IP Library Granted Patent US 11,265,861
Granted Patent B2
US 11,265,861 · App. 16/716,724 · Granted Mar 1, 2022

Base station signaling in a wireless network

Inventor: Esmael Hejazi Dinan (McLean, VA)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04W72/042H04L27/2601H04W24/08H04W36/0005H04W36/0072H04W36/06H04W72/0406H04W72/0446H04W72/0453
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,265,861
App. No.
16/716,724
Granted
Mar 1, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

A first base station may communicate with a second base station regarding a wireless device and handover. The communication may involve indicating carriers associated with the wireless device. The carriers may be of different types, and may have differences regarding reference signals. The first base station may cause a handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

Claims (113)

1. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station, to a second base station, and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that is without a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

causing, by the first base station, handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in the at least one downlink subframe, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type supports fewer transmission modes than the at least one carrier of the first carrier type.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type employs a wireless-device-specific demodulation reference signal.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising causing a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first base station is part of a long-term evolution (LTE) network.

10. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station, to a second base station, and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that comprises a reference signal in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

causing, by the first base station, handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type supports fewer transmission modes than the at least one carrier of the first carrier type.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type employs a wireless-device-specific demodulation reference signal.

15. The method of claim 10 , further comprising causing a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

18. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first base station is part of a long-term evolution (LTE) network.

19. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station, to a second base station, and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that selectively comprises a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

causing, by the first base station, handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes.

21. The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

22. The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type supports fewer transmission modes than the at least one carrier of the first carrier type.

23. The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type employs a wireless-device-specific demodulation reference signal.

24. The method of claim 19 , further comprising causing a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

25. The method of claim 19 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

27. The method of claim 19 , wherein the first base station is part of a long-term evolution (LTE) network.

28. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a first base station to:

transmit, to a second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that is without a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in the at least one downlink subframe, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 28 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 32 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a first base station to:

transmit, to a second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that comprises a reference signal in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 38 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

40. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a first base station to:

transmit, to a second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that selectively comprises a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the instructions, when executed, further cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type comprises a second downlink subframe in which a control channel is configured to start at a symbol after a first symbol in the second downlink subframe.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 44 , wherein in the second downlink subframe, no reference signal is transmitted between the first symbol in the second downlink subframe and the control channel in the second downlink subframe.

46. A first base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the first base station to:

transmit, to a second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that is without a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

47. The first base station of claim 46 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in the at least one downlink subframe, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

48. The first base station of claim 46 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

49. The first base station of claim 46 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

50. A first base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, configure the first base station to:

transmit, to a second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that selectively comprises a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station.

51. The first base station of claim 50 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes.

52. The first base station of claim 50 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

53. The first base station of claim 50 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

54. A system comprising:

a first base station; and

a second base station,

wherein the first base station is configured to:

transmit, to the second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that is without a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station, and

wherein the second base station is configured to communicate with the wireless device after the handover.

55. The system of claim 54 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in the at least one downlink subframe, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

56. The system of claim 54 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type selectively comprises the reference signal based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes.

57. The system of claim 54 , wherein the first base station is further configured to cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

58. A system comprising:

a first base station; and

a second base station,

wherein the first base station is configured to:

transmit, to the second base station and based on a handover decision for a wireless device, information indicating a carrier type for each of a plurality of carriers associated with the wireless device, wherein the plurality of carriers comprises:

at least one carrier of a first carrier type that comprises a reference signal in every downlink subframe of a plurality of downlink subframes; and

at least one carrier of a second carrier type that selectively comprises a reference signal in at least one downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes based on data being transmitted in one or more of the plurality of downlink subframes; and

cause handover of the wireless device from the first base station to the second base station, and

wherein the second base station is configured to communicate with the wireless device after the handover.

59. The system of claim 58 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes.

60. The system of claim 58 , wherein the at least one carrier of the second carrier type is without the reference signal, in at least one second downlink subframe of the plurality of downlink subframes, based on data being transmitted in fewer than all downlink subframes of the plurality of downlink subframes.

61. The system of claim 58 , wherein the first base station is further configured to cause a downlink subframe of the at least one carrier of the second carrier type to become empty.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: DINAN, ESMAEL H
To: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055078/0970 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 055078/0992 →
Continuity (9)
Continuation 15864894 · Jan 8, 2018
Continuation 14941147 · Nov 13, 2015
Continuation 14042840 · Oct 1, 2013
Continuation 13938306 · Jul 10, 2013
Continuation 13791535 · Mar 8, 2013
Continuation 13691720 · Nov 30, 2012
Provisional Application 61566671 · Dec 4, 2011
Provisional Application 61566670 · Dec 4, 2011
Related Publication 20200280968A1 · Sep 3, 2020
Cited By (1)
US 12,666,436