Mapping special subframes in a wireless communication network

• US 9,503,892 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2013
• Issued: 11/22/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel IP Corporation (Intel Corporation)
• Inventors: Davydov, Alexei, Bashar, Shafi, Han, Seunghee, He, Hong, Fwu, Jong-Kae
• Primary Examiner(s): Alia, Curtis A
• Application Number:
  US14/127,891
• Publication Number:
  US 20150009870A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,162 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0417 Feedback systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0456 Selection of precoding matrices or codebooks, e.g. using matrices antenna weighting
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/18 Automatic repetition systems, e.g. Van Duuren systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1812 Hybrid protocols; Hybrid automatic repeat request [HARQ]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1887 Scheduling and prioritising arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/24 Key scheduling, i.e. generating round keys or sub-keys for block encryption
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2209/80 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/08 Monitoring or testing based on specific metrics, e.g. QoS, energy consumption or environmental parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0012 Hopping in multicarrier systems for frequency hopping in spread spectrum systems H04B1/713
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0016 Time-frequency-code
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0035 Resource allocation in a cooperative multipoint environment
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• 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 5/0055 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 5/0062 Avoidance of ingress interference, e.g. ham radio channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0076 Allocation utility-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0092 Indication of how the channel is divided
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0094 : Indication of how sub-channels of the path are allocated
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0096 : Indication of changes in allocation
• 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 63/0428 : wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/30 : for supporting lawful interception, monitoring or retaining of communications or communication related information circuit switched telephony call monitoring H04M3/2281
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1104 : Session initiation protocol [SIP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/611 : for multicast or broadcast systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06
• 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 65/80 : Responding to QoS
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 : based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/14 : using a plurality of keys or algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/02 : Protecting privacy or anonymity, e.g. protecting personally identifiable information [PII]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/0431 : Key distribution or pre-distribution; Key agreement
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/50 : Secure pairing of devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/32 : Hierarchical cell structures
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 : Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0231 : based on communication conditions dynamic wireless traffic scheduling definition based on channel quality criteria H04W72/54
• 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 36/0069 : in case of dual connectivity, e.g. decoupled uplink/downlink
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00692 : using simultaneous multiple data streams, e.g. cooperative multipoint [CoMP], carrier aggregation [CA] or multiple input multiple output [MIMO] allocation of physical resources in CoMP or in CA H04L5/0035
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• 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 48/08 : Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 : Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/20 : Selecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 : Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/00 : Local resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/02 : Selection of wireless resources by user or terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/046 : the resource being in the space domain, e.g. beams
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1263 : Mapping of traffic onto schedule, e.g. scheduled allocation or multiplexing of flows
• 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 74/00 : Wireless channel access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/11 : Allocation or use of connection identifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• 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 8/005 : Discovery of network devices, e.g. terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 : using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 : WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]
• 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: Y02B 70/30 : Systems integrating technologies related to power network operation and communication or information technologies for improving the carbon footprint of the management of residential or tertiary loads, i.e. smart grids as climate change mitigation technology in the buildings sector, including also the last stages of power distribution and the control, monitoring or operating management systems at local level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described related to mapping special subframes in a wireless communication network. In embodiments, an eNB may assign demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) and/or cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) to a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of a special subframe responsive to a determined configuration of the special subframe. In embodiments, an eNB may bundle the DwPTS or an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS) of the special subframe with another subframe for scheduling. In embodiments, a UE may estimate a channel associated with the special subframe based on DM-RSs and/or CRSs transmitted in another subframe. In embodiments, an eNB may exclude the DwPTS from scheduling for certain special subframe configurations if a new carrier type (NCT) is used. In embodiments, an eNB may exclude certain special subframe configurations from use for NCT communications. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Claims

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

reference signal circuitry to generate demodulation reference signals (DM-RSs) to facilitate a user equipment (UE) to receive signals from the eNB;

mapping circuitry to assign the DM-RSs to resource elements of a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of a time-domain duplexing (TDD) special subframe based on a configuration of the TDD special subframe, wherein the configuration of the TDD special subframe is a special subframe configuration 0 with a normal cyclic prefix, a special subframe configuration 5 with a normal cyclic prefix, a special subframe configuration 0 with an extended cyclic prefix, a special subframe configuration 4 with an extended cyclic prefix, or a special sub-frame configuration 7 with an extended cyclic prefix; and

transceiver circuitry to wirelessly transmit the DM-RSs to the UE using the assigned resource elements to facilitate the UE to receive a transmission from the eNB in the DwPTS;

wherein the TDD special subframe is a first TDD special subframe that does not include a primary synchronization signal (PSS) or a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and wherein the mapping circuitry is to assign one or more of the DM-RSs to resource elements in a third earliest time-domain symbol of the first TDD special subframe, and wherein the mapping circuitry is further to exclude the DM-RSs from a third earliest symbol of a second TDD special subframe that includes a PSS or an SSS..

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mapping circuitry is to assign the DM-RSs to resource elements in an earliest three time-domain symbols of the TDD special subframe.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mapping circuitry is to assign the DM-RSs to resource elements in an earliest and a second earliest time-domain symbol of the TDD special subframe.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the transceiver circuitry is to transmit the DM-RSs using four antenna ports.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the DwPTS of the TDD special subframe has a length of less than 420 microseconds.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mapping circuitry is further to assign the DM-RSs to the resource elements of the DwPTS based on a determination that the TDD special subframe has a new carrier type (NCT) format.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transceiver circuitry is to transmit the DM-RSs using a plurality of antenna ports, wherein the DM-RSs transmitted on different antenna ports are transmitted using different discrete Fourier transform (DFT) codes.

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

reference signal circuitry to generate cell-specific reference signals (CRSs);

mapping circuitry to assign the CRSs to resource elements within a new carrier type (NCT) radio frame in which the CRSs are not transmitted in every subframe of the radio frame, the mapping circuitry to assign the CRSs to one or more resource elements of a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of a special subframe of the radio frame, the special subframe including the DwPTS, an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS), and a guard period between the DwPTS and the UpPTS, wherein a demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) is transmitted in other subframes of the radio frame and is not transmitted in the special subframe; and

transceiver circuitry to wirelessly transmit the CRSs to a user equipment (UE) in the assigned resource elements to facilitate demodulation of signals transmitted from the eNB to the UE in the DwPTS of the special subframe.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the mapping circuitry is further to assign the CRSs to one or more resource elements of a downlink subframe.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the transceiver circuitry is to transmit the CRSs in the downlink subframe with a same antenna port, and to transmit the CRSs in the special subframe with a plurality of antenna ports.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the mapping circuitry is further to exclude the CRSs from another downlink subframe of the radio frame.

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

transceiver circuitry to communicate signals with an evolved Node B (eNB) using a new carrier type (NCT) radio frame having a plurality of subframes including a first subframe and a special subframe following the first subframe, wherein the transceiver circuitry is further to transmit a plurality of cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) in the first subframe;

channel estimation circuitry to estimate a channel between the UE and the eNB in a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the special subframe based on the CRSs in the first subframe, wherein the channel estimation circuitry is to estimate the channel in the special subframe based on the CRSs in the first subframe responsive to a determination that the special subframe has a special subframe configuration 0 or a special subframe configuration 5 with a normal cyclic prefix, or a special subframe configuration 0, a special sub-frame configuration 4, or a special subframe configuration 7 with an extended cyclic prefix; and

demodulation circuitry to demodulate a transmission received in the DwPTS of the special subframe based on the estimated channel.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the transceiver circuitry is to transmit the CRSs with a periodicity of 5 sub-frames.

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

transceiver circuitry to communicate signals with an evolved Node B (eNB) using a new carrier type (NCT) radio frame having a plurality of subframes including a first subframe and a special subframe following the first subframe, wherein the transceiver circuitry is further to transmit a plurality of cell-specific reference signals (CRSs) in the first subframe;

channel estimation circuitry to estimate a channel between the UE and the eNB in a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) of the special subframe based on the CRSs in the first subframe; and

demodulation circuitry to demodulate a transmission received in the DwPTS of the special subframe based on the estimated channel;

wherein the transceiver circuitry is to transmit a synchronization signal in the DwPTS of the special subframe, and wherein the channel estimation circuitry is to estimate the channel between the UE and the eNB in the DwPTS of the special subframe based on the CRSs of the first subframe and the synchronization signal in the special subframe.

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

transceiver circuitry to communicate with a user equipment (UE) in a radio frame having a plurality of subframes, the plurality of subframes including a special subframe having a downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS), a guard period, and an uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS); and

scheduling circuitry coupled to the transceiver circuitry, the scheduling circuitry to;

bundle the UpPTS of the special subframe with another subframe that follows the special sub-frame; and

schedule a communication between the UE and the eNB in the bundled subframe using a same scheduling transmission.