towards network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/12 : Setup of transport tunnels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 : Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/23 : Manipulation of direct-mode connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/28 : Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/30 : Connection release
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/08 : Mobility data transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 80/10 : adapted for application session management, e.g. SIP [Session Initiation Protocol] connection management H04W76/00; arrangements for session management H04L67/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/042 : Public Land Mobile systems, e.g. cellular systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 : adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 : Access point devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/12 : Access point controller devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/14 : Backbone network devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/16 : Gateway arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/18 : Service support devices; Network management devices
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

In embodiments, an evolved Node B (eNB) of a wireless communication network may configure an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) physical resource block (PRB) set for a user equipment (UE). The EPDCCH-PRB set may include a plurality of PRB-pairs. The EPDCCH-PRB set may further include a plurality of enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) organized into localized enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs) having EREGs of the same PRB-pair and distributed ECCEs having EREGs of different PRB-pairs. In some embodiments, the eNB may determine a set of distributed EPDCCH candidates for the UE from the EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates include one or more of the distributed ECCEs, and wherein the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates includes at least one EREG from each of the plurality of localized ECCEs. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

1. An apparatus to be employed by an evolved Node B (eNB), the apparatus comprising:

communications circuitry to communicate with a user equipment (UE) over a wireless communication network; and

control circuitry, coupled to the communications circuitry, to;

configure, for the UE, an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH)-physical resource block (PRB) set including a plurality of PRB-pairs, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set is configured as a distributed EPDCCH-PRB set having distributed enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs) that include enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) spread among the plurality of PRB-pairs;

determine a set of distributed EPDCCH candidates for the UE from the PRB-pairs of the EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates include one or more of the distributed ECCEs, and wherein the different distributed EPDCCH candidates of the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates are first mapped to distributed ECCEs including EREGs of different localized ECCEs of the PRB-pairs, and then mapped to distributed ECCEs including EREGs of a same localized ECCE as another distributed EPDCCH candidate; and

modulate an EPDCCH onto one of the distributed EPDCCH candidates, the EPDCCH including downlink control information (DCI) for the UE.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set is a first EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the control circuitry is to determine the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates based on a search space equation, and wherein the control circuitry is further to:

configure, for the UE or another UE, a second EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of PRB-pairs that are fully overlapped, partially overlapped, or fully non-overlapped with the PRB-pairs of the first EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the second EPDCCH-PRB set is configured as a localized EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of localized ECCEs having EREGs of a same PRB-pair; and

determine, based on the search space equation, a set of localized EPDCCH candidates for the UE or the another UE from the second EPDCCH-PRB set.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the set of localized EPDCCH candidates includes localized ECCEs of each of the plurality of PRB-pairs of the second EPDCCH-PRB set.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set includes four PRB-pairs and sixteen distributed ECCEs, and wherein the individual PRB-pairs include four localized ECCEs.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates is a first set of EPDCCH candidates, wherein the control circuitry is further configured to determine a second set of EPDCCH candidates for the UE, and wherein the control circuitry is configured to determine the first and second sets of EPDCCH candidates based on respective first and second starting candidate indexes that are different from one another.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the first and second starting candidate indexes are separated by a pre-defined offset.

7. An eNB comprising the apparatus of claim 1, and further comprising an Ethernet connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a set of ECCEs corresponding to an EPDCCH candidate m of the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates is given by

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set is a first EPDCCH-PRB set having a first number of PRB-pairs, and wherein the control circuitry is further to:

configure the UE with a second EPDCCH-PRB set having a second number of PRB-pairs;

wherein the second EPDCCH-PRB set is a distributed EPDCCH-PRB set or a localized EPDCCH-PRB set; and

wherein a number of EPDCCH candidates in the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates of the first EPDCCH-PRB set is based on a proportion of the first number of PRB-pairs relative to the second number of PRB-pairs.

10. An apparatus to be employed by an evolved Node B (eNB), the apparatus comprising:

communications circuitry to communicate with a user equipment (UE) over a wireless communication network; and

control circuitry, coupled to the communications circuitry, to;

configure, for one or more UEs, a localized enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH)-physical resource block (PRB) set having a plurality of localized enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs), and a distributed EPDCCH-PRB set having a plurality of distributed ECCEs; and

determine, based on a search space equation, a set of localized EPDCCH candidates, wherein the individual localized EPDCCH candidates correspond to one or more localized ECCEs of the localized EPDCCH-PRB set; and

determine, based on the search space equation, a set of distributed EPDCCH candidates, wherein the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates correspond to one or more of the distributed ECCEs of the distributed EPDCCH-PRB set; and

transmit, to the UE, an EPDCCH on one of the localized EPDCCH candidates or distributed EPDCCH candidates.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the set of localized EPDCCH candidates includes ECCEs of each of the plurality of PRB-pairs of the localized EPDCCH-PRB set.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the different distributed EPDCCH candidates of the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates are first mapped to distributed ECCEs including enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) of different localized ECCEs of the PRB-pairs, and then mapped to distributed ECCEs including EREGs of a same localized ECCE as another distributed EPDCCH candidate.

13. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the localized ECCEs are associated with a first set of PRB-pairs, wherein the distributed ECCEs are associated with a second set of PRB-pairs, and wherein the first and second sets of PRB-pairs include one or more common PRB-pairs.

14. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the distributed EPDCCH candidates have an aggregation level indicating a number of distributed ECCEs included in the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates, wherein the distributed EPDCCH candidates have an aggregation level of 2 or greater, and wherein the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates are first mapped to distributed EREGs from a same set of localized ECCEs of the PRB-pairs, and then mapped to distributed EREGs from a different set of localized ECCEs if no EREGs in the same set of localized ECCEs are available.

15. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the search space equation determines the EPDCCH candidates based on indexes associated with the corresponding ECCEs, wherein the indexes of the localized ECCEs of the localized EPDCCH-PRB set are continuous, and wherein the indexes of the distributed ECCEs of the distributed EPDCCH-PRB set are continuous.

16. An apparatus to be employed by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

communications circuitry configured to communicate with an evolved Node B (eNB) over a wireless communication network; and

decoding circuitry configured to decode an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH) received at one or more of a plurality of EPDCCH candidates of a first set of EPDCCH candidates and a second set of EPDCCH candidates associated with a same subframe;

wherein the first set of EPDCCH candidates is determined using enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs) that are selected from a first EPDCCH-physical resource block (PRB) set based on a first starting candidate index and the second set of EPDCCH candidates is determined using ECCEs that are selected from a second EPDCCH-PRB set based on a second starting candidate index that is different from the first starting candidate index.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second starting candidate indexes are separated by a pre-defined offset.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first and second starting candidate indexes are independently determined using different random numbers.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the first EPDCCH-PRB set is a localized EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of localized ECCEs having enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) of a same PRB-pair, and the second EPDCCH-PRB set is a distributed EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of distributed ECCEs having EREGs from a plurality of PRB-pairs.

20. An apparatus to be employed by a user equipment (UE), the apparatus comprising:

communications circuitry to communicate with a user equipment (UE) over a wireless communication network; and

decoding circuitry, coupled to the communications circuitry, to;

receive configuration parameters from an evolved Node B (eNB) for an enhanced physical downlink control channel (EPDCCH)-physical resource block (PRB) set including a plurality of PRB-pairs, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set is configured as a distributed EPDCCH-PRB set having distributed enhanced control channel elements (ECCEs) that include enhanced resource element groups (EREGs) spread among the plurality of PRB-pairs;

determine a set of distributed EPDCCH candidates from the PRB-pairs of the EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the individual distributed EPDCCH candidates include one or more of the distributed ECCEs, and wherein the different distributed EPDCCH candidates of the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates are first mapped to distributed ECCEs including EREGs of different localized ECCEs of the PRB-pairs, and then mapped to distributed ECCEs including EREGs of a same localized ECCE as another distributed EPDCCH candidate; and

monitor the distributed EPDCCH candidates for an EPDCCH including downlink control information (DCI) for the UE.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the EPDCCH-PRB set is a first EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the decoding circuitry is to determine the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates based on a search space equation, and wherein the decoding circuitry is further to:

receive configuration parameters for a second EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of PRB-pairs that are fully overlapped, partially overlapped, or fully non-overlapped with the PRB-pairs of the first EPDCCH-PRB set, wherein the second EPDCCH-PRB set is configured as a localized EPDCCH-PRB set including a plurality of localized ECCEs having EREGs of a same PRB-pair; and

determine, based on the search space equation, a set of localized EPDCCH candidates for the UE or the another UE from the second EPDCCH-PRB set.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the set of localized EPDCCH candidates includes localized ECCEs of each of the plurality of PRB-pairs of the second EPDCCH-PRB set.

23. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein a set of ECCEs corresponding to an EPDCCH candidate m of the set of distributed EPDCCH candidates is given by