Abstract: A communication system is disclosed in which communication devices communicate with a base station using radio frames made up of a sequence of subframes and a frequency band made up of frequency subbands. The base station identifies a subframe in which a broadcast message, carrying information for at least one communication device, is to be broadcast; transmits, in a control channel, in a frequency subband in a current subframe that precedes the identified subframe, control information to identify said subframe in which said broadcast message is to be broadcast; and transmits the broadcast message in the identified subframe.

Abstract: Scrambling code is initialized based on a parameter, n?RNTI, that changes from a given block of sub-frames to a subsequent block of sub-frames wherein the parameter is derived using one of the following formulas: n?RNTI=(nRNTI+SFN)mod 216 n?RNTI=(nRNTI+k)mod 216 where nRNTI is a temporary identifier associated with a mobile device connected to said cell and for which said scrambling code is applicable; and SFN is a system frame number associated with said at least one of said sequence of sub-frames; and k is a sub-frame counter.

Abstract: A mobile communications system is proposed in which mobile communications devices are arranged to transmit signals to and to receive signals from a base station using one or a subset of available sub-bands, with the base station being configured to move the mobile communications devices between the sub-bands. An anchor sub-band is also provided on which idle mobile communications devices camp until they are moved to one or more other sub-bands in addition to or instead of the anchor sub-band.

Abstract: Scrambling code is initialized based on a parameter, n?RNTl, that changes from a given block of sub-frames to a subsequent block of sub-frames wherein the parameter is derived using one of the following formulas: n?RNTl=(nRNTI+SFN)mod 216 n?RNTl=(nRNTI+k)mod 216 where nRNTI is a temporary identifier associated with a mobile device connected to said cell and for which said scrambling code is applicable; and SFN is a system frame number associated with said at least one of said sequence of sub-frames; and k is a sub-frame counter.

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed in which a base station serves a communication area, wherein the communication area is formed by a plurality of directional beams each covering a respective portion of the communication area and each having a different respective beam identifier. The base station communicates control information, for a communication device (UE), using at least one directional beam associated with that communication device (e.g. a UE-specific operational beam set).

Abstract: A mobile communications system is proposed in which mobile communications devices are arranged to transmit signals to and to receive signals from a base station using one or a subset of available sub-bands, with the base station being configured to move the mobile communications devices between the sub-bands. An anchor sub-band is also provided on which idle mobile communications devices camp until they are moved to one or more other sub-bands in addition to or instead of the anchor sub-band.

Abstract: A method of signalling resource allocation data in a communication system which uses a plurality of sub-carriers arranged in a sequence of chunks. An allocation of the sub-carriers for each of a plurality of user devices is received. The received allocations are processed to determine, for each user device, data identifying a start chunk and an end chunk within the sequence of chunks, which depend upon the sub-carriers allocated to the user device. Different resource allocation data is generated for each of the user devices using a predetermined mapping which relates the data identifying the corresponding start chunk and end chunk determined by the processing step to resource allocation data comprising a unique value. The respective resource allocation data is signaled to each of the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: A communication system is described in which system information is transmitted to communication devices, by a communication apparatus of the system, in system information blocks, in accordance with a system information block transmission scheme. The communication apparatus configures at least one system information block to include control information indicating how the system information blocks will be transmitted.

Abstract: A method of signalling resource allocation data in a communication system which uses a plurality of sub-carriers arranged in a sequence of chunks. An allocation of the sub-carriers for each of a plurality of user devices is received. The received allocations are processed to determine, for each user device, data identifying a start chunk and an end chunk within the sequence of chunks, which depend upon the sub-carriers allocated to the user device. Different resource allocation data is generated for each of the user devices using a predetermined mapping which relates the data identifying the corresponding start chunk and end chunk determined by the processing step to resource allocation data comprising a unique value. The respective resource allocation data is signaled to each of the plurality of user devices.

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso

Abstract: A communication system is described in which system information is transmitted to communication devices, by a communication apparatus of the system, in system information blocks, in accordance with a system information block transmission scheme. The communication apparatus configures at least one system information block to include control information indicating how the system information blocks will be transmitted.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed which a base station configures a user equipment (UE) to carry out measurements of signals transmitted in a plurality of neighbour cells and to transmit a measurement report. The UE performs the signal measurements and transmits the measurement report, which comprises the measurement results for at least one neighbour cell and further includes, for at least one reported neighbour cell, an associated unique cell identifier together with the corresponding measurement. The base station identifies a corresponding neighbour cell, from among a plurality of neighbour cells, based on the reported unique cell identifier, and triggers a communication procedure involving the UE and that neighbour cell.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed in which a communication device communicates with communication apparatus that operates a cell within which the communication device is located. The cell is operated as a licensed assisted access (LAA) cell and has an associated physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The communication device has a controller that is adapted to: generate a control signal for transmitting to said communication apparatus; perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) on said PUCCH before the control signal is transmitted; and block transmission of the control signal on said PUCCH when said CCA indicates that said channel is not clear. The communication device is further adapted, when said controller has not blocked said transmission of the control signal, to transmit the control signal to said communication apparatus in said PUCCH.

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso

Abstract: A communications system is described that has a base station and a number of user devices, including legacy user devices and non-legacy user devices. The base station generates control data for transmission to the user devices, the control data including common control data for reception and decoding by a plurality of user devices and user specific control data for reception and decoding by a specific user device. The common control data is for reception and decoding by the non-legacy user devices and cannot be decoded by the legacy user devices. The common control data is repeated within multiple subframes for reception and decoding by non-legacy user devices. The non-legacy user devices are typically Machine Type Communications (MTC) user devices.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed in which a communication device communicates with communication apparatus that operates a cell within which the communication device is located. The cell is operated as a licensed assisted access (LAA) cell and has an associated physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). The communication device has a controller that is adapted to: generate a control signal for transmitting to said communication apparatus; perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) on said PUCCH before the control signal is transmitted; and block transmission of the control signal on said PUCCH when said CCA indicates that said channel is not clear. The communication device is further adapted, when said controller has not blocked said transmission of the control signal, to transmit the control signal to said communication apparatus in said PUCCH.

Abstract: A communications node operable to communicate with another communications node over a communications channel having a plurality of frequency resources, the communications node includes data defining a division of the communications channel into a plurality of contiguous sub-bands each having N frequency resources, wherein each frequency resource in a sub-band has a corresponding frequency resource in each of the other sub-bands, data defining an initial allocation of the frequency resources, a resource determination module operable to apply a frequency shift to the initially allocated frequency resources in accordance with a frequency hopping sequence to determine frequency resources to use for communicating information with the other communications node, wherein the frequency shift applied moves the initially allocated frequency resources to corresponding frequency resources in another sub-band, a transceiver for communicating information with the other communications node using the determined frequency reso