Methods and apparatus for opportunistic radio resource allocation in multi-carrier communication systems
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorSassan Ahmadi
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for dynamic sharing of resources such as radio frequency (RF) spectrum in a wireless system. In one embodiment, the sharing is conducted among a number of base stations (e.g., eNodeBs or Access Points (APs)), or among different radio access technologies (RATs). In one implementation, the sharing is accomplished through reservation of new RF carriers, and temporary assignment (and release) of one or more RF carriers to the multi-carrier enabled radio access systems or base stations. Such dynamic spectrum sharing allows opportunistic use of additional RF carriers in a multi-carrier system as opposed to permanent availability to the eNodeB or AP regardless of their effective usage.
Claims14
An integrated circuit in a first cell, comprising:
- circuitry to communicate using a first radio frequency (“RF”) carrier, wherein the first RF carrier is in a licensed spectrum band;
- circuitry to request a reservation of resources in the unlicensed spectrum band from a Spectrum Management Entity (“SME”);
- circuitry to receive an indication of one or more resources in an unlicensed spectrum from the SME, wherein when the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum are intended for use by a further cell prior to being allocated to the first cell, the indication including data that notifies the first cell that the first cell is wait-listed by the SME for the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- circuitry to identify at least one unused resource from the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- circuitry to coordinate carrier aggregation with a second cell based on the indication of one or more resources, wherein the second cell uses a RF carrier in the unlicensed spectrum band;
- circuitry to generate for transmission a first signal on the licensed spectrum band;
- and
- circuitry to generate for transmission an indication of termination of use of the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum band.
A base station, comprising:
- a processor;
- and
- computerized logic in signal communication with the processor, the computerized logic configured to:
- communicate using a first radio frequency (“RF”) carrier, wherein the first RF carrier is in a licensed spectrum band;
- request a reservation of resources in the unlicensed spectrum band from a Spectrum Management Entity (“SME”);
- receive an indication of one or more resources in an unlicensed spectrum from the SME, wherein when the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum are intended for use by a further cell prior to being allocated to the base station, the indication including data that notifies the base station that the base station is wait-listed by the SME for the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- identify at least one unused resource from the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- coordinate carrier aggregation with a first cell based on the indication of one or more resources, wherein the first cell uses a RF carrier in the unlicensed spectrum band;
- transmit, via the transmitter, a first signal on the licensed spectrum band;
- and
- transmit, via the transmitter, an indication of termination of use of the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum band.
A method in a first cell, comprising:
- communicating using a first radio frequency (“RE”) carrier, wherein the first RF carrier is in a licensed spectrum band;
- requesting a reservation of resources in the unlicensed spectrum band from a Spectrum Management Entity (“SME”);
- receiving an indication of one or more resources in an unlicensed spectrum from the SME, wherein when the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum are intended for use by a further cell prior to being allocated to the first cell, the indication including data that notifies the first cell that the first cell is wait-listed by the SME for the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- identifying at least one unused resource from the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum;
- coordinating carrier aggregation with a second cell based on the indication of one or more resources, wherein the second cell uses a RF carrier in the unlicensed spectrum band;
- transmitting a first signal on the licensed spectrum band;
- and
- transmitting an indication of termination of use of the one or more resources in the unlicensed spectrum band.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.