Patent ID: 9107118
Filing Date: 2015-08-11
Classification: H04W

Abstract:
1. In a wireless communication system having an evolved nodeB (eNodeB), a method for enabling a wireless device to switch between carriers on a multi-carrier network, the method comprising: dynamically identifying a plurality of preconfigured groups of carrier frequencies for downlink communication with the wireless device; sending, to the wireless device, at least one information signal that specifies a first pre-configured group of carrier frequencies and an alternative, second pre-configured group of carrier frequencies from among the plurality of preconfigured groups of carrier frequencies identified; sending a request message to the wireless device to instruct the wireless device to communicate via the first pre-configured group of carrier frequencies during a first communication period; dynamically determining whether or not to trigger a switch from the first preconfigured group of carrier frequencies to the second preconfigured group of carrier frequencies, wherein triggering a switch from the first preconfigured group of carrier frequencies to the second preconfigured group of carrier frequencies occurs when one of the following occurs: (1) one or more carrier frequencies require designation to a common group of wireless devices, (2) the wireless device generates a request to listen to or operate on one or more particular carrier frequencies, (3) a particular carrier frequency provides the wireless device with less battery consumption, and (4) the second pre-configured group of carrier frequencies provides lower cost of service than the first pre-configured group of carrier frequencies; and in response to determining to trigger said switch, transmitting a switch message to request said wireless device to perform the switch.