Abstract:
Systems and methods are disclosed that relate to a wireless communication system. Theses systems and methods include providing information from a base station to a mobile device than enables the mobile device to use at least one DCI format. In some embodiments, this information is provided by receiving data over a wireless communication channel. The transmitted data comprises identification information that identifies the format of the transmitted data being transmitted. These systems and methods may also include identifying the format of the transmitted data and processing the transmitted data using the identified format of the transmitted data.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) AND CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/131,422, filed Jun. 9, 2008, entitled “DOWNLINK CONTROL INFORMATION FORMAT FOR MULTIPLE CODEWORD TRANSMISSION”. Provisional Patent No. 61/131,422 is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference into the present application as if fully set forth herein. The present application hereby claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent No. 61/131,422. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present application relates generally to wireless networks and, more specifically, to systems and methods for dynamically switching between data formats. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    In document R1-082254, “TS36.213 CR 19 Rev1 v8.2.0”, May 2008, a number of features were agreed upon regarding the transmission mode and DCI (downlink control information) for the 3GPP LTE system. Among other things, it was agreed that a mobile device shall receive Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) broadcast control transmissions, namely paging, Random Access CHannel (RACH) Response, and Broadcast Control CHannel (BCCH) associated with DCI formats 1A or 1C signaled by a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) in the common search spaces. Additionally, the mobile device is semi-statically configured via higher layer signaling to receive PDSCH data transmissions signaled via PDCCH mobile device specific search spaces based on one of the following transmission modes: 1) single-antenna port (port 0); 2) transmit diversity; 3) open-loop spatial-multiplexing; 4) closed-loop spatial multiplexing; 5) multi-user MIMO; 6) closed-loop rank=1 preceding; 7) single-antenna port (port 5). 
         [0004]    A mobile device or user equipment (UE) not configured to receive PDSCH data transmissions based on one of the transmission modes may receive PDSCH data transmissions with DCI format 1A signaled by a PDCCH in its mobile station specific search spaces or the common search spaces. 
         [0005]    A mobile device semi-statically configured with a transmission mode shall receive PDSCH data transmissions associated with a reference DCI format signaled by a PDCCH in its mobile device specific search spaces based on Table 1. In the case of transmission modes 1, 2, and 7, a UE shall receive PDSCH data transmissions associated with reference DCI formats 1 or 1A in its UE specific search spaces or DCI format 1A in the common search spaces. A UE with reference DCI format 1B or 2 also may also receive PDSCH data transmissions associated with DCI format 1A signaled by a PDCCH in its UE specific search spaces or the common search spaces. A UE shall be configured to use the PUCCH or PUSCH feedback mode corresponding to its reference DCI format. 
         [0006]    A table of the transmission mode that is supported by reference DCI formats is shown in Table 1 below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 1 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Reference DCI Format supported 
               
               
                 by transmission mode 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Transmission 
                 Reference DCI 
               
               
                 Mode 
                 Format 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 1 
                 1, 1A 
               
               
                 2 
                 1, 1A 
               
               
                 3 
                 2 
               
               
                 4 
                 2 
               
               
                 5 
                 TBD 
               
               
                 6 
                 1B 
               
               
                 7 
                 1, 1A 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0007]    Therefore, there is a need in the art for an improved data format switching between DCI formats. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that relates to a wireless communication system. This method includes providing information from a base station to a mobile device than enables the mobile device to use at least one DCI format. In some embodiments, this information is provided by receiving data over a wireless communication channel. The transmitted data comprises identification information that identifies the format of the transmitted data being transmitted. This method may also include identifying the format of the transmitted data and processing the transmitted data using the identified format of the transmitted data. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment, a system is disclosed that includes a receiver that obtains wireless information through a wireless communication channel. This system may also include a processor that obtains the wireless information from the receiver and interprets the wireless data format using identification information comprised within the wireless information. 
         [0010]    In yet another embodiment, a method for allowing a mobile device configured to communication using DCI format 2 to communication with a base station configured to communication using DCI format 1A is disclosed. In this embodiment, the method includes selecting data to be transmitted from the base station to the mobile device, embedding information into the data that indicates the type of format to be used by the mobile device and transmitting the data to the mobile device. 
         [0011]    Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term “or,” is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like; and the term “controller” means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation, such a device may be implemented in hardware, firmware or software, or some combination of at least two of the same. It should be noted that the functionality associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether locally or remotely. Definitions for certain words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document, those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like parts: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary wireless network that transmits messages in the uplink according to the principles of the present disclosure. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmit path. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) receive path. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  illustrates dynamic switching between DCI formats according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  illustrates the signaling of process identification (PID) and CodeWord (CW) number with an additional CW indicator according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  illustrates the signaling of PID and CW number with the additional cyclic redundancy check (CRC) mask selection according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  illustrates the signaling of PID and CW number with a subframe number and Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest (HARQ) according to an exemplary embodiment of the disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]      FIGS. 1 through 6 , discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system. 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  illustrates exemplary wireless network  100 , which transmits messages according to the principles of the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, wireless network  100  includes base station (BS)  101 , base station (BS)  102 , base station (BS)  103 , and other similar base stations (not shown). Base station  101  is in communication with base station  102  and base station  103 . Base station  101  is also in communication with Internet  130  or a similar IP-based network (not shown). 
         [0022]    Base station  102  provides wireless broadband access (via base station  101 ) to Internet  130  to a first plurality of mobile stations within coverage area  120  of base station  102 . The first plurality of mobile stations includes mobile station  111 , which may be located in a small business (SB), mobile station  112 , which may be located in an enterprise (E), mobile station  113 , which may be located in a WiFi hotspot (HS), mobile station  114 , which may be located in a first residence (R), mobile station  115 , which may be located in a second residence (R), and mobile station  116 , which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cell phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, or the like. 
         [0023]    Base station  103  provides wireless broadband access (via base station  101 ) to Internet  130  to a second plurality of mobile stations within coverage area  125  of base station  103 . The second plurality of mobile stations includes mobile station  115  and mobile station  116 . In an exemplary embodiment, base stations  101 - 103  may communicate with each other and with mobile stations  111 - 116  using OFDM or OFDMA techniques. 
         [0024]    Base station  101  may be in communication with either a greater number or a lesser number of base stations. Furthermore, while only six mobile stations are depicted in  FIG. 1 , it is understood that wireless network  100  may provide wireless broadband access to additional mobile stations. It is noted that mobile station  115  and mobile station  116  are located on the edges of both coverage area  120  and coverage area  125 . Mobile station  115  and mobile station  116  each communicate with both base station  102  and base station  103  and may be said to be operating in handoff mode, as known to those of skill in the art. 
         [0025]    Mobile stations  111 - 116  may access voice, data, video, video conferencing, and/or other broadband services via Internet  130 . In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of mobile stations  111 - 116  may be associated with an access point (AP) of a WiFi WLAN. Mobile station  116  may be any of a number of mobile devices, including a wireless-enabled laptop computer, personal data assistant, notebook, handheld device, or other wireless-enabled device. Mobile stations  114  and  115  may be, for example, a wireless-enabled personal computer (PC), a laptop computer, a gateway, or another device. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2A  is a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmit path.  FIG. 2B  is a high-level diagram of an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) receive path. In  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the OFDMA transmit path is implemented in base station (BS)  102  and the OFDMA receive path is implemented in mobile station (SS)  116  for the purposes of illustration and explanation only. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the OFDMA receive path may also be implemented in BS  102  and the OFDMA transmit path may be implemented in SS  116 . 
         [0027]    The transmit path in BS  102  comprises channel coding and modulation block  205 , serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block  210 , Size N Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) block  215 , parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block  220 , add cyclic prefix block  225 , up-converter (UC)  230 . The receive path in SS  116  comprises down-converter (DC)  255 , remove cyclic prefix block  260 , serial-to-parallel (S-to-P) block  265 , Size N Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) block  270 , parallel-to-serial (P-to-S) block  275 , channel decoding and demodulation block  280 . 
         [0028]    At least some of the components in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  may be implemented in software while other components may be implemented by configurable hardware or a mixture of software and configurable hardware. In particular, it is noted that the FFT blocks and the IFFT blocks described in this disclosure document may be implemented as configurable software algorithms, where the value of Size N may be modified according to the implementation. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, although this disclosure is directed to an embodiment that implements the Fast Fourier Transform and the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform, this is by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment of the disclosure, the Fast Fourier Transform functions and the Inverse Fast Fourier Transform functions may easily be replaced by Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) functions and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions, respectively. It will be appreciated that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of the N variable may be any integer number (i.e., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of the N variable may be any integer number that is a power of two (i.e., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). 
         [0030]      FIG. 2A  also shows controller  235 , and  FIG. 2B  also shows controller  285 . Controller  235  and  285  may be configured to control the various elements of  FIGS. 2A and 2B , as well as configured to carry out other instructions consistent with this disclosure. Controller  235  and  285  may be implemented as a controller, a controller with a memory, or any other component capable of performing the functions of a controller. 
         [0031]    In BS  102 , channel coding and modulation block  205  receives a set of information bits, applies coding (e.g., Turbo coding) and modulates (e.g., QPSK, QAM) the input bits to produce a sequence of frequency-domain modulation symbols. Serial-to-parallel block  210  converts (i.e., de-multiplexes) the serial modulated symbols to parallel data to produce N parallel symbol streams where N is the IFFT/FFT size used in BS  102  and SS  116 . Size N IFFT block  215  then performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to produce time-domain output signals. Parallel-to-serial block  220  converts (i.e., multiplexes) the parallel time-domain output symbols from Size N IFFT block  215  to produce a serial time-domain signal. Add cyclic prefix block  225  then inserts a cyclic prefix to the time-domain signal. Finally, up-converter  230  modulates (i.e., up-converts) the output of add cyclic prefix block  225  to RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal may also be filtered at baseband before conversion to RF frequency. 
         [0032]    The transmitted RF signal arrives at SS  116  after passing through the wireless channel and reverse operations to those at BS  102  are performed. Down-converter  255  down-converts the received signal to baseband frequency and remove cyclic prefix block  260  removes the cyclic prefix to produce the serial time-domain baseband signal. Serial-to-parallel block  265  converts the time-domain baseband signal to parallel time domain signals. Size N FFT block  270  then performs an FFT algorithm to produce N parallel frequency-domain signals. Parallel-to-serial block  275  converts the parallel frequency-domain signals to a sequence of modulated data symbols. Channel decoding and demodulation block  280  demodulates and then decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream. 
         [0033]    Each of base stations  101 - 103  may implement a transmit path that is analogous to transmitting in the downlink to mobile stations  111 - 116  and may implement a receive path that is analogous to receiving in the uplink from mobile stations  111 - 116 . Similarly, each one of mobile stations  111 - 116  may implement a transmit path corresponding to the architecture for transmitting in the uplink to base stations  101 - 103  and may implement a receive path corresponding to the architecture for receiving in the downlink from base stations  101 - 103 . 
         [0034]    Throughout this disclosure the phrases “mobile device”, “wireless device”, and “user equipment” are used. These terms are intended to encompass any device capable of transmitting and receiving wireless signals, and should not be construed as limited to either a “mobile” device or a device that is used by a “user”. These terms should be construed to include any device capable of transmitting or receiving data using DCI formats, including DCI formats 1a and 2. 
         [0035]    A plurality of transmission modes is contemplated that corresponds to a plurality of reference DCI formats. One problem with existing systems is that mobile devices are generally able to interpret and understand only a single DCI format. For example, a mobile device configured to use reference DCI format 2 would have difficulty communicating with a using DCI format 1A. In order to overcome this problem, this disclosure presents innovative systems and methods that allow for an additional bit to be added to DCI format 1A that provides information to another wireless device, such as a mobile device, that relates to the type of format being used. This additional information may be used when the mobile device is configured in either an open or closed loop spatial multiplexing transmission mode, and may be used to promote communications with an enhanced Node-B (eNB). 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows one embodiment of a 2-transmission (2TX) system  300  utilizing dynamic switching between DCI format 1A  302  and DCI format 2  304 . In layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  306  and CW 2  PID=1  308  are shown in DCI format 2  302 . Also in layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  314 , CW 2  PID=0  316 , CW 1  PID=1  318 , and CW 2  PID=1  320  are shown in DCI format 1A  304 . Layer  2  also shows CW 2  PID=0  310  and CW 1  PID=1  312  in DCI format 2  302 . 
         [0037]    The eNB may dynamically switch either from DCI format 2 to DCI format 1A, or from format 1A to format 2. It is possible to support  2  codewords (CW) (e.g., CW 2  PID=0  310  and CW 1  PID=1  312 ) in one subframe when eNB is using DCI format 2 as the downlink control format. If the mobile device reports a negative acknowledgement signal (NACK) on both CWs and if at the same time the eNB switches from format 2 to format 1A, then the format 1A should be able to identify these two CWs in re-transmission using CW 2  PID=0  316  and CW 1  PID=1  318 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0038]    For example, in a 2-TX system  2  CWs can be mapped to 2 layers. It is understood that the Hybrid Automatic Repeat ReQuest (HARQ) process ID (PID) has three bits in format 2 for frequency-division duplex (FDD), and the value of PID ranges from PID=0 to PID=7. In DCI format 2, it is possible for the mapping of two codewords to the two layers to be different, using the “HARQ swap bit” in DCI format 2. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3  for PID=0, the HARQ swap bit=0, and CW  1  is mapped to layer  1  while CW  2  is mapped to layer  2 ; for PID=1, the HARQ swap bit=1, and CW 1  is mapped to layer  2  while CW  2  is mapped to layer  1 . 
         [0039]    However, currently for DCI format 1A, there are only 3 HARQ bits, and therefore, it is not possible for an eNB to use DCI format 1A to properly indicate the CW number in the HARQ retransmission if the transmission uses DCI format 2. This limitation can be overcome through the disclosed systems and methods of this application. 
         [0040]    DCI format 1A is used for a compact transmission of download shared channel (DL-SCH) assignments for single input, multiple output (SIMO) operation. The information in Table 2 may transmit using DCI format 1A. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of information, and is intended to exemplary purposes. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 2 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Information transmitted using Format 1A 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Name of Information 
                 Bits of Information 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Flag for format 0/format 1A 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 differentiation 
               
               
                   
                 Distributed transmission flag 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Resource block assignment 
                 5 
               
               
                   
                 Modulation and coding scheme 
               
               
                   
                 HARQ process number 
                 3 bits (FDD), 4 bits 
               
               
                   
                   
                 (TDD) 
               
               
                   
                 New data indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                   
                 Redundancy version 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                 TPC command for PUCCH 
                 2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0041]    DCI format 2 is used for the transmission of DL-SCH assignments for MIMO operation. The information in Table 3 may transmit using DCI format 2. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of information, and is intended to exemplary purposes. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 3 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Information transmitted using Format 2 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Name of Information 
                 Bits of Information 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Resource allocation header (resource 
                 1 
               
               
                 allocation type 0/type 1) 
               
               
                 For resource allocation 
                 Type 0: 
               
               
                   
                 ┌N RB   DL /P┐ 
               
               
                   
                 Type 1: 
               
               
                   
                 ┌log 2  (P)┐ 
               
               
                 Resource allocation (One addition bit 
                 (┌N RB   DL /P┐ − ┌log 2  (P)┐− 1) 
               
               
                 may be used to show presence of shift) 
               
               
                 TPC command for PUCCH 
                 2 
               
               
                 HARQ process number 
                 3 bits (FDD), 
               
               
                   
                 4 bits (TDD) 
               
               
                 HARQ swap flag 
                 1 
               
               
                 CW 1: Modulation and coding scheme 
                 5 
               
               
                 CW 1: New data indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 CW 1: Redundancy version 
                 2 
               
               
                 CW 2: Modulation and coding scheme 
                 3 
               
               
                 CW 2: New data indicator 
                 1 
               
               
                 CW 2: Redundancy version 
                 2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0042]    In addition, the current MCS table for long-term evolution (LTE) systems is shown below in Table 4. The mobile device may use I MCS  and Table 4 to determine the modulation order (Q m ) used in the physical downlink shared channel. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 4 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Modulation and TBS index table for PDSCH. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 MCS 
                   
                 TBS 
               
               
                 Index□ 
                 Modulation 
                 Index□ 
               
               
                 I MCS   
                 Order□ Q   m   
                 I TBS   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 2 
                 1 
               
               
                 2 
                 2 
                 2 
               
               
                 3 
                 2 
                 3 
               
               
                 4 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 5 
                 2 
                 5 
               
               
                 6 
                 2 
                 6 
               
               
                 7 
                 2 
                 7 
               
               
                 8 
                 2 
                 8 
               
               
                 9 
                 2 
                 9 
               
               
                 10 
                 4 
                 9 
               
               
                 11 
                 4 
                 10 
               
               
                 12 
                 4 
                 11 
               
               
                 13 
                 4 
                 12 
               
               
                 14 
                 4 
                 13 
               
               
                 15 
                 4 
                 14 
               
               
                 16 
                 4 
                 15 
               
               
                 17 
                 6 
                 15 
               
               
                 18 
                 6 
                 16 
               
               
                 19 
                 6 
                 17 
               
               
                 20 
                 6 
                 18 
               
               
                 21 
                 6 
                 19 
               
               
                 22 
                 6 
                 20 
               
               
                 23 
                 6 
                 21 
               
               
                 24 
                 6 
                 22 
               
               
                 25 
                 6 
                 23 
               
               
                 26 
                 6 
                 24 
               
               
                 27 
                 6 
                 25 
               
               
                 28 
                 6 
                 26 
               
               
                 29 
                 2 
                 Reserved 
               
               
                 30 
                 4 
               
               
                 31 
                 6 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0043]    In one embodiment of the disclosure, an additional field is inserted into the DCI format 1A with size of 1 bit which can be referred to as either a CW indicator Flag (CWF) or a HARQ swap flag. This may be applicable if format 1A is used by an eNB to communicate to a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. 
         [0044]    Table 5 illustrates one method of setting the control signaling for the proposed format 1A to properly indicate the PIDs and CWs. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 5 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Mapping HARQ field and CW indicator flag to 
               
               
                 HARQ process ID and CW ID. FDD assumed. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                   
                 CW 
                   
               
               
                   
                 HARQ 
                 indicator 
               
               
                   
                 field 
                 flag 
                 HARQ process 
               
               
                   
                 (3 bits) 
                 (1 bit) 
                 ID and CW ID 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 000 
                 0 
                 PID = 0, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 001 
                 0 
                 PID = 1, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 010 
                 0 
                 PID = 2, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 011 
                 0 
                 PID = 3, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 0 
                 PID = 4, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 0 
                 PID = 5, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 0 
                 PID = 6, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 0 
                 PID = 7, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 000 
                 1 
                 PID = 0, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 001 
                 1 
                 PID = 1, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 010 
                 1 
                 PID = 2, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 011 
                 1 
                 PID = 3, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 1 
                 PID = 4, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 1 
                 PID = 5, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 1 
                 PID = 6, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 1 
                 PID = 7, CW2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0045]    Using the additional CW Flag bit and the mapping in the above table, it is possible to resolve the signaling issue identified in the example of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 4  shows how this additional bit/field is used to indicate the combinations of PID and CW numbers, when the eNB switches from DCI format 2 to DCI format 1A. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  illustrates a signaling  400  of PID and CW numbers with the additional CW indicator flag and HARQ field in format 1A.  FIG. 4  shows DCI format 2  402  and DCI format 1A  404 . In layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  406  and CW 2  PID=1  408  are shown in DCI format 2  402 . Also in layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  414 , CW 2  PID=0  416 , and CW 1  PID=1  418 , and CW 2  PID=1  420  are shown in DCI format 1A  404 . Layer  2  has CW 2  PID=0  410  and CW 1  PID=1  412  DCI format 2  402 . 
         [0047]    Adding an addition flag is useful in some methods, but it is understood that it is also possible to extend the existing HARQ field in DCI format 1A to achieve the same purpose. In this embodiment, the new extended HARQ field will have 4 bits for FDD and 5 bits for time division duplex (TDD). In Table 6 below, the mapping between the new HARQ field and the HARQ process ID as well as CW ID is shown. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Mapping extended HARQ field to HARQ process ID 
               
               
                 and CW ID. FDD assumed. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Extended HARQ 
                 HARQ process ID 
               
               
                 field (4 bits) 
                 and CW ID 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 0000 
                 PID = 0, CW1 
               
               
                 0001 
                 PID = 1, CW1 
               
               
                 0010 
                 PID = 2, CW1 
               
               
                 0011 
                 PID = 3, CW1 
               
               
                 0100 
                 PID = 4, CW1 
               
               
                 0101 
                 PID = 5, CW1 
               
               
                 0110 
                 PID = 6, CW1 
               
               
                 0111 
                 PID = 7, CW1 
               
               
                 1000 
                 PID = 0, CW2 
               
               
                 1001 
                 PID = 1, CW2 
               
               
                 1010 
                 PID = 2, CW2 
               
               
                 1011 
                 PID = 3, CW2 
               
               
                 1100 
                 PID = 4, CW2 
               
               
                 1101 
                 PID = 5, CW2 
               
               
                 1110 
                 PID = 6, CW2 
               
               
                 1111 
                 PID = 7, CW2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0048]    In yet another embodiment, a combination of the existing HARQ field in format 1A with different CRC masks to indicate the HARQ process ID as well as the choice of CW 1  or CW 2  may be used. This embodiment may be particularly advantageous when DCI format 1A is used by an eNB to communicate with a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. 
         [0049]    In some embodiments, error detection is provided on DCI transmissions through a Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). The entire PDCCH payload is used to calculate the CRC parity bits. The bits of the PDCCH payload are denoted by: a 0 , a 1 , a 2 , a 3 , . . . , a A-1 , and the parity bits are denoted by: p 0 , p 1 , p 2 , p 3 , . . . , p L-1 . A is the PDCCH payload size, and L is the number of parity bits. 
         [0050]    The parity bits are computed and attached according to subclause 5.1.1 of 3GPP TS 36.212, v 8.2.0, March 2008. Setting L to 16 bits results in the sequence b 0 , b 1 , b 2 , b 3 , . . . , b B-1 , where B=A+L. 
         [0051]    Other than the case for format 1A being used for a mobile device configured in open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing mode, after attachment, the CRC parity bits are scrambled with the mobile device identity x ue,0 , x ue,1 , . . . , x ue,15  to form the sequence of bits c 0 , c 1 , c 2 , c 3 , . . . , c B-1 . The relation between c k  and b k  is: 
         [0052]    c k =b k , for k=0, 1, 2, . . . , A−1, and 
         [0053]    c k =(b k +x ue,k-A )mod  2 , for k=A, A+1, A+2, . . . , A+15. 
         [0054]    Table 6 illustrates one codeword selection mask for use by CW 1  and CW 2 . This mask is intended to be exemplary only, as any mask may be used so long as the mask is understood by both the sender and receiver of the CW. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 6 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Codeword selection mask 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Codeword 
                   
               
               
                 Selection 
                 Codeword selection mask□ x   CW,0 ,x CW,1 , . . . ,x CW,15   
               
               
                   
               
               
                 CW1 
                 mask 1: &lt;0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 
               
               
                   
                 0, 0, 0, 0, 0&gt; 
               
               
                 CW2 
                 mask 2: &lt;0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 
               
               
                   
                 0, 0, 0, 0, 1&gt; 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0055]    Table 7 illustrates how the control signaling should be set in the proposed format 1A to properly indicate the PIDs and CWs, using the combination of HARQ field and CW selection CRC mask. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 7 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Mapping HARQ field and CW selection CRC 
               
               
                 Mask to HARQ process ID and CW ID. FDD assumed. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 CW 
                   
               
               
                 HARQ 
                 selection 
               
               
                 field 
                 CRC 
                 HARQ process 
               
               
                 (3 bits) 
                 mask 
                 ID and CW ID 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 000 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 0, CW1 
               
               
                 001 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 1, CW1 
               
               
                 010 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 2, CW1 
               
               
                 011 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 3, CW1 
               
               
                 100 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 4, CW1 
               
               
                 101 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 5, CW1 
               
               
                 110 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 6, CW1 
               
               
                 111 
                 mask 1 
                 PID = 7, CW1 
               
               
                 000 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 0, CW2 
               
               
                 001 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 1, CW2 
               
               
                 010 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 2, CW2 
               
               
                 011 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 3, CW2 
               
               
                 100 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 4, CW2 
               
               
                 101 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 5, CW2 
               
               
                 110 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 6, CW2 
               
               
                 111 
                 mask 2 
                 PID = 7, CW2 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0056]    Using this CRC mask to CW number mapping in the above table 7,  FIG. 5  illustrates an example 500 of how this additional CRC masking selection is used to indicate the combinations of PID and CW numbers when an eNB switches from format 2 to format 1A. 
         [0057]      FIG. 5  shows DCI format 2  502  and DCI format 1A  504 . In layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  506  and CW 2  PID=1  508  are shown in DCI format 2  502 . Also in layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  514 , CW 2  PID=0  516 , CW 1  PID=1  518 , and CW 2  PID=1  520  are shown in DCI format 1A  504 . Layer  2  has CW 2  PID=0  510  and CW 1  PID=1  512  in DCI format 2  502 . 
         [0058]    In another embodiment of the disclosure, the combination of an existing HARQ field in format 1A and a restriction on subframe number to indicate the HARQ process ID as well as the choice of CW 1  or CW 2  is shown. This embodiment may be used when format 1A is used by an eNB to communicate with a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. Here the restriction on subframe number means that one subset of subframe numbers is used to indicate CW 1 , while the other subset of subframe numbers is used to indicate CW 2 . 
         [0059]    One example of indicating CW choice by restriction on subframe number is referred to as Method A: 
         [0060]    Step 1—If mod(N sub ,2)=0 (i.e., if subframe number is even), then CW  1  is indicated. 
         [0061]    Step 2—If mod(N sub ,2)=1 (i.e., if subframe number is odd), then CW  2  is indicated. 
         [0062]    Another example of indicating CW choice by restriction on subframe number is referred to as Method B: 
         [0063]    Step 1—If mod(N sub ,2)=0 (i.e., if subframe number is even), then CW  2  is indicated. 
         [0064]    Step 2—If mod(N sub ,2)=1 (i.e., if subframe number is odd), then CW  1  is indicated. 
         [0065]    Table 8 below is an illustration of how control signaling should be set for in the proposed format 1A to properly indicate the PIDs and CWs using the combination of HARQ field and subframe number restriction. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 8 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Mapping HARQ field and subframe number to HARQ 
               
               
                 process ID and CW ID. FDD and method A assumed. 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 HARQ 
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Field 
                 Subframe 
                 HARQ Process 
               
               
                   
                 (3 bits) 
                 Number 
                 ID &amp; CW ID 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 000 
                 even 
                 PID = 0, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 001 
                 even 
                 PID = 1, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 010 
                 even 
                 PID = 2, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 011 
                 even 
                 PID = 3, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 even 
                 PID = 4, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 even 
                 PID = 5, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 even 
                 PID = 6, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 even 
                 PID = 7, CW1 
               
               
                   
                 000 
                 odd 
                 PID = 0, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 001 
                 odd 
                 PID = 1, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 010 
                 odd 
                 PID = 2, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 011 
                 odd 
                 PID = 3, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 odd 
                 PID = 4, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 101 
                 odd 
                 PID = 5, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 odd 
                 PID = 6, CW2 
               
               
                   
                 111 
                 odd 
                 PID = 7, CW2 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0066]    Using this subframe number to CW number mapping in the above table,  FIG. 6  shows an example of how the HARQ field and subframe number restriction are used to indicate the combinations of PID and CW numbers when an eNB switches from format 2 to format 1A. 
         [0067]      FIG. 6  shows a signaling  600  of PID and CW numbers with the subframe number and HARQ field in format 1A.  FIG. 6  shows DCI format 2  602  and DCI format 1A  604 . In layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  606  and CW 2  PID=1  608  are shown in DCI format 2  602 . Also in layer  1 , CW 1  PID=0  614 , CW 2  PID=0  616 , CW 1  PID=1  618 , and CW 2  PID=1  620  are shown in DCI format 1A  604 . Layer  2  has CW 2  PID=0  610  and CW 1  PID=1  612  in DCI format 2  602 . 
         [0068]    In another embodiment of the disclosure, the combination of existing HARQ field in format 1A and a restriction on the first Resource Block (RB) index or the first RB group (RBG) index, in order to indicate the HARQ process ID as well as the choice of CW 1  or CW 2 , if format 1A is used by eNB to communicate with a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. In this embodiment, each RBG can contain several RBs. 
         [0069]    One example of indicating CW choice by restriction on the first RB (or RBG) index N RB  is referred to as Method C and shown below: 
         [0070]    Step 1—If mod(N RB ,2)=0 (i.e., if first RB or RBG index is even), then CW  1  is indicated. 
         [0071]    Step 2—If mod(N RB ,2)=1 (i.e., if first RB or RBG index is odd), then CW  2  is indicated. 
         [0072]    Another example of indicating CW choice by restriction on the first RB (or RBG) index N RB  is referred to as Method D and shown below: 
         [0073]    Step 1—If mod(N RB ,2)=0 (i.e., if first RB or RBG index is even), then CW  2  is indicated. 
         [0074]    Step 2—If mod(N sub ,2)=1 (i.e., if first RB or RBG index is odd), then CW  1  is indicated. 
         [0075]    In another embodiment of the disclosure, the use of a NDI (new data indicator) and MCS (modulation and coding scheme) fields in format 1A to jointly indicate the choice of CW 1  or CW 2 , if format 1A is used by an eNB to communicate with a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. The HARQ process number is still conveyed by the existing HARQ field in format 1A. 
         [0076]    One example of this joint indication is given by a subset of up to three MCS entries to indicate CW 1  retransmission with QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM, and the other subset of up to three MCS entries to indicate CW 2  retransmission with QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM. Meanwhile, all other MCSs are set as “reserved” in the case of NDI=0. For example, in Table 9 below, an example where MCS=29, 30, 31 is used to indicate CW 1  retransmission with QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM, respectively, is shown. In addition, Table 9 also shows where MCS=26, 27, 28 is used to indicate CW 2  retransmission with QPSK, 16QAM and 64QAM, respectively. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 9 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Indication of CW number by joint NDI and 
               
               
                 MCS signaling. NDI = 0. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 MCS level 
                 CW number and Modulation 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 26 
                 CW2, QPSK retransmission 
               
               
                 27 
                 CW2, 16QAM retransmission 
               
               
                 28 
                 CW2, 64QAM retransmission 
               
               
                 29 
                 CW1, QPSK retransmission 
               
               
                 30 
                 CW1, 16QAM retransmission 
               
               
                 31 
                 CW1, 64QAM retransmission 
               
               
                 other 
                 reserved 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0077]    It is also understood that when ND 1 =1 (initial transmission), one subset of MCS entries can be used to indicate CW 1 , and the other subset of MCS entries can be used to indicate CW 2 . For example, in Table 10 below, an example is shown where even MCS values are used to indicate CW 1  initial transmission and odd MCS values are used to indicate CW 2  initial transmission. 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 10 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                 Indication of CW number by joint NDI 
               
               
                 and MCS signaling. NDI = 1. 
               
             
          
           
               
                 MCS 
                   
                   
                 TBS 
               
               
                 Index□ 
                   
                 Modulation 
                 Index□ 
               
               
                 
                   I 
                   MCS 
                 
                 CW number 
                 Order□ Q   m   
                 I TBS   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 0 
                 CW1 
                 2 
                 0 
               
               
                 1 
                 CW2 
                 2 
                 1 
               
               
                 2 
                 CW1 
                 2 
                 2 
               
               
                 3 
                 CW2 
                 2 
                 3 
               
               
                 4 
                 CW1 
                 2 
                 4 
               
               
                 5 
                 CW2 
                 2 
                 5 
               
               
                 6 
                 CW1 
                 2 
                 6 
               
               
                 7 
                 CW2 
                 2 
                 7 
               
               
                 8 
                 CW1 
                 2 
                 8 
               
               
                 9 
                 CW2 
                 2 
                 9 
               
               
                 10 
                 CW1 
                 4 
                 9 
               
               
                 11 
                 CW2 
                 4 
                 10 
               
               
                 12 
                 CW1 
                 4 
                 11 
               
               
                 13 
                 CW2 
                 4 
                 12 
               
               
                 14 
                 CW1 
                 4 
                 13 
               
               
                 15 
                 CW2 
                 4 
                 14 
               
               
                 16 
                 CW1 
                 4 
                 15 
               
               
                 17 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 15 
               
               
                 18 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 16 
               
               
                 19 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 17 
               
               
                 20 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 18 
               
               
                 21 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 19 
               
               
                 22 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 20 
               
               
                 23 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 21 
               
               
                 24 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 22 
               
               
                 25 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 23 
               
               
                 26 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 24 
               
               
                 27 
                 CW2 
                 6 
                 25 
               
               
                 28 
                 CW1 
                 6 
                 26 
               
               
                 29 
                 reserved 
                 2 
                 reserved 
               
               
                 30 
                 reserved 
                 4 
                 reserved 
               
               
                 31 
                 reserved 
                 6 
                 reserved 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0078]    In another embodiment, a restriction on the RV field in format 1A to indicate the choice of CW 1  or CW 2  may be used when the eNB communicates with a mobile device that is currently configured in either open-loop or closed-loop spatial multiplexing transmission modes and configured to use reference DCI format 2. That is, one subset of RV values indicates CW 1  while the other subset of RV values indicates CW 2 . The HARQ process number is still conveyed by the existing HARQ field in format 1A. 
         [0079]    One example of such an RV subset restriction is that (RV values belong to the overall set {0, 1, 2, 3}): 1) if RV=0 or RV=2, then CW 1  is indicated; and 2) if RV=1 or RV=3, then CW 2  is indicated. 
         [0080]    Although the present disclosure has been described with an exemplary embodiment, various changes and modifications may be suggested to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the present disclosure encompass such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.