CN109075845B

CN109075845B - Apparatus, device, and computer-readable storage medium for communication

Info

Publication number: CN109075845B
Application number: CN201680084630.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 朱京; 纳吉恩·海玛亚特; 萨拉博乔特·辛格; 李旭峰; 伊赫桑·阿亚法尔; 叶书苹
Original assignee: Apple Inc
Current assignee: Apple Inc
Priority date: 2016-04-14
Filing date: 2016-06-23
Publication date: 2022-03-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-06-23
Also published as: CN109075845A; TWI721118B; TW201737741A; WO2017180173A1

Abstract

An eNB (110, 401), including one or more processors, operable to communicate with a UE (120, 403) over a wireless network is described. The one or more processors may generate a plurality of primary synchronization signal transmissions (410) corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, and may generate a plurality of secondary synchronization signal transmissions (420) corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. The average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors may be less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

Description

Apparatus, device, and computer-readable storage medium for communication

Priority declaration

The present application is Based on 35u.s.c. § 119(e) a serial No. 62/322,650 entitled "Hybrid (transmit and receive) Sector scan Based Frame Structure and Initial Acquisition Procedure For independent mmWave Cellular Radio Access Networks (RANs)" filed on 14/4/2016, us provisional patent application entitled "Hybrid (Tx & Rx) Sector scan Based Frame Structure and Initial Acquisition Procedure For a standard mobile Radio Access Network (RAN)", and a serial No. 62/322,678 filed on 14/4/2016, U.S. non-provisional application entitled "Enhanced Initial Acquisition Procedure With TDM-Based UE-RXSS/BCH/RACH And Optimal eNB Sector Selection (An Enhanced Initial Acquisition Procedure With TDM-Based UE-RXSS/BCH/RACH And Optimal eNB Sector Selection"), the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the field of telecommunications, and in particular, to a hybrid sector scanning-based initial acquisition procedure solution for mmWave cellular radio access networks.

Background

Various wireless cellular communication systems have been implemented or are being proposed, including third generation partnership project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 3GPP LTE advanced system, and fifth generation wireless system/fifth generation mobile network (5G) system/fifth generation New Radio (NR) system.

Some proposed cellular communication systems may include radio frequencies, including one or more frequency bands between 30 and 300 gigahertz. This type of communication system may sometimes be referred to as a millimeter wave (mmWave) system, corresponding to a radio wavelength of 10mm to 1 mm.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide hybrid sector scanning-based initial acquisition procedure solutions involving mmWave cellular radio access networks.

In a first aspect, there is provided a base station operable to communicate with a user equipment, UE, over a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: generating a plurality of downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors; and generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors; processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors as a best first base station transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first base station transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In a second aspect, there is provided a base station apparatus comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device, the base station device comprising a base station according to the first aspect.

In a third aspect, there is provided a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: generating a plurality of downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors; and generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors; processing a random access transmission from a User Equipment (UE) identifying one of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors as a best first base station transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first base station transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided a user equipment, UE, operable to communicate with a base station over a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing one or more downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more second base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first base station transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second base station transmit and receive sector; evaluating the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first base station transmit and receive sectors is the best first base station transmit and receive sector; and generating a transmission identifying the best first base station transmitting and receiving sector.

In a fifth aspect, there is provided a UE device comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touch screen display, the UE device comprising a UE according to the fourth aspect above.

In a sixth aspect, a machine-readable storage medium is provided having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: processing one or more downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more second base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first base station transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second base station transmit and receive sector; evaluating the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first base station transmit and receive sectors is the best first base station transmit and receive sector; and generating a transmission identifying the best first base station transmitting and receiving sector.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Drawings

Embodiments of the present disclosure will be understood more fully from the detailed description given below and from the accompanying drawings of various embodiments of the disclosure. However, while the drawings facilitate explanation and understanding, they are merely exemplary and should not be considered as limiting the disclosure to the specific embodiments depicted therein.

Fig. 1 illustrates layer 1 and layer 2 transmit and receive sectors for an evolved node b (enb) and a User Equipment (UE), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a frame structure and parameter configuration (numerology) for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure for a millimeter wave (mmWave) cellular Radio Access Network (RAN), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a timeline for Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), Broadcast Channel (BCH), cell-specific reference signal (CRS), and Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of PSS, SSS, BCH, CRS, and RACH transmission for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a timeline for dynamic RACH allocation over one or more subframes, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for dynamic RACH allocation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates a timeline for Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) allocation of SSS, BCH, and RACH corresponding to a set of layer 1 sectors of an eNB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow diagram for TDM allocation of SSS, BCH, and RACH allocations corresponding to a set of layer 1 sectors of an eNB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates an eNB and a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for an eNB for a hybrid sector scan initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 11 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for a UE for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition process, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 12 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for dynamic multi-level random access for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 13 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for dynamic multi-level random access for a UE, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 14 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for an eNB for time division multiplexing of SSS, BCH, and RACH over multiple sets of transmit and receive sectors, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 15 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for a UE for a sector selection procedure during initial access, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 16 illustrates a method for an eNB for a hybrid sector scan initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 17 illustrates a method for a UE for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition process, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 18 illustrates a method for dynamic multi-level random access for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 19 illustrates a method for dynamic multi-level random access for a UE, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 20 illustrates a method for time division multiplexing of SSS, BCH, and RACH on multiple sets of transmit and receive sectors for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 21 illustrates a method for a sector selection procedure during initial access for a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 22 illustrates example components of a UE device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various wireless cellular communication systems have been implemented or are being proposed, including third generation partnership project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 3GPP LTE-advanced system, and 5 th generation wireless system/5 th generation mobile network (5G) system/5 th generation New Radio (NR) system.

Millimeter wave (mmWave) systems (or high frequency band systems, or very high frequency band systems) have the potential to provide a huge bandwidth. Due to the potential bandwidth, mmWave systems are candidates for supporting future 5G systems. In some cases, mmWave small cells may be deployed in LTE-assisted "anchor boost" mode. In other cases, mmWave small cells may be deployed to operate in an independent manner (e.g., without assistance from LTE macro cells).

High band systems and/or mmWave systems may require directional beamforming on portions of an evolved node b (enb) (or Access Point (AP)) and User Equipment (UE) (or Station (STA)) in order to achieve a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) that facilitates establishing a communication link. The initial acquisition procedure or access procedure may allow the eNB and UE to determine the best Transmit (TX) and/or Receive (RX) beamforming direction (or beam) for establishing a directional connection. Accordingly, such an acquisition process may be advantageous in designing mmWave systems or other high-band systems.

In such systems, the determination of the desired beamforming direction may advantageously facilitate closing (closing) of the communication link. At the same time, a large number of antenna elements may advantageously facilitate a desired beamforming gain. An all-digital beamforming implementation for a large number of antenna elements, with one Radio Frequency (RF) chain per antenna element, may improve overall acquisition delay performance, but may also undesirably impact power consumption and processing complexity.

Hybrid beamforming architectures may implement beamforming by combining analog and digital processing steps. In a hybrid beamforming architecture, a limited number of RF chains may each feed multiple antenna elements. The initial access procedure for a hybrid beamforming architecture may involve sequential scanning of possibly different beamforming directions, as opposed to simultaneously processing all beamforming directions, which may be done in a full digital beamforming architecture. The speed of the entire beam scanning process may depend on the number of RF chains that can be used to simultaneously evaluate the potential scan directions.

Some initial access designs for hybrid beamforming architectures may employ eNB transmit sector scanning (TX-SS), which may be followed by UE TX-SS procedures. During eNB TX-SS, the eNB may scan through a set of narrow TX beams in different directions, and the UE may listen in an Omni-directional reception (RX-Omni) mode to determine the best eNB TX beam for the link. During UE TX-SS, the UE may scan a set of TX beams in different directions and the eNB may acquire the best UE TX beam for the link. The UE may also inform the eNB of the best eNB beam for reception by the UE in the UE TX-SS procedure.

Other initial access designs for hybrid beamforming architectures may employ UE receive sector scanning (RX-SS), which may be followed by eNB RX-SS procedures. In the UE RX-SS procedure, the eNB may transmit in an Omni-directional transmit (TX-Omni) mode (or possibly a directional mode), and the UE may scan through a set of RX beams in different directions to determine the best UE RX beam for the link. In the eNB RX-SS procedure, the UE may transmit in TX-Omni mode (or possibly directional mode), and the eNB may scan through a set of RX beams in different directions to determine the best eNB RX beam for the link.

The eNB and/or UE may be calibrated for directional reciprocity (reciprocity), in which case the best eNB TX beam may be the same as the best eNB RX beam, and the best UE TX beam may be the same as the best UE RX beam. As a result, if there is directional reciprocity, the best eNB TX beam identified by the eNB TX-SS procedure may be determined as the best eNB RX beam without employing the corresponding eNB RX-SS procedure, and the best eNB RX beam identified by the eNB RX-SS procedure may be determined as the best eNB TX beam without employing the corresponding eNB TX-SS procedure. Similarly, if there is directional reciprocity, the best UE TX beam identified by the UE TX-SS process is determined to be the best UE RX beam without employing the corresponding UE RX-SS process, and the best UE RX beam identified by the UE RX-SS process may be determined to be the best UE TX beam without employing the corresponding UE TX-SS process. In the presence of directional reciprocity, the optimal transmit beam and the optimal receive beam may be the same beam, and thus may be referred to as an optimal transmit-and-receive (transmit-and-receive) beam, or an optimal receive-and-transmit (receive-and-transmit) beam.

At the same time, allowing for multi-UE contention (e.g., random access) during the initial access procedure may advantageously reduce system overhead that may otherwise scale with the number of users in the system. However, UE contention may implicitly increase across many time slots in either the eNB RX-SS procedure or the UE TX-SS procedure.

For various approaches to minimize or eliminate multi-UE contention, simulations indicate that the results may include a high contention probability, or higher overhead, since a large number of time slots are reserved for directional random access that may be invoked to achieve a desired level of contention probability. UE transmissions across several time slots during random access may also make power consumption inefficient. As a result, identifying the best eNB TX/RX beam and UE TX/RX beam before the UE performs random access may advantageously focus random access transmissions in the optimal direction by reducing transmissions across many time slots in each other direction over each time slot in time.

The following discussion combines the eNB TX-SS procedure and the UE RX-SS procedure for optimizing the frame structure and hybrid initial acquisition design using the hybrid beamforming architecture. An eNB employing a hybrid initial acquisition design may advantageously support independent mmWave small cell operation without resorting to "anchor" system elements (e.g., LTE-based elements) to operate. A UE employing a hybrid initial acquisition design may advantageously reduce power consumption while enabling mmWave operation.

A random access phase for supporting flexible and dynamic access of a random access channel is also discussed. The described random access phase may advantageously accommodate multi-UE access while reducing multi-UE contention, which in turn may minimize the impact of directional random access.

Furthermore, the initial acquisition design is discussed for a case where the eNB may not be able to perform simultaneous sector scanning on all its defined sectors.

In the following description, numerous details are discussed to provide a more thorough explanation of embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present disclosure.

Note that in the respective drawings of the embodiments, signals are represented by lines. Some lines may be thicker to indicate a greater number of constituent signal paths, and/or some lines may have arrows at one or more ends to indicate the direction of information flow. Such indication is not intended to be limiting. Rather, these lines are used in connection with one or more exemplary embodiments to facilitate easier understanding of circuits or logic elements. Any represented signal may substantially comprise one or more signals that may propagate in any direction, as dictated by design requirements or preferences, and may be implemented with any suitable type of signal scheme.

Throughout the specification, and in the claims, the term "connected" refers to a direct electrical, mechanical, or magnetic connection between the things that are connected, without any intervening devices. The term "couple" refers to a direct electrical, mechanical, or magnetic connection between the things that are connected, or an indirect connection via one or more passive or active intermediary devices. The term "circuit" or "module" may refer to one or more passive and/or active components that are arranged to cooperate with one another to provide a desired function. The term "signal" may refer to at least one current signal, voltage signal, magnetic signal, or data/clock signal. The meaning of "a", "an" and "the" includes plural references. The meaning of "in … …" includes "in … …" and "on … …".

The terms "substantially", "close", "approximately" and "about" generally refer to within +/-10% of a target value. Unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", and "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence (either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in other manner).

It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments of the invention described herein are, for example, capable of operation in other orientations than those illustrated or otherwise described herein.

The terms "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "on … …," "under … …," and the like in the description and in the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing permanent relative positions.

For purposes of the embodiments, the transistors in the various circuits, modules, and logic blocks are tunneling fets (tfets). Some of the transistors of the various embodiments may comprise Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistors including a drain terminal, a source terminal, a gate terminal, and a bulk terminal. Transistors may also include tri-Gate and FinFET transistors, Gate All Around Cylindrical transistors (Gate All Around cylinder transistors), square or rectangular strip transistors, or other devices that perform the function of a Transistor, such as carbon nanotubes or spintronic devices. The source and drain terminals of the MOSFET are symmetrical, i.e., the same terminal, and are used interchangeably herein. TFET devices, on the other hand, have asymmetric source and drain terminals. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other transistors may be used for some transistors, e.g., bipolar junction transistors-BJTs PNP/NPN, BiCMOS, CMOS, etc., without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrases "a and/or B" and "a or B" refer to (a), (B), or (a and B). For the purposes of this disclosure, the phrase "A, B and/or C" refers to (a), (B), (C), (a and B), (a and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C).

Further, the various elements of the combinational AND sequential logic discussed in this disclosure may relate to physical structures (e.g., AND, OR XOR gates), OR to a comprehensive OR otherwise optimized set of devices implementing logical structures that are boolean equivalents of the logic discussed.

Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term "eNB" may refer to an eNB, a 5G eNB, a millimeter wave (mmWave) eNB, an mmWave small cell, an AP, and/or other base stations for a wireless communication system. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "UE" may refer to UEs, 5G UEs, mmWave UEs, STAs, and/or other mobile devices for wireless communication systems.

Various embodiments of the eNB and/or UE discussed below may process various types of one or more transmissions. Some processing of the transmission may include demodulating, decoding, detecting, parsing, and/or otherwise processing the transmission that has been received. In some embodiments, the eNB or UE processing the transmission may determine or identify the type of transmission and/or conditions associated with the transmission. For some embodiments, the eNB or UE handling the transmission may act according to the type of transmission and/or may act conditionally based on the type of transmission. The eNB or UE handling the transmission may also identify one or more values or fields of data carried by the transmission. Processing the transmission may include moving the transmission through one or more layers of a protocol stack (which may be implemented in, for example, hardware and/or software configured elements), e.g., by moving a transmission that has been received by an eNB or UE through one or more layers of the protocol stack.

Various embodiments of the eNB and/or UE discussed below may also generate one or more transmissions of various types. Some generation of the transmission may include modulating, encoding, formatting, assembling, and/or otherwise processing the transmission to be sent. In some embodiments, the eNB or UE generating the transmission may establish the type of transmission and/or conditions associated with the transmission. For some embodiments, the eNB or UE generating the transmission may act according to the type of transmission and/or may act conditionally based on the type of transmission. The eNB or UE generating the transmission may also determine one or more values or fields of data carried by the transmission. Generating the transmission may include moving the transmission through one or more layers of a protocol stack (which may be implemented in, for example, hardware and/or software configured elements), e.g., by moving the transmission to be sent by the eNB or UE through one or more layers of the protocol stack.

In various embodiments discussed below, the eNB and/or UE may be calibrated for directional reciprocity. Thus, the same beam (and/or sector) may be the best TX beam (and/or sector) and the best RX beam (and/or sector) and may have substantially the same angle of departure and angle of arrival. Further, some embodiments discussed below may employ a Time Division Duplex (TDD) scheme, but other embodiments may employ another scheme, for example, a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) scheme.

Fig. 1 illustrates layer 1 and layer 2 transmit and receive sectors for an eNB and a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The eNB 110 may have multiple layer 1 sectors 111 and multiple layer 2 sectors 112. Layer 1 sector 111 may correspond to a beamformed beam with a relatively wide coverage. In contrast, layer 2 sector 112 may correspond to a beamformed beam having a relatively narrower coverage than layer 1 sector 111.

Although eNB 110 is depicted as having 8 layer 1 sectors 111 and 128 layer 2 sectors 112, eNB 110 may have other numbers of layer 1 and layer 2 sectors. For example, eNB 110 may have 4, 5, 6, 10, 12, or 16 layer 1 sectors and may have 64, 100, 120, or 125 layer 2 sectors. In various embodiments, the eNB 110 may have multiple layer 1 sectors 111, and a greater number of layer 2 sectors 112. Further, layer 1 sectors 111 may correspond to a collection of various layer 2 sectors 112.

eNB 110 may operate on layer 1 sector 111 or layer 2 sector 112. Transmission along the beam defined by layer 1 sector 111 may be advantageous for low data rate control message transmissions, such as downlink control channel, uplink control channel, Broadcast Channel (BCH), or Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions. Conversely, transmissions along the beam defined by the layer 2 sector 112 may be advantageous for high data rate transmissions (e.g., data channel transmissions). Transmission along the beam defined by layer 1 sector 111 may improve link margin and/or cell coverage relative to omni-directional transmission.

Similarly, UE 120 may have one or more layer 1 sectors 121 and a plurality of layer 2 sectors 122. Layer 1 sector 121 may correspond to an omni-directional beam, while layer 2 sector 122 may correspond to a beamformed beam having a relatively narrower coverage than layer 1 sector 121.

Although UE 120 is depicted as having one layer 1 sector 121 and 128 layer 2 sectors 122, UE 120 may have other numbers of layer 1 and layer 2 sectors. For example, the UE 120 may have 3 or 4 layer 1 sectors and may have 64, 100, 120, or 125 layer 2 sectors. In various embodiments, UE 120 may have multiple layer 1 sectors 121, and a greater number of layer 2 sectors 122. Further, various layer 1 sectors 121 may correspond to various sets of layer 2 sectors 122.

The UE 120 may operate on a layer 1 sector 121 (e.g., in TX-Omni/RX-Omni mode, or possibly in a directional mode for some embodiments), or on a layer 2 sector 122.

Fig. 2 illustrates a frame structure and parameter configuration for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure for a millimeter wave (mmWave) cellular Radio Access Network (RAN), in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. (the frame structure and parameter configuration may be compatible with legacy LTE systems and thus may accommodate operation in an LTE-assisted "anchor booster" mode.) the frame structure 200 may include a series of superframes 210, a series of frames 220, a series of subframes 230, and a series of time slots 240.

The frame structure 200 may be characterized by the parameters k1, k2, k3, k4, and t. Each superframe 210 may include a number k1 of frames, each frame may include a number k2 of subframes, each subframe may include a number k3 of slots, and each slot may include a number k4 of symbols. Further, each symbol may have a duration t.

For example, in some embodiments, k1 may be 20, k2 may be 25, k3 may be 2, k4 may be 50, and t may be 4 μ β. In such embodiments, a superframe 210 may include 20 frames 220, a frame 220 may include 25 subframes 230, a subframe 230 may include 2 slots 240, and a slot 240 may include 50 symbols. Thus, a superframe 210 may span 200ms, a frame 220 may span 10ms, a subframe may span 0.4ms, and a slot may span 0.2 ms.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, k1 may be 10, k2 may be 25, k3 may be 2, k4 may be 100, and t may be 4 μ β. In such embodiments, a superframe 210 may include 10 frames 220, a frame 220 may include 25 subframes 230, a subframe 230 may include 2 slots 240, and a slot 240 may include 100 symbols. Thus, a superframe 210 may span 200ms, a frame 220 may span 20ms, a subframe may span 0.8ms, and a slot may span 0.4 ms.

Fig. 3 illustrates timelines of Primary Synchronization Signals (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signals (SSS), BCH, cell-specific reference signals (CRS), and RACH transmission for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The timeline 300 includes a first stage 310, a second stage 320, a third stage 330, a fourth stage 340, and a fifth stage 350. In timeline 300, PSS, SSS, BCH, CRS, and RACH may be allocated within frame 305 to support the hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition process. For some embodiments of the present disclosure, Beam Reference Signal (BRS) transmissions may be used instead of and/or in addition to CRS transmissions.

In the first phase 310, the eNB may transmit the PSS on its layer 2 sector as part of the eNB TX-SS procedure, while the UE may listen on its layer 1 sector in RX-Omni mode. (in some embodiments where the UE has multiple layer 1 sectors, the UE may listen on its layer 1 Sector in a layer 1 Sector receive (RX-Sector) mode.) as a result of the eNB TX-SS procedure, the UE may achieve DL synchronization and may optionally identify the best eNB TX beam for the link.

In the second stage 320, the eNB may transmit SSS on its layer 1 Sector in a layer 1 Sector transmit (TX-Sector) mode, while the UE may listen on its layer 2 Sector as part of the UE RX-SS process. As a result of the UE RX-SS procedure, the UE may discover the cell and may identify the best UE RX beam for the link.

In the third stage 330, the eNB may transmit a BCH on its layer 1 Sector in TX-Sector mode, while the UE may listen on its best UE RX beam (layer 2 beam) in layer 2 Sector receive (RX-Direct) mode. As a result of the third stage 330, the UE may receive a Master Information Block (MIB), which may include system configuration information related to initial access for the cell.

In an optional fourth phase 340, the eNB may transmit CRS on its layer 2 sector as part of a second eNB TX-SS procedure, while the UE may listen in RX-Direct mode. As a result of the second eNB TX-SS procedure, the UE may optionally identify the best eNB TX beam for the link.

The PSS, SSS, BCH, and CRS may be persistently allocated within the timeline 300, and thus the timing of the PSS, SSS, BCH, and CRS within the frame may be fixed. The timeline 300 may be characterized by parameters n1, n2, n3, n4, d1, d2, d3, d4, and T, where:

n1 is the PSS-based eNB TX-SS interval (in symbols, e.g., 25 symbols);

n2 is the SSS based UE RX-SS spacing (in symbols, e.g., 25 symbols);

n3 is the BCH duration (in symbols, e.g., 25 symbols);

n4 is CRS based eNB TX-SS spacing (in symbols, e.g., 25 symbols);

d1 is the time offset (in subframes) of the PSS;

d2 is the time offset (in subframes) of the SSS-based UE RX-SS;

d3 is the time offset (in subframes) of the BCH;

d4 is the time offset (in subframes) of CRS based eNB TX-SS; and is

T is the PSS period (in units of frames, e.g., 4 frames).

The PSS, SSS, BCH, and CRS may persistently occupy the last n1, n2, n3, and n4 symbols of the subframe, respectively. The remainder of the subframe may be scheduled for other uses via a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The RACH may also be dynamically scheduled via the PDCCH. Similar to the legacy LTE system, the PDCCH may occupy the first few symbols of the subframe.

The allocated PSS may not include a Physical Cell Identity (PCI) and may be primarily used for Downlink (DL) synchronization. The assigned SSS may include a PCI and may be used for UE RX-SS procedures. The allocation of PSS, SSS, BCH, and CRS may be repeated with a period of T frames. As a result, the PSS and SSS may be allocated multiple times over the superframe, which may advantageously reduce access delay and minimize disruption to scheduled data transmissions.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of PSS, SSS, BCH, CRS, and RACH transmission for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow diagram 400 may include a first stage 410, a second stage 420, a third stage 430, a fourth stage 440, and a fifth stage 450.

In the first stage 410, the eNB 401 may transmit the PSS, and the UE 403 may perform DL synchronization based on the PSS. The eNB 401 may transmit on its layer 2 Sector in TX-SS mode and the UE 403 may receive on its layer 1 Sector in RX-Omni mode (or, in some embodiments, on its layer 1 Sector in RX-Sector mode). The PSS may be encoded without control information (e.g., eNB "beam index" or "frame timing"). The UE 403 may determine the best eNB layer 2 sector based on the timing of the transmission of the best receiving sector (for the case where timing is already known). For embodiments in which the UE 403 is already DL synchronized (e.g., by LTE "anchor"), the PSS may be skipped.

In a second stage 420, the eNB 401 may transmit the SSS, and the UE 403 may perform an RX-SS procedure based on the SSS. The eNB 401 may transmit on its layer 1 Sector in TX-Sector mode and the UE 403 may receive on its layer 2 Sector in RX-SS mode. Thus, the UE 403 may determine the best UE layer 2 sector based on the SSS.

In the third stage 430, the eNB 401 may transmit a BCH including a Master Information Block (MIB), which may include information about frame timing and basic system configuration. The eNB 401 may transmit on its layer 1 Sector in TX-Sector mode and the UE 403 may receive on its best UE layer 2 Sector in RX-Direct mode. The BCH may carry a corresponding layer 1 eNB sector index. Thus, the UE 403 can determine the best eNB layer 1 sector based on the BCH.

In the fourth stage 440, the eNB 401 may transmit the CRS. The UE 403 may receive on its best UE layer 2 sector in RX-Direct mode to optionally determine the best eNB layer 2 sector, and may calculate the best eNB layer 2 sector index based on timing.

In the fifth stage 450, the UE 403 may perform random access via the best eNB layer 1 sector. The UE 403 may issue a Random Access (RA) request, which may be uniquely identified by an RA preamble, an RA slot, and/or a best eNB layer 1 sector. (if the UE 403 is not calibrated for directional reciprocity, then the UE 403 may perform TX-SS procedures on its selected UE layer 2 sector across multiple RA slots.)

Thus, the hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure may include an eNB TX-SS procedure to determine the best eNB layer 2 sector, a UE RX-SS procedure to determine the best UE layer 2 sector, and a separate BCH transmission to convey a Master Information Block (MIB).

Fig. 5 illustrates a timeline for dynamic RACH allocation over one or more subframes, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The multi-level RACH allocation procedure may be beneficial for optimizing RACH performance. Discussed below are signals for dynamically setting and flexibly allocating one or more RACH opportunities.

The timeline 500 for the random access procedure may include various phases separated by a DL/Uplink (UL) handover gap (which may be, for example, 1 symbol in duration). One RACH allocation may occupy one or more subframes and may support one or more random access procedures.

In timeline 500, the eNB may transmit PDCCH on layer 1 sectors in PDCCH phase 510, which may be followed in turn by a first contention interval and a contention resolution interval. The transmitted PDCCH may carry parameters s, m and n1, where:

s may indicate the use of a subframe (e.g., for RACH, s-0);

m may optionally indicate the maximum length of the RACH (in subframes); and is

n1 may indicate the number of RA slots in the first contention interval.

Thus, the PDCCH may indicate that a subframe may be used for the RACH, and the next m-1 subframes may also be used for the RACH.

The duration of the contention interval may be set to n times the TRA, where n may be the number of RA slots and the TRA may be the number of symbols per RA slot. Thus, the duration of the first contention interval may be set to n1 multiplied by TRA. The duration of the contention resolution interval, as opposed to the first contention interval, may vary depending on the number of preambles successfully received in the contention interval. In addition, the number of symbols required for RA-RSP, RRC-Conn-Setup, and RA-Complete may also vary.

The first contention interval may include a random access request (RA-REQ) phase 520 in which one or more UEs may send RA-REQs to the eNB. For example, in the RA-REQ phase 520, both the UE 501 and the UE 502 may send RA-REQs to the eNB. The UE 501 and the UE 502 may randomly select an RA preamble and then randomly select an RA slot to transmit an RA-REQ to the eNB on its best UE TX beam in a layer 2 sector transmit (TX-Direct) mode (e.g., using the best layer 2 sector determined by the hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure). The RACH preamble may be transmitted separately from the RACH message in the random access procedure.

The first contention resolution interval may include an RA response (RA-RSP) phase 530, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request (RRC-Conn-REQ) phase 540, an RRC connection Setup (RRC-Conn-Setup) phase 550, an RRC connection Setup Complete (RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete) phase 560, and an RA Complete (RA-Complete) phase 570.

In the RA-RSP phase 530, the eNB may act based on whether it has received one or more RA-REQ transmissions. If the eNB successfully receives one or more RA-REQ transmissions, the eNB will respond with a RA-RSP transmission. The RA-RSP transmission may carry an indicator of the number of RA-REQ transmissions (e.g., the number of preambles) that the eNB has received. For each received RA-REQ transmission, the eNB may provide a RA radio network temporary identifier (RA-RNTI) to identify the UE based on one or more of the RA slot and the eNB layer 1 sector in which the RA-REQ was received. The RA-RSP transmission may also carry timing advance information, RA preambles for the respective RA-REQs, and allocation information indicating the symbols at which the respective UEs may send RRC-Conn-REQs (e.g., in RRC-Conn-REQ phase 540).

If the eNB did not successfully receive any RA preamble, the eNB may decide to terminate the RACH by indicating in the RA-RSP transmission that there are no more RA slots (e.g., n equals 0), at which point the random access procedure may end. Alternatively, the eNB may indicate that there are n RA slots in the next random access procedure and then return to the RA-REQ phase 520.

In the RRC-Conn-REQ phase 540, if the UE finds its RA-RNTI in the RA-RSP, the UE may adjust its transmission time accordingly and send an RRC-Conn-REQ transmission. Otherwise, the UE may skip RRC-Conn-Setup phase 550 and RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete phase 560 and go to RA-Complete phase 570. The RRC-Conn-REQ transmission may carry information such as UE identity and/or random number.

In the RRC-Conn-Setup phase 540, if the RRC-Conn-REQ transmission has not been successfully received for one or more UEs, the eNB may return to the RA-RSP phase 530 and may resend the RA-RSP transmission. The retransmitted RA-RSP may include only UEs for which the RRC-Conn-REQ transmission has not been successfully received. When the RRC-Conn-REQ transmission has been successfully received for all UEs, or when a retransmission limit (e.g., 3) has been reached, the eNB may send an RRC-Conn-Setup transmission (which may include only UEs for which the RRC-Conn-REQ has been successfully received).

In the RA-Conn-Setup-Complete phase 550, the UE may send an RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission in response to the RRC-Conn-Setup transmission. The RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission may carry an indicator of the best eNB layer 2 sector (as detected by the UE during the hybrid sector scan initial acquisition).

In the RA-Complete phase 570, if the RA-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission has not been successfully received for one or more UEs, the eNB may return to the RA-Conn-Setup-Complete phase 550 and may resend the RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission. The retransmitted RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission may include only UEs for which the RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission has not been successfully received. When the RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission has been successfully received for all UEs, or when a retransmission limit (e.g., 3) has been reached, the eNB may send an RA-Complete transmission (which may include only UEs for which the RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete transmission has been successfully received) and indicate that the current RA procedure has ended. The RA-Complete transmission may indicate the number of RA slots in the next RA procedure, and the eNB may return to the RA-REQ phase 520.

If there are no other RA's for any UE, the larger RA procedure may end. If there are more RA's, a second contention interval may follow the first contention resolution interval. The duration of the second contention interval may be set to n2 times TRA, where n2 may indicate the number of RA slots in the second contention interval. The second contention interval may include an RA-RSP phase 580 in which the eNB may send an RA-RSP to any UE with an RA waiting solution.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram for dynamic RACH allocation in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Flowchart 600 may include a PDCCH phase 610, a RA-REQ phase 620, a RA-RSP phase 630, a RRC-Conn-REQ phase 640, a RRC-Conn-Setup phase 650, a RRC-Conn-Setup-Complete phase 660, and a RA-Complete phase 670. The flow diagram 600 may also include an RA-RSP phase 680, the RA-RSP phase 680 to resolve random accesses that are not resolved by the RA-Complete phase 670. Stages 610 through 680 may be substantially similar to similarly named stages 510 through 580 of timeline 500.

As shown in flowchart 600, as an alternative procedure, if the RA-REQ transmission can carry additional control information, RRC-Conn-REQ phase 640 and RRC-Conn-Setup phase 650 may be skipped, which may advantageously reduce latency and improve system efficiency. In this case, information (e.g., UE identity and/or random number) carried in the RRC-Conn-REQ transmission of the RRC-Conn-REQ phase 640 may be encoded in the RA-REQ transmission in the RA-REQ phase 620. Similarly, the information carried in the RRC-Conn-Setup transmission in RRC-Conn-Setup phase 650 may be encoded in the RA-RSP transmission in RA-RSP phase 630.

As described above, some initial access designs for hybrid beamforming architectures may employ an eNB TX-SS procedure followed by a UE TX-SS procedure. In such a design, the UE TX-SS procedure may be embedded in the random access phase.

Simulations indicate that a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure including an eNB TX-SS procedure and a UE-RX-SS procedure can advantageously reduce the number of RACH slots used for similar collision probabilities compared to such a design. For a system using 64 sectors, each cell having 15 UEs, the hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedure can reduce the total number of RACH slots for similar collision probabilities by 50%, even when the architecture employing the UE TX-SS procedure is optimized with various power control procedures.

In tables 1 and 2 below, the collision probability may be the percentage of UEs that may collide and that cannot pass contention. The data in table 2 are from simulations with the same settings as table 1, averaging over 200 runs.

Table 1: time slot to collision probability relation table, first case (eNB-TX-SS + UE-TX-SS)

Table 2: time slot to collision probability table, second case (eNB TX-SS + UE RX-SS)

According to table 1, a collision rate of 12.95% in the first case corresponds to a total of 224 time slots dedicated to RACH with UE TX-SS. In contrast, according to table 2, a collision rate of 11.62% corresponds to only 114 slots dedicated to RACH with UE RX-SS.

Although the hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition procedures discussed above may not require LTE "anchor booster" elements and may operate in a standalone mode, these procedures may also be applied in the presence of LTE "anchor boosters", in which case contention-free RACH may be supported.

Notably, referring to fig. 3, the eNB may transmit on its layer 1 Sector in TX-Sector mode in the second and third stages 320 and 330 (and subsequent random access procedures). However, in some embodiments, the eNB may not have enough RF chains or antennas to transmit simultaneously on all of its layer 1 sectors. The eNB may have a total number of layer 1 sectors of n1, and may have a smaller number (n 2) of layer 1 sectors (the eNB may transmit simultaneously on the smaller number (n 2) of layer 1 sectors).

Thus, in some embodiments, the eNB may transmit on its layer 1 sector in a set of one or more sectors, repeating the second stage 320, the third stage 330, and the subsequent random access procedure. The eNB may repeat these stages and processes k times, where k is equal to n1 divided by n2 (rounded up).

Further, layer 2 eNB TX-SS may be linked to the repetition phases and procedures on layer 1 sectors so that layer 2 sectors (whose direction may be best covered by a particular layer 1 direction) may be scanned together and may be coupled with corresponding SSs (for eNB RX-SS)/BCH/RACH transmissions on layer 1 sectors.

In various embodiments, layer 2 eNB sectors may be grouped based on layer 1 eNB sectors that overlap with layer 2 eNB sectors. For example, an eNB may have 5 layer 1 sectors and 125 layer 2 sectors, and each layer 1 sector may overlap with 25 layer 2 sectors.

For some embodiments in which n2 is less than n1, the eNB may perform the second stage 320, the third stage 330, and subsequent random access procedures on the first set of layer 1 sectors (and/or respective layer 2 sectors that the first set of layer 1 sectors overlap). The eNB may then repeat these processes on additional sets of layer 1 sectors (and/or corresponding layer 2 sectors) until the eNB has performed the processes a total of k times. In this way, the eNB may perform procedures on all layer 1 sectors (and/or corresponding layer 2 sectors) accordingly.

To continue the previous example, an eNB with 5 layer 1 sectors and 125 layer 2 sectors may only be able to transmit simultaneously according to the hybrid initial acquisition procedure on two layer 1 sectors (and/or corresponding layer 2 sectors) at a time. Thus, the eNB may transmit first on two of its layer 1 sectors, then on two of its remaining layer 1 sectors, and then on its last remaining layer 1 sector, for a total of three iterations (e.g., k equals 3).

In scheduling the procedure, the eNB may start with a set of layer 1 sectors covering the highest number of layer 2 sectors currently in use. According to the most recently completed eNB TX-SS, the eNB may accordingly start with the set of layer 1 sectors that cover the most layer 2 sectors indicated as the best layer 2 eNB sectors for the UE served by the eNB. For embodiments in which the eNB has more layer 1 sectors (compared to the number of layer 1 sectors over which the eNB may transmit simultaneously), this may advantageously facilitate the fastest possible initial acquisition by the UEs served by the eNB.

Linking layer 1 sectors and layer 2 sectors in this manner may have additional advantages in other contexts. For example, when selecting the best eNB layer 2 sector for a UE, the UE may request that the eNB scan to a subset of eNB layer 2 sectors of the best eNB layer 1 sector and may reduce sector scanning overhead accordingly.

Fig. 7 illustrates a timeline for Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) allocation of SSS, BCH, and RACH corresponding to a set of layer 1 sectors of an eNB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The timeline 700 may include a first sector sweep 701, a second sector sweep 702, and a third sector sweep 703, and may also include one or more SSS phases 730, one or more BCH phases 740, and one or more RACH phases 750. The timeline 700 may be characterized by the parameters d3 and d5, where:

d3 is the time offset (in subframes) of the BCH; and is

d5 is the time offset (in subframes or frames) of the SSS/BCH based sector scanning for layer 1.

Continuing with the previously discussed example, in the first sector scan 701, the eNB may select a first set of two layer 1 sectors; in a second scan 702, the eNB may select a second set of two layer 1 sectors from the remaining layer 1 sectors; and in a third scan 703, the eNB may select the last remaining layer 1 sector. Then, BCH, random access, and SSS may be allocated for the first sector sweep 701, the second sector sweep 702, and the third sector sweep 703.

The sector sweep may begin after SSS allocation (e.g., in the second stage 320 of fig. 3). The sector sweep may include a BCH allocation at an offset d3 from an SSS allocation in a BCH phase 740 (which may be substantially similar to the third phase 330 of fig. 3), then in a RACH phase 750 (which may be substantially similar to the dynamic RACH allocation discussed above), and then in an SSS phase 730 (which may be substantially similar to the second phase 320 of fig. 3). (although not shown in fig. 7, some embodiments may include CRS allocation substantially similar to fourth stage 340 of fig. 3 in one or more sector sweeps.) the next sector sweep may begin at a start offset d5 from the current sector sweep.

In a first algorithm for scheduling procedures, the eNB may schedule layer 1 sectors (and/or corresponding layer 2 sectors) in the same order for each eNB TX-SS allocation in some embodiments, e.g., under a round-robin algorithm (round-robin algorithm). The advantage of the round-robin algorithm is that the UE may more easily track the UE RX-SS procedure, since the interval between two consecutive UE RX-SS procedures on the same layer 1 sector may be fixed. In other embodiments, the eNB may schedule the layer 1 sectors (and/or corresponding layer 2 sectors) in a weighted round robin algorithm.

In a second algorithm for scheduling the procedure, the eNB may in some embodiments employ a scheduling algorithm as described above, wherein the eNB may schedule various layer 1 sectors (and/or respective layer 2 sectors) based on which set of n2 layer 1 sectors corresponds to the largest number of layer 2 sectors identified as the best layer 2 eNB sector in a previous full eNB TX-SS procedure. The advantage of this algorithm is that the average initial acquisition delay of all UEs served by the eNB can be minimized. For example, if the eNB can cover all layer 2 sectors identified by the previous UE RX-SS procedure at the same time, the initial acquisition procedure may end after only one sector scan.

However, the interval between two consecutive UE RX-SS procedures on the same layer 1 sector may be different. Thus, the eNB may explicitly indicate (e.g., in a Master Information Block (MIB) via BCH) how to allocate UE RX-SS on each layer 1 sector in the super-frame using a combination of frame numbers and/or subframe numbers.

In other possible embodiments, the eNB may schedule the various layer 1 sectors in a predetermined specific order designed for a given optimization goal. In such embodiments, the eNB may be configured with a predetermined specific order, which the eNB may then apply.

Fig. 8 illustrates a flow diagram for TDM allocation of SSS, BCH, and RACH allocations corresponding to a set of layer 1 sectors of an eNB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The flow diagram 800 may include a PSS stage 810, a first sector sweep 801, a second sector sweep 802, and a k sector sweep 809 (where k may be equal to n1 divided by n2 rounded up).

The eNB may repeat the BCH phase, RACH phase, and SSS phase in a first sector sweep 801, then in a second sector sweep 802, and so on as needed until in a k-th sector sweep 809. The eNB may schedule its n1 layer 1 sectors based on the first algorithm discussed above (e.g., a round robin algorithm), or based on the second algorithm discussed above (e.g., an algorithm to minimize initial acquisition delay), or based on another algorithm for another optimization objective.

The eNB may include an indicator of a layer 1 eNB sector indicating that a BCH is transmitted on the layer 1 eNB sector. If the eNB establishes its scheduling based on the second algorithm, the eNB may optionally include an explicit indicator of the location (e.g., in the MIB via the BCH) within the superframe allocated by the UE RX-SS on the same layer 1 sector. Further, the UE may perform the UE RX-SS procedure multiple times as it needs to successfully select its best layer 2 UE sector.

Fig. 9 illustrates an eNB and a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 includes a block diagram of an eNB 910 and a UE 930 operable to co-exist with each other and with other elements of an LTE network. A high level simplified architecture of the eNB 910 and UE 930 is described to avoid obscuring embodiments. It should be noted that in some embodiments, eNB 910 may be a fixed, non-mobile device.

The eNB 910 is coupled to one or more antennas 905, and the UE 930 is similarly coupled to one or more antennas 925. However, in some embodiments, the eNB 910 may incorporate or include the antenna 905, and the UE 930 may incorporate or include the antenna 925 in various embodiments.

In some embodiments, antenna 905 and/or antenna 925 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including monopole antennas, dipole antennas, loop antennas, patch antennas, microstrip antennas, coplanar wave antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some MIMO (multiple input and multiple output) embodiments, the antennas 905 are separated to exploit spatial diversity.

The eNB 910 and the UE 930 may be operable to communicate with each other over a network (e.g., a wireless network). The eNB 910 and the UE 930 may communicate with each other through a wireless communication channel 950, the wireless communication channel 950 having a downlink path from the eNB 910 to the UE 930 and an uplink path from the UE 930 to the eNB 910.

As shown in fig. 9, in some embodiments, eNB 910 may include physical layer circuitry 912, MAC (medium access control) circuitry 914, a processor 916, memory 918, and hardware processing circuitry 920. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other components not shown, in addition to those shown, may be used to form a complete eNB.

In some embodiments, the physical layer circuitry 912 includes a transceiver 913 for providing signals to and from the UE 930. The transceiver 913 uses one or more antennas 905 to provide signals to and from the UE or other devices. In some embodiments, MAC circuit 914 controls access to the wireless medium. Memory 918 may be or include one or more storage media, such as a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a magnetic tape or disk), an optical storage medium (e.g., an optical disk), an electronic storage medium (e.g., a conventional hard disk drive, a solid state disk drive, or a flash memory-based storage medium), or any tangible or non-transitory storage medium. Hardware processing circuitry 920 may comprise logic devices or circuitry to perform various operations. In some embodiments, the processor 916 and the memory 918 are arranged to perform operations of the hardware processing circuitry 920, e.g., operations described herein with reference to logic devices and circuitry within the eNB 910 and/or the hardware processing circuitry 920.

Thus, in some embodiments, the eNB 910 may be a device that includes an application processor, a memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device.

As also shown in fig. 9, in some embodiments, the UE 930 may include physical layer circuitry 932, MAC circuitry 934, a processor 936, a memory 938, hardware processing circuitry 940, a wireless interface 942, and a display 944. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other components not shown, in addition to those shown, may be used to form a complete UE.

In some embodiments, physical layer circuitry 932 includes a transceiver 933 to provide signals to and from eNB 910 (as well as other enbs). A transceiver 933 provides signals to and from an eNB or other device using one or more antennas 925. In some embodiments, MAC circuit 934 controls access to the wireless medium. The memory 938 may be or include one or more storage media, such as a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a magnetic tape or disk), an optical storage medium (e.g., an optical disk), an electronic storage medium (e.g., a conventional hard disk drive, a solid state disk drive, or a flash memory-based storage medium), or any tangible or non-transitory storage medium. Wireless interface 942 may be arranged to allow the processor to communicate with another device. The display 944 may provide a visual and/or tactile display, such as a touch screen display, for a user to interact with the UE 930. Hardware processing circuitry 940 may include logic devices or circuits to perform various operations. In some embodiments, the processor 936 and the memory 938 may be arranged to perform operations of the hardware processing circuitry 940, e.g., operations described herein with reference to logic devices and circuitry within the UE 930 and/or the hardware processing circuitry 940.

Thus, in some embodiments, the UE 930 may be a device that includes an application processor, memory, one or more antennas, a wireless interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, and a touchscreen display.

The elements of fig. 9, as well as elements of other figures having the same name or reference number, may operate or function in the manner described herein with respect to any such figure (although the operation and function of such elements is not limited to such description). For example, fig. 10-15 also depict embodiments of an eNB, hardware processing circuitry of an eNB, a UE, and/or hardware processing circuitry of a UE, and the embodiments described with reference to fig. 9 and 10-15 may operate or function in the manner described herein for any of the figures.

Further, while eNB 910 and UE 930 are each described as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements and/or other hardware elements. In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a functional element may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements. Examples of software and/or hardware configured elements include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more microprocessors, a DSP, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), and so forth.

The eNB may include various hardware processing circuitry discussed below (e.g., hardware processing circuitry 1000 of fig. 10, hardware processing circuitry 1200 of fig. 12, and hardware processing circuitry 1400 of fig. 14), which in turn may include logic devices and/or circuitry operable to perform various operations. For example, referring to fig. 9, eNB 910 (or various elements or components thereof (e.g., hardware processing circuitry 920), or a combination of elements or components thereof) may include some or all of these hardware processing circuitry.

In some embodiments, one or more devices or circuits within these hardware processing circuits may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements and/or other hardware elements. For example, the processor 916 of the eNB 910 (which may include the hardware processing circuitry 920) (and/or one or more other processors that the eNB 910 may include), the memory 918, and/or other elements or components may be arranged to perform operations of these hardware processing circuitry, e.g., the operations described herein with reference to devices and circuitry within these hardware processing circuitry. In some embodiments, processor 916 (and/or one or more other processors that eNB 910 may include) may be a baseband processor.

The UE may include various hardware processing circuitry discussed below (e.g., hardware processing circuitry 1100 of fig. 11, hardware processing circuitry 1300 of fig. 13, hardware processing circuitry 1500 of fig. 15), which in turn may include logic devices and/or circuitry operable to perform various operations. For example, referring to fig. 9, the UE 930 (or various elements or components thereof (e.g., hardware processing circuitry 940), or a combination of elements or components thereof) may include some or all of these hardware processing circuitry.

In some embodiments, one or more devices or circuits within these hardware processing circuits may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements and/or other hardware elements. For example, the processor 936 of the UE 930 (which may include the hardware processing circuitry 940) (and/or one or more other processors that the UE 930 may include), the memory 938, and/or other elements or components may be arranged to perform operations of these hardware processing circuitry, e.g., operations described herein with reference to devices and circuitry within these hardware processing circuitry. In some embodiments, processor 936 (and/or one or more other processors that UE 930 may include) may be a baseband processor.

Various methods that may involve the eNB 910 and the hardware processing circuitry 920 are discussed below. While the actions in

flowcharts

1600, 1800, and 2000 with reference to fig. 16, 18, and 20 are shown in a particular order, the order of the actions may be modified. Thus, the illustrated embodiments may be performed in a different order, and some acts may be performed in parallel. Some of the acts and/or operations listed in fig. 16, 18, and 20 are optional in accordance with certain embodiments. The numbering of the acts is presented for the sake of clarity and is not intended to dictate the order in which the various acts must occur. Further, operations from the various flows may be utilized in various combinations.

Further, in some embodiments, a machine-readable storage medium may have executable instructions that when executed cause eNB 910 and/or hardware processing circuitry 920 to perform operations comprising the methods of fig. 16, 18, and 20. Such machine-readable storage media may include any of a variety of storage media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., tape or disk), optical storage media (e.g., optical disk), electronic storage media (e.g., conventional hard disk drive, solid state disk drive, or flash memory-based storage media), or any other tangible or non-transitory storage media.

In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise means for performing various acts and/or operations of the methods of fig. 16, 18, and 20.

Various methods that may involve the UE 930 and the hardware processing circuitry 940 are discussed below. While the actions in

flowcharts

1700, 1900, and 2100 with reference to fig. 17, 19, and 21 are shown in a particular order, the order of the actions may be modified. Thus, the illustrated embodiments may be performed in a different order, and some acts may be performed in parallel. Some of the acts and/or operations listed in fig. 17, 19, and 21 are optional in accordance with certain embodiments. The numbering of the acts is presented for the sake of clarity and is not intended to dictate the order in which the various acts must occur. Further, operations from the various flows may be utilized in various combinations.

Further, in some embodiments, the machine-readable storage medium may have executable instructions that, when executed, cause the UE 930 and/or the hardware processing circuitry 940 to perform operations comprising the methods of fig. 17, 19, and 21. Such machine-readable storage media may include any of a variety of storage media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., tape or disk), optical storage media (e.g., optical disk), electronic storage media (e.g., conventional hard disk drive, solid state disk drive, or flash memory-based storage media), or any other tangible or non-transitory storage media.

In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise means for performing various acts and/or operations of the methods of fig. 17, 19, and 21.

Fig. 10 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for an eNB for a hybrid sector scan initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of an eNB 910 (or another eNB or base station) that may operate to communicate with one or more UEs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1000. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1000 may include one or more antenna ports 1005 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 1050). The antenna port 1005 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1007 (which may be antennas 1005). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuit 1000 may incorporate the antenna 1007, while in other embodiments, the hardware processing circuit 1000 may simply be coupled to the antenna 1007.

The antenna port 1005 and antenna 1007 may be operable to provide signals from the eNB to the wireless communication channel and/or the UE, and may be operable to provide signals from the UE and/or the wireless communication channel to the eNB. For example, antenna port 1005 and antenna 1007 may be operable to provide transmissions from eNB 910 to wireless communication channel 1050 (and from wireless communication channel 1050 to UE 930 or another UE). Similarly, antenna 1007 and antenna port 1005 may be operable to provide transmissions from wireless communication channel 1050 (and, prior thereto, from UE 930 or another UE) to eNB 910.

Referring to fig. 10, the hardware processing circuit 1000 may include a first circuit 1010, a second circuit 1020, and a third circuit 1030. The first circuitry 1010 may be operable to generate a plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. The first circuitry 1010 may be further operable to generate a plurality of DL cell discovery control signaling transmissions corresponding to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. For some embodiments, the DL cell discovery control signal transmission may be an SSS transmission. The average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors may be less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors. The first eNB transmit and receive sector may correspond to a layer 2 sector as described above, and the second eNB transmit and receive sector may correspond to a layer 1 sector as described above.

In some embodiments, the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors may both be RF beamforming sectors.

In some embodiments, the second circuitry 1020 may be operable to process a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector. In such embodiments, the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector may be determined based on multiple DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1010 may be operable to generate a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the SI transmission may be a BCH transmission. For such embodiments, the second circuitry 1020 may be operable to process a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector. The best second eNB transmitting and receiving sector may be determined based on multiple SI transmissions.

For some embodiments, the first circuitry 1010 may be operable to generate a plurality of DL cell discovery control signaling for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In some embodiments, the second circuit 1020 may be operable to process one or more RACH transmissions. In such embodiments, the second circuit may provide one or more RACH transmissions to the third circuit 1030 via the interface 1025. The third circuit 1030 may then be operable to determine one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

In some embodiments, the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signaling may correspond to a first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, and the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signaling may correspond to a second subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. The first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors may be larger than the second subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors. A second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be generated for transmission after transmission of the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

For some embodiments, the first circuitry 1010 may be operable to generate, for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of reference signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL data channel transmissions. In some embodiments, the reference signal transmission may be one of: CRS transmission, or BRS transmission. The first circuitry 1010 may be further operable to generate, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of SI transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL control channel transmissions. The second circuitry 1020 may be operable to process one or more UL data channel transmissions for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors. The second circuitry 1020 may also be operable to process, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more RACH transmissions. In such embodiments, the average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In some embodiments, the first circuit 1010, the second circuit 1020, and the third circuit 1030 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1010, the second circuit 1020, and the third circuit 1030 may be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 11 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for a UE for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition process, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of a UE 930 (or another UE or mobile handset) that may be operable to communicate with one or more enbs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1100. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1100 may include one or more antenna ports 1105, which may be operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 1050). Antenna port 1105 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1107 (which may be antennas 1025). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1100 may incorporate the antenna 1107, while in other embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1100 may simply be coupled to the antenna 1107.

Antenna port 1105 and antenna 1107 may be operable to provide signals from a UE to a wireless communication channel and/or an eNB, and may be operable to provide signals from an eNB and/or a wireless communication channel to a UE. For example, antenna port 1105 and antenna 1107 may be operable to provide transmissions from UE 930 to wireless communication channel 1050 (and from wireless communication channel 1050 to eNB 910 or another eNB). Similarly, antennas 1107 and antenna ports 1105 may be operable to provide transmissions from wireless communication channel 1050 (and in addition thereto, from eNB 910 or another eNB) to UE 930.

Referring to fig. 11, a hardware processing circuit 1100 may include a first circuit 1110, a second circuit 1120, and a third circuit 1130. The first circuitry 1110 may be operable to process one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. The first circuitry 1110 may also be operable to process one or more DL cell discovery control signaling transmissions corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors. For some embodiments, the DL cell discovery control signal transmission may be an SSS transmission. The first eNB transmit and receive sector may correspond to a layer 2 sector as described above, and the second eNB transmit and receive sector may correspond to a layer 1 sector as described above. The second circuitry 1120 may be operable to evaluate one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector. The average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector may be less than the average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In some embodiments, one or more UE receive sectors may be RF beamforming sectors. For some embodiments, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In some embodiments, the second circuitry 1120 may be operable to evaluate one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector. In such embodiments, the third circuitry 1130 may be operable to generate a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1110 may be operable to process one or more System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the SI transmission may be a BCH transmission and may carry basic system information and/or eNB configuration information. In such embodiments, the first circuitry 1110 may provide one or more SI transmissions to the second circuitry 1120 via the interface 1115. The second circuitry 1120 may be operable to evaluate one or more SI transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector. Meanwhile, the third circuitry 1130 may be operable to generate a transmission identifying the best second eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In some embodiments, the second circuit 1120 may provide the best first eNB to transmit and receive sector indicators to the third circuit 1130 via the interface 1125. In such embodiments, the third circuitry 1130 may be operable to generate a RACH transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1010 may be operable to process, for one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more reference signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. The first circuitry 1010 may be further operable to process, for one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more SI transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, third circuitry 1030 may be operable to generate one or more UL data channel transmissions for one or more of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors. The third circuitry 1030 may also be operable to generate, for one or more of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more RACH transmissions. In such embodiments, the average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In some embodiments, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be received by one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors. In such embodiments, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are used to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector.

In some embodiments, the first circuit 1110, the second circuit 1120, and the third circuit 1130 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1110, the second circuit 1120, and the third circuit 1130 may be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 12 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for dynamic multi-level random access for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of an eNB 910 (or another eNB or base station) that may operate to communicate with one or more UEs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1200. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1200 may include one or more antenna ports 1205 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 950). The antenna port 1205 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1207 (which may be antennas 905). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1200 may incorporate the antenna 1207, while in other embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1200 may simply be coupled to the antenna 1207.

The antenna port 1205 and the antenna 1207 may be operable to provide signals from an eNB to a wireless communication channel and/or a UE, and may be operable to provide signals from a UE and/or a wireless communication channel to an eNB. For example, antenna port 1205 and antenna 1207 may be operable to provide transmissions from eNB 910 to wireless communication channel 950 (and from wireless communication channel 950 to UE 930 or another UE). Similarly, antennas 1207 and antenna ports 1205 may be operable to provide transmissions from wireless communication channel 950 (and, prior thereto, from UE 930 or another UE) to eNB 910.

Referring to fig. 12, a hardware processing circuit 1200 may include a first circuit 1210 and a second circuit 1220. The first circuitry 1210 may be operable to generate one or more DL control channel transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. One or more DL control channel transmissions may carry one or more respectively corresponding RACH allocation indicators and one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In some embodiments, the one or more RACH allocation indicators may specify initiation of a RACH protocol that includes a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval. For some embodiments, the one or more DL control channel transmissions may include one or more simultaneous RACH allocations on multiple eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

For some embodiments, the first circuit 1210 may be operable to generate a random access-Complete (RA-Complete) transmission carrying a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval. In some embodiments, the second circuit 1220 may be operable to process one or more random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

In some embodiments, the first circuit 1210 and the second circuit 1220 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1210 and the second circuit 1220 may be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 13 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for dynamic multi-level random access for a UE, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of a UE 930 (or another UE or mobile handset) that may be operable to communicate with one or more enbs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1300. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1300 may include one or more antenna ports 1305 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 950). The antenna port 1305 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1307 (which may be antennas 925). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1300 may incorporate the antenna 1307, while in other embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1300 may simply be coupled to the antenna 1307.

The antenna port 1305 and the antenna 1307 may be operable to provide signals from the UE to a wireless communication channel and/or eNB, and may be operable to provide signals from the eNB and/or wireless communication channel to the UE. For example, the antenna port 1305 and the antenna 1307 may be operable to provide transmissions from the UE 930 to the wireless communication channel 950 (and from the wireless communication channel 950 to the eNB 910 or another eNB). Similarly, the antenna 1307 and antenna port 1305 may be operable to provide transmissions from the wireless communication channel 950 (and in addition thereto, from the eNB 910 or another eNB) to the UE 930.

Referring to fig. 13, a hardware processing circuit 1300 may include a first circuit 1310, a second circuit 1320, and a third circuit 1330. For some embodiments, the first circuitry 1310 may be operable to process one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors. One or more eNB transmit and receive sectors may be provided by the first circuitry 1310 to the second circuitry 1320 through an interface 1315. The second circuitry 1320 may be operable to evaluate one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions to determine which UE transmit and receive sector of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector. The second circuitry 1320 may also identify the best UE transmit and receive sectors to the third circuitry 1330 through the interface 1325. The first circuit 1310 may be operable to process a DL control channel transmission carrying a RACH allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval. The third circuit 1330 may be operable to generate RA-REQ transmissions for the best UE transmit and receive sectors during the contention interval of the RACH protocol.

For some embodiments, the first circuit 1310 may be operable to process a RA-Complete transmission carrying multiple random access slots in a next contention interval.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1310 may be operable to process one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors. The first circuit 1310 may also be operable to process a DL control channel transmission carrying a RACH allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval. Third circuit 1330 may be operable to generate a plurality of RA-REQ transmissions during a contention interval for a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

For some embodiments, multiple UE transmit and receive sectors may collectively span the beamwidth around the UE. In some embodiments, multiple RA-REQ transmissions may be generated to scan multiple UE transmit and receive sectors in time. In some embodiments, the first circuit 1310 may be operable to process a RA-Complete transmission carrying multiple random access slots in a next contention interval.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1310, the second circuitry 1320, and the third circuitry 1330 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1310, the second circuit 1320, and the third circuit 1330 may be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 14 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for an eNB for time division multiplexing of SSS, BCH, and RACH over multiple sets of transmit and receive sectors, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of an eNB 910 (or another eNB or base station) that may operate to communicate with one or more UEs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1400. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1400 may include one or more antenna ports 1405 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 950). Antenna port 1405 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1407 (which may be antennas 905). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1400 may incorporate the antenna 1407, while in other embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 1400 may simply be coupled to the antenna 1407.

Antenna port 1405 and antenna 1407 may be operable to provide signals from an eNB to a wireless communication channel and/or a UE, and may be operable to provide signals from a UE and/or a wireless communication channel to an eNB. For example, antenna port 1405 and antenna 1407 may be operable to provide transmissions from eNB 910 to wireless communication channel 950 (and from wireless communication channel 950 to UE 930 or another UE). Similarly, antenna 1407 and antenna port 1405 may be operable to provide transmissions from wireless communication channel 950 (and, prior thereto, from UE 930 or another UE) to eNB 910.

Referring to fig. 14, hardware processing circuitry 1400 may include first circuitry 1410 and second circuitry 1420. The first circuitry 1410 may be operable to generate one or more first DL transmission sequences comprising a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission, the one or more first DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. The first circuitry 1410 may be further operable for generating one or more second DL transmission sequences comprising a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission, the one or more second DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. One or more second DL transmission sequences may be generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

For some embodiments, the second circuitry 1420 may be operable to generate one or more control message transmissions carrying one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for one or more first DL transmission sequences and one or more second DL transmission sequences.

In some embodiments, first circuit 1410 and second circuit 1420 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1410 and the second circuit 1420 may be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 15 illustrates hardware processing circuitry for a UE for a sector selection procedure during initial access, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. An apparatus of a UE 930 (or another UE or mobile handset) that may be operable to communicate with one or more enbs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 1500. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1500 may include one or more antenna ports 1505 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 950). The antenna port 1505 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1507 (which may be antennas 925). In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 1500 may incorporate antenna 1507, while in other embodiments hardware processing circuitry 1500 may simply be coupled to antenna 1507.

The antenna port 1505 and antenna 1507 may be operable to provide signals from a UE to a wireless communication channel and/or an eNB, and may be operable to provide signals from an eNB and/or wireless communication channel to a UE. For example, antenna port 1505 and antenna 1507 may be operable to provide transmissions from UE 930 to wireless communication channel 950 (and from wireless communication channel 950 to eNB 910 or another eNB). Similarly, the antennas 1507 and antenna ports 1505 may be operable to provide transmissions from the wireless communication channel 950 (and in addition thereto, from the eNB 910 or another eNB) to the UE 930.

Referring to fig. 15, the hardware processing circuit 1500 may include a first circuit 1510, a second circuit 1520, and a fourth circuit 1540. The first circuitry 1510 may be operable to process one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. The first circuitry 1510 may be further operable to process one or more DL cell discovery control signaling transmissions corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors. The second circuitry 1520 may be operable to evaluate the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector. The average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors may be less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors. One or more UE transmit and receive sectors may be RF beamforming sectors that collectively span the beamwidth around the UE. Multiple UE transmit and receive sectors may be scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

In some embodiments, the first circuitry 1510 may be operable to handle, by the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors, at least one of: BCH transmission, CRS transmission, BRS transmission, or DL control channel transmission. For some embodiments, the third circuitry 1530 may be operable to determine the best first eNB transmit and receive sector by the best UE transmit and receive sector. In some embodiments, the third circuitry 1530 may also be operable to determine a best second eNB transmit and receive sector by a best UE transmit and receive sector. In some embodiments, fourth circuitry 1540 may be operable to generate RA-REQ transmissions for best UE transmit and receive sectors.

In some embodiments, the first circuit 1510, the second circuit 1520, the third circuit 1530, and the fourth circuit 1540 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, one or more of the first circuit 1510, the second circuit 1520, the third circuit 1530, and the fourth circuit 1540 can be combined and implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Referring to fig. 10-15, in various embodiments, generating multiple DL synchronization control signal transmissions (which may be PSS transmissions), or multiple DL cell discovery control signal transmissions (which may be PSS transmissions), or multiple SI transmissions (which may be BCH transmissions) may include, for example, multiplexing the transmissions to Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. Further, processing multiple DL synchronization control signal transmissions (which may be PSS transmissions), or multiple DL cell discovery control signal transmissions (which may be PSS transmissions), or multiple SI transmissions (which may be BCH transmissions) may include, for example, demultiplexing or otherwise parsing out the transmissions from Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.

Fig. 16 illustrates a method for an eNB for a hybrid sector scan initial acquisition procedure in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The method 1600 may include generating 1610, generating 1615, processing 1620, generating 1630, processing 1635, generating 1640, processing 1650, and/or determining 1655. In generating 1610, a plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions may be generated corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. In generating 1615, a plurality of DL cell discovery control signaling may be generated corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. For some embodiments, the DL cell discovery control signal transmission may be an SSS transmission. The average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors. In some embodiments, the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors may both be RF beamforming sectors.

In some embodiments, in process 1620, a random access transmission from the UE may be processed that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector. In such embodiments, the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector may be determined based on multiple DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

For some embodiments, in generating 1630, a plurality of SI transmissions may be generated that correspond to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the SI transmission may be a BCH transmission. In such an embodiment, in process 1635, a random access transmission from the UE may be processed that identifies one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as the best second eNB transmit and receive sector. The best second eNB transmitting and receiving sector may be determined based on multiple SI transmissions.

In some embodiments, in generating 1640, multiple DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be generated for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

For some embodiments, in process 1650, one or more RACH transmissions may be processed. In such embodiments, in determination 1655, one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to RACH transmissions may be determined.

In some embodiments, the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponds to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, and the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponds to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. The first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors may be larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors. A second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be generated for transmission after transmission of the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

Fig. 17 illustrates a method for a UE for a hybrid sector sweep initial acquisition process, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1700 may include processing 1710, processing 1715, evaluating 1720, evaluating 1730, generating 1735, processing 1740, evaluating 1745, generating 1750, and/or generating 1760. In process 1710, one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, may be processed. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. In process 1715, one or more DL cell discovery control signaling corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, may be processed, the one or more DL cell discovery control signaling received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors. For some embodiments, the DL cell discovery control signal transmission may be an SSS transmission. In evaluation 1720, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be evaluated to determine which of the one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector. The average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector may be less than the average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

For some embodiments, one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are RF beamforming sectors. In some embodiments, in evaluation 1730, one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions may be evaluated to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. In generating 1735, a transmission may be generated that identifies the best first eNB to send and receive the sector.

In some embodiments, in process 1740, one or more SI transmissions corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, may be processed. In some embodiments, the SI transmission may be a BCH transmission and may carry basic system information and/or eNB configuration information. In evaluation 1745, one or more SI transmissions may be evaluated to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector. In generating 1750, a transmission may be generated that identifies the best second eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

For some embodiments, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be received simultaneously by the UE. In some embodiments, in generating 1760, a RACH transmission may be generated that carries the best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

Fig. 18 illustrates a method for dynamic multi-level random access for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1800 may include generating 1810, generating 1820, and/or processing 1830. In generation 1810, one or more DL control channel transmissions may be generated for the eNB corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. One or more DL control channel transmissions may carry one or more respectively corresponding RACH allocation indicators and/or one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In generating 1820, a RA-Complete transmission may be generated that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval. In process 1830, one or more RA-REQ transmissions may be processed during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

Fig. 19 illustrates a method for dynamic multi-level random access for a UE, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 1900 may include process 1910, evaluate 1915, process 1920, generate 1925, process 1930, process 1950, process 1955, generate 1960, and/or process 1970.

In some embodiments, in process 1910, one or more eNB sector scan transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, can be processed for a UE, the one or more eNB sector scan transmissions being received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors. In evaluation 1915, one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions may be evaluated to determine which UE transmit and receive sector of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector. In process 1920, a DL control channel transmission may be processed that carries a RACH allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval. In generation 1925, RA-REQ transmissions may be generated for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors during the contention interval of the RACH protocol.

For some embodiments, in process 1930, a RA-Complete transmission carrying multiple random access slots in the next contention interval may be processed.

In some embodiments, in process 1950, one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, may be processed, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions being received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors. In process 1955, a DL control channel transmission may be processed carrying a RACH allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval. In generating 1960, a plurality of RA-REQ transmissions may be generated for a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively, during a contention interval.

For some embodiments, multiple UE transmit and receive sectors may collectively span the beamwidth around the UE. In some embodiments, multiple RA-REQ transmissions may be generated to scan multiple UE transmit and receive sectors in time. In process 1970, a RA-Complete transmission carrying a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval may be processed.

Fig. 20 illustrates a method for time division multiplexing of SSS, BCH, and RACH on multiple sets of transmit and receive sectors for an eNB in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 2000 may include generating 2010, generating 2015, and/or generating 2020.

In the generating 2010, one or more first DL transmission sequences may be generated that include a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission. The one or more first DL transmission sequences may correspond to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. In some embodiments, the DL synchronization control signal transmission may be a PSS transmission. In generating 2015, one or more second DL transmission sequences including a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission may be generated. The one or more second DL transmission sequences may correspond to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively. One or more second DL transmission sequences may be generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

In some embodiments, the one or more control message transmissions carry one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for the one or more first DL transmission sequences and the one or more second DL transmission sequences.

Fig. 21 illustrates a method for a sector selection procedure during initial access for a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 2100 may include processing 2110, processing 2115, evaluating 2120, processing 2130, determining 2140, determining 2150, and/or generating 2160. In process 2110, one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, may be processed. In process 2115, one or more DL cell discovery control signaling corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors may be processed. In evaluation 2120, one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions may be evaluated to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector. The average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors may be less than the average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In some embodiments, one or more UE transmit and receive sectors may be RF beamforming sectors that collectively span the beamwidth around the UE. For some embodiments, multiple UE transmit and receive sectors may be scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

For some embodiments, in process 2130, at least one of the following may be handled by the best UE transmitting and receiving sector: BCH transmission, CRS transmission, BRS transmission, or DL control channel transmission. In some embodiments, in determination 2140, the best first eNB transmit and receive sector may be determined by the best UE transmit and receive sector. For some embodiments, in determination 2150, the best second eNB transmit and receive sector may be determined by the best UE transmit and receive sector. In some embodiments, for generating 2160, RA-REQ transmissions may be generated for the best UE transmit and receive sectors.

Fig. 22 illustrates example components of a UE device 2200 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the UE device 2200 may include application circuitry 2202, baseband circuitry 2204, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 2206, Front End Module (FEM) circuitry 2208, a low power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR), and one or more antennas 2210 coupled together at least as shown. In some embodiments, the UE device 2200 may include additional elements, such as memory/storage, a display, a camera, a sensor, and/or an input/output (I/O) interface.

The application circuitry 2202 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 2202 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to: one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processor may be coupled with and/or may include memory/storage and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems to run on the system.

Baseband circuitry 2204 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to: one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 2204 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of the RF circuitry 2206 and to generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 2206. Baseband processing circuitry 2204 may interface with application circuitry 2202 for generating and processing baseband signals and for controlling operation of RF circuitry 2206. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 2204 may include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 2204A, a third generation (3G) baseband processor 2204B, a fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 2204C, and/or other baseband processor(s) 2204D for other existing generations, generations in development, or generations to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 2204 (e.g., one or more of the baseband processors 2204A-2204D) may handle various radio control functions that support communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 2206. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to: signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, the modulation/demodulation circuitry of baseband circuitry 2204 may include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functions. In some embodiments, the encoding/decoding circuitry of baseband circuitry 2204 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, viterbi, and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functions are not limited to these examples, and other suitable functions may be included in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, baseband circuitry 2204 may comprise elements of a protocol stack, e.g., elements of the EUTRAN protocol, including, for example: a Physical (PHY), Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and/or RRC element. The Central Processing Unit (CPU)2204E of the baseband circuitry 2204 may be configured to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may include one or more audio Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) 2204F. The audio DSP(s) 2204F may include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation, and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. In some embodiments, components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, a single chipset, or suitably arranged on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 2204 and the application circuitry 2202 may be implemented together, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 2204 may provide communications compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 2204 may support communication with an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) and/or other Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 2204 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

The RF circuitry 2206 may support communication with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 2206 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, and the like to facilitate communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 2206 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from FEM circuitry 2208 and provide baseband signals to baseband circuitry 2204. RF circuitry 2206 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by baseband circuitry 2204 and provide RF output signals to FEM circuitry 2208 for transmission.

In some embodiments, RF circuitry 2206 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 2206 may include mixer circuitry 2206A, amplifier circuitry 2206B, and filter circuitry 2206C. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 2206 may include filter circuitry 2206C and mixer circuitry 2206A. The RF circuitry 2206 may also include synthesizer circuitry 2206D for synthesizing frequencies for use by the mixer circuitry 2206A of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert the RF signal received from the FEM circuit 2208 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuit 2206D. The amplifier circuit 2206B may be configured to amplify the downconverted signal, and the filter circuit 2206C may be a Low Pass Filter (LPF) or a Band Pass Filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the downconverted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to baseband circuitry 2204 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signal may be a zero frequency baseband signal, but this is not required. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path may comprise a passive mixer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 2206A of the transmit signal path may be configured to upconvert the input baseband signal based on a synthesis frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 2206D to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuitry 2208. The baseband signal may be provided by baseband circuitry 2204 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 2206C. Filter circuit 2206C may include a Low Pass Filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path and mixer circuit 2206A of the transmit signal path may comprise two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature down-conversion and/or up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 2206A of the transmit signal path may comprise two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley (Hartley) image rejection). In some embodiments, mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path and mixer circuit 2206A of the transmit signal path may be arranged for direct down-conversion and/or direct up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 2206A of the receive signal path and mixer circuit 2206A of the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, RF circuitry 2206 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, and baseband circuitry 2204 may include a digital baseband interface in communication with RF circuitry 2206.

In some dual-mode embodiments, separate radio IC circuits may be provided to process signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 2206D may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional-N/N +1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuit 2206D may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase locked loop with a frequency divider.

The synthesizer circuit 2206D may be configured to synthesize an output frequency based on the frequency input and the divider control input for use by the mixer circuit 2206A of the RF circuit 2206. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 2206D may be a fractional N/N +1 synthesizer.

In some embodiments, the frequency input may be provided by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), but this is not required. The divider control input may be provided by baseband circuitry 2204 or application processor 2202, depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, the divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on the channel indicated by the application processor 2202.

Synthesizer circuit 2206D of RF circuit 2206 may include a frequency divider, a Delay Locked Loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may be a dual-mode divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be a Digital Phase Accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide an input signal by N or N +1 (e.g., carry out based) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, a DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump, and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to divide the VCO period into Nd equal phase groups, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this manner, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 2206D may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and may be used in conjunction with a quadrature generator and divider circuit to generate a plurality of signals at the carrier frequency having a plurality of mutually different phases. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be the LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, RF circuit 2206 may include an IQ/polar converter.

FEM circuitry 2208 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry configured to operate on received RF signals from one or more antennas 2210, amplify the received signals, and provide amplified versions of the received signals to RF circuitry 2206 for further processing. FEM circuitry 2208 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals provided by RF circuitry 2206 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 2210.

In some embodiments, FEM circuitry 2208 may include a transmit/receive (TX/RX) switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received RF signal and provide the amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., to RF circuitry 2206). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 2208 may include a Power Amplifier (PA) to amplify an input RF signal (e.g., provided by the RF circuitry 2206), and may include one or more filters to generate an RF signal for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 2210).

In some embodiments, the UE 2200 includes multiple power saving mechanisms. If the UE 2200 is in an RRC Connected state (RRC _ Connected state) where the UE 2200 is still Connected to the eNB because it expects to receive traffic in the short term, the UE 2200 may enter a state called discontinuous reception mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. In this state, the device may be powered down for a short period of time, thereby saving power.

If there is no data traffic activity for an extended period of time, the UE 2200 may transition to an RRC Idle state (RRC Idle state) (where the UE 2200 disconnects from the network and does not perform operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc.). The UE 2200 enters a very low power state and performs paging, where the UE 2200 wakes up again periodically to listen to the network and then powers down again. Since the device may not be able to receive data in this state, the device should transition back to the RRC connected state in order to receive data.

The additional power saving mode may allow the device to be unavailable to the network for a period of time longer than the paging interval (ranging from a few seconds to a few hours). During this time, the device is completely unable to connect to the network and can be completely powered down. Any data transmitted during this period will incur a large delay and it is assumed that the delay is acceptable.

Reference in the specification to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," "some embodiments," or "other embodiments" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiments is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments. Various appearances of "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "some embodiments" are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiments. If the specification states a component, feature, structure, or characteristic "may", "might", or "could" be included, that particular component, feature, structure, or characteristic is not required to be included. If the specification or claim refers to "a" or "an" element, that does not mean there is only one of the element. If the specification or claims refer to "an additional" element, that does not preclude there being more than one of the additional element.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, functions, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, a first embodiment may be combined with a second embodiment as long as the particular features, structures, functions, or characteristics associated with the two embodiments are not mutually exclusive.

While the present disclosure has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, many alternatives, modifications, and variations of these embodiments will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. For example, other memory architectures (e.g., dynamic ram (dram)) may use the discussed embodiments. The embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variances that fall within the broad scope of the appended claims.

In addition, well known power/ground connections to Integrated Circuit (IC) chips and other components may or may not be shown within the illustrated FIGS, for simplicity of illustration and discussion, and so as not to obscure the disclosure. Further, arrangements may be shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure, and in view of the fact that specifics with respect to implementation of such block diagram arrangements is highly dependent upon the platform within which the present disclosure is to be implemented (i.e., specifics should be well known to those skilled in the art). Where specific details (e.g., circuits) are set forth in order to describe example embodiments of the disclosure, it should be apparent to one skilled in the art that the disclosure can be practiced without, or with variation of, these specific details. The description is thus to be regarded as illustrative instead of limiting.

The following examples relate to further embodiments. The details of the examples may be used anywhere in one or more embodiments. All optional features of the apparatus described herein may also be implemented in relation to the method or process.

Example 1 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: generating a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 2, the apparatus of example 1, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors; wherein the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 3, the apparatus of any of examples 1 or 2, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In example 4, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 3, wherein the one or more processors are further to: generating a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and process a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 5, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 4, wherein the one or more processors are further to: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 6, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 5, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions; and determining one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

In example 7, the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 6, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions respectively correspond to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

In example 8, an eNB apparatus, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 7.

Example 9 provides a method comprising: generating a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 10, the method of example 9, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors; wherein the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 11, the method of any one of examples 9 or 10, the operations comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In example 12, the method of any of examples 9 to 11, the operations comprising: generating a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and process a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 13, the method of any of examples 9 to 12, the operations comprising: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 14, the method of any of examples 9 to 13, the operations comprising: processing one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions; and determining one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

In example 15, the method of any of examples 9 to 14, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions respectively correspond to a first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of the first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 16 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 9 to 15.

Example 17 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for generating a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and means for generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 18, the apparatus of example 17, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors; wherein the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 19, the apparatus of any one of examples 17 or 18, comprising: means for processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In example 20, the apparatus of any one of examples 17 to 19, comprising: means for generating a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and means for processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 21, the apparatus of any one of examples 17 to 20, comprising: means for generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 22, the apparatus of any one of examples 17 to 21, comprising: means for processing one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions; and means for determining one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

In example 23, the apparatus of any one of examples 17 to 22, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of the first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 24 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: generating a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 25, the machine-readable storage medium of example 24, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors; wherein the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are generated to scan over time the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 26, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 24 or 25, the operations comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

In example 27, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 24 to 26, the operations comprising: generating a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding respectively to a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and process a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 28, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 24 to 27, the operations comprising: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 29, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 24 to 28, the operations comprising: processing one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions; and determining one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

In example 30, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 24 to 29, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of the first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 31 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 32, the apparatus of example 31, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 33, the apparatus of any one of examples 31 or 32, wherein the one or more processors are further to: evaluating one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 34, the apparatus of any one of examples 31 to 33, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing one or more System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and evaluate the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 35, the apparatus of any one of examples 31 to 34, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 36, the apparatus of any one of examples 31 to 35, wherein the one or more processors are further to: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In example 37, a UE device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touch screen display, the UE device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 31 to 36.

Example 38 provides a method comprising: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 39, the method of example 38, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 40, the method of example 38 or 39, the operations comprising: evaluating one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 41, the method of any of examples 38 to 40, the operations comprising: processing one or more System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and evaluate the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 42, the method of any one of examples 38 to 41, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 43, the method of any one of examples 38 to 42, the operations comprising: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

Example 44 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 38 to 43.

Example 45 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: means for processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; means for processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and means for evaluating the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 46, the apparatus of example 45, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 47, the apparatus of example 45 or 46, comprising: means for evaluating one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is a best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and means for generating a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 48, the apparatus of any one of examples 45 to 47, comprising: means for processing one or more System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and means for evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 49, the apparatus of any one of examples 45 to 48, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 50, the apparatus of any of examples 45 to 49, comprising: means for generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

Example 51 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the first eNB transmit and receive sector is less than an average beam width of the second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 52, the machine-readable storage medium of example 51, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors.

In example 53, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 51 or 52, the operations comprising: evaluating one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 54, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 51 to 53, the operations comprising: processing one or more System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and evaluate the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 55, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 51 to 54, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 56, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 51 to 55, the operations comprising: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

Example 57 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: generating, for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of reference signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more Downlink (DL) data channel transmissions; generating, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL control channel transmissions; processing one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and processing, for the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 58, the apparatus of example 57, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 59, the apparatus of any one of examples 57 or 58, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions or the plurality of reference signal transmissions.

In example 60, the apparatus of any one of examples 57 to 59, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 61, the apparatus of any one of examples 57 to 60, wherein the one or more processors are further to: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 62, the apparatus of any one of examples 57 to 61, wherein the one or more processors are further to: one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the one or more RACH transmissions are determined.

In example 63, the apparatus of any one of examples 57 to 62, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions respectively correspond to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

In example 64, an eNB apparatus, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 57 to 63.

Example 65 provides a method, comprising: for an evolved node b (eNB) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE), generating, for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of reference signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more Downlink (DL) data channel transmissions; generating, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL control channel transmissions; processing one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and processing, for the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 66, the method of example 65, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 67, the method of example 65 or 66, comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions or the plurality of reference signal transmissions.

In example 68, the method of examples 65 to 67, comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 69, the method of any of examples 65 to 68, comprising: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 70, the method of any of examples 65 to 69, comprising: one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the one or more RACH transmissions are determined.

In example 71, the method of any one of examples 65 to 70, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions respectively correspond to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 72 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 65 to 71.

Example 73 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for generating, for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of reference signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more Downlink (DL) data channel transmissions; means for generating, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL control channel transmissions; means for processing one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and means for processing, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 74, the apparatus of example 73, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 75, the apparatus of example 73 or 74, comprising: means for processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on a plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions or a plurality of reference signal transmissions.

In example 76, the apparatus of examples 73 to 75, comprising: means for processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 77, the apparatus of any one of examples 73 to 76, comprising: means for generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 78, the apparatus of any one of examples 73 to 77, comprising: means for determining one or more RACH assignments respectively corresponding to one or more RACH transmissions.

In example 79, the device of any of examples 73 to 78, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions respectively correspond to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 80 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: for an evolved node b (eNB) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE), generating, for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of reference signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more Downlink (DL) data channel transmissions; generating, for a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, a plurality of System Information (SI) transmissions corresponding to the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more DL control channel transmissions; processing one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and processing, for the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 81, the machine-readable storage medium of example 80, wherein the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 82, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 80 or 81, the operations comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best first eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions or the plurality of reference signal transmissions.

In example 83, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 80 to 82, the operations comprising: processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of a plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors as a best second eNB transmit and receive sector, wherein the best second eNB transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

In example 84, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 80 to 83, the operations comprising: generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 85, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 80 to 84, the operations comprising: one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the one or more RACH transmissions are determined.

In example 86, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 80 to 85, wherein the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein a second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions correspond to a second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; wherein the first subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors is larger than the second subset of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; and wherein the second subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is generated for transmission after the first subset of the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions is transmitted.

Example 87 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing, for one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more reference signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing, for one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more system information transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; generating one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for one or more of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating, for one or more of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 88, the apparatus of example 87, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors.

In example 89, the apparatus of any one of examples 87 or 88, wherein the one or more processors are further to: evaluating one of the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions or one or more reference signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 90, the apparatus of any one of examples 87 to 89, wherein the one or more processors are further to: evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 91, the apparatus of any one of examples 87 to 90, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 92, the apparatus of any one of examples 87 to 91, wherein the one or more processors are further to: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In example 93, the apparatus of any one of examples 87 to 92, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received by one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors, and wherein the one or more processors are further to: evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 94, a UE device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touch screen display, the UE device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 87 to 93.

Example 95 provides a method, comprising: for a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (eNB), processing, for one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more reference signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing, for one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more system information transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; generating one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for one or more of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating, for one or more of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 96, the method of example 95, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamformed sectors.

In example 97, the method of example 95 or 96, comprising: evaluating one of the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions or one or more reference signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 98, the method of any of examples 95 to 97, comprising: evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 99, the method of any of examples 95 to 98, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 100, the method of any of examples 95 to 99, comprising: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In example 101, the method of any of examples 95 to 100, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received by one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors, and wherein the method comprises: evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector.

Example 102 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 95 to 101.

Example 103 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: means for processing, for a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node B (eNB), at least one of the following for one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more reference signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; means for processing, for one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more system information transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; means for generating one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for one or more of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and means for generating, for one or more of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 104, the apparatus of example 103, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors.

In example 105, the apparatus of example 103 or 104, comprising: means for evaluating one of one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions or one or more reference signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and means for generating a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 106, the apparatus of any of examples 103 to 105, comprising: means for evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 107, the apparatus of any one of examples 103 to 106, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 108, the apparatus of any of examples 103 to 107, comprising: means for generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In example 109, the apparatus of any one of examples 103 to 108, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received by one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors, and wherein the apparatus comprises: means for evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector.

Example 110 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: for a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (eNB), processing, for one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more reference signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing, for one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, or one or more system information transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; generating one or more Uplink (UL) data channel transmissions for one or more of a plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors; and generating, for one or more of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors, at least one of: one or more UL control channel transmissions, or one or more Random Access Channel (RACH) transmissions, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 111, the machine-readable storage medium of example 110, wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors.

In example 112, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 110 or 111, the operations comprising: evaluating one of the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions or one or more reference signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding first eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best first eNB transmit and receive sector; and generates a transmission identifying the best first eNB transmitting and receiving sector.

In example 113, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 110 to 112, the operations comprising: evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of the one or more respectively corresponding second eNB transmit and receive sectors is the best second eNB transmit and receive sector.

In example 114, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 110 to 113, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

In example 115, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 110 to 114, the operations comprising: generating a Random Access Channel (RACH) transmission carrying a best first eNB transmit and receive sector indicator.

In example 116, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 110 to 115, wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors, and wherein the operations comprise: evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector.

Example 117 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: one or more Downlink (DL) control channel transmissions are generated corresponding to the one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions carry one or more respectively corresponding Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicators and one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In example 118, the apparatus of example 117, wherein the one or more RACH allocation indicators specify initiation of a RACH protocol that includes a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval.

In example 119, the apparatus of any one of examples 117 or 118, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions respectively comprise one or more simultaneous RACH allocations on multiple eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 120, the apparatus of any one of examples 117 to 119, wherein the one or more processors are further to: a random access-Complete (RA-Complete) transmission is generated that carries a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

In example 121, the apparatus of any one of examples 117 or 120, wherein the one or more processors are further to: one or more random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are processed during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

Example 122 provides an evolved node b (enb) apparatus, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 117 to 121.

Example 123 provides a method, comprising: for an evolved node b (eNB), one or more Downlink (DL) control channel transmissions are generated corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions carry one or more respectively corresponding Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicators and one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In example 124, the method of example 123, wherein the one or more RACH allocation indicators specify initiation of a RACH protocol that includes a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval.

In example 125, the method of example 123 or 124, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions respectively comprise one or more simultaneous RACH allocations on multiple eNB transmit and receive sectors.

In example 126, the method of any of examples 123 to 125, comprising: a random access-Complete (RA-Complete) transmission is generated that carries a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

In example 127, the method of any of examples 123 to 126, comprising: one or more random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are processed during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

Example 128 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 123 to 127.

Example 129 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for generating, for an evolved node B (eNB), one or more Downlink (DL) control channel transmissions corresponding respectively to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions carry one or more respectively corresponding Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicators and one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In example 130, the device of example 129, wherein the one or more RACH allocation indicators specify initiation of a RACH protocol that includes a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval.

In example 131, the apparatus of example 129 or 130, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions comprise one or more simultaneous RACH allocations on multiple eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 132, the apparatus of any of examples 129 to 131, comprising: means for generating a random access Complete (RA-Complete) transmission carrying a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

In example 133, the apparatus of any one of examples 129 to 132, comprising: means for processing one or more random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

Example 134 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: for an evolved node b (eNB), one or more Downlink (DL) control channel transmissions are generated corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions carry one or more respectively corresponding Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicators and one or more respectively corresponding duration indicators.

In example 135, the machine-readable storage medium of example 134, wherein the one or more RACH allocation indicators specify initiation of a RACH protocol that includes a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval.

In example 136, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 134 or 135, wherein the one or more DL control channel transmissions comprise one or more simultaneous RACH allocations on multiple eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 137, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 134 to 136, the operations comprising: a random access-Complete (RA-Complete) transmission is generated that carries a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

In example 138, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 134 to 137, the operations comprising: one or more random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are processed during a contention interval of a RACH protocol.

Example 139 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; evaluating one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions to determine which of one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is a best UE transmit and receive sector; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generates a random access request (RA-REQ) transmission during a contention interval of a RACH protocol for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

In example 140, the apparatus of example 139, wherein the one or more processors are further to: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 141 provides a User Equipment (UE) device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touchscreen display, the UE device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 139 or 140.

Example 142 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generating a plurality of random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during the contention interval for the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 143, the apparatus of example 142, wherein the one or more processors are further to: wherein the plurality of UE transmitting and receiving sectors collectively span a beam width around the UE; and wherein the plurality of RA-REQ transmissions are generated to scan a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors in time.

In example 144, the apparatus of any one of examples 142 or 143, wherein the one or more processors are further to: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 145 provides a User Equipment (UE) device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touch screen display, the UE device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 142 to 144.

Example 146 provides a method, comprising: for a User Equipment (UE), processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; evaluating one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions to determine which of one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is a best UE transmit and receive sector; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generates a random access request (RA-REQ) transmission during a contention interval of a RACH protocol for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

In example 147, the method of example 146, comprising: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 148 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 146 or 147.

Example 149 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: means for processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; means for evaluating one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions to determine which UE transmit and receive sector of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector; means for processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and means for generating a random access request (RA-REQ) transmission during a contention interval of a RACH protocol for optimal UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

In example 150, the apparatus of example 149, comprising: means for processing a random access Complete (RA-Complete) transmission carrying a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

Example 151 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: for a User Equipment (UE), processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; evaluating one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions to determine which of one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is a best UE transmit and receive sector; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generates a random access request (RA-REQ) transmission during a contention interval of a RACH protocol for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

In example 152, the machine-readable storage medium of example 151, the operations comprising: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 153 provides a method, comprising: processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generating a plurality of random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during the contention interval for the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 154, the method of example 153, comprising: wherein the plurality of UE transmitting and receiving sectors collectively span a beam width around the UE; and wherein the plurality of RA-REQ transmissions are generated to scan a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors in time.

In example 155, the method of any of examples 153 or 154, comprising: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 156 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 153 to 155.

Example 157 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: means for processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors; means for processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and means for generating a plurality of random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during a contention interval for a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 158, the apparatus of example 157, comprising: wherein the plurality of UE transmitting and receiving sectors collectively span a beam width around the UE; and wherein the plurality of RA-REQ transmissions are generated to scan a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors in time.

In example 159, the apparatus of any of examples 157 or 158, comprising: means for processing a random access Complete (RA-Complete) transmission carrying a plurality of random access slots in a next contention interval.

Example 160 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: processing one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions corresponding to one or more eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more eNB sector sweep transmissions received by a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors; processing a Downlink (DL) control channel transmission carrying a Random Access Channel (RACH) allocation indicator specifying initiation of a RACH protocol including a contention interval and a subsequent contention resolution interval; and generating a plurality of random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions during the contention interval for the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors, respectively.

In example 161, the machine-readable storage medium of example 160, the operations comprising: wherein the plurality of UE transmitting and receiving sectors collectively span a beam width around the UE; and wherein the plurality of RA-REQ transmissions are generated to scan a plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors in time.

In example 162, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 160 or 161, the operations comprising: a random access completion (RA-Complete) transmission is processed that carries multiple random access slots in the next contention interval.

Example 163 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: generating one or more first Downlink (DL) transmission sequences comprising a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission, the one or more first DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and generating one or more second DL transmission sequences comprising a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission, the one or more second DL transmission sequences corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more second DL transmission sequences are generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

In example 164, the apparatus of example 163, wherein the one or more processors are further to: one or more control message transmissions are generated that carry one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for one or more first DL transmission sequences and one or more second DL transmission sequences.

Example 165 provides an evolved node b (enb) apparatus, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 163 to 164.

Example 166 provides a method comprising: generating one or more first Downlink (DL) transmission sequences comprising a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission, the one or more first DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and generating one or more second DL transmission sequences comprising a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission, the one or more second DL transmission sequences corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more second DL transmission sequences are generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

In example 167, the method of example 166, comprising: one or more control message transmissions are generated that carry one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for one or more first DL transmission sequences and one or more second DL transmission sequences.

Example 168 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 166 or 167.

Example 169 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for generating one or more first Downlink (DL) transmission sequences comprising a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission, the one or more first DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and means for generating one or more second DL transmission sequences comprising a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission, the one or more second DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more second DL transmission sequences are generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

In example 170, the apparatus of example 169, comprising: means for generating one or more control message transmissions carrying one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for one or more first DL transmission sequences and one or more second DL transmission sequences.

Example 171 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: generating one or more first Downlink (DL) transmission sequences comprising a first DL synchronization control signal transmission, a first DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a first DL system information channel transmission, the one or more first DL transmission sequences corresponding to one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and generating one or more second DL transmission sequences comprising a second DL synchronization control signal transmission, a second DL cell discovery control signal transmission, and a second DL system information channel transmission, the one or more second DL transmission sequences corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, wherein the one or more second DL transmission sequences are generated after transmission of the one or more first DL transmission sequences.

In example 172, the machine-readable storage medium of example 171, the operations comprising: one or more control message transmissions are generated that carry one or more indicators specifying allocations in time and frequency for one or more first DL transmission sequences and one or more second DL transmission sequences.

Example 173 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors that collectively span a beamwidth around the UE; and wherein the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors are scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

In example 174, the apparatus of example 173, wherein the one or more processors are further to: processing, by the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors, at least one of: a Broadcast Channel (BCH) transmission, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) transmission, a Beam Reference Signal (BRS) transmission, or a DL control channel transmission.

In example 175, the apparatus of any one of examples 173 or 174, wherein the one or more processors are further to: the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined by the best UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 176, the apparatus of any of examples 173 to 175, wherein the one or more processors are further to: determining an optimal second eNB transmit and receive sector by the optimal UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 177, the apparatus of any of examples 173 to 176, wherein the one or more processors are further to: random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are generated for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

Example 178 provides a User Equipment (UE) device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touchscreen display, the UE device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 173 to 177.

Example 179 provides a method, comprising: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors that collectively span a beamwidth around the UE; and wherein the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors are scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

In example 180, the method of example 179, comprising: processing, by the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors, at least one of: a Broadcast Channel (BCH) transmission, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) transmission, a Beam Reference Signal (BRS) transmission, or a DL control channel transmission.

In example 181, the method of any of examples 179 or 180, comprising: the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined by the best UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 182, the method of any of examples 179 to 181, comprising: determining an optimal second eNB transmit and receive sector by the optimal UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 183, the method of any of examples 179 to 182, comprising: random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are generated for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

Example 184 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 179-183.

Example 185 provides an apparatus of a User Equipment (UE) operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) on a wireless network, comprising: means for processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; means for processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and means for evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors that collectively span a beamwidth around the UE; and wherein the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors are scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

In example 186, the apparatus of example 185, comprising: means for processing, by the best UE transmitting and receiving sector, at least one of: a Broadcast Channel (BCH) transmission, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) transmission, a Beam Reference Signal (BRS) transmission, or a DL control channel transmission.

In example 187, the apparatus of any of examples 185 or 186, comprising: means for determining a best first eNB transmit and receive sector by a best UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 188, the apparatus of any of examples 185 to 187, comprising: means for determining a best second eNB transmit and receive sector by a best UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 189, the apparatus of any of examples 185 to 188, comprising: means for generating random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions for best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

Example 190 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising: processing one or more Downlink (DL) synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more first eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively; processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to the one or more second eNB transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and evaluating one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors is the best UE transmit and receive sector, wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first eNB transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second eNB transmit and receive sectors; wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors that collectively span a beamwidth around the UE; and wherein the plurality of UE transmit and receive sectors are scanned in time to handle at least one of: one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions, or one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions.

In example 191, the machine-readable storage medium of example 190, the operations comprising: processing, by the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors, at least one of: a Broadcast Channel (BCH) transmission, a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) transmission, a Beam Reference Signal (BRS) transmission, or a DL control channel transmission.

In example 192, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 190 or 191, the operations comprising: the best first eNB transmit and receive sector is determined by the best UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 193, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 190 to 192, the operations comprising: determining an optimal second eNB transmit and receive sector by the optimal UE transmit and receive sector.

In example 194, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 190 to 193, the operations comprising: random access request (RA-REQ) transmissions are generated for the best UE transmitting and receiving sectors.

In example 195, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 7, 17 to 23, 31 to 36, 45 to 50, 57 to 63, 73 to 79, 87 to 93, 103 to 109, 117 to 121, 129 to 133, 139 to 140, 142 to 144, 149 to 150, 157 to 159, 163 to 164, 169 to 170, 173 to 177, and 185 to 189, wherein the one or more processors comprise a baseband processor.

In example 196, the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 7, 17 to 23, 31 to 36, 45 to 50, 57 to 63, 73 to 79, 87 to 93, 103 to 109, 117 to 121, 129 to 133, 139 to 140, 142 to 144, 149 to 150, 157 to 159, 163 to 164, 169 to 170, 173 to 177, and 185 to 189, comprising transceiver circuitry to generate a transmission and process the transmission.

The abstract is provided to allow the reader to ascertain the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. This Abstract is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to limit the scope or meaning of the claims. The following claims are hereby incorporated into the detailed description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment.

Claims

1. A base station operable to communicate with a user equipment, UE, over a wireless network, comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

generating a plurality of downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors; and is

Generating a plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of second base station transmitting and receiving sectors,

wherein an average beam width of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors is less than an average beam width of the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors;

processing a random access transmission from the UE that identifies one of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors as a best first base station transmit and receive sector,

wherein the best first base station transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions.

2. The base station of claim 1, wherein the base station is further configured to,

wherein the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors and the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors are radio frequency, RF, beamforming sectors;

wherein the plurality of DL synchronization control signal transmissions are generated to scan through the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors in time; and is

Wherein the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are generated to scan through the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors in time.

3. The base station of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

generating a plurality of system information, SI, transmissions corresponding respectively to the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors; and is

Processing a random access transmission from the UE identifying one of the plurality of second base station transmit and receive sectors as a best second base station transmit and receive sector,

wherein the best second base station transmit and receive sector is determined based on the plurality of SI transmissions.

4. The base station of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

generating the plurality of DL cell discovery control signal transmissions for simultaneous transmission on at least two second base station transmit and receive sectors.

5. The base station of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are further configured to:

processing one or more random access channel, RACH, transmissions; and is

Determining one or more RACH allocations respectively corresponding to the RACH transmissions.

6. A base station apparatus, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antenna ports; and an interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device, the base station device comprising a base station according to any of claims 1 to 5.

7. A machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

processing a random access transmission from a user equipment, UE, that identifies one of the plurality of first base station transmit and receive sectors as a best first base station transmit and receive sector,

8. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7,

9. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7 or 8, the operations comprising:

10. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7 or 8, the operations comprising:

11. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 7 or 8, the operations comprising:

processing one or more random access channel, RACH, transmissions; and is

12. A user equipment, UE, operable to communicate with a base station over a wireless network, comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

processing one or more downlink DL synchronization control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more first base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively;

processing one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions corresponding to one or more second base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively, the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions received by one or more UE transmit and receive sectors; and is

Evaluating the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions to determine which of the one or more UE transmitting and receiving sectors is the best UE transmitting and receiving sector,

wherein the average beam width of the first base station transmit and receive sector is less than the average beam width of the second base station transmit and receive sector;

evaluating the one or more DL synchronization control signal transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding first base station transmit and receive sectors is the best first base station transmit and receive sector; and is

Generating a transmission identifying the best first base station transmitting and receiving sector.

13. The UE of claim 12, wherein the UE is further configured to,

wherein the one or more UE transmit and receive sectors are Radio Frequency (RF) beamforming sectors.

14. The UE of claim 12, wherein the one or more processors are further to:

processing one or more system information, SI, transmissions corresponding to the one or more second base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively; and is

Evaluating the one or more SI transmissions to determine which of one or more respectively corresponding second base station transmit and receive sectors is the best second base station transmit and receive sector.

15. The UE of claim 12, wherein the UE is further configured to,

wherein the one or more DL cell discovery control signal transmissions are received simultaneously by the UE.

16. A UE device, comprising: an application processor; a memory; one or more antennas; a wireless interface for allowing the application processor to communicate with another device; and a touch screen display, the UE device comprising the UE of any of claims 12-15.

17. A machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform operations comprising:

18. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,

19. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17, the operations comprising:

processing one or more system information, SI, transmissions corresponding to the one or more second base station transmit and receive sectors, respectively;

20. The machine-readable storage medium of claim 17,