CN108702346B

CN108702346B - Uplink resource allocation

Info

Publication number: CN108702346B
Application number: CN201780005639.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 柳光
Original assignee: Jiekai Communications Shenzhen Co Ltd
Current assignee: Jiekai Communications Shenzhen Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-02-05
Filing date: 2017-01-19
Publication date: 2020-10-27
Anticipated expiration: 2037-01-19
Also published as: CN108702346A; GB2547030B; WO2017133471A1; GB201602123D0; GB2547030A

Abstract

The invention discloses an efficient scheduling method and an apparatus for uplink communication resources associated with unlicensed radio spectrum for a wireless communication system. The base station allocates communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth to a plurality of wireless communication units at a resource block level and a subcarrier level, and the base station determines that the plurality of wireless communication units should use a resource block level map (e.g., block IFDMA) or a subcarrier level map (e.g., IFDMA) in an uplink on the predetermined frequency bandwidth. The base station provides an indication of the communication resource allocation to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices at the RB layer or the subcarrier layer, respectively, based on whether the base station determines that it should use RB mapping (e.g., block IFDMA) or subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA).

Description

Uplink resource allocation

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to wireless devices for resource Block-layer mapped (e.g., Block-IFDMA) and subcarrier-layer mapped (e.g., IFDMA) wireless communication systems using unlicensed spectrum, and in particular, to methods and wireless devices for uplink resource allocation in such wireless communication systems.

Background

Wireless communication systems and networks, such as third-generation (3G) mobile communication standards and techniques, are well known. Such 3G standards and techniques were developed by the third generation Partnership Project (3G Partnership Project, 3 GPP). Third generation wireless communications have been commonly developed to support macrocell mobile telephone communications that utilize high power base stations (i.e., nodebs) to communicate with wireless communication units over a relatively large geographic coverage area.

Generally, a Radio communication unit or a User Equipment (UE) as generally referred to communicates with a core Network (CoreNetwork, CN) of a 3G Radio communication Network through a Radio Network Subsystem (RNS). A wireless communication network typically includes a plurality of radio network subsystems, each including one or more cells to which UEs may attach and thereby connect to the network. Each macro cellular RNS further includes a Radio Network Controller (RNC) type Controller operatively coupled to one or more nodebs. Communication systems and networks have Evolved towards broadband Mobile systems, and third generation partnership projects have developed a solution for Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Evolved universal Mobile telecommunications System terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN), referred to as the Mobile Access Network, for Mobile Access networks, and a solution for System Architecture Evolution (SAE), referred to as the Evolved Packet Core (EPC), for Mobile Core networks. A macro cell in an LTE system is supported by a base station called an evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB).

Current wireless communication networks operate using licensed wireless spectrum, wherein multiple accesses to communication resources of the licensed wireless spectrum are tightly controlled. Each user of the network is provided substantially a "segment" of the spectrum using various multiple access techniques such as, but not limited to, frequency division multiplexing, time division multiplexing, code division multiplexing, and space division multiplexing or a combination of one or more of these techniques. Even if these technologies are combined, with the popularity of mobile communications, the capacity of current and future telecommunications networks is still very limited, especially when licensed wireless spectrum is used.

Network operators are opening use of unlicensed radio spectrum in order to increase or supplement the capacity of their wireless communication networks. For example, a communication network based on the LTE/LTE high-level standard is an enhanced downlink that uses a mechanism known as Licensed-Assisted-Access (LAA) operating in unlicensed spectrum, such as, but not limited to, 5GHz Wi-Fi radio spectrum, which may increase the capacity of the current network downlink operating in Licensed radio spectrum. This enables operation of LTE-based telecommunications networks in the 5GHz unlicensed spectrum for low-power secondary cells that adjust power boundaries based on regions using carrier aggregation.

Nonetheless, network operators are not allowed unrestricted access or use of unlicensed spectrum because they must share unlicensed spectrum with other wireless devices, such as, but not limited to, Wi-Fi access points and terminals, medical devices, utility meters, wireless machine-to-machine devices, internet of things devices, and the like. Thus, a compromise between network operators and wireless spectrum regulatory agencies is reached regarding the use of unlicensed spectrum. In order to use unlicensed spectrum, network operators must comply with various telecommunications regulations.

ETSI EN 301893 V1.7.2(2014-07) "Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN) at present; a 5GHz high performance RLAN; there are two main provisions in section 4.3 and section 4.4 of the unlicensed-EN coverage of the R & TTE Directive "draft standard that each uplink wireless communication unit should comply with the standard draft for the uplink when using unlicensed spectrum. The rule 1 in section 4.3 of ETSI EN 301893 V1.7.2(2014-07) describes that the output signal of each wireless communication unit must be able to occupy at least 80% of the entire bandwidth. Even when only 2 Resource Blocks (RBs) are allocated to a terminal, they must be at a sufficiently large distance from each other, e.g. between one Resource Block at the left end of the system bandwidth and another Resource Block at the right end, while they can currently be located anywhere adjacent to each other.

The 2 nd regulation in section 4.4 of ETSI EN 301893 V1.7.2(2014-07) describes that the power density per MHz is limited to a certain level measured in dBm (e.g. 10dBm), which means that the UE cannot use full power (e.g. 23dBm) even if only one resource block (180KHz) needs to be transmitted. To explore more power, it is desirable to allocate subcarriers in frequency in a manner that maps to as many "MHz" as possible.

RB layer mapping refers to any Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) mapping in which communication resources are divided into one or more RBs, and subcarrier layer mapping refers to any FDMA mapping in which communication resources are allocated as one or more subcarriers. One example of a subcarrier mapping method is so-called Local FDMA (LFDMA), in which subcarriers allocated to each wireless communication apparatus are allocated consecutively in consecutive blocks of subcarriers; another example of subcarrier layer mapping is so-called Interleaved FDMA (IFDMA), in which all subcarriers are allocated to a wireless communication device but are spaced apart by a predetermined number of subcarriers (e.g., equal spacing between subcarriers) with other wireless communication units or UEs Interleaved together in unused subcarriers. A final example is block IFDMA, a combination of LFDMA and IFDMA, where each wireless communication unit or UE is assigned a subcarrier set, each subcarrier set containing two or more subsets or groups (or subcarrier sets) of X size subcarriers. Each subset or group has a contiguous block of X number of subcarriers allocated contiguously. Each of the two or more subcarrier groups is spaced by Y subcarriers. The block IFDMA may be considered to be a subcarrier layer map or a resource block layer map based on whether communication resources are allocated at the RB layer or the subcarrier layer.

However, the LAA Uplink is evolving to enhanced LAA Uplink (UL), wherein due to these two regulatory requirements, and also due to the possibility of using simultaneously so-called RB layer mapping, such as, but not limited to, block IFDMA when allocating communication resources in the form of resource blocks, or so-called subcarrier layer mapping, such as, but not limited to, IFDMA or block IFDMA when allocating communication resources in the form of subcarriers, UL subcarriers are expected to be mapped onto non-uniformly divided subcarriers. Each frame of L RBs may have a larger number of subcarriers (e.g., for L ═ 100, each RB has 12 consecutive subcarriers, and thus there would be 1200 subcarriers). Thus, one wireless communication unit using subcarrier layer mapping may require multiple spaced subcarriers while another wireless communication unit may require resource block layer mapping of multiple spaced RBs. It is desirable to have a simple communication resource allocation scheme that provides efficient allocation for wireless communication units or UEs on the resource block level and/or the subcarrier level. For example, an efficient communication resource allocation of one or more spaced RBs, one or more sets of spaced RBs, one or more spaced subcarriers, or one or more sets and/or combinations thereof, is provided to a wireless communication device or UE.

Disclosure of Invention

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. The summary of the invention does not define the essential features or essential features of the essence of the invention, nor the scope of protection of the essence of the invention.

The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for efficient scheduling of uplink communication resources associated with unlicensed wireless spectrum for wireless communication systems. The base station allocates communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth to a plurality of wireless communication units at a resource block level and a subcarrier level, and the base station determines that the plurality of wireless communication units should use FDMA-based resource block level mapping or subcarrier level mapping FDMA in an uplink on the predetermined frequency bandwidth. The base station provides an indication of the allocation of communication resources to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices at the RB layer or the subcarrier layer, respectively, based on whether the base station determines that it should use the resource block layer mapping or the subcarrier layer mapping.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of allocating uplink communication resources to a plurality of wireless communication units using unlicensed radio spectrum in a cell of a wireless communication system, the method comprising: reserving, in a base station serving the cell of the wireless communication system, uplink communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth; wherein the uplink communication resources comprise a set of resource blocks and a set of subcarriers; the set of resource blocks comprises two or more spaced groups of resource blocks, each resource block in the group of resource blocks comprising a plurality of subcarriers; the set of subcarriers comprises two or more spaced apart groups of subcarriers; a plurality of resource block groups and a plurality of subcarrier groups are interleaved over the predetermined frequency bandwidth; allocating communication resources to each wireless communication unit served by the base station, comprising: allocating one or more resource blocks from each resource block group of the set of resource blocks to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use resource block layer mapping; allocating one or more subcarriers in each subcarrier group from the set of subcarriers to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping; and transmitting an indication of the respective communication resource allocation for uplink transmission to said each wireless communication unit.

As an optional option, the resource block layer mapping includes: mapping one or more resource blocks from the reserved set of resource blocks for allocation to the wireless communication unit; the subcarrier layer mapping comprises: one or more subcarriers from the reserved set of subcarriers are mapped for allocation to a wireless communication unit.

As another alternative, there are N resource block groups, and the step of allocating resource blocks from each resource block group further comprises: allocating one resource block from each of the N resource block groups to achieve a determined number of resource blocks required for uplink transmission of a wireless communication unit, wherein when the determined number of resource blocks is greater than N, then allocating another resource block from each of the N resource block groups of the remaining number of resource blocks required by the wireless communication unit; and periodically repeating allocating further resource blocks in each of any remaining number N of resource block groups from the resource blocks required by the wireless communication unit.

As an alternative, the first resource block, the second resource block and any other resource blocks in each of the N resource block groups are consecutive. Optionally, all resource blocks in each of the N resource block groups are consecutive.

As another alternative, there are M subcarrier groups, and when said each wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping and the number of required subcarriers is less than or equal to M, the step of allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group further comprises: the subcarriers from each of the M subcarrier groups are allocated to achieve a desired number of resource blocks for uplink transmission. Optionally, the position of each subcarrier in each of the M subcarrier groups is the same.

As an alternative, there are M subcarrier groups, and when the wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping and the number of required subcarriers is greater than M, the step of allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group further comprises: for two or more dispensing cycles: allocating one subcarrier from each of the M subcarrier groups in a first allocation period; allocating another subcarrier from each of the M subcarrier groups in a second allocation period to achieve a remaining number of subcarriers required by the wireless communication unit; and periodically repeating allocating other subcarriers in each of the M subcarrier groups from any remaining number of subcarriers required by the wireless communication unit; wherein the subcarriers from each of the M subcarrier groups, any other subcarrier and any other subcarrier are contiguous. Optionally, for each allocation period, the position of each allocated subcarrier in each of the M subcarrier groups is the same. Optionally, the required number of subcarriers is an integer multiple of the number of subcarriers in each resource block.

Optionally, determining that the wireless communication unit is to use sub-carrier layer mapping when the wireless communication unit is determined to be located near a cell edge; otherwise determining that the wireless communication unit will use resource block layer mapping.

Optionally, when the wireless communication unit needs a number of resource blocks, the number of resource blocks including a number of subcarriers smaller than the number of subcarrier groups or a predetermined minimum resource block threshold, determining that the wireless communication unit will use subcarrier layer mapping; otherwise, it is determined that the wireless communication unit will use resource block layer mapping.

Optionally, when the estimated transmit power of the wireless communication unit required for uplink transmission is higher than a predetermined transmit power threshold, it is determined that the wireless communication unit will use subcarrier layer mapping. Optionally, when the wireless communication unit is determined to be located near a cell edge and requires a number of resource blocks, it is determined that the wireless communication unit should use resource block level mapping at a subcarrier level, the number of resource blocks comprising a number of subcarriers greater than a number of subcarrier groups.

Alternatively, when communication resources are allocated to each wireless communication unit, one or more resource block groups or one or more subcarrier groups located in the vicinity of the upper and lower ends of a predetermined frequency bandwidth are used first. As an alternative, the allocation of communication resources for each wireless communication unit occupies at least 80% of the predetermined frequency bandwidth.

As an alternative, the resource block set is associated with an indexed resource block look-up table representing bitmap resource block allocations at a resource block mapping layer, wherein a plurality of resource blocks from an allocation of the resource block set for each corresponding wireless communication unit are represented by one or more indices of the resource block look-up table; the method further comprises: transmitting to each wireless communication unit, further comprising: data representing one or more indices of a resource block lookup table is transmitted as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation at a resource block mapping layer for uplink transmission.

As another alternative, the set of subcarriers is associated with an indexed subcarrier lookup table that represents bitmap subcarrier assignments at a subcarrier mapping layer, wherein a number of subcarriers from the assignment of the set of subcarriers for each corresponding wireless communication unit are represented by one or more indices of the subcarrier lookup table; the method further comprises: transmitting to each wireless communication unit, further comprising: transmitting a data transmission representing one or more indices of a subcarrier lookup table as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation located at a subcarrier mapping layer for uplink transmission.

Optionally, a request for a determined number of resource blocks for uplink transmission is received from each wireless communication unit.

Optionally, the subcarrier layer mapping is based on IFDMA mapping, and the resource block layer mapping is based on block IFDMA mapping, the method further comprising: allocating resource blocks from each resource block group of a resource block set to said each wireless communication unit when said each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA in said resource block layer mapping; allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of the set of subcarriers to said each wireless communication unit when said each wireless communication unit is to use IFDMA at the subcarrier mapping layer, wherein the allocated plurality of subcarriers are non-contiguous; or when said each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA at the subcarrier mapping layer, allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of the subcarrier set to said each wireless communication unit, wherein the allocated two or more subcarriers are contiguous.

As an alternative, the number of user equipments located in the cell edge area of the cell served by the base station and the number of user equipments located in the cell center area are determined, wherein: when the number of user equipment in the cell edge area is greater than the number of user equipment in the cell center area and reaches a first predetermined threshold, reducing the resource block set by reserving one or more resource blocks from one or more resource block groups to form other subcarriers included in the subcarrier set; when the number of user equipment in the cell edge area is less than the number of user equipment in the cell center area and reaches a second predetermined threshold, the resource block set is increased by reserving one or more continuous subcarriers equivalent to one or more resource blocks from one or more subcarrier groups to form other plurality of resource blocks included in the resource block set.

Additionally or alternatively, determining a bandwidth requested by a user equipment in a cell edge region served by the base station and a bandwidth requested by a user equipment in a cell center region, wherein when the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell edge region is greater than the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell center region by a first predetermined bandwidth threshold, reducing the resource block set by reserving one or more resource blocks from the one or more resource block sets to form a plurality of other subcarriers included in the subcarrier set; when the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell edge region is less than the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell center region by a second predetermined bandwidth threshold, the resource block set is increased by reserving one or more contiguous subcarriers equivalent to the one or more resource blocks from the one or more subcarrier groups to form another plurality of resource blocks for inclusion in the resource block set.

As an alternative, the reduction of the resource block set depends on the estimated load of the cell center user equipment being smaller than the estimated load of the cell edge user equipment; and increasing the resource block set is dependent on the estimated load of the cell edge user equipment being less than the estimated load of the cell center user equipment.

Optionally, evaluating a load distribution associated with a plurality of user equipments in a cell served by the base station; when the reserved current resource block set is unbalanced with the load distribution, updating the current reserved resource block set; and notifying each user equipment of the updated set of reserved resource blocks.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus comprising a processor, a memory unit and a communication interface, wherein the processor unit, the memory unit and the communication interface are configured to perform a method of allocating uplink communication resources to a plurality of wireless communication units using unlicensed radio spectrum in a cell of a wireless communication system, the method comprising: reserving, in a base station serving the cell of the wireless communication system, uplink communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth; wherein the uplink communication resources comprise a set of resource blocks and a set of subcarriers; the set of resource blocks comprises two or more spaced groups of resource blocks, each resource block in the group of resource blocks comprising a plurality of subcarriers; the set of subcarriers comprises two or more spaced apart groups of subcarriers; a plurality of resource block groups and a plurality of subcarrier groups are interleaved over the predetermined frequency bandwidth; allocating communication resources to each wireless communication unit served by the base station, comprising: allocating one or more resource blocks from each resource block group of the set of resource blocks to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use resource block layer mapping; allocating one or more subcarriers in each subcarrier group from the set of subcarriers to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping; and transmitting an indication of the respective communication resource allocation for uplink transmission to said each wireless communication unit. Optionally, the apparatus is further configured to perform a method as described in the first aspect of the invention or as described herein.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a telecommunications network comprising a plurality of UEs, a plurality of base stations, each base station comprising an apparatus as in the second aspect of the present invention or as described herein, wherein each base station serves one or more of the plurality of UEs.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer readable instructions for execution by a processor to implement the first aspect of the present invention and/or any one or more of the methods as described herein.

These and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from and elucidated with reference to the examples and/or embodiments described hereinafter.

Drawings

Examples and/or embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

fig. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 2 is a communication resource structure for use with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an example method according to an embodiment of the invention;

fig. 4 is a communication resource frame structure in the frequency domain according to an embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus for use in a base station according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus in a wireless communication unit or UE according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the invention are described below by way of example only, which represent preferred ways of putting the invention into practice, but which are not the only ways of realising the invention. In the description, the functions of the embodiments and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the examples will be set forth. However, the same or equivalent functions and operational flows may be accomplished by different examples.

The inventors have discovered that the allocation and scheduling of uplink communication resources associated with unlicensed radio spectrum for a wireless communication system can be improved such that a base station can efficiently allocate communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth to a plurality of wireless communication units or User Equipments (UEs) at the RB and subcarrier levels using RB level mapping (e.g., block IFDMA) and/or subcarrier level mapping (e.g., IFDMA) in the uplink over the predetermined frequency bandwidth. The base station effectively provides an indication of the allocation of communication resources to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices at the RB layer or subcarrier layer, respectively, depending on whether the base station determines to use the RB layer mapping or the subcarrier layer mapping.

A wireless communication unit or UE may include or represent any portable computing device for communication. Examples of wireless communication units or UEs that may be used in certain embodiments of the described devices, methods and systems may be wired or wireless devices, such as mobile devices, mobile phones, terminals, smart phones, portable computing devices such as laptops, handheld devices, tablets, netbooks, personal digital assistants, music players and other computing devices capable of wired or wireless communication.

Although L-FDMA, IFDMA, and block IFDMA have been described with respect to, for example, but not limited to, subcarrier layer mapping and/or RB layer mapping, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any RB layer mapping can include any mapping structure or model that allocates one or more RBs on a RB basis, and that any subcarrier layer mapping can include any mapping structure or model that allocates one or more subcarriers on a subcarrier basis. In another example, RB layer mapping may allocate one or more RBs on an RB basis over a predetermined frequency bandwidth or system bandwidth, and subcarrier layer mapping may be used to allocate one or more subcarriers on a subcarrier basis over the predetermined frequency bandwidth or system bandwidth.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system or network 100 including a core network 102 (or telecommunications infrastructure), a plurality of network nodes 104a-104m (e.g., base stations enbs) having cells 106a-106m serving a plurality of wireless communication units 108a-108e (e.g., UEs). A plurality of network nodes 104a-104m are connected to the core network 102 by links. These links may be wired or wireless (e.g., radio communication links, fiber optics, etc.). The core network 102 may include a plurality of core network nodes, network entities, application servers, or any other network or computing device that may communicate with one or more radio access networks including the plurality of network nodes 104a-104 m.

Each cell 106a-106m may include one or more UEs 108b or 108e located at or near an edge region of the corresponding cell 106a or 106 m. Each cell may have a cell edge region 110a (or 110m) where the UE108b (or 108e) is considered to be located near the edge of the cell 106a (or 106 m). The cell edge region 110a may be bounded by a cell edge threshold boundary 112a and a cell edge, where a UE108b located within the cell edge region 110a is considered a cell edge user or UE108 b. The edge threshold boundary 112a may be based on a transmit/receive power threshold where the eNB104a deems the UE108b to be located in the cell edge region 110a, e.g., because the transmit/receive power between the eNB104a and the UE108b is below and/or equal to a first predetermined transmit/receive power threshold. A UE108a or 108c in the cell 106a may be considered by the eNB104a to be located in the cell center area 114a because the transmit/receive power between the eNB104a and the UE108a or 108c may be higher than or equal to the second predetermined transmit/receive power threshold. The first predetermined transmit/receive power threshold may be equal to or less than the second predetermined transmit/receive power threshold.

Although only two regions, 112a and 114a, are depicted in cell 106a, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there may be multiple regions within the cell, wherein UEs in each region may be classified as a cell edge region 112a, one or more intermediate cell regions (not shown), and/or a cell center region 114a based on various one or more predetermined transmit/receive power thresholds. Although each area 112a and 114a may be defined by a predetermined transmit/receive power threshold, one skilled in the art will appreciate that each area 112a and/or 114a may be defined by any other cell attribute or characteristic, such as cell radius and location of the eNB, etc.

In the present example, the network nodes 104a-104m are illustrated as base stations, which may be, for example and without limitation, enbs in an LTE-advanced based telecommunication network. Each of the plurality of network nodes 104a-104m (e.g., base stations) has a footprint (footprint) that schematically represents a corresponding circular cell 106a-106m for serving one or more UEs 108a-108e in fig. 1 for simplicity and by way of example and without limitation. The UEs 108a-108e may be capable of receiving services, such as voice, video, audio, or other communication services, from the wireless communication system 100.

The wireless communication system or network 100 may include or represent any one or more communication networks for communication between the UEs 108a-108e and other devices, content sources, or servers connected to the wireless communication system or network 100. The core network 102 may also include or represent one or more communication networks, one or more network nodes, entities, elements, application servers, base stations, or other network devices that are linked, coupled, or connected to form the wireless communication system or network 100. The links or couplings between the network nodes may be wired or wireless (e.g., radio communication links, fiber optics, etc.). The wireless communication system or network 100 and the core network 102 may include any suitable combination of core networks and radio access networks, including network nodes or entities, base stations, access points, etc. that enable communication between the UEs 108a-108e, the network nodes 104a-104m of the wireless communication system 100 and the core network 102, content sources, and/or other devices connected to the system or network 100.

Examples of a wireless communication network 100 that may be used in some embodiments of the described apparatus, methods and systems may be at least one communication network or a combination thereof, including, but not limited to, one or more wired and/or wireless telecommunication networks, one or more core networks, one or more wireless access networks, one or more computer networks, one or more data communication networks, the Internet, a telephone network, a wireless network, e.g., a WiMAX, WLAN and/or Wi-Fi network based on the IEEE802.11 standard by way of example only, or an Internet Protocol (IP) network, a packet switched network or an enhanced packet switched network, an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network or a communication network based on wireless, cellular or satellite technology, such as a mobile network, a Global System for mobile communications (Global System for mobile communications, GSM), GPRS networks, Wideband Code Division multiple access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000 or LTE/LTE advanced communication networks or any second, third, fourth or fifth generation and beyond type communication networks etc.

In the example of fig. 1, the wireless communication system 100 may be, by way of example only and not limitation, an LTE/LTE-advanced communication network using Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) techniques for downlink and uplink channels. The downlink may include one or more communication channels for transmitting data from one or more enbs 104a-104m to one or more UEs 108a-108 e. Typically, the downlink channel is a communication channel used for transmitting data, e.g., from the eNB104a to the UE108 a. In an LTE/LTE-advanced communication network, a multiple access method used in a downlink may be Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA).

The uplink includes one or more communication channels for transmitting data from one or more UEs 108a-108e to one or more enbs 104a-104 m. The uplink of LTE/LTE-advanced may use a single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) mode similar to OFDMA. Generally, an uplink channel is a communication channel used to transmit data, e.g., from the UE108a to the base station 108 a. In OFDM, multi-carrier transmission is used to carry (carry) data in the form of OFDM symbols on both uplink and downlink channels. For example, an uplink channel or a downlink channel between the UE108a and the eNB104a may include or represent one or more narrowband carriers, where each narrowband carrier further includes multiple narrowband sub-carriers. This is known as multi-carrier transmission, each narrow band sub-carrier being used to transmit data in the form of OFDM symbols.

Both the uplink and downlink for LTE/LTE-advanced networks are divided into radio frames (e.g., each frame may be 10ms in length), where each frame may be divided into multiple subframes. For example, each frame may include 10 equal-length subframes, where each subframe is comprised of multiple slots (e.g., 2 slots) for transmitting data. In addition to a slot, a subframe may include several additional special fields or OFDM symbols, which may include, by way of example only, downlink synchronization symbols, broadcast symbols, and/or uplink reference symbols. For OFDMA, the smallest resource unit or element in the time domain is an OFDM symbol for the downlink and an SC-FDMA symbol for the uplink.

Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication resource grid 200 in the frequency and time domain for a slot 202 of a radio frame when the wireless communication system 100 described with reference to fig. 1 is an LTE/LTE-advanced network. The frequency domain is on the y-axis of communication resource grid 200 and the time domain is on the x-axis of communication resource grid 200. The communication resource grid 200 of a time slot 202 may represent one carrier of a plurality of carriers in the frequency domain. The communication resource grid 200 includes a plurality of RBs, where each RB 204 may be associated with a particular carrier frequency of a plurality of carriers. Each carrier used for uplink communication may be divided into a number N of carriers_RBWherein each RB 204 has a plurality of subcarriers; each RB 204 may have a number N_SCWherein each subcarrier may be an offset from a carrier frequency associated with RB 204. Each carrier includes N associated with one or more RBs 204_RB×N_SCA subcarrier (i.e., a plurality of subcarriers). Each RB 204 may be represented by a subset of the plurality of subcarriers in the frequency domain, e.g., N_SCSub-carriers, and a plurality of symbols, e.g., N, on time slot 202_SYMBSymbols, wherein each symbol has a symbol period. RB 204 defines N_SC×N_SYMBA grid in the frequency and time domain of resource units 206. For RB 204, resource element 206 corresponds to N_SCSub-carriersAnd N on time slot 202_SYMBA particular symbol of the plurality of symbols. The communication resources allocable to a UE may be allocated based on communication resource grid 200 and typically according to the form of one or more RBs/subcarriers associated with the corresponding carrier. The communication resources may be described in terms of one or more carriers, one or more subcarriers, and/or one or more RBs.

The communication resource grid 200 for the downlink and uplink is actually a homogeneous structure with some nuances. For example, the downlink for LTE/LTE-advanced networks typically uses OFDM multiple access, so the downlink may use OFDM symbols in the time domain. The uplink of an LTE-advanced LTE network typically uses SC-FDMA to access the uplink, and thus SC-FDMA symbols can be used in the time domain. Although this may be the case for current LTE/LTE-advanced networks, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any type of OFDM/SC-FDMA type symbols, etc. may be used in the uplink.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, in general, in an LTE network, communication resources may be allocated by enbs 104a-104m to UEs 108a-108e in the form of a list of carriers and/or RBs 204. For example, in current LTE networks, the smallest dimensional unit for allocating resources in the frequency domain is an RB with a bandwidth of 180kHz, which corresponds to N_SCEach subcarrier is located at 15kHz offset from the carrier frequency associated with the RB.

In current or legacy communication systems, the eNBs 104a-104m may allocate RBs to the UEs 108a-108e by performing uplink carrier allocation. For licensed spectrum, the eNB104a may simplify performing uplink carrier allocation by partitioning the available RBs between the UEs 108a-108b served by the base station 104 a. For example, in an LTE network, when carrier resources are not restricted, the eNB104a may accurately allocate the number of carriers and RBs that may be requested by the UE108a with preset conditions, provided that the licensed carriers from the licensed spectrum are protected by regulations and that all allocated carriers and RBs allocated to the UE108a are explicitly usable. In this case, the eNB104a may meet the requirements of the UE108 a.

In another example, for LTE, an enhanced LAA uplink in unlicensed spectrum may use one or more predetermined 20MHz F_BW. For F of 20MHz_BWThe total number of RBs, L, may be 100, where each RB has X-12 subcarriers occupying a bandwidth of 180 kHz. This means that at F_BWThere will be 1200 subcarriers allocated by the eNB104a to the UEs 108a-108c served by the eNB104 a. As previously described, for each predetermined F controlled by each eNB 108a-108m_BWSince ETSI EN 301893 V1.7.2(2014-07) "Broadband Radio Access Networks (BRAN); 5GHzhigh performance RLAN; harmonized EN converting the addressing requirements of the R3.2 of the R&Two main provisions in sections 4.3 and 4.4 of the TTE Directive "draft of the standards, where each uplink UE108a-108e should adhere to the standard when using the uplink in the unlicensed radio spectrum, expect that UL subcarriers are mapped by each eNB104a onto non-uniformly spaced subcarriers.

The first regulatory requirement in section 4.3 states that the output signal of each UE108a-108e must be able to occupy the entire bandwidth F_BWAt least 80% of the total weight of the composition. Even when only 2 RBs are allocated to one of the UEs 108a-108b, they should be spaced far enough apart, e.g., one RB is located in the system bandwidth F_BWThe other is located at the left end of the system bandwidth F_BWTo the right end of the housing. The second regulatory requirement in section 4.4 describes that the power density per MHz is limited to a certain level measured in dBm (e.g., 10dBm), which means that even only one RB, which in LTE may also have a bandwidth of 180KHz with X-12 subcarriers spaced apart, needs to be transmitted and each of the UEs 108a-108e cannot use its full power (e.g., 23 dBm). However, full power may be applied when the subcarriers are distributed in frequency in a manner that maps to as many "MHz" frequencies as possible.

However, when the number of allocated RBs is small, for example, 2 RBs for cell-edge UE108b in cell-edge region 110a, the maximum allowed output power that UE108b can use is 13dBm (═ 2 × 10dBm) according to the requirements of the second regulation. However, considering that UE108b is in cell edge region 110a, it may need to use full power (e.g., 23dBm) to ensure better coverage or communication performance in the uplink.

In this case, in order to occupy as many "MHz" as possible, the number of subcarriers per MHz bandwidth (i.e., the size of the subcarrier set) may need to be reduced to even one or two subcarriers per MHz. For example, assuming a system with 12 subcarriers per RB X, then 2 RBs would require 24 subcarriers, which may be 20MHz F with 1 or 2 subcarriers in each MHz bandwidth_BWThe allocation is done discontinuously. However, such a communication resource allocation scheme causes two major drawbacks. The first disadvantage is the overall bandwidth F_BWWill be split into a number of isolated segments comprising a number of unused portions of the RB. A second drawback is that there will be too many possible subcarrier locations (e.g., for every F)_BWL-100 RBs, and X-12 subcarriers per RB, there may be 1200 subcarriers) to allocate to this very small set of subcarriers (e.g., 24 subcarriers). The first can result in poor or inefficient use of the frequency bandwidth, and the second can result in a large number of information bits to index each subcarrier location, which can consume more control channel capacity.

The inventors have found that the predetermined frequency bandwidth F is_BWIt is more efficient to organize or reserve all L RBs into two types. The first type of RB may be referred to as a RB set, which is included at F_BWA plurality of RB groups divided by frequency. Each of the plurality of RB groups may include a plurality of consecutive or consecutive RBs. The set of RBs may be allocated by the eNB104a to the UEs 108a-108c on an RB basis or in the form of an entire resource block. Thus, when the eNB104a determines that these UEs may use RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA), which has a subcarrier set size or number of subcarriers in each RB group, allocated to each UE and equal to one or more RBs or integer multiples of RBs, the UEs 108a-108c may use the RB set (or first type of RB).

The second type of RBs reserved by the eNB104a are used to efficiently allocate partial RBs to one or more UEs on a subcarrier basis. The second type of RBs may be referred to as a subcarrier set, whichComprising one or more subcarrier groups or a plurality of subcarrier groups, wherein each subcarrier group comprises a plurality of consecutive or consecutive subcarriers, which may span one or more consecutive RBs, which are not used in the first type of RB set. Each subcarrier group being in the frequency bandwidth F_BWSpaced in frequency from another group of subcarriers. The subcarrier set (i.e., the second type RB) may preferably be configured to cover a smaller number of RBs than the number of RBs reserved for the RB set (i.e., the first type RB). Thus, when the eNB104a determines that the UEs may use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., LFDMA or IFDMA, and/or block IFDMA), the UEs 108a-108c may use the set of subcarriers (or second type of RBs).

For example, each subcarrier group may include a number of subcarriers in an RB, wherein any two subcarrier groups in the subcarrier set are spaced apart by, by way of example only and not limitation, at least 1MHz (e.g., at least 5 RBs when an RB has a bandwidth of 180kHz and each RB has 12 subcarriers). The subcarriers in the subcarrier set may be used for subcarrier layer mapping such as, but not limited to, IFDMA or block IFDMA with the number of subcarriers allocated to each UE (i.e., subcarrier set size) that is less than, by way of example only, but not limited to, the number of subcarriers in 1 RB.

First type RB (e.g., set of RBs) and second type RB (e.g., set of subcarriers) in frequency bandwidth F_BWAre interleaved together, wherein subcarriers for a first type of RB (e.g., set of RBs) are different from subcarriers for a second type of RB (e.g., set of subcarriers).

This type of RB reservation by the eNB104a allows the eNB104a to efficiently indicate communication resource allocations to each of the UEs 104a-104c served by the eNB104 a. For example, the first type of RB may be indexed based on current conventional methods, namely indexing a RB bitmap that allocates all RBs to each UE108a-108 c. Assuming there are preferably fewer RBs being used by the second type of RB (or set of subcarriers) than RBs used by the first type of RB (or set of RBs), each subcarrier may be mapped to a subcarrier allocation bitmap that may be easily indexed to allow the eNB104a to indicate each subcarrier (e.g., partial RB allocation) from the set of subcarriers allocated to the UE108 b.

An example RB reservation for the eNB104a may be F at 20MHz_BWThe total number of above is 100 RBs divided into 20 sets of every 5 RBs and 1 RB of every 5 RBs is reserved for each subcarrier group in the subcarrier set (e.g., second type RB) and the remaining 4 RBs of every 5 RBs are reserved for each RB group in the RB set (i.e., first type RB). This ensures that the minimum distance between two subcarriers from adjacent subcarrier groups in the subcarrier set is about 0.9MHz (═ 5 × 180KHz), which may comply with regulatory requirements when using a spectrum analyzer with a 1MHz resolution filter. If not, the optional RB reservation by the eNB104a may be to divide 100 RBs into 17 sets of every 6 RBs and reserve 1 RB of every 6 RBs for each subcarrier group in the subcarrier set (i.e., the second type of RB), which means that the minimum distance between two adjacent subcarrier groups is approximately 1.08 MHz.

Although a few example RB reservations have been described, those skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of RBs may be reserved for the set of RBs and any number of RBs may be reserved for the set of subcarriers. Optionally, the number of RBs reserved for the set of RBs may be greater than the number of RBs reserved for the set of subcarriers. For example, a first plurality of RBs may be reserved for each group of RBs in the set of RBs, and a second one or more RBs may be reserved for each group of subcarriers in the set of subcarriers, wherein the first plurality of RBs is larger than the second one or more RBs. However, this is understood by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the simplified flowchart of fig. 3, steps 302 through 308 are performed in an apparatus or processing module (not shown) in the eNB104a of fig. 1. For simplicity, the following description refers to fig. 1 and 2, where the reference numbers of fig. 1 and 2 represent similar or analogous components, UEs, base stations, etc. The enbs 104a-104m and wireless communication units or UEs 108a-108e may be configured to access the unlicensed radio spectrum using subcarrier layer mapping or RB layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA and/or block IFDMA). Each eNB104a-104m may reserve uplink communication resources at the RB layer and the subcarrier layer over a predetermined frequency bandwidth or over each of a plurality of predetermined frequency bandwidths of the unlicensed wireless spectrum. Each eNB104a-104m may use the same or different predetermined frequency bandwidth.

Each eNB104a may reserve uplink communication resources for a predetermined frequency bandwidth by dividing the predetermined frequency bandwidth into a set of RBs and a set of subcarriers interleaved together in frequency. For example, the set of RBs may include two or more mutually spaced RB groups that are spaced apart over a predetermined frequency bandwidth, and wherein each RB includes a plurality of subcarriers. The number of subcarriers in each RB in the RB group is also different. The set of subcarriers may include two or more mutually spaced subcarrier groups, wherein each subcarrier group is spaced over a predetermined frequency bandwidth, and the subcarriers in each subcarrier group are different from the plurality of subcarriers in each RB group. The RB groups are interleaved and/or alternated with subcarrier groups over a predetermined frequency bandwidth.

Each of the UEs 108a-108c served by the eNB 108a may send a request for an amount of communication resources required for uplink data transmission by each of the UEs 108a-108c using the unlicensed spectrum. In step 302, the eNB104a receives, from each of one or more UEs 108a-108c, a request for an amount of communication resources needed for uplink transmission by the UE using unlicensed radio spectrum.

For each of the UEs 108a-108c served by the eNB104a and requesting communication resources, the eNB104a allocates communication resources to each of the UEs 108a-108c for use over a predetermined frequency bandwidth. In step 304, the eNB104a may allocate communication resources at the RB layer by allocating RBs in each RB group of the set of RBs to each UE108a or 108c when said each UE108a or 108c is to use RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA) over a predetermined frequency bandwidth. In step 306, when said each wireless communication unit or UE108b is to use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA or block IFDMA), the eNB104a allocates communication resources at the subcarrier layer by allocating subcarriers in each subcarrier group of the subcarrier set to said each wireless communication unit or UE108 b. In step 308, the eNB104a sends to each wireless communication unit or UE108a-108c its respective communication resource allocation for use by that UE108a-108c in uplink transmissions.

In the method 300, the eNB104a may determine that the wireless communication unit or UE108b is to use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA) when the wireless communication unit or UE108b is determined or estimated to be located near a cell edge or within a cell edge region 110a of the cell 106 a. For example, based on the transmit/receive power between the eNB 108a and the UE108b, the UE108b may be determined to be located within the cell edge area 110a of the cell 106a when the transmit/receive power between the eNB and the UE108b is less than or equal to the power threshold of the cell edge area 110 a. Otherwise, the eNB104a may determine that the wireless communication unit or UE108a or 108c is to use RB layer mapping (e.g., based on block IFDMA).

The eNB104a may also determine that the wireless communication unit or UE108b or 108c is to use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA) when the wireless communication unit or UE108b or 108c requires a number of RBs less than a predetermined minimum RB threshold. Otherwise, the eNB104a determines that the wireless communication unit or UE108 c is to use RB layer mapping (e.g., based on block IFDMA). The eNB104a may also determine that the wireless communication unit or UE108b or 108c is to use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA) when the estimated transmit power of the wireless communication unit or UE108b or 108c required for uplink transmissions is required to increase above a predetermined transmit power threshold that cannot be achieved when the UE108b or 108c uses RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA).

Additionally or alternatively, the eNB104a may determine that the wireless communication unit or UE108a should use RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA) when the wireless communication unit or UE108a is determined to be located near or adjacent to a cell center region, or within a middle or center cell region 114 a.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a predetermined frequency bandwidth F at the eNB104a_WA schematic illustration of an upper communication resource reservation or allocation structure 400. For simplicity, the following description will refer to fig. 1 and 2, where reference numerals of fig. 1 and 2 refer to similar or analogous components, UEs, base stations, etc. As described previously with reference to fig. 3, by mixing F_WDivided into bandwidths F_WSets of N size RBs 402a-402N and M size subcarriers 406a-406M, eN interleaved together in frequencyB104a may be in bandwidth F_WUplink communication resources 402a-402n and/or 406a-406m are reserved or allocated.

The RB set 402a-402N may include one or more N spaced RB groups 402a-402N in a frequency bandwidth F_WAre spaced above each other. Preferably, there may be two or more spaced RB groups 402a-402 n. RB group 402a includes one or more RBs 404a-404f, where each of RBs 404a-404f includes a plurality of subcarriers (not shown). As can be seen in FIG. 4, the RBs 404a-404F in each RB group are shown as being adjacent to each other and/or having a bandwidth F_WThe upper is continuous. The plurality of subcarriers for each of RBs 404a-404f is different from the plurality of subcarriers for another RB. Although each RB group 402a-402n is shown as having the same number of RBs, one skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more RB groups may have a different number of RBs, and/or a different number of subcarriers per RB.

Subcarrier sets 406a-406M may include one or more subcarrier groups spaced by a number M, where each of subcarrier groups 406a-406M is at a bandwidth F_WAnd (4) an upper interval. Preferably, there may be two or more spaced subcarrier groups 406a-406 m. Each subcarrier group 406a may include subcarriers adjacent to each other and within a bandwidth F_WA plurality of subcarriers 408a-408g that are successively spaced above. The plurality of subcarriers in each subcarrier group 406a-406m are different from each other and from the plurality of subcarriers in each RB group 402a-402 n.

As shown in FIG. 4, the RB groups 402a-402n are within a bandwidth F_WInterleaved with subcarrier groups 406a-406 m. In this example, the eNB104a alternates each RB group 240a-402n with each subcarrier group 406a-406 m. For example, eNB104a is in bandwidth F_WTo the lower end of the first RB group 402a, then to the first subcarrier group 406a, then to the second RB group 402b, then to the second subcarrier group 406a, and so on, with the remaining RB groups 402c-402n alternating with the remaining subcarrier groups 406a-406 m.

As an example and referring to fig. 1 and 4, eNB104a may map the bandwidth F_BWDivided into L RBs, each RB having X number or size of subcarriers, which means that the bandwidth FBW has a total of XLAnd (4) carrying waves. From the L RBs, the eNB104a may then reserve a set of RBs including N RB groups 402a-402N, where each of the RB groups 402a-402N has a number F of RBs. The eNB104a may also reserve a subcarrier set comprising M subcarrier groups from the L RBs, where each of the subcarrier groups 406a-406M has GX subcarriers 408a-408G, where G ≧ 1, and G is an integer. As described above, each of the RB groups 402a-402n is at bandwidth F_BWInterleaved or alternating with each of the subcarrier groups 406a-406 m. Given this allocation, L ═ FN + GM number of RBs are already in bandwidth F_BWIs reserved, wherein: 1) upon determining that it should use RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA allocating RBs on an RB basis) for its uplink data transmission, multiples of an FN of RBs may be allocated to one or more wireless communication units or UEs 108a-108 e; and/or 2) the GMX multiple of the interval subcarriers may be allocated to one or more wireless communication units or UEs 108a-108e when it is determined that it should use subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA allocating subcarriers based on subcarriers) for its uplink data transmission.

RB layer mapping a predetermined frequency bandwidth F comprising one or more RBs_BWThe one or more RBs from the set of reserved RBs for allocation to the UE108 a. Subcarrier layer mapping a predetermined frequency bandwidth F comprising one or more subcarriers_BWA mapping or mapping model of the one or more subcarriers from a set of reserved subcarriers for allocation to the UE108 a.

The eNB104a may determine that the UEs 108a and 108c served by the eNB104a are within the cell center region 114a, and thus allocate communication resources at the RB layer such that RB layer mapping (e.g., block IFDMA based on RB allocation) is used, and according to the RB layer mapping, the UEs 108a and 108c are allocated RBs in the RB sets 402a-402 n. Each UE108a, 108c may request multiple RBs for its uplink transmission based on, among other things, by way of example only and not limitation, the amount of data in the transmit buffer of each UE108a, 108c, the type of service of each UE108a, 108c, and/or the hardware and transmission capabilities. Each UE108a, 108c may request a different number of RBs for their uplink transmission.

Assume that there are N RB groups that have not been allocated to any UE108a-108 b and that a first UE108a has requested a number of RBs that is less than or equal to N RBs. In this case, the eNB104a may first allocate one RB404a from each of the N RB groups 402a-404N to the first UE108a such that the RBs from each group have been allocated to the UE108 a. The eNB may then store the RB allocation and mark all those N RBs as allocated to the first UE108 a. The eNB104a may then transmit an indicated RB allocation of the N RBs that have been allocated to the first UE108 a. Any other UE whose requested RB is less than or equal to a number of RBs of the N RBs may be allocated a different RB from each of the N groups.

The second UE108 c may request P RBs greater than N for uplink transmission, in which case the eNB104a may perform the requested periodic allocation of P RBs. In the first cycle, the eNB104a may determine z times the number of RBs or z sets of RBs each set including N RBs (e.g., z floor (P/N)), which may be adapted to the P RBs requested and the P-zN RBs of the remaining or final set (e.g., rem (P/N)). The eNB104a may then be at bandwidth F_BWPeriodic allocation of RBs is performed or multiple "allocations" are made through the N RB groups to allocate z sets of N RBs per set and the remaining P-zN sets of RBs.

For z sets of N RBs per set, the eNB may allocate a first set of N RBs, each RB in the first set from a different set 402a-402N of RBs, and repeat the allocation of N RBs of one or more other sets, if needed, e.g., allocate a second set of N RBs, each RB in the set from a different set 402a-402N of RBs, and wherein the first set of RBs is different from the second set of RBs, and repeat the allocation of the set of N RBs until a z-th set of N RBs is included. The RBs in the first set, the second set, and other sets having a z-th set comprising N RBs are different. Although not required, it is more advantageous that the RBs in the first set, the second set and any other set are contiguous for each of the N sets of RBs.

For the set including the remaining P-zN RBs, the eNB may allocate an RB from each of the P-zN RB groups 402a-402 n. The eNB104a may select P-zN RB groups based on the number of free RBs in each RB group and select these P-zN RB groups to ensure that the number of free RBs or allocated RBs in each group is substantially the same as the N RB groups. The RBs of each of the first set, the second set, and the other set having a z-th set comprising N RBs, and the RBs of the P-zN RBs are different. The eNB104a may then transmit an RB allocation with an indication of the P RBs allocated to the second UE108 c. Any other UE requesting a number of RBs greater than N may be allocated a set of RBs other than each of the N groups of RBs in a similar manner. Although not required, it is more advantageous that the RBs of the first set, the second set, any other set and the remaining set are contiguous as much as possible for each of the N sets of RBs. It is further advantageous if all sets of RBs allocated to UE108a are contiguous within or for each of the N sets of RBs.

The eNB104a may determine that some of the other one or more UEs served by the eNB104a, i.e., 108b, are within the cell edge region 110a, and thus allocate communication resources at the subcarrier layer such that subcarrier layer mapping (e.g., IFDMA) is used, and that the UE108b is allocated subcarriers in the subcarrier sets 406a-406 m. The UE108b may have requested K RBs (i.e., KX subcarriers, assuming each RB has X subcarriers) for its uplink transmission based on, among other things, by way of example only and not limitation, the amount of data in the transmit buffer of each UE108b, the type of service, and/or the hardware and transmission capabilities of each UE108 b. Note that subcarrier layer mapping such as IFDMA has a characteristic: each subcarrier allocated to UE108b is separated by at least a predetermined number of subcarriers greater than 1. That is, the subcarrier allocation for each UE performing such as IFDMA subcarrier layer mapping is not contiguous or has no subcarriers directly adjacent to each other.

Assume that there are M subcarrier groups 406a-406M, where each subcarrier group has GX subcarriers, where G > -1 and G is an integer, which has not been allocated to any UE108a-108c, and KX < ═ M. In this case, the eNB104a may first allocate one subcarrier 408a of each of the KX groups of the M subcarrier groups to the UE108 b. That is, the first subcarrier of each of the M subcarrier groups is allocated to the UE108b until KX < ═ M subcarriers. Any other UE requesting a number of RBs less than or equal to K RBs may also be allocated subcarriers different from each of KX < ═ M subcarrier groups. Also, preferably, the position of each subcarrier in each of the M subcarrier groups is the same. For example, if the subcarrier at the ith position or frequency within the first of the M subcarrier groups is allocated to UE108b, it is preferable that the subcarrier at the ith position in the remaining groups of the M subcarrier groups is also allocated to UE108b, which ensures that the peak to average Power Ratio (PAPR) of the UE108 b's transmission is reduced as much as possible. The eNB104a may then transmit an RB allocation with an indication of the KX subcarriers that have been allocated to the UE108 b. Any other UE requesting a number of subcarriers less than or equal to M subcarriers may be allocated one non-contiguous set of subcarriers different from each of the M blocks of subcarriers in a similar manner.

However, if KX is present>M subcarrier groups, the eNB104a may perform the requested periodic allocation of K RBs at the subcarrier level (e.g., KX requested subcarriers), which may require two or more allocation periods. First, the eNB104a may determine z times the number of, or each set includes, z sets of M subcarrier groups (e.g., z floor (KX/M)), which may be adapted to the P RBs requested and KX-zM subcarrier groups of the remaining or final set group (e.g., rem (KX/M)). eNB104a may then be at bandwidth F_BWA periodic allocation of subcarriers is performed or multiple "allocations" through the set of M subcarriers to allocate z sets of M subcarriers per set and the remaining set of KX-zM subcarriers.

For z sets of M subcarriers per set, eNB104a may allocate a first set of M subcarriers, each from a different subcarrier group 406a-406M, in a first allocation period and then repeat the allocation of M subcarriers of one or more other sets, e.g., allocate a second set of M subcarriers, each from a different subcarrier group 406a-406M, different from the first set of subcarriers, if needed, and wherein the first and second sets of subcarriers, when combined, are non-contiguous or absent of adjacent subcarriers. Additionally, or alternatively, or where possible, each set of subcarriers is taken from the same subcarrier location of each of the M subcarrier groups. That is, the position of each allocated subcarrier in each set of each of the M subcarrier groups is the same. The allocation process may be repeated for other sets including M subcarriers until the z-th set including the M-th subcarrier. The subcarriers of the first set, the second set and the other set having a z-th set comprising M subcarriers are different and discontinuous.

For the remaining set comprising KX-zM RBs, the eNB104a may allocate subcarriers for each of the KX-zM subcarrier groups from the subcarrier groups 406a-406 n. In the case where z sets of M subcarriers per set and KX-zM subcarriers are not contiguous, the eNB104a may select KX-zM subcarrier groups based on the number of idle subcarriers in each subcarrier group. The KX-zM subcarrier groups may be selected to ensure that the number of idle subcarriers in the M subcarrier groups, or the number of allocated subcarriers in each group, is substantially the same as the M subcarrier groups. The subcarriers of each of the first set, the second set, and the other sets having a z-th set comprising M subcarrier blocks, and the subcarriers in the KX-zM subcarrier blocks are different and non-contiguous. In addition, it is advantageous that the z-th set also employs subcarriers from the same position or index in each of the KX-zM subcarrier groups, where possible. Other UEs requesting allocation of the subcarrier layer may be allocated a set of non-contiguous subcarriers based on the remaining free or unallocated subcarriers of the M subcarrier groups. The eNB104a may then transmit a subcarrier allocation with an indication of the KX subcarriers already allocated to the UE108 b. Any other UE requesting a number of subcarriers greater than M subcarriers may be allocated a set of non-contiguous subcarriers different from each of the M subcarrier groups in a similar manner.

Although subcarrier layer allocation is described as requesting a non-contiguous set of subcarriers so that each UE may access the unlicensed wireless spectrum using a non-contiguous subcarrier layer mapping, such as, but not limited to, IFDMA, those skilled in the art will appreciate that this condition may be relaxed so that a UE may be allocated one or more contiguous subcarriers on the subcarrier layer. For example, for KX > M, after a first set of M non-contiguous subcarriers has been allocated, any other subcarriers allocated may be contiguous with one or more subcarriers in the first set of M subcarriers. Assuming that at least one of the KX subcarriers may be contiguous, this may form a hybrid IFDMA/block IFDMA system. This approach may be useful if there is no other way to derive non-contiguous subcarrier sets from the M subcarrier groups, respectively.

In another example, the communication RB allocation methods described above with reference to FIGS. 1-4 may be used by the eNBs 104a-104m to efficiently allocate sets of RBs and/or subcarriers so that the UEs 108a-108e do not transmit with excessive PAPR and thus overload their linear transmit amplifiers, particularly when the UEs 108a-108e are in their respective cell edge regions 110a-110 m. The communication resource allocation for each UE108a-108 b may be dynamically adjusted between the sub-carrier layer allocation and the RB layer allocation based on the above-described approach, making it possible to allocate non-contiguous RBs and/or sub-carriers, where the PAPR is still acceptable for each UE108a-108 e. The plurality of UEs 108a-108c may access the communication resources of the predetermined frequency bandwidth using an RB layer map, such as, but not limited to, block IFDMA or IFDMA. For example, UEs 108a and 108c are located in cell center region 114a, where eNB104a may determine that block IFDMA may be used and in the RB layer at a predetermined frequency bandwidth F_BWUp-allocates communication resources and also determines that the UE108b is in the cell edge region 110a and that the UE108b should be in F_BWUsing sub-carrier layer mapping such as, but not limited to, IFDMA, and allocating communication resources on the sub-carrier layer.

Additionally, if the subcarrier set size or number of subcarriers in each subcarrier group 406a-406M is equal to the number of subcarriers N in an RB, i.e., M-N, the maximum number of RBs that may be allocated to each UE108a-108e when using non-contiguous subcarrier layer mapping such as, but not limited to, IFDMA may be N without intra-frame subframe hopping (hopping) or 2N with intra-frame subframe hopping.

Further modifications are made to the above methods, apparatus and/or UEs. For example, when the eNB104a determines that the UE104 b or wireless communication unit is located (or is to be located) within an area or vicinity of a cell edge of a cell served by the eNB104a, the eNB104a may determine that the UE104 b or wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping. Otherwise, the eNB104a may determine that the UE104a or the wireless communication unit is to use RB layer mapping. The eNB104a may also determine whether the UE108a or the wireless communication unit uses subcarrier layer mapping when the UE108a wireless communication unit needs to include a number of RBs that is less than or equal to the number of subcarrier groups, or less than a predetermined minimum number threshold of RBs (e.g., 1 or 2 RBs). Although 1 or 2 RBs are given as an example minimum number threshold of RBs, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the minimum number threshold of RBs may vary or be greater than 2 or may be a value n, where n is any integer depending on the load, the number of UEs, the load distribution between the cell edge's UE108b and the cell center's UE108a or 108c, and other factors. This also improves the eNB104 a's extension of the UE108 a's transmissions to the predetermined frequency bandwidth F_BWA probability of 80% or more. Otherwise, the eNB104a may determine that the wireless communication unit is to use RB layer mapping.

The eNB104a may determine that the UE108b or the wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping when the estimated transmit power of the wireless communication unit required for uplink transmission is above a predetermined transmit power threshold. This is to avoid accidentally exceeding the PAPR of the transmitter of UE108b or 108a, or UE108b being located at the cell edge and requiring higher transmit power that the RB layer mapping may not be able to accommodate. Alternatively or additionally, the eNB104a may determine that the UE108b or wireless communication unit should use RB layer mapping at the subcarrier layer when the UE108b or wireless communication unit is determined to be located near an edge of a cell and requires a number of RBs greater than the number of subcarrier groups.

In another modification or example, in allocating wireless communication resources to each wireless communication unit, one or more RB groups or one or more subcarrier groups located in regions near upper and lower ends of a predetermined frequency bandwidth are first employed. This helps to ensure that the first requirements specified above are met. In particular, the communication resource allocation to each UE108a-108e or wireless communication unit is extended to at least 80% of the predetermined frequency bandwidth.

Additionally, the eNB104a may store the set of RBs in a memory or other computer-readable medium. In order for the eNB104a to track the set of RBs allocated to UEs 108a-108c in cell 106a, the set of RBs may be associated, for example and without limitation, with a bitmap representing RB allocations of an RB mapping layer or an indexed RB lookup table of a mapping. The RBs in the RB set may be represented by one or more indices in an RB lookup table. These indices or index values may be used to indicate their communication resource allocations to the UEs 108a-108 c. The eNB104a may transmit data representing one or more indices or index values in an RB lookup table for one or more RBs from a set of RBs that have been allocated to the UE to each UE108a-108c or wireless communication unit as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation at an RB mapping layer for uplink transmission.

The RB lookup table may include, by way of example only and not limitation, data representing a list of index values, each index value corresponding to a particular RB mapping for a predetermined bandwidth, where each index value may represent a different RB mapping for one or more RB locations that have been reserved on a predetermined frequency bandwidth or system bandwidth. Each index value in the RB lookup table may represent a mapping of each RB in the set of reserved RBs, a mapping of one or more RBs from the set of reserved RBs, and/or a mapping of one or more RBs each from one or more sets of RBs in the set of RBs, and/or other variations and/or combinations thereof that have been reserved for RB layer mapping. For example, the reserved RB set for RB layer mapping may include a plurality of RB groups spaced over a predetermined frequency bandwidth, wherein each RB group has a plurality of consecutive RBs. The index value may represent an RB mapping that may represent a location of an RB, a location of one or more RBs from a group of RBs, a location of one or more RBs from one or more groups of RBs, a location of two or more RBs each from a different group of RBs, or any other combination of one or more RBs, or a location of multiple RBs of one or more groups of RBs spanning over a predetermined frequency bandwidth.

In addition, the eNB104a may also track the subcarrier sets allocated to the UEs 108a-108c in the cell 106 a. The set of subcarriers may be associated with, for example and without limitation, a bitmap representing subcarrier assignments for a subcarrier mapping layer or an indexed subcarrier lookup table of a mapping. The subcarrier set is associated with an indexed subcarrier lookup table representing bitmap subcarrier assignments for a subcarrier mapping layer. The subcarriers in a subcarrier set may be represented by one or more index values in a subcarrier lookup table. The eNB104a may transmit to each UE108a-108c or wireless communication unit data representing one or more indices or indices in a subcarrier lookup table for one or more subcarriers from a set of subcarriers already allocated to the UE as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation at a subcarrier mapping layer for uplink transmission.

The subcarrier lookup table may include, for example and without limitation, data representing a list of index values, each index value corresponding to a particular subcarrier mapping of a predetermined bandwidth, where each index value may represent a different subcarrier mapping of one or more subcarrier locations that have been reserved over a predetermined frequency bandwidth or system bandwidth. Each index value in the subcarrier lookup table may represent a mapping for each subcarrier in the set of reserved subcarriers, a mapping for one or more subcarriers from the set of reserved subcarriers, and/or a mapping for one or more subcarriers each from one or more subcarrier groups in the set of subcarriers, and/or other variations and/or combinations thereof that have been reserved for subcarrier layer mapping. For example, the set of reserved subcarriers for subcarrier layer mapping may include a plurality of subcarrier groups spaced over a predetermined frequency bandwidth, where each subcarrier group has a plurality of consecutive subcarriers. The index value may represent a subcarrier mapping, which may represent a position of a subcarrier, a position of one or more subcarriers from a group of subcarriers, a position of one or more subcarriers from one or more groups of subcarriers, a position of two or more subcarriers each from a different group of subcarriers, or any other combination of one or more subcarriers, or a position of a plurality of subcarriers of one or more groups of subcarriers across a predetermined frequency bandwidth.

Once the eNB104a has reserved the set of RBs over the predetermined bandwidth or system bandwidth and has generated the RB layer map and corresponding RB lookup table and indices associated with one or more RB maps for the RB layer map, the eNB104a may inform the UEs 108a-108c of the RB layer map. The eNB104a may transmit and/or broadcast to the UEs 108a-108c data representing an RB lookup table and a definition of an index associated with one or more RB mappings. This may enable the eNB104a to efficiently transmit a communication resource allocation to each UE108a-108c based only on the index associated with the RB lookup table when the UE is to use RB layer mapping.

Similarly, once the eNB104a has reserved a set of subcarriers over a predetermined bandwidth or system bandwidth and has generated a subcarrier layer map and corresponding subcarrier lookup table and indices associated with one or more subcarrier maps for the subcarrier layer map, the eNB104a may inform the UEs 108a-108c of the subcarrier layer map. The eNB104a may transmit and/or broadcast data representing a subcarrier lookup table and a definition of an index associated with one or more subcarrier mappings to the UEs 108a-108 c. This may enable the eNB104a to efficiently transmit a communication resource allocation to each UE108a-108c based only on the index associated with the subcarrier lookup table when the UE is to use subcarrier layer mapping.

Although subcarrier layer mapping and RB layer mapping for the reserved subcarrier sets and reserved RB sets have been described, by way of example only, but is not limited to, a subcarrier lookup table and an RB lookup table stored with an associated index or index value, and wherein each index represents, by way of example only and not limitation, a subcarrier mapping of one or more subcarriers in a subcarrier set or one or more RBs in a RB set, those skilled in the art will appreciate that RB-layer mapping and/or subcarrier-layer mapping may be described or indicated at eNB104a and/or UEs 108a-108c in any other suitable and/or efficient manner, to allow the eNB104a to communicate communication resource allocations to the UEs 108a-108c, so that the UEs 108a-108c may properly transmit their uplink data on the communication resources allocated to them by the eNB104 a.

Although sub-carrier layer mapping or RB layer mapping is used for general mapping (genericmapping) on the sub-carrier layer and the RB layer, respectively, the sub-carrier layer mapping may be based on a mixed mapping of IFDMA mapping, LFDMA mapping, or block IFDMA mapping, or a combination thereof, as the sub-carrier layer; and the RB layer mapping may be based on a mixed mapping of block layer IFDMA mapping or LFDMA mapping, or a combination thereof, as the RB layer.

Additionally, the eNB104a may perform one or more of the following: allocating RBs from each RB group of a RB set to each of the wireless communication units when the each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA at an RB layer; allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of the subcarrier set to said each wireless communication unit when said each wireless communication unit is to use IFDMA at a subcarrier mapping layer, wherein the allocated subcarriers are non-contiguous; or when said each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA at a subcarrier mapping layer, allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of said set of subcarriers to said each wireless communication unit, wherein the allocated two or more subcarriers are contiguous.

Depending on the capacity of the predetermined bandwidth, the number of UEs in the cell edge region 110a, the number of UEs in the cell center region 114a, the load distribution of the entire cell, the bandwidth requests of the UEs 108a-108c, etc., the eNB104a may dynamically change the reservation of RBs in the set of RBs and the reservation of subcarriers in the set of subcarriers via various methods.

For example, the eNB104a may determine the number of UEs 108b within the cell edge area 110a and the number of UEs 108a, 108c within the cell center area 114a of the cell 106a served by the eNB104 a. Thus, when the number of UEs 108b within cell edge region 110a is greater than the number of UEs 108a, 108c within cell center region 114a by a first predetermined threshold, eNB104a may reduce the set of RBs by reserving one or more RBs from the one or more RB groups to form the other plurality of subcarriers included in the set of subcarriers. This is because there may be a risk of increased or higher load in the cell edge area 110a, or there may be an expectation that more UEs 108e are or will enter the cell edge area 110a such that there are not enough subcarriers in the set of subcarriers for the subcarriers at the subcarrier level mapping. However, when the number of UEs 108b within cell edge region 110a is less than the number of UEs 108a, 108c within cell center region 114a by a second predetermined threshold, eNB104a may increase the set of RBs by reserving one or more contiguous subcarriers from the one or more subcarrier groups that are equivalent to one or more RBs from the one or more subcarrier groups to form another plurality of RBs included in the set of RBs. This avoids overloading the cell center region 114a, and the eNB104a has sufficient communication resources at the RB layer map for allocation to the UEs 108a, 108c in the cell center region 114 a.

Similarly, additionally or alternatively, the eNB104a may determine the bandwidth requested by the UE108b within the cell edge region of the cell 106a served by the eNB104a and the bandwidth requested by the UEs 108a, 108c within the cell center region 114 a. Thus, when the bandwidth requested by UE108b within cell edge region 110a is greater than the bandwidth requested by UEs 108a, 108c within cell center region 114a by a first predetermined bandwidth threshold, eNB104a may reduce the set of RBs by reserving one or more RBs from the one or more RB groups to form another plurality of subcarriers included in the set of subcarriers. This also avoids subcarrier sets from depleting subcarriers at subcarrier layer mapping for allocation to UE108 b. When the bandwidth requested by UE108b within cell edge region 110a is less than the bandwidth requested by UEs 108a, 108c within cell center region 114a by a second predetermined bandwidth threshold, eNB104a may increase the set of RBs by reserving one or more contiguous subcarriers from the one or more subcarrier groups that are equivalent to one or more RBs from the one or more subcarrier groups to form other pluralities of RBs included in the set of RBs. This therefore prevents the set of RBs from draining RBs for allocation to UEs 108a, 108c of the cell center region 114a when these UEs 108a, 108c are using higher bandwidth or requesting a large number of RBs. In addition, the reduction of the set of RBs may be accidental or triggered based on the estimated load of the cell center UE108a, 108c being less than the estimated load of the cell edge UE108 b. Furthermore, increasing the set of RBs may be accidental or triggered based on the estimated load of the cell-edge UE108b being less than the estimated load of the cell-center UEs 108a, 108 c.

The eNB104a may evaluate a load distribution associated with UEs 104a-104c in a cell 106a served by the eNB104 a. Then, when the current set of reserved RBs is unbalanced with the load distribution, the eNB 108a may update the current set of reserved RBs and notify each of the UEs 104a-104c of the updated set of reserved RBs. Similarly, the eNB104a may evaluate a load distribution associated with the UEs 104a-104c in the cell 106a served by the eNB104 a. Then, when the current set of reserved subcarriers is unbalanced with the load distribution, the eNB 108a may update the current set of reserved subcarriers and inform each of the UEs 104a-104c of the updated set of reserved subcarriers.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of RBs or subcarriers reserved for subcarrier layer mapping is flexible and that the eNB104a may select a suitable percentage of the total resources for subcarrier layer mapping based on its load distribution within the cell 104 a. For example, when there are more UEs in the cell edge region or region 110a than in the cell center region 114a, then more RBs and/or subcarriers may be reserved for the subcarrier group to enable subcarrier layer mapping. However, if no UE is in the cell edge region or region 110a, the eNB104a may remove the subcarrier group so that there are no RBs or subcarriers reserved for subcarrier layer mapping. However, when a need arises, the eNB104a may dynamically change the reservation of RBs and subcarriers, i.e., when the UE108b may enter or be detected as about to enter the cell edge region 110a, the eNB104a reserves subcarriers or RBs for the set of subcarriers so that subcarrier layer mapping may be used.

In addition, the load distribution in cell 106a may change less frequently than compared to UE communication session changes, e.g., the communication session length may be on the order of, for example and without limitation, a few seconds, while one reservation scheme (i.e., a particular set of reserved RBs and subcarrier sets) may last for several minutes. When the current RB reservation is not balanced with the load distribution, the eNB104a may continue to evaluate the load distribution in its cell 106a, and the eNB104a may then update the RB reservation (e.g., determine another change in the reserved set of RBs and set of subcarriers) and notify the UEs 108a-108c in the cell 106a by, for example and without limitation, broadcasting in a system information message, UL scheduling message, or in a point-to-point message to all UEs 108a-108c or one or more UEs 108a-108c engaged in a communication session. The UEs 108a-108c are configured to understand the system information message, UL scheduling message or notification, and record or store new RB reservations (e.g., new RB sets and/or subcarrier sets).

For example, at some point eNB104a reserves 30% RBs for cell-edge UE108b for subcarrier layer mapping such as IFDMA, so that UEs 108b in cell-edge region 110a can read and understand the portion of the scheduling message within the 30% RBs, while UEs not in cell-edge region 110a can read and understand the scheduling message after puncturing 30% RBs. After a period of time, the load in the cell 106a may change and the eNB104a may update the RB reservations of the set of RBs and the set of subcarriers from 30% to 40%, and this new reservation needs to be signaled to all UEs 108a-108c through broadcast messages and/or dedicated messages. Within this message, it may include how to reserve RBs and a start time. The UE108a-108c knows from the message that the number M of reserved subcarrier groups will be different from the number of indicated time instants.

Fig. 5 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing device 500 that may be implemented to include functionality to schedule and allocate uplink communication resources to wireless communication units within a cell in a wireless communication system that use unlicensed radio spectrum, by way of example only and not limitation, as described in connection with the eNB104a in the telecommunications network 100 described with reference to fig. 1-4.

Computing device 500 includes one or more processors 502, which may be microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable type of processor, for processing computer-executable instructions to control the operation of the device to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources as described in the processes and methods described herein.

In some examples, such as where a system-on-chip architecture is used, the processor 502 may include one or more fixed function blocks (also referred to as accelerators) that implement the methods and/or processes described herein in hardware (rather than software or firmware).

Platform software and/or computer-executable instructions including operating system 504a, or any other suitable platform software, may be provided on the computing device to enable application software to execute on the device. Depending on the functionality and capabilities of the computing device 500 and the application of the computing device, software and/or computer-executable instructions may include functionality to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources, and/or functionality of a base station or eNB according to the present invention as described with reference to fig. 1-4.

For example, the computing device 500 may be used to implement a base station 104a or eNB104a and may include software and/or computer-executable instructions that may include functionality to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources, and/or functionality of a base station or eNB according to the present invention as described with reference to fig. 1-4.

The software and/or computer-executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable medium accessible to computing device 500. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media such as memory 504 and communication media. Computer storage media, such as memory 504, includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium which can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not include communication media. While computer storage media (memory 504) is shown within computing device 500, it is to be understood that the storage can be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link, e.g., using communication interface 506.

Computing device 500 may also, optionally or if desired, include an input/output controller 510, the input/output controller 510 configured to output display information to a display device 512, which may be separate from or integrated with computing device 500, the display information may provide a graphical user interface. Input/output controller 510 is also configured to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device 514 (e.g., a mouse or keyboard). The user input may be used to set a schedule for measurement reporting or for allocating communication resources, or to set which communication resources are of a first type and/or a second type, etc. In one embodiment, display device 512 may also serve as user input device 514 if it is a touch-sensitive display device. Input/output controller 510 may also output data to devices other than a display device, e.g., other devices through communication interface 506, any other communication interface, or locally connected printing/computing devices, etc.

Fig. 6 illustrates various components of an exemplary computing device 600 that may be implemented to include functionality to receive allocated communication resources and use the communication resources, as described in connection with UE104a or UE104 b of telecommunications network 100 described with reference to fig. 1-4, by way of example only, and not limitation.

Computing device 600 includes one or more processors 602, which may be microprocessors, controllers, or any other suitable type of processor, to process computer-executable instructions to control the operation of the device to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources as described in the processes and methods described herein. In some examples, such as where a system-on-chip architecture is used, processor 602 may include one or more fixed function blocks (also referred to as accelerators) that implement the methods and/or processes described herein in hardware (rather than software or firmware).

Platform software and/or computer-executable instructions comprising the operating system 604a, or any other suitable platform software, may be provided on the computing device to enable application software to be executed on the device. Depending on the functionality and capabilities of the computing device 600 and the computing device's applications, software and/or computer-executable instructions may include functionality to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources, and/or functionality of a base station or eNB according to the present invention as described with reference to fig. 1-4. For example, the computing device 600 may be used to implement the UE108a or 108b and may include software and/or computer-executable instructions that may include functionality to perform measurements, receive measurement reports, schedule and/or allocate communication resources, and/or the functionality of a UE in accordance with the present invention as described with reference to fig. 1-4.

The software and/or computer-executable instructions may be provided using any computer-readable medium accessible to computing device 600. Computer-readable media may include, for example, computer storage media such as memory 604 and communication media. Computer storage media, such as memory 504, includes both volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data.

Computer storage media may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, Digital Versatile Disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transmission medium which can be used to store information for access by a computing device. In contrast, communication media may embody computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal, such as a carrier wave, or other transport mechanism. As defined herein, computer storage media does not include communication media. While a computer storage medium (memory 604) is shown within computing device 600, it is to be understood that the storage can be distributed or located remotely and accessed via a network or other communication link, e.g., using communication interface 606. Computing device 600 may also, optionally or if desired, include an input/output controller 610, the input/output controller 610 configured to output display information, which may provide a graphical user interface, to a display device 612, which may be separate from or integrated with computing device 600. Input/output controller 610 is also configured to receive and process input from one or more devices, such as a user input device 614 (e.g., a mouse or keyboard). The user input may be used to set a schedule for measurement reporting or for allocating communication resources, or to set which communication resources are of the first type and/or the second type, etc. In one embodiment, display device 612 may also serve as user input device 614 if it is a touch-sensitive display device. Input/output controller 610 may also output data to devices other than a display device, e.g., other devices through communication interface 606, any other communication interface, or locally connected printing/computing devices, etc.

In this document, the terms "computer program product," "computer-readable medium" and the like may be used generally to refer to tangible media, such as memory, storage devices, or storage units. These and other forms of computer-readable media may store one or more instructions for use by a processor, including a computer system, to cause the processor to perform specified operations. These instructions, generally referred to as "computer program code" (which may be grouped in the form of computer programs or other groupings), when executed, enable the computing system to perform functions of embodiments of the present invention. Note that the code may directly cause the processor to perform specified operations, be compiled to do so, and/or be combined with other software, hardware, and/or firmware elements (e.g., libraries for performing standard functions) to do so. In embodiments where the elements are implemented using software, the software may be stored in a computer-readable medium and loaded into the computing system using, for example, a removable storage drive. When executed by a processor in a computer system, the control module (in this example, software instructions or executable computer program code) causes the processor to perform the functions of the invention as described herein. Furthermore, the inventive concept may be applied to any circuit for performing signal processing functions within a communication network element. It is further contemplated that, for example, a semiconductor manufacturer may use the concepts of the present invention in the design of a stand-alone device, such as a microcontroller and/or any other subsystem elements of a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) or application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

It should be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Embodiments are not limited to these that solve any or all of the problems set forth or to these that have any or all of the benefits and advantages set forth.

Any reference to "a" or "an" number of times may refer to one or more. As used herein, 'comprising' is meant to include the identified method steps or elements, but not the exclusive list, and a method and apparatus may include additional steps or elements. The steps of the methods described herein may be performed in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Aspects of any of the examples described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other examples described to form further examples without losing the intended effect.

It will be understood that the above description of the preferred embodiments is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. Although various embodiments have been described with a certain degree of particularity, or with one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A method of allocating uplink communications resources to a plurality of wireless communications units using unlicensed radio spectrum in a cell of a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

reserving, in a base station serving the cell of the wireless communication system, uplink communication resources on a predetermined frequency bandwidth; wherein the uplink communication resources comprise a set of resource blocks and a set of subcarriers; the set of resource blocks comprises two or more spaced groups of resource blocks, each resource block in the group of resource blocks comprising a plurality of subcarriers; the set of subcarriers comprises two or more spaced apart groups of subcarriers; a plurality of resource block groups and a plurality of subcarrier groups are interleaved over the predetermined frequency bandwidth;

allocating communication resources to each wireless communication unit served by the base station, comprising:

allocating one or more resource blocks from each resource block group of the set of resource blocks to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use resource block layer mapping;

allocating one or more subcarriers in each subcarrier group from the set of subcarriers to the each wireless communication unit when the each wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping; and

transmitting an indication of a respective communication resource allocation for uplink transmissions to said each wireless communication unit.

2. The method of claim 1,

the resource block layer mapping comprises: mapping one or more resource blocks from the reserved set of resource blocks for allocation to the wireless communication unit;

the subcarrier layer mapping comprises: one or more subcarriers from the reserved set of subcarriers are mapped for allocation to a wireless communication unit.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein there are N resource block groups, the step of allocating resource blocks from each resource block group further comprising:

allocating one resource block from each of the N resource block groups to achieve a determined number of resource blocks required for uplink transmission of a wireless communication unit, wherein when the determined number of resource blocks is greater than N, then allocating another resource block from each of the N resource block groups of the remaining number of resource blocks required by the wireless communication unit; and

periodically repeating allocating further resource blocks in each of any remaining number N of resource block groups from the resource blocks required by the wireless communication unit.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the first resource block, the second resource block, and any other resource blocks in each of the N resource block groups are consecutive.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein all resource blocks in each of the N resource block groups are contiguous.

6. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein there are M subcarrier groups, and when the each wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping and the number of required subcarriers is less than or equal to M, the step of allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group further comprises:

the subcarriers from each of the M subcarrier groups are allocated to achieve a desired number of resource blocks for uplink transmission.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein a position of each subcarrier in each of the M subcarrier groups is the same.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein there are M subcarrier groups, and when the wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping and the number of required subcarriers is greater than M, the step of allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group further comprises:

for two or more dispensing cycles:

allocating one subcarrier from each of the M subcarrier groups in a first allocation period;

allocating another subcarrier from each of the M subcarrier groups in a second allocation period to achieve a remaining number of subcarriers required by the wireless communication unit; and

periodically repeating allocating other subcarriers in each of the M subcarrier groups from any remaining number of subcarriers required by the wireless communication unit;

wherein the subcarriers from each of the M subcarrier groups, any other subcarrier and any other subcarrier are contiguous.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein a position of each subcarrier allocated in each of the M subcarrier groups is the same for each allocation period.

10. The method of any one of claims 6, wherein the required number of subcarriers is an integer multiple of the number of subcarriers in each resource block.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a wireless communication unit is to use subcarrier layer mapping when the wireless communication unit is determined to be located near a cell edge; otherwise determining that the wireless communication unit will use resource block layer mapping.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that the wireless communication unit will use subcarrier layer mapping when the wireless communication unit requires a number of resource blocks, the number of resource blocks comprising a number of subcarriers less than a subcarrier group number or a predetermined minimum resource block threshold; otherwise, it is determined that the wireless communication unit will use resource block layer mapping.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining that a wireless communication unit required for uplink transmission is to use subcarrier layer mapping when an estimated transmit power of the wireless communication unit is above a predetermined transmit power threshold.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

when a wireless communication unit is determined to be located near a cell edge and requires a number of resource blocks, the wireless communication unit is determined to use resource block level mapping at a subcarrier level, the number of resource blocks comprising a number of subcarriers greater than a number of subcarrier groups.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more resource block groups or one or more subcarrier groups located in a region near an upper end and a lower end of a predetermined frequency bandwidth are used first when allocating communication resources for each wireless communication unit.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the allocation of communication resources for each wireless communication unit occupies at least 80% of the predetermined frequency bandwidth.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of resource blocks is associated with an indexed resource block lookup table that represents bitmap resource block allocations at a resource block mapping layer, wherein a plurality of resource blocks from the allocation of the set of resource blocks for each corresponding wireless communication unit are represented by one or more indices of the resource block lookup table;

the method further comprises:

transmitting to each wireless communication unit, further comprising:

data representing one or more indices of a resource block lookup table is transmitted as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation at a resource block mapping layer for uplink transmission.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the set of subcarriers is associated with an indexed subcarrier lookup table that represents bitmap subcarrier assignments at a subcarrier mapping layer, wherein a number of subcarriers from the assignment of the set of subcarriers for each corresponding wireless communication unit are represented by one or more indices of the subcarrier lookup table;

the method further comprises:

transmitting to each wireless communication unit, further comprising:

transmitting a data transmission representing one or more indices of a subcarrier lookup table as an indication of a corresponding communication resource allocation located at a subcarrier mapping layer for uplink transmission.

19. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

a request is received from each wireless communication unit for a determined number of resource blocks for uplink transmission.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the subcarrier layer mapping is based on IFDMA mapping and the resource block layer mapping is based on block IFDMA mapping,

the method further comprises:

allocating resource blocks from each resource block group of a resource block set to said each wireless communication unit when said each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA in said resource block layer mapping;

allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of the set of subcarriers to said each wireless communication unit when said each wireless communication unit is to use IFDMA at the subcarrier mapping layer, wherein the allocated plurality of subcarriers are non-contiguous; or

When said each wireless communication unit is to use block IFDMA at the subcarrier mapping layer, allocating subcarriers from each subcarrier group of the subcarrier set to said each wireless communication unit, wherein the allocated two or more subcarriers are contiguous.

21. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining the number of user equipment located in a cell edge area of a cell served by a base station and the number of user equipment located in a cell center area, wherein:

when the number of user equipment in the cell edge area is greater than the number of user equipment in the cell center area and reaches a first predetermined threshold, reducing the resource block set by reserving one or more resource blocks from one or more resource block groups to form other subcarriers included in the subcarrier set;

when the number of user equipment in the cell edge area is less than the number of user equipment in the cell center area and reaches a second predetermined threshold, the resource block set is increased by reserving one or more continuous subcarriers equivalent to one or more resource blocks from one or more subcarrier groups to form other plurality of resource blocks included in the resource block set.

22. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a bandwidth requested by a user equipment in a cell edge region served by a base station and a bandwidth requested by a user equipment in a cell center region, wherein,

when the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell edge area is larger than the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell center area and reaches a first preset bandwidth threshold value, reducing the resource block set by reserving one or more resource blocks from one or more resource block sets to form other subcarriers included in the subcarrier set;

when the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell edge region is less than the bandwidth requested by the user equipment in the cell center region by a second predetermined bandwidth threshold, the resource block set is increased by reserving one or more contiguous subcarriers equivalent to the one or more resource blocks from the one or more subcarrier groups to form another plurality of resource blocks for inclusion in the resource block set.

23. The method of claim 21 or 22,

reducing the resource block set depends on the estimated load of the user equipment at the center of the cell being less than the estimated load of the user equipment at the edge of the cell; and

increasing the resource block set depends on the estimated load of the cell edge user equipment being less than the estimated load of the cell center user equipment.

24. The method of claim 21 or 22, further comprising:

evaluating a load distribution associated with a plurality of user equipments in a cell served by a base station;

when the reserved current resource block set is unbalanced with the load distribution, updating the current reserved resource block set; and

each user equipment is informed of the updated set of reserved resource blocks.

25. An apparatus for allocating uplink communication resources, the apparatus comprising a processor, a memory unit, and a communication interface; the processor unit, the memory unit, the communication interface configured to perform the method of any of claims 1-24.

26. A telecommunications network, characterized in that the telecommunications network comprises a plurality of user equipments and a plurality of base stations, each base station comprising the apparatus of claim 25, each base station serving one or more of the plurality of user equipments.

27. A non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of computer readable instructions for execution by a processor to implement the method of any of claims 1-24.