Pilot grouping and route protocols in multi-carrier communication systems
Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for pilot grouping, route protocols, and scheduling in multi-carrier communication systems. In an embodiment, an access terminal may group a plurality of pilot signals characterized by different frequencies into one or more pilot groups, each pilot grouping being identified by a plurality of parameters (e.g., a PN offset and a group ID). Each pilot group may include pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area. The access terminal may further select a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting. The access terminal may also use the pilot grouping for effective set management.
1 . A method in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising:
grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more pilot groups, each pilot group being identified by a plurality of parameters; and
selecting a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of parameters include a PN offset and a group identifier.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein each pilot group includes one or more pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area.
4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pilot signals are characterized by a plurality of frequencies.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising measuring a strength of the representative pilot signal.
6 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
7 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal falls below a predetermined threshold.
8 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising pointing a data source control (DSC) channel associated with an access terminal to each of a plurality of cells on different frequencies.
9 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising:
means for grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more pilot groups, each pilot group being identified by a plurality of parameters; and
means for selecting a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the plurality of parameters include a PN offset and a group identifier.
11 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each pilot group includes one or more pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising means for measuring a strength of the representative pilot signal.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising means for reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.
14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , further comprising means for reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal falls below a predetermined threshold.
15 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein the pilot signals are characterized by a plurality of frequencies.
16 . The apparatus of claim 9 , further comprising means for pointing a data source control (DSC) channel associated with an access terminal to each of a plurality of cells on different frequencies.
17 . A method in a communication system, comprising:
receiving a message indicating a plurality of forward link channels each carrying reverse link-related information for each of reverse link channels associated with an access terminal; and
assigning one of the reverse link channels to carry forward link-related information associated with at least one of the forward link channels.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the forward link-related information includes at least one of a cell selection, a sector selection, an automatic repeat request (ARQ) acknowledgment (ACK), and a signal-to-noise-and-interference (C/I) feedback.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the reverse link-related information includes a reverse power control (RPC) bit stream.
20 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising monitoring a control channel carried one of the forward link channels.
21 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising:
means for receiving a message indicating a plurality of forward link channels each carrying reverse link-related information for each of reverse link channels associated with an access terminal; and
means for assigning one of the reverse link channels to carry forward link-related information associated with at least one of the forward link channels.
22 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the forward link-related information includes at least one of a cell selection, a sector selection, an automatic repeat request (ARQ) acknowledgment (ACK), and a signal-to-noise-and-interference (C/I) feedback
23 . The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the reverse link-related information includes a reverse power control (RPC) bit stream.
24 . The apparatus of claim 21 , further comprising means for monitoring a control channel carried one of the forward link channels.
25 . A method in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising:
grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more scheduler groups in accordance with sequence numbers of the pilot signals, the pilot signals characterized by a plurality of frequencies; and
associating each scheduler group with a transmission queue.
26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals having a same sequence number.
27 . The method of claim 26 , wherein the sequence number is associated with detecting gaps in a received data packet.
28 . The method of claim 25 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals associated with a sub-active set of an access terminal.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the pilot signals in each scheduler group are associated with a plurality of sectors in softer handoff.
30 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising:
means for grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more scheduler groups in accordance with sequence numbers of the pilot signals, the pilot signals characterized by a plurality of frequencies; and
means for associating each scheduler group with a transmission queue.
31 . The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals having a same sequence number.
32 . The apparatus of claim 30 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals associated with a sub-active set of an access terminal.
33 . The apparatus of claim 32 , wherein the pilot signals in each scheduler group are associated with a plurality of sectors in softer handoff.