Wireless feedback communications over unlicensed spectrum

• US 9,723,516 B2
• Filed: 05/19/2014
• Issued: 08/01/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Malladi, Durga Prasad, Wei, Yongbin, Damnjanovic, Aleksandar, Bhushan, Naga, Gaal, Peter, Luo, Tao, Ji, Tingfang, Horn, Gavin Bernard, Chen, Wanshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Kibrom T
• Application Number:
  US14/281,620
• Publication Number:
  US 20140341053A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/00 Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received correcting synchronisation H04L7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0003 by switching between different modulation schemes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0009 by adapting the channel coding H04L1/1812 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/003 Adaptive formatting arrangements particular to signalling, e.g. variable amount of bits
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/009 arrangements specific to transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0612 Space-time modulation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/0006 Assessment of spectral gaps suitable for allocating digitally modulated signals, e.g. for carrier allocation in cognitive radio for spectrum sharing between different networks H04W16/14
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2602 Signal structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2603 Signal structure ensuring backward compatibility with legacy system
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/001 the frequencies being arranged in component carriers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0044 allocation of payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0053 Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• 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: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/02 Arrangements for optimising operational condition
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0252 per individual bearer or channel dynamic wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/0289 : Congestion control load shedding arrangements in network planning H04W16/08; performing reselection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 28/08 : Load balancing or load distribution transferring a connection for handling the traffic H04W36/22; wireless traffic scheduling H04W72/12
• 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 48/10 : using broadcasted information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 : one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/002 : Mutual synchronization
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 : Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/006 : in the downlink, i.e. towards the terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/04 : Scheduled access hybrid access H04W74/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0808 : using carrier sensing, e.g. carrier sense multiple access [CSMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0816 : with collision avoidance
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 : Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 : Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• 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

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are described in which an unlicensed spectrum is used for Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications. A first method includes receiving feedback information from a user equipment (UE) via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum. A second method includes transmitting feedback information from a UE to an evolved Node B (eNB) via a PCC uplink in a licensed spectrum. The feedback information may address signals transmitted to the UE via a downlink in an unlicensed spectrum.

Claims

1. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

identifying at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

receiving feedback information associated with both the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval from a user equipment (UE) via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein receiving feedback information comprises receiving long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving feedback information further comprises receiving hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving feedback information further comprises receiving short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

4. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for identifying at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

means for receiving feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval from a user equipment (UE) via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the means for receiving feedback information comprises means for receiving long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for receiving feedback information further comprises means for receiving hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for receiving feedback information further comprises means for receiving short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

7. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

identify at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

receive feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval from a user equipment (UE) via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to receive feedback information comprise instructions executable by the processor to receive long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to receive feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to receive hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to receive feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to receive short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for communications by a wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

instructions executable by a processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to;

identify at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

receive feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval from a user equipment (UE) via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive feedback information comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the wireless communications apparatus to receive short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

13. A method for wireless communications, comprising:

identifying at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

transmitting, by a user equipment (UE), feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein transmitting feedback information comprises transmitting long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting feedback information further comprises transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein transmitting feedback information further comprises transmitting short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

16. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

means for identifying at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

means for transmitting, by a user equipment (UE), feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the means for transmitting feedback information comprises means for transmitting long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for transmitting feedback information comprises means for transmitting hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

18. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for transmitting feedback information further comprises means for transmitting short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

19. An apparatus for wireless communications, comprising:

a processor;

memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

instructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable by the processor to;

identify at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

transmit, by a user equipment (UE), feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to transmit feedback information comprise instructions executable by the processor to transmit long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to transmit feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to transmit feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to transmit short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

22. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions for communications by a wireless communications apparatus, comprising:

instructions executable by a processor to cause a user equipment (UE) to;

identify at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF in an unlicensed spectrum and at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON in the unlicensed spectrum; and

transmit feedback information associated with the at least one transmission time interval and the at least one other transmission time interval via a primary component carrier (PCC) uplink in a licensed spectrum, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit feedback information comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit long-term channel state information (CSI) for the at least one transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated OFF for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback information.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 22, wherein the instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit feedback information further comprise instructions executable by the processor to cause the UE to transmit short-term CSI for the at least one other transmission time interval during which transmissions are gated ON for a downlink in the unlicensed spectrum.