Abstract: A communications apparatus. The RF signal processing device is capable of supporting carrier aggregation and configured to process RF signals. The baseband signal processing device is configured to process baseband signals. The processor is configured to control operations of the RF signal processing device and the baseband signal processing device. The processor further receives a power control signal from a peer communications apparatus, obtains an assigned transmission power which is assigned by the peer communications apparatus for the communications apparatus to transmit a reference signal according to information carried in the power control signal, determines a spectral efficiency estimation value of the communications apparatus and directs the RF signal processing device to transmit the reference signal with a reduced transmission power which is smaller than the assigned transmission power when the spectral efficiency estimation value is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method deactivates secondary Component Carrier (CC) measurement in a communications apparatus providing wireless communications services via a first CC in a wireless network, wherein the communications apparatus includes a first signal processing component chain comprising a plurality of signal processing components and is configured for processing the RF signals for the first CC and a second signal processing component chain comprising a plurality of signal processing components. The method includes operations of determining a switch timing for turning on at least one of the signal processing components in the second signal processing component chain for performing a deactivated secondary CC measurement; performing the deactivated secondary CC measurement via the second signal processing component chain, wherein the secondary CC is not able to perform data transmission or reception during a deactivated state, and wherein the switch timing is determined according to a Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycle.

Abstract: A network control device includes a controller and a wireless communications module. The controller provides a plurality of signaling entities each belonging to one of a plurality of signaling levels to form multi-level signaling entities and configures one or more signaling entities of the multi-level signaling entities to a communications apparatus to communicate with the communications apparatus based on the one or more configured signaling entities. The wireless communications module transmits a plurality of radio frequency signals via the one or more configured signaling entities.

Abstract: A method for reducing power consumption when a communications apparatus establishes voice communications with another communications apparatus includes estimating a voice quality perceived by a user of the another communications apparatus; determining whether the estimated voice quality is higher than a predetermined threshold; and adjusting at least one parameter utilized for processing a plurality of voice packets to be transmitted to the another communications apparatus according to the estimated voice quality to reduce the power consumption when the estimated voice quality is higher than the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for deactivated secondary Component Carrier (CC) measurement in a communications apparatus providing wireless communications services via a first CC in a wireless network includes: determining a switch timing to perform bandwidth extension or frequency adjustment required for performing a deactivated secondary CC measurement; extending an operation bandwidth or adjusting a center frequency of at least one signal processing component included in the communications apparatus at the switch timing, wherein an operation band defined by the operation bandwidth and the center frequency of the signal processing component covers at least a bandwidth of the secondary CC; and performing the deactivated secondary CC measurement after extending the operation bandwidth or adjusting the center frequency. The secondary CC is not able to perform data transmission or reception during a deactivated state.

Abstract: A transceiver architecture with combined digital beamforming and analog/hybrid beamforming is proposed. Digital beamforming is used for beam training with reduced overhead (switching time). It is beneficial to estimate all UE's angle of arrival (AoA) at the same time. In addition, the pilot/training signals are transmitted in a narrow band to reduce complexity. Analog/hybrid beamforming is used for data transmission with high directive gain and low complexity. The value of beamforming weights (phase shifter values) in analog domain can be based on the estimation of AoA from beam training. By using digital beamforming for beam training, combined with analog/hybrid beamforming for data transmission, effective beamforming is achieved with reduced overhead, complexity, and cost.

Abstract: A method of supporting group communication over LTE MBMS is provided. A UE first establishes a unicast Evolved Packet Service (EPS) bearer in an LTE network for group communication. The UE belongs to a communication group having a communication group ID. The UE receives access information from the network for monitoring downlink (DL) multicast traffic of the DL group communication based on a multicast decision. The UE is then ready for monitoring a multicast Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) bearer for receiving the DL multicast traffic. The multicast MBMS bearer is associated with a Temporary Mobile Group Identifier (TMGI), and wherein the TMGI is associated with the communication group ID. The UE de-multiplexes DL traffic received either from the multicast MBMS bearer or from the unicast EPS bearer into a single group communication application.

Abstract: A method of beam administration in a cellular or wireless network is proposed. Cellular/wireless networks operating at Ka or higher frequency band require the use of directional antenna (or through array-based beamforming) to compensate for sever pathloss. Maintaining antenna pointing and tracking accuracy is essential in many phases of the communication process. By using uplink pilot signals for beam alignment/tracking, combined with switched beamforming at the UE and adaptive beamforming at the BS, an effective beam administration is achieved with reduced overhead, complexity, and cost.

Abstract: A synchronization signal format for a cell search method is proposed to reduce cell search complexity and cell search time. A synchronization signal is embedded with a unique sequence that is consecutively repeated multiple times in time domain. Different unique sequences represent different control information to be broadcasted from a base station to user equipments via synchronization signal transmissions. A two-stage cell search method is then applied in accordance with the synchronization signal format. In a first acquisition stage, a coarse location of the synchronization signal is acquired. In a second fine searching stage, the unique sequence is detected within a searching range of the coarse location.

Abstract: Inter-cell coordination to avoid/minimize inter-cell interference in a beamformed mmWave network is proposed to enhance the detection probability of beam pattern indicator. A base station first obtains beacon signal transmission information of neighboring base stations. A plurality of beacon signals are transmitted over a plurality of control beams from the neighboring base stations. The base station then determines beacon signal transmission configuration by coordinating with the neighboring base stations to minimize inter-cell beacon signal interference. Each control beam is configured with a set of periodically allocated resource blocks and a set of beamforming weights. Finally, the base station transmits beacon signals based on the determined beacon signal transmission configuration over the plurality of control beams.

Abstract: A beamforming system synchronization architecture is proposed to allow a receiving device to synchronize to a transmitting device in time, frequency, and spatial domain in the most challenging situation with very high pathloss. A periodically configured time-frequency resource blocks in which the transmitting device uses the same beamforming weights for its control beam transmission to the receiving device. A pilot signal for each of the control beams is transmitted in each of the periodically configured time-frequency resource blocks. The same synchronization signal can be used for all stages of synchronization including initial coarse synchronization, device and beam identification, and channel estimation for data demodulation.

Abstract: A beamforming system synchronization architecture is proposed to allow a receiving device to synchronize to a transmitting device in time, frequency, and spatial domain in the most challenging situation with very high pathloss. A detector at the receiving device detects the presence of control beams, synchronizes to the transmission and estimates the channel response by receiving pilot signals. The detector has low complexity when exploiting the structure of the pilot signals. The detector consists of three stages that break down the synchronization procedure into less complicated steps. The detector accurately estimates the parameters required for identifying the transmit device and performing subsequent data communication.

Abstract: A beamforming system synchronization architecture is proposed to allow a receiving device to synchronize to a transmitting device in time, frequency, and spatial domain in the most challenging situation with very high pathloss. A periodically configured time-frequency resource blocks in which the transmitting device uses the same beamforming weights for its control beam transmission to the receiving device. A pilot signal for each of the control beams is transmitted in each of the periodically configured time-frequency resource blocks. Pilot symbols are inserted into pilot structures and repeated for L times in each pilot structure. The L repetitions can be implemented by one or more Inverse Fast Fourier Transfers (IFFTs) with corresponding one or more cyclic prefix (CP) lengths.

Abstract: A method of providing channel station information in a beamforming system is proposed. Reference Signal (RS) is used for channel state estimation. For fine-resolution dedicated beam with smaller spatial coverage, additional channel monitoring of coarse-resolution beams for beam fallback is applied. The joint coverage of monitored fallback beams covers a desired service area. For beam administration, fallback beams need to be evaluated and the most preferable beam is selected for use in case the currently used dedicated beam is no longer suitable. For link adaptation, at least the channel state of the selected fallback beam is evaluated and provided to a scheduler (e.g., a BS) for adapting the transmission of the selected fallback beam.

Abstract: A method of maximum output power configuration with UE preference in carrier aggregation is provided. A UE configures multiple component carriers (CCs) with carrier aggregation for communicating with a serving base station in a mobile communication network. The UE determines channel condition of multiple serving cells over the corresponding multiple CCs. The UE then determines maximum output power for each CC based at least in part on the corresponding channel condition of each CC. Finally, the UE transmits power headroom report (PHR) for each CC to the serving base station, wherein the PHR is calculated based on the determined maximum output power. As a result, the reported PH information is channel condition dependent, which can be used by eNB for facilitating better transmission scheduling.

Abstract: A communications apparatus. A first radio module communicates with a first wireless network and provides wireless communications services. A second radio module communicates with a second wireless network and provides wireless communications services. At least two antennas shared by the first radio module and the second radio module. When the first radio module operates in a connected mode and when the timing of the first radio module performing the first receiving activity coincides with the timing of the second radio module performing a second receiving activity, the first radio module reports a value of 1 for a Rank Indicator to the first wireless network at least once before the second radio module is to perform the second receiving activity, and then the second radio module uses one of the antennas to perform the second receiving activity.

Abstract: A communications apparatus. The RF signal processing device is capable of supporting carrier aggregation and configured to process RF signals. The baseband signal processing device is configured to process baseband signals. The processor is configured to control operations of the RF signal processing device and the baseband signal processing device. The processor further receives a power control signal from a peer communications apparatus, obtains an assigned transmission power which is assigned by the peer communications apparatus for the communications apparatus to transmit a reference signal according to information carried in the power control signal, determines a spectral efficiency estimation value of the communications apparatus and directs the RF signal processing device to transmit the reference signal with a reduced transmission power which is smaller than the assigned transmission power when the spectral efficiency estimation value is smaller than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A method for deactivated secondary Component Carrier (CC) measurement in a communications apparatus providing wireless communications services via a first CC in a wireless network includes: determining a switch timing to perform bandwidth extension or frequency adjustment required for performing a deactivated secondary CC measurement; extending an operation bandwidth or adjusting a center frequency of at least one signal processing component included in the communications apparatus at the switch timing, wherein an operation band defined by the operation bandwidth and the center frequency of the signal processing component covers at least a bandwidth of the secondary CC; and performing the deactivated secondary CC measurement after extending the operation bandwidth or adjusting the center frequency. The secondary CC is not able to perform data transmission or reception during a deactivated state.

Abstract: A user equipment (UE) receives and decodes a first erroneous transport block (TB) from a base station in a mobile communication network. The UE allocates a first soft buffer having a first buffer size. The first soft buffer is associated with a first HARQ process for storing the first TB. The UE then receives and decodes a second erroneous TB from the base station. The UE allocates a second soft buffer having a second buffer size. The second soft buffer is associated with a second HARQ process for storing the second TB. The UE releases a portion of the first soft buffer to be allocated as part of the second soft buffer. The dynamic buffer allocation method reduces mismatch between rate matching and soft buffer storing when the total number of HARQ processes is small. In addition, more HARQ processes can be supported when the corresponding TB size is small.

Abstract: A communications apparatus. A first radio module communicates with a first wireless network and provides wireless communication services in compliance with a first RAT. A second radio module communicates with a second wireless network and provides wireless communication services in compliance with a second RAT. At least two antennas are shared by the first radio module and the second radio module. When the first radio module operates in an idle mode and when the timing of the first radio module performing a first receiving activity coincides with the timing of the second radio module performing a second receiving activity, the second radio module uses the antennas to perform the second receiving activity when a DRX cycle duration of the first radio module in the idle mode is shorter than a DRX cycle duration of the second radio module.