Channel quality indicator design for enhanced machine-type-communications

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication are described. A user equipment (UE) may monitor a first control channel in a first frequency band. The UE may determine that a bandwidth capability of the UE supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The UE may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The UE may transmit a channel feedback message including information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present application is a 371 national phase filing of International Application No. PCT/US2018/014477 to Bhattad et al., entitled “CHANNEL QUALITY INDICATOR. DESIGN FOR ENHANCED MACHINE-TYPE-COMMUNICATIONS”, filed Jan. 19, 2018, which claims priority to Indian Application No. 201741003708 to Bhattad et al., entitled “CHANNEL QUALITY INDICATOR DESIGN FOR ENHANCED MACHINE-TYPE-COMMUNICATIONS”, filed Feb. 1, 2017, each of which is assigned to the assignee hereof.

The present Application for Patent claims priority to Indian Patent Application No. 201741003708 by Bhattad et al., entitled “Channel Quality Indicator Design For Enhanced Machine-Type-Communications,” filed Feb. 1, 2017; assigned to the assignee hereof.

BACKGROUND

The following relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to channel quality indicator design for enhanced machine-type-communications.

Some wireless communication systems may support communications between base stations and different types of narrowband device types. For example, in enhanced machine-type-communications (eMTC) and narrowband-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) deployments, mobile devices may communicate with a base station (or other serving station) using resources allocated specifically for one deployment or the other. Such systems may be associated with, for example, bandwidth (or frequency band) configurations that are designed to minimize power usage of the narrowband devices, are responsive to narrowband devices typically having a limited amount of information to communicate, etc.

In sonic aspects, some wireless communication systems supporting narrowband communication configurations, such as NB-IoT and eMTC, may have different available bandwidths for different types of channels used for communication. As one non-limiting example, such wireless communication systems may have one bandwidth (or frequency band(s)) available for the wireless devices to monitor certain channels (e.g., control channels) and a different bandwidth (or frequency band(s)) available for the wireless devices to exchange data (e.g., in a data channel). There may be instances, however, when a wireless device that supports communicating on wider bandwidths (or additional frequency bands) may benefit from accessing the wider bandwidth capability to perform certain functions, e.g., monitoring other channels, reporting channel quality indicator (CQI) messages, etc. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure provide for CQI design for eMTC communications that increase flexibility for certain device types.

SUMMARY

The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, or apparatuses that support CQI design for eMTC. Generally, the described techniques provide for a UE, such as an eMTC configured UE, to perform channel measurements in a wireless communication system supporting narrowband communication configurations. Broadly, the UE may determine which narrowbands to perform channel measurement procedures on based on a variety of configurations. As on example configuration, the UE may perform channel measurements on sub-carrier(s) that the TIE is monitoring a first frequency band on, e.g., on sub-carriers associated with the narrowband that the UE is monitoring the control channel on. As another example configuration, the UE may perform channel measurements on sub-carrier(s) that the UE is monitoring a first frequency band on and sub-carriers on a second frequency band that the UE is communicating on, e.g., on sub-carriers associated with the narrowband that the UE is monitoring the control channel on as well as sub-carrier(s) associated with narrowband(s) that the UE is receiving a data transmission on, in a third example configuration, the UE may autonomously determine to perform channel measurements on sub-carriers in a second frequency band that is outside of the sub-carrier(s) that the UE is monitoring a first frequency band on, e.g., on sub-carriers associated with the narrowband that the UE is monitoring the control channel on as well as sub-carrier(s) in other narrowbands.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may include monitoring, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band, determining that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band, performing a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently, and transmitting a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for monitoring, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band, means for determining that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band, means for performing a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently, and means for transmitting a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band, determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band, perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently, and transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band, determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band, perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently, and transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the second frequency band may be larger than the first frequency band and includes the first frequency band.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for autonomously determining, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a configuration message conveying a channel measurement request. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band based at least in part on the configuration message.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a portion of subframes from a plurality of subframes to perform the channel measurement procedure. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band during the identified portion of subframes.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a preconfigured set of frequency bands, wherein the first and second frequency bands may be included in the preconfigured set of frequency bands.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a set of frequency bands that may be adjacent to the first frequency band, wherein the second frequency band may be included in the set of frequency bands.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the channel feedback message comprises one or more of a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, CQI, a subband report, a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), or combinations thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for increasing a number of bits in channel feedback message to carry the contents of the channel feedback message.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining a set of wideband frequency bands associated with the wireless device monitoring a control channel. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for selecting the first and second frequency bands that may be within the wideband frequency bands.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the channel measurement procedure may be performed according to a periodic schedule or an aperiodic schedule.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the first frequency band comprises a 1.4 megahertz (MHz) bandwidth.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the bandwidth associated with the second frequency band comprises one of a 5 bandwidth or a 20 MHz bandwidth.

A method of wireless communication is described. The method may include receiving, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band, determining that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator, identifying a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, and performing, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

An apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include means for receiving, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band, means for determining that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator, means for identifying a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, and means for performing, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

Another apparatus for wireless communication is described. The apparatus may include a processor, memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be operable to cause the processor to receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band, determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator, identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, and perform, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

A non-transitory computer readable medium for wireless communication is described. The non-transitory computer-readable medium may include instructions operable to cause a processor to receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band, determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator, identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, and perform, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the channel feedback message comprises one or more of a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, CQI, a subband report, a PMI, or combinations thereof.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for autonomously determining, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for receiving a configuration message conveying a channel measurement request. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band based at least in part on the configuration message.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a portion of subframes from a plurality of subframes to perform the channel measurement procedure. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for performing the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band during the identified portion of subframes.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a preconfigured set of frequency bands, wherein the first and second frequency bands may be included in the preconfigured set of frequency bands.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for identifying a set of frequency bands that may be adjacent to the first frequency band, wherein the second frequency band may be included in the set of frequency bands.

Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for determining a set of wideband frequency bands associated with the wireless device monitoring a control channel. Some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include processes, features, means, or instructions for selecting the first and second frequency bands that may be within the wideband frequency bands.

in some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the channel measurement procedure may be performed according to a periodic schedule or an aperiodic schedule.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the first frequency band comprises a 1.4 MHz bandwidth.

In some examples of the method, apparatus, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described above, the second frequency band comprises one of a 5 MHz bandwidth or a 20 MHz bandwidth.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Resources for narrowband communication in a licensed or an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be configured and allocated based on resource availability, regulatory constraints, device capability or category, etc. eMTC devices or other relatively low complexity devices, including those associated with the IoT, may communicate using one or more narrowbands, which may occupy six resource blocks (RBs) in some examples. In some cases, different countries may have different amounts of available bandwidth configurations that the devices may use.

By way of example, eMTC and IoT devices may transmit a relatively low amount of data periodically (or when requested) rather than continuously exchanging information with a base station (or other serving station). Such devices may include meters (e.g., water meter, gas meter), sensors (e.g., smoke detector, light sensor), or wearable technology (e.g, smart watches), which may have limited battery life or may be located at the edges of cell coverage areas. Instead of operating using a traditional deployment configuration designed for high data rates or continuous communication (e.g., LTE/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)), these devices may communicate using deployment configurations designed to reduce the complexity of devices, increase coverage, and provide better battery life.

Depending on a geographic region of operation, the resource flexibility of an eMTC deployment may allow a device to satisfy, for example, certain bandwidth requirements (e.g., for a given application). While eMTC configurations may offer some advantages, channel measurement and reporting configurations may be limited in a traditional eMTC deployments. Accordingly, it may be possible to provide improved system performance to support narrowband techniques that facilitate flexible deployment operation (e.g. CCI design for eMTC deployments).

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system may be a heterogeneous wireless communication system supporting traditional cellular communications (e.g., LTE/LTE-A) and also supporting narrowband communications (e.g., eMTC configured devices). In some aspects, a UE may monitor a first control channel (e.g., a machine physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH)) in a first frequency hand. The first frequency band may include one narrowband, e.g., six RBs where each RB has a corresponding number of time/frequency resources. The UE may determine that a bandwidth capability of the UE supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band, e.g., one or more other frequency hands. The UE may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The UE may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure to a base station for example.

In some aspects, the UE may receive a scheduling indicator on a first control channel (e.g., MPDCCH) in a first frequency band. The UE may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the UE based on the received scheduling indicator. The UE may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, e.g., the number of narrowbands allocated for the data transmission to the UE. The UE may perform, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to CQI design for eMTC.

FIG. 1illustrates an example of a wireless communications system100in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system100includes base stations105, UEs115, and a core network130. In some examples, the wireless communication system100may be a LTE (or LTE-A) network, or a NR network. In some cases, wireless communication system100may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable mission critical) communications, low latency communications, and communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices. In some aspects, wireless communication system100may support communication between base stations105and UE115with different capabilities, e.g., LTE/LTE-A capabilities and eMTC capabilities).

Base stations105may wirelessly communicate with UEs115via one or more base station antennas. Each base station105may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area110. Communication links125shown in wireless communication system100may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE115to a base station105, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station105to a UE115. Control information and data may be multiplexed on an uplink channel or downlink according to various techniques. Control information and data may be multiplexed on a downlink channel, for example, using time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. In some examples, the control information transmitted during a transmission time interval (TTI) of a downlink channel may be distributed between different control regions in a cascaded manner (e.g., between a common control region and one or more UE-specific control regions).

In some cases, a UE115may also be able to communicate directly with other UEs (e.g., using a peer-to-peer (P2P) or device-to-device (D2D) protocol). One or more of a group of UEs115utilizing D2D communications may be within the coverage area110of a cell. Other UEs115in such a group may be outside the coverage area110of a cell, or otherwise unable to receive transmissions from a base station105. In some cases, groups of UEs115communicating via D2D communications may utilize a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE115transmits to every other UE115in the group. In some cases, a base station105facilitates the scheduling of resources for D2D communications, in other cases, D2D communications are carried out independent of a base station105.

In some cases, an MTC device may operate using half-duplex (one-way) communications at a reduced peak rate. MTC devices may also be configured to enter a power saving “deep sleep” mode when not engaging in active communications. In some cases, MTC or IoT devices may be designed to support mission critical functions and wireless communication system may be configured to provide ultra-reliable communications for these functions.

The core network130may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, IP connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. At least some of the network devices, such as base station105may include subcomponents such as an access network entity, which may be an example of an access node controller (ANC). Each access network entity may communicate with a number of UEs115through a number of other access network transmission entities, each of which may be an example of a smart radio head, or a transmission/reception point (TRP). In some configurations, various functions of each access network entity or base station105may be distributed across various network devices (e.g., radio heads and access network controllers) or consolidated into a single network device (e.g., a base station105).

Wireless communication system100may operate in an ultra high frequency (UHF) frequency region using frequency bands from 700 MHz to 2600 MHz (2.6 gigahertz (GHz)), although in some cases wireless communication system100may use frequencies as high as 4 GHz. This region may also be known as the decimeter band, since the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may propagate mainly by line of sight, and may be blocked by buildings and environmental features. However, the waves may penetrate walls sufficiently to provide service to UEs115located indoors. Transmission of UHF waves is characterized by smaller antennas and shorter range (e.g., less than 100 km) compared to transmission using the smaller frequencies (and longer waves) of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum. In some cases, wireless communication system100may also utilize extremely high frequency (EHF) portions of the spectrum (e.g., from 30 GHz to 300 GHz). This region may also be known as the millimeter band, since the wavelengths range from approximately one millimeter to one centimeter in length. Thus, EHF antennas may be even smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some cases, this may facilitate use of antenna arrays within a UE115(e.g., for directional beamforming). However, EHF transmissions may be subject to even greater atmospheric attenuation and shorter range than UHF transmissions.

Thus, wireless communication system100may support millimeter wave (mmW) communications between UEs115and base stations105. Devices operating in mmW or EHF bands may have multiple antennas to allow beamforming. That is, a base station105may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE115. Beam arming (which may also be referred to as spatial filtering or directional transmission) is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitter (e.g., a base station105) to shape and/or steer an overall antenna beam in the direction of a target receiver (e.g., a UE115). This may be achieved by combining elements in an antenna array in such a way that transmitted signals at particular angles experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference.

In some cases, the antennas of a base station105or UE115may be located within one or more antenna arrays, which may support beamforming or multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) operations. One or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be collocated at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some cases, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a base station105may be located in diverse geographic locations. A base station105may multiple use antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE115.

Time intervals in LTE or NR may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit. Time resources may be organized according to radio frames of length of 10 milliseconds (ms), for example, which may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) ranging from 0 to 1023. Each frame may include ten 1 ms subframes numbered from 0 to 9. A subframe may be further divided into two 0.5 ms slots, each of which contains 6 or 7 modulation symbol periods (depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol). Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol contains 2048 sample periods. In some cases the subframe may be the smallest scheduling unit, also known as a TTL in other cases, a TTI may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in short TTI bursts or in selected component carriers using short TTIs).

A resource element may consist of one symbol period and one subcarrier. A RB may contain 12 consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain and, for a normal cyclic prefix in each OFDM symbol, 7 consecutive OFDM symbols in the time domain (1 slot), or 84 resource elements. The number of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (the configuration of symbols that may be selected during each symbol period). Thus, the more resource blocks that a UE115receives and the higher the modulation scheme, the higher the data rate may be.

Wireless communication system100may support aspects of described techniques for CQI design for eMTC. For example, a UE115may monitor a first control channel in a first frequency hand. The UE115may determine that a bandwidth capability of the UE115supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The UE115may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The UE115may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may receive a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band. The UE115may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the UE115based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator. The UE115may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission, and perform, based on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

FIG. 2illustrates an example of a process200that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Process200may implement aspect(s) of wireless communication system100ofFIG. 1. Process200may include a base station205and a UE210. Base station205and UE210may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein. The UE210may be an example of a wireless device.

Generally, process200illustrates an example of a UE210performing a channel measurement procedure on frequency bands in addition to the frequency band that the UE210is monitoring a control channel on. Broadly, the determination to perform the channel measurement procedure is based on the bandwidth capability of UE210. Other considerations may include allocated frequency bands, power conservation, traffic load, etc.

In some aspects, an eMTC configured wireless communication system may include 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 48, 64, or some other number of available narrowbands. Each narrowband (NB) may include a predetermined number of RBs (e.g., 6 RBs per narrowband) and have an associated bandwidth (e.g., 1.4. MHz). Each narrowband may be identified according to an index, e.g., NB0, NB1, NB3, and so forth. Moreover, certain narrowbands may be divided into predefined or preconfigured groups of narrowbands, e.g., a first group consisting of NB0-NB3, a second group consisting of NB4-NB7. Other group sizes may include 2 narrowbands per group, 6 narrowbands per group, etc.

Generally, eMTC configurations may include transmission of control information in a control channel. The control channel may be repeated in some, but not necessarily all, available narrowbands within a subframe. For instance, the control information may be transmitted in a control channel using a particular narrowband, e.g., NB0, during each subframe. In some examples, the control channel may hop across different narrowbands for each subframe, e.g., in NB0 in a first subframe, ire NB3 in a second subframe, etc.

Moreover, eMTC configurations may include transmission of data in a data channel (e.g., PDSCH). The data may be transmitted in a data transmission that may be indicated in the control channel. The data may be transmitted in the data channel using allocated narrowband(s), e.g., NB1, NB1, NB3, etc., during a subframe. In some examples, the data channel may hop across different narrowbands for each subframe, e.g., in NB0/NB1/NB3 in a first subframe, in NB2/NB3/NB5 in a second subframe, etc.

Moreover, each UE (such as UE210) within an eMTC configured wireless communication system may have a different bandwidth capability. For example, every UE may be configured to communicate in at least one narrowband (e.g., have a bandwidth capability of 1.4 MHz), while certain UEs may be configured to communicate in multiple NBs (e.g., wideband UEs having bandwidth capabilities of 5 MHz, 20 MHz, etc.). Additionally, resource allocations for certain types of communications may be preconfigured in eMTC wireless communication systems. For example, transmission of the control information in the control channel may be limited to one narrowband, whereas data being transmitted in a data transmission may span multiple narrowbands for eMTC UEs that are configured for wideband communications. Examples of available widebands may include, but are not limited to, 1.4 MHz, 5 MHz, 20 MHz, and the like.

UEs (such as UE210) within an eMTC configured wireless communication system may traditionally perform channel measurement and CQI reporting. For example, the UEs may be configured to perform channel measurement and reporting in a small portion of the narrowband that the UE is configured to monitor a control channel (e.g., MPDCCH) on (e.g., only on sub-carriers the UE is actually receiving the control information on). The control channel may be configured for a particular narrowband or may hop across different narrowbands in different subframes. Traditionally, the control channel is transmitted in one narrowband per subframe or, in some instances, one narrow band per group of narrowbands per subframe.

In a traditional eMTC configured wireless communication system, these configurations may result in decreased channel reporting when the UE cannot measure and report channel conditions in narrowbands other than the narrowband allocated for control channel transmission. Traditional eMTC configurations may not support the UE performing channel measurements in narrowbands other than the allocated control channel narrowband. Therefore, a UE that is configured for wideband communications (e.g., has a bandwidth capability that is wider than one narrowband) may miss an opportunity to measure and report channel conditions on sub-carrier(s) in narrowbands other than the control channel narrowband. Aspects of the described techniques, however, may provide a mechanism where the UE can determine to perform channel measurement and reporting in narrowbands other than the narrowband allocated for control channel transmission. This may provide improved channel monitoring that can be used by the base station to improve resource selection and allocation, for example.

In one aspect, UE210may perform channel measurements in RBs of the narrowband other than those used for the control information. For example, the control information typically occupies a limited amount of information and may therefore be transmitted in only one or two RBs, only a portion of one RB, etc. For a narrowband allocated to the control channel, this means that the sub-carriers in the unused RBs (or unused sub-carriers in the control channel RB(s)) may be used for performing channel measurements and reporting by the UE.

In another aspect, UE210may perform channel measurements in RBs of the control channel narrowband as well as in RBs allocated for a data transmission in a data channel (e.g., physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH)). For example, UE210may have an allocated narrowband for control information and other narrowbands allocated for UE210to receive data in a data transmission in a subframe. UE210may perform channel measurement and reporting in the control channel narrowband and the data channel narrowband(s). In some aspects, UE210may use a bandwidth larger than the data transmission. For example, the bandwidth UE210uses for data channel decoding may be larger than the allocated data channel. UE210may open up a wider bandwidth (e.g., 5 MHz) even if the data transmission is only allocated to ten RBs (e.g., two narrowbands).

In another aspect, UE210may autonomously e.g., without instructions to do so and/or based on preconfigured settings, determine to perform channel measurement and reporting based on the bandwidth capability of UE210. For example, UE210may determine that its bandwidth capability supports communicating in narrowbands in addition to the allocated control channel narrowband. Thus, UE210may determine that it will open up bandwidths and perform channel measurement and reporting in the control channel narrowband and additional narrowband(s).

Thus, process200and the herein described techniques provide for UE210to perform additional channel measurement and reporting (e.g., CQI reporting) in narrowband(s) to improve the information available to base station205, for example, to use for resource assignment and allocation. Aspects of the described techniques may be implemented based on a power usage consideration (e.g., UE210may perform additional channel measurement and reporting in a manner to conserve power) and/or based on an amount of traffic (e.g., UE210may perform additional channel measurement and reporting when traffic is high to improve CQI accuracy, but refrain when traffic is low to conserve power).

At215, UE210may monitor a first control channel in a first frequency band (e.g., a first narrowband). The first frequency band may be based on a narrowband allocated for transmission of control information on a control channel to UE210. The first frequency band may refer to the bandwidth of the narrowband (or simply the narrowband), the bandwidth of the RB(s) used to convey the control information in the narrowband, the bandwidth of the sub-carriers used to convey the control information, etc. The first frequency band may be configured to be the same during subframe(s) or may hop across different subframe(s).

At220, UE210may determine that a bandwidth capability of UE210supports communicating in the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The bandwidth capability may be wider than the bandwidth of the first frequency band. The bandwidth capability of UE210may be 1.4 MHz, 5 MHz, 20 MHz, or some other bandwidth that supports communicating in the first and second frequency bands.

In some aspects, the second frequency band may refer to narrowbands other than the narrowband allocated for the control channel. The second frequency band may include narrowband(s) within a preconfigured set or group of narrowbands.

At225, UE210may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band, e.g., concurrently. The channel measurement procedure may include measuring reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), pathloss, throughput measurement, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), CQI, etc. The channel measurement procedure may be performed autonomously by UE210, based on receiving a channel measurement request message from base station205, based on preconfigured settings, and the like. The channel measurement procedure may be performed based on an available power of UE210, based on traffic load on the measured channel, and the like.

In some aspects, UE210may select the second frequency band using a multi-step process. The second frequency band may also be referred to as a subband. In some configurations, the size of the subband may be too large if restricted to widebands (e.g., using a 5 MHz bandwidth may need more resolution). Thus, in some aspects UE210may use a first stage where UE210determines the widebands in which UE210monitors the control channel (e.g., MPDCCH). In a second stage, UE210may determine the subbands that are within this set of widebands. Each subband may be a traditional narrowband or may be a different bandwidth value (e.g., two or more narrowbands). UE210may apply the described CQI reporting techniques to and based on these subbands. For example, if the subband size is two narrowbands and there are two widebands for monitoring, the second frequency band may be four subbands (e.g., each wideband may have four narrowbands, which equals two subbands). UE210may report the best subband using two bits, for example.

In some aspects, the subband size may depend on the number of widebands used for control channel monitoring. In one example where four subbands are available for selection, UE210may have several alternatives. In one alternative, one wideband for control channel monitoring may include each subband being one narrowband, which may provide for one wideband including four narrowbands. In another alternative, two widebands for control channel monitoring may include each subband having two narrowbands. In another alternative, four widebands for control channel monitoring may include four subbands. When the control channel hops between three widebands (e.g., two of the narrowbands are in the same wideband), UE210may use the design for four widebands and the fourth value of the two bits in the feedback report may be reserved.

In some aspects, the second frequency band may use predefined widebands. As one example for a UE having a 20 MHz bandwidth capability, the second frequency band may include the entire 20 MHz bandwidth. As another example for a UE having a 5 MHz bandwidth capability, the UE in 20 MHz bandwidth may define four widebands (e.g., each wideband comprising a 5 MHz bandwidth). The UE monitoring a particular narrowband may measure the CQI on all narrowbands in the predefined wideband containing the narrowband. When the control channel hops within one wideband, the UE may report the CQI for four narrowbands. When the control channel hops within two widebands, the UE may report CQI in eight narrowbands. When the control channel hops within four widebands, the UE may report CQI for 16 narrowbands.

In some aspects, UE210may select different set of narrowbands around the control channel narrowband. The selection may depend on what channel measurement needs are warranted. For example, if the control channel is allocated NB3, a 5 MHz capable UE may measure NB0-NB3 on a few subframes and NB3-NB7 on other subframes. This may provide for CQI reports for NB0-NB7 while still monitoring the control channel on NB3. This may also be used for data transmissions when the wider bandwidth is used for the data transmission decoding. When the control channel is configured appropriately by the network, the UE may measure the full 20 MHz bandwidth with just two control channel narrowbands being configured. The eMTC wireless communication system may be configured such that the CQI report may cover a bandwidth that is larger than the UE's reported radio frequency (RF) bandwidth even when no control channel hopping is configured. In this instance, the UE may measure half the bandwidth in one subframe, the other half of the bandwidth in the next subframe, and construct the CQI report for the full bandwidth. In some aspect, the number of configured control channel narrowbands may be increased so the UE has more narrowband measurements over time.

At230, UE210may transmit a channel feedback message to base station205that comprises information associated with the channel measurement procedure. Broadly, the channel feedback message may include information indicative of the channel measurement results, e.g., raw information, information determined based on the channel measurement procedure, and the like.

The channel feedback message may include CQI reporting. Such CQI reporting may include periodic CQI reporting and/or aperiodic CQI reporting. The CQI reporting may include a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, a CQI (e.g., per channel), a subband report, a PMI, and the like.

In some aspects, CQI reporting may have a periodicity mode of 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, etc., subframes. There may be three modes of CQI reporting, e.g., Mode 1-0 and Mode 1-1 associated with periodic CQI reporting and Mode 2-0 associated with aperiodic reporting. Mode 1-0 may include CQI reporting without PMI. Mode 1-1 may include CQI reporting with PMI, full bandwidth CQI and PMI. For example, every nthCQI may contain the PMI. Mode 2-0 may include CQI reporting of the narrowband CQI (e.g., two or four narrowbands based on the configuration) and full bandwidth CQI reporting. Mode 2-0 may not include a PMI, but may use T×D based CQI. The CQI report may include wideband (e.g., full bandwidth) CQI, best narrowband index, corresponding differential CQI (e.g., best narrowband CQI minus wideband CQI). The narrowbands that UE210may measure during the channel measurement procedure may depend on the control channel configuration and the hopping configuration, when applicable.

The transmission triodes supported in eMTC configured wireless communication systems may include, but are not limited to, TM1:1Tx, TM2:T×D, TM6:rank 1 spatial multiplexing with closed loop PMI, TM9, UE reference signal (UERS).

In some aspects, the CQI reporting may be performed according to at least a couple options. In a first aperiodic option, the CQI reporting may include reporting the full bandwidth CQI, the best narrowband, and a narrowband differential CQI. In some aspects, the CQI reporting may include continued reporting in units of narrowband. This may increase the number of narrowbands, the number of CQI feedback bits, etc. In some aspects, the CQI reporting may include increasing the bandwidth of the narrowband report, e.g., introduce a new subband report. The CQI reporting may include wideband (e.g., the full bandwidth CQI), the best subband, and the differential subband CQI. The subbands may be a function of the system bandwidth in addition to the UE bandwidth capability. For example, a 10 MHz system bandwidth may define four subbands where each subband contains two narrowbands. A 20 MHz system bandwidth may define four subbands, where each subband contains four narrowbands. In some aspects, the subbands may be signaled to the UE. A PMI feedback may be added instead of (or in addition to) a T×D based CQI. For example, the PMI may be wideband only PMI, best narrowband PMI, or both. The CQI reporting (e.g., T×D or PMI based) may be send as a function of the transmission mode.

In a second periodic option, the CQI reporting may include wideband CQI and may rotate through the bandwidth part containing multiple subbands. Best subband CQIs for the bandwidth part may be reported.

Certain aspects of the described techniques may provide for CQI table enhancements. Traditionally for a large range for low signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs), the UE reports CQI 0. Entries in the CQI table may be added for lower SNRs, include UE recommendations of repetition factor to use, etcc, so that lower SNR CQI reports are more meaningful. This may be helpful to NB-IoT as well if CQI feedback support is added

In some aspects, UE210may measure larger bandwidths in response to an aperiodic CQI request. Aperiodic CQI may be triggered in an uplink grant sent using a different timeline (more gap between the uplink grant and an uplink data channel (e.g., physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)/CQI report) as current timeline may not leave enough time for the UE to measure the channel(s). The extra delay may apply to CQI and not to PUSCH, in some examples. Aperiodic CQI reporting sent along with an acknowledgement/negative-acknowledgement (ACK/NACK) may be triggered by the control channel for a downlink grant.

FIG. 3illustrates an example of a channel configuration300that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Channel configuration300may implement aspect(s) of wireless communication system100and/or process200ofFIGS. 1 and 2. Channel configuration300may be implemented by a UE115and/or a base station105for wireless communications in a eMTC system. The UE115and base station105may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein.

Generally, channel configuration300may include a plurality of NBs305, with eight NBs305being shown by way of example. Each NB may have an associated index number. Thus, channel configuration300may include NB0305-a, NB1305-b, NB2305-b, and so forth. Each NB305may have an associated bandwidth and may include, in some examples, 6 RBs. As discussed above, each RB may have 12 sub-carriers in the frequency domain that span multiple symbol periods in the time domain.

Moreover, channel configuration300also indicates a relationship between the NBs305and a bandwidth capability310of a UE. The bandwidth capability310may be determined based on the configuration of the UE, on the number of communication chains of the UE, and the like.

As is discussed, a control channel may have an associated first frequency band. The size of the first frequency hand may be determined based on the number of NBs305allocated to the control channel for transmission of control information. Control information being transmitted in a NB305may occupy a plurality of RBs of the NB305, but may not occupy every resource or RB of the NB305. Thus, a particular NB305may carry control information for control channel transmission within the subframe.

Control information may not be allocated for every NB305during a subframe. Instead, the control channel may be allocated to one NB305per subframe, may be hopped across different NBs305for different subframes, and the like. The control channel within a NB305may be inferred through the resource allocation and/or based on a downlink control indicator (DCI) for the data channel. The control channel transmission therefore may have an associated second bandwidth that corresponds to a particular NB305(e.g., the full bandwidth of the NB305, a bandwidth of the sub-carrier(s) within a RB carrying the control channel, etc.)

As also discussed, the UE may identify a second frequency band to perform a channel measurement procedure on based on the bandwidth capability310of the UE. The bandwidth capability310used to identify the second frequency band may support the UE performing the channel measurement procedure on the first and second frequency bands concurrently in a subframe, e.g., at the same time using different communication chains.

The second frequency band may be based on predefined frequency band configurations that include a set of NBs305. Examples of the predefined frequency band configuration may include one set comprising NBs305-athrough305-dand a second set comprising NBs305-ethrough305-h. Other examples may include two, six, eight, or some other number of NBs305per set. The second frequency band may be overlapping (e.g., NBs305-aand305-cmay overlap with NB305-b) or non-overlapping (e.g., NBs305-aand305-bmay not overlap with NB305-c).

FIG. 4illustrates an example of a process400that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Process400may implement aspect(s) of wireless communication system100, process200, and/or carrier configuration300ofFIGS. 1 through 3. Process400may include a base station405and a UE410. Base station405and UE410may be examples of the corresponding devices described herein. The UE410may be an example of a wireless device.

Generally, process400illustrates an example of UE410performing channel measurement procedures in narrowbands associated with a data transmission in a data channel to UE410. For example, the data transmission allocated to UE410may be scheduled for transmission in a plurality of narrowbands and UE410may select these (and other) narrowbands to perform the channel measurement procedure on.

At415, UE410may receive a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band. The scheduling indicator may be received from base station405and may include control information associated with the data transmission, e.g., a starting point, length, etc., for the data transmission.

At420, UE410may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for UE410. The determination may be based on the scheduling indicator. For example, UE410may receive and decode the scheduling indicator to determine that the data transmission is scheduled for UE410, where the data transmission will be received in (e.g., which narrowband(s), which RBs within the narrowband(s) will carry the data, etc.).

At425, UE410may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. The second frequency band may include a number of narrowband(s) allocated to transmit the data in the data transmission. The second frequency band may be part of a preconfigured set of frequency bands, a set of frequency bands that are adjacent to the first frequency band, a set of wideband frequency bands, and the like.

At430, UE410may perform a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. UE410may perform the channel measurement procedure autonomously (e.g., without input from a network, base station405, etc.) or based on a request message (e.g., received from base station405).

At435, UE410may optionally transmit a channel feedback message to base station405. The channel feedback message may be based on the channel measurement procedure and may include a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, a CQI, a subband report, a PMI, and the like (or combinations thereof).

FIG. 5shows a block diagram500of a wireless device505that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device505may be an example of aspects of a UE115as described with reference toFIG. 1, wireless device505may include a receiver510, a CQI manager515, and a transmitter520, wireless device505may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver510may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to CQI design for eMTC, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device. The receiver510may be an example of aspects of the transceiver835described with reference toFIG. 8.

CQI manager515may be an example of aspects of the CQI manager815described with reference toFIG. 8.

In some aspects, CQI manager515may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. CQI manager515may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. CQI manager515may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. CQI manager515may transmit a channel feedback message including information associated with the channel measurement procedure.

In some aspects, CQI manager515may also receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band. CQI manager515may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based on the received scheduling indicator. CQI manager515may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. CQI manager515may perform, based on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band.

Transmitter520may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter520may be collocated with a receiver510in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter520may be an example of aspects of the transceiver835described with reference toFIG. 8. The transmitter520may include a single antenna, or it may include a set of antennas.

FIG. 6shows a block diagram600of a wireless device605that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device605may be an example of aspects of a wireless device505or a UE115as described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 5. wireless device605may include a receiver610, a CQI manager615, and a transmitter620, wireless device605may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver610may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to CQI design for eMTC, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device. The receiver610may be an example of aspects of the transceiver835described with reference toFIG. 8.

CQI manager615may be an example of aspects of the CQI manager815described with reference toFIG. 8. CQI manager615may also include a control channel monitoring manager625, a bandwidth capability manager630, a channel measurement manager635, a channel feedback manager640, and a data transmission manager645.

Control channel monitoring manager625may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. Control channel monitoring manager625may receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band.

Bandwidth capability manager630may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. Bandwidth capability manager630may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. In some cases, the second frequency band is larger than the first frequency band and includes the first frequency band.

Channel measurement manager635may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. Channel measurement manager635may receive a configuration message conveying a channel measurement request. Channel measurement manager635may perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the configuration message. Channel measurement manager635may perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band during the identified portion of subframes. Channel measurement manager635may autonomously determine, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band. Channel measurement manager635may perform, based on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. Channel measurement manager635may autonomously determine, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. Channel measurement manager635may perform the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band based on the configuration message. In some cases, the channel measurement procedure is performed according to a periodic schedule or an aperiodic schedule.

Channel feedback manager640may transmit a channel feedback message including information associated with the channel measurement procedure. Channel feedback manager640may increase a number of bits in channel feedback message to carry the contents of the channel feedback message. In some cases, the channel feedback message includes one or more of a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, CQI, a subband report, a PMI, or combinations thereof.

Data transmission manager645may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based on the received scheduling indicator.

Transmitter620may transmit signals generated by other components of the device. In some examples, the transmitter620may be collocated with a receiver610in a transceiver module. For example, the transmitter620may be an example of aspects of the transceiver835described with reference toFIG. 8. The transmitter620may include a single antenna, or it may include a set of antennas.

FIG. 7shows a block diagram700of a CQI manager715that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The CQI manager715may be an example of aspects of a CQI manager515, a CQI manager615, or a CQI manager815described with reference toFIGS. 5, 6, and 8. The CQI manager715may include a control channel monitoring manager720, a bandwidth capability manager725, a channel measurement manager730, a channel feedback manager735, a data transmission manager740, a subframe manager745, and a frequency band manager750. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Control channel monitoring manager720may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. Control channel monitoring manager720may receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band.

Bandwidth capability manager725may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. Bandwidth capability manager725may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. In some cases, the second frequency band is larger than the first frequency band and includes the first frequency band.

Channel measurement manager730may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. Channel measurement manager730may receive a configuration message conveying a channel measurement request. Channel measurement manager730may perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band based on the configuration message. Channel measurement manager730may perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band during the identified portion of subframes. Channel measurement manager730may autonomously determine, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band. Channel measurement manager730may perform, based on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. Channel measurement manager730may perform the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band based on the configuration message. In some cases, the channel measurement procedure is performed according to a periodic schedule or an aperiodic schedule. In some cases, the channel measurement procedure is performed according to a periodic schedule or an aperiodic schedule.

Channel feedback manager735may transmit a channel feedback message including information associated with the channel measurement procedure. Channel feedback manager735may increase a number of bits in channel feedback message to carry the contents of the channel feedback message. In some cases, the channel feedback message includes one or more of a full bandwidth CQI, a best bandwidth indicator, a bandwidth differential, CQI, a subband report, a PMI, or combinations thereof.

Data transmission manager740may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based on the received scheduling indicator.

Subframe manager745may identify a portion of subframes from a set of subframes to perform the channel measurement procedure. Subframe manager745may perform the channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band during the identified portion of subframes.

Frequency band manager750may identify a preconfigured set of frequency bands, where the first and second frequency bands are included in the preconfigured set of frequency bands. Frequency band manager750may determine a set of wideband frequency bands associated with the wireless device monitoring a control channel. Frequency band manager750may select the first and second frequency bands that are within the wideband frequency bands. Frequency band manager750may identify a set of frequency bands that are adjacent to the first frequency band, where the second frequency band is included in the set of frequency bands. In some cases, the second frequency band includes one of a 5 MHz bandwidth or a 20 MHz bandwidth. In some cases, the first frequency band includes a 1.4 MHz bandwidth.

FIG. 8shows a diagram of a system800including a device805that supports CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Device805may be an example of or include the components of wireless device505, wireless device605, or a UE115as described above, e.g., with reference toFIGS. 1 through 6. Device805may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including a CQI manager815, a processor820, a memory825, a software830, a transceiver835, an antenna840, and an I/O controller845. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more busses (e.g., bus810). Device805may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations105.

Memory825may include random access memory (RAM) and read only memory (ROM). The memory825may store computer-readable, computer-executable software830including instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to perform various functions described herein. In some cases, the memory825may contain, among other things, a basic input/output system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware and/or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.

Transceiver835may communicate bi-directionally, via one or more antennas, wired, or wireless links as described above. For example, the transceiver835may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate hi-directionally with another wireless transceiver.

The transceiver835may also include a modem to modulate the packets and provide the modulated packets to the antennas for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the antennas.

In some cases, the wireless device may include a single antenna840. However, in some cases the device may have more than one antenna840, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.

I/O controller845may manage input and output signals for device805. I/O controller845may also manage peripherals not integrated into device805. In some cases, I/O controller845may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, I/O controller845may utilize an operating system such as IOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. In other cases, I/O controller845may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, I/O controller845may be implemented as part of a processor. In some cases, a user may interact with device805via I/O controller845or via hardware components controlled by I/O controller845.

FIG. 9shows a flowchart illustrating a method900for CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method900may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method900may be performed by a CQI manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block905the UE115may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. The operations of block905may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block905may be performed by a control channel monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block910the UE115may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The operations of block910may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block910may be performed by a bandwidth capability manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block915the UE115may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The operations of block915may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block915may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block920the UE115may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure. The operations of block920may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block920may be performed by a channel feedback manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8,

FIG. 10shows a flowchart illustrating a method1000for CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1000may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1000may be performed by a CQI manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1005the UE115may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. The operations of block1005may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1005may be performed by a control channel monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1010the UE115may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The operations of block1010may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1010may be performed by a bandwidth capability manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1015the UE115may autonomously determine, by the wireless device, to perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band. The operations of block1015may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1015may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1020the UE115may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The operations of block1020may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1020may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1025the UE115may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure. The operations of block1025may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1025may be performed by a channel feedback manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 11shows a flowchart illustrating a method1100for CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1100may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1100may be performed by a CQI manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1105the UE115may monitor, by a wireless device, a first control channel in a first frequency band. The operations of block1105may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1105may be performed by a control channel monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1110the UE115may determine that a bandwidth capability of the wireless device supports communicating on the first frequency band and at least a second frequency band. The operations of block1110may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1110may be performed by a bandwidth capability manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1115the UE115may receive a configuration message conveying a channel measurement request. The operations of block1115may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1115may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1120the UE115may perform the channel measurement procedure on the first frequency hand and the second frequency hand based at least in part on the configuration message. The operations of block1120may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1120may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1125the UE115may perform a channel measurement procedure on the first frequency band and the second frequency band concurrently. The operations of block1125may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1125may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1130the UE115may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure. The operations of block1130may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1130may be performed by a channel feedback manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8,

FIG. 12shows a flowchart illustrating a method1200for CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1200may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1200may be performed by a CQI manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1205the UE115may receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band. The operations of block1205may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1205may be performed by a control channel monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1210the UE115may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator. The operations of block1210may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1210may be performed by a data transmission manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1215the UE115may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. The operations of block1215may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1215may be performed by a bandwidth capability manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1220the UE115may perform, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. The operations of block1220may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1220may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

FIG. 13shows a flowchart illustrating a method1300for CQI design for eMTC in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method1300may be implemented by a UE115or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method1300may be performed by a CQI manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8. In some examples, a UE115may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE115may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block1305the UE115may receive, at a wireless device, a scheduling indicator on a first control channel in a first frequency band. The operations of block1305may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1305may be performed by a control channel monitoring manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1310the UE115may determine that a data transmission is scheduled for the wireless device based at least in part on the received scheduling indicator. The operations of block1310may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1310may be performed by a data transmission manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1315the UE115may identify a second frequency band associated with the data transmission. The operations of block1315may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1315may be performed by a bandwidth capability manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1320the UE115may perform, based at least in part on the identified second frequency band, a channel measurement procedure on the second frequency band. The operations of block1320may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1320may be performed by a channel measurement manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.

At block1325the UE115may transmit a channel feedback message comprising information associated with the channel measurement procedure. The operations of block1325may be performed according to the methods described with reference toFIGS. 1 through 4. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block1325may be performed by a channel feedback manager as described with reference toFIGS. 5 through 8.