Expanded signaling capability for network element, user equipment and system

Apparatus, comprising:

• user equipment receiver, responsive to radio signalling from a radio access network over a wireless interface wherein said signalling is indicative of parameters needed to recover data in a data channel arriving after said signalling wherein said signalling is distinguishable by a user equipment identifier for said user equipment having assigned thereto multiple user equipment identifiers;
• and
• a signal processor for carrying out a downlink carrier assignment in said user equipment according to said signalling for receiving said data channel in said user equipment.

Apparatus, comprising:

• means for receiving in user equipment radio signalling from a radio access network over a wireless interface concerning parameters needed to recover data in a data channel arriving after said signalling wherein said signalling is distinguishable by a user equipment identifier for said user equipment having assigned thereto multiple user equipment identifiers;
• and
• means for carrying out a downlink carrier assignment in said user equipment according to said signalling for receiving said data channel in said user equipment.

Method for execution in user equipment in a multi-carrier system, comprising:

• user equipment receiving a radio signal on a downlink, and
• carrying out a fast downlink carrier assignment in said user equipment in said multi-carrier system in response to physical layer signaling in said radio signal received on said downlink.

User equipment for use in a multi-carrier system, comprising:

• a receiver, responsive to a radio signal on a downlink;
• and
• a signal processor for carrying out a fast downlink carrier assignment in said user equipment in said multi-carrier system according to physical layer signaling in said radio signal on said downlink.

User equipment for use in a multi-carrier system, comprising:

• means for receiving a radio signal on a downlink in user equipment, and
• means for carrying out a fast downlink carrier assignment in said user equipment in said multi-carrier system by physical layer signaling in said radio signal on said downlink.