Tax indicator for managing unlicensed tapes

Abstract

Procedure, comprehensive: at an evolved Node B (eNB) (130) which acts as a primary serving cell (PCell) and provides a primary component carrier (PCC) in a licensed spectrum to a user equipment (UE) (105) in a carrier aggregation (CA) scheme, with a secondary component carrier (SCC) being provided in an unlicensed spectrum: Monitoring bandwidth parameters in the unlicensed spectrum; if at least one of the parameters indicates a change in availability for a selected bandwidth, generate a control indicator comprising downlink control information (DCI) that defines the change in availability on the bandwidth, where the DCI is a carrier bandwidth part (BWP) DCI that defines subchannels to be excluded from consideration for use; wherein at least one parameter comprises a quality level of the subchannels, the quality level being assigned to an overload level, a collision level or a combination thereof; and Emitting the control indicator to the UE (105), wherein the control indicator influences a modification in a transceiver (120) of the UE (105) which is assigned to the bandwidth.

Description

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

[0001] User equipment (UE) can be configured with a variety of different capabilities. For example, the UE may be capable of connecting to a network. In one specific example, the UE may connect to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network. While connected to the LTE network, the UE may utilize capabilities associated with the LTE network. For example, the UE may utilize carrier aggregation (CA) functionality, which uses a primary component carrier (PCC) and at least one secondary component carrier (SCC) to communicate data across the various LTE bands. The network component to which the UE has connected may be an evolved Node B (eNB), which provides the PCC. The connected eNB may also control how carrier aggregation is to be utilized with the SCCs.For example, the eNB can request measurements for LTE bands assigned to the SCCs and receive the measurements to determine how to use the available bands in the carrier aggregation functionality. Thus, the UE can have a plurality of LTE bands or carriers available to communicate data.

[0002] In a specific type of CA functionality, the SCC can be provided using bandwidth in the unlicensed spectrum. In the LTE standards, a "Licensed Assisted Access" (LAA) can be a modification of the CA functionality that allows unlicensed bandwidth to be used for the SCC. In contrast to using licensed bandwidth for the SCC, using unlicensed bandwidth introduces interference or other sources of performance degradation from other wireless technologies because the spectrum containing these unlicensed bandwidths is shared with these other wireless technologies (e.g., Wi-Fi). Without a mechanism in place to resolve the use of unlicensed bandwidth by the primary serving cell providing the PCC, the LAA may require additional time and / or power from the UE.For example, the primary serving cell may select unlicensed bandwidth for use by the UE. However, the UE may return information indicating that the selected unlicensed bandwidth is not viable for the SCC due to various measurements and / or process failures. Accordingly, the UE must use additional power for these measurements / processes, and the use of the unlicensed bandwidth requires additional time to be properly configured.

[0003] WO 2017 / 010 764 A1 describes a method for a base station transmitting a data burst in a wireless access system supporting an unlicensed band and carrier aggregation, which may comprise the following steps: selecting a first component carrier from at least two component carriers; performing a listen-before-talk (LBT) process during which a random backoff is performed by the first component carrier; and transmitting the data burst from the first component carrier when the first component carrier is in an idle state after the LBT process, wherein the step of selecting the first component carrier may be performed each time a certain number of data bursts have been transmitted or at certain time intervals.

[0004] US 2016 / 0 255 611 A1 describes that a user equipment (UE) can be configured for carrier aggregation operation. The carrier aggregation configuration can include multiple component carriers. SUMMARY

[0005] The invention is defined by the features of the independent claims. Preferred advantageous embodiments thereof are described by the sub-features of the dependent claims. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by an evolved Node B (eNB) acting as a primary serving cell (PCell) and providing a primary component carrier (PCC) in a licensed spectrum of a user equipment (UE) in a carrier aggregation (CA) scheme, wherein a secondary component carrier (SCC) is provided in an unlicensed spectrum.The method includes monitoring parameters of bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum when at least one of the parameters indicates a change in availability for a selected one of the bandwidths, generating a control indicator defining the change in availability to the bandwidth, and broadcasting the control indicator to the UE, wherein the control indicator influences a modification in a transceiver of the UE associated with the bandwidth.

[0006] In another exemplary embodiment, a network component comprising a transceiver and a processor is described. The transceiver is configured to be connected to a user equipment (UE), wherein the transceiver is configured with carrier aggregation (CA) functionality and serves as a primary serving cell (PCell) providing a primary component carrier (PCC) to the UE, with a secondary component carrier (SCC) provided in unlicensed spectrum.The processor monitors parameters of bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. If at least one of the parameters indicates a change in availability for a selected one of the bandwidths, the processor generates a control indicator defining the change in availability to the bandwidth. The processor instructs the transceiver to broadcast the control indicator to the UE. The control indicator influences a modification in a transceiver of the UE associated with the bandwidth.

[0007] In yet another exemplary embodiment, a method is performed by user equipment (UE) configured with carrier aggregation (CA) functionality and licensed assisted access (LAA) functionality, serving a primary component carrier (PCC) in licensed spectrum and serving a secondary component carrier (SCC) in unlicensed spectrum, wherein control information is provided to the UE to use the LAA functionality by a primary serving cell (PCell) providing the PCC.The method includes receiving a control indicator broadcast by the PCell, the control indicator defining a change of availability to a bandwidth in the unlicensed spectrum, determining a modification to a transceiver of the UE associated with the bandwidth, and implementing the modification. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 shows an example system that manages unlicensed bandwidth for carrier aggregation, according to various example embodiments described herein. Fig. 2 shows a primary serving example cell of the system of Fig. 1 configured to manage unlicensed bandwidths, according to various example embodiments described herein. Fig. 3 illustrates an example method for managing usage of unlicensed bandwidth by a user equipment in accordance with various example embodiments described herein. Fig. 4 shows a first example method for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through radio control at a user equipment in accordance with various example embodiments described herein. Fig. 5 illustrates a second example method for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through radio control at a user equipment in accordance with various example embodiments described herein. Fig. 6 illustrates an example method for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through channel control in accordance with various example embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The exemplary embodiments can be further understood with reference to the following description and the associated appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments relate to an apparatus, system, and method for managing unlicensed spectrum bandwidths used in Licensed Assisted Access (LAA) functionality, which is a specific way of using Carrier Aggregation (CA) functionality.For example, one or more user equipment (UE) may be connected to a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network in which the UEs are CA-enabled and the LTE network is configured with CA functionality, where the CA functionality may include a primary serving cell (PCell) providing a primary component carrier (PCC) and at least one secondary serving cell (Scell), each providing a secondary component carrier (SCC). The exemplary embodiments provide a mechanism where the UEs can use the unlicensed spectrum for one or more SCCs, and the PCell is configured to manage the use of the unlicensed spectrum.

[0009] The exemplary embodiments are described with respect to carrier aggregation performed on an LTE network and using unlicensed spectrum relative to the LTE network via the LAA functionality. However, the use of the LTE network and the LAA functionality are only exemplary. The exemplary embodiments may be modified and / or used with any network that supports carrier aggregation or substantially similar functionality using a plurality of component carriers, as well as any functionality that utilizes bandwidth outside of designated or licensed spectrum. For example, the next generation of cellular networks (e.g., 5G networks) are expected to support functionality similar to CA and LAA, and the exemplary embodiments may be used with such a network.

[0010] As described in more detail below, the exemplary embodiments may utilize downlink control information (DCI) generated by the PCell and provided to the UEs. Those skilled in the art will understand that the DCI may be a feature associated with the LTE network. However, as described above, features associated with the LTE network, such as the DCI, are only exemplary. The exemplary embodiments may utilize any control mechanism having the properties described herein to provide the features of the DCI in managing the unlicensed spectrum.

[0011] The exemplary embodiments relate to configurations where the UE associates itself with a network component serving as the PCell. In an LTE network, the network component may be an evolved Node B (eNB). The PCell may control how data is exchanged with the UE, such as how the PCC and any SCCs are to be used in the CA functionality, including using unlicensed spectrum for the SCCs if LAA is implemented. If the UE is CA-capable, the CA functionality allows the PCell and another SCell to combine bandwidths to exchange data with the UE to increase a throughput of the data exchange. Thus, in CA, the PCell may provide a first portion of a total bandwidth for data to be exchanged, while the SCell may provide a second portion of the total bandwidth.If additional SCells are used, the PCell can provide the first portion of the total bandwidth, the first SCell can provide the second portion of the total bandwidth, a second SCell can provide a third portion of the total bandwidth, and so on.

[0012] Using the LAA functionality, at least one SCell can provide component bandwidth from unlicensed spectrum. The PCell can operate on licensed spectrum, as defined by LTE network standards. Thus, within the licensed spectrum, the PCell can utilize a specific bandwidth (referred to herein as a "licensed bandwidth" or a "licensed channel"). Using the LAA functionality, the PCell can provide the PCC as a licensed "anchor" for the CA functionality. The LAA functionality allows the SCell to operate on unlicensed spectrum, which includes any bandwidth that lies outside the licensed spectrum. Thus, within the unlicensed spectrum, the SCell can utilize a specific bandwidth (referred to herein as an "unlicensed bandwidth" or an "unlicensed channel," with each term used herein to refer to one or both).

[0013] For illustrative purposes, the example embodiments are described using the unlicensed spectrum allocated to a Wi-Fi network. Specifically, the 5 GHz spectrum of Wi-Fi networks may be used by the SCell. However, the Wi-Fi network spectrum and the 5 GHz spectrum of the Wi-Fi network are only examples. The example embodiments may utilize any unlicensed spectrum, as well as any unlicensed bandwidth that lies outside the licensed spectrum.

[0014] Although the LAA functionality may provide increased bandwidth for data exchange, the SCell using the unlicensed spectrum shares the physical medium with any other wireless technology using bandwidth in the unlicensed spectrum. Given this overlap in sharing a common physical medium, the LAA functionality may include a "listen before talk" (LBT) mechanism. Those skilled in the art will understand that the LBT mechanism is a contention protocol for the medium, so the LAA functionality may be used while coexisting with other devices using the unlicensed spectrum. The LBT mechanism may involve sensing a radio environment before initiating a transmission to determine a network or bandwidth over which data exchange can be performed.For example, by monitoring selected channels, the LBT mechanism provides information for a data exchange to be performed when a channel is not in use or congested.

[0015] Given that the LAA functionality uses the LBT mechanism, the LAA functionality exhibits dynamic on / off behavior. Furthermore, appropriate unlicensed band selection / reselection is used for performance and coexistence. For example, the channel reselection process can be performed during normal small cell operations (e.g., after small cell initialization). The channel reselection process can also be based on periodic channel measurements and / or events (e.g., a WiFi access point (AP) participates in the unlicensed bandwidth). However, the PCell is configured to use a reactive procedure to manage the use of the unlicensed spectrum. Accordingly, the UE using unlicensed bandwidth can be forced to use additional power and time to finally use a viable unlicensed bandwidth.

[0016] The exemplary embodiments are configured to provide a proactive mechanism in which the PCell manages the unlicensed spectrum and SCCs, including those using such unlicensed bandwidths, for UEs, improving overall efficiency of using the LAA functionality. For example, the PCell may configure one or more unlicensed bandwidths for an LAA-capable UE to define how a receiver of the UE is used both upon activation and deactivation, as well as how the UE performs channel selection / reselection of a channel or a portion thereof over a bandwidth part (BWP). The exemplary embodiments may also be utilized such that an SCell is configured to manage the unlicensed spectrum for the UE.Accordingly, the operations according to the exemplary embodiments can be represented as eNB procedures for the LTE-associated implementation. However, for illustrative purposes, the exemplary embodiments are described herein with respect to the PCell. As described in more detail below, the exemplary embodiments allocate a dedicated control resource set (CORESET) in the licensed spectrum by the PCell to manage the use of the unlicensed spectrum. Thus, once a UE is configured for LAA functionality and LAA SCells are enabled, the UE monitors the CORESET for LAA downlink control. The exemplary embodiments can also be used to define the CORESET in an unlicensed band. Thus, the CORESET can be used in any available physical medium.However, for illustrative purposes, the example embodiments are described with respect to the CORESET defined in the licensed band. The dedicated CORESET may include a plurality of different dedicated carrier-specific downlink (DL) control information (DCI). Because they are carrier-specific (and not UE-specific), the DCIs within the dedicated CORESET may be broadcast to any UE configured with LAA functionality. The DCIs are also designed as a status update from the PCell, allowing UEs to use the information in the DCI for performance and synchronization purposes. Examples of dedicated carrier-specific DCIs may include a carrier-off DCI, a carrier-on DCI, a channel reselection DCI, and a carrier BWP DCI. The carrier-off DCI may define when a receiver, or portions thereof, are disabled or placed in an idle state.The Carrier On DCI can define when a receiver, or portions thereof, are activated or placed in an awake state. The Channel Reselection DCI can define how a channel is reselected when a current channel falls below an operating threshold to synchronize the UE for channel hopping. The Carrier BWP DCI can further define how a channel is reselected by BWPs to be excluded from consideration. Each of these example DCIs is described in more detail below.

[0017] Fig. 1 shows an example system 100 that manages unlicensed bandwidth for CA according to various example embodiments described herein. In the system 100, a UE 105 may be capable of using the CA functionality and may further be capable of using the LAA functionality. The system 100 includes the UE 105 and a plurality of eNBs 130, 135, 140. As discussed above, the UE 105 may associate itself with one of the eNBs 130-140, such as the eNB 130, to participate in the network corresponding to the eNB 130, such as an LTE network. The UE 105 and the eNBs 130-140 may also include the CA functionality and the LAA functionality, which may be enabled and controlled by the eNB 130.Since the UE 105 is associated with the eNB 130, the eNB 130 can provide the CA and LAA configuration for component carriers to be used by the UE 105, where the eNB 130 can be the PCell and the eNBs 135, 140 can serve as the SCells, where one or more of the eNBs 135, 140 use unlicensed bandwidth for the corresponding SCC. Accordingly, the eNBs 135, 140 can be considered to be within an operating range to provide SSCs corresponding to the SCells (e.g., eNBs 135, 140). It is noted that the eNBs 130 to 140 being an eNB are only exemplary. The eNBs 130 to 140 may also be other types of access nodes for the network (e.g., eNB, a small cell, etc.). However, for illustrative purposes, the access node is described in terms of eNBs.

[0018] The UE 105 may be any electronic device configured to participate in a network via the eNB 130. For example, the UE 105 may be a portable device, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet, a phablet, a laptop, a wearable device, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, etc. In another example, the UE 105 may be a stationary device, such as a desktop terminal. The UE 105 may also operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (i.e., on a range of continuous frequencies). Accordingly, the UE 105 may include components that enable different radio access technologies or a capability to use spectrum (e.g., bandwidth, channel, etc.) allocated to those radio access technologies. As described in Fig. 1, the UE 105 may include a processor 110, a memory array 115, and a transceiver 120. However, the UE 105 may also include additional components, such as a display device, an input / output (I / O) device, and other components, such as a portable power supply, an audio I / O device, etc.

[0019] The processor 110 may be configured to execute a plurality of applications of the UE 105. For example, the applications may include a web browser when connected to a communications network via the transceiver 120. Accordingly, data may be exchanged with the network. The data may be exchanged using the LAA functionality to increase a throughput at which the data is exchanged in the downlink. The LAA functionality may also be used to increase a data throughput exchange in the uplink. In another example, the applications may include a decoding engine 125 configured to monitor a CORESET. As described in more detail below, the decoding engine 125 may receive a DCI from the PCell and determine the manner in which the unlicensed spectrum is managed for the LAA functionality.In another example, the applications may include a control engine 130 configured to implement the defined manner of using the LAA functionality based on an output from the decoding engine 125. The operations of the UE 105 in managing the unlicensed spectrum are described in more detail below.

[0020] The fact that the above-mentioned machines are an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 110 is merely exemplary. The machines may also be represented as components of one or more multifunctional programs, a separate integrated component of the UE 105, or may be a modular component coupled to the UE 105, e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. Additionally, in some UEs, the functionality described for the processor 110 is split between two processors, a baseband processor and an application processor. The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of a UE.

[0021] The memory array 115 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 105. In particular, the memory array 115 may store measurements associated with different component carriers used by the UE 105 in a CA functionality.

[0022] Using the CA functionality, the eNB 130 can serve as the PCell, while the eNBs 135, 140 can serve as at least one of the SCells. Accordingly, when configured and activated, the SCells can be, for example, small cells operating in the unlicensed spectrum. The PCell can provide a first component carrier (e.g., 10 MHz) representing the PCC operating on a first licensed band (e.g., the LTE network), while the SCell can provide a second component carrier (e.g., 20 MHz) representing the SCC operating on an unlicensed band (e.g., the 5 GHz band). Those skilled in the art will understand that other bandwidths can be used, such as 1.4, 3.5, or 15 MHz, and typically a maximum of five component carriers can be aggregated.In the present example, where the PCC has a bandwidth of 10 MHz and the SCC has a bandwidth of 20 MHz, carrier aggregation can combine the bandwidths for a total bandwidth of 30 MHz.

[0023] The network shown in system 100 is only exemplary. For example, the number of eNBs 130 to 140 that may be within the communication range of UE 105 may be more or fewer than three. Those skilled in the art will also understand that there may be any number of other types of networks that may also be within the communication range of UE 105, and that UE 105 may also be configured to establish connections with them. That is, UE 105 may also establish a connection using different radio access technologies (RATs). For example, system 100 may further include a legacy radio access network (e.g., CDMA, GSM, etc.), a wireless local area network (Wi-Fi), a Bluetooth connection, etc.When configured for such capability, the CA functionality can even be used between other types of networks. However, for exemplary purposes, the CA functionality is described herein with respect to the LTE network, and the component carriers are provided by the eNBs 130 to 140. Likewise, as mentioned above, the eNBs 130 to 140 may be configured with the LAA functionality and configured as small cells. Accordingly, the eNBs 130 to 140 may include any necessary hardware, software, and / or firmware to utilize the unlicensed spectrum. Thus, the eNBs 130 to 140 operating as an SCell may be an eNB modified to operate in the unlicensed spectrum (e.g., a small cell, a femtocell, a picocell, a microcell, etc.). Thus, the eNBs 130 to 140 can be any type of base station that can communicate with the UE 110 in the unlicensed spectrum.

[0024] Those skilled in the art will understand that the LAA functionality only provides a potential for increased transmission efficiency. For example, the UE 105 can only realize the maximum increased transmission efficiency if conditions permit. For example, a selected SCell using a selected unlicensed bandwidth may experience interference and may not be able to provide the expected throughput.

[0025] The exemplary embodiments are configured to enhance LAA functionality through a proactive mechanism used by the PCell. The PCell may perform a variety of different operations to manage the unlicensed spectrum. While performing these operations, the PCell may generate a corresponding DCI and transmit / broadcast the DCI to the UE 105 (as well as any other LAA-capable UE in the system 100). Using these operations, the PCell may increase the likelihood that the LAA functionality will provide increased transmission efficiency.

[0026] Fig. 2 shows an example PCell of the system 100 of Fig. 1 configured to manage unlicensed bandwidths, according to various exemplary embodiments described herein. In this example, the PCell may be the eNB 130. Thus, for illustrative purposes, the eNB 130 may be assumed to operate in the licensed spectrum to provide the PCC and communicate with the UE 105. However, the use of the eNB 130 as the PCell is only exemplary, and any of the eNBs 130 to 140 may be the PCell, while the other eNBs 130 to 140 may be SCells.

[0027] The eNB 130 may be configured to run a plurality of machines that perform functionalities to proactively manage the unlicensed spectrum for use in the LAA functionality by the UE 105. The eNB 130 may represent any access node of the LTE network through which the UE 105 may connect and manage network operations. In turn, the eNB 130 may act as a proxy for the other eNBs 135, 140 when these eNBs 135, 140 perform the functionalities of the PCell. The eNB 130 may include a processor 205, a memory array 210, an input / output (I / O) device 220, a transceiver 225, and other components 230. The other components 230 may include, for example, an audio input device, an audio output device, a battery, a data acquisition device, connectors for electrically connecting the eNB 130 to other electronic devices, etc.

[0028] The processor 205 may be configured to execute a plurality of engines of the eNB 130. For example, the engines may include a capability engine 235, a SCell selection engine 240, and a DCI engine 245. As described in more detail below, the capability engine 235 may be configured to process the CA and LAA functionalities of UEs for which the eNB 130 serves as the PCell. The SCell selection engine 240 may be configured to work with the capability engine 235 to determine how SCells are selected and used in the CA and LAA functionalities. The DCI engine 245 may be configured to generate and broadcast / transmit a DCI to the UE 105 to manage how the unlicensed spectrum is used. The DCI engine 245 may further include a plurality of sub-engines.In particular, the DCI engine 245 may include a carrier-off sub-engine 250, a carrier-on sub-engine 255, a channel reselection sub-engine 260, and a carrier BWP sub-engine 265. The carrier-off sub-engine 250 may be configured to generate a carrier-off DCI indicating how the transceiver 120 of the UE 105, or portions thereof, are deactivated for selected channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. The carrier-on sub-engine 255 may be configured to generate a carrier-on DCI indicating how the transceiver 120 of the UE 105, or portions thereof, are activated for selected channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. The channel reselection sub-engine 260 may be configured to generate a channel reselection DCI that synchronizes the UE 105 to channel hop to defined channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum.The carrier BWP sub-engine 265 may be configured to generate a carrier BWP DCI that disables selected sub-channels for the channel reselection procedure.

[0029] The fact that the above-mentioned machines are each an application (e.g., a program) executed by the processor 205 is merely exemplary. The functionality associated with the machines may also be represented as a separate, integrated component of the eNB 130 or may be a modular component coupled to the eNB 130, e.g., an integrated circuit with or without firmware. For example, the integrated circuit may include input circuitry for receiving signals and processing circuitry for processing the signals and other information. Additionally, in some eNBs, the functionality described for the processor 205 is divided among a plurality of processors (e.g., a baseband processor and an application processor, etc.). The exemplary embodiments may be implemented in any of these or other configurations of an eNB.

[0030] The memory 210 may be a hardware component configured to store data related to operations performed by the UE 110. The I / O device 220 may be a hardware component or ports that enable a user to interact with the eNB 130. The transceiver 225 may be a hardware component configured to exchange data with the UE 110 and any other UE in the system 100, particularly when the eNB 130 serves as a PCell or an SCell for the UE. The transceiver 225 may operate on a variety of different frequencies or channels (e.g., a set of consecutive frequencies). When serving as the PCell, the transceiver 225 may operate on licensed channels / bandwidths to communicate with the corresponding UE.When serving as the SCell, the transceiver 225 may operate on licensed channels / bandwidths to communicate with the corresponding UE via traditional CA functionality, or on unlicensed bandwidths to communicate with the corresponding UE via LAA functionality. Therefore, the transceiver 225 may include one or more components (e.g., radios) to enable data exchange with the various networks and UEs.

[0031] As described above, the eNB 130 may serve as the PCell for the UE 105. Thus, any channel / bandwidth management used in the CA functionality (e.g., when only licensed channels are used) or in the LAA functionality (e.g., when unlicensed bandwidth is used) may be performed by the eNB 130. According to the exemplary embodiments, the PCell may manage the LAA functionality by providing the UE 105 with a DCI that defines how the UE 105 should perform operations related to the LAA functionality. As described in detail below, the DCI may be used in a variety of different ways, including how the transceiver 120 is to be used and the LAA operations.

[0032] Initially, the eNB 130 determines whether the CA functionality or the LAA functionality can be used with the UE 105. Once the UE 105 has associated with the eNB 130 and joined the LTE network, the UE 105 may provide or has already provided information regarding capabilities. Those skilled in the art will understand that the UE 105 may have transmitted an indication of whether the UE 105 is CA-capable and whether the UE 105 is further LAA-capable. Thus, the capability engine 235 may first process the indication to determine the types of data exchange paths available for use with the UE 105. If the eNB 130 has determined that the UE 105 (or any number of UEs in the system 100) is LAA-capable, the eNB 130 may use the additional machines to manage how the unlicensed spectrum of the LAA functionality is used.

[0033] The SCell selection engine 240 may operate with the capability engine 235 to determine how SCells are selected and used in the CA and LAA functionalities. Since the eNB 130 is configured to determine how a CA operation should be used by the UE 105, the SCell selection engine 240 may determine available SCells (e.g., the eNBs 135, 140) that are within the range of the UE 105. For example, the UE 105 may have provided information regarding eNBs within a predetermined proximity or that are capable of communicating with the UE 105. The SCell selection engine 240 may also be configured to determine whether the available SCells of the UE 105 are LAA-capable and / or whether the LAA functionality is enabled. Accordingly, the SCell selection engine 240 may be further configured to request that an available SCell activate the LAA functionality.

[0034] The DCI engine 245 may generate and broadcast / transmit a DCI to the UE 105 to manage how the unlicensed spectrum is used. If the eNB 130 determines a universal modification for how the LAA functionality is to be used, the DCI may be broadcast to the UEs in the system 100 that are LAA-capable. If the eNB 130 determines a specific modification for a particular UE, the DCI may be transmitted to the particular UE. Again, the DCI engine 245 may further include the carrier-off sub-engine 250, the carrier-on sub-engine 255, the channel reselection sub-engine 260, and the carrier BWP sub-engine 265. Thus, the DCI engine 245 may generate a plurality of different DCIs across the engines 250 to 265. It should be noted that the DCIs generated by the eNB 130 according to the exemplary embodiments may be modified versions of DCIs conventionally used with LTE networks.

[0035] The carrier-off sub-engine 250 may generate a carrier-off DCI indicating how the transceiver 120 of the UE 105, or portions thereof, may be disabled for selected channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. In determining how to generate the carrier-off DCI, the carrier-off sub-engine 250 may include monitoring functionality. The monitoring functionality may be performed using a dedicated component and / or existing components. In a first example, the transceiver 225 of the eNB 130 may be configured to perform the monitoring functionality. For example, the monitoring functionality may be a module or an integrated component of the eNB 130. In a second example, the eNB 130 may include a traffic monitor configured with the monitoring functionality.The traffic monitor may be a modem configured with an always-on mode that provides medium occupancy time and bandwidth to the eNB 130 via carrier sensing. As mentioned above, the LAA functionality may be for the 5 GHz Wi-Fi spectrum. Thus, the traffic monitor may be a Wi-Fi traffic monitor, such as a companion Wi-Fi device for the eNB 130.

[0036] Regardless of the implementation, the monitoring functionality may obtain occupancy information associated with an occupancy time and a corresponding bandwidth for the unlicensed spectrum (e.g., the 5 GHz spectrum). Based on the medium occupancy time and the corresponding unlicensed bandwidth, the carrier-out sub-engine 250 may determine a number of slots and / or subframes for which the unlicensed band cannot be used to transmit data over LAA to the UE 105. For example, the unlicensed bandwidth may be known to be in use at a future time for a certain duration (e.g., by a Wi-Fi network and Wi-Fi device).Accordingly, this may correspond to placing the LAA transceiver 120 of the UE 105 (or the corresponding portion of the LAA transceiver 120) into a quiet period at the specified unlicensed bandwidth for the known time / duration.

[0037] Determining the slots / subframes for which the unlicensed bandwidth is unavailable may consider various factors. For example, the determination may consider the LBT mechanism and the timing of the execution of the LBT mechanism. In one example, the LBT mechanism may be executed at a transmission time interval (TTI) boundary. The LBT mechanism may also use a TTI time before a valid cellular data transmission. Thus, determining the slots / subframes may also consider the LBT mechanism, which may further indicate the availability of the unlicensed bandwidth. In another example, determining the slots / subframes may also consider energy sensing.In a substantially similar manner to the traffic monitor, an energy sensing functionality (with one or more corresponding components) can be used to provide further input in slot / subframe determination. The energy sensing output can serve as a gating factor to determine whether to calculate an off period and / or whether to broadcast the carrier-off DCI. In a particular manner, if the energy sensing output is below a predetermined threshold, the idle period calculation and the carrier-off DCI can be aborted (e.g., the medium is marked as idle and can be used to transmit data).

[0038] The carrier-off sub-engine 250 may therefore generate a carrier-off DCI that includes the above-determined information about when and for how long a selected unlicensed bandwidth is unavailable. The carrier-off DCI may include a quiet period and unlicensed bandwidth information for the transceivers of LAA-capable UEs in the system 100 for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. Thus, the eNB 130 may broadcast the carrier-off DCI to these UEs (e.g., the UE 105). Broadcasting the carrier-off DCI may be performed over licensed bandwidth or other available unlicensed bandwidth known to be in use by the UEs. The result of the carrier-off DCI being received by the UE 105 is described in more detail below.

[0039] In an example implementation, the carrier-out DCI may include a variety of different types of content and may be generated with various features. Regarding the content, the carrier-out DCI may include a carrier indication, a bandwidth field, and a duration field. The bandwidth field may indicate the frequency and bandwidth occupied by ongoing or expected transmissions. Depending on the entity on the cellular side (e.g., secondary carrier (SC) organization), the bandwidth field may be defined in various ways. In a first example, a range or a list of SC indices may be included. If an 802.11ac Wi-Fi device transmits using 80 MHz and its primary channel is the same as SC index 1 (SC1), while each SC is configured as 20 MHz (as in LTE), this bandwidth field may be a range to indicate the SC index from 1 to 4.In a second example, an SC index and its associated BWPs may be included. If an 802.11ac Wi-Fi device transmits using 80 MHz and its primary channel is within SC1 (which is configured as 100 MHz), the bandwidth field may include the SC1 and one or more BWPs to indicate the location of the 80 MHz. In a third example, a combination of the SC index list and the BWP list may be included. The time duration field may indicate a specific unit of time (e.g., in slots or subframes). The content may also be encrypted using a common radio network temporary identifier (RNTI) with a temporary cyclic redundancy check (CRC) so that LAA-capable UEs may be capable of decoding the carrier-off DCI.

[0040] In terms of features, in a first example, the carrier-off DCI may be channel-coded. For example, the carrier-off DCI may be protected with channel coding (e.g., block code, such as polar code, convolutional code, etc.). The channel code may be selected to place more reliability weight on a false alarm rate than on an error detection rate, since the current state of the transceiver 120 is intended to be awake. If a false alarm is present, the receiver of the transceiver 120 may miss DL data by erroneously entering sleep mode. The UE 105 may also choose to fall back to a steady wake mode under predetermined conditions (e.g., a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) to avoid false alarms. In another example, the carrier-off DCI may include configurable monitoring.Thus, the definition of the DCI content can be specified or deleted during a configuration or reconfiguration procedure. The configuration of the carrier-off DCI can be piggybacked during SCell configuration or reconfiguration. In another example, the carrier-off DCI can have a monitor that is enabled or disabled. Activating or deactivating the carrier-off DCI monitor can be performed after SCell activation or deactivation.

[0041] The carrier-on sub-engine 255 may generate a carrier-on DCI indicating how the transceiver 120 of the UE 105, or portions thereof, are activated for selected channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. When determining how to generate the carrier-on DCI, the carrier-on sub-engine 255 may use the LBT mechanism. The eNB 130 may perform the LBT mechanism (e.g., at a slot or subframe boundary) when transmission data is available in a DL buffer (e.g., for the UE 105). The LBT mechanism may be performed per sub-channel (e.g., 20 MHz per sub-channel as in Wi-Fi), and multiple LBT mechanisms may run in parallel to cover all available bandwidths. Accordingly, the eNB 130 may start the LBT mechanism in each sub-channel simultaneously.

[0042] If selected or all portions of the bandwidth are detected as idle, the carrier-on sub-engine 255 may prepare to broadcast the carrier-on DCI over an available bandwidth (e.g., licensed bandwidth or another available unlicensed bandwidth) at the earliest available time (e.g., next half-slot time). The carrier-on DCI may indicate a wake-up event, may include transmission durations if known, may include information about available bandwidths of the unlicensed spectrum, etc. At the same time, a reservation signal may be transmitted over available unlicensed bandwidths to prevent other eNBs or Wi-Fi devices from occupying the medium. The reservation signal may be long enough to allow UEs to decode the carrier-on DCI, allowing UEs to activate the corresponding receiver in the unlicensed bandwidth.Once the UE has decoded the Carrier-On DCI, or the time expected to complete this process has elapsed, the Carrier-On sub-engine 255 may stop the reservation signal and instruct that mobile signal transmission be initiated over the reserved unlicensed bandwidth. The result of the Carrier-On DCI being received by the UE 105 is described in more detail below.

[0043] The above describes the Carrier-On DCI, which wakes up all LAA-capable UEs on the indicated unlicensed bandwidth. However, this feature of waking up all UEs is only exemplary. According to another exemplary embodiment, the Carrier-On DCI may be configured to be group-specific, so that only LAA-capable UEs whose DL buffer contains transmission data on the eNB 130 side are placed in an awake state.

[0044] In an exemplary implementation, the Carrier-On DCI may include a plurality of different types of content and may be generated with various features. With regard to the content, the Carrier-On DCI may include a carrier indication or a bandwidth field and may additionally include a transmission duration field. The bandwidth field may indicate the frequency and bandwidth reserved during the execution of the LBT mechanism. Depending on the entity on the mobile side (e.g., SC organization), the bandwidth field may be defined in various ways. In a first example, a range or a list of SC indices may be included. If 80 MHz is detected as idle and it is assumed that each SC is allocated 20 MHz, the frequency and bandwidth information may be defined as SC n to SC n+3signaled. In a second example, an SC index and its associated BWPs can be included. If 80 MHz is detected as quiet and this bandwidth lies within a frequency range of SC1 (and assuming that SC1 is allocated 100 MHz and is evenly divided into 5 different BWPs), the frequency and bandwidth information can be represented as SC1, BWP n to BWP n+3signaled. In a third example, a combination of the SC index list and the BWP list may be included. The transmission duration field may specify a specific unit of time (e.g., in slots or subframes), as commonly agreed upon or signaled by a configuration procedure. The transmission duration field may be set to 0 to signal an unknown transmission duration. The content may also be CRC-encrypted by a common RNTI so that all LAA-capable UEs or fundamental UEs may be capable of decoding the bearer-on DCI.

[0045] In terms of features, in a first example, the carrier-on DCI may be channel-coded. For example, the carrier-on DCI may be protected with channel coding (e.g., block code, such as polar code, convolutional code, etc.). The channel code design may be selected to place more reliability weight on an error detection rate than on a false alarm rate, since the current state of the transceiver 120 is intended to be dormant. If there is an error detection, the receiver of the transceiver 120 may miss DL data by erroneously remaining in the dormant mode. The UE 105 may also choose to fall back to a steady wake-up mode under predetermined conditions (e.g., a low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)) to avoid misdetections. In another example, the carrier-on DCI may include monitoring that is configurable.Thus, during a configuration or reconfiguration procedure, the definition of the DCI content can be specified or deleted. The configuration of the carrier-on DCI can be piggybacked with radio resource control (RRC) messages during SCell configuration or reconfiguration. In another example, the carrier-on DCI can have monitoring enabled or disabled. Activation or deactivation of the carrier-on DCI monitoring can be performed automatically after SCell activation or deactivation (depending on the configuration).

[0046] The channel reselection sub-engine 260 may generate a channel reselection DCI that synchronizes the UE 105 for channel hopping to defined channels / bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum. As mentioned above, the selection of unlicensed bandwidths is a significant process to enhance LAA functionality. For example, if the LAA functionality and a WiFi AP operate on the same unlicensed 5 GHz band, appropriate channel selection and / or reselection is used for performance and coexistence. As mentioned above, the selection process may be performed during normal small cell operation (e.g., after small cell initialization) and may be based on periodic channel sensing and / or specific events (e.g., a WiFi AP joining the LAA channel).

[0047] In 3GPP version 13, including standards for LTE and LAA, no specific mechanism for channel reselection is specified in the LAA functionality. If no specific mechanism is present, the channel reselection triggering mechanism (if it is determined to be used) is a determination left to the eNB implementation. Furthermore, only the existing SCell reconfiguration or reactivation mechanism can be used for the channel reselection procedure. However, those skilled in the art will understand the disadvantages associated with such a dependency. For example, since SCell reconfiguration is an RRC procedure, latency (e.g., approximately 24 ms) becomes an issue. In another example, since SCell reconfiguration or reactivation is UE-specific, such a procedure may need to be repeated for each UE in the system (since such channel reselection is triggered by the eNB 130 rather than the UE).

[0048] In view of the above, the channel reselection mechanism according to the exemplary embodiments uses a triggering mechanism analogous to a cell measurement or cell reselection mechanism used in LTE. However, the triggering mechanism according to the exemplary embodiments is channel- or carrier-specific (not UE-specific), and the measurement can be performed primarily at the eNB 130 (rather than at the UE). Thus, a fast channel reselection mechanism based on carrier-wide messages (e.g., channel reselection DCI) can be provided. Such an approach offers several advantages. For example, this approach is low-cost because it uses carrier-wide broadcasting instead of UE-specific broadcasting. In another example, this approach has low latency because it is carrier-wide and can be performed at the PHY layer over DCI.In another example, given the two advantages mentioned above, this approach is suitable for rapid channel adaptation.

[0049] The channel reselection trigger according to the exemplary embodiments may involve the channel reselection sub-engine 260 monitoring a load state and arbitrating a channel reselection. The load state monitoring may also be analogous to the cell measurement in LTE, but performed at the eNB 130. The load state monitoring may refer to two different measurements: a serving channel load measurement and an adjacent channel load measurement. The serving channel load measurement may be the load on the SCC provided by the SCell (e.g., eNB 135 or eNB 140) for a UE for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. The load introduced by the serving LAA SCell for the UEs in the system 100 (e.g., the UE 105) may be excluded from consideration to have a fair comparison with the adjacent channel load. For example, the operating channel load measurement may refer to how other sources (e.g.Wi-Fi devices) introduce a load on the serving channel. The serving channel load measurement can be derived as a by-product of the LBT mechanism (e.g., when the LBT mechanism is performed continuously when LAA is not occupying the channel). The adjacent channel load measurement can be the load on a channel that is not used for UEs for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. Depending on the associated costs (e.g., service interruption time, power consumption, etc.), the adjacent channel load measurement can be triggered by predetermined events (e.g., the serving channel load is above a threshold). The measurement method options for the adjacent channel load measurement can be a parallel measurement (e.g., DL transmission and channel monitoring in parallel) or a serial measurement (e.g., DL transmission and channel monitoring in series, such as a measurement gap).The measurement results for the serving channel load measurement and the adjacent channel load measurement can be filtered (e.g., L3 filter as in LTE) before being used as an input for channel reselection.

[0050] Channel reselection arbitration may aim to increase available channel capacity for LAA functionality. Thus, multiple factors or a combination thereof may be considered. For example, the factors may include the load condition (e.g., on the serving channel, on the adjacent channel, or both), a dynamic frequency selection (DFS) or transmit power control (TPC) requirement, a transmit power spectrum density (PSD), available bandwidth, etc. To avoid ping-pong channel reselection, the channel reselection arbitration performed by channel reselection sub-engine 260 may utilize hysteresis. For example, a serving channel load condition may be a predetermined percentage worse than an adjacent channel load condition before reselection is considered.Thus, the channel reselection arbitration mechanism may involve measuring the serving channel load and determining whether the load from other sources is above a threshold (since the load from itself is omitted). If the load from the other sources is above the threshold, the channel reselection arbitration mechanism may involve measuring the adjacent channel load and determining whether a less congested adjacent channel is available. If such an adjacent channel exists, channel reselection arbitration may trigger channel reselection by broadcasting the channel reselection DCI.

[0051] In contrast to providing instructions on whether the transceiver 120 of the UE 105, or portions thereof, should be put into sleep or wake mode, the channel reselection mechanism through the channel reselection DCI may be a bidirectional process involving an exchange of information between the UE 105 and the eNB 130 to schedule data transmissions. Thus, the eNB 130 may first broadcast the channel reselection DCI. The channel reselection DCI may be broadcast over any available bandwidth (e.g., licensed or unlicensed). For example, the channel reselection DCI may be broadcast over the licensed bandwidth by stopping the LBT mechanism until broadcasting is complete. In another example, the LBT mechanism may continue to operate on all possible serving unlicensed bandwidths, and the channel reselection DCI may be broadcast as soon as one of these unlicensed bandwidths becomes available.The channel reselection DCI can be broadcast at the PHY layer over the carrier DCI for fast interaction. However, the channel reselection DCI can also be broadcast at the MAC layer or the RRC layer. The channel reselection DCI can also include information about the new channel (e.g., channel number and bandwidth) to which reselection has been determined (e.g., based on the arbitration process described above).

[0052] The result of the channel reselection DCI received by the UE 105 is described in more detail below. However, when the UE 105 receives the channel reselection DCI, the eNB 130 may receive a response. For example, an ACK may be received explicitly (e.g., an ACK from the UE 105) or implicitly from the UE 105 (e.g., indicated by other responses from the UEs, such as a CSI feedback report from UEs regarding newly selected channels) that received the channel reselection DCI. The ACK may indicate that the UE 105 is prepared for the new unlicensed bandwidth.

[0053] The eNB 130 may perform further operations before scheduling data over the new unlicensed bandwidth newly selected for the UE 105. For example, to perform connection adaptation of a newly selected unlicensed bandwidth, the eNB 130 may use a UE-specific CSI feedback. The eNB 130 may also broadcast a non-precoded CSI-RS to all UEs to enable rapid acquisition of the link quality for these UEs. However, the eNB 130 may also skip this CSI feedback process if conservative scheduling is used. Once the reselection has been commanded and confirmed, the eNB 130 may start the LBT mechanism and perform data communication (e.g., in the DL) over the newly selected unlicensed bandwidth.

[0054] The carrier BWP sub-engine 265 may generate a carrier BWP DCI that deactivates selected subchannels for the channel reselection procedure. Those skilled in the art will understand that a bandwidth may include components such as BWPs composed of continuous subcomponents such as physical resource blocks (PRBs). For New Radio (NR) LAAs, the NR may interconnect multiple 20 MHz subchannels together as one channel or into a SCell. With each channel or small cell, multiple BWPs may be configured in a UE-specific, UE group, or channel-specific manner. The carrier BWP sub-engine 265 may generate the carrier BWP DCI when no better channel is available for reselection (as may be determined by the channel reselection sub-engine 260) and when one or more 20 MHz subchannels are too congested or have too many collisions.Specifically, the Carrier BWP DCI may be generated by the Carrier BWP sub-engine 265 to deactivate these sub-channels. The Carrier BWP DCI may include a bitmask regarding the status (e.g., enabled or disabled) for each sub-channel. The Carrier BWP DCI may also be broadcast over a common CORESET for unlicensed bandwidth management. The result of the Carrier BWP DCI being received by the UE 105 is described in more detail below. If an effective BWP for certain UEs is zero or too small, the Carrier BWP sub-engine 265 may reconfigure these UEs with normal UE-specific BWPs and activate them accordingly.

[0055] The above describes a plurality of different DCIs that the eNB 130 may be configured to generate and broadcast to the UEs. The eNB 130 may be configured to generate and use one or more of the DCIs described above. For example, the eNB 130 may be configured to use only the carrier-off DCI, the carrier-off DCI and the channel reselection DCI, all four DCIs, etc. Furthermore, the eNB 130 may also use a combination of the DCIs for broadcasting, or may use the DCIs exclusively. For example, the carrier-off DCI and the carrier-on DCI may have opposite effects on the UEs and given opposite current states that may be used (e.g., a current state is "awake" for UEs using the carrier-off DCI, while a current state is "asleep" for UEs using the carrier-on DCI).Thus, the Carrier Off DCI and the Carrier On DCI may be used mutually exclusive. However, if the eNBs and / or the UEs are properly configured, a combination of the Carrier Off DCI and the Carrier On DCI may be used. In another example, the Channel Reselection DCI and the Carrier BWP DCI may be used separately. Since the Carrier BWP DCI may have a setting that can be used in a condition when channel reselection is not possible or viable (e.g., if the Channel Reselection DCI would be used), the Carrier BWP DCI may only be used when the Channel Reselection DCI is not used. In another example, the Channel Off DCI and / or the Channel On DCI may be used in combination with the Channel Reselection DCI and / or the Carrier BWP DCI.For example, the channel reselection DCI and the carrier BWP DCI can be a further refinement of how the carrier-off DCI and the carrier-on DCI should affect the UEs.

[0056] The above describes the operations performed by the PCell (e.g., the eNB 130) when managing the unlicensed spectrum, although, as mentioned above, they can also be performed by the SCell (e.g., when the DCI is broadcast over an available unlicensed band). When one or more of the DCIs are provided to the UE 105, the unlicensed spectrum can be used for LAA functionality in a more efficient manner, since the PCell can have selected SCells, defined how the LAA functionality is to be used, and defined unlicensed bandwidths to be used based on available unlicensed spectrum information. Accordingly, a proactive approach is used by the PCell to reduce or eliminate the need for the UE 105 to provide feedback on the selected manner of using the LAA functionality (e.g., SCells, bandwidths, etc.).However, the exemplary embodiments may be used in addition to the conventional approach of the UE 105 providing feedback to the PCell to further refine how the LAA functionality is used.

[0057] If the DCI was received by the UE 105 via a transmission or broadcast, the UE 105 may also perform a variety of operations based on information included in the received DCI. In a first example, when the UE 105 receives the carrier-off DCI, the UE 105 may initially decode the carrier-off DCI. As described above, the carrier-off DCI may define unlicensed bandwidths and corresponding quiet periods. Accordingly, a receiver quiet scheme may be performed by the UE 105 that puts the receiver portion of the transceiver 120 into a quiet state corresponding to the unlicensed bandwidths during the designated quiet periods or times when these unlicensed bandwidths are unavailable. The quiet state is only exemplary, and any low-power mode may be used during these designated time periods.When the respective time periods have expired, the UE 105 may wake up the receivers and prepare them for subsequent DL data.

[0058] In a second example, when the UE 105 receives the carrier-on DCI broadcast by the eNB 130, the UE 105 may initially decode the carrier-on DCI. As described above, the carrier-on DCI may define unlicensed bandwidths reserved for use by the UE 105 to be used for a DL transmission. Accordingly, the UE 105 may perform a receiver wake-up scheme to activate receiver chains for these reserved unlicensed bandwidths to start reception. Once the DL transmissions are completed or a time period has been specified to wake up a particular receiver chain, the UE 105 may put these receivers into sleep mode.Otherwise, the UE 105 may put these receivers into idle mode after a non-cellular signal is detected or a maximum predetermined allowed transmission time has elapsed (which may be signaled by an upper layer via a static or semi-static RRC configuration).

[0059] In a third example, when the UE 105 receives the channel reselection DCI broadcast by the eNB 130, the UE 105 may initially decode the channel reselection DCI. As described above, the channel reselection DCI may be used to synchronize a channel hopping scheme of the UE 105 when a new channel is to be used. Thus, the channel reselection DCI may define the new unlicensed bandwidth that may be used for subsequent DL transmissions via the LAA functionality. Once the channel reselection DCI has been decoded and further processing has been performed to determine whether the UE 105 is prepared for this change via a channel reselection scheme, the UE 105 may generate and transmit an ACK or provide an implicit ACK regarding its readiness. When a DL transmission is subsequently exchanged, the UE 105 may use this new unlicensed bandwidth.

[0060] In a fourth example, when the UE 105 receives the bearer BWP DCI broadcast by the eNB 130, the UE 105 may initially decode the bearer BWP DCI. As described above, the bearer BWP DCI may define BWPs that are enabled or disabled via a bitmask indicating the status of the channel-specific BWPs. The UE may use the channel-specific BWPs as an AND mask for previously configured UE-specific BWPs to set a modified effective operational BWP configuration. In this way, the UE may know the BWPs that can be used or excluded from consideration when using unlicensed bandwidth in the LAA functionality.

[0061] The UE 105 may also be configured to utilize one or more of the DCIs. For example, the UE 105 may be configured to utilize only the carrier-off DCI or the carrier-on DCI. In another example, the UE 105 may be configured to utilize the carrier-off DCI and the channel reselection DCI. In yet another example, the UE 105 may be configured to utilize all four DCIs. In this manner, the UE 105 may be configured to decode or extract the information that may be included in the DCI to perform subsequent operations. Furthermore, the UE 105 may also be configured to utilize a combination of the DCIs when more than one type of DCI is received from a broadcast by the eNB 130. For example, the UE 105 may have received the carrier-off DCI and the channel reselection DCI.The UE 105 may therefore put the receiver chains into idle mode for the defined unlicensed bandwidths and further determine the unlicensed bandwidth to be selected for use in the LAA functionality.

[0062] Fig. 3 shows an example method 300 for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a user equipment according to various example embodiments described herein. The method 300 may relate to the UE 105 receiving one or more DCIs broadcast by the PCell (e.g., eNB 130) and performing a corresponding set of operations based on information extracted from the DCI. Thus, the method 300 is described from the perspective of the UE 105.

[0063] At 305, the UE 105 may have associated itself with the eNB 130. During the association procedure or at some point thereafter, the UE 105 may transmit capability information to the eNB 130. The capability information may include a CA capability and / or an LAA capability. If the CA or LAA capability is confirmed by the eNB 130, the eNB 130 may become the PCell for the UE 105 and provide the PCC with other SCells (e.g., eNBs 135, 140) that are used to provide SCCs when available.

[0064] At 310, the UE 105 monitors the CORESET broadcast by the eNB 130. As described above, the CORESET may represent control information including a dedicated control resource set provided over the licensed band of the PCell or over an available unlicensed band related to the PCell. The CORESET may include one of the DCIs described above. If the eNB 130 has determined that a DCI is to be broadcast, the UE 105 may 315 receive the DCI by monitoring the CORESET.

[0065] At 320, the UE 105 determines whether the DCI is a carrier-on or carrier-off-based DCI. The carrier-on or carrier-off-based DCI may relate to whether receiver chains should be placed in a sleep or awake state. If the DCI is a carrier-on or carrier-off-based DCI, the method proceeds to 325, where the UE 105 determines whether the DCI is the carrier-off DCI. If the carrier-off DCI is received, the method proceeds to 330, where the UE 105 decodes the carrier-off DCI and determines and performs the receiver sleep scheme. The UE 105 may determine the receiver chains associated with the one or more designated unlicensed bandwidths and the corresponding duration during which the one or more designated unlicensed bandwidths are unavailable. The UE 105 can use this information to put these receiver chains into idle mode.If the DCI is not the carrier-off DCI, the method proceeds to 335, where the UE 105 determines whether the DCI is a carrier-on DCI. If the carrier-on DCI is received, the method proceeds to 340, where the UE 105 decodes the carrier-on DCI and determines and performs the receiver wake-up scheme. The UE 105 may determine the receiver chains associated with the one or more designated unlicensed bandwidths and any corresponding duration during which the one or more unlicensed bandwidths are to be used. Thus, the UE 105 may use this information to wake up these receiver chains.

[0066] Returning to 320, if the DCI is not a carrier-on or carrier-off-based DCI, the method proceeds to 345, where the UE 105 determines whether the DCI relates to channel selection / reselection. If the channel reselection DCI is received, the UE 105 decodes the channel reselection DCI and proceeds to 350, where the channel reselection scheme is determined and performed. The UE 105 may determine the new unlicensed bandwidth selected for use in the LAA functionality, and a receiver chain is tuned to this unlicensed bandwidth for an incoming DL transmission. As mentioned above, the UE 105 may also exchange acknowledgment information with the eNB 130 during the channel reselection scheme. If the DCI is not the channel reselection DCI, the method proceeds to 355, where it is determined that the carrier BWP DCI is received.In 360, the UE 105 decodes the bearer BWP DCI and applies the BWP mask defined therein to set the operational BWPs.

[0067] Fig. 4 shows a first example method 400 for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through radio control on a user equipment, according to various example embodiments described herein. The method 400 may relate to how the eNB 130 generates and broadcasts the channel-out DCI to UEs for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. Thus, the method 400 is described from the perspective of the eNB 130.

[0068] At 405, the eNB 130 monitors traffic in the bandwidths of the unlicensed spectrum to determine when unlicensed bandwidths are unavailable for a corresponding period of time. As described above, the eNB 130 may include a traffic monitoring component (e.g., integrated therein, modularly integrated, tethered, etc.) or may receive traffic monitoring information from a separate component.

[0069] The traffic monitoring information may identify unlicensed bandwidths that are in use or expected to be used for known time periods. Thus, at 410, the eNB 130 may determine slots or subframes when the unlicensed bandwidths are unavailable. The eNB 130 may incorporate parameters associated with the LBT procedure. Thus, at 415, the eNB 130 incorporates these features to refine the unlicensed bandwidths that are unavailable and their corresponding time periods. At 420, the eNB 130 broadcasts the carrier-off DCI. The carrier-off DCI may be broadcast over a bandwidth of the licensed spectrum or other available unlicensed bandwidth.

[0070] Fig. 5 shows a second example method 500 for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through radio control at a user equipment, according to various example embodiments described herein. The method 500 may relate to how the eNB 130 generates and broadcasts the channel-in DCI to UEs for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. Thus, the method 500 is described from the perspective of the eNB 130.

[0071] At 505, the eNB 130 determines whether data is present in a DL buffer for the UE 105 or any other UE in the system 100 (e.g., for which the eNB 130 is the PCell). If data is present in the DL buffer, the eNB 130 determines at 510 whether the UE for which the data is intended is LAA-capable. If the UE is not LAA-capable, the eNB 130 proceeds to 515, where the transmission is scheduled using one or more bandwidths in the licensed spectrum.

[0072] If the UE is LAA-capable, the eNB 130 proceeds to 520, where the LBT mechanism is performed. As described above, the LBT mechanism may involve sensing a radio environment before initiating a transmission so that a determination can be made regarding unlicensed bandwidth over which data exchange can be performed in the LAA functionality. Thus, the eNB 130 may use the LBT mechanism to determine when unlicensed bandwidth is unused or congested. If unlicensed bandwidth is not available, the method proceeds to 530, where the eNB 130 determines whether to continue the DL transmission using the licensed spectrum. If the unlicensed spectrum is to be used, the method returns to 520.However, if the DL transmission can be performed using only licensed bandwidths, the method proceeds to 515 where the eNB 130 schedules the DL transmission using the licensed spectrum.

[0073] Returning to 525, if unlicensed bandwidth is available, the method proceeds to 535, where the eNB 130 determines the next available opportunity to broadcast the carrier-on DCI (which defines the available unlicensed bandwidth to be used). As described above, the carrier-on DCI may also include a duration during which the unlicensed bandwidth is to be used, if this information is known. At 540, the eNB 130 generates the carrier-on DCI and transmits it to the UE 105. At 545, the eNB 130 may also simultaneously transmit or broadcast a reservation signal so that the bandwidth in the unlicensed spectrum is reserved for use in the LAA functionality to transmit the DL data in the DL buffer to the UE 105.

[0074] Fig. 6 shows an example method 600 for managing the use of unlicensed bandwidth by a primary serving cell through the channel controller, according to various example embodiments described herein. The method 600 may relate to how the eNB 130 generates and broadcasts the channel reselection DCI or the bearer BWP DCI to UEs for which the eNB 130 is the PCell. Thus, the method 600 is described from the perspective of the eNB 130.

[0075] In 605, the eNB 130 monitors a load condition on the serving channel. The serving channel load may relate to how other load sources are using the serving channel currently selected for LAA functionality for the UE 105. As mentioned above, the load from the serving LAA cell may be omitted to provide a fair comparison, as this load is not included in the adjacent channel load measurement. In 610, the eNB 130 determines the factors to consider to increase the available channel capacity for LAA, which may remain for the remainder of the method 600. For example, the factors may include the load condition, the DFS or TPC requirement, the transmit PSD, the available bandwidth of the unlicensed spectrum, etc.

[0076] At 615, the eNB 130 determines whether the serving channel has an acceptable load. If the unlicensed channel has an acceptable load to further accommodate the additional load associated with the UE 105, the eNB 130 continues using that selected unlicensed bandwidth. However, if the unlicensed channel has a load that exceeds a predetermined threshold, the method proceeds to 620. At 620, the eNB 130 monitors a load condition on one or more adjacent channels. At 625, the eNB 130 determines whether one of the adjacent channels has a lower load condition that can be used instead of the serving channel. The method 600 may include a hysteresis operation to avoid a ping-pong condition such that the serving channel load condition is worse than an adjacent channel load condition by at least a predetermined amount.

[0077] If an adjacent channel is detected to have a lower loading condition (e.g., such that the serving channel is worse by at least the predetermined amount), the method proceeds to 630. In 630, the eNB 130 determines the identity of that unlicensed channel. In 635, the eNB 130 generates and broadcasts the channel reselection DCI, including the identity of that unlicensed channel. In 640, a determination is made as to whether the channel reselection DCI was received by the UE 105. If it was not received, the method returns to 640, where the eNB 130 continues broadcasting the channel reselection DCI. When the eNB 130 receives an ACK from the UE 105, the eNB 130 can know that the UE 105 is prepared to use the newly selected unlicensed bandwidth, so that in 645 the eNB 130 starts the LBT mechanism at this unlicensed bandwidth and performs data exchanges over this unlicensed bandwidth.

[0078] Returning to 625, if the serving channel has unacceptable load and no adjacent channel is determined to be acceptable for reselection, the method proceeds to 650. In 650, the eNB 130 determines a quality of the subchannels of the monitored channels of the unlicensed spectrum. For example, the quality may relate to whether the subchannels are too congested or have too many collisions. In 655, the eNB 130 determines whether the subchannels have acceptable quality (e.g., low congestion / collisions). If subchannels are determined to have acceptable quality (and assuming these subchannels have already been identified as an operational BWP), the eNB 130 may continue using these subchannels.However, if it is determined that the subchannels have unacceptable quality, the method proceeds to 660 where the eNB 130 identifies those subchannels to be deactivated, and in 665 the eNB 130 generates and broadcasts the carrier BWP DCI that provides an AND mask to be applied to deactivate the designated BWPs.

[0079] Fig. 4 to 6 describe methods associated with the eNB 130, which is the PCell, and providing control information including DCIs to the UE 105 according to the exemplary embodiments. Although the methods of Fig.4 to 6 in a single manner, the eNB 130 may include an overall method for selecting one or more of the DCIs to be generated and broadcast to the UE 105. For example, the eNB 130 may determine whether to use a combination of the DCIs. In another example, the eNB 130 may determine a priority between the current carrier-off state (wake-up) and the current carrier-on state (sleep). Thus, if the current wake-up state takes precedence, the carrier-off DCI may be used, and vice versa. The eNB 130 may be configured to use any criteria to determine which one or more of the DCIs to use.

[0080] The exemplary embodiments provide an apparatus, system, and method for managing the use of unlicensed spectrum in the LAA functionality through a proactive approach performed by the PCell of the LAA functionality. If no mechanism defined by the LTE standards for the LAA functionality and selecting / reselection of the appropriate channel is in place, the exemplary embodiments provide a plurality of dedicated CORESET information blocks broadcast to UEs to define how the unlicensed spectrum should be managed.More specifically, the exemplary embodiments include a carrier-off DCI that defines unlicensed bandwidths that are unavailable so that corresponding receiver chains of the UE can be put into sleep mode, a carrier-on DCI that defines an unlicensed bandwidth to be used so that a corresponding receiver chain of the UE is put into wake mode, a channel reselection DCI that synchronizes a channel hopping scheme so that a designated unlicensed bandwidth is reselected for the LAA functionality, and a carrier-BWT DCI that defines subchannels or BWPs that are not considered in the LAA functionality.

[0081] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the exemplary embodiments described above may be implemented in any suitable software or hardware configurations, or combinations thereof. An exemplary hardware platform for carrying out the exemplary embodiments may include, for example, an Intel x86-based platform with a compatible operating system, a Mac platform and a MAC OS, a mobile device with an operating system such as iOS, Android, etc. In another example, the exemplary embodiments of the method described above may be embodied as a program including lines of code stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium and executable on a processor or microprocessor when compiled.

[0082] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy regulations and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information should be managed and handled in a manner that minimizes the risks of inadvertent or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of any authorized use should be clearly communicated to users.

[0083] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

[1] Method comprising: at an evolved Node B (eNB) (130) serving as a primary serving cell (PCell) and providing a primary component carrier (PCC) in a licensed spectrum of a user equipment (UE) (105) in a carrier aggregation (CA) scheme, wherein a secondary component carrier (SCC) is provided in an unlicensed spectrum: Monitoring bandwidth parameters in unlicensed spectrum; if at least one of the parameters indicates a change in availability for a selected one of the bandwidths, generating a control indicator comprising downlink control information (DCI) defining the change in availability for the bandwidth, wherein the DCI is a carrier bandwidth part (BWP) DCI defining subchannels to be excluded from consideration for use; wherein the at least one parameter comprises a quality level of the subchannels, the quality level being associated with a congestion level, a collision level, or a combination thereof; and Broadcasting the control indicator to the UE (105), wherein the control indicator influences a modification in a transceiver (120) of the UE (105) associated with the bandwidth. [2] The method of claim 1, wherein the DCI is a carrier-off DCI that defines when the bandwidth is unavailable, wherein the at least one parameter comprises an occupancy time of the bandwidth. [3] The method of claim 2, wherein the carrier-out DCI defines the occupancy time as a number of one of slots or subframes for which the bandwidth is unavailable. [4] The method of claim 2, wherein the modification comprises placing a receiver chain of the transceiver (120) into a low power mode for the bandwidth. [5] The method of claim 1, wherein the DCI is a carrier-on DCI that defines when the bandwidth is available to be used, wherein the at least one parameter comprises part of a listen-before-talk (LBT) mechanism that indicates when the bandwidth or a portion thereof is free. [6] The method of claim 5, wherein the modification comprises placing a receiver chain of the transceiver (120) into a wake mode for the bandwidth. [7] The method of claim 1, wherein the DCI is a channel reselection DCI defining a change from the bandwidth to another bandwidth, wherein the at least one parameter comprises a load state of the bandwidth and a load state of the another bandwidth. [8] The method of claim 7, wherein the modification comprises changing from a first receiver chain of the transceiver (120) associated with the bandwidth to a second receiver chain of the transceiver (120) associated with the further bandwidth. [9] Network component (130) comprising: a transceiver (225) configured to be connected to a user equipment (UE) (105), the transceiver (225) being configured with carrier aggregation (CA) functionality and serving as a primary serving cell (PCell) providing a primary component carrier (PCC) to the UE (105), wherein a secondary component carrier (SCC) is provided in an unlicensed spectrum; and a processor (205) that monitors parameters of bandwidths in the unlicensed spectrum when at least one of the parameters indicates a change in availability for a selected one of the bandwidths, the processor (205) generating a control indicator comprising downlink control information (DCI) that defines the change in availability to the bandwidth, the DCI being a carrier bandwidth part (BWP)-DCI that defines subchannels to be excluded from consideration for use, the at least one parameter comprising a quality level of the subchannels, the quality level being associated with a congestion level, a collision level, or a combination thereof, wherein the processor (205) instructs the transceiver (225) to transmit the control indicator to the UE (105), wherein the control indicator influences a modification in a transceiver (120) of the UE (105) associated with the bandwidth. [10] The network component (130) of claim 9, wherein the DCI comprises one of a carrier-off DCI that defines when the bandwidth is unavailable, a carrier-on DCI that defines when the bandwidth is available to be used, a channel reselection DCI that defines a change from the bandwidth to a wider bandwidth, or a carrier bandwidth part (BWP) DCI that defines subchannels to be excluded from consideration for use. [11] Network component (130) according to claim 10, wherein: if the DCI comprises the carrier-off DCI, the modification comprises placing a receiver chain of the transceiver (120) into a low-power mode for the bandwidth, if the DCI comprises the carrier-on DCI, the modification comprises placing a receiver chain of the transceiver (120) in a wake-up mode for the bandwidth, and when the DCI comprises channel reselection, the modification comprises a change from a first receiver chain of the transceiver (120) associated with the bandwidth to a second receiver chain of the transceiver (120) associated with the further bandwidth. [12] The network component (130) of claim 10, wherein the carrier BWP DCI comprises an AND mask for the subchannels to set a predefined set of operating BWPs.

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