SET MANAGEMENT FOR FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH CARRIERS

Abstract

Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to facilitate the mobility management. For example, one or more cells of a wireless communications system may be identified. A respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. A user equipment may be configured determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The user equipment may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

Description

CROSS-RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application for patent claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/556,777 entitled “FRACTIONAL SYSTEMS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS” filed Nov. 7, 2011, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The present application for patent also claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/568,742 entitled “SIGNAL CAPACITY BOOSTING, COORDINATED FORWARD LINK BLANKING AND POWER BOOSTING, AND REVERSE LINK THROUGHPUT INCREASING FOR FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH SYSTEMS” filed Dec. 9, 2011, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. The present application for patent also claims priority to Provisional Application No. 61/607,502 entitled “MOBILITY MANAGEMENT FOR FLEXIBLE BANDWIDTH SYSTEMS AND DEVICES” filed Mar. 6, 2012, and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) systems, 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) systems.

Service providers are typically allocated blocks of frequency spectrum for exclusive use in certain geographic regions. These blocks of frequencies are generally assigned by regulators regardless of the multiple access technology being used. In most cases, these blocks are not integer multiple of channel bandwidths, hence there may be unutilized parts of the spectrum. As the use of wireless devices has increased, the demand for and value of this spectrum has generally surged, as well. Nonetheless, in some cases, wireless communications systems may not utilize portions of the allocated spectrum because the portions are not big enough to fit a standard or normal waveform. The developers of the LTE standard, for example, recognized the problem and decided to support many different system bandwidths (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz). Another approach may be to utilize flexible bandwidth carrier systems that may involve wireless communications systems that utilize portions of spectrum that may not fit a normal waveform. However, different mobility management issues may arise when utilizing flexible bandwidth carrier systems, such as facilitating migration between mixed legacy and flexible bandwidth carrier systems.

SUMMARY

Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to facilitate the mobility management. For example, it may be known that connected mode sets may be utilized in different situations. After a cell is measured and identified during a search, the cell may be placed in different sets, such as sets based on cells signaled from the network like a virtual set, an active set, or a monitored set. A detected set may be made of cells not signaled by the network but discovered by a user equipment (UE). The methods, systems, and devices provided may help a flexible bandwidth carrier UE manage the set of cells that have been identified as it moves from one cell to another; the cells may be flexible or non-flexible bandwidth cells, including UMTS or GSM cells, for example.

Flexible bandwidth carrier systems may involve wireless communications systems that may utilize portions of spectrum that may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform through utilizing flexible waveforms. A flexible bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through dilating a frame length or scaling down a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system, for example. In some embodiments, a flexible bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through dilating the frame lengths, or scaling down, the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through expanding, or scaling up a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through decreasing the frame lengths, or scaling up the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system.

Some embodiments include a method of mobility management for a wireless communications system. The method may include: identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system; identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; determining multiple sets, where each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and/or associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

Some embodiments include determining a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may utilize at least a serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some embodiments include utilizing one or more offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets. Some embodiments include utilizing one or more power offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Each respective active set may be further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one active set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor may be associated with a virtual active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one virtual active set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with at least a monitored set or a candidate set. Some embodiments include determining at least monitored set or candidate set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors. Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set may be associated with a respective scaling factor.

In some embodiments, identifying the one or more cells of the wireless communications system includes: determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold. The measurement may include at least a signal strength, a relative strength, a signal quality, or a measurement error statistic. The determined measurement threshold may be remapped with a bandwidth.

Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first radio access technology and a system with a flexible bandwidth carrier.

In some embodiments, the wireless communications system includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous communication with a user equipment, where each cell may utilize at least a different carrier or a different bandwidth. Some embodiments may include a wireless communications system that may include multiple cells configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell may include multiple carriers. In some cases, the wireless communications system may include a cell configured to utilize two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user equipment.

Some embodiments include a wireless communications system configured for mobility management for wireless communications. The system may include: means for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system; means for identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; means for determining multiple, where each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and/or means for associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective bandwidth associated scaling factors.

Some embodiments include means for determining a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Some embodiments include means for utilizing one or more offsets with respect the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.

The means for determining the multiple sets may include means for determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the multiple sets may include means for determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the multiple sets may include means for determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the multiple sets may include means for determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set may be associated with a respective scaling factor.

The means for identifying the one or more cells may include: means for determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or means for determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

The means for determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the candidate cell from within the multiples sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The means for determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

Some embodiments include a computer program product for mobility management for a wireless communications system that may include a non-transitory computer-readable medium that may include: code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system; code for identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; code for creating multiple sets, where each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and/or code for associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

The non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include code for determining a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may further include code for utilizing one or more offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

The code for determining the multiple sets may include code for determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The code for determining the multiple sets may include code for determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The code for determining the multiple sets may include code for determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The code for determining the multiple sets may include code for determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

The code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system may include: code for determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or code for determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

The code for determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. The code for determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The code for determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

Some embodiments include a wireless communications device configured for mobility management for a wireless communications system. The device may include at least one processor that may be configured to: identify one or more cells of the wireless communications system; identify a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; create multiple sets, where each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and/or associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated scaling factors. The device may also include at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor.

The at least one processor may be further configured to determine a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. The at least one processor may be further configured to utilize one or more offsets with respect to the multiple sets to determine the candidate cell from within multiple sets.

The at least one processor configured to determine the multiples sets may be configured to determine multiple active sets, where each respective active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the multiples sets may be configured to determine multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the multiples sets may be configured to determine one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set may associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the multiples sets may be configured to determine one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set may be associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

The at least one processor configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications system may be configured to: determine a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and/or determine that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

The at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier may utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that the detailed description that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conception and specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features which are believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, both as to their organization and method of operation, together with associated advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If only the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications system in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2A shows an example of a wireless communications system where a flexible waveform fits into a portion of spectrum not broad enough to fit a normal waveform in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 2B shows an example of a wireless communications system where a flexible waveform fits into a portion of spectrum near an edge of a band in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications system in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram illustrating mobility management procedures in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 5 shows a table that includes several mobility management single carrier scenarios in accordance with various embodiments;

FIGS. 6A and 6B shows block diagrams of devices configured for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a device configured for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of cell sets when the mobile device is in connected mode;

FIG. 9 shows a set transition diagram for inter-frequency scenarios in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 10 shows a set transition diagram in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 11 shows a communications diagram for an inter-frequency mobility scenario in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 12 shows a block diagram of a user equipment in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications system that includes a base station and a user equipment in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a wireless communications system that includes a base station and a user equipment in accordance with various embodiments;

FIG. 15A shows a flow diagram of a method of mobility management in a wireless communications system in accordance with various embodiments; and

FIG. 15B shows a flow diagram of a method of mobility management in a wireless communications system in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Methods, systems, and devices for mobility management for wireless communications systems that utilize flexible bandwidth carriers are provided. Some embodiments include intra-frequency and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth scaling factors for flexible bandwidth carriers to facilitate the mobility management.

For single carrier cells in mobility scenarios, inter-frequency mobility scenarios may refer to scenarios where the handover or reselection may be performed between two cells, each cell having a center carrier frequency (or channel number) that may be different from the center carrier frequency (i.e., different channel number) used in the other cell. The bandwidth of both carriers could be the same or different. For intra-frequency scenarios, the two cells both may have carriers with the same center frequencies and the same or different bandwidths. For example, there can be inter-frequency-same-bandwidth and intra-frequency-same-bandwidth, inter-frequency-different-bandwidth, intra-frequency-same-bandwidth and intra-frequency-different-bandwidth. Such demarcations can be generalized. For example, it may be known that connected mode sets may be utilized in different situations for cell acquisition or mobility. After a cell that is signaled by the network to the user equipment (UE) is measured and identified during a search, the cell may be placed in different sets, such as a virtual set, an active set, or a monitored set. A detected set may be made of cells not signaled by the network but discovered by a UE. The methods, systems, and devices provided may help a flexible bandwidth carrier UE manage the set of cells that have been identified as it moves from one cell to another; the cells may be flexible or non-flexible bandwidth cells, including UMTS or GSM cells, for example.

Flexible bandwidth carrier systems may involve wireless communications systems that may utilize portions of spectrum that may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform through utilizing flexible waveforms. A flexible bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through dilating a frame length or scaling down a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system, for example. In some embodiments, a flexible bandwidth carrier system may be generated with respect to a normal bandwidth carrier system through dilating the frame lengths, or scaling down, the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system with respect to the normal bandwidth carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through expanding, or scaling up a chip rate of the flexible bandwidth carrier system. Some embodiments increase the bandwidth of a flexible waveform through decreasing the frame lengths, or scaling up the bandwidth of the flexible bandwidth carrier system. A flexible carrier can be part of a multi-flow system (i.e., system where multiple cells may be simultaneously in communication with one UE, the cells can have same or different carriers, and the same or different bandwidths), a multi-carrier system (i.e., a system whereby the UE may be connected to a system with multiple cells and each of these cells have multiple carriers with the same or different bandwidths.), a dual-cell system (i.e., this may be similar to the dual-cell UMTS where a cell may use two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with the UE; the two carriers may have the same bandwidth), and/or a supplemental downlink and/or uplink system. Set management may also be done on these carrier combinations.

Set management may handle intra-frequency cells and/or inter-frequency cells in accordance with various embodiments. Since intra-frequency cells may have the same bandwidth scaling factor (e.g., same bandwidth, chip-scaling factor), a UE may generate only one active, one monitored, and one detected sets. This may be the same as what is performed in UMTS, for example. Triggering conditions for moving cells from the monitored to the active set may need to be modified for flexible bandwidth cells (e.g., cell power offset may be modified for flexible bandwidth cells, reporting ranges, active set sizes could be optimized for flexible bandwidth deployment, etc. For inter-frequency cells, multiple virtual active sets may be created. One virtual active set may be created for each unique frequency/bandwidth pair. In contrast, only one monitored and one detected set may be used for keeping records of intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT cells in some cases. In flexible bandwidth carrier systems, since a different frequency may have the same bandwidth scaling factor or different bandwidth scaling factors, the UE may generate a virtual active set for each frequency but they may have different bandwidth scaling factors. Cells identified by the UE as belonging to the monitored and detected sets may be added to the appropriate sets with the bandwidth scaling factor values.

Techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communications systems such as CDMA, TDMA, FDMA, OFDMA, SC-FDMA, Peer-to-Peer, and other systems. The terms “system” and “network” are often used interchangeably. A CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc. CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards. IS-2000 Releases 0 and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-856 (TIA-856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1xEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA. A TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). An OFDMA or OFDM system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc. UTRA and E-UTRA are part of Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS). 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3GPP). CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named “3rd Generation Partnership Project 2” (3GPP2). The techniques described herein may be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and radio technologies.

Thus, the following description provides examples, and is not limiting of the scope, applicability, or configuration set forth in the claims. Changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements discussed without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Various embodiments may omit, substitute, or add various procedures or components as appropriate. For instance, the methods described may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted, or combined. Also, features described with respect to certain embodiments may be combined in other embodiments.

Referring first to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 in accordance with various embodiments. The system 100 includes base stations 105, user equipment 115, a base station controller 120, and a core network 130 (the controller 120 may be integrated into the core network 130 in some embodiments; in some embodiments, controller 120 may be integrated into base stations 105). The system 100 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies). Multi-carrier transmitters can transmit modulated signals simultaneously on the multiple carriers. Each modulated signal may be a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) signal, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) signal, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) signal, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) signal, Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) signal, etc. Each modulated signal may be sent on a different carrier and may carry control information (e.g., pilot signals), overhead information, data, etc. The system 100 may be a multi-carrier LTE network capable of efficiently allocating network resources.

The user equipment 115 may be any type of mobile station, mobile device, access terminal, subscriber unit, or user equipment. The user equipment 115 may include cellular phones and wireless communications devices, but may also include personal digital assistants (PDAs), smartphones, other handheld devices, netbooks, notebook computers, etc. Thus, the term user equipment should be interpreted broadly hereinafter, including the claims, to include any type of wireless or mobile communications device.

The base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with the user equipment 115 via a base station antenna. The base stations 105 may be configured to communicate with the user equipment 115 under the control of the controller 120 via multiple carriers. Each of the base station 105 sites can provide communication coverage for a respective geographic area. In some embodiments, base stations 105 may be referred to as a NodeB, eNodeB, Home NodeB, and/or Home eNodeB. The coverage area for each base station 105 here is identified as 110-a, 110-b, or 110-c. The coverage area for a base station may be divided into sectors (not shown, but making up only a portion of the coverage area). The system 100 may include base stations 105 of different types (e.g., macro, micro, femto, and/or pico base stations).

The different aspects of system 100, such as the user equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network 130, and/or the controller 120 may be configured to utilize flexible bandwidth and waveforms in accordance with various embodiments. System 100, for example, shows transmissions 125 between user equipment 115 and base stations 105. The transmissions 125 may include uplink and/or reverse link transmission, from a user equipment 115 to a base station 105, and/or downlink and/or forward link transmissions, from a base station 105 to a user equipment 115. The transmissions 125 may include flexible and/or normal waveforms. Normal waveforms may also be referred to as legacy and/or normal waveforms.

The different aspects of system 100, such as the user equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network 130, and/or the controller 120 may be configured to utilize flexible bandwidth and waveforms in accordance with various embodiments. For example, different aspects of system 100 may utilize portions of spectrum that may not be big enough to fit a normal waveform. Devices such as the user equipment 115, the base stations 105, the core network 130, and/or the controller 120 may be configured to adapt the chip rates and/or scaling factors to generate and/or utilize flexible bandwidth and/or waveforms. Some aspects of system 100 may form a flexible subsystem (such as certain user equipment 115 and/or base stations 105) that may be generated with respect to a normal subsystem (that may be implemented using other user equipment 115 and/or base stations 105) through dilating, or scaling down, the time of the flexible subsystem with respect to the time of the normal subsystem.

In some embodiments, the different aspects of system 100, such as the user equipment 115 may be configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications systems 100. A respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment 115 may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. User equipment 115 may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

Some embodiments may include user equipment 115 and/or base stations 105 that may generate flexible waveforms and/or normal waveforms. Flexible waveforms may occupy less bandwidth than a normal waveform. For example, at a band edge, there may not be enough available spectrum to place a normal waveform. For a flexible waveform in some embodiments, as time gets dilated, the frequency occupied by a waveform goes down, thus making it possible to fit a flexible waveform into spectrum that may not be broad enough to fit a normal waveform. Flexible waveforms may also be generated in some embodiments through using a scaling factor. Other embodiments may generate a flexible waveform to fit a portion of spectrum through altering a rate or chip rate (e.g., a spreading factor may change). Some embodiments may change a frequency of processing to change a chip rate or utilize a scaling factor. Embodiments may utilize a flexible bandwidth carrier. Changing frequency of processing may include changing an interpolation rate, an interrupt rate, and/or a decimation rate. In some embodiments, a chip rate may be changed or a scaling factor utilized through filtering, by decimation, and/or by changing a frequency of an ADC, a DAC, and/or an offline clock. A divider may be used to change the frequency of at least one clock. In some embodiments, a chip rate divider (Dcr) may be utilized. In some embodiments, a scaling factor for a flexible bandwidth carrier may be referred to as a bandwidth scaling factor.

In some embodiments, a flexible system or waveform may be a fractional system or waveform. Fractional systems and/or waveforms may or may not change bandwidth for example. A fractional system or waveform may be flexible because it may offer more possibilities than a normal system or waveform (e.g., N=1 system). A normal system or waveform may refer to a standard and/or legacy system or waveform.

FIG. 2A shows an example of a wireless communications system 200-a with a base station 105-a and a user equipment 115-a in accordance with various embodiments, where a flexible waveform 210-a fits into a portion of spectrum not broad enough to fit a normal waveform 220-a. System 200-a may be an example of system 100 of FIG. 1. In some embodiments, the flexible waveform 210-a may overlap with the normal waveform 220-a that either the base 105-a and/or the user equipment 115-a may transmit. Some embodiments may also utilize multiple flexible waveforms 210. In some embodiments, another base station and/or user equipment (not shown) may transmit the normal waveform 220-a and/or the flexible waveform 210-a. FIG. 2B shows an example of a wireless communications system 200-b with a base station 105-b and user equipment 115-b, where a flexible waveform 210-b fits into a portion of spectrum near an edge of a band, which may be a guard band, where normal waveform 220-b may not fit. System 200-b may be an example of system 100 of FIG. 1.

In some embodiments, the user equipment 115-a and/or 115-b may be configured to facilitate mobility management with respect to one or more flexible bandwidth cells, or base stations 105. Set management and/or handover may occur with carriers that are co-located (with different N, for example) and carriers that may not be co-located (with different N, for example). The user equipment 115-a and/or 115-b may be configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications systems 200-a/200-b. A respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment 115-a/115-b may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. User equipment 115-a/115-b may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

FIG. 3 shows a wireless communications system 300 with base station 105-c and/or base station 105-d and user equipment 115-c and/or user equipment 115-d in accordance with various embodiments. In some embodiments, the user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be configured for mobility management, including set management. For such set management, some embodiments include intra-frequency and/or inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth scaling factors N. The user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be configured to identify one or more cells, which may include base station 105-d and/or cells of base station 105-c and/or 105-d, of the wireless communications systems 300. In some cases, one or more base station such as 105-c may include multiple cells. A respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. User equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. User equipment 115-c and/or 115-d may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors. System 300 may be an example of system 100 of FIG. 1 and/or system 200 of FIG. 2.

Transmissions 305-a, 305-b, 305-c between the user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d and the base station 105-c may utilize flexible waveforms that may be generated to occupy less (or more) bandwidth than a normal waveform. In some cases, the transmissions 305-d and/or 305-e may utilize flexible waveforms. For example, at a band edge, there may not be enough available spectrum to place a normal waveform. For a flexible waveform, as time gets dilated, the frequency occupied by a waveform goes down, thus making it possible to fit a flexible waveform into spectrum that may not be broad enough to fit a normal waveform. In some embodiments, the flexible waveform may be scaled utilizing a scaling factor N with respect to a normal waveform. Scaling factor N may take on numerous different values including, but not limited to, integer values such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, etc. N, however, does not have to be an integer. In some cases, a chip rate divider (Dcr) may be utilized, which may have the same numerical value as a bandwidth scaling factor. Merely by way of example, a flexible bandwidth carrier system with N=2 may occupy half the bandwidth of an normal bandwidth carrier system or flexible bandwidth carrier system with N=1. For example, ransmissions 305-a, 305-b, and/or 305-c between the user equipment 115-c and/or 115-d and the base station 105-c may utilize different bandwidth scaling factors N. In some cases, carriers and/or transmissions 305 may be changed (with different bandwidth scaling factors), but there still may be communication to the base station 105-c at the same location. In some cases, transmission 305-a between base station 105-c and user equipment 115-c may change bandwidth scaling factors. Set management and/or handover may occur with carriers and/or transmissions 305 that are co-located (with different N, for example) and carriers that may not be co-located (with different N, for example). System 300 may be part of a multi-flow system (i.e., system where multiple cells may be simultaneously in communication with one UE, the cells can have same or different carriers, and the same or different bandwidths), a multi-carrier system (i.e., a system whereby the UE may be connected to a system with multiple cells and each of these cells have multiple carriers with the same or different bandwidths.), a dual-cell system (i.e., this may be similar to the dual-cell UMTS where a cell may use two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with the UE; the two carriers may have the same bandwidth), and/or a supplemental downlink and/or uplink system. Set management may also be done on these carrier combinations.

Some embodiments may utilize additional terminology. A new unit D may be utilized. The unit D is dilated. The unit is unitless and has the value of N. One can talk about time in the flexible system in terms of “dilated time”. For example, a slot of say 10 ms in normal time may be represented as 10 Dms in flexible time (note: even in normal time, this will hold true since N=1 in normal time: D has a value of 1, so 10 Dms=10 ms). In time scaling, one can replace most “seconds” with “dilated-seconds”. Note frequency in Hertz is 1/s.

As discussed above, a flexible waveform may be a waveform that occupies less bandwidth than a normal waveform. Thus, in a flexible bandwidth system, the same number of symbols and bits may be transmitted over a longer duration compared to a normal bandwidth system. This may result in time stretching, whereby slot duration, frame duration, etc., may increase by a scaling factor N. Scaling factor N may represent the ratio of the normal bandwidth to flexible bandwidth (BW). Thus, data rate in a flexible bandwidth system may equal (Normal Rate×1/N), and delay may equal (Normal Delay×N). In general, a flexible systems channel BW=channel BW of normal systems/N. Delay×BW may remain unchanged. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a flexible waveform may be a waveform that occupies more bandwidth than a normal waveform.

Throughout this specification, the term normal system, subsystem, and/or waveform may be utilized to refer to systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms that involve embodiments that may utilize a scaling factor that may be equal to one (e.g., N=1) or a normal or standard chip rate. These normal systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms may also be referred to as standard and/or legacy systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms. Furthermore, flexible systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms may be utilized to refer to systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms that involve embodiments that may utilize a scaling factor that may be not equal to one (e.g., N=2, 3, 4, 8, ½, ¼, etc.). For N>1, or if a chip rate is decreased, the bandwidth of a waveform may decrease. Some embodiments may utilize scaling factors or chip rates that increase the bandwidth. For example, if N<1, or if the chip rate is increased, then a waveform may be expanded to cover bandwidth larger than a normal waveform. Flexible systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms may also be referred to as fractional systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms in some cases. Fractional systems, subsystems, and/or waveforms may or may not change bandwidth, for example. A fractional system, subsystem, or waveform may be flexible because it may offer more possibilities than a normal or standard system, subsystem, or waveform (e.g., N=1 system).

A flexible waveform may include a waveform that occupies less bandwidth than a normal waveform. For example, at the band edge, there may not be enough available spectrum to place a normal waveform. Unlike normal waveforms, there can be partial or complete overlap between normal and flexible waveforms. It is to be noted that the flexible waveform may increase the system capacity. There can be a trade off between extent of overlap and the bandwidth of the flexible waveform. The overlap may create additional interference. Embodiments may be directed at methods, systems, and/or devices and be aimed at reducing the interference.

Turning now to FIG. 4, a block diagram 400 illustrates mobility management procedures in accordance with various embodiments. Aspects of block diagram 400 may be implemented in whole or in part utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but not limited to: a base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; a device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; a device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG. 7; a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or a core network 130 and/or controller 120 as seen in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13. At block 405, a network may signal assistance information to UE to assist UE in mobility management. The network may signal assistance information about neighboring available cells to the UEs, for example. At block 410, bandwidth information, such as one or more bandwidth scaling factors N or flexible bandwidths, may be determined at a UE. This may be part of a search procedure. For example, the UE may search for cells or carriers autonomously and/or with the help of the network. The cells may be flexible bandwidth cells; the carriers may be flexible bandwidth carriers. In some cases, the bandwidth scaling factors and/or flexible bandwidths associated with different flexible bandwidth cells or carriers may be signaled to the UE from the network, through a base station, for example. In cases where the value of N or the bandwidth is not signaled to the UE, the UE may determine the one or more bandwidth scaling factors and/or flexible bandwidths associated with one or more cells using a variety of procedures as discussed herein. For example, many N hypotheses could be tried. At block 415, set management procedures may be performed. For example, a UE may develop various mobility cell sets to be used for further handovers and reselections as shown in block 420.

Embodiments may include a variety of mobility management scenarios. A flexible bandwidth UE, for example, may use the mobility procedures to migrate according to different mobility scenarios. A flexible bandwidth UE may move from a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with bandwidth scaling factor N=x to another flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with the same N. These cells may be deployed on the same carrier frequency but separated by different identifications (e.g., PSCs), for example. The two cells could also be deployed on different carrier frequencies in some embodiments. A flexible bandwidth UE may move from a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with N=x to another flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with a different N, N=y. Both cells may be deployed on different carrier frequencies. A flexible bandwidth UE may move from a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell with N=x to a non-flexible, or legacy, cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM cells, for example. Likewise, the UE may move from a non-flexible bandwidth carrier or cell, or legacy cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM to a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell. Both cells may be deployed on different carrier frequencies. In some cases, the non-flexible bandwidth carrier or cell, or legacy cell, such as UMTS and/or GSM cells, and flexible bandwidth carrier or cells may be co-located at the same site or deployed in different sites. In some embodiments, once a UE moves to a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell, it may perform mobility procedures (e.g., send registration message, location area updates, routing area updates, etc.) as currently performed in non-flexible networks, or legacy networks, such as UMTS networks, for example. While some of the above examples include UMTS and/or GSM cells, other embodiments may utilize other radio access technologies (RATs). Flexible bandwidth system may be treated as an extension (or mode) of the legacy RAT or can be treated as a separate RAT in some cases.

FIG. 5 shows a table 500 that includes several different mobility scenarios for single carrier cells, though some embodiments may utilize other scenarios. Handover/Reselection scenarios 510 show several different cases of possible UE moves from one carrier to another, where the carriers may be flexible bandwidth carriers and/or normal (or legacy) bandwidth carriers. Deployment scenarios 520 for each case reflect whether the deployment scenarios may be intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and/or inter-RAT. During mobility operations involving multi-carrier or multi-flow scenarios, each of the cells/carriers in the system may experience a mobility scenario similar to the single carrier scenarios illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, a multicarrier system A (with two carriers) may involve a handover to multicarrier system B (i.e., Carrier A1 may handover to Carrier B1 and Carrier A2 to Carrier B2). In this case, the links between Carriers A1 and B1, and Carrier A2 and B2 may experience handover situation similar to those illustrated Cases 1 to 4 in FIG. 5. Aspects of table 500 may be implemented in whole or in part utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but not limited to: a base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; a device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; a device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG. 7; a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or a core network 130 and/or controller 120 as seen in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13.

Turning next to FIG. 6A, a block diagram illustrates a device 600-a for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments. The device 600-a may be an example of one or more aspects of user equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 600-a may also be a processor. The device 600-a may include a receiver module 605, a set management module 615, and/or a transmitter module 615. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.

These components of the device 600-a may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver module 605 may receive information such as packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device 600-a has received or transmitted. The received information may be utilized by the set management module 615 for a variety of purposes.

For example, the set management module 615 may be configured to identify one or more cells of a wireless communications system. A respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The set management module 615 may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

The set management module 615 may be configured to determine a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may utilize at least a serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The candidate cell may be considered a best cell. One or more offsets may be utilized by the set management module 615 may be configured to with respect to the one or more sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Power offsets may be utilized in some cases.

The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Each respective active sets may be further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an active set. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine at least one active set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an virtual active set. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine at least one virtual active set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with a monitored set. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine at least one monitored set that is associated with a multiple bandwidth scaling factors. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor.

The set management module 615 may be configured to identify the one or more cells of the wireless communications systems may include determining a signal strength or a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells. It may be determined whether the signal strength or the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determine signal strength threshold or a determined measurement threshold. The set management module 615 may use other information and statistics from the cell. Such information can be signal strength, channel power, relative channel power, error rates, error numbers, etc. Furthermore, the threshold may be modified by over the air messages. The thresholds may be mapped or modified with respect to the bandwidth. For example, take a system with one N=1 and one N=2 carries located at the same location and transmitting the same power spectral density (PSD). All other things being equal, to compare signal strengths of the two systems, the signal threshold for the ½ BW system could be scaled by 3 dB with respect to the N=1 system.

The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the candidate cell from the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal flexible bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

Device 600-a may be part of wireless communications system that includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous communication with a user equipment, where each cell utilizes at least a different carrier or a different bandwidth. In some cases, the wireless communications system may includes multiple cells configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell includes a plurality of carriers. The wireless communications system may include cell configured to utilize two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user equipment.

Turning next to FIG. 6B, a block diagram illustrates a device 600-b for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments. The device 600-b may be an example of one or more aspects of user equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 600-b may also be a processor. The device 600-a may include a receiver module 605-a, a set management module 615-a, and/or a transmitter module 615-a. Set management module 615-a may include virtual active set management module 610, active set management module 611, monitored set management module 612, and/or detected set management module 613. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. Device 600-b may be an example of device 600-a of FIG. 6A.

These components of the device 600-b may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver module 605-a may receive information such as packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device 600-b has received or transmitted. The received information may be utilized by the set management module 615-a for a variety of purposes.

For example, the set management module 615-a may be configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications systems. A respective bandwidth scaling factor or bandwidth associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. The set management module 615 may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The set management module 615 may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

The active set (AS) management module 611 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The virtual active set (VAS) management module 610 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The monitored set management module 612 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The detected set management module 613 may be configured to determine the multiple sets may include determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor.

In some cases, a VAS may be for a frequency that is measured but not being used so that s UE has the right cells if the UE decides to move to that frequency in some cases. An AS may be for the currently used frequency in some cases. The VAS and AS may have different BW scaling factors, with the scaling factor remaining same within each set. Each set may have cells with different scaling factors. An AS in the currently used frequency may have only one N or multiple N cells/carriers. Each cell in the AS may have a Radio Link with the UE. If an AS can only contain cells with one N, then intra-frequency other N cells, if any, (i.e., cells with different N but same channel number) may need to be maintained in a separate set. A VAS may be used for those same frequency cells belonging to different N, for example. There can be different VASs for different Ns for the same channel number, VASs for different Ns for different channel number, and/or VASs for same N for the different channel number.

In some embodiments, if a currently used frequency is i and N=N1, then: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i); intra-frequency, different N VAS: VAS (N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N VAS: VAS(N1,j) where j may not bed same as i; and/or inter-frequency, different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,j) where j may not be same as i.

In some embodiments, for single carrier intra-frequency scenarios with different Ns, the cell information can be stored in the AS, where each cell in the AS have an associated N. The current cell may only have a Radio link with cells in the AS with the same N. Some embodiments may utilize: intra-frequency, different N AS: AS (N other than N1,i).

For multi-carrier and/or multi-flow scenarios or if an AS can contain multiple N cells on a same frequency, the following sets may be utilized for some embodiments. If frequencies are i and j, then: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i); intra-frequency, different N AS: AS(N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,j) where j may not be same as i; and/or inter-frequency, different N AS: AS(N other than N1,j) where j may not be same as i. The last two sets may be for multi-carrier and multi-flow scenarios.

For multi-carrier and/or multi-flow scenarios, each cell in the multi-carrier or the multi-flow scenario may have similar cell sets as discussed in the single carrier scenario. In this case, each multi-carrier/multi-flow cell (e.g., a cell with ID A1, N=N1 and frequency i) could have the following sets for example: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS_A1(N1,i); intra-frequency, different N VAS: VAS_A1(N other than N1,i); intra-frequency, different N AS: AS_A1(N other than N1,i); inter-frequency, same N VAS: VAS_A1(N1,j) where j may not be same as i; and/or inter-frequency, different N VAS: VAS_A1(N other than N1,j) where j may not be same as i. In these examples, AS_A1 and VAS_A1 may refer to the active set of cell A1 and VAS_A1 refer to the virtual active set of cell A1.

The cell sets (e.g., AS and VAS) from the multi-carrier and/or multi-flow cells in the system may be maintained separately or combined to form super active and virtual active sets in some embodiments. In cases where they are combined, in the super AS and VAS, the components sets belonging to cell A1 may be denoted as such: intra-frequency, same N AS: AS(N1,i,A1); intra-frequency, different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,i,A1) or intra-frequency, different N AS: AS(N other than N1,i,A1); inter-frequency, same N VAS: VAS(N1,j,A1) where j may not be same as I; and/or inter-frequency, different N VAS: VAS(N other than N1,j,A1) where j may not be same as i.

Turning next to FIG. 7, a block diagram illustrates a device 700 for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments. The device 700 may be an example of one or more aspects of user equipment 115 described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The device 700 may also be a processor. The device 700 may include a receiver module 605-b, a cell identification module 710, a bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715, and/or a set management module 615-b, and/or a transmitter module 615-b. Each of these components may be in communication with each other. Device 700 may be an example of device 600-a of FIG. 6A and/or device 600-b of FIG. 6B.

These components of the device 700 may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions in hardware. Alternatively, the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more integrated circuits. In other embodiments, other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), and other Semi-Custom ICs), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art. The functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.

The receiver module 605-b may receive information such as packet, data, and/or signaling information regarding what device 700 has received or transmitted. The received information may be utilized by the cell identification module 710, the bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715, and/or the set management module 615-b, for a variety of purposes. Set management module 615-b may perform the functions as described with respect to set management module 615 of FIG. 6A and/or set management module 615-a of FIG. 6B.

For example, the cell identification module 710 may be configured to identify one or more cells of a wireless communications system. The bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715 be configured to determine a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. The set management module 615-b may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. The set management module 615-b may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

The cell identification module 710 may be configured to identify the one or more cells of the wireless communications systems through determining a signal strength of each of the one or more identified cells. It may be determined whether the signal strength of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determine signal strength threshold. The cell identification module 710 may use other information and statistics from the cell. Such information can be signal strength, channel power, relative channel power, error rates, error numbers, etc. Furthermore, the threshold may be modified by over the air messages. The thresholds may be mapped or modified with respect to the bandwidth. For example, take a system with one N=1 and one N=2 carries located at the same location and transmitting the same power spectral density (PSD). All other things being equal, to compare signal strengths of the two systems, the signal threshold for the ½ BW system could be scaled by 3 dB with respect to the N=1 system.

Some embodiments may utilize set management to facilitate mobility management. For example, it may be known that connected mode sets may be utilized in different situations. For example, after a cell is measured and identified during the search, the cell may be placed in the active/virtual active or monitored set. A detected set may be made of cells not signaled by the network but discovered by the UE. FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 that reflects these different forms of sets.

Set management in accordance with various embodiments may handle intra-frequency cells 810 and/or inter-frequency cells 830 with respect to connected mode 805. Since all intra-frequency cells may have the same N (same bandwidth), UE may generate only one active set 815, one monitored set 820, and/or one detected set 825 set. This may be the same as what is performed in UMTS, for example. In some cases, the intra-frequency cells may have a virtual active set 816, possibly one of each N. Each set can either have all Ns or there can be multiple instances of each set, one for each N. Triggering conditions for moving cells from the monitored to the Active set may need to be modified for flexible bandwidth cells (e.g., cell offset may be modified for fractional bandwidth cells, reporting ranges, active set sizes could be optimized for flexible bandwidth deployment, etc.). For inter-frequency cells, multiple virtual active sets 835 may be created. One virtual active set 835 may be created for each unique frequency. In contrast, only one monitored set 840 and one detected set 845 may be used for keeping records of intra-frequency, inter-frequency and inter-RAT cells in some cases. In flexible bandwidth systems, since a different frequency may have the same N or different Ns, the UE may generate a virtual active set for each frequency but they may have different Ns. Cells identified by the UE as belonging to the monitored and detected sets may be added to the appropriate sets with the N values also included.

During cell evaluation, an offset may be required for fair comparison between cells belonging to different Ns as flexible bandwidth cells may have lower transmit power than full bandwidth N=1 system. FIG. 9 shows a set diagram 900 in accordance with various embodiments that may reflect the transitions between the different sets, including virtual active sets (VA) 910-a, 910-b, . . . , 910-s, monitored set (M) 920, and/or detected set (D) 930. Note that each VA may have a scaling factor N associated with it, along with a frequency. Some embodiments may include choosing the best candidate. The best candidate may not necessarily be the dominating parameter that goes into whether to promote a cell to the active set. For example, the best candidate may be on different N so promoting that candidate will remove the current active set at a different N. For example, there may be multiple candidates at N1 but the best candidate may be at N2. The UE may choose N1 active set since there may be more “acceptable” candidates in that frequency.

[ECP: Can we generalize? Feel free to change the wording: Other groups are possible including a VA of multiple N's or multiple VAs of the same N.]

FIG. 10 shows a set diagram 1000 in accordance with various embodiments. Set diagram 1000 may provide an example of CDMA set management with flexible bandwidth cells. Flexible bandwidth inter-frequency cells can have the same N or different Ns as the serving cell. User equipment or UEs may generate an active set (A) 1010 for each frequency but they may have different N. Candidate (C) sets (1020-a, 1020-b, 1020-c, 1020-d), Neighbor sets (N) (1030-a, 1030-b, 1030-c, 1030-d), and/or Remaining (R) sets (1040-a, 1040-b, 1040-c, 1040-d) may have identified cells with N factor also identified. Other embodiments may include more or less Candidate sets 1020, Neighbor sets 1030, and/or Remaining sets 1040.

In DO or 1X, an Active set may have sectors from different frequencies but user equipment may go to a different frequency when all sectors in Active Set belonging to a given frequency have gone below a threshold. This may ensure stickiness to a certain frequency. Embodiments can have sets (e.g., A 1010, C 1020, N 1030, R 1040) for each N. The criteria to qualify for inclusion in Active set for different Ns may be different. Cells with different N in the Active set may provide another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10. However, UE may use the N value of frequency it is in. During cell evaluation, an offset may be utilized for fair comparison between cells belonging to different Ns as fractional BW cells might same lower transmit power (i.e., same PSD as full BW system). Different may be sent to flexible bandwidth UE (the UE may sometimes be referred to as access terminals (AT)). This information may include, but is not limited to: SID/NID (1×) and Subnet ID (EV-DO) if different from that of full BW system, Channel Information—Band Class, Channel Number etc., PN Offset, flexible bandwidth scaling factor (N), and/or Relative Time since Jan. 6, 1980 or some other reference (as time is slowed/dilated); sync message in EV-DO might need to convey this instead of absolute time.

FIG. 11 shows a communications diagram 1100 that shows an example of a UE moving from a UMTS cell, Cell A, to a flexible bandwidth carrier or cell, Cell B, with N=4. While the UE may be in idle mode on Cell B, flexible bandwidth carrier or cell information may be signaled to UE on SIB 11 (e.g., carrier frequency, primary scrambling code (PSC), etc.) but the N value for cell B may not be signaled. UE may determine N using spectrum estimation and stores the N information for cell B). UE may determine N using spectrum estimation and may store the N information for cell B. The UE may transition into connected mode with Cell A for data or voice connection. In the connected mode, if the link between the UE and the network experiences degradation in signal strength, the network may provide compressed gaps to the UE to measure flexible bandwidth carrier or Cell B. Since Cell B may have already been identified in idle mode, the N and cell timing may be known so the acquisition delay may be minimized. The UE may then measure the signal strength on the cell and may add the cell to a virtual active set due in case the strong signal strength may be detected on that cell. In the case the signal strength of Cell B is above a threshold, an inter-frequency event may be triggered so UE sends a measurement report to the network. The network may order an inter-frequency handover in case the network finds the flexible bandwidth carrier or Cell B to be more suited for the UE than Cell A. The UE may tune to flexible bandwidth carrier or Cell B and may update the network with its location (e.g., sending a routing area update (RAU) or a location area update (LAU) as currently performed in UMTS networks). Aspects of communications diagram 1100 may be implemented in whole or in part utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but not limited to: a base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; a device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; a device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; a device 700 of FIG. 7; a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or a core network 130 and/or controller 120 as seen in FIG. 1 and/or FIG. 13.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram 1200 of a user equipment 115-e configured to facilitate the mobility management in accordance with various embodiments. The user equipment 115-e may have any of various configurations, such as personal computers (e.g., laptop computers, netbook computers, tablet computers, etc.), cellular telephones, PDAs, digital video recorders (DVRs), internet appliances, gaming consoles, e-readers, etc. The user equipment 115-e may have an internal power supply (not shown), such as a small battery, to facilitate mobile operation. In some embodiments, the user equipment 115-e may be the user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or device 600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of FIG. 7. The user equipment 115-e may be a multi-mode user equipment. The user equipment 115-e may be referred to as a wireless communications device in some cases.

The user equipment 115-e may include antennas 1240, a transceiver module 1250, memory 1280, and a processor module 1270, which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., via one or more buses). The transceiver module 1250 is configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antennas 1240 and/or one or more wired or wireless links, with one or more networks, as described above. For example, the transceiver module 1250 may be configured to communicate bi-directionally with base stations 105 of FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14. The transceiver module 1250 may include a modem configured to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas 1240 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antennas 1240. While the user equipment 115-e may include a single antenna, the user equipment 115-e will typically include multiple antennas 1240 for multiple links.

The memory 1280 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1280 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software code 1285 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor module 1270 to perform various functions described herein (e.g., call processing, database management, message routing, etc.). Alternatively, the software 1285 may not be directly executable by the processor module 1270 but be configured to cause the computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

The processor module 1270 may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) such as those made by Intel® Corporation or AMD®, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor module 1270 may include a speech encoder (not shown) configured to receive audio via a microphone, convert the audio into packets (e.g., 30 ms in length) representative of the received audio, provide the audio packets to the transceiver module 1250, and provide indications of whether a user is speaking. Alternatively, an encoder may only provide packets to the transceiver module 1250, with the provision or withholding/suppression of the packet itself providing the indication of whether a user is speaking.

According to the architecture of FIG. 12, the user equipment 115-e may further include a communications management module 1260. The communications management module 1260 may manage communications with other user equipment 115. By way of example, the communications management module 1260 may be a component of the user equipment 115-e in communication with some or all of the other components of the user equipment 115-e via a bus. Alternatively, functionality of the communications management module 1260 may be implemented as a component of the transceiver module 1250, as a computer program product, and/or as one or more controller elements of the processor module 1270.

The components for user equipment 115-e may be configured to implement aspects discussed above with respect to device 600-a of FIG. 6A, 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of FIG. 7 and may not be repeated here for the sake of brevity. For example, the cell identification module 710-a may be the cell identification module 710 of FIG. 7. The bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715-a may be the bandwidth scaling factor identification module 715 of FIG. 7. The set management module 615-c may be the set management module 615 of FIG. 6A, set management module 615-a of FIG. 6B, and/or set management module 415-b of FIG. 7

The user equipment 115-e may also include a spectrum identification module 1215. The spectrum identification module 1215 may be utilized to identify spectrum available for flexible waveforms. In some embodiments, a handover module 1225 may be utilized to perform handover procedures of the user equipment 115-e from one base station to another. For example, the handover module 1225 may perform a handover procedure of the user equipment 115-e from one base station to another where normal waveforms are utilized between the user equipment 115-e and one of the base stations and flexible waveforms are utilized between the user equipment and another base station. A scaling module 1210 may be utilized to scale and/or alter chip rates to generate flexible waveforms.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1250 in conjunction with antennas 1240, along with other possible components of user equipment 115-e, may transmit information regarding flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors from the user equipment 115-e to base stations or a core network. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1250, in conjunction with antennas 1240 along with other possible components of user equipment 115-e, may transmit information, such as flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors, to base stations or a core network such that these devices or systems may utilize flexible waveforms.

FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a communications system 1300 that may be configured for mobility management in accordance with various embodiments. This system 1300 may be an example of aspects of the system 100 depicted in FIG. 1, systems 200 of FIG. 2, system 300 of FIG. 3, and/or system 1400 of FIG. 14. The base station 105-e may include antennas 1345, a transceiver module 1350, memory 1370, and a processor module 1365, which each may be in communication, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., over one or more buses). The transceiver module 1350 may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antennas 1345, with the user equipment 115-f, which may be a multi-mode user equipment. The transceiver module 1350 (and/or other components of the base station 105-e) may also be configured to communicate bi-directionally with one or more networks. In some cases, the base station 105-e may communicate with the network 130-a and/or controller 120-a through network communications module 1375. Base station 105-e may be an example of an eNodeB base station, a Home eNodeB base station, a NodeB base station, and/or a Home NodeB base station. Controller 120-a may be integrated into base station 105-e in some cases, such as with an eNodeB base station. Base station 105-e may be an example of base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 14. User equipment 115-f may be an example of device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; device 700 of FIG. 7; and/or user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, and/or FIG. 14.

Base station 105-e may also communicate with other base stations 105, such as base station 105-m and base station 105-n. Each of the base stations 105 may communicate with user equipment 115-f using different wireless communications technologies, such as different Radio Access Technologies. In some cases, base station 105-e may communicate with other base stations such as 105-m and/or 105-n utilizing base station communication module 1315. In some embodiments, base station communication module 1315 may provide an X2 interface within an LTE wireless communication technology to provide communication between some of the base stations 105. In some embodiments, base station 105-e may communicate with other base stations through controller 120-a and/or network 130-a.

The memory 1370 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM). The memory 1370 may also store computer-readable, computer-executable software code 1371 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor module 1365 to perform various functions described herein (e.g., call processing, database management, message routing, etc.). Alternatively, the software 1371 may not be directly executable by the processor module 1365 but be configured to cause the computer, e.g., when compiled and executed, to perform functions described herein.

The processor module 1365 may include an intelligent hardware device, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) such as those made by Intel® Corporation or AMD®, a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. The processor module 1365 may include a speech encoder (not shown) configured to receive audio via a microphone, convert the audio into packets (e.g., 20 ms in length) representative of the received audio, provide the audio packets to the transceiver module 1350, and provide indications of whether a user is speaking. Alternatively, an encoder may only provide packets to the transceiver module 1350, with the provision or withholding/suppression of the packet itself providing the indication of whether a user is speaking.

The transceiver module 1350 may include a modem configured to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas 1345 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antennas 1345. While some examples of the base station 105-e may include a single antenna 1345, the base station 105-e preferably includes multiple antennas 1345 for multiple links which may support carrier aggregation. For example, one or more links may be used to support macro communications with user equipment 115-f.

According to the architecture of FIG. 13, the base station 105-e may further include a communications management module 1330. The communications management module 1330 may manage communications with other base stations 105. By way of example, the communications management module 1330 may be a component of the base station 105-e in communication with some or all of the other components of the base station 105-e via a bus. Alternatively, functionality of the communications management module 1330 may be implemented as a component of the transceiver module 1350, as a computer program product, and/or as one or more controller elements of the processor module 1365.

The base station 105-e may also include a spectrum identification module 1315. The spectrum identification module 1315 may be utilized to identify spectrum available for flexible waveforms. In some embodiments, a handover module 1325 may be utilized to perform handover procedures of the user equipment 115-f from one base station 105 to another. For example, the handover module 1325 may perform a handover procedure of the user equipment 115-f from base station 105-e to another where normal waveforms are utilized between the user equipment 115-f and one of the base stations and flexible waveforms are utilized between the user equipment and another base station. A scaling module 1310 may be utilized to scale and/or alter chip rates to generate flexible waveforms.

In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1350 in conjunction with antennas 1345, along with other possible components of base station 105-e, may transmit information regarding flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors from the base station 105-e to the user equipment 115-f, to other base stations 105-m/105-n, or core network 130-a. In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1350 in conjunction with antennas 1345, along with other possible components of base station 105-e, may transmit information to the user equipment 115-f, to other base stations 105-m/105-n, or core network 130-a, such as flexible waveforms and/or scaling factors, such that these devices or systems may utilize flexible waveforms.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a system 1400 including a base station 105-f and a user equipment 115-g in accordance with various embodiments. This system 1400 may be an example of the system 100 of FIG. 1, systems 200 of FIG. 2, system 300 of FIG. 3, and/or system 1300 of FIG. 13. The base station 105-f may be equipped with antennas 1434-a through 1434-x, and the user equipment 115-g may be equipped with antennas 1452-a through 1452-n. At the base station 105-f, a transmit processor 1420 may receive data from a data source. Base station 105-f may be an example of base station 105 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and/or FIG. 13. User equipment 115-g may be an example of device 600-a as seen in FIG. 6A; device 600-b as seen in FIG. 6B; device 700 of FIG. 7; and/or user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, and/or FIG. 13.

The transmitter processor 1420 may process the data. The transmitter processor 1420 may also generate reference symbols, and a cell-specific reference signal. A transmit (TX) MIMO processor 1430 may perform spatial processing (e.g., precoding) on data symbols, control symbols, and/or reference symbols, if applicable, and may provide output symbol streams to the transmit modulators 1432-a through 1432-x. Each modulator 1432 may process a respective output symbol stream (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain an output sample stream. Each modulator 1432 may further process (e.g., convert to analog, amplify, filter, and upconvert) the output sample stream to obtain a downlink (DL) signal. In one example, DL signals from modulators 1432-a through 1432-x may be transmitted via the antennas 1434-a through 1434-x, respectively. The transmitter processor 1420 may receive information from a processor 1440. The processor 1440 may be configured to generate flexible waveforms through altering a chip rate and/or utilizing a scaling factor; this may be done dynamically in some cases. The processor 1440 may also provide for different alignment and/or offsetting procedures. The processor 1440 may also utilize scaling and/or chip rate information to perform measurements on the other subsystems, perform handoffs to the other subsystems, perform reselection, etc. The processor 1440 may invert the effects of time stretching associated with the use of flexible bandwidth through parameter scaling. In some embodiments, the processor 1440 may be implemented as part of a general processor, the transmitter processor 1420, and/or the receiver processor 1438.

At the user equipment 115-g, the user equipment antennas 1452-a through 1452-n may receive the DL signals from the base station 105-f and may provide the received signals to the demodulators 1454-a through 1454-n, respectively. Each demodulator 1454 may condition (e.g., filter, amplify, downconvert, and digitize) a respective received signal to obtain input samples. Each demodulator 1454 may further process the input samples (e.g., for OFDM, etc.) to obtain received symbols. A MIMO detector 1456 may obtain received symbols from all the demodulators 1454-a through 1454-n, perform MIMO detection on the received symbols if applicable, and provide detected symbols. A receive processor 1458 may process (e.g., demodulate, deinterleave, and decode) the detected symbols, providing decoded data for the user equipment 115-g to a data output, and provide decoded control information to a processor 1480, or memory 1482.

On the uplink (UL), at the user equipment 115-g, a transmitter processor 1464 may receive and process data from a data source. The transmitter processor 1464 may also generate reference symbols for a reference signal. The symbols from the transmitter processor 1464 may be precoded by a transmit MIMO processor 1466 if applicable, further processed by the demodulators 1454-a through 1454-n (e.g., for SC-FDMA, etc.), and be transmitted to the base station 105-f in accordance with the transmission parameters received from the base station 105-E The transmitter processor 1464 may also be configured to generate flexible waveforms through altering a chip rate and/or utilizing a scaling factor; this may be done dynamically in some cases. The transmitter processor 1464 may receive information from processor 1480. The processor 1480 may provide for different alignment and/or offsetting procedures. The processor 1480 may also utilize scaling and/or chip rate information to perform measurements on the other subsystems, perform handoffs to the other subsystems, perform reselection, etc. The processor 1480 may invert the effects of time stretching associated with the use of flexible bandwidth through parameter scaling. At the base station 105-f, the UL signals from the user equipment 115-g may be received by the antennas 1434, processed by the demodulators 1432, detected by a MIMO detector 1436 if applicable, and further processed by a receive processor. The receive processor 1438 may provide decoded data to a data output and to the processor 1480. In some embodiments, the processor 1480 may be implemented as part of a general processor, the transmitter processor 1464, and/or the receiver processor 1458.

In some embodiments, the processor 1480 is configured mobility management. For example, processor 1480 may be configured for mobility management, including set management. For such set management, some embodiments include intra-frequency and inter-frequency set management based on the value of bandwidth scaling factors N. The processor 1480 may be configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications systems 1400. A respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. Processor 1480 may be configured to determine multiple sets. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. Processor 1480 may be configured to associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

Turning to FIG. 15A, a flow diagram of a method 1500-a for mobility management for wireless communications systems in accordance with various embodiments. Method 1500-a may be implemented utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but not limited to: a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or device 600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of FIG. 7.

At block 1505, one or more cells of the wireless communication systems may be identified. At block 1510, a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. At block 1515, multiple sets may be determined Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. At block 1520, each respective identified cell may be associated with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

Some embodiments of method 1500-a include determining a candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may utilize at least a serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling factor. The candidate cell may be considered a best cell. One or more offsets may be utilized with respect to the one or more sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets. Power offsets may be utilized in some cases.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining multiple active sets, where each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Each respective active sets may be further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one active set that is associate with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining multiple virtual active sets, where each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an virtual active set. Some embodiments include determining at least one virtual active set that is associate with a multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, where each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the multiple sets may include determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, where each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor. Some embodiments include determining multiple bandwidth scaling factors, where each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with at least a monitored set of a candidate set. Some embodiments include determining at least monitored set or candidate set that is associated with multiple bandwidth scaling factors.

Identifying the one or more cells of the wireless communications systems may include determining a signal strength or measurement of each of the one or more identified cells. It may be determined whether the signal strength or the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determine signal strength threshold or a determined measurement threshold. Other information and statistics from the identified cells may also be utilized. Such information can be signal strength, channel power, relative channel power, error rates, error numbers, etc. Furthermore, the threshold may be modified by over the air messages. The thresholds may be mapped or modified with respect to the bandwidth. For example, take a system with one N=1 and one N=2 carries located at the same location and transmitting the same power spectral density (PSD). All other things being equal, to compare signal strengths of the two systems, the signal threshold for the ½ BW system could be scaled by 3 dB with respect to the N=1 system.

Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, where the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell from the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor. Determining the candidate cell from within the multiple sets may facilitate mobility between a normal flexible bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

Method 1500-a may be utilized with a wireless communications system that may includes multiple cells configured for simultaneous communication with a user equipment, where each cell utilizes at least a different carrier or a different bandwidth. In some embodiments, the wireless communications system includes multiple cells configured to connect with a user equipment, where each cell includes a plurality of carriers. In some embodiments, the wireless communications system includes a cell configured to utilize two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user equipment.

Turning to FIG. 15B, a flow diagram of a method 1500-b for mobility management for wireless communications systems in accordance with various embodiments. Method 1500-a may be implemented utilizing various wireless communications devices including, but not limited to: a user equipment 115 as seen in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 3, FIG. 12, FIG. 13, and/or FIG. 14; and/or device 600-a of FIG. 6A, device 600-b of FIG. 6B, and/or device 700 of FIG. 7. Method 1500-b may be an example of method 1500-a of FIG. 15A.

At block 1505-a, one or more cells of the wireless communications system may be identified. At block 1510-a, a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell may be identified. At block 1515-a, virtual, active, monitored, and/or detected sets may be determined. Each respective set may be associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors. At block 1520-a, each respective identified cell may be associated with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors. At block 1525, a candidate cell from within the multiple sets may be determined The candidate cell may be considered a best cell. One or more offsets may be utilized with respect to the one or more sets to determine the candidate cell from within the multiple sets.

The detailed description set forth above in connection with the appended drawings describes exemplary embodiments and does not represent the only embodiments that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “exemplary” used throughout this description means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration,” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other embodiments.” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described embodiments.

Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope and spirit of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations. Also, as used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items prefaced by “at least one of” indicates a disjunctive list such that, for example, a list of “at least one of A, B, or C” means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C).

Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another. A storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

The previous description of the disclosure is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Throughout this disclosure the term “example” or “exemplary” indicates an example or instance and does not imply or require any preference for the noted example. Thus, the disclosure is not to be limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A method of mobility management for a wireless communications system, the method comprising:

identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system;

identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell;

determining a plurality of sets, wherein each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and

associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets utilizes at least a serving cell ID, a center frequency, or a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

4. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

utilizing one or more offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

utilizing one or more power offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of sets comprises:

determining a plurality of active sets, wherein each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein each respective active set is further associated with at least a cell ID, a center carrier frequency, or a channel number.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with an active set.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining at least one active set that is associated with a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of sets comprises:

determining a plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with a virtual active set.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining at least one virtual active set that is associate with a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of sets comprises:

determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

14. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors, wherein each respective bandwidth scaling factor is associated with at least a monitored set or a candidate set.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining at least monitored set or candidate set that is associated with a plurality of bandwidth scaling factors.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the plurality of sets comprises

determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein identifying the one or more cells of the wireless communications system comprises:

determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and

determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the measurement includes at least a signal strength, a relative strength, a signal quality, or a measurement error statistic.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the determined measurement threshold is remapped with a bandwidth.

20. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.

21. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.

22. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

23. The method of claim 2, wherein determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first radio access technology and a system with a flexible bandwidth carrier.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications system includes a plurality of cells configured for simultaneous communication with a user equipment, wherein each cell utilizes at least a different carrier or a different bandwidth.

25. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications system includes a plurality of cells configured to connect with a user equipment, wherein each cell includes a plurality of carriers.

26. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless communications system includes a cell configured to utilize two different carrier frequencies simultaneously to communicate with a user equipment.

27. A wireless communications system configured for mobility management for wireless communications, the system comprising:

means for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system;

means for identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell;

means for determining a plurality of sets, wherein each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and

means for associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective bandwidth associated scaling factors.

28. The wireless communications system of claim 27, further comprising:

means for determining a candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

29. The wireless communications system of claim 28, further comprising:

means for utilizing one or more offsets with respect the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

30. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the means for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

means for determining a plurality of active sets, wherein each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

31. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the means for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

means for determining a plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

32. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the means for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

means for determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

33. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the means for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

means for determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective scaling factor.

34. The wireless communications system of claim 27, wherein the means for identifying the one or more cells comprises:

means for determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and

means for determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

35. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.

36. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.

37. The wireless communications system of claim 28, wherein the means for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

38. A computer program product for mobility management for a wireless communications system comprising:

a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising: code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system; code for identifying a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; code for creating a plurality of sets, wherein each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and code for associating each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated bandwidth scaling factors.

39. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for determining a candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

40. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium further comprising:

code for utilizing one or more offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

41. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

code for determining a plurality of active sets, wherein each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

42. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

code for determining a plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

43. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

code for determining one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

44. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for determining the plurality of sets comprises:

code for determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

45. The computer program product of claim 38, wherein the code for identifying one or more cells of the wireless communications system comprises:

code for determining a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and

code for determining that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

46. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.

47. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.

48. The computer program product of claim 39, wherein the code for determining the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.

49. A wireless communications device configured for mobility management for a wireless communications system, the device comprising:

at least one processor configured to: identify one or more cells of the wireless communications system; identify a respective bandwidth scaling factor associate with each respective identified cell; create a plurality of sets, wherein each respective set is associated with one of the respective bandwidth scaling factors; and associate each respective identified cell with one of the respective sets based on their respective associated scaling factors; and

at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor.

50. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to:

determine a candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

51. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to utilize one or more offsets with respect to the plurality of sets to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets.

52. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets is configured to:

determine a plurality of active sets, wherein each respective active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

53. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets is configured to:

determine a plurality of virtual active sets, wherein each respective virtual active set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

54. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets is configured to:

determine one or more monitored or candidate sets, wherein each respective monitored or candidate set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

55. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the plurality of sets is configured to:

determining one or more detected or neighbor sets, wherein each respective detected or neighbor set is associated with a respective bandwidth scaling factor.

56. The wireless communications device of claim 49, wherein the at least one processor configured to identify one or more cells of the wireless communications system is configured to:

determine a measurement of each of the one or more identified cells; and

determine that the measurement of each of the one or more identified cells exceeds a determined measurement threshold.

57. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize the same bandwidth scaling factor.

58. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a first flexible bandwidth carrier and a second bandwidth flexible bandwidth carrier, wherein the first flexible bandwidth carrier and the second bandwidth carrier utilize different bandwidth scaling factor.

59. The wireless communications device of claim 50, wherein the at least one processor configured to determine the candidate cell from within the plurality of sets facilitates mobility between a normal bandwidth carrier and a flexible bandwidth carrier.