WO2013139023A1

WO2013139023A1 - Method and apparatus for providing enhanced initial access support for limited-bandwidth devices

Info

Publication number: WO2013139023A1
Application number: PCT/CN2012/072810
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jing HAN; Na WEI; Chunyan Gao; Shuang TAN; Wei Bai; Haiming Wang
Original assignee: Renesas Mobile Corporation
Priority date: 2012-03-22
Filing date: 2012-03-22
Publication date: 2013-09-26

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided to provide enhanced network support for limited-bandwidth devices. In the context of a method, a signal may be received at a limited-bandwidth device. The method may include deriving Enhanced Physical Hybrid-Automatic Repeat Request Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme. The method may further include applying the e-PHICH configuration information. Also in the context of a method, a Master Information Block (MIB) may be received at the limited-bandwidth device. The method may further include determining whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation and, if it does, performing sequential detection or, if it does not, searching for a different carrier.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ENHANCED INITIAL ACCESS SUPPORT FOR LIMITED-BANDWIDTH DEVICES

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment of the present invention relates generally to wireless networks and, more particularly, to providing enhanced initial access support for limited- bandwidth devices.

BACKGROUND

[0002] As Long Term Evolution (LTE) deployments evolve, network operators would like to reduce the cost of overall network maintenance by minimising the number of Radio Access Technologies (RATs) that they must maintain. However, networks operators are also seeing an accelerating proliferation of Machine-Type Communications (MTC) devices which rely primarily on Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM)/ General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) RATs, instead of LTE.

[0003] MTC devices usually target low-end (low cost, low data rate) applications that can be handled adequately by GPRS on 2^nd Generation (2G) and 3^rd Generation (3G) GSM networks. Owing to the low cost of these devices and good coverage of GSM/GPRS, there is very little motivation for MTC device suppliers to use modules supporting the LTE radio interface. As more and more MTC devices are deployed in the field, this naturally increases the reliance on GSM/GPRS networks. Not only will maintaining GSM/GPRS networks in addition to LTE networks cost operators more, the non-optimal spectrum efficiency of GSM/GPRS will also prevent operators from reaping the maximum benefit of their allocated spectrum. Given the high number of MTC devices currently deployed and likely to be deployed in the future, the overall resources that network operators will need for service provision may be both significant and inefficiently assigned.

[0004] Thus, solutions are needed to ensure easy and cost-effective migration of MTC devices from GSM GPRS to LTE networks. BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] Therefore, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided according to an example embodiment in order to provide enhanced initial access support to limited-bandwidth devices. In this regard, the method, apparatus, and computer program product may determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation and, further, may derive enhanced Physical Hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e- PHICH) configuration information from a signal. The various embodiments thus provide efficient and effective solutions to providing initial access support to limited-bandwidth devices.

[0006] In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes receiving a signal at a limited-bandwidth device. The method further includes deriving enhanced Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme and applying the e-PHICH configuration information. In another embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. The method further includes performing sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation and searching for a different carrier in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation. In yet another embodiment, a method is provided that includes determining a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator. The method further includes, based on the value, reading a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList or reading one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).

[0007] In a further embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program instruction therein, the at least one memory and computer program instructions being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least receive a signal at a limited-bandwidth device. The apparatus is further caused to derive enhanced Physical Hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme and apply the e-PHICH configuration information. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program instruction therein, the at least one memory and computer program instructions being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. The apparatus is further caused to perform sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation and search for a different carrier in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation. In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program instruction therein, the at least one memory and computer program instructions being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator. The apparatus is further caused to, based on the value, read a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList or read one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).

[0008] In a further embodiment, a computer program product is provided that includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program code portions therein, the computer program code portions being configured to, upon execution, cause an apparatus to at least receive a signal at a limited-bandwidth device. The computer program code portions are further configured to, u on execution, cause the apparatus to derive enhanced Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme and apply the e-PHICH configuration information. In another embodiment, a computer program product is provided that includes a non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer program code portions therein, the computer program code portions being configured to, upon execution, cause an apparatus to at least determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. The computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to perform sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation and search for a different carrier in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation. In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program instruction therein, the at least one memory and computer program instructions being configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least determine a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator. The computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to, based on the value, read a non-limited-bandwidth Neighbor Cell List or read one or more limited- bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).

[0009] In a further embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for receiving a signal at a limited-bandwidth device. The apparatus further includes means for deriving enhanced Physical Hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e- PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme and means for applying the e-PHICH configuration information. In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for determining whether a carrier supports limited- bandwidth operation. The apparatus further includes means for performing sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation and means for searching for a different carrier in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation. In yet another embodiment, an apparatus is provided that includes means for determining a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator. The apparatus further includes means for, based on the value, reading a non-limited- bandwidth NeighborCellList or reading one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[001 1] Figure 1 is an illustration of a system depicting communications between a communication device and a network via a base station in which system information may be provided in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention;

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram depicting a frequency spectrum supported by example full and limited-bandwidth devices;

[0014] Figures 4a and 4b depict the contents of a Master Information Block and a PHICH- Config information element, respectively; and [0015] Figure 5-7 are flowcharts depicting the operations performed by apparatuses embodied by or otherwise associated with a limited-bandwidth device in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0017] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" refers to all of the following: (a)hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) to combinations of circuits and software (and/or firmware), such as (as applicable): (i) to a combination of processor(s) or (ii) to portions of processor(s)/software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and

(c) to circuits, such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that

require software or firmware for operation, even if the software or firmware is not

physically present.

[0018] This definition of "circuitry" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term "circuitry" would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term "circuitry" would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device.

[0019] Referring now to Figure 1, a system that supports communications between a limited-bandwidth communication device 10 and a network 14, such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, a Global Systems for Mobile communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, e.g., a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, a CDMA2000 network or the like, a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network or other type of network, via a base station 12 is shown. As used herein, a limited-bandwidth device refers to any communication device which supports, e.g., is capable of communicating over, some subset of the entire available bandwidth of a network. Various types of limited-bandwidth devices may be employed including, for example, a mobile communication device such as, for example, a mobile telephone, portable digital assistant (PDA), pager, laptop computer, a tablet computer, or any of numerous other hand held or portable communication devices, computation devices, content generation devices, content consumption devices, data card, Universal Serial Bus (USB) dongle, or combinations thereof. Limited-bandwidth devices may also include, for example, Machine-Type Communications (MTC) devices which communicate through a network 14 without human intervention.

Regardless of the type of limited-bandwidth device, it may communicate with the network via a base station 12, such as a Node B, an evolved Node B (eNB), a relay node, or other type of access point. The communications between the limited-bandwidth device 10 and the base station 12 may include the transmission of data via an uplink that is granted between the limited-bandwidth device 10 and the base station 12. The communication session between the limited-bandwidth device 10 and the base station 12 may also be configured according to system information broadcast by the base station 12 and received and read by the limited- bandwidth device 10. The base station 12 may also simultaneously be in communication with other devices, such as full-bandwidth user equipment 11, which support, e.g., are capable of communicating over, the entire available bandwidth of the network 14.

[0020] The limited-bandwidth device 10 and the base station 12 may embody or otherwise be associated with an apparatus 20 that is generally depicted in Figure 2 and that may be configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention as described below. However, it should be noted that the components, devices or elements described below may not be mandatory and thus some may be omitted in certain embodiments. Additionally, some embodiments may include further or different components, devices or elements beyond those shown and described herein.

[0021] As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus 20 may include or otherwise be in

communication with processing circuitry, such as the processor 20 and, in some embodiments, the memory 24, which is configurable to perform actions in accordance with example embodiments described herein, such as in conjunction with Figures 5, 6, and 7. The processing circuitry may be configured to perform data processing, application execution and/or other processing and management services according to an example embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus or the processing circuitry may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and/or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and/or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus or the processing circuitry may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present invention on a single chip or as a single "system on a chip." As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0022] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry may include a processor 22 and memory 24 that may be in communication with or otherwise control a communication interface 26 and, in some cases in which the apparatus is embodied by the limited-bandwidth device 10, a user interface 28. As such, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a circuit chip (e.g., an integrated circuit chip) configured (e.g., with hardware, software or a

combination of hardware and software) to perform operations described herein. However, in some embodiments taken in the context of the limited-bandwidth device 10 or the base station 12, the processing circuitry may be embodied as a portion of the limited-bandwidth device or the base station.

[0023] In embodiments where the apparatus 20 is embodied by a limited-bandwidth device 10 configured to be interacted with by a user, the user interface 28 may be in

communication with the processing circuitry to receive an indication of a user input at the user interface and/or to provide an audible, visual, mechanical or other output to the user. Thus, the user interface may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a joystick, a display, a touch screen, a microphone, a speaker, and/or other input output mechanisms.

[0024] The communication interface 26 may include one or more interface mechanisms for enabling communication with other devices and/or networks. In some cases, the communication interface may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware, or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and/or transmit data from/to a network 1 and/or any other device or module in communication with the processing circuitry, such as between the limited-bandwidth device 10 and the base station 12. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas), such as an antenna (or multiple antennas) capable of communicating over radio frequencies (RF), and supporting hardware and/or software, such as RF circuitry, for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. The communication interface 26 may also or alternatively include a communication modem or other

hardware/software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB), Ethernet or other methods.

[0025] In an example embodiment, the memory 24 may include one or more non- transitory memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory may be configured to store information, data, applications, instructions or the like for enabling the apparatus 20 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present invention. For example, the memory could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 22.

Additionally or alternatively, the memory could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor. As yet another alternative, the memory may include one of a plurality of databases that may store a variety of files, contents or data sets. Among the contents of the memory, applications may be stored for execution by the processor in order to carry out the functionality associated with each respective application. In some cases, the memory may be in communication with the processor via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus.

[0026] The processor 22 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processor may be embodied as various processing means such as one or more of a microprocessor or other processing element, a coprocessor, a controller or various other computing or processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), DSP (digital signal processor), or the like. In an example embodiment, the processor may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 24 or otherwise accessible to the processor. As such, whether configured by hardware or by a combination of hardware and software, the processor may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry - in the form of processing circuitry) capable of performing operations according to embodiments of the present invention while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processor is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA, DSP or the like, the processor may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processor is embodied as an executor of software instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the operations described herein.

[0027] Figures 4 and 5 are flowcharts illustrating the operations performed by a method, apparatus and computer program product, such as apparatus 20 of Figure 2 in accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention as embodied by a base station 12 and a limited-bandwidth device 10, respectively. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry and/or other device associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory 24 of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present invention and executed by a processor 22 in the apparatus. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other

programmable apparatus (e.g., hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus provides for implementation of the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable storage memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage memory produce an article of manufacture, the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. As such, the operations of Figures 5, 6, and 7, when executed, convert a computer or processing circuitry into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment of the present invention. Accordingly, the operations of Figures 5, 6, and 7 define an algorithm for configuring a computer or processing circuitry, e.g., processor, to perform an example embodiment. In some cases, a general purpose computer may be provided with an instance of the processor which performs the algorithm of Figures 5, 6, and 7 to transform the general purpose computer into a particular machine configured to perform an example embodiment.

[0028] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware- based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0029] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or further amplified as described below. Moreover, in some embodiments additional optional operations may also be included, some of which are shown in dashed lines in Figures 5 and 6. It should be appreciated that each of the modifications, optional additions or amplifications below may be included with the operations above either alone or in combination with any others among the features described herein.

[0030] As discussed in the Background, the proliferation of Machine-Type

Communications (MTC) devices has led to increased interest in migrating these devices to more efficient networks, such as LTE networks. However, the nature of MTC devices can make this process difficult. For instance, one of the most common ways to reduce the cost of MTC devices is to reduce their supported bandwidth to some subset of the full bandwidth available on the network. In this regard, Figure 3 depicts the full available frequency spectrum of an example LTE network. A full-bandwidth device operating on an LTE network would support all 20MHz of the available bandwidth 33. Limited-bandwidth devices would support a subset of the available 20Mhz of bandwidth 33. For example, a limited-bandwidth device may support 5Mhz of bandwidth 32, 1.4Mhz of bandwidth 31 , or any other subset of the full

20MHz bandwidth 33. Because limited-bandwidth devices cannot access resources outside of their supported bandwidth, special design accommodations may be made for them to operate effectively.

[0031] One example of an accommodation that may be made is providing enhanced Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information to limited-bandwidth devices. In Rel-10, Physical Downlink Control Channel

(PDCCH) resources are determined based on which Control Channel Elements (CCEs) do not include resources that are already allocated to PHICH. See 3 GPP TS 36.211, Physical Channels and Modulation. Thus, the amount and position of the PHICH resources will impact the CCE location, thereby impacting PDCCH decoding. The amount and position of the PHICH resources may be determined by the PHICH group and PHICH duration, which are configured by the phich-Duration and phich-Resource parameters, respectively. The phich- Duration and phich-Resource parameters are included in the PHICH-Config Information Element (IE). In Rel-10, the PHICH-Config IE is indicated in the Master Information Block (MIB). Examples of an MIB and & PHICH-Config IE are provided in Figures 4a and 4b, respectively. Once a UE receives the PHICH configuration from an MIB, the UE may then understand how to decode the PDCCH and may then receive other System Information (SI) and downlink (DL) data scheduled by the PDCCH.

[0032] Currently, limited-bandwidth devices can be supported by certain Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (e-PDCCH) designs based on a number of configuration patterns. However, the configuration of e-PHICH may impact the decoding of e-PDCCH similarly to how the configuration of PHICH may impact the decoding of PDCCH, as discussed above. Therefore, e-PHICH configuration may need to be indicated to an MTC device before it is able to decode the e-PDCCH. The most straightforward way of ensuring this is to add e-PHICH configuration information bits into Master Information Blocks (MIBs) by taking advantage of the spare bits that are available in current MIBs. However, considering the importance of MIBs and the limited number of available spare bits, this may not be a desirable solution. Thus, indicating e-PHICH configuration information to limited-bandwidth devices, such as MTC devices, without using any spare bits in MIBs would be advantageous.

[0033] Thus, referring now to Figure 5, the operations performed by a method, apparatus, and computer program product of an example embodiment are illustrated from the perspective of an apparatus 20 that may be embodied by or otherwise associated with the limited- bandwidth device 10 in order to indicate e-PHICH configuration information to a limited- bandwidth device without requiring extra signaling bits in the MIB is depicted. In this regard, the apparatus may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for receiving a signal, deriving e- PHICH configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme, and applying the e-PHICH configuration information. See blocks 50, 51, 53, and 55.

[0034] According to a first example embodiment the signal may, for example, be a Master Information Block (MIB). The ΜΓΒ may, for example, include PHICH configuration information. For example, as discussed above and as shown in Figures 4a and 4b, the PHICH configuration information may comprise phich-Duration and phich-Resource parameters included in a PHICH-Config IE indicated in the MIB. Thus, for example, four e-PHICH configurations may be mapped to phich-Resource, or two configurations mapped to phich- Duration. Thus, the apparatus 20 may then derive e-PHICH configuration information from the PHICH configuration information, including, for example, the phich-Duration and phich- Resource parameters. Thus, e-PHICH configuration information can be provided implicitly to a limited-bandwidth device via the PHICH configuration information already included in the MIB, without requiring separate signaling or using any additional bits in the MIB. The derivation of the e-PHICH configuration information may be based on a predefined derivation scheme that (in this and all other embodiments) may, for example, be stored locally, such as in the memory 24 of apparatus 20, or provided by the network.

[0035] According to certain other embodiments, the signal that is received by apparatus 20, and from which the e-PHICH configuration information is derived, may be a signal besides an MIB. For example, the signal may be a physical channel, such as an enhanced Physical Control Format Indicator Channel. The signal may also, for example, be a physical control channel or System information (SI). The physical control channel may, for example, be a Common Physical Control Channel (CPCCH) or a Dedicated Physical Control Channel (DPCCH). In one example embodiment, the signal may include a scrambled sequence. Thus, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for descrambling the scrambled sequence and for deriving e-PHICH configuration information from the descrambled sequence according to a predefined derivation scheme. The scrambled sequence may, for example, be a 2-bit scrambled sequence, which could be mapped to four possible e-PHICH configurations, a 3-bit sequence which could be mapped to eight possible e-PHICH configurations, etc. In another example embodiment, the signal may include e-PDCCH configuration information. Thus, the apparatus 20 may derive e-PHICH configuration information from the e-PDCCH configuration information based on a predefined derivation scheme. Thus, similarly to the first example embodiment discussed above, the e-PHICH configuration information can be provided implicitly to the limited-bandwidth device by bundling it with the e-PDCCH configuration information already included in the signal. In another example embodiment, the signal includes jointly-encoded e-PDCCH + e-PHICH configuration information. For example, if e-PHICH has three possible configurations and e- PDCCH has three possible configurations, four bits would be needed to separately encode each. However, if the e-PHICH and e-PDCCH configuration information is jointly encoded, nine configurations are needed, requiring only 3 bits. In this way, joint encoding may decrease signaling overhead.

[0036] Given the design choices required to accommodate limited-bandwidth devices, an operator may not support limited-bandwidth devices. For instance, some operators use carriers which support multiple different releases, such as R8-R10, that cannot support limited- bandwidth devices. Even those operators supporting carriers based on more recent releases, such as Rl 1, might not support limited-bandwidth devices depending on the operator's needs. As noted above, limited-bandwidth devices may be supported by certain e-PDCCH designs, based on a number of configuration patterns, and it may be necessary in certain cases for some e-PHICH configuration information to be known. However, if a limited-bandwidth device does not know whether a given carrier supports limited-bandwidth or not, it may have to blindly decode all kinds of pattern combinations to determine whether there is any valid Downlink Control Information (DCI) for itself. Otherwise, the limited-bandwidth device may not be able to access the system at all. Such an exhaustive blind detection approach may result in unnecessarily high power consumption for the limited-bandwidth device. Moreover, the limited-bandwidth device may be unable to determine the reason of the blind detection failure - whether it was caused by bad signal quality, or lack of limited-bandwidth support by the carrier. This is different from normal Rl 1 User Equipment (UE), which may establish an initial connection through normal R8-R10 PDCCH and may determine the configuration patterns for e-PDCCH and/or e-PHICH in the DCI format from normal PDCCH or Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. For limited-bandwidth devices, however, e-PDCCH is the only resource for control reception.

[0037] In 3 GPP TS 36.331 Ver 10.2.0 (2011-06) "Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); Radio Resource Control (RRC)," it is established that if a UE is unable to read essential system information from a given cell, e.g, MIB or System Information Block type 1 (SIB-1), the UE will consider the cell as barred in accordance with TS 36.304 and not try to access the given cell for a relatively long period. This behavior mainly applies to ordinary UEs in the case of certain errors, and is not helpful for limited-bandwidth devices attempting to access to the cell. This is because at least 80ms are required for limited- bandwidth devices to determine whether SIB-1 decoding in a non-limited-bandwidth- supported cell has failed, and thus access to the cell has failed, after reading the MIB.

Moreover, the number of such failures may be large for limited-bandwidth device, because not every cell support limit-bandwidth operation, and thus the expected delay may be undesirably long. Moreover, in cases in which the e-PDCCH does not exist in every subframe (e.g., it happens that there is no e-PDCCH in the subframe in which SIB-1 is transmitted), the limited-bandwidth device may not be able to access the given cell for an even longer time. Therefore, it would be advantageous for limited-bandwidth devices to be able to determine whether a given carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation, and to allow this determination to take place without adding a large number of bits to the MIB.

[0038] Thus, referring now to Figure 6, the operations performed by a method, apparatus, and computer program product of an example embodiment are illustrated from the perspective of an apparatus 20 that may be embodied by or otherwise associated with the limited- bandwidth device 10 in order to determine whether limited-bandwidth operation is supported by a carrier and take appropriate action. In this regard, the apparatus 20 may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for receiving an MIB and determining whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. See blocks 61 and 65. The apparatus may further include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for searching for a different carrier, e.g., a next carrier, in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation, and for performing sequential detection in an instance in which it does. See blocks 67 and 69.

[0039] According to an example embodiment, a limited-bandwidth support indicator is provided to indicate whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. The limited- bandwidth support indicator may, for example, be provided in an MIB. Thus, apparatus 20 may determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation by simply determining a value of the limited-bandwidth support indicator. For example, the limited-bandwidth support indicator may comprise a single bit, such that a "1" indicates support for limited- bandwidth operation and "0" indicates a lack of support for limited-bandwidth operation. Any number of other possible implementations exist for conveying support or lack of support via the indicator.

[0040] In another example embodiment, a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB is provided. Thus, the MIB received in block 61 may be a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB. As in the above example, the limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB may include a limited-bandwidth support indicator. In another example, the presence or absence of a limited-bandwidth- dedicated MIB acts as a sort of indicator, such that if apparatus 20 detects that a received MIB is a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB, this indicates that the carrier supports limited- bandwidth operation and, conversely, if a received MIB is not a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB, this may indicate that the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation. The apparatus 20 may determine whether a received MIB is a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB by, for example, performing a Cyclic Redundancy Check on the MIB. If the MIB CRC passes, this may, for example, indicate that the MIB is a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB and, therefore, that the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation. Conversely, if the MIB CRC fails this may indicate that the MIB is a normal MIB and that the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation.

[0041] Thus far, determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation has been treated as a binary, yes/no decision. That is, determining that the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation may, for example, mean that the carrier supports all limited- bandwidth configurations. However, as previously discussed, many different bandwidth configurations exist amongst limited-bandwidth devices. For example, some limited- bandwidth devices may only support 1.4MHz, while others support 5Mhz. To account for these differences in bandwidth configurations, determining whether a carrier supports limited- bandwidth operation may not be limited to a binary, yes/no determination, but may also involve determining what bandwidths are supported. Thus, the limited-bandwidth support indicator may, for example, be extended to multiple bits such that it may convey which limited-bandwidth configurations are supported. Thus, the limited-bandwidth support indicator may, for example, have one bit for each possible limited-bandwidth configuration. However, any number of possible ways of encoding which bandwidth configurations are supported will immediately come to mind to a person of skill in the art. Thus, in determining a value of the limited-bandwidth support indicator, the apparatus 20 may determine whether a particular limited-bandwidth configuration associated with the limited-bandwidth device is supported by the carrier. If the particular limited-bandwidth configuration is supported, the apparatus 20 may proceed with sequential detection and, if it is not, it may search for a different carrier.

[0042] In another example, the limited-bandwidth support indicator simply indicates that at least one limited-bandwidth configuration is supported by a carrier. Thus, in this example embodiment, the details of exactly which bandwidth configurations are supported may be gleaned from another source. For example, the details of the supported bandwidth

configurations may be provided in a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB. As another example, the network 14 may use other signaling, such as via base station 12, to indicate which bandwidths are supported. Thus, the base station 12 may, for example, provide some control region within the smallest possible bandwidth for communicating with all limited-bandwidth devices and, once a limited-bandwidth device is connected, the base station 12 may then indicate, through any number of means, other control regions or data regions that are available for higher bandwidth capable limited-bandwidth devices. As another example, the apparatus 20 associated with the limited-bandwidth device may, upon determining that at least one limited-bandwidth configuration is supported by the carrier, perform blind detection in order to determine what limited-bandwidth configurations are supported.

[0043] Once a limited-bandwidth device is connected to a cell via a carrier that supports limited-bandwidth operation, it may be necessary for the limited-bandwidth device to perform a handover or re-selection in order to connect to another cell. Handover and reselection are typically facilitated through the use of NeigbourCellLists, which provide information on neighboring cells. However, not every neighboring cell will support limited-bandwidth operation. Thus, according to yet another example embodiment, a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator is provided in order to support improved handover or re-selection of limited-bandwidth devices. In this regard, and referring to Figure 7, the apparatus 20 associated with the limited-bandwidth device 10 may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for determining a value of the NeighborCellList indicator. See block 71. The NeighborCellList indicator may indicate, for example, whether the normal, e.g., non-limited-bandwidth, NeighborCellList is applicable to the limited-bandwidth device. See block 73. For example, the NeighborCellList indicator may indicate whether or not each neighboring cell supports limited-bandwidth operation. Thus, one value of the NeighborCellList may indicate that all neighboring cells indicated in a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList support limited- bandwidth operation, while another value may indicate that some or all of the cells indicated in the non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList do not support limited-bandwidth operation. Thus, if the apparatus 20 associated with the limited-bandwidth device 10 determines, based on the NeighborCellList indicator, that the non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList is applicable to the limited-bandwidth device, the apparatus may proceed to read the non- limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList. See block 77. However, if the apparatus 20 determines, based on the NeighborCellList indicator, that the non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList is applicable to the limited-bandwidth device, the apparatus may instead read one or more limited-bandwidth dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs). See block 75. For example, the apparatus may read limited-bandwidth dedicated SIBs type 4-8. Limited-bandwidth dedicated SIBs 4-8 may contain, for example, information relating to neighboring cells that support limited-bandwidth operation.

[0044] It should be understood that all of the above solutions can be utilized in concert.

This is depicted, for example, in Figures 5 and 6 by blocks 50 and 60. Thus, the operations of Figure 5 are surrounded by a dashed box labeled 50, which is included in Figure 6, while the operations of Figure 6 are surrounded by a dashed box labeled 60, which is included in Figure 5. Thus, an apparatus 20 associated with limited-bandwidth device 10 may perform the following according to one comprehensive example embodiment. First, the apparatus 20 may search for a synchronization signal, such as a primary or secondary synchronization signal (PSS/SSS) on the central six Resource Blocks (RBs) in the same way that a non-limited bandwidth UE would. Second, the apparatus 20 may receive and decode a normal, e.g., non- limited-bandwidth dedicated, MIB. Third, the apparatus 20 may further decode the normal MIB, and/or a limited-bandwidth dedicated MIB, in order to determine a limited-bandwidth support indicator value. Fourth, depending on whether the value indicates that the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation, the apparatus 20 will either stop further operation and check the next carrier, or continue performing sequential detection. Fifth, if the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation, the apparatus 20 will detect e-PHICH configuration information according to any of the embodiments described above.

[0045] Although all of the above embodiments have been discussed from the perspective of an apparatus 20 associated with the limited-bandwidth device 10, it should be understood that an example embodiment of the present invention may also include corresponding enabling functionality on the network side. In this regard, an apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 is also provided, which includes means for implementing this corresponding enabling functionality. Thus, for example, apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 may include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing a limited-bandwidth dedicated MIB to be transmitted to the limited-bandwidth device 10. Apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 may further include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing the limited-bandwidth support indicator and/or NeighborCellList indicator to be transmitted to the limited-bandwidth device 10 via any of the signaling methods discussed above or any other possible signaling methods known in the art. Apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 may also include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for jointly-encoding e-PHICH and e-PDCCH configuration information, and for causing the jointly-encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information to be transmitted to the limited-bandwidth device via any of the signaling methods discussed above or any other possible signaling methods known in the art. Apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 may even further include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing a scrambled sequence to be transmitted to limited-bandwidth device 10 via any of the signaling methods discussed above or any other possible signaling methods known in the art. Apparatus 20 associated with base station 12 may even further include means, such as the processing circuitry, the processor 22, the memory 24, the communications interface 26 or the like, for causing a derivation scheme to be transmitted to limited-bandwidth device 10 via any of the signaling methods discussed above or any other possible signaling methods known in the art.

[0046] Embodiments according to the invention may provide many benefits in a system including limited-bandwidth devices. For example, an example embodiment of the present invention may provide limited-bandwidth devices, such as MTC devices, initial access capability while requiring very few, if any, additional bits to be added to the MIB, An example embodiment of the present invention may also provide higher power efficiency for limited-bandwidth devices' initial access. Other embodiments of the present invention provide means for indicating e-PHICH configuration information without additional signaling bits in the MIB or other higher layer signaling.

[0047] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different

combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:

receiving a signal at a limited-bandwidth device;

deriving enhanced Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e-PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme; and

applying the e-PHICH configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises one of an enhanced Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (e-PCFICH), a physical control channel, or System

Information (SI).

3. The method of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the signal comprises a scrambled sequence; and

further wherein deriving e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme comprises descrambling the scrambled sequence using a predefined scrambling sequence and deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the descrambled sequence based on the predefined derivation scheme.

4. The method of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the signal comprises enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (e-PDCCH) configuration information; and

further wherein deriving e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme comprises deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the e-PDCCH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

5. The method of either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the signal comprises jointly- encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information; and

further wherein deriving e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme comprises deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the jointly-encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the signal comprises a Master Information Block

(MIB).

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the MIB comprises Physical Hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) Channel (PHICH) configuration information; and

further wherein deriving e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme comprises deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

8. The method of either of claims 6 or 7, further comprising:

determining whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation;

in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation, performing sequential detection; and

in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation, searching for a different carrier.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the MIB contains a limited-bandwidth support indicator; further wherein determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation comprises determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation based on the limited-bandwidth support indicator.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication of whether the carrier supports all limited-bandwidth configurations; further wherein performing sequential detection comprises performing sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier supports all bandwidth configurations.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the limited-bandwidth device is associated with a particular limited-bandwidth configuration; and further wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises one or more indications of one or more limited-bandwidth configurations that the carrier supports;

further wherein determining a value of the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises determining, based on the one or more indications, whether the carrier supports the particular limited-bandwidth configuration associated with the limited-bandwidth device.

12. The method of any of claim 9, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication that the carrier supports at least one specific bandwidth.

13. The method of any of claims 8 to 12, further comprising performing a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the MIB; wherein determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation comprises determining whether the MIB is a limited-bandwidth- dedicated MIB based on whether the MIB CRC passed or failed.

14. The method of any of claims 6 to 13, wherein the MIB is a limited-bandwidth- dedicated MIB.

15. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, further comprising:

determining a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator; and, based on the value, either:

reading a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList; or

reading one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks

(SIBs).

16. An apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code therein, the memory and computer program code being configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least:

receive a signal at a limited-bandwidth device;

derive enhanced Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e- PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme; and apply the e-PHICH configuration information.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the signal comprises one of an enhanced Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (e-PCFICH), a physical control channel, or System Information (SI).

18. The apparatus of either of claims 16 or 17, wherein the signal comprises a scrambled sequence; and

further wherein the apparatus is caused to derive the e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by descrambling the scrambled sequence using a predefined scrambling sequence and deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the descrambled sequence based on the predefined derivation scheme.

19. The apparatus of either of claims 16 or 17, wherein the signal comprises enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (e-PDCCH) configuration information; and

further wherein the apparatus is caused to derive e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by deriving the e-PHICH

configuration information from the e-PDCCH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

20. The apparatus of either of claims 16 or 17, wherein the signal comprises jointly- encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information; and

configuration information from the jointly-encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

21. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the signal comprises a Master Information Block (MIB).

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the MIB comprises Physical Hybrid-ARQ

(automatic repeat request) Channel (PHICH) configuration information; and further wherein the apparatus is caused to derive the e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by deriving the e-PHICH

configuration information from the PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

23. The apparatus of either of claims 21 or 22, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation;

in an instance in which the carrier does support limited-bandwidth operation, perform sequential detection; and

in an instance in which the carrier does not support limited-bandwidth operation, search for a different carrier.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein the MIB contains a limited-bandwidth support indicator; further wherein the apparatus is caused to determine whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation by determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation based on the limited-bandwidth support indicator.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication of whether the carrier supports all limited-bandwidth configurations; further wherein performing sequential detection comprises performing sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier supports all limited-bandwidth configurations.

26. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the limited-bandwidth device is associated with a particular limited-bandwidth configuration; and

further wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises one or more indications of one or more limited-bandwidth configurations that the carrier supports;

further wherein the apparatus is caused to determine a value of the limited-bandwidth support indicator by determining, based on the one or more indications, whether the carrier supports the particular limited-bandwidth configuration associated with the limited-bandwidth device.

27. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication that the carrier supports at least one specific bandwidth.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the apparatus is further caused to perform a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the MIB; wherein the apparatus is caused to determine whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation by determining whether the MIB is a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB based on whether the MIB CRC passed or failed.

29. The apparatus of any of claims 21 to 28, wherein the MIB is a limited-bandwidth- dedicated MIB.

30. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 29, wherein the apparatus is further caused to:

determine a value of a limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList indicator; and, based on the value, either:

read a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList; or

read one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).

31. A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer program code portions therein, the computer program code portions being configured to, upon execution, cause an apparatus to at least:

receive a signal at a limited-bandwidth device;

derive enhanced Physical Hybrid-ARQ (automatic repeat request) Indicator Channel (e- PHICH) configuration information from the signal based on a predefined derivation scheme; and apply the e-PHICH configuration information.

32. The computer program product of claim 31 , wherein the signal comprises one of an enhanced Physical Control Format Indicator Channel (e-PCFICH), a physical control channel, or System Information (SI).

33. The computer program product of either of claims 31 or 32, wherein the signal comprises a scrambled sequence; and

further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to derive the e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by descrambling the scrambled sequence using a predefined scrambling sequence and deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the descrambled sequence based on the predefined derivation scheme.

34. The computer program product of either of claims 31 or 32, wherein the signal comprises enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel (e-PDCCH) configuration information; and

further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to derive e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the e-PDCCH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

35. The computer program product of either of claims 31 or 32, wherein the signal comprises jointly-encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information; and

further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to derive e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the jointly-encoded e-PDCCH/e-PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

36. The computer program product of claim 31 , wherein the signal comprises a Master Information Block (MIB).

37. The computer program product of claim 36, wherein the MIB comprises Physical Hybrid- ARQ (automatic repeat request) Channel (PHICH) configuration information; and

further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to derive the e-PHICH configuration information from the signal based on the predefined derivation scheme by deriving the e-PHICH configuration information from the PHICH configuration information based on the predefined derivation scheme.

38. The computer program product of either of claims 36 or 37, wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to:

determine whether a carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation;

39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the MIB contains a limited- bandwidth support indicator; further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to determine whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation by determining whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation based on the limited-bandwidth support indicator.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication of whether the carrier supports all limited-bandwidth configurations;

further wherein performing sequential detection comprises performing sequential detection in an instance in which the carrier supports all limited-bandwidth configurations.

41. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the limited-bandwidth device is associated with a particular limited-bandwidth configuration; and

further wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to determine a value of the limited-bandwidth support indicator by determining, based on the one or more indications, whether the carrier supports the particular limited-bandwidth configuration associated with the limited-bandwidth device.

42. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the limited-bandwidth support indicator comprises an indication that the carrier supports at least one specific bandwidth.

43. The computer program product of any of claims 38 to 42, wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to perform a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) on the MIB; wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to determine whether the carrier supports limited-bandwidth operation by determining whether the MIB is a limited-bandwidth- dedicated MIB based on whether the MIB CRC passed or failed.

44. The computer program product of any of claims 36 to 43, wherein the MIB is a limited-bandwidth-dedicated MIB.

45. The computer program product of any of claims 31 to 44, wherein the computer program code portions are further configured to, upon execution, cause the apparatus to:

read a non-limited-bandwidth NeighborCellList; or

read one or more limited-bandwidth-dedicated System Information Blocks (SIBs).