Method and apparatus for signaling in dense network operations

1. A method of wireless communication at a low power node (LPN), comprising:

determining that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transitioning from an active state to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) state, when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transitioning to a dormant state, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX state; and

transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state, wherein transmissions of the LDCS in the dormant state have a lower duty cycle than discontinuous transmissions transmitted in the DRX/DTX state.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

transmitting an LDCS configuration to a second entity, wherein the second entity comprises one of an LPN that is not in a dormant state and a Macro cell.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the format of the LDCS comprises at least one of a special synchronization signal format, an enhanced cell-specific reference signal (CRS) format, a coded signal transmission format, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) format, and a system information block (SIB) format.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LDCS configuration comprises transmit power information for the LDCS.

5. A method of wireless communication at a low power node (LPN), comprising:

transitioning to a dormant state;

transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state; and

monitoring for a Random Access Channel (RACH) message at a predetermined RACH configuration after transmitting the LDCS.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined RACH configuration is comprised in at least one of the transmitted LDCS and the LDCS configuration.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein at least one of the LDCS and the LDCS configuration further comprises RACH configuration, wherein the RACH configuration relates to a global cell ID.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the LDCS further comprises at least one of backhaul quality information and loading capability information for the LPN.

9. The method of claim 5 , wherein the transition to the dormant state is made from an active state, and wherein the transition is performed based at least in part on an expiration of a predetermined period of time.

10. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

monitoring at least one connected user equipment (UE); and

determining whether any connected UE is active, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed when no UEs are determined to be active for the predetermined period of time.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising:

determining that no connected UEs of the LPN are active; and

when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active, transitioning to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) mode, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX mode.

12. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

determining that no connected UEs are active, wherein the LPN transitions to the dormant state at the predetermined period of time after determining that no connected UEs are active.

13. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for at least one connected UE.

14. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is different.

15. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for a plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is the same.

16. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DRX/DTX mode comprises a configuration for an access link of the LPN and a configuration for a backhaul link of the LPN.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the LPN matches the configuration of the backhaul link of the LPN.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the LPN is different than the configuration of the backhaul link of the LPN.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication at a low power node (LPN), comprising:

means for determining that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

means for transitioning from an active state to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) state when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active and to a dormant state from the DRX/DTX state; and

means for transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state, wherein transmissions of the LDCS in the dormant state have a lower duty cycle than discontinuous transmissions transmitted in the DRX/DTX state.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the means for transmitting transmit an LDCS configuration to a second entity, wherein the second entity comprises one of a low power node (LPN) that is not in a dormant state and a Macro cell.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the format of the LDCS comprises at least one of a special synchronization signal format, an enhanced cell-specific reference signal (CRS) format, a coded signal transmission format, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) format, and a system information block (SIB) format.

22. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the LDCS configuration comprises transmit power information for the LDCS.

23. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

means for transitioning to a dormant state; and

means for transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state; and

means for monitoring for a Random Access Channel (RACH) message at a predetermined RACH configuration after transmitting the LDCS.

24. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the predetermined RACH configuration is comprised in at least one of the transmitted LDCS and the LDCS configuration.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 , wherein at least one of the LDCS and the LDCS configuration further comprises RACH configuration, wherein the RACH configuration relates to a global cell ID.

26. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the LDCS further comprises at least one of backhaul quality information and loading capability information for the apparatus.

27. The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the transition to the dormant state is made from an active state, and wherein the transition is performed based at least in part on an expiration of a predetermined period of time.

28. The apparatus of claim 27 , further comprising:

means for monitoring at least one connected user equipment (UE); and

means for determining whether any connected UE is active, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed when no UEs are determined to be active for the predetermined period of time.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein when it is determined that no connected UEs of the apparatus are active, the means for transitioning transition to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) mode, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX mode.

30. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the apparatus transitions to the dormant state at the predetermined period of time after determining that no connected UEs are active.

31. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the means for transitioning match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for at least one connected UE.

32. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the means for transitioning match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is different.

33. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the means for transitioning match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for a plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is the same.

34. The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the DRX/DTX mode comprises a configuration for an access link of the apparatus and a configuration for a backhaul link of the apparatus.

35. The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the apparatus matches the configuration of the backhaul link of the apparatus.

36. The apparatus of claim 34 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the apparatus is different than the configuration of the backhaul link of the apparatus.

37. An apparatus for wireless communication at a low power node (LPN), comprising:

a memory;

at least one non-transitory processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

determine that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transition from an active state to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) state, when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transition to a dormant state from the DRX/DTX state; and

transmit a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state, wherein transmissions of the LDCS in the dormant state have a lower duty cycle than discontinuous transmissions transmitted in the DRX/DTX state.

38. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

transmit an LDCS configuration to a second entity, wherein the second entity comprises one of a low power node (LPN) that is not in a dormant state and a Macro cell.

39. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the format of the LDCS comprises at least one of a special synchronization signal format, an enhanced cell-specific reference signal (CRS) format, a coded signal transmission format, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) format, and a system information block (SIB) format.

40. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the LDCS configuration comprises transmit power information for the LDCS.

41. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising:

a memory;

at least one non-transitory processor coupled to the memory and configured to:

transition to a dormant state;

transmit a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state; and

monitor for a Random Access Channel (RACH) message at a predetermined RACH configuration after transmitting the LDCS.

42. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the predetermined RACH configuration is comprised in at least one of the transmitted LDCS and the LDCS configuration.

43. The apparatus of claim 42 , wherein at least one of the LDCS and the LDCS configuration further comprises RACH configuration, wherein the RACH configuration relates to a global cell ID.

44. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the LDCS further comprises at least one of backhaul quality information and loading capability information for the apparatus.

45. The apparatus of claim 41 , wherein the transition to the dormant state is made from an active state, and wherein the transition is performed based at least in part on an expiration of a predetermined period of time.

46. The apparatus of claim 45 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

monitor at least one connected user equipment (UE); and

determine whether any connected UE is active, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed when no UEs are determined to be active for the predetermined period of time.

47. The apparatus of claim 46 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

determine that no connected UEs of the apparatus are active; and

when it is determined that no connected UEs of the apparatus are active, transition to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) mode, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX mode.

48. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

determine that no connected UEs are active, wherein the apparatus transitions to the dormant state at the predetermined period of time after determining that no connected UEs are active.

49. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for at least one connected UE.

50. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is different.

51. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the at least one non-transitory processor is further configured to:

match the DRX/DTX mode of the apparatus to a DRX/DTX mode for a plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is the same.

52. The apparatus of claim 37 , wherein the DRX/DTX mode comprises a configuration for an access link of the apparatus and a configuration for a backhaul link of the apparatus.

53. The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the apparatus matches the configuration of the backhaul link of the apparatus.

54. The apparatus of claim 52 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the apparatus is different than the configuration of the backhaul link of the apparatus.

55. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication at a low power node (LPN), comprising code for:

determining that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transitioning from an active state to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) state, when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active;

transitioning to a dormant state, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX state; and

transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state, wherein transmissions of the LDCS in the dormant state have a lower duty cycle than discontinuous transmissions transmitted in the DRX/DTX state.

56. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , further comprising code for:

transmitting an LDCS configuration to a second entity, wherein the second entity comprises one of a low power node (LPN) that is not in a dormant state and a Macro cell.

57. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , wherein the format of the LDCS comprises at least one of a special synchronization signal format, an enhanced cell-specific reference signal (CRS) format, a coded signal transmission format, a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) format, and a system information block (SIB) format.

58. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , wherein the LDCS configuration comprises transmit power information for the LDCS.

59. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer executable code for wireless communication, comprising code for:

transitioning to a dormant state;

transmitting a very low duty cycle signal (LDCS) while in the dormant state; and

monitoring for a Random Access Channel (RACH) message at a predetermined RACH configuration after transmitting the LDCS.

60. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 , wherein the predetermined RACH configuration is comprised in at least one of the transmitted LDCS and the LDCS configuration.

61. The computer-readable medium of claim 60 , wherein at least one of the LDCS and the LDCS configuration further comprises RACH configuration, wherein the RACH configuration relates to a global cell ID.

62. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , wherein the LDCS further comprises at least one of backhaul quality information and loading capability information for an LPN.

63. The computer-readable medium of claim 59 , wherein the transition to the dormant state is made from an active state, and wherein the transition is performed based at least in part on an expiration of a predetermined period of time.

64. The computer-readable medium of claim 63 , further comprising code for:

monitoring at least one connected user equipment (UE); and

determining whether any connected UE is active, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed when no UEs are determined to be active for the predetermined period of time.

65. The computer-readable medium of claim 64 , further comprising code for:

determining that no connected UEs of a low power node (LPN) are active; and

when it is determined that no connected UEs of the LPN are active, transitioning to a discontinuous reception and transmission (DRX/DTX) mode, wherein the transition to the dormant state is performed from the DRX/DTX mode.

66. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , further comprising code for:

determining that no connected UEs are active, wherein the LPN transitions to the dormant state at the predetermined period of time after determining that no connected UEs are active.

67. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , further comprising code for:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for at least one connected UE.

68. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , further comprising code for:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is different.

69. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , further comprising code for:

matching the DRX/DTX mode of the LPN to a DRX/DTX mode for a plurality of connected UEs, wherein the DRX/DTX mode for each of the connected UEs is the same.

70. The computer-readable medium of claim 55 , wherein the DRX/DTX mode comprises a configuration for an access link of the LPN and a configuration for a backhaul link of the LPN.

71. The computer-readable medium of claim 70 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the LPN matches the configuration of the backhaul link of the LPN.

72. The computer-readable medium of claim 70 , wherein the configuration for the access link of the LPN is different than the configuration of the backhaul link of the LPN.