TCP ENHANCEMENT WITH LIMITED LICENSED CHANNEL USAGE FOR WIRELESS NETWORKS

• US 20150172931A1
• Filed: 12/18/2013
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/18/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Jose, Jubin, Li, Junyi, Touboul, Assaf
• Granted Patent: US 10,045,221 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/16 in which the return channel carries supervisory signals, e.g. repetition request signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/188 Time-out mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 1/22 using redundant apparatus to increase reliability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 16/14 Spectrum sharing arrangements between different 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

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices are described for operating a communications system using both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands. Unlicensed spectrum may be used as a primary band for transmitting data packets and TCP may be implemented for selectively transmitting (e.g., retransmitting) a subset of the transmitted data packets via licensed spectrum. Selective transmission of the subset of data packets via licensed spectrum may be based on a transmitter failing to receive and acknowledgment (ACK) message in response to one or more transmitted data packets on the unlicensed spectrum. Selective retransmission may be based on a transmitter detecting interference and/or it may be based on a receiver reporting information about channel conditions. In some cases, a transmitter may simultaneously receive channel condition information for both licensed and unlicensed spectrum. In other cases, unlicensed spectrum may be utilized for data packet transmission and licensed spectrum may be utilized for ACK messages.

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, the method comprising:

transmitting a flow of data packets on an unlicensed frequency band; and

selectively transmitting a subset of the flow of data packets on a licensed frequency band.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively transmitting the subset of the flow of data packets comprises:

selectively retransmitting the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein determining if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received comprises:

determining whether an acknowledgment (ACK) message was received.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively transmitting the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band comprises:

retransmitting at least the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band when a number of unsuccessful transmissions on the unlicensed frequency band exceeds a threshold.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein selectively transmitting the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band comprises:

retransmitting at least the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band when a time delay expires without receiving an acknowledgment (ACK) message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

monitoring channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band; and

monitoring channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein monitoring the unlicensed frequency band and monitoring the licensed frequency band are performed simultaneously.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

determining whether to transmit on the licensed frequency band or on the unlicensed frequency band based at least in part on the monitored channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band or the monitored channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an ACK message on the licensed frequency band.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the flow of data packets comprises Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) packets.

12. A system for wireless communication, the system comprising:

means for transmitting a flow of data packets on an unlicensed frequency band; and

means for selectively transmitting a subset of the flow of data packets on a licensed frequency band.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the means for selectively transmitting the subset of the flow of data packets comprises:

means for selectively retransmitting the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band.

14. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

means for determining if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the means for determining if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received comprises:

means for determining whether an acknowledgment (ACK) message was received.

16. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

means for monitoring channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band; and

means for monitoring channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

means for determining whether to transmit on the licensed frequency band or on the unlicensed frequency band based at least in part on the monitored channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band or the monitored channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

18. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

means for receiving an ACK message on the licensed frequency band.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus comprising:

a processor;

a memory in electronic communication with the processor; and

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

transmit a flow of data packets on an unlicensed frequency band; and

selectively transmit a subset of the flow of data packets on a licensed frequency band.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

selectively retransmit the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received.

22. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

monitor channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band; and

monitor channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine whether to transmit on the licensed frequency band or on the unlicensed frequency band based at least in part on the monitored channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band or the monitored channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

24. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

receive an ACK message on the licensed frequency band.

25. A computer program product for wireless communication, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium, the computer readable medium storing instructions thereon, the instructions being executable by a processor to:

transmit a flow of data packets on an unlicensed frequency band; and

selectively transmit a subset of the flow of data packets on a licensed frequency band.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

selectively retransmit the subset of the flow of data packets on the licensed frequency band.

27. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine if at least the subset of the flow of data packets was successfully received.

28. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

monitor channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band; and

monitor channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

29. The computer program product of claim 28, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

determine whether to transmit on the licensed frequency band or on the unlicensed frequency band based at least in part on the monitored channel conditions of the unlicensed frequency band or the monitored channel conditions of the licensed frequency band.

30. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the instructions are executable by the processor to:

receive an ACK message on the licensed frequency band.