TWI422180B - Method and apparatus for management of multi-carrier communication in a wireless communication system - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for managing multiple carrier communication in a wireless communication system

The present invention relates generally to cellular communication systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatus for managing multiple carrier communications.

The Global System for Mobile Communications cellular communication system provides communication services to mobile and portable devices through one of the base stations. In the GSM system, time slot frames and wireless block frames are transmitted and received at the mobile station by using time division multiplexing. Although the GSM system initially provided voice communication services, it has also been involved in providing data communication services. Standards such as General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) and Global Evolution Enhanced Data (EDGE) further define protocols for data communications within GSM-based systems. Access terminals (sometimes referred to as mobile devices, portable devices, and other names) communicate through channels in the uplink and downlink directions. To increase performance, some access terminals use receive diversity techniques in which two or more antennas are used to receive signals transmitted over the signal path. At least some of the incoming signals can be received at a higher quality due to differences between the antennas such as the antenna position. For example, due to the multiple fading characteristics of the communication path, multiple signals can be destructively combined into one antenna and can also be destructively combined with another antenna. However, by using the reception diversity, the chance of receiving a higher quality signal is increased. In some reception diversity scenarios, signal combinations from multiple antennas are combined to improve signal quality.

As the GSM system evolves to provide increased data and voice services, the demand for bandwidth and system capacity increases. In a multi-carrier communication system, signals are transmitted at different carrier frequencies by using multiple channels. The receiver receives multiple channels simultaneously by multiple antennas resulting in an increased total bandwidth. Conventional systems do not include a method for achieving diversity and multi-channel communication in a single access terminal using multiple antennas.

Accordingly, a need exists for an apparatus and method for managing multiple carrier communications in a GSM communication system.

An embodiment is a transmitter configured to transmit a message to an access terminal to command the access terminal to switch between a diversity mode and a multiple carrier mode. In the diversity mode, each of the plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency. In the multiple carrier mode, one of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multiple carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives one The second multiple carrier signal transmitted by the second carrier frequency.

Another embodiment is a method for managing communications in a communication system, the method comprising transmitting a message to a pick-up terminal, thereby commanding the pick-up terminal to be in a diversity mode and a multi-carrier mode Switch between. In the diversity mode, each of the plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency. In the multiple carrier mode, one of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multiple carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives one The second multiple carrier signal transmitted by the second carrier frequency.

Yet another embodiment is an access terminal in a wireless communication system configured to respond to a message instructing the receiving terminal to be in a diversity mode and a multiple carrier Switch between modes. In the diversity mode, each of the plurality of antenna modules receives a single carrier signal transmitted at a single carrier frequency. In the multiple carrier mode, one of the plurality of antenna modules receives a first multiple carrier signal transmitted at a first carrier frequency and a second antenna module receives one The second multiple carrier signal transmitted by the second carrier frequency.

1 is a block diagram of a GSM communication system 100 in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Therefore, any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous. The various functions and operations of the blocks described with reference to GSM system 100 can be implemented in any number of devices, circuits, or components. Two or more functional blocks may be integrated into a single device and the functions described as being performed in any single device may be implemented across several devices in some cases. Although the GSM system 100 includes features, messages, and other aspects not explained by the current GSM EDEG Radio Access Network (GERAN) standard, in the exemplary embodiment, the GSM system 100 still operates in accordance with GERAN communication technology. Accordingly, this exemplary embodiment provides an example of a variation of the current GERAN communication standard.

The GSM system 100 includes a GSM network 114 that provides communication services to a plurality of access terminals 102. An access terminal 102 can be any of several types of devices that facilitate communication of the voice and/or data with the GSM network 114. The pick-up terminal 102 (sometimes referred to as a mobile phone, a mobile station) (MS), wireless communication devices, and other terms include devices such as cellular telephones and wireless personal digital assistants (PDAs). The GSM network 114 includes a plurality of base stations 104 and other infrastructure, databases, and post-networks that exchange wireless signals with the receiving terminal 102. The GSM network 114 controls the communication of the receiving terminals by using command and control messages in accordance with a communication protocol generally defined by a standard protocol. The base station 104 and the GSM 114 include transmitters for transmitting voice, data, and signal messages to the access terminal 102. The receiver in the base station 104 receives the voice, data and signal messages transmitted from the terminal 102.

Signals transmitted by one or more of the base stations 104 in the GSM network 114 are received by a receiver 116 by an antenna system that includes at least one antenna 106, 108. One or more of the access terminals 102 can include an antenna system having a plurality of antennas 106, 108. A pick-up terminal 102 having a plurality of antennas 106, 108 can utilize diversity techniques to improve receiver performance. During the diversity operation, the plurality of antennas 106, 108 are tuned to the same carrier frequency to receive a plurality of patterns of transmission signals. A performance improvement from the combination of signals received via an additional antenna or signals received from one or more antennas 106, 108 to obtain additional information. In some cases, the carrier frequency of the received signal may change during transmission. This situation occurs where frequency hopping is used, for example, the carrier frequency (a signal transmitted by it) changes in accordance with a predetermined order based on each TDMA frame basis. Thus, the plurality of antennas 106, 108 remain tuned to the same signal and follow the "frequency hopping" carrier frequency.

As mentioned above, multi-carrier communication provides an existing GERAN infrastructure. A technique used to increase the peak data rate of downlink communications. In a multiple carrier mode, at least two antennas 106, 108 receive different signals at different carrier frequencies. By using a plurality of carrier signals, more bandwidth is used to receive the message, thereby increasing the received data transmission rate at the receiving terminal 102.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the pick-up terminal 102 is capable of operating in a Receive Diversity (RXDIV) mode and a Multiple Carrier mode. The pick-up terminal 102 includes an antenna system that includes a plurality of antennas 106, 108. In the exemplary embodiment, the antenna system includes a first antenna 106 and a second antenna 108. The multi-carrier and RXDIV receiver 116 includes a plurality of suitable hardware, software and/or firmware for receiving a signal by at least two antennas 106, 108 in RXDIV mode. In addition, the receiver 116 can receive a first signal 110 at the first carrier frequency (C1) by one of the antennas 106, and receive a second signal 112 at the second carrier frequency by the other antenna 108.

Controller 118 is any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware configured to perform the functions described herein and to facilitate the overall functionality of the access terminal. Controller 118 can include any number and combination of circuitry, electrical devices, memory, and processing devices, which can include a single processor, microprocessor, processor configuration, or logic gate. Controller 118 can be implemented, at least in part, as part of an integrated circuit or as part of a special application integrated circuit (ASIC) by using discrete components. In the exemplary embodiment, the software and hardware running on the processor perform the control functions described herein. Based on the instructions received from the GSM network 114, the controller 118 generates control signals to configure the receiver 116. In addition to configuring the hardware and invoking the code, the controller 118 generates a response, confirmation, and request message.

In the exemplary embodiment, the pick-up terminal 102 is still in the receive diversity mode as an erroneous configuration. In response to a multiple carrier switching command message received from the GSM network 114, the receiving terminal switches to the multiple carrier mode. In response to a RXDIV handover command message received from the GSM network 114, the access terminal switches back to the receive diversity mode. Upon receiving the multiple carrier switching command message, the receiving terminal 102 generates an appropriate control signal and configures the receiver 116 to receive a first signal 110 at the first carrier frequency by the first antenna 106 and by The second antenna 108 receives a second signal 112 at a second carrier frequency. In the exemplary embodiment, the receiver includes a receiver branch coupled to each of the antennas 108, 108 to allow each receiver branch to be tuned to a different carrier frequency. An example of a suitable receiver branch includes one or more mixers for shifting the incoming signal frequency to a desired intermediate frequency or to a fundamental frequency by mixing the incoming signal with a suitable mixing signal. The frequency offset signal is further processed and demodulated by other receiver 116 components. In some cases, each receiver branch may include a filter other than a filter shared by multiple receiver branches. Each receiver branch responds to the control signal to tune a specified carrier frequency. In the receive diversity mode, the receiver branches are tuned to the same frequency, allowing a plurality of patterns of a single signal to be received. In the multiple carrier mode, at least one of the receiver branches is tuned to a different carrier frequency than the other receiver branch. Accordingly, in the receive diversity mode, the receiver 116 can tune a plurality of receiver branches to a single carrier frequency, and in the multiple carrier mode, in response to the controller, the receiver 116 can tune the receiver branch to a different carrier frequency. . In some cases, other techniques may be used in the receiver 116 to facilitate the multiple carrier and diversity capabilities. Although the description herein is limited to two antennas and two carriers, the discussion can be applied to include m diversity branches and n carriers (where n m) Any configuration.

2 is a block diagram of signal messages 202-212 exchanged between GSM network 114 and access terminal 102 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. The signal messages 202-212 may be incorporated into conventional signal messages currently defined in the GERAN specification or may be implemented as additional messages in the GERAN specification, wherein the portions of the messages 202-212 may be implemented on a plurality of conventional signal messages and two or two More than one message 202-212 can be implemented in a single message.

In an exemplary embodiment, GSM network 114 is notified by multiple carrier errors and receiving diversity capabilities of terminal 102. When the receiving terminal sends a capability message 204 indicating at least the receiving diversity and multi-carrier capability of the receiving terminal, the GSM network 114 is notified to receive the multiple carrier and receiving diversity capability of the terminal 102. The capability message 204 is described in further detail with reference to FIG.

If the receiving terminal has RXDIV capability and multiple carrier capabilities, the GSM network manages resources by commanding the receiving terminal to switch between the RXDIV mode and the multiple carrier mode. The determination of the handover may be based on any of a number of factors, for example, the available bandwidth, the amount of data to be received by the receiving terminal, the number of other nearby access terminals, and the data transmission rate of other access terminals. , other capabilities in the region to access the terminal or rely on any other reason for the network algorithm.

The GSM network transmits a multiple carrier switching command 206 to command the receiving terminal to switch from the receiving diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode. An example of an appropriate multiple carrier switching command 206 includes a modification of a message according to the GERAN specification, such as packet downlink assignment, packet time slot reassembly, or the like.

After the receiving terminal successfully completes the switching from the receiver diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode, the receiving terminal can transmit a handover confirmation message 208 indicating that the handover is successful. An example of a handover confirmation message 208 includes a message according to the current GERAN specification, such as the packet downlink acknowledgement message. In some cases, no confirmation is sent.

The GSM network transmits an RXDIV handover command 210 when the GSM network determines that the receiving terminal has to return to receive diversity mode. An example of a suitable RXDIV handover command 210 includes a modification or extension according to one of the messages of the current GERAN specification, such as packet downlink assignment, packet time slot reassembly, or the like.

The access terminal can transmit a handover confirmation message 212 indicating that the handover from the multiple carrier mode to the reception diversity mode is successful. In some cases, no confirmation is sent.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a capability message 204 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. As explained above, the access terminal transmits the capability message 204 indicating the multiple carrier and receiving diversity capabilities. The capability message 204 can include an RXDIV indication 302 and a multiple carrier indication 304. In the exemplary embodiment, capability message 204 includes a one-bit RXDIV indication 302 and a one-bit multi-carrier indication 304 and other indications 306 that describe other capabilities of the terminal. Thus, in the exemplary embodiment, a single bit indicates whether the receiving terminal has a diversity capability and a single bit indicates whether the receiving terminal has multiple carrier capabilities. In some cases, the indications may include multiple bits to convey additional information. An example of an appropriate capability message 204 includes a message based on the MS wireless access capability message in which the bit is received or added to the current format to deliver the RXDIV and multiple carrier capabilities. In some cases, only one bit multicarrier indicator 304 is included in the capability message 204, while all mobile terminals capable of multiple carriers are assumed to also imply RXDIV capabilities.

4 is a block diagram of a multiple carrier switching command message 206 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. The multiple carrier switching command message 206 includes at least one instruction indicating that the receiving terminal has to switch to the multiple carrier mode. In the exemplary embodiment, the multiple carrier handover command message 206 includes a multi-carrier handover indication 402, a multi-carrier channel indication 404, and a time slot configuration associated with multiple carriers to which the terminal is assigned. Other orders. An example of such a command includes a modification or extension of a message according to the current GERAN specification, such as a packet downlink assignment message or a packet time slot reassembly message, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an RXDIV handover command message 210 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. The RXDIV handover command message 210 includes at least one instruction indicating that the access terminal has to switch to the reception diversity mode. In the exemplary embodiment, the RXDIV handover command message 210 includes an RXDIV handover indication 502, a single carrier channel indication 504, and other commands associated with a time slot configuration for a single carrier to which the terminal is assigned. An example of such a command includes a modification or extension of a message according to the current GERAN specification, such as a packet downlink assignment message or a packet time slot reassembly message, or the like. The single carrier channel indication 504 indicates a single channel that will be used to transmit signals to the access terminal.

6 is a flow diagram of a method for managing multiple carrier communications in a wireless communication system in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The method can be performed by using any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware. In the exemplary embodiment, the method is performed in one of the base stations or other network entities 104 in the GSM network 114. Although the method is discussed with reference to a single access terminal 102, it can be performed simultaneously for any number of access terminals 102 communicating within the GSM network 114.

In step 602, the base station 104 receives a capability message 204 indicating at least the reception diversity and multiple carrier capabilities of the receiving terminal 102.

At step 604, it is determined if the pick-up terminal 102 has multiple carrier capabilities. If the pick-up terminal 102 does not have multiple carrier capabilities, the multiple carrier management for the particular pick-up terminal 102 terminates, and the method proceeds to step 606. Otherwise, the method continues at step 608.

At step 608, it is determined whether the pick-up terminal 102 has to switch to the multi-carrier mode. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the pick-up terminal 102 does not perform the receive diversity mode and thus switches to the multi-carrier mode only as determined by the GSM network 114. This decision can be based on any number of factors and depends on the particular implementation of the GSM system and system capabilities. The handover decision may be based on any of a number of factors, for example, available bandwidth, amount of data to be received by the pick-up terminal 102, number of other nearby pick-up terminals (102), other pick-up terminals (102) The data transfer rate, the ability to access the terminal (102) in the region, or any other reason that depends on the network algorithm. If it is determined that the receiving terminal 102 is still in the Receive Diversity Mode (RXDIV), then the method returns to step 608 to continue monitoring the network. If it is determined that the pick-up terminal 102 has to switch to the multi-carrier mode, then the method continues at step 610.

At step 610, the multiple carrier switch command message 206 is transmitted to the pick-up terminal 102. In the exemplary embodiment, the multiple carrier switching command message 206 is transmitted by a transmitter within a base station 104.

At step 612, the switch confirmation 208 message is received from the pick up terminal. In the exemplary embodiment, the handover confirmation message 208 is received by a receiver within a base station 104. If the confirmation message 208 is not received, the base station 104 is committed to retransmitting or parsing the program.

At step 614, it is determined whether the pick-up terminal 102 has to switch to the single carrier receive diversity mode. If the GSM network 114 determines that the receiving terminal has to switch to the RXDIV mode due to active resource allocation or other reasons, the method continues at step 616. Otherwise, the method returns to step 614 to continue monitoring system 100.

At step 616, the RXDIV Handover Command message 210 is transmitted to the pick-up terminal. As described above, in the exemplary embodiment, the RXDIV handover command message 210 includes a single carrier channel indication 504.

At step 618, a handover confirmation message 212 indicating that the handover from the multiple carrier mode to the reception diversity mode is successful is received. If the confirmation message 212 is not received, the base station 104 is dedicated to retransmission or parsing of the program. The party The method then returns to step 608 to monitor the system to determine that the pick-up terminal 102 has to switch to the multi-carrier mode. In some cases, a confirmation message may not be used.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that information and signals can be represented by using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, the materials, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and wafers that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, light fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as an electronic hardware, a computer software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate the interchangeability of hardware and software, the above descriptions of various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described. Whether the function is implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the entire network. The skilled artisan can implement the described functions in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as causing a departure from the scope of the invention.

The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented by a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a programmable gate. Arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or designs are implemented or executed in any combination of the functions described herein. A general purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in another aspect, the processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computer devices, for example, a DSA in conjunction with a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core or any other such configuration.

The methods and algorithms described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, scratchpad, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or known in the art. Any other form of storage media. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from or write information to the storage medium. Additionally, the storage medium can be integral with the processor. The processor and the storage medium can reside in an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In addition, the processor and the storage medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. The various modifications of the embodiments are obvious to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded to the broadest scope of the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

100. . . GSM system / GSM communication system

102. . . Access terminal

104. . . Base station

106. . . antenna

108. . . antenna

110. . . First signal

112. . . Second signal

114. . . GSM network

116. . . receiver

118. . . Controller

202. . . Signal message

204. . . Ability message

206. . . Multi-Carrier Switching Command/Multi-Carrier Switching Command Message

208. . . Switch confirmation message / switch confirmation

210. . . RXDIV switching command / RXDIV switching command message

212. . . Switch confirmation message

302. . . RXDIV indication

304. . . Multiple carrier indication

306. . . Other instructions

402. . . Multiple carrier switching indication

404. . . Multiple carrier channel indication

502. . . RXDIV switching indication

504. . . Single carrier channel indication

1 is a block diagram of a pick-up terminal that communicates with a base station in accordance with an illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of signal messages exchanged between a GSM network and an access terminal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

3 is a block diagram of a capability message in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

4 is a block diagram of a multiple carrier switching command message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an RXDIV handover command message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment.

6 is a flow diagram of a method for managing multiple carrier communications in a wireless communication network, in accordance with an illustrative embodiment.

100. . . GSM system / GSM communication system

102. . . Access terminal

104. . . Base station

106. . . antenna

108. . . antenna

110. . . First signal

112. . . Second signal

114. . . GSM network

116. . . receiver

118. . . Controller

Claims (20)

An access terminal comprising: a plurality of antennas; and a receiver comprising a plurality of receiver branches, wherein each receiver branch is coupled to a particular one of the plurality of antennas, wherein the plurality of receiver branches Each of the operative terminals is tuned to a corresponding carrier frequency, wherein the access terminal can operate in a diversity mode and can operate in a multi-carrier mode; wherein the access terminal is configured to And receiving, when receiving the multi-carrier switching command message, the multi-carrier switching command message and the receiving diversity switching command message are switched from the receiving diversity mode to the multiple after receiving the multi-carrier switching command message a carrier mode, and after receiving the reception diversity handover command message, switching from the multiple carrier mode to the reception diversity mode. The access terminal of claim 1, wherein each of the receiver branches includes a mixer operable to generate an offset by mixing an incoming signal with a mixed signal to offset the incoming signal frequency. Frequency offset signal. The access terminal of claim 2, wherein the mixer is operative to shift the incoming signal frequency to one of a fundamental frequency or an intermediate frequency. The access terminal of claim 2, wherein the receiver is operative to demodulate the frequency offset signal to produce a demodulated frequency offset signal. The receiving terminal of claim 1, wherein the plurality of receiver branches Each includes a corresponding filter. The access terminal of claim 1, further comprising a controller operative to generate a control signal associated with a carrier frequency, wherein each of the plurality of receiver branches is operable to Tuning to the carrier frequency in response to the control signal. The receiving terminal of claim 1, wherein the receiving terminal is operable to switch from the receiving diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode in response to receiving a multiple carrier switching command message from a network. The pick-up terminal of claim 1, wherein the pick-up terminal is operable to transmit a capability message indicating that the pick-up terminal has a communication capability of multiple carriers. A method of wireless communication, comprising: configuring a receiving terminal to operate in a receiving diversity mode operation and a multi-carrier mode, wherein the receiving terminal comprises a plurality of antennas and a plurality of receivers a branch, wherein each of the plurality of receiver branches is coupled to one of the plurality of antennas; and when the access terminal operates in the receive diversity mode, the plurality of antenna branches Each tuned to an identical carrier frequency; wherein the access terminal is configured to when at least one of a multiple carrier switching command message and a receiving diversity switching command message is from a remote transmitter Receiving, after receiving the multiple carrier switching command message, switching from the receiving diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode, and after receiving the receiving diversity switching command message, switching from the multiple carrier mode to the receiving diversity mode . The method of claim 9, further comprising tuning a first receiver branch to a first carrier frequency and tuning a second receiver branch to a first time when the receiving terminal operates in the multiple carrier mode Two carrier frequencies. The method of claim 9, further comprising responding to a control signal generated by a controller to tune a particular receiver branch to a particular carrier frequency. The method of claim 9, further comprising: shifting an incoming signal frequency to generate a frequency offset signal at an intermediate frequency, wherein the mixer is included in a particular receiver branch by The incoming signal is mixed with a mixed signal to frequency offset the incoming signal. The method of claim 12, further comprising demodulating the signal that changes the frequency offset. The method of claim 9, further comprising: shifting an incoming signal frequency to generate a frequency offset signal at a fundamental frequency, wherein the mixer is included in a particular receiver branch by The incoming signal is mixed with a mixed signal to frequency offset the incoming signal. The method of claim 14, further comprising demodulating the signal that changes the frequency offset. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing instructions executable by a plurality of processors, the instructions being executable by a processor to: configure a receiving terminal to receive a plurality of And one of a multi-carrier mode, wherein the access terminal comprises a plurality of And a plurality of receiver branches, wherein each of the plurality of receiver branches is coupled to a particular one of the plurality of antennas; and when the access terminal operates in the receive diversity mode, Each of the plurality of antenna branches is tuned to an identical carrier frequency; wherein the access terminal is configured to be at least one of a multiple carrier switching command message and a received diversity switching command message Receiving the multiple carrier switching command message, receiving the multiple carrier switching command message, switching from the receiving diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode, and receiving the diversity switching command message from the multiple carrier mode after receiving the remote carrier command Switch to the receiving diversity mode. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, further comprising a plurality of processor executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive a response from a network The multi-carrier switching command message is switched from the reception diversity mode to the multi-carrier mode. A non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 16, further comprising instructions executable by the plurality of processors, the instructions being executable by the processor to cause the processor to transmit an indication that the receiving terminal has One of the capabilities of multi-carrier communication capabilities. A wireless communication device, comprising: means for configuring a receiving terminal to operate in a receiving diversity mode operation and a multi-carrier mode, wherein the receiving terminal comprises a plurality of antennas and a plurality of receiver branches, wherein each of the plurality of receiver branches is coupled to one of the plurality of antennas An antenna; and means for tuning each of the plurality of antenna branches to an identical carrier frequency when the access terminal operates in the receive diversity mode; wherein the access terminal is configured When the at least one of the multiple carrier switching command message and the receiving diversity switching command message is received from a remote transmitter, after receiving the multiple carrier switching command message, switching from the receiving diversity mode Up to the multiple carrier mode, and after receiving the reception diversity handover command message, switching from the multiple carrier mode to the reception diversity mode. The apparatus of claim 19, further comprising means for switching from the received diversity mode to the multiple carrier mode in response to receiving a multiple carrier switching command message from a network.