SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED USER EQUIPMENT ASSISTANCE INFORMATION IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

• US 20130301500A1
• Filed: 12/19/2012
• Published: 11/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ali T Koc, Jing Zhu, Marta Martinez Tarradell, Rath Vannithamby, Sangeetha L. Bangolae, Satish C. Jha
• Inventors: MARTINEZ TARRADELL, MARTA, BANGOLAE, SANGEETHA L., VANNITHAMBY, RATH, KOC, ALI T., JHA, SATISH C., ZHU, JING
• Granted Patent: US 9,515,757 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/56 with provision for simultaneous communication in two directions
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 15/00 Suppression or limitation of noise or interference by means associated with receiver H04B1/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/024 Co-operative use of antennas of several sites, e.g. in co-ordinated multipoint or co-operative multiple-input multiple-output [MIMO] systems
• 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: H04B 7/0473 taking constraints in layer or codeword to antenna mapping into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0486 taking channel rank into account
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0626 Channel coefficients, e.g. channel state information [CSI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/063 Parameters other than those covered in groups H04B7/0623 - H04B7/0634, e.g. channel matrix rank or transmit mode selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0632 Channel quality parameters, e.g. channel quality indicator [CQI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0639 Using selective indices, e.g. of a codebook, e.g. pre-distortion matrix index [PMI] or for beam selection
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0647 Variable feedback rate
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/065 Variable contents, e.g. long-term or short-short
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/26 at least one of which is mobile
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 3/00 Time-division multiplex systems H04J14/00 takes precedence; relay systems H04B7/14; selecting techniques H04Q
• 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: H04J 3/26 in which the information and the address are simultaneously transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/0026 Transmission of channel quality indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1803 Stop-and-wait protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/1822 involving configuration of automatic repeat request [ARQ] with parallel processes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2627 : Modulators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 : the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• 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 5/0053 : Allocation of signaling, i.e. of overhead other than pilot signals
• 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 5/0096 : 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 65/00 : Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] H04L51/04; selective video distribution H04N21/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 : Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/324 : in the data link layer [OSI layer 2], e.g. HDLC
• 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 24/10 : Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/00 : Hand-off or reselection arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0055 : Transmission or use of information for re-establishing the radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0061 : of neighbour cell information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0088 : Scheduling hand-off measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0094 : Definition of hand-off measurement parameters
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/04 : Reselecting a cell layer in multi-layered cells
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/16 : Performing reselection for specific purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/18 : for allowing seamless reselection, e.g. soft reselection
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/22 : for handling the traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/30 : by measured or perceived connection quality data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/32 : by location or mobility data, e.g. speed data
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 : Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/023 : using mutual or relative location information between multiple location based services [LBS] targets or of distance thresholds
• 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 4/16 : Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/70 : Services for machine-to-machine communication [M2M] or machine type communication [MTC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 : Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• 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 52/0216 : using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 : using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 : where the received signal is a wanted signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 : where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 : using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/00 : Synchronisation arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/001 : Synchronization between nodes
• 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 72/12 : Wireless traffic scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/1215 : for collaboration of different radio technologies
• 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 72/27 : between access points
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/30 : Resource management for broadcast services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/51 : based on terminal or device properties
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/54 : based on quality criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/541 : using the level of interference
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/542 : using measured or perceived quality
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 : based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/14 : Direct-mode setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/18 : Management of setup rejection or failure
• 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 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: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods are disclosed for communicating enhanced user equipment (UE) assistance information between nodes in wireless communication systems. The UE achieves power savings and latency requirements more effectively by communicating its preferences, constraints and/or requirements to an evolved Node B (eNodeB) in the form of UE assistance information. The UE assistance information may include, for example, an indication of a preferred set of discontinuous reception (DRX) settings, current data traffic conditions, expected data traffic conditions, power or performance preferences, and/or an indication of the UE'"'"'s mobility between cells.

Claims

1. A method for modifying settings of a user equipment (UE) in a wireless network, the method comprising:

receiving, at the UE, a list of settings comprising discontinuous reception (DRX) sets available at an evolved Node B (eNodeB);

processing the list to determine one or more parameters of the UE to send to the eNodeB as UE assistance information;

transmitting the UE assistance information from the UE to the eNodeB;

receiving in response, at the UE, one of the DRX sets; and

applying the received DRX set to the settings of the UE.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the UE information further comprises transmitting a power preference indication to indicate a preference for default power configuration or a power saving configuration.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the UE information further comprises transmitting a mobility state indicator of the UE based on a number of handovers or cell reselections within a predetermined time period.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether uplink (UL) traffic at the UE is background traffic or active traffic, wherein transmitting the UE information comprises transmitting an indication that the UL traffic at the UE is either background traffic or active traffic.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein transmitting the UE information further comprises transmitting an indication that UL traffic is not expected at the UE for a predetermined period of time.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the UE information comprises transmitting a packet inter-arrival time (IAT).

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising transmitting an indication of traffic type and a corresponding data format for the packet IAT.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the traffic type is bursty and the packet IAT includes both a first IAT corresponding to individual packet bursts and a second IAT corresponding to a time period between the packet bursts.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising selectively transmitting either a current IAT or a next packet arrival time.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the UE information comprises transmitting an indication of whether traffic at the UE is uplink triggered data or downlink triggered data.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the UE information comprises transmitting time alignment timer (TAT) feedback information.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the UE information in an uplink dedicated control channel (UL-DCCH) message.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting at least a portion of the UE information using a feature group indicator (FGI) bit.

14. A user equipment (UE), comprising:

a processing module to generate an uplink dedicated control channel (UL-DCCH) message in a third generation partnership project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE) wireless network, the UL-DCCH message comprising data to assist in a selection of power saving settings;

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver to transmit the UL-DCCH message to an evolved node B (eNodeB) and to receive, in response, the power saving settings.

15. The UE of claim 14, wherein the data comprises a power preference indication parameter that specifies a request for the UE to enter into a power saving configuration.

16. The UE of claim 14, wherein the data comprises a mobility state indicator that specifies a number of handovers or cell reselections within a predetermined time period.

17. The UE of claim 14, wherein the data is selected from the group comprising a packet inter-arrival time (IAT), a traffic type for current traffic at the UE, a traffic type for expected traffic at the UE, and a timer alignment timer (TAT) feedback value.

18. The UE of claim 14, wherein the RF transceiver is further configured to receive a list of discontinuous reception (DRX) sets available at the eNodeB, and wherein the data comprises an indication of one of the DRX sets preferred by the UE.

19. The UE of claim 18, wherein the RF the list of DRX sets available at the eNodeB are received in a media access control (MAC) main configuration (MAC-MainConfig) message.

20. The UE of claim 18, wherein the RF transceiver is further configured to receive the power saving settings as an indication of a selected DRX set.

21. The UE of claim 14, wherein the UE is configured to connect to at least one of a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), and a wireless wide area network (WWAN), and the UE includes an antenna, a touch sensitive display screen, a speaker, a microphone, a graphics processor, an application processor, internal memory, a non-volatile memory port, or combinations thereof.

22. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory computer readable storage medium having a computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code adapted to be executed to implement a method for adjusting parameters of a user equipment (UE) by an evolved Node B (eNodeB), the method comprising:

transmitting a plurality of control parameter options from the eNodeB to the UE;

receiving UE assistance information from the eNodeB in an uplink control channel, the UE assistance information indicating at least one of a control parameter preference, a current condition, and an expected condition at the UE; and

in response to receiving the UE assistance information, selecting one of the control parameter options and transmitting the selected control parameter option to the UE.

23. The computer program product of claim 22, wherein transmitting the plurality of control parameter options from the eNodeB to the UE occurs at connection establishment or reestablishment of the eNodeB to the UE.

24. The computer program product of claim 22, further comprising transmitting the plurality of control parameter options from the eNodeB to the UE in a media access control (MAC) main configuration (MAC-MainConfig) message.