OPPORTUNISTIC CARRIER AGGREGATION FRAMEWORK FOR EFFICIENT LTE OPERATION IN UNLICENSED SPECTRUM

• US 20150065152A1
• Filed: 04/17/2014
• Published: 03/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/04/2013
• Status: Active Application

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Sadek, Ahmed Kamel, Kadous, Tamer Adel
• Granted Patent: US 10,278,177 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/450
• 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 5/0089 due to addition or removal of users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0098 Signalling of the activation or deactivation of component carriers, subcarriers or frequency bands
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA

Abstract

Described herein are techniques for reducing efficient LTE operation in the unlicensed band. For example, the technique may involve establishing a connection with a primary component carrier on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band. The technique may also involve determining at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band. The technique may also involve sending the at least one metric to the primary component carrier. The technique may also involve receiving a message for one of switching on or switching off a secondary component carrier (SCC) for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band in response to sending the at least one metric.

Claims

1. A method operable by a wireless device configured for operation in a licensed communication band and an unlicensed communication band, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a primary component carrier (PCC) on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

determining at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band;

sending the at least one metric to the PCC; and

receiving a message for one of switching on or switching off a secondary component carrier (SCC) for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band in response to sending the at least one metric.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one metric is associated with a threshold indicative of a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band, and wherein the at least one metric comprises one of a cell loading, traffic type, quality of service (QoS) indication, number of users on the unlicensed communication band, available backhaul bandwidth, or interference from access points.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the message indicates switching on of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load, and the message indicates switching off of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the SCC is selected from one of a preferred set or non-preferred set of unlicensed communication bands, the preferred set being associated with a biasing parameter defining a likelihood of selection from the preferred set.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a known frequency band if the licensed communication band is not available.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting one frequency band from a set of available frequency bands if the licensed communication band is not available.

7. An apparatus comprising:

means for establishing a connection with a primary component carrier on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

means for determining at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band; and

means for sending the at least one metric to the primary component carrier; and

means receiving a message for one of switching on or switching off a secondary component carrier (SCC) for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band in response to sending the at least one metric.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the at least one metric is associated with a threshold indicative of a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band, and wherein the at least one metric comprises one of a cell loading, traffic type, quality of service (QoS) indication, number of users on the unlicensed communication band, available backhaul bandwidth, or interference from access points.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the message indicates switching on of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load, and the message indicates switching off of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the SCC is selected from one of a preferred set or non-preferred set of unlicensed communication bands, the preferred set being associated with a biasing parameter defining a likelihood of selection from the preferred set.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for:

selecting a known frequency band if the licensed communication band is not available.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising means for:

selecting one frequency band from a set of available frequency bands if the licensed communication band is not available.

13. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor configured for establishing a connection with a primary component carrier on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band, and determining at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band;

at least one transceiver configured for sending the at least one metric to the primary component carrier, and receiving a message for one of switching on or switching off a secondary component carrier (SCC) for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band in response to sending the at least one metric; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing data.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one metric is associated with a threshold indicative of a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band, and wherein the at least one metric comprises one of a cell loading, traffic type, quality of service (QoS) indication, number of users on the unlicensed communication band, available backhaul bandwidth, or interference from access points.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the message indicates switching on of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load, and the message indicates switching off of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the SCC is selected from one of a preferred set or non-preferred set of unlicensed communication bands, the preferred set being associated with a biasing parameter defining a likelihood of selection from the preferred set.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for selecting a known frequency band if the licensed communication band is not available.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for selecting one frequency band from a set of available frequency bands if the licensed communication band is not available.

19. A computer program product comprising:

computer readable medium storing code for causing at least one computer to;

establish a connection with a primary component carrier on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

determine at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band;

send the at least one metric to the primary component carrier; and

receive a message for one of switching on or switching off a secondary component carrier (SCC) for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band in response to sending the at least one metric.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the at least one metric is associated with a threshold indicative of a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band, and wherein the at least one metric comprises one of a cell loading, traffic type, quality of service (QoS) indication, number of users on the unlicensed communication band, available backhaul bandwidth, or interference from access points.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the message indicates switching on of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load, and the message indicates switching off of the SCC for transmissions on the unlicensed communication band when the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the SCC is selected from one of a preferred set or non-preferred set of unlicensed communication bands, the preferred set being associated with a biasing parameter defining a likelihood of selection from the preferred set.

23. A method operable by an access point configured for operation in a licensed communication band and an unlicensed communication band, the method comprising:

establishing a connection with a mobile entity on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

determining whether at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band indicates a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band; and

sending a configuration message to the mobile entity for activation of a secondary component carrier (SCC) in response to determining the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising receiving the at least one metric from the mobile entity for determining whether the at least one metric is below a threshold indicative of the traffic load on the unlicensed communication band.

25. The method of claim 23, further comprising inferring a value of the at least one metric based on a data transmission queue size, traffic type, or quality of service (QoS) indication.

26. The method of claim 23, further comprising sending another configuration message to the mobile entity for deactivation of a second component carrier in response to determining the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

27. The method of claim 23, wherein the at least one metric is associated with a threshold indicative of a traffic load on the licensed communication band, and wherein the at least one metric comprises at least one of a cell loading, number of users on the unlicensed communication band, available backhaul bandwidth, or interference from access points configured for operation.

28. An apparatus comprising:

means for establishing a connection with a mobile entity on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

means for determining whether at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band indicates a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band; and

means for sending a configuration message to the mobile entity for activation of a second component carrier (SCC) in response to determining the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for:

receiving the at least one metric from the mobile entity for determining whether the at least one metric is below a threshold indicative of the traffic load on the unlicensed communication band.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for:

inferring a value of the at least one metric based on a data transmission queue size, traffic type, or quality of service (QoS) indication.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising means for:

sending another configuration message to the mobile entity for deactivation of a second component carrier in response to determining the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

32. An apparatus comprising:

at least one processor configured for establishing a connection with a mobile entity on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band, and determining whether at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band indicates a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band;

at least one transceiver configured for sending a configuration message to the mobile entity for activation of a second component carrier (SCC) in response to determining the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load; and

a memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing data.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one transceiver is further configured for receiving the at least one metric from the mobile entity for determining whether the at least one metric is below a threshold indicative of the traffic load on the unlicensed communication band.

34. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured for inferring a value of the at least one metric based on a data transmission queue size, traffic type, or quality of service (QoS) indication.

35. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one transceiver is further configured for sending another configuration message to the mobile entity for deactivation of a second component carrier in response to determining the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.

36. A computer program product comprising:

computer readable medium storing code for causing at least one computer to;

establish a connection with a mobile entity on the licensed communication band or the unlicensed communication band;

determine whether at least one metric associated with a constraint on a transmissions channel of the unlicensed communication band indicates a traffic load on the unlicensed communication band; and

send a configuration message to the mobile entity for activation of a second component carrier (SCC) in response to determining the at least one metric indicates a relatively high traffic load.

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the computer readable medium stores code for causing the at least one computer to receive the at least one metric from the mobile entity for determining whether the at least one metric is below a threshold indicative of the traffic load on the unlicensed communication band.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the computer readable medium stores code for causing the at least one computer to infer a value of the at least one metric based on a data transmission queue size, traffic type, or quality of service (QoS) indication.

39. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the computer readable medium stores code for causing the at least one computer to send another configuration message to the mobile entity for deactivation of a second component carrier in response to determining the at least one metric does not indicate a relatively high traffic load.