DYNAMIC BANDWIDTH ADJUSTMENT IN FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH SYSTEMS

• US 20130121265A1
• Filed: 05/08/2012
• Published: 05/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: AWONIYI, Olufunmilola O., DAS, Soumya, PARK, Edwin C., SOLIMAN, Samir Salib
• Granted Patent: US 8,891,467 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/329
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/00 Arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received correcting synchronisation H04L7/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0006 by adapting the transmission format
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/10 Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/247 where the output power of a terminal is based on a path parameter sent by another terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/40 during macro-diversity or soft handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/44 in connection with interruption of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 for collaboration of different radio technologies
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1268 of uplink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1273 of downlink data flows
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/045 using private Base Stations, e.g. femto Base Stations, home Node B
• 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 88/10 adapted for operation in multiple networks, e.g. multi-mode access points

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are provided for dynamically adapting the bandwidth of flexible bandwidth carriers. Adapting the bandwidth of a flexible bandwidth carrier may be achieved through changing the scale factor of the flexible bandwidth signal. Information such as traffic patterns, interference measurements, etc., may be utilized to determine the adapted scaling factors. In macrocellular deployments, for example, dynamically adjusting the bandwidth of a flexible bandwidth system may be utilized in order to increase network capacity, mitigate interference caused to other carriers, avoid adjacent carrier interference, and/or save energy on the network. Traffic pattern and other information may also be utilized to dynamically adjust uplink and downlink bandwidths of a flexible bandwidth carrier, either jointly or independently.

Claims

1. A method of dynamically adapting flexible bandwidth in a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

identifying a first scaling factor of a first flexible bandwidth carrier;

determining a second scaling factor; and

adapting a bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier increases a capacity of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises at least reducing interference with one or more cells, reducing in-band interference, or conserving energy.

6. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

handing over a mobile device camped on the first flexible bandwidth carrier to another bandwidth carrier before decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

adapting a bandwidth of a first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a third scaling factor different from the second scaling factor.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises a first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier and the second scaling factor and third scaling factor are determined based on one or more traffic patterns for at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

adapting a bandwidth of a second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fourth scaling factor; and

adapting a bandwidth of a second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fifth scaling factor.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

coupling at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the second downlink carrier or the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the first downlink carrier.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

assigning at least one user to at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier, or the second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier based on at least a requirement or a need of the at least one user.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

changing at least a first center frequency for the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or a second center frequency for the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting the second scaling factor to a mobile device; and

transmitting at least a time or a timing period to the mobile device regarding when the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier will be adapted from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

eschewing transmitting data to the mobile device during the timing period.

15. A wireless communications system configured for dynamically adapting flexible bandwidth, the system comprising

means for identifying a first scaling factor of a first flexible bandwidth carrier;

means for determining a second scaling factor; and

means for adapting a bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

means for increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier increases a capacity of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the means for adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

means for decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises at least reducing interference with one or more cells, reducing in-band interference, or conserving energy.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for handing over a mobile device camped on the first flexible bandwidth carrier to another bandwidth carrier before decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

21. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

means for adapting a bandwidth of a first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a third scaling factor different from the second scaling factor.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises a first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier and the second scaling factor and third scaling factor are determined based on one or more traffic patterns for at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

means for adapting a bandwidth of a second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fourth scaling factor; and

means for adapting a bandwidth of a second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fifth scaling factor.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

means for coupling at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the second downlink carrier or the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the first downlink carrier.

25. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

means for assigning at least one user to at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier, or the second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier based on at least a requirement or a need of the at least one user.

26. The system of claim 22, further comprising:

means for changing at least a first center frequency for the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or a second center frequency for the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

27. The system of claim 15, further comprising:

means for transmitting the second scaling factor to a mobile device; and

means for transmitting at least a time or a timing period to the mobile device regarding when the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier will be adapted from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for eschewing transmitting data to the mobile device during the timing period.

29. A computer program product for dynamically adapting flexible bandwidth in a wireless communications system comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising;

code for identifying a first scaling factor of a first flexible bandwidth carrier;

code for determining a second scaling factor; and

code for adapting a bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

30. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the code for adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

code for increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

31. The computer program product of claim 30, wherein increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier increases a capacity of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

32. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the code for adapting the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor comprises:

code for decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

33. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises at least reducing interference with one or more cells, reducing in-band interference, or conserving energy.

34. The computer program product of claim 32, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for handing over a mobile device camped on the first flexible bandwidth carrier to another bandwidth carrier before decreasing the bandwidth the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

35. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for adapting a bandwidth of a first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a third scaling factor different from the second scaling factor.

36. The computer program product of claim 35, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises a first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier and the second scaling factor and third scaling factor are determined based on one or more traffic patterns for at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for adapting a bandwidth of a second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fourth scaling factor; and

code for adapting a bandwidth of a second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fifth scaling factor.

38. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for coupling at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the second downlink carrier or the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the first downlink carrier.

39. The computer program product of claim 37, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for assigning at least one user to at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier, or the second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier based on at least a requirement or a need of the at least one user.

40. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for changing at least a first center frequency for the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or a second center frequency for the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

41. The computer program product of claim 29, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for transmitting the second scaling factor to a mobile device; and

code for transmitting at least a time or a timing period to the mobile device regarding when the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier will be adapted from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

42. The computer program product of claim 41, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

eschewing transmitting data to the mobile device during the timing period.

43. A wireless communications device configured for dynamically adapting flexible bandwidth in a wireless communications system, the device comprising:

at least one processor configured to;

identify a first scaling factor of a first flexible bandwidth carrier;

determine a second scaling factor; and

adapt a bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

44. The device of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor configured to adapt the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor is configured to:

increase the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

45. The device of claim 44, wherein increasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier increases a capacity of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

46. The device of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor configured to adapt the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor is configured to:

decrease the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

47. The device of claim 46, wherein decreasing the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises at least reducing interference with one or more cells, reducing in-band interference, or conserving energy.

48. The device of claim 46, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

hand over a mobile device camped on the first flexible bandwidth carrier to another bandwidth carrier before decreasing the bandwidth the first flexible bandwidth carrier.

49. The device of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

adapt a bandwidth of a first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a third scaling factor different from the second scaling factor.

50. The device of claim 49, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier comprises a first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier and the second scaling factor and third scaling factor are determined based on one or more traffic patterns for at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

51. The device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

adapt a bandwidth of a second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fourth scaling factor; and

adapt a bandwidth of a second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing a fifth scaling factor.

52. The device of claim 51, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

couple at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the second downlink carrier or the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier with the first downlink carrier.

53. The device of claim 51, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

assign at least one user to at least the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the second uplink flexible bandwidth carrier, the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier, or the second downlink flexible bandwidth carrier based on at least a requirement or a need of the at least one user.

54. The device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

change at least a first center frequency for the first uplink flexible bandwidth carrier or a second center frequency for the first downlink flexible bandwidth carrier.

55. The device of claim 43, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

transmit the second scaling factor to a mobile device; and

transmit at least a time or a timing period to the mobile device regarding when the bandwidth of the first flexible bandwidth carrier will be adapted from utilizing the first scaling factor to utilizing the second scaling factor.

56. The device of claim 55, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

eschewing transmitting data to the mobile device during the timing period.