METHOD, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER PROGRAM FOR SETTING A RADIO FREQUENCY GAIN
In setting a radio frequency gain for wireless communications during an initial synchronization phase, at least an upper threshold value ( 308,310 ) for a radio frequency gain ( 304 ) is set. The radio frequency gain ( 304 ) is adjusted during the initial synchronization phase where user equipment is first trying to receive synchronization signals in a transmission from a base station. The radio frequency gain ( 304 ) is limited by the threshold value ( 308,310 ). This has particular application to Time Division Duplex (TDD) and Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) networks.
1 . A method of setting a radio frequency gain for wireless communications during an initial synchronization phase, the method comprising:
setting at least an upper threshold value for a radio frequency gain; and
adjusting the radio frequency gain during an initial synchronization phase where user equipment is first trying to receive synchronization signals in a transmission from a base station wherein the radio frequency gain is limited by the threshold value.
2 . A method according to claim 1 , comprising setting a lower threshold value for the radio frequency gain.
3 . A method according to claim 1 , comprising setting a lower threshold value, wherein the radio frequency gain is allowed to alternate between the upper and lower threshold values.
4 . A method according to claim 2 , wherein the lower threshold value is set to a radio frequency gain value where the minimum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
5 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the upper threshold value is set to a radio frequency gain value where the maximum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
6 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission is a Long Term Evolution time division duplex transmission.
7 . A method according to claim 1 , wherein the transmission is a Long Term Evolution frequency division duplex transmission.
8 . Apparatus for setting a radio frequency gain for wireless communications during an initial synchronization phase, the apparatus comprising:
at least one processor configured to cause the apparatus to:
set at least an upper threshold value for a radio frequency gain; and
adjust the radio frequency gain during an initial synchronization phase where user equipment is first trying to receive synchronization signals in a transmission from a base station such that the radio frequency gain is limited by the threshold value.
9 . Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to set a lower threshold value for the radio frequency gain.
10 . Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the processor is configured to cause the apparatus to set a lower threshold value, wherein the radio frequency gain is allowed to alternate between the upper and lower threshold values.
11 . Apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the lower threshold value is set to a radio frequency gain value where the minimum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance. 20
12 . Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the upper threshold value is set to a radio frequency gain value where the maximum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
13 . Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transmission is a Long Term Evolution time division duplex transmission.
14 . Apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the transmission is a Long Term Evolution frequency division duplex transmission.
15 . A computer program having computer program code for use with a computer, the computer program code comprising:
code for setting at least an upper threshold value for a radio frequency gain; and
code for adjusting the radio frequency gain during an initial synchronization phase where user equipment is first trying to receive synchronization signals in a transmission from a base station wherein the radio frequency gain is limited by the threshold value.
16 . A computer program according to claim 15 , comprising code for setting a lower threshold value for the radio frequency gain.
17 . A computer program according to claim 15 , comprising code for setting a lower threshold value, wherein the radio frequency gain is allowed to alternate between the upper and lower threshold values.
18 . A computer program according to claim 16 , wherein the lower threshold value is set to a gain value where the minimum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
19 . A computer program according to claim 15 , wherein the upper threshold value is set to a gain value where the maximum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
20 . A computer program according to claim 15 , wherein the transmission is a time division duplex transmission.
21 . A computer program according to claim 15 , wherein the transmission is a frequency division duplex transmission.
22 . A receiver configured to set at least an upper threshold value for a radio frequency gain and adjust the value of the radio frequency gain during an initial synchronization phase where user equipment is first trying to receive synchronization signals in a transmission from a base station such that the radio frequency gain is limited by the threshold value.
23 . A receiver according to claim 22 , wherein the receiver is configured to set a lower threshold value for the radio frequency gain.
24 . A receiver according to claim 22 , wherein the receiver is configured to set a lower threshold value, wherein the radio frequency gain is allowed to alternate between the upper and lower threshold values.
25 . A receiver according to claim 23 , wherein the lower threshold value is set to a gain value where the minimum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
26 . A receiver according to claim 22 , wherein the upper threshold value is set to a gain value where the maximum level of a synchronization signal can be detected without significant degradation in detection performance.
27 . A receiver according to claim 22 , wherein the downlink transmission is a Long Term Evolution time division duplex transmission.
28 . A receiver according to claim 22 , wherein the downlink transmission is a Long Term Evolution frequency division duplex transmission.