Methods of transmitting and receiving additional SIB1-NB subframes in a NB-IoT network

A method performed by a network node comprises transmitting a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits obtained by reading from a circular buffer. The transmission is transmitted in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4 of a plurality of radio frames. The method further comprises transmitting an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits obtained by continuing reading from the circular buffer. The additional transmission is transmitted in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure relate, in general, to wireless communications, and more particularly to methods of transmitting and receiving additional System Information Block Type 1-Narrowband (SIB1-NB) subframes in a Narrowband Internet-of-Things Network.

BACKGROUND

Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) is a narrowband system introduced in 2016 by the third generation partnership project (3GPP) for a cellular internet of things. The system provides access to network services using a physical layer optimized for very low device power consumption. Additionally, the system is designed to achieve deployment flexibility, only requiring a system bandwidth of 180 kHz, and robust coverage, supporting up to 164 dB coupling loss. The system coexists well with long term evolution (LTE) systems. For example, the system can be deployed inside an LTE carrier using one of the LTE Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), or it can be deployed in the LTE guard band. Thanks to its fairly small system bandwidth, it can also be deployed using refarmed GSM spectrum.FIG.1gives an illustration for the three NB-IoT operation modes.

It is envisioned that each cell (˜1 km2) in this system will serve tens of thousands (˜50,000) of devices such as sensors, meters, actuators, and the like.

Since its introduction in 2016, many further enhancements have been introduced to NB-IoT. Currently, 3GPP is working on improving the system acquisition performance. One of the steps of system acquisition is for a device to acquire NB-IoT system information type 1 (SIB1-NB). SIB1-NB carries information such as the scheduling information for other system information blocks, SIB2-NB, SIB3-NB, SIB4-NB, SIB5-NB, SIB14-NB, and SIB16-NB. With such information, the device knows how to acquire these additional system information blocks.

SIB1-NB can be repeated up to 16 times, and in that case a SIB1-NB codeword is transmitted in 8 subframes and each of these subframes is transmitted in the subframe #4of every other frame. A radio frame has 10 subframes. An illustration is given inFIG.2. Here, only 2 of the 16 repetitions are shown. Let N be the length of SIB1-NB codeword. A SIB1-NB codeword is scrambled based a scrambling sequence of length N. Let w(n) and c(n) be the nth coded bit and nth element of the scrambling sequence, respectively. The nth scrambled coded bit is therefore:
w′(n)=w(n)+c(n),n=0, 1,. . . , N−1.

Here the summation is a modulo-2 sum. The scrambling sequence is re-initialized at the start of each repetition.

SUMMARY

There currently exist certain challenge(s). It has been found that, in certain deployment scenarios, a device in bad coverage may experience long system acquisition time. In release 15, 3GPP has decided to use additional subframes for SIB1-NB transmissions. It has been agreed that subframe #3in the same frame where legacy SIB1-NB is transmitted may be used as additional SIB1-NB subframes.

One important issue is how to generate the coded bits and scrambling sequences for the additional SIB1-NB subframes. A desirable design shall satisfy the following criteria:It should be backward compatible.It should achieve a good processing gain for suppressing inter-cell interference. To achieve this, it is desirable that the scrambling sequence used in the additional SIB1-NB subframes (i.e., subframe #3) are different from the legacy SIB1-NB subframes (i.e., subframe #4).It should not increase storage requirement significantly.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. There are, proposed herein, various embodiments which address one or more of the issues disclosed herein. For example, the embodiments include:(1) Determining the number of additional SIB1-NB subframes based on the transport block sizes of SIB1-NB.(2) A method of generating the coded bits that will be transmitted in the additional SIB1-NB subframes.(3) A method of generating the scrambling sequences that will be used to scramble the coded bits to be transmitted in the additional SIB1-NB subframes.

According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a network node comprises transmitting a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits obtained by reading from a circular buffer. The transmission is transmitted in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The method further comprises transmitting an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits obtained by continuing reading from the circular buffer. The additional transmission is transmitted in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4.

According to certain embodiments, a base station comprises power supply circuitry and processing circuitry. The power supply circuitry is configured to supply power to the network node. The processing circuitry is configured to transmit a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits obtained by reading from a circular buffer. The transmission is transmitted in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The processing circuitry is further configured to transmit an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits obtained by continuing reading from the circular buffer. The additional transmission is transmitted in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4.

According to certain embodiments, a computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a network node, cause the network node to transmit a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits obtained by reading from a circular buffer. The transmission is transmitted in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The instructions, when executed by the network node, further cause the network node to transmit an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits obtained by continuing reading from the circular buffer. The additional transmission is transmitted in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4.

The above-described method, base station, and computer program may include one or more additional features, such as any one or more of the following:

In some embodiments, the second set of subframes correspond to subframes #3.

In some embodiments, sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes are configured and the second set of subframes are configured based on having configured the sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes.

In some embodiments, the first set of subframes comprises eight subframes transmitted in every other subframe #4.

In some embodiments, sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes are transmitted.

In some embodiments, a starting index for reading from the circular buffer is obtained using a modulo function based on a number of coded bits that can be mapped to the system information and the size of the circular buffer.

In some embodiments, the system information comprises SIB1-NB information.

According to certain embodiments, a method performed by a wireless device comprises receiving a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits received in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The method further comprises receiving an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits. The additional transmission is received in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4. The additional coded bits are associated with starting indexes continuing from starting indexes associated with the coded bits.

According to certain embodiments, a wireless device comprises power supply circuitry and processing circuitry. The power supply circuitry is configured to supply power to the wireless device. The processing circuitry is configured to receive a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits received in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The processing circuitry is further configured to receive an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits. The additional transmission is received in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4. The additional coded bits are associated with starting indexes continuing from starting indexes associated with the coded bits.

According to certain embodiments, a computer program product comprises instructions which, when executed by a wireless device, cause the wireless device to receive a transmission of system information. The transmission comprises coded bits received in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. The instructions, when executed by a wireless device, further cause the wireless device to receive an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits. The additional transmission is received in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4. The additional coded bits are associated with starting indexes continuing from starting indexes associated with the coded bits.

The above-described method, wireless device, and computer program may include one or more additional features, such as any one or more of the following:

In some embodiments, the second set of subframes correspond to subframes #3.

In some embodiments, the first set of subframes comprises eight subframes received in every other subframe #4.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the system information is received in one or more repetitions of the first set of subframes.

In some embodiments, the coded bits are stored in a circular buffer according to the starting indexes associated with the coded bits and the additional coded bits are stored in the circular buffer according to the starting indexes that continue from the starting indexes associated with the coded bits.

In some embodiments, a first starting index is obtained using a modulo function based on a number of coded bits that can be mapped to the system information and the size of the circular buffer.

In some embodiments, the system information comprises SIB1-NB information.

According to certain embodiments, the usage of the uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS) and downlink pilot time slot (DwPTS) fields are carried on the special subframes for NB-IoT transmissions in time division duplex (TDD) mode. For downlink (DL), the re-mapping over the DwPTS fields of some of the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols are carried in the DL subframe preceding the special subframe. For uplink (UL), the pre-mapping over the UpPTS fields of some of the OFDM symbols are carried in the UL subframe to be transmitted right after the special subframe.

Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). Embodiments of the present disclosure satisfy the aforementioned criteria.It is backward compatible.It achieves a good processing gain for suppressing inter-cell interference. To achieve this, it is desirable that the scrambling sequence used in the additional SIB1-NB subframes (i.e., subframe #3) are different from the legacy SIB1-NB subframes (i.e., subframe #4).It does not increase storage requirement significantly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Number of Additional SIB1-NB Subframes

Each SIB1-NB codeword is transmitted in 8 SIB1-NB subframes and can be configured for up to 16 repetitions in a transmission interval of 256 frames. Notice that it only makes sense to configure additional SIB1-NB repetitions if the use of 16 is not enough. When it is configured for 16 repetitions, every other subframe #4is used for SIB1-NB transmissions, as shown inFIG.2. If subframe #3is additionally used for SIB1-NB transmissions, three options may be considered.Option 1: use every other subframe #3Option 2: use every 4th subframe #3Option 3: use every 8th subframe #3

Option 3, using every 8th subframe #3, is expected to improve the performance by approximately 10 log 10(20/16)=1 dB. This improvement may be too small for certain applications. Options 1 and 2 improve the performance by 3 or 1.8 dB, respectively, at the cost of 5% and 2.5% overhead on an NB-IoT anchor carrier.

There are four different transport block sizes (TBSs) that are supported for SIB1-NB, i.e., 208, 328, 440 and 680. When the TBS is small, the coding gain is relatively larger, therefore we can configure a small amount of repetitions. When the TBS is larger, more repetitions are foreseeable to be more useful. For example, for TBS 208 and 328, option 2 can be used, and for TBS 440 and 680, option 1 can be used.

Coded Bits-to-Subframe Allocation of Additional SIB1-NB Transmission

The tail-biting convolutional code (TBCC) coded bits are generated by reading from the virtual buffer. Let E be the length of the SIB1-NB codeword, Following the rate matching operation of subclause 5.1.4.2.2 in 3GPP Technical Specification 36.212, the TBCC codeword for SIB1-NB w4=(c0, c1, . . . , cE−1) can be obtained. Here, we use subscript ‘4’ to denote that codeword w4is mapped to subframes #4used for legacy SIB1-NB transmissions. When SIB1-NB is configured for 16 repetitions, the codeword w4is transmitted in 16 frames, as shown inFIG.2. Assume K is the number of subframe #3used for additional SIB1-NB transmissions in a 16 frame interval. The number of coded bits that can be fit into these additional subframes is

E′=EK8.
Note that if every other subframe #3is used for SIB1-NB, K=8, and therefore E′=E. The present disclosure proposes that the coded bits that are mapped to subframe #3used for additional SIB1-NB transmissions are generated by continuing reading from the virtual circular buffer, w=(w4,w3)=(c0, c1, . . . , cE−1, cE, cE+1, . . . , cE+E′−1). The codeword w can be thought of as an extended SIB1-NB codeword expected by a Release 15 user equipment (UE). It consists of a first part, the original Release 14 SIB1-NB codeword expected by a Release 13 or Release 14 UE, and a second part, codeword extension mapped to additional Release 15 SIB1-NB subframes. Mapping of these additional coded bits to resource elements in subframe #3used for SIB1-NB transmission follows the exact same method of mapping SIB1-NB coded bits to subframe #4used for SIB1-NB transmissions. An illustration is provided inFIG.3(illustration of mapping the Rel-15 extended codeword to SIB1-NB subframes). For each SIB1-NB subframe, the coded bits can be obtained by using a proper starting index for reading out the virtual circular buffer.

Given a TBS=S, the size of the virtual circular buffer is 3S. Here the factor 3 is due to the use of a rate-1/3 TBC as the mother code.

The starting index for reading out the virtual circular buffer for obtaining the coded bits for the ithlegacy SIB1-NB subframe (i.e., transmitted in subframe #4), i=0, 1, . . . , 7, is mod(iN, 3S), where N is the number coded bits that can be mapped to one SIB1-NB subframe.

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure use the same virtual circular buffer as was employed for generating the coded bits for legacy SIB1-NB subframes in order to generate the coded bits for the additional SIB1-NB subframes. Thus, there is no increase in the virtual circular buffer size. The starting index for reading out the virtual circular buffer for obtaining the coded bits for the ithadditional SIB1-NB subframe (i.e., transmitted in subframe #3), i=0, 1, . . . , L, is mod(iN+8N, 3S), where L is 8 for option 1 and 4 for option 2.

The examples above have described the operation at the transmitter. At the receiver, a virtual circular buffer is used to store the received soft values. In this case, the virtual circular buffer is a decoder soft buffer, which is initialized to all zero values at the start of SIB1-NB reception. Each received soft value is then added to the correctly addressed decoder soft buffer position. The starting indexes described earlier are then the starting indexes for adding the received soft values of each SIB1-NB subframe to the circular decoder soft buffer.

Generation of Scrambling Mask

According to 3GPP Technical Specification 36.211, the scrambling sequence generator for generating the scrambling mask for SIB1-NB subframes shall be reinitialized according to the expression below for each repetition.
cinit=nRNTI·215+(NIDNcell+1)((nfmod 61)+1),  Eq. (1)
where

nRNTIRadio network temporary identifier

NIDcellPhysical layer cell identity

The LTE scrambling sequence is based on the Gold sequence, which is generated using two m-sequence generators. Upon re-initialization of the scrambling sequence, the first m-sequence is initialized with x1(0)=1, x1(n)=0, n=1, 2, . . . , 30. The initialization of the second m-sequence is denoted by cinit=Σi=030x2(i)·2iwith the value determined based on Eq. (1).

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure use the same reinitialization scheme based on the Release 13 and Release 14 specifications. However, the scrambling sequence is extended to cover the additional encoded bits. An illustration is shown inFIG.4(illustration of SIB1-NB scrambling sequence re-initialization and generation). One option uses every other subframe #3. The scrambling sequence generator is re-initialized according to (1) at the first subframe of a SIB1-NB repetition according to the Release 14 scheme. After the re-initialization, the scrambling sequence is generated in serial-fashion to mask the Release 14 SIB1-NB codeword. Afterwards, an extended scrambling sequence is generated to mask the extended part of the extended codeword. However, it is not desirable for the evolved node B (eNB, base station) or UE to need to store the entire scrambling mask. It is highly desirable that the scrambling sequence can be generated on-the-fly. To achieve this, certain embodiments of the present disclosure generate the scrambling sequence for each one of the additional SIB1-NB subframe with 2560 shifts relative to the scrambling sequence used in the legacy SIB1-NB subframe in the same frame. An illustration is given inFIG.4, where N is the number of SIB1-NB coded bits carried in a SIB1-NB subframe. The offset of the start of scrambling sequence for each of the SIB1-NB subframe is relative to the first element of the scrambling sequence generated after the re-initialization of the scrambling sequence generator. The value 2560 is chosen as the number of coded bits in a SIB1-NB subframe can be at most 320 bits and thus the maximum length of the legacy SIB1-NB codeword is 320*8=2560 bits. A fixed offset value that works for all configurations is desirable for simplifying the determination of the starting state of the scrambling sequence generator in each subframe. To this end, we use a well-known m-sequence generator property; let x(i) be the m-sequence generator state at time i, x(i)=(x(i), x(i+1), . . . , x(i+30))T, the evolution of the sequence generator state can be described by
x(i+1)=Mx(i),

where matrix M is determined by the sequence generator polynomial. Thus,
x(k)=Mkx(0).  Eq. (2)

According subclause 7.2 in 3GPP TS36.211, the nth element of the scrambling sequence after reinitialization is
c(n)=g(n+1600),  Eq. (3)

where g(n), x1(n) and x2(n) are the nthelement of the Gold sequence, 1stcomponent and 2ndcomponent m-sequences, respectively, after re-initialization.
g(n)=x1(n)+x2(n).

Since the sequence is taken from the end of shift register, in essence only the first row of Mkis needed. Note also that according to subclause 7.2 of 3GPP TS36.211, there is already a 1600 shift applied after the re-initialization (see Eq. (3)), thus a vector of length 31 corresponding to yi1600=[Mi1600]1is needed for generating the ithcomponent m-sequence for the original SIB1-NB subframes, i=1 or 2. Here, the notation [X]1is used to denote the first row of matrix X. To this end, the n-th element of the scrambling sequence is generated as c(n)=y11600x1(n)+y21600x2(n). Since according to certain embodiments herein there are additional 2560 shifts between the scrambling sequence in subframe #3(immediately before the original SIB1-NB subframe in subframe #4), the n-th element of the scrambling sequence in the additional subframe can be generated as c′(n)=y14160x1(n)+y24160x2(n), where yi4160=[Mi4160]1. Both yi1600and yi4160can be pre-calculated.

The operation of shifting x1(n) by 1600 shifts using y11600x1(n) is illustrated inFIG.5. In the illustration the length-31 vector y11600is represented by y11600=(y(0), y(1), . . . , y(30)).

The operation of generating the scrambling sequence is detailed below. The below example assumes option 1 is used (seeFIG.4).(1) For the 1stsubframe #3used for SIB1-NB inFIG.4: reinitialize the scrambling code generator based on Eq. (1). And store the initial states of the two m-sequence generators. Generate the scrambling sequence based on c′(n)=y14160x1(n)+y24160x2(n), n=0, 1, . . . , N−1.(2) For the 1stsubframe #4used for SIB1-NB inFIG.4: Load the saved initial states of the two m-sequence generators from the previous step. Generate the scrambling sequence based on c(n)=y11600x1(n)+y21600x2(n), n=0, 1, . . . , N−1.(3) For the 2ndsubframe #3used for SIB1-NB inFIG.4: Save the ending states of the two m-sequence generators. Generate the scrambling sequence based on c′(n)=y14160x1(n)+y24160x2(n), N=N, N+1, . . . , 2N−1.(4) For the 2ndsubframe #4used for SIB1-NB inFIG.4: Load the saved initial states of the two m-sequence generators from the previous step. Generate the scrambling sequence based on c(n)=y11600x1(n)+y21600x2(n), n=N, N+1, . . . , 2N−1.

Repeat steps (3) and (4) to generate the scrambling sequences for the remaining SIB1-NB subframes inFIG.4. The only difference is the range of n is incremented by N each repetition of steps 3 and 4.

FIG.6illustrates an example of a method that may be performed by a network node, such as network node160,412, or520described below, in accordance with certain embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, a network node may include processing circuitry170or528configured to perform the method ofFIG.6. In some embodiments, the method may begin at step62with transmitting a transmission of system information, such as SIB-1NB information. The transmission comprises coded bits obtained by reading from a circular buffer. In some embodiments, a starting index for reading from the circular buffer is obtained using a modulo function based on a number of coded bits that can be mapped to the system information and the size of the circular buffer. For purposes of example and explanation, suppose the circular buffer has a buffer size of bits (e.g., A0-A299) and suppose the system information comprises a 400-bit long codeword (e.g., B0-B399). The method may begin reading coded bits from the circular buffer such that B0is obtained from buffer position A0, B1is obtained from buffer position A1, B2is obtained from buffer position A2, and so on until reaching the last position in the circular buffer (e.g., B299is obtained from buffer position A299). The method may then continue reading coded bits from the circular buffer beginning with buffer position A0to obtain B300, buffer position A1to obtain B301, and so on until the end of the codeword has been reached (e.g., B399is obtained from buffer position A99). The transmission comprising the coded bits is transmitted in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. As described above with respect toFIGS.2-4, in some embodiments, the first set of subframes comprises eight subframes, such that each of the eight subframes may include ⅛ of the codeword (e.g., 50 bits for a 400-bit long codeword). In some embodiments, the eight subframes may be transmitted in every other subframe #4.

The method proceeds to step63with transmitting an additional transmission of the system information. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits obtained by continuing reading from the circular buffer. Referring to the example in the previous paragraph, suppose that the network node obtained the coded bits transmitted in the first set of subframes by reading through buffer position A99. The network node may then continue reading from buffer position A100to obtain the additional coded bits. The additional transmission comprising the additional coded bits is transmitted in a second set of subframes corresponding to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4. For example, the second set of subframes may correspond to subframes #3of the plurality of radio frames.FIGS.3-4illustrate an embodiment in which the second set of subframes comprises eight subframes, such that each of the eight subframes may include ⅛ of the codeword comprised of the additional coded bits. In some embodiments, the eight subframes may be transmitted in every other subframe #3.

In some embodiments, the method may further include step60in which the method configures sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes, step61in which the method configures the second set of subframes based on having configured the sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes (e.g., the second set of subframes may be configured when sixteen repetitions are not enough), and step64in which the method transmits the sixteen repetitions of the first set of subframes during the transmission interval. As discussed above, in some embodiments, the first set of subframes comprise a codeword that has been split into eight subframes. In the example, the set of eight subframes containing the codeword may be transmitted in sixteen repetitions. Certain embodiments may also transmit repetitions of the second set of subframes (e.g., subframes #3comprising the additional coded bits), such as sixteen repetitions of the second set of subframes.

Certain embodiments of the method shown inFIG.6may use a scrambling mask for the system information, such as a scrambling mask described with respect toFIG.4.

FIG.7illustrates an example of a method that may be performed by a wireless device, such as wireless device110,200,491,492, or530described below, in accordance with certain embodiments. For example, in some embodiments, a wireless device may include processing circuitry120,201, or538configured to perform the method ofFIG.7. In some embodiments, the method may begin at step70with receiving a transmission of system information (e.g., SIB-1NB) comprising coded bits in a first set of subframes corresponding to subframes #4of a plurality of radio frames. In some embodiments, the first set of subframes comprises eight subframes, such that each of the eight subframes may include ⅛ of a codeword. In some embodiments, the eight subframes may be received in every other subframe #4. At least a portion of the system information may be received in one or more repetitions of the first set of subframes (such as up to sixteen repetitions).

The method proceeds to step71with receiving an additional transmission of the system information in a second set of subframes. The second set of subframes correspond to subframes of the plurality of radio frames other than subframes #4. For example, the second set of subframes may correspond to subframes #3of the plurality of radio frames. The additional transmission comprises additional coded bits associated with starting indexes continuing from starting indexes associated with the coded bits. In some embodiments, the second set of subframes comprises eight subframes, such that each of the eight subframes may include ⅛ of a codeword. In some embodiments, the eight subframes may be received in every other subframe #3. At least a portion of the system information may be received in one or more repetitions of the second set of subframes (such as up to sixteen repetitions).

At step72, the method stores the coded bits in a circular buffer according to the starting indexes associated with the coded bits. In some embodiments, a first starting index is obtained using a modulo function based on a number of coded bits that can be mapped to the system information and the size of the circular buffer. As an example, suppose the circular buffer has a buffer size of 300 bits (e.g., A0-A299) and suppose the system information comprises a 400-bit long codeword (e.g., B0-B399). The method may begin storing coded bits in the circular buffer such that B0is stored in buffer position A0, B1is stored in buffer position A1, B2is stored in buffer position A2, and so on until reaching the last position in the circular buffer (e.g., B299is stored in buffer position A299). The method may then continue storing coded bits in the circular buffer beginning with buffer position A0to store B300, buffer position A1to store B301, and so on until the end of the codeword has been reached (e.g., B399is stored in buffer position A99).

At step73, the method stores the additional coded bits in the circular buffer according to the starting indexes that continue from the starting indexes associated with the coded bits. Referring to the example in the previous paragraph, suppose that the wireless device stored the coded bits received in the first set of subframes by storing through buffer position A99. The wireless device may then continue storing the additional coded bits from buffer position A100. In some embodiments, the method combines each of the values stored in the same buffer position to obtain information from which the system information may be decoded.

InFIG.8, network node160includes processing circuitry170, device readable medium180, interface190, auxiliary equipment184, power source186, power circuitry187, and antenna162. Although network node160illustrated in the example wireless network ofFIG.8may represent a device that includes the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise network nodes with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that a network node comprises any suitable combination of hardware and/or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions and methods disclosed herein. Moreover, while the components of network node160are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, a network node may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component (e.g., device readable medium180may comprise multiple separate hard drives as well as multiple RAM modules).

Processing circuitry170may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, central processing unit, digital signal processor, application-specific integrated circuit, field programmable gate array, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software and/or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node160components, such as device readable medium180, network node160functionality. For example, processing circuitry170may execute instructions stored in device readable medium180or in memory within processing circuitry170. Such functionality may include providing any of the various wireless features, functions, or benefits discussed herein. In some embodiments, processing circuitry170may include a system on a chip (SOC).

Interface190is used in the wired or wireless communication of signalling and/or data between network node160, network106, and/or WDs110. As illustrated, interface190comprises port(s)/terminal(s)194to send and receive data, for example to and from network106over a wired connection. Interface190also includes radio front end circuitry192that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, antenna162. Radio front end circuitry192comprises filters198and amplifiers196. Radio front end circuitry192may be connected to antenna162and processing circuitry170. Radio front end circuitry may be configured to condition signals communicated between antenna162and processing circuitry170. Radio front end circuitry192may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry192may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters198and/or amplifiers196. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna162. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna162may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry192. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry170. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

Power circuitry187may comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry and is configured to supply the components of network node160with power for performing the functionality described herein. Power circuitry187may receive power from power source186. Power source186and/or power circuitry187may be configured to provide power to the various components of network node160in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). Power source186may either be included in, or external to, power circuitry187and/or network node160. For example, network node160may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet) via an input circuitry or interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry187. As a further example, power source186may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry187. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail. Other types of power sources, such as photovoltaic devices, may also be used.

Antenna111may include one or more antennas or antenna arrays, configured to send and/or receive wireless signals, and is connected to interface114. In certain alternative embodiments, antenna111may be separate from WD110and be connectable to WD110through an interface or port. Antenna111, interface114, and/or processing circuitry120may be configured to perform any receiving or transmitting operations described herein as being performed by a WD. Any information, data and/or signals may be received from a network node and/or another WD. In some embodiments, radio front end circuitry and/or antenna111may be considered an interface.

As illustrated, interface114comprises radio front end circuitry112and antenna111. Radio front end circuitry112comprise one or more filters118and amplifiers116. Radio front end circuitry114is connected to antenna111and processing circuitry120, and is configured to condition signals communicated between antenna111and processing circuitry120. Radio front end circuitry112may be coupled to or a part of antenna111. In some embodiments, WD110may not include separate radio front end circuitry112; rather, processing circuitry120may comprise radio front end circuitry and may be connected to antenna111. Similarly, in some embodiments, some or all of RF transceiver circuitry122may be considered a part of interface114. Radio front end circuitry112may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or WDs via a wireless connection. Radio front end circuitry112may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of filters118and/or amplifiers116. The radio signal may then be transmitted via antenna111. Similarly, when receiving data, antenna111may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by radio front end circuitry112. The digital data may be passed to processing circuitry120. In other embodiments, the interface may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components.

As illustrated, processing circuitry120includes one or more of RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may comprise different components and/or different combinations of components. In certain embodiments processing circuitry120of WD110may comprise a SOC. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126may be on separate chips or sets of chips. In alternative embodiments, part or all of baseband processing circuitry124and application processing circuitry126may be combined into one chip or set of chips, and RF transceiver circuitry122may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In still alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry122and baseband processing circuitry124may be on the same chip or set of chips, and application processing circuitry126may be on a separate chip or set of chips. In yet other alternative embodiments, part or all of RF transceiver circuitry122, baseband processing circuitry124, and application processing circuitry126may be combined in the same chip or set of chips. In some embodiments, RF transceiver circuitry122may be a part of interface114. RF transceiver circuitry122may condition RF signals for processing circuitry120.

Processing circuitry120may be configured to perform any determining, calculating, or similar operations (e.g., certain obtaining operations) described herein as being performed by a WD. These operations, as performed by processing circuitry120, may include processing information obtained by processing circuitry120by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored by WD110, and/or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination.

User interface equipment132may provide components that allow for a human user to interact with WD110. Such interaction may be of many forms, such as visual, audial, tactile, etc. User interface equipment132may be operable to produce output to the user and to allow the user to provide input to WD110. The type of interaction may vary depending on the type of user interface equipment132installed in WD110. For example, if WD110is a smart phone, the interaction may be via a touch screen; if WD110is a smart meter, the interaction may be through a screen that provides usage (e.g., the number of gallons used) or a speaker that provides an audible alert (e.g., if smoke is detected). User interface equipment132may include input interfaces, devices and circuits, and output interfaces, devices and circuits. User interface equipment132is configured to allow input of information into WD110, and is connected to processing circuitry120to allow processing circuitry120to process the input information. User interface equipment132may include, for example, a microphone, a proximity or other sensor, keys/buttons, a touch display, one or more cameras, a USB port, or other input circuitry. User interface equipment132is also configured to allow output of information from WD110, and to allow processing circuitry120to output information from WD110. User interface equipment132may include, for example, a speaker, a display, vibrating circuitry, a USB port, a headphone interface, or other output circuitry. Using one or more input and output interfaces, devices, and circuits, of user interface equipment132, WD110may communicate with end users and/or the wireless network, and allow them to benefit from the functionality described herein.

Auxiliary equipment134is operable to provide more specific functionality which may not be generally performed by WDs. This may comprise specialized sensors for doing measurements for various purposes, interfaces for additional types of communication such as wired communications etc. The inclusion and type of components of auxiliary equipment134may vary depending on the embodiment and/or scenario.

Power source136may, in some embodiments, be in the form of a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic devices or power cells, may also be used. WD110may further comprise power circuitry137for delivering power from power source136to the various parts of WD110which need power from power source136to carry out any functionality described or indicated herein. Power circuitry137may in certain embodiments comprise power management circuitry. Power circuitry137may additionally or alternatively be operable to receive power from an external power source; in which case WD110may be connectable to the external power source (such as an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Power circuitry137may also in certain embodiments be operable to deliver power from an external power source to power source136. This may be, for example, for the charging of power source136. Power circuitry137may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from power source136to make the power suitable for the respective components of WD110to which power is supplied.

RAM217may be configured to interface via bus202to processing circuitry201to provide storage or caching of data or computer instructions during the execution of software programs such as the operating system, application programs, and device drivers. ROM219may be configured to provide computer instructions or data to processing circuitry201. For example, ROM219may be configured to store invariant low-level system code or data for basic system functions such as basic input and output (I/O), startup, or reception of keystrokes from a keyboard that are stored in a non-volatile memory. Storage medium221may be configured to include memory such as RAM, ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, floppy disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, or flash drives. In one example, storage medium221may be configured to include operating system223, application program225such as a web browser application, a widget or gadget engine or another application, and data file227. Storage medium221may store, for use by UE200, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

InFIG.9, processing circuitry201may be configured to communicate with network243busing communication subsystem231. Network243aand network243bmay be the same network or networks or different network or networks. Communication subsystem231may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with network243b. For example, communication subsystem231may be configured to include one or more transceivers used to communicate with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication such as another WD, UE, or base station of a radio access network (RAN) according to one or more communication protocols, such as IEEE 802.2, CDMA, WCDMA, GSM, LTE, UTRAN, WiMax, or the like. Each transceiver may include transmitter233and/or receiver235to implement transmitter or receiver functionality, respectively, appropriate to the RAN links (e.g., frequency allocations and the like). Further, transmitter233and receiver235of each transceiver may share circuit components, software or firmware, or alternatively may be implemented separately.

In some embodiments, some signalling can be effected with the use of control system3230which may alternatively be used for communication between the hardware nodes330and radio units3200.

With reference toFIG.11, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes telecommunication network410, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises access network411, such as a radio access network, and core network414. Access network411comprises a plurality of base stations412a,412b,412c, such as NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area413a,413b,413c. Each base station412a,412b,412cis connectable to core network414over a wired or wireless connection415. A first UE491located in coverage area413cis configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station412c. A second UE492in coverage area413ais wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station412a. While a plurality of UEs491,492are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station412.

Communication system500further includes base station520provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware525enabling it to communicate with host computer510and with UE530. Hardware525may include communication interface526for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of communication system500, as well as radio interface527for setting up and maintaining at least wireless connection570with UE530located in a coverage area (not shown inFIG.12) served by base station520. Communication interface526may be configured to facilitate connection560to host computer510. Connection560may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown inFIG.12) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, hardware525of base station520further includes processing circuitry528, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. Base station520further has software521stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

It is noted that host computer510, base station520and UE530illustrated inFIG.12may be similar or identical to host computer430, one of base stations412a,412b,412cand one of UEs491,492ofFIG.11, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown inFIG.12and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that ofFIG.11.

Wireless connection570between UE530and base station520is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to UE530using OTT connection550, in which wireless connection570forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the latency and thereby provide benefits such as reduced user waiting time.

In some embodiments a computer program, computer program product or computer readable storage medium comprises instructions which when executed on a computer perform any of the embodiments disclosed herein. In further examples the instructions are carried on a signal or carrier and which are executable on a computer wherein when executed perform any of the embodiments disclosed herein.

EMBODIMENTS

Group A Embodiments

1. A method performed by a wireless device, the method comprising:receiving, by a receiver configured to receive SIB1-NB subframes from a transmitter configured according to any of the embodiments in Group B, a number of legacy SIB1-NB subframes and a number of additional SIB1-NB subframes.2. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising:providing user data; andforwarding the user data to a host computer via the transmission to the base station.

Group B Embodiments

3. A method performed by a base station, the method comprising:transmitting a number of SIB1-NB subframes according to a legacy configuration;determining a number of additional SIB1-NB subframes to transmit based on the transport block size of SIB1-NB;transmitting the additional number of SIB1-NB subframes.4. The method of the previous embodiment, wherein the number of SIB1-NB subframes transmitted according to the legacy configuration are transmitted on subframe #4(e.g., according to Rel-13 or Rel-14).5. The method of any of the previous embodiments, wherein the additional number of SIB1-NB subframes are transmitted on subframe #3(e.g., according to Rel-15).6. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising increasing the number of additional SIB1-NB subframes for a larger transport block size of SIB1-NB.7. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising reducing the number of additional SIB1-NB subframes for a smaller transport block size of SIB1-NB.8. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising using every 4th subframe #3for transmitting the additional SIB1-NB subframes when the transport block size of SIB1-NB is 208 or 328, and using every 8th subframe #3for transmitting the additional SIB1-NB subframes when the transport block size of SIB1-NB is 440 or 680.9. A method comprising:generating coded bits that will be transmitted in legacy SIB1-NB subframes by reading from a virtual circular buffer; andgenerating coded bits that will be transmitted in additional SIB1-NB subframes by continuing to read from the virtual circular buffer.10. The method of the previous embodiment, wherein, for each SIB1-NB subframe, the coded bits are obtained based on a corresponding starting index for reading from the virtual circular buffer.11. A method comprising:generating a scrambling sequence that will be used to scramble coded bits to be transmitted in additional SIB1-NB subframes, wherein the scrambling sequence uses a reinitialization scheme based on a legacy scrambling sequence, wherein the legacy scrambling sequence is extended to cover additional encoded bits.12. The method of the previous embodiment, wherein the scrambling sequence for each one of the additional SIB1-NB subframes is generated with 2560 shifts relative to the scrambling sequence used in the legacy SIB1-NB subframe in the same frame.13. The method of any of the previous embodiments, further comprising:obtaining user data; andforwarding the user data to a host computer or a wireless device.

Group C Embodiments

14. A wireless device, the wireless device comprising:processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments; andpower supply circuitry configured to supply power to the wireless device.15. A base station, the base station comprising:processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments;power supply circuitry configured to supply power to the wireless device.16. A user equipment (UE), the UE comprising:an antenna configured to send and receive wireless signals;radio front-end circuitry connected to the antenna and to processing circuitry, and configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna and the processing circuitry;the processing circuitry being configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments;an input interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to allow input of information into the UE to be processed by the processing circuitry;an output interface connected to the processing circuitry and configured to output information from the UE that has been processed by the processing circuitry; anda battery connected to the processing circuitry and configured to supply power to the UE.17. A communication system including a host computer comprising:processing circuitry configured to provide user data; anda communication interface configured to forward the user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE),wherein the cellular network comprises a base station having a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station's processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.18. The communication system of the pervious embodiment further including the base station.19. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.20. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein:the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; andthe UE comprises processing circuitry configured to execute a client application associated21. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:at the host computer, providing user data; andat the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the base station performs any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.22. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the base station, transmitting the user data.23. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein the user data is provided at the host computer by executing a host application, the method further comprising, at the UE, executing a client application associated with the host application.24. A user equipment (UE) configured to communicate with a base station, the UE comprising a radio interface and processing circuitry configured to performs the of the previous 3 embodiments.25. A communication system including a host computer comprising:processing circuitry configured to provide user data; anda communication interface configured to forward user data to a cellular network for transmission to a user equipment (UE),wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's components configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.26. The communication system of the previous embodiment, wherein the cellular network further includes a base station configured to communicate with the UE.27. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, wherein:the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing the user data; andthe UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application.28. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:at the host computer, providing user data; andat the host computer, initiating a transmission carrying the user data to the UE via a cellular network comprising the base station, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.29. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the UE, receiving the user data from the base station.30. A communication system including a host computer comprising:communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station,wherein the UE comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the UE's processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.31. The communication system of the previous embodiment, further including the UE.32. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface configured to communicate with the UE and a communication interface configured to forward to the host computer the user data carried by a transmission from the UE to the base station.33. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein:the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application; andthe UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data.34. The communication system of the previous 4 embodiments, wherein:the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application, thereby providing request data; andthe UE's processing circuitry is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data in response to the request data.35. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:at the host computer, receiving user data transmitted to the base station from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.36. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising, at the UE, providing the user data to the base station.37. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising:at the UE, executing a client application, thereby providing the user data to be transmitted; andat the host computer, executing a host application associated with the client application.38. The method of the previous 3 embodiments, further comprising:at the UE, executing a client application; andat the UE, receiving input data to the client application, the input data being provided at the host computer by executing a host application associated with the client application,wherein the user data to be transmitted is provided by the client application in response to the input data.39. A communication system including a host computer comprising a communication interface configured to receive user data originating from a transmission from a user equipment (UE) to a base station, wherein the base station comprises a radio interface and processing circuitry, the base station's processing circuitry configured to perform any of the steps of any of the Group B embodiments.40. The communication system of the previous embodiment further including the base station.41. The communication system of the previous 2 embodiments, further including the UE, wherein the UE is configured to communicate with the base station.42. The communication system of the previous 3 embodiments, wherein:the processing circuitry of the host computer is configured to execute a host application;the UE is configured to execute a client application associated with the host application, thereby providing the user data to be received by the host computer.43. A method implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment (UE), the method comprising:at the host computer, receiving, from the base station, user data originating from a transmission which the base station has received from the UE, wherein the UE performs any of the steps of any of the Group A embodiments.44. The method of the previous embodiment, further comprising at the base station, receiving the user data from the UE.45. The method of the previous 2 embodiments, further comprising at the base station, initiating a transmission of the received user data to the host computer.