CN109076603B - Listen before talk for uplink transmissions - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network is described. The apparatus may include a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be operable to initiate a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration. The second circuit is operable to allocate a second duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal. The second duration may span the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

Description

Listen-before-talk for uplink transmissions

Priority declaration

Priority of U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 62/314,211 entitled "Single Interval LBT Related Design For Uplink Transmission in MulteFire/eLAA Systems", filed 2016, 3, 28, 24, 35 u.s.c. § 119(e), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Background

Various wireless cellular communication systems have been implemented, including third generation partnership project (3GPP) universal mobile telecommunications systems, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and 3GPP LTE-advanced (LTE-a) systems. Next generation wireless cellular communication systems based on LTE and LTE-a systems are being developed, for example, fifth generation (5G) wireless systems/5G mobile network systems. Next generation wireless cellular communication systems may provide support for higher bandwidths, in part, through the use of unlicensed spectrum.

Disclosure of Invention

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network is provided. The apparatus may include a first circuit and a second circuit. The first circuit may be operable to initiate a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration. The second circuit is operable to allocate a second time duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal. The second duration may span the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 illustrates a scenario of an evolved node b (enb) and a plurality of User Equipments (UEs) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 illustrates a Listen Before Talk (LBT) scenario between a Downlink (DL) subframe and an Uplink (UL) subframe, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a scenario of LBT between UL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 4 illustrates a scenario of LBT between DL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 5 illustrates a scenario of LBT between UL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 6 illustrates an eNB and a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 7 illustrates hardware processing circuitry of a UE for LBT of UL transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 8 illustrates a method for a UE for LBT of UL transmission, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 9 illustrates a method for a UE for LBT of UL transmission, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Fig. 10 illustrates example components of a UE device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

Various wireless cellular communication systems have been implemented or are being proposed, including third generation partnership project (3GPP) Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) system, 3GPP LTE-advanced (LTE-a) system, and fifth generation wireless/fifth generation mobile network (5G) system. The rapid growth of wireless traffic has led to a desire for increased data rates. On the one hand, with sophisticated physical layer techniques, further improvements in spectral efficiency may be insignificant. On the other hand, scarcity of licensed spectrum in lower frequency bands may hinder efforts to increase data rates by increasing usage of licensed spectrum. Therefore, there is an interest in the operation of LTE systems in unlicensed spectrum.

An enhancement to LTE in 3GPP release 13 (frozen, end date 2016-03-11(SP-71)) has enabled its operation in unlicensed spectrum through Licensed Assisted Access (LAA), which can extend the system bandwidth by leveraging the flexible Carrier Aggregation (CA) framework introduced for LTE-a systems. In some embodiments, for LAA operation or enhanced LAA (elaa) operation, the primary cell (Pcell) may provide connectivity to the UE in licensed spectrum, while the secondary cell (Scell) may provide connectivity in unlicensed spectrum. In some embodiments, the Pcell and Scell may be co-located, while in some other embodiments, the Pcell and Scell may not be co-located.

Enhanced operation of LTE systems in unlicensed spectrum may be supported in future releases and 5G systems. LTE operation in unlicensed spectrum may include LTE operation in unlicensed spectrum via Dual Connectivity (DC), and/or standalone LTE operating systems in unlicensed spectrum.

LTE-based technologies can operate only in unlicensed spectrum without relying on an "anchor" in licensed spectrum, e.g., MulteFire of the MulteFire consortium of fremont, california ^TM Provided is a technique. Such operation may rely on little to no assistance from licensed spectrum devices and may be modified for a reduced (lean) independent network architecture suitable for neutral deployments, where a wide variety of deployments may serve a wide variety of devices. In MulteFire ^TM The Pcell may operate in a non-licensed spectrum. Independent LTE operation in unlicensed spectrum may also leverage the performance advantages and classes of LTE technologies

Relative simplicity of deployment combine (

Is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi alliance for austin, texas, usa). Therefore, standalone LTE operation may be an advantageous technique to meet the ever-increasing demand for wireless traffic.

The unlicensed band of current interest is the 5GHz band, which has a broad spectrum including universal availability worldwide. The 5GHz frequency band in the united states may be governed by the unlicensed national information infrastructure (U-NII) rules promulgated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The main existing systems in the 5GHz band are Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) systems, in particular systems based on Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)802.11a/n/ac technology, which can be used for

A network.

Since WLAN systems can be deployed by individuals and operators for carrier-level access services and data offloading, care should be taken before deploying a competing system. Can be in LTE LAA system and/or MulteFire ^TM Implementing Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedures in a system to facilitate communication with existing systemsFair coexistence of systems (e.g., WLAN systems). LBT is a procedure in which a radio transmitter may first sense a medium and then transmit if the medium is sensed as idle.

In some embodiments for standalone LTE operation (which may include MulteFire) ^TM System), an Uplink (UL) transmission within a transmission opportunity (TxOP) may be affected by a single interval LBT, which may have a sensing duration of at least 25 microseconds (μ β). For some embodiments, UL transmissions from a User Equipment (UE) in an eLAA system may follow a Downlink (DL) burst within a Maximum Channel Occupancy Time (MCOT) acquired by an enhanced node b (enb). Each UE may perform a single 25 μ s LBT procedure before starting its transmission.

At least one symbol (e.g., an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol) may be punctured (processed) for the UE to perform single interval LBT. In some embodiments, the first symbol (e.g., symbol 0) of the UL subframe may be punctured and the punctured symbol may be used to perform a single interval LBT procedure for the current uplink subframe. In some embodiments, the last symbol (e.g., symbol 13) of the UL subframe may be punctured and the punctured symbol may be used to perform a single interval LBT procedure for a subsequent UL subframe.

The symbol duration of the first symbol and the symbol duration of the remaining symbols within a slot in an LTE system may be 71.87 μ s and 71.37 μ s, respectively. Meanwhile, the single interval LBT duration may be 25 μ s. If single-interval LBT is performed before UL transmission, there may be a gap between the end of the transmission in the previous subframe and the start of the single-interval LBT, and the duration is up to 71.87-25 μ β -46.87 μ β. During this time duration, the channel may be sensed as idle and may be used by other transmitters (e.g.,

access Point (AP) and/or Station (STA)). In this case, the eLAA system (e.g., MulteFire) ^TM System) may lose transmission opportunities.

As a result, LAA UL operation may experience severe performance degradation. Therefore, careful design with respect to punctured symbol duration may be advantageous in order to increase UL transmission opportunities in an eLAA system and thus improve UL system performance.

Discussed herein are methods for increasing eLAA and/or MulteFire by potentially transmitting within punctured symbol durations ^TM Mechanisms and methods for transmission opportunities in a system. Gaps in non-transmission within the punctured symbol duration may be reduced, for example, by extending the transmission in a previous subframe or the transmission in a subsequent subframe.

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

Note that in the respective drawings of the embodiments, signals are represented by lines. Some lines may be thicker, to indicate a greater number of constituent signal paths, and/or have arrows at one or more ends, to indicate the direction of information flow. These indications are not intended to be limiting. Rather, these lines are used in connection with one or more exemplary embodiments to facilitate easier understanding of a circuit or logic cell. Any represented signal as indicated by design needs or preferences may actually comprise one or more signals that may travel in either direction and may be implemented with any suitable type of signal scheme.

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

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

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

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

For purposes of the embodiments, the transistors in the various circuits, modules and logic blocks are tunnel fets (tfets). Some transistors of various embodiments may include Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS) transistors that include drain, source, gate, and bulk terminals. Transistors may also include tri-gate and FinFET transistors, gate full cylindrical transistors, square wire, or rectangular ribbon transistors, or other devices that implement transistor functions such as carbon nanotubes or spintronic devices. The symmetrical source and drain terminals of the MOSFET are the same terminals and are used interchangeably herein. TFET devices, on the other hand, have asymmetric source and drain terminals. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other transistors (e.g., bipolar junction transistors-BJTPNP/NPN, BiCMOS, CMOS, etc.) may be used for some of the transistors without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

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

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

Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term "eNB" may refer to a legacy eNB, a next generation or 5G eNB, a millimeter wave (mmWave) eNB, a millimeter wave small cell, an AP, and/or another base station for a wireless communication system. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term "UE" may refer to a UE, a 5GUE, a millimeter wave UE, a STA, and/or another mobile device for a wireless communication system.

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

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

In various embodiments, the resources may span various Resource Blocks (RBs), Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), and/or time periods (e.g., frames, subframes, and/or slots) of the wireless communication system. In some contexts, the allocated resources (e.g., channels, OFDM, subcarrier frequencies, Resource Elements (REs), and/or portions thereof) may be formatted for (and prior to) transmission over the wireless communication link. In other contexts, the allocated resources (e.g., channels, OFDM symbols, subcarrier frequencies, REs, and/or portions thereof) may be detected from (and after) reception over the wireless communication link.

Fig. 1 illustrates a scenario of an eNB and multiple UEs, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The wireless cellular communication scenario 100 may include a first eNB 110, a second eNB 120, and a UE 130. The first eNB 110 is operable to provide wireless cellular communication service over a geographic area within the first cell 111, and the second eNB 120 is operable to provide wireless cellular communication service over a geographic area within the second cell 121.

In some embodiments, the first eNB 110 may support DL and/or UL transmissions with the UE130 over the licensed spectrum. For example, the first eNB 110 may support legacy LTE dl transmissions to the UE130 and/or legacy LTE UL transmissions from the UE 130. For some embodiments, the second eNB 120 may support DL and/or UL transmissions with the UE130 over the unlicensed spectrum. For example, the second eNB 120 may support a DL transmission of a compatible LAA to the UE130 and/or a UL transmission of a compatible eLAA from the UE 130.

The eLAA-compliant UL transmission may be constructed in accordance with the LBT procedure discussed herein. Gaps without any transmission within a punctured symbol (e.g., the first OFDM symbol of a subframe) may thereby be advantageously shortened, which may reduce the probability that a corresponding wireless communication channel is used by other competing systems for the duration of the punctured symbol.

In some embodiments, a single interval LBT procedure may be performed in punctured symbols of a UL subframe (e.g., a UL subframe on unlicensed spectrum), and if LBT succeeds, one or more signals (e.g., a reservation signal) may be transmitted after LBT and before the rest of the UL subframe.

For some embodiments, one or more signals (e.g., a reservation signal) may be transmitted in punctured symbols of a UL subframe (e.g., a UL subframe on an unlicensed spectrum), and if LBT is successful, a single interval LBT procedure may be transmitted after the one or more signals and before the rest of the UL subframe.

Fig. 2 illustrates a scenario of Listen Before Talk (LBT) between a Downlink (DL) subframe and an Uplink (UL) subframe according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The scenario 200 may include a first subframe 210 and a second subframe 220. The OFDM symbol 221 of the second subframe 220 (which may be the first symbol or the initial symbol of the second subframe 220) may include a first time period 231, a second time period 232, a first duration 241, and a second duration 242. The first subframe 210 may be a DL subframe and the second subframe 220 may be an UL subframe within the same TxOP as the first subframe 210. Thus, the scenario 200 may be a scenario in which a UL subframe follows a DL subframe. In scenario 200, the transmission of the reservation signal (e.g., within second duration 242) may be subsequent to the single-interval LBT procedure (e.g., within first duration 241).

After the end of transmission in the first subframe 210, the OFDM symbol 221 may include a first time period 231, which may be a time T to accommodate a maximum delay spread from the eNB to the UE _Ch1 . After the first time period 231, the OFDM symbol 221 may include a first duration 241, which may be a sensing interval or a channel sensing duration T to accommodate a single-interval LBT procedure _LBT (and which may not include a receiver-to-transmitter switching time)). After the first duration 241 (e.g., if a single interval LBT process senses the channelIs idle), the OFDM symbol 221 may include a second time period 232, which may be a receiver-to-transmitter switching time T to accommodate switching of the UE from receiving a transmission _RX→TX . In some embodiments, the first time period 231, the first duration 241, and the second time period 232 may span less than 25 μ β. After the second time period 232, the OFDM symbol 221 may include a second duration 242, which may be a time Y to accommodate transmission of a signal (e.g., a reservation signal).

Thus, a scheduled UE may start transmitting signals in OFDM symbol 221 at time Y before the subsequent OFDM symbol. For symbol duration T _sym Y may satisfy the following equation:

Y＝T _sym -(T _ch1 +T _LBT +T _Rx→Tx )

in some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP). Total CP length T of OFDM symbol 221 _CP2 Can be as follows:

T _CP2 ＝Y+T _CP1

wherein, T _CP1 The legacy LTE CP length may be represented.

For some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be any reservation signal. The transmission of the reservation signal may be transparent to the eNB and/or may not otherwise involve the eNB.

Fig. 3 illustrates a scenario of LBT between UL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Scenario 300 may include a first subframe 310 and a second subframe 320. The OFDM symbol 321 of the second subframe 320 (which may be the first symbol or the initial symbol of the second subframe 320) may include a first time period 331, a second time period 332, a first duration 341, and a second duration 342. The first subframe 310 may be a UL subframe, and the second subframe 320 may be a UL subframe within the same TxOP as the first subframe 310. Thus, scenario 300 may be a scenario in which a UL subframe is after another UL subframe. In scenario 300, the transmission of the reservation signal (e.g., within second duration 342) may be subsequent to the single-interval LBT procedure (e.g., within first duration 341).

In the first sub-frame 3After the end of the transmission in 10, the OFDM symbol 321 may include a first time period 331, which may be the maximum of: time T to accommodate maximum delay spread from UE to UE _Ch2 (ii) a And a transmitter-to-receiver switching time T to accommodate switching of the UE from transmission to reception _TX→RX . After the first time period 331, the OFDM symbol 321 may include a first duration 341, which may be a sensing interval or a channel sensing duration T to accommodate a single-interval LBT procedure _LBT (and which may not include a receiver-to-transmitter switching time)). After the first duration 341 (e.g., if a single-interval LBT procedure senses that the channel is idle), the OFDM symbol 321 may include a second time period 332, which may be a receiver-to-transmitter switching time T to accommodate switching of the UE from receiving a transmission _RX→TX . In some embodiments, the first time period 331, the first duration 341, and the second time period 332 may span less than 25 μ β. After the second time period 332, the OFDM symbol 321 may include a second duration 342, which may be a time Y to accommodate transmission of a signal (e.g., a reservation signal).

Thus, a scheduled UE may start transmitting signals in OFDM symbol 321 at time Y before a subsequent OFDM symbol. For symbol duration T _sym Y may satisfy the following equation:

Y＝T _sym -(Max{T _ch2 ，T _Tx→Rx }+T _LBT +T _Rx→Tx )

in some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP). Total CP length T of OFDM symbol 221 _CP2 Can be as follows:

T _CP2 ＝Y+T _CP1

wherein, T _CP1 The legacy LTE CP length may be represented.

For some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be any reservation signal. The transmission of the reservation signal may be transparent to the eNB and/or may not otherwise involve the eNB.

Fig. 4 illustrates a scenario of LBT between DL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The scenario 400 may include a first subframe 410 and a second subframe 420. OFDM symbol 421 of second subframe 420 (which may be the first symbol or initial symbol of second subframe 420) may include a first time period 431, a second time period 432, a first duration 441, and a second duration 442. The first subframe 410 may be a DL subframe, and the second subframe 420 may be an UL subframe within the same TxOP as the first subframe 410. Thus, the scenario 400 may be a scenario in which a UL subframe follows a DL subframe. In scenario 400, a single interval LBT procedure (e.g., within first duration 441) may follow transmission of a reservation signal (e.g., within second duration 442).

After the end of the transmission in the first subframe 410, the OFDM symbol 421 may include a second duration 442, which may be a time Z to accommodate the transmission of a signal (e.g., a reservation signal). After the second duration 442, the OFDM symbol 421 may include a first time period 431, which may be a time T to accommodate a maximum delay spread from the eNB to the UE _Ch1 . After the first time period 431, the OFDM symbol 421 may include a first duration 441, which may be a sensing interval or a channel sensing duration T to accommodate a single-interval LBT procedure _LBT (and which may not include a receiver-to-transmitter switching time)). After the first duration 441 (e.g., if the single-interval LBT procedure senses that the channel is idle), the OFDM symbol 421 may include a second time period 432, which may be a receiver-to-transmitter switching time T to accommodate switching of the UE from receiving the transmission _RX→TX . In some embodiments, the first time period 431, the first duration 441, and the second time period 432 may span less than 25 μ β.

Thus, the eNB may continue to transmit signals in OFDM symbol 421 for time Z after first subframe 410. For symbol duration T _sym Z may satisfy the following equation:

Z＝T _sym -(T _ch1 +T _LBT +T _Rx→Tx )

for some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be any reservation signal. The transmission of the reservation signal may be transparent to the UE and/or may not otherwise involve the UE.

Fig. 5 illustrates a scenario of LBT between UL subframes and UL subframes according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Scenario 500 may include a first subframe 510 and a second subframe 520. The OFDM symbol 521 (which may be the first symbol or the initial symbol of the second subframe 520) of the second subframe 520 may include a first time period 531, a second time period 532, a first duration 541, and a second duration 542. The first subframe 510 may be a UL subframe, and the second subframe 520 may be a UL subframe within the same TxOP as the first subframe 510. Thus, scenario 500 may be a scenario in which a UL subframe is after another UL subframe. In scenario 500, a single-interval LBT procedure (e.g., within first duration 541) may follow transmission of a reservation signal (e.g., within second duration 542).

After the end of the transmission in the first subframe 510, the OFDM symbol 521 may include a second duration 542, which may be a time Z of transmission of an adaptation signal (e.g., a reservation signal). After the second duration 542, the OFDM symbol 521 may include a first time period 531, which may be the maximum of: time T to accommodate maximum delay spread from UE to UE _Ch2 (ii) a And a transmitter-to-receiver switching time T for switching of the UE from transmission to reception _TX→RX . After the first time period 531, the OFDM symbol 521 may include a first duration 541, which may be a sensing interval or channel sensing duration T to accommodate a single-interval LBT procedure _LBT (and which may not include a receiver-to-transmitter switching time)). After the first duration 541 (e.g., if the single-interval LBT procedure senses that the channel is idle), the OFDM symbol 521 may include a second time period 532, which may be a receiver-to-transmitter handover time T to accommodate a handover of the UE from receiving a transmission _RX→TX . In some embodiments, the first time period 531, the first duration 541, and the second time period 532 may span less than 25 μ β.

Thus, the scheduled UE may continue to transmit signals in OFDM symbol 521 for time Z after the first subframe 510. For symbol duration T _sym Z may satisfy the following equation:

Z＝T _sym -(Max{T _ch2 ，T _Tx→Rx }+T _LBT +T _Rx→Tx )

for some embodiments, the transmitted signal may be any reservation signal. The transmission of the reservation signal may be transparent to the eNB and/or may not otherwise involve the eNB.

Although fig. 2 through 5 depict the initial or first symbol of a UL subframe being punctured for LBT, in various embodiments, the last symbol of a UL subframe may alternatively be punctured for LBT. Such embodiments may have a first time period, a second time period, a first duration, and/or a second duration substantially similar to the first time period, the second time period, the first duration, and/or the second duration within the last symbol of the UL subframe described above.

In various embodiments, the duration of the reservation signal (e.g., time Y and/or time Z as discussed herein) may be a predefined constant. For various embodiments, the duration of the reservation signal may be semi-statically configured (e.g., via Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling).

Fig. 6 illustrates an eNB and a UE in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 includes a block diagram of an eNB 610 and a UE 630 operable to co-exist with each other and with other elements of an LTE network. A high-level simplified architecture of eNB 610 and UE 630 is described to avoid obscuring embodiments. It should be noted that in some embodiments, eNB 610 may be a fixed non-mobile device.

eNB 610 is coupled to one or more antennas 605, and UE 630 is similarly coupled to one or more antennas 625. However, in some embodiments, eNB 610 may incorporate or include antenna 605, and in various embodiments, UE 630 may incorporate or include antenna 625.

In some embodiments, antenna 605 and/or antenna 625 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including monopole antennas, dipole antennas, loop antennas, patch antennas, microstrip antennas, coplanar wave antennas or other types of antennas suitable for transmission of RF signals. In some multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) embodiments, antennas 605 are separated to exploit spatial diversity.

eNB 610 and UE 630 are operable to communicate with each other over a network, such as a wireless network. eNB 610 and UE 630 may communicate with each other through a wireless communication channel 650, which wireless communication channel 650 has both a downlink path from eNB 610 to UE 630 and an uplink path from UE 630 to eNB 610.

As shown in fig. 6, in some embodiments, eNB 610 may include physical layer circuitry 612, Media Access Control (MAC) circuitry 614, a processor 616, a memory 618, and hardware processing circuitry 620. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other components not shown may be used in addition to those shown to form a complete eNB.

In some embodiments, physical layer circuitry 612 includes a transceiver 613 for providing signals to UE 630 and for providing signals from UE 630. The transceiver 613 uses one or more antennas 605 to provide signals to and from the UE or other devices. In some embodiments, MAC circuit 614 controls access to the wireless medium. The memory 618 may be or include one or more storage media, such as a magnetic storage medium (e.g., a magnetic tape or disk), an optical storage medium (e.g., an optical disk), an electronic storage medium (e.g., a conventional hard disk drive, a solid state disk drive, or a flash memory-based storage medium), or any tangible or non-transitory storage medium. The hardware processing circuitry 620 may comprise logic devices or circuitry to perform various operations. In some embodiments, the processor 616 and the memory 618 are arranged to perform operations of the hardware processing circuitry 620, e.g., operations described herein with reference to logical devices and circuits within the eNB 610 and/or the hardware processing circuitry 620.

Thus, in some embodiments, eNB 610 may be a device that includes an application processor, memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device.

As also shown in fig. 6, in some embodiments, the UE 630 may include physical layer circuitry 632, MAC circuitry 634, a processor 636, memory 638, hardware processing circuitry 640, a wireless interface 642, and a display 644. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other components not shown may be used in addition to those shown to form a complete UE.

In some embodiments, the physical layer circuitry 632 includes a transceiver 633 for providing signals to and from the eNB 610 (and other enbs). The transceiver 633 uses one or more antennas 625 to provide signals to and from an eNB or other device. In some embodiments, MAC circuit 634 controls access to the wireless medium. The memory 638 may be or include one or more storage media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., tape or disk), optical storage media (e.g., optical disk), electronic storage media (e.g., conventional hard disk drive, solid state disk drive, or flash-based storage media), or any tangible or non-transitory storage media. The wireless interface 642 may be arranged to allow the processor to communicate with another device. Display 644 may provide a visual and/or tactile display for a user to interact with UE 630, e.g., a touch screen display. The hardware processing circuitry 640 may comprise logic devices or circuitry to perform various operations. In some embodiments, the processor 636 and the memory 638 may be arranged to perform operations of the hardware processing circuitry 640, e.g., operations described herein with reference to logic devices and circuits within the UE 630 and/or the hardware processing circuitry 640.

Thus, in some embodiments, UE 630 may be a device that includes an application processor, memory, one or more antennas, a wireless interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, and a touchscreen display.

The elements of fig. 6, as well as elements of other figures having the same name or reference number, may operate or function in the manner described herein with respect to any such figure (although the operation and function of such elements is not limited to such description). For example, fig. 7 and 9 also depict embodiments of an eNB, eNB hardware processing circuitry, a UE, and/or hardware processing circuitry of a UE, and the embodiments described with respect to fig. 6 and fig. 7 and 9 may operate or function in the manner described herein with reference to any of the figures.

Further, although eNB 610 and UE 630 are each described as having several separate functional elements, one or more of the functional elements may be combined and may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements and/or other hardware elements. In some embodiments of the disclosure, a functional element may refer to one or more processes operating on one or more processing elements. Examples of software and/or hardware configured elements include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), one or more microprocessors, a DSP, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Radio Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), and so forth.

Fig. 7 illustrates hardware processing circuitry of a UE for LBT of UL transmissions, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 6, the UE may include various hardware processing circuitry discussed herein (e.g., hardware processing circuitry 700 of fig. 7), which may also include logic devices and/or circuitry operable to perform various operations. For example, in fig. 6, UE 630 (or various elements or components therein, e.g., hardware processing circuitry 640 or a combination of elements or components therein) may include some or all of these hardware processing circuitry.

In some embodiments, one or more devices or circuits within these hardware processing circuits may be implemented by combinations of software-configured elements and/or other hardware elements. For example, the processor 636 (and/or one or more other processors that may be included by the UE 630), the memory 638, and/or other elements or components of the UE 630 (which may include the hardware processing circuitry 640) may be arranged to perform operations of such hardware processing circuitry, e.g., operations described herein with reference to devices and circuitry within such hardware processing circuitry. In some embodiments, processor 636 (and/or one or more other processors that UE 630 may include) may be a baseband processor.

Returning to fig. 7, an apparatus of a UE 630 (or another UE or mobile handset) operable to communicate with one or more enbs over a wireless network may include hardware processing circuitry 700. In some embodiments, hardware processing circuitry 700 may include one or more antenna ports 705 operable to provide various transmissions over a wireless communication channel (e.g., wireless communication channel 650). The antenna port 705 may be coupled to one or more antennas 707 (which may be antenna 625). In some embodiments, the hardware processing circuitry 700 may incorporate the antenna 707, while in other embodiments the hardware processing circuitry 700 may simply be coupled to the antenna 707.

Antenna port 705 and antenna 707 are operable to provide signals from the UE to the wireless communication channel and/or eNB, and are operable to provide signals from the eNB and/or wireless communication channel to the UE. For example, antenna port 705 and antenna 707 may be operable to provide transmissions from UE 630 to wireless communication channel 650 (and from UE 630 to eNB 610 or to another eNB). Similarly, antenna 707 and antenna port 705 are operable to provide transmissions from wireless communication channel 650 (and, in addition, from eNB 610 or another eNB) to UE 630.

The hardware processing circuitry 700 may include various circuitry operable in accordance with various embodiments discussed herein. Referring to fig. 7, a hardware processing circuit 700 may include a first circuit 710, a second circuit 720, a third circuit 730, and/or a fourth circuit 740. In some embodiments, the first circuitry 710 is operable to initiate a single-interval LBT process within an initial OFDM symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, the single-interval LBT process having a first duration. The second circuit 720 is operable to allocate a second time duration within the initial OFDM symbol for the reservation signal. The second duration may span the symbol time of the initial symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

The third circuit 730 is operable to format a second time duration for the reservation signal within the initial OFDM symbol. The fourth circuit 740 is operable to detect a second duration for the reservation signal within the initial OFDM symbol. The first circuit 710 may provide signaling for a single interval LBT procedure to the third circuit 730 through the interface 715. The second circuit 720 may provide information about the assigned second duration to the third circuit 730 via the interface 725. The fourth circuit 740 may provide information about the detected second duration to the second circuit 720 via the interface 745.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the first circuit 710 is operable to initiate a single-interval LBT process within an initial OFDM symbol of a subframe, the single-interval LBT process having a first duration, and the second circuit 720 is operable to allocate a second duration within the initial OFDM symbol for a reservation signal. The single interval LBT process may be after the first time period, the second time period may be after the single interval LBT process, and the second duration may span a symbol time of the initial symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In various embodiments, the subframe may be a first subframe, and the second subframe may precede the first subframe. In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 2), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 3), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 4), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 5), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

In some embodiments, the first time period may be after the end of a previous OFDM symbol and the second duration may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol. For some embodiments, the second duration may be after an end of a previous OFDM symbol and the second time period may be after a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

For some embodiments, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time. In some embodiments, the first time period may be greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time. For some embodiments, wherein the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In various embodiments, the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

Thus, in some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 2), the first time period may be after the end of a previous OFMD symbol, the second time period may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 3), the first time period may be after the end of a previous OFMD symbol, the second time period may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: the UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time. In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 4), the second duration may be after the end of a previous OFDM symbol, the second time period may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 5), the second duration may be after an end of a previous OFDM symbol, the second time period may be after a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: the UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In some embodiments, the first circuit 710, the second circuit 720, the third circuit 730, and/or the fourth circuit 740 may be implemented as separate circuits. In other embodiments, the first circuit 710, the second circuit 720, the third circuit 730, and the fourth circuit 740 may be combined or implemented together in a circuit without changing the essence of the embodiments.

Fig. 8 illustrates a method for a UE for LBT of UL transmission, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 illustrates a method for a UE for LBT of UL transmission, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to fig. 6, a method that may involve UE 630 and hardware processing circuitry 640 is discussed herein. Although the actions in method 800 of fig. 8 and method 900 of fig. 9 are shown in a particular order, the order of the actions can be modified. Thus, the illustrated embodiments may be performed in a different order, and some acts may be performed in parallel. Fig. 8 and 9 list some actions and/or operations that may be optional in accordance with certain embodiments. The numbering of the acts has been presented for the sake of clarity and is not intended to dictate the order in which the various acts must occur. Further, operations from the various flows may be utilized in various combinations.

Further, in some embodiments, a machine-readable storage medium may have executable instructions that, when executed, cause UE 630 and/or hardware processing circuitry 640 to perform operations comprising the methods of fig. 8 and 9. Such a machine-readable storage medium may include any of a variety of storage media, such as magnetic storage media (e.g., tape or disk), optical storage media (e.g., optical disk), electronic storage media (e.g., conventional hard disk drive, solid state disk drive, or flash memory-based storage media), or any tangible or non-transitory storage media.

In some embodiments, an apparatus may comprise means for performing various acts and/or operations of the methods of fig. 8 and 9.

Returning to fig. 8, various methods may be in accordance with various embodiments discussed herein. The method 800 may include initiating 810 and allocating 815. In the initiating 810, a single-interval LBT process may be initiated within an initial OFDM symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, the single-interval LBT process having a first duration. In allocation 815, the reservation signal may be allocated a second duration within the initial OFDM symbol. The second duration may span the symbol time of the initial symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In various embodiments, the subframe may be a first subframe, and the second subframe may precede the first subframe. In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 2), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 3), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 4), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol. For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 5), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

In some embodiments, the first time period may be after the end of a previous OFDM symbol and the second duration may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol. For some embodiments, the second duration may be after an end of a previous OFDM symbol and the second time period may be after a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

For some embodiments, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time. In some embodiments, the first time period may be greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time. For some embodiments, wherein the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In various embodiments, the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

Returning to fig. 9, various methods may be in accordance with various embodiments discussed herein. Method 900 may include initiating 910 and allocating 915. In the initiating 910, a single-interval LBT process may be initiated within an initial OFDM symbol of a subframe, the single-interval LBT process having a first duration. In allocation 915, the reservation signal may be allocated a second duration within the initial OFDM symbol. The single-interval LBT process may be subsequent to the first time period, the second time period may be subsequent to the single-interval LBT process, and the second duration may span a symbol time of the initial symbol minus a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In various embodiments, the subframe may be a first subframe, and the second subframe may precede the first subframe.

In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 2), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. The first time period may be after the end of a previous OFMD symbol, the second time period may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 3), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in subsequent OFDM symbols. The first time period may be after the end of a previous OFMD symbol, the second time period may be after the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: the UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 4), the second subframe may be a DL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol. The second duration may be after an end of a previous OFDM symbol, the second time period may be after a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period may be greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

For some embodiments (which may correspond to fig. 5), the second subframe may be a UL subframe and the first subframe may be a UL subframe, and the reservation signal may extend UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols. The second duration may be after the end of a previous OFDM symbol, the second time period may be after the beginning of a subsequent OFDM symbol, and the first time period may be greater than or equal to the greater of: the UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period may be greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

Fig. 10 illustrates example components of a UE device 1000 in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the UE device 1000 may include application circuitry 1002, baseband circuitry 1004, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 1006, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 1008, a low power wake-up receiver (LP-WUR), and one or more antennas 1010 coupled together at least as shown. In some embodiments, the UE device 1000 may include additional elements, such as memory/storage, a display, a camera, sensors, and/or input/output (I/O) interfaces.

The application circuitry 1002 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 1002 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to: one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and special-purpose processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processor may be coupled with and/or may include memory/storage and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications and/or operating systems to run on the system.

Baseband circuitry 1004 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to: one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 1004 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from the receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 and to generate baseband signals for the transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006. Baseband processing circuitry 1004 may interface with application circuitry 1002 to generate and process baseband signals and control operation of RF circuitry 1006. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 1004A, a third generation (3G) baseband processor 1004B, a fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 1004C, and/or other baseband processor(s) 1004D for other existing generations, generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 1004 (e.g., one or more of the baseband processors 1004A-D) may handle various radio control functions that support communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 1006. Radio control functions may include, but are not limited to: signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, the modulation/demodulation circuitry of baseband circuitry 1004 may include Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments, the encoding/decoding circuitry of baseband circuitry 1004 may include convolution, tail-biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi (Viterbi), and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functions are not limited to these examples, and other suitable functions may be included in other embodiments.

In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include elements of a protocol stack, e.g., elements of the EUTRAN protocol, including, for example, Physical (PHY), Medium Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and/or RRC elements. A Central Processing Unit (CPU)1004E of the baseband circuitry 1004 may be configured to run elements of a protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry may include one or more audio Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) 1004F. The audio DSP(s) 1004F may include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation, and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. In some embodiments, components of the baseband circuitry may be combined as appropriate in a single chip, a single chipset, or disposed on the same circuit board. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 1004 and the application circuitry 1002 may be implemented together, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may provide communications compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, baseband circuitry 1004 may support communication with an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (EUTRAN) and/or other Wireless Metropolitan Area Networks (WMANs), Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), Wireless Personal Area Networks (WPANs). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 1004 is configured to support radio communications of multiple wireless protocols may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry.

The RF circuitry 1006 may support communication with a wireless network using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, and the like to facilitate communication with the wireless network. The RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path that may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1008 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 1004. RF circuitry 1006 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by baseband circuitry 1004 and provide an RF output signal to FEM circuitry 1008 for transmission.

In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include a mixer circuit 1006A, an amplifier circuit 1006B, and a filter circuit 1006C. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include filter circuitry 1006C and mixer circuitry 1006A. RF circuitry 1006 may also include synthesizer circuitry 1006D for synthesizing frequencies for use by mixer circuitry 1006A of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006A of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert the RF signal received from the FEM circuitry 1008 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1006D. The amplifier circuit 1006B may be configured to amplify the down-converted signal, and the filter circuit 1006C may be a Low Pass Filter (LPF) or a Band Pass Filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signal to generate an output baseband signal. The output baseband signal may be provided to baseband circuitry 1004 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signal may be a zero frequency baseband signal, but this is not required. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 1006A of the receive signal path may comprise a passive mixer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006A of the transmit signal path may be configured to upconvert the input baseband signal based on a synthesis frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1006D to generate an RF output signal for the FEM circuitry 1008. The baseband signal may be provided by baseband circuitry 1004 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 1006C. Filter circuit 1006C may include a Low Pass Filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

In some embodiments, mixer circuit 1006A of the receive signal path and mixer circuit 1006A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for quadrature down-conversion and/or up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuit 1006A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuit 1006A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1006A of the receive signal path and mixer circuitry 1006A of the transmit signal path may be arranged for direct down-conversion and/or direct up-conversion, respectively. In some embodiments, mixer circuit 1006A of the receive signal path and mixer circuit 1006A of the transmit signal path may be configured for superheterodyne operation.

In some embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signal and the input baseband signal may be digital baseband signals. In these alternative embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, and the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 1006.

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

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 1006D may be a fractional-N synthesizer or a fractional-N/N +1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, synthesizer circuit 1006D may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer including a phase locked loop with a frequency divider.

The synthesizer circuit 1006D may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuit 1006A of the RF circuit 1006 based on the frequency input and the divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuit 1006D may be a fractional N/N +1 synthesizer.

In some embodiments, the frequency input may be provided by a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO), but this is not required. The divider control input may be provided by the baseband circuitry 1004 or the application processor 1002 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, the divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on the channel indicated by the application processor 1002.

Synthesizer circuit 1006D of RF circuit 1006 may include a frequency divider, a Delay Locked Loop (DLL), a multiplexer, and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may be a dual-mode divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be a Digital Phase Accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by N or N +1 (e.g., based on the carry out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, a DLL may include a set of cascaded tunable delay elements, a phase detector, a charge pump, and a D-type flip-flop. In these embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to decompose the VCO period into at most Nd equal phase groups, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this manner, the DLL provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

In some embodiments, synthesizer circuit 1006D may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used with a quadrature generator and divider circuit to generate a plurality of signals having a plurality of different phases from one another at the carrier frequency. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be the LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include an IQ/polarity converter.

FEM circuitry 1008 may include a receive signal path that may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1010, amplify the received signals, and provide amplified versions of the received signals to RF circuitry 1006 for further processing. The FEM circuitry 1008 may also include a transmit signal path that may include circuitry configured to amplify signals provided by the RF circuitry 1006 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1010.

In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 1008 may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry may include a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received RF signal and provide the amplified received RF signal as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 1006). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 1008 may include a Power Amplifier (PA) to amplify an input RF signal (e.g., provided by the RF circuitry 1006) and one or more filters to generate an RF signal for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 1010).

In some embodiments, the UE 1000 includes multiple power saving mechanisms. If the UE 1000 is in RRC Connected state (in which state the UE 1000 is still Connected to the eNB because it expects to receive traffic very fast), it may enter a state called discontinuous reception mode (DRX) after a period of inactivity. During this state, the device may be powered down for a brief interval of time to conserve power.

If there is no data traffic activity for an extended period of time, the UE 1000 can transition to an RRC _ Idle (RRC Idle) state, in which the UE 1000 is disconnected from the network and no operations such as channel quality feedback, handover, etc., are performed. The UE 1000 enters a very low power state and it performs paging, where it also wakes up periodically to listen to the network and then powers down again. Since the device may not be able to receive data in this state, it should transition back to the RRC Connected state in order to receive data.

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

Further, in various embodiments, the eNB device may include substantially similar components to one or more of the example components of UE device 1000 described herein.

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

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, functions, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, a first embodiment may be combined with a second embodiment without the specific features, structures, functions, or characteristics associated with the two embodiments being mutually exclusive.

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

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

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

Example 1 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal, wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 2, the apparatus of example 1, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 3, the apparatus of example 1, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 4, the apparatus of example 1, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 5, the apparatus of example 1, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

In example 6, the apparatus of any of examples 1, 2, or 3, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; and wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 7, the apparatus of any one of examples 1, 4, or 5, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; and wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 8, the apparatus of any one of examples 1, 2, or 4, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 9, the apparatus of any one of examples 1, 3, or 5, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 10, the apparatus of any of examples 1, 3, 5, or 9, wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In example 11, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 5, wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 12, the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 13, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 11, comprising transceiver circuitry to at least one of: generating a transmission, encoding a transmission, processing a transmission, or decoding a transmission.

Example 14 provides an evolved node b (eNB) device comprising an application processor, a memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 13.

Example 15 provides a method, comprising: for a User Equipment (UE), initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal, wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 16, the method of example 15, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 17, the method of example 15, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 18, the method of example 15, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 19, the method of example 15, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 20, the method of any of examples 15, 16, or 17, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; and wherein the second duration is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 21, the method of any of examples 15, 18, or 19, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; and wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 22, the method of any of examples 15, 16, or 18, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 23, the method of any one of examples 15, 17, or 19, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 24, the method of any of examples 15, 17, 19, or 23, wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In example 25, the method of any one of examples 15 to 19, wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 26, the method of any one of examples 15 to 25, wherein the reservation signal includes an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

Example 27 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any one of examples 15 to 26.

Example 28 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) process within Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process having a first duration; and means for allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal, wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration and the second time period.

In example 29, the apparatus of example 28, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 30, the apparatus of example 28, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 31, the apparatus of example 28, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 32, the apparatus of example 28, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 33, the apparatus of any of examples 28, 29, or 30, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; and wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 34, the apparatus of any one of examples 28, 31, or 32, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; and wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 35, the apparatus of any one of examples 28, 29, or 31, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 36, the apparatus of any one of examples 28, 30, or 32, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 37, the apparatus of any one of examples 28, 30, 32, or 36, wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In example 38, the apparatus of any one of examples 28 to 32, wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 39, the apparatus of any one of examples 28 to 38, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

Example 40 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions, which when executed, cause one or more processors of a User Equipment (UE) to be operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) over a wireless network to perform operations comprising: initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for the reservation signal, wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol minus the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 41, the machine-readable storage medium of example 40, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 42, the machine-readable storage medium of example 40, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 43, the machine-readable storage medium of example 40, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 44, the machine-readable storage medium of example 40, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

In example 45, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40, 41 or 42, the first time period after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; and wherein the second duration is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 46, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40, 43, or 44, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; and wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 47, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40, 41, or 43, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 48, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40, 42, or 44, wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time.

In example 49, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40, 42, 44, or 48, wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time.

In example 50, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40 to 44, wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 51, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 40 to 50, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

Example 52 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: one or more processors configured to: initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure is after a first time period; wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within a single interval LBT procedure; and wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol less the sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 53, the apparatus of example 52, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 54, the apparatus of any of examples 52 or 53, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 55, the apparatus of example 52, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 56, the apparatus of any of examples 52 or 55, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 57, the apparatus of example 52, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 58, the apparatus of any one of examples 52 or 57, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 59, the apparatus of example 52, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

In example 60, the apparatus of any one of examples 52 or 59, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 61, the apparatus of any one of examples 52 to 60, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 62, the apparatus of any of examples 52 to 60, comprising transceiver circuitry to at least one of: generating a transmission, encoding a transmission, processing a transmission, or decoding a transmission.

Example 63 provides an evolved node b (eNB) device comprising an application processor, a memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 62.

Example 64 provides a method, comprising: for an evolved node B (eNB), initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within an OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure is after a first time period; wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within a single interval LBT process; and wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 65, the method of example 64, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 66, the method of any one of examples 64 or 65, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 67, the method of example 64, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 68, the method of any one of examples 64 or 67, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 69, the method of example 64, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 70, the method of any of examples 64 or 69, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 71, the method of example 64, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 72, the method of any of examples 64 or 71, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 73, the method of any one of examples 64 to 71, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

Example 74 provides a machine-readable storage medium having stored thereon machine-executable instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processors to perform a method according to any of examples 64 to 73.

Example 75 provides an apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising: means for initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) process within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process having a first duration; and means for allocating a second time duration within an OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure is after a first time period; wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within a single interval LBT procedure; and wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol less the sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 76, the apparatus of example 75, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 77, the apparatus of any one of examples 75 or 76, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 78, the apparatus of example 75, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 79, the apparatus of any of examples 75 or 78, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 80, the apparatus of example 75, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 81, the apparatus of any one of examples 75 or 80, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 82, the apparatus of example 75, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 83, the apparatus of any of examples 75 or 82, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 84, the apparatus of any one of examples 75 to 82, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

Example 85 provides a machine-readable storage medium having machine-executable instructions, which when executed, cause one or more processors of a User Equipment (UE) to be operable to communicate with an evolved node b (enb) over a wireless network to perform operations comprising: initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and allocating a second duration within an OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure is after a first time period; wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within a single interval LBT procedure; and wherein the second duration spans the symbol time of the OFDM symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

In example 86, the machine-readable storage medium of example 85, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 87, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 85 or 86, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 88, the machine-readable storage medium of example 85, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in subsequent OFDM symbols.

In example 89, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 85 or 88, wherein the first time period is after an end of a previous OFMD symbol; wherein the second duration is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first period of time is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 90, the machine-readable storage medium of example 85, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the eNB transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 91, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 85 or 90, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the maximum channel delay spread time from the eNB to the UE; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 92, the machine-readable storage medium of example 85, wherein the subframe is a first subframe; wherein the second subframe precedes the first subframe; wherein the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe; and wherein the reservation signal extends the UE transmission in the previous OFDM symbol.

In example 93, the machine-readable storage medium of any of examples 85 or 92, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol; wherein the second time period is followed by the start of a subsequent OFDM symbol; wherein the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time; and wherein the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

In example 94, the machine-readable storage medium of any one of examples 85 to 92, wherein the reservation signal comprises an extended Cyclic Prefix (CP) of the subsequent OFDM symbol.

In example 95, the apparatus of any one of examples 1 to 11 and 52 to 60, wherein the one or more processors comprise a baseband processor.

In example 96, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 11 and 52 to 60, comprising a memory to store instructions, the memory coupled to the one or more processors.

In example 97, the apparatus of any of examples 1 to 11 and 52 to 60, comprising transceiver circuitry to generate the transmission and process the transmission.

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

Claims (22)

1. An apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and is

Allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein the second duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the housing,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or

Wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein,

wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

4. An evolved node b (eNB) device comprising an application processor, a memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3.

5. A method of Listen Before Talk (LBT) for Uplink (UL) transmissions, comprising:

for a User Equipment (UE), initiating a single-interval LBT process within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single-interval LBT process having a first duration; and is provided with

Allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein the second duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or alternatively

Wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a UL subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein said at least one of said first and second sets of parameters is selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

8. An apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising:

means for initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) process within Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols of a subframe after a first time period and before a second time period, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process having a first duration; and

means for allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein the second time duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less the first time period, the first time duration, and the second time period.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the substrate,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or

Wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed on opposite sides of the substrate,

wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol.

11. An apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising:

one or more processors configured to:

initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and is

Allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process is after a first time period;

wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process; and is provided with

Wherein the second duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed in a substantially cylindrical configuration,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or alternatively

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switch time.

13. The apparatus as set forth in claim 11, wherein,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or a UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

14. An evolved node b (eNB) device comprising an application processor, a memory, one or more antenna ports, and an interface to allow the application processor to communicate with another device, the eNB device comprising the apparatus of any of claims 11 to 13.

15. A method of Listen Before Talk (LBT) for Uplink (UL) transmissions, comprising:

for an evolved node B (eNB), initiating a single-interval LBT procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single-interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and is

Allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process is after a first time period;

wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure; and wherein the second duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or alternatively

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switch time.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a UL subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or a UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

18. An apparatus of an evolved node b (enb) operable to communicate with a User Equipment (UE) on a wireless network, comprising:

means for initiating a single interval Listen Before Talk (LBT) procedure within an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol of a subframe, a sensing interval within the single interval LBT procedure having a first duration; and

means for allocating a second duration within the OFDM symbol for a reservation signal, wherein the second duration is after an end of a previous OFDM symbol;

wherein a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process is after a first time period;

wherein the second time period is after a sensing interval within the single interval LBT process; and is

Wherein the second duration spans a symbol time of the OFDM symbol less a sum of the first time period, the first duration, and the second time period.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first and second electrodes are disposed in a substantially cylindrical configuration,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is a Downlink (DL) subframe and the first subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe, and the reservation signal extends eNB transmissions in a previous OFDM symbol; or alternatively

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to an eNB-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to a UE receiver-to-transmitter switch time.

20. The apparatus as set forth in claim 18, wherein,

wherein the subframe is a first subframe, a second subframe precedes the first subframe, the second subframe is an Uplink (UL) subframe and the first subframe is a UL subframe, and the reservation signal extends UE transmissions in previous OFDM symbols; or alternatively

Wherein the second time period is followed by a start of a subsequent OFDM symbol, the first time period is greater than or equal to the greater of: a UE-to-UE maximum channel delay spread time, or a UE transmitter-to-receiver switching time, and the second time period is greater than or equal to the UE receiver-to-transmitter switching time.

21. At least one machine readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that in response to being executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out a method according to any one of claims 5-7.

22. At least one machine readable medium comprising a plurality of instructions that in response to being executed on a computing device, cause the computing device to carry out a method according to any one of claims 15-17.

Images