Method and apparatus for management of multi-carrier communications in a wireless communication system

• US 7,957,351 B2
• Filed: 03/30/2006
• Issued: 06/07/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Casaccia, Lorenzo, Malladi, Durga Prasad
• Primary Examiner(s): Hu; Jinsong
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kasraian; Allahyar
• Application Number:
  US11/394,450
• Publication Number:
  US 20060221894A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,895 Days
• Field of Search: 370/339, 370/334, 455/136, 455/272, 455/273, 455/277.1, 455/279.1, 455/70, 455/269, 455/101, 375/267
• US Class Current: 370/334
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0871 using different reception schemes, at least one of them being a diversity reception scheme

Abstract

A method and apparatus manages resources in a wireless communication system by transmitting a multi-carrier switch command message to an access terminal instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signals transmitted at a second carrier frequency.

Claims

1. A base station comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a switch command message to the access terminal when the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

2. The base station in accordance with claim 1,

wherein the receiver is configured to receive a switch acknowledgment message indicating the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

3. The base station of claim 2, wherein the transmitter retransmits the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

4. A base station comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

a transmitter configured to transmit a switch command message to the access terminal when the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

5. The base station of claim 4, wherein the receiver receives a switch acknowledgement message from the access terminal indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

6. The base station of claim 5, wherein the transmitter retransmits the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

7. A method for managing communications in a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal when the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a switch acknowledgment message indicating the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising retransmitting the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

10. A method for managing communications in a communication system, the method comprising:

receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal when the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

11. An access terminal comprising:

a transmitter that transmits a capabilities message to a base station indicating that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

a receiver that receives a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

12. The access terminal of claim 11, wherein the transmitter transmits a switch acknowledgement message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

13. An access terminal comprising:

a transmitter that transmits a capabilities message to a base station indicating that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

a receiver that receives a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

14. The access terminal of claim 13, wherein the transmitter transmits a switch acknowledgment message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

15. A method for managing communications in a communication system, the method comprising:

transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

transmitting a switch acknowledgement message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

17. A method for managing communications in a communication system, the method comprising:

transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting a switch acknowledgment message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

19. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program is for:

transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

20. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 19 wherein execution of the computer program is also for transmitting a switch acknowledgement message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

21. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program is for:

transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

22. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 21 wherein execution of the computer program is also for transmitting a switch acknowledgment message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

23. An apparatus for managing communications in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

means for receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising means for transmitting a switch acknowledgement message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

25. An apparatus for managing communications in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for transmitting a capabilities message to a base station indicating that an access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

means for receiving a switch command message from the base station instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

26. The apparatus of claim 25, further comprising means for transmitting a switch acknowledgment message to the base station indicating that the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

27. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program is for:

receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal if the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi- carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

28. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 27 wherein execution of the computer program is also for receiving a switch acknowledgment message indicating the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

29. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 28 wherein execution of the computer program is also for retransmitting the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

30. An apparatus for managing communications in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

means for transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal if the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a multi-carrier switch command message comprising a multi-carrier switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the multi-carrier mode,

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message further comprises a multi-carrier channel indicator assigning channels to the access terminal, and

wherein the multi-carrier switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, further comprising means for receiving a switch acknowledgment message indicating the access terminal has been successfully configured to operate in the multi-carrier mode.

32. The apparatus of claim 31, further comprising means for retransmitting the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

33. A non-transitory computer storage medium storing a computer program, wherein execution of the computer program is for:

receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal if the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

34. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 33 wherein execution of the computer program is also for receiving a switch acknowledgement message from the access terminal indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

35. The non-transitory computer storage medium of claim 34 wherein execution of the computer program is also for retransmitting the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.

36. An apparatus for managing communications in a communication system, the apparatus comprising:

means for receiving a capabilities message from an access terminal indicating whether the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication; and

means for transmitting a switch command message to the access terminal if the capabilities message indicates that the access terminal is capable of multi-carrier communication, the switch command message instructing the access terminal to switch between a receive diversity mode where each antenna module of a plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency and a multi-carrier mode where a first antenna module of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multi-carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives a second multi-carrier signal transmitted at a second carrier frequency,

wherein the switch command message is a receive diversity (RXDIV) switch command message comprising a RXDIV switch indicator instructing the access terminal to switch to the receive diversity mode,

wherein the RXDIV switch command message further comprises a single carrier channel indicator assigning a single carrier channel to the access terminal, and

wherein the RXDIV switch command message is a modified Packet Downlink Assignment message in accordance with a Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM) Enhanced Data for Global Evolution (EDGE) Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard protocol.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, further comprising means for receiving a switch acknowledgement message from the access terminal indicating that the access terminal has switched to the receive diversity mode.

38. The apparatus of claim 37, further comprising means for retransmitting the switch command message if the switch acknowledgement message is not received within a predetermined time after transmitting the switch command message.