System and method for supporting switching between a packet-switched network and a circuit-switched network

A User Equipment (UE) has multiple transceivers, each having a corresponding receiver configured to communicate on respective carriers. The UE monitors a radio access network (RAN) on a serving cell using a first of the receivers, and indicates to the base station that at least one of its receivers will temporary tune-out from the RAN. The base station receives the indication from the UE, and temporarily suspends communications with the UE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the operation of User Equipment (UE) in a wireless communication network, and more particularly to a system and procedure for controlling communications between the UE and a base station in a radio access network (RAN).

BACKGROUND

Cellular networks were originally developed to provide primarily voice services over circuit switched (CS) networks. However, the introduction of packet switched (PS) networks enables network operators to provide data services as well as voice services to users. Eventually, network architecture is expected to evolve toward all-IP networks capable of providing both voice and data services.

Currently, some UEs implement functionality that allows them to transition from communicating with a PS network, e.g., via an LTE network, to communicating with a CS network, e.g., via IS95/CDMA network. To accomplish this, the UEs enter an idle mode with respect to the CS network after registering with the CS network, and begin communicating over the PS network. While the UE is in the CS network idle mode, the CS network may provide the UE with services notifications. For example, the CS network may alert the UE to an incoming call. Additionally, the UE may autonomously transition from the PS network to the CS network for a short period of time to perform some function associated with a CS network idle mode, or more specifically, some function associated with the Radio Resource Control (RRC) idle mode associated with the RAN that connects the UE to the CS network, such as to read a paging channel, check paging notifications for incoming calls, or perform a location update procedure. Once the CS operations are complete, the UE returns to the CS network idle mode and transitions back to communicating in the PS network.

Some UEs have two or more receivers, and thus, can maintain connections to both the CS and PS networks. However, not all UEs can establish and maintain two different connections. Particularly, some UEs have only a single transceiver, and thus, must temporarily “tune-out” of one network, e.g., the PS network, to communicate with the other, e.g., the CS network. For a UE, “tuning out” of the PS network can be problematic, particularly if there is data in the downlink buffers. More specifically, a UE would have to tune-out of the PS network for up to two seconds to perform a task, and therefore would risk being dropped by the PS network.

Those UEs having dual receivers, however, may be simultaneously connected to both an LTE network for PS services, and a CS network, e.g., a CDMA 1XRTT network, for CS services. This may be accomplished using a first receiver chain in the UE to monitor the LTE network, or the PS network via the LTE network, and a second receiver chain in the UE to monitor the CS network. With dual receivers, a UE in idle mode in both the LTE/PS and CS networks is able to perform idle mode cell reselection and page monitoring independently in both networks at the same time. Thus, a UE having dual receivers functions more or less as one LTE UE and one CDMA UE combined together.

However, when the UE is operating in Carrier Aggregation (CA) mode in the PS network, i.e., the UE is configured with one or more secondary serving cells, the UE may not be able to simultaneously monitor the CS network and all of its serving cells, i.e., its Primary serving Cell (PCell) and Secondary serving Cells (SCells), in the PS network. In such cases, the second receiver chain of the UE would have to be shared between the CS network and the one or more secondary serving cells also using the receiver. The UE would therefore need to “tune-out” on one or more secondary serving cells of the PS network in order to perform a task in the CS network.

A UE having dual receivers may perform an LTE access upon being paged by the CS network. The access serves to inform the LTE network of the page received from the CS network, and that the UE may be unreachable by the LTE network while it is connected to the CS network. One method for performing this access function is defined in chapter 10.3 of version 10.3.0 of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technical Specification (TS) 36.300 entitled, “3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) and Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN); Overall description; Stage 2 (Release 10),” published March 2011.

Although both single and multiple transceiver UEs can “tune-out” of a network, conventional methods do not define a solution that functions for both types of UEs—i.e., single transceiver and dual or multiple transceiver UEs. For example, one potential solution for dealing with the problems associated with tuning-out of a secondary cell is provided in 3GPP TSG-RAN WG2 #77 R2-120306. The solution defined therein, however, is for dual-transceiver UEs and does not consider situations in which the UE tunes-out completely, such as would be the case of a single receiver UE tuning out of a Primary Cell (PCell), also denoted Primary serving Cell, in a non-carrier aggregation (CA) configuration. This means that two separate solutions are needed—one solution for CA configured UEs, and another solution for non-CA configured UEs.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provides a system and method that permits User Equipment (UE) to initiate a “tune-out” procedure by signaling the intention to “tune-out” to a base station in a Radio Access Network (RAN) connected to a packet switched (PS) network. As used herein, to “tune-out” of a network means that a UE transitions away, e.g., temporarily, from communicating with one network, e.g., a PS network, to perform some function, such as to communicate signals and/or data with a different network, e.g., a CS network, or to perform some other function that would allow the UE to benefit from such a “tune-out.” Such functions include, but are not limited to, functions that would allow the UE to reduce its draw on battery resources, for example.

In one embodiment, for example, the present invention provides a method for controlling communications between the UE and a base station in a RAN. In this embodiment, the UE comprises first and second transceivers, each having a corresponding receiver. The UE is also configured with one or more serving cells for communicating with the RAN. The UE monitors the RAN on a specific serving cell of the one or more serving cells using a first receiver of the first and second transceivers, and indicates, to the base station, a temporary tune-out from the RAN on at least one of the first receiver and a second receiver of the first and second transceivers.

In one embodiment, a corresponding UE is provided comprising a communication interface and a programmable controller. The communication interface comprises a plurality of transceivers. Each transceiver comprises a corresponding receiver and is configured to communicate with the RAN via the base station. The programmable controller is operatively connected to the plurality of transceivers, and in one embodiment, is configured to monitor the RAN on a specific serving cell of the one or more serving cells using a first receiver of the first and second transceivers, and indicate to the base station in the RAN a temporary tune-out from the RAN on at least one of the first receiver and a second receiver of the first and second transceivers.

In another embodiment, the disclosure provides a method for controlling communications between a UE and a base station in a RAN. This embodiment, however, is performed at the base station. Particularly, in this embodiment, the base station configures the UE with one or more serving cells for communicating with the RAN. Then, the base station receives, from the UE, an indication that at least one of a first receiver of the UE monitoring a specific serving cell of the one or more serving cells, and a second receiver of the UE, will temporarily tune-out from the RAN.

In another embodiment, the present disclosure also provides a base station, such as an eNB, for example, configured to control communications between the UE and the base station. In this embodiment, the base station comprises a communication interface and a programmable controller operatively connected to the communication interface. The programmable controller configures the UE with one or more serving cells for communicating with the RAN, and receives, from the UE, an indication that at least one of a first receiver of the UE monitoring a specific serving cell of the one or more serving cells, and a second receiver of the UE, will temporarily tune-out from the RAN.

In one or more embodiments, the base station or eNB may configure the UE to send indications with information indicating when and/or how often the UE will tune-out on one or more serving cells of the UE.

Of course, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to the above contexts or examples, and will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method by which a UE having multiple transceivers can indicate its intention to temporarily “tune-out” of a PS network, or more specifically, of a RAN connected to a PS network, to perform some desired function. More specifically, the embodiments provide a means by which a UE may indicate which specific serving cells are affected by the tune-out. The UE may perform the tune-out function, for example, to transition to a CS network, or more specifically, to a RAN connected to a CS network, to listen to a paging channel, check paging notifications for incoming calls, or perform a location area update, or to reduce the draw on its battery resources.

Those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that, although the present disclosure describes the embodiments in the context of a UE transitioning between a PS network and a CS network, this is merely for illustrative purposes. The methods and procedures described herein are equally applicable to UEs transitioning between an LTE network connected to a PS network and a WiFi network connected to a private or public IP network, such as the Internet, for example.

Turning to the drawings,FIG. 1illustrates a high-level, functional block diagram of a communications system10. As seen inFIG. 1, system10comprises a packet switched core network (PSCN)12and a circuit switched core network (CSCN)14. The PSCN12connects to a packet data network (PDN), such as the Internet (not shown), and as is known in the art, communicates signals and data with a User Equipment (UE)20via a Radio Access Network (RAN)16, e.g., the Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network or E-UTRAN. The RAN16may implement any standards known in the art; however, in one embodiment, the RAN16conforms to the Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocol and its extensions defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As known in the art, the RAN16includes one or more base stations referred to as eNodeBs (eNB). Each eNB in the RAN16provides wireless communication service to a plurality of UEs, such as UE20, within a geographical area, or cell.

The CSCN14comprises a network that connects to a circuit switched network such as the Public Services Telephone Network (PSTN) (not shown). The CSCN14provides primarily voice services and low rate data services to the UE20over an air interface via one or more base stations (BS) in a RAN18. The RAN18may also operate according to any known standards. However, in one embodiment, the RAN18operates according to the well-known IS95/CDMA standards. Thus, the RAN16may operate according to one radio access technology and the RAN18may operate according to another radio access technology.

The UE20, having multiple transceivers, may have one of its receivers tuned to the RAN18, and thus, receive service notifications from the CSCN14relating to circuit switched services. For example, in this manner, the UE20may receive paging messages alerting the UE20to incoming voice calls. Alternatively, if the UE20only has a single transceiver or has all of its transceivers tuned to the RAN16, the UE20may, upon registering with the PSCN12, request that the PSCN12forwards circuit services notifications to the UE20via RAN16. Thereafter, whenever the PSCN12receives a notification, e.g., an incoming call from the CSCN14for the UE20, the PSCN12sends that notification to the UE20via the RAN16. Upon receipt of the notification, the UE20may transition to the RAN18to communicate with the CSCN14, and return back to the PSCN12and RAN16when complete.

Additionally or alternatively, the UE20may also need to autonomously transition to the CSCN14from time to time to perform some scheduled function, such as read a paging channel or perform a location services update, for example. In these cases, the UE20must “tune-out” of the RAN16and PSCN12and temporarily transition to communicating with the CSCN14via RAN18to perform the function. However, the UE20is currently not required to notify the RAN16and/or PSCN12when it will transition to the CSCN14. Such procedures can be problematic because they may cause unexpected behavior in the RAN16and/or PSCN12networks.

Regardless of whether a given UE20has a single transceiver or multiple transceivers, the UE20may still have to tune-out of one or more of its serving cells while listening to the CS network if the UE20is configured to have all transceivers tuned to the RAN16, e.g. the LTE network. Even in cases when the UE20listens to the LTE network on at least one serving cell and is capable of UL transmissions, there is currently no way for the UE20to indicate to the RAN16a tune-out of a serving cell in order to communicate with another network, e.g. the CS network. Therefore, a tune-out, even on a secondary cell, could lead to uncontrolled behavior and unnecessary packet losses.

Therefore, according to embodiments of the present invention, a UE such as UE20first indicates to the base station, e. g., the eNB, in the RAN16that it will temporarily “tune-out” for some period of time. In the indication, the UE20identifies which of its serving cells will be affected by the tune-out. Once indicated, the UE20may transition from communicating with the RAN16/PSCN12to communicating with the RAN18/CSCN14. By way of example, the UE20may transition to read a paging channel, check paging notifications for incoming calls, or to perform a location update procedure. Regardless of the reason for the transition, however, the base station or eNB in RAN16may temporarily suspend communicating data with the UE20. When the UE20is ready to transition back to the RAN16/PSCN12, the UE20sends a “tune-in” message to notify its presence to RAN16. The base station or eNB in RAN16then resumes normal operations with the UE20.

FIG. 2is a signal diagram illustrating a method30of supporting such a transition by the UE20from the PSCN12to the CSCN14and back again. As seen inFIG. 2, the UE20first sends a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) to the base station, e.g., eNB80, in RAN16to indicate the intention to temporarily tune-out of the RAN16and PSCN12(line32). The MAC CE is sent via the uplink shared channel (UL-SCH), and includes, for example, information that identifies the UE20, the Logical Channel Identifier (LCID), and a cell index that, as described in more detail later, allows the UE20to identify which of its serving cells will be affected by the tune-out. Upon receipt of the MAC CE, the base station, e.g., eNB80, may perform the actions necessary to avoid radio link failure and/or dropped calls for the UE20. This may include, for example, temporarily stopping the scheduling of the data for the UE20(box34).

The base station or eNB80may then send an Activation/Deactivation (A/D) MAC CE to the UE20(line36). The A/D MAC CE is optional, and thus, the base station or eNB80may or may not send this message to the UE20. The UE20then transitions from the RAN16and PSCN12to communicate with the CSCN14via a BS90in RAN18(line38). As previously stated, the UE20may perform a location update function, read a paging channel, check paging notifications for incoming calls, or perform some other function associated with the CSCN14.

To transition back to the RAN16and PSCN12, i.e., “tune-in”, the UE20will send another MAC CE including the LCID to the base station or eNB80via the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) (line40). As described in more detail later, the UE20sends this MAC CE to indicate to the base station or eNB80that it is back from the tune-out, and therefore, listening to the base station or eNB80on its receivers. The base station or eNB80may then (optionally) send another ND MAC CE to the UE20(line42). Particularly, if the base station or eNB80deactivated the SCell in a previous ND MAC CE (e.g., line36), the base station or eNB80may activate the SCell in this ND MAC CE when the UE20has tuned-in again on the SCell. The base station or eNB80can then resume scheduling and normal operations with the UE20on the SCell (box44).

Sending a Tune-Out Message to the Base Station or eNB

Some UEs20may be configured to provide a MAC control element to the base station or eNB80to signal when it performs a tune-out procedure, thereby enabling the UE20to indicate either a one-time, periodic, or a-periodic tune-away or tune-out. Particularly, the UE20may send a Scheduling Request (SR) message to the base station or eNB80to indicate that it has “tuned back” to RAN16, e.g. the LTE network. However, when the UE20is configured with one or more secondary cells, the UE20might still have the receiver tuned to a primary serving cell, e.g., the LTE primary serving cell. In such cases, the base station or eNB80may not be able to determine whether a given SR indicates that the UE20is requesting to transmit data on its primary serving cell, or whether the UE20is indicating that it has “tuned back in” to one or more of its secondary serving cells. Thus, in some cases, the reason for the UE20having sent the SR may be ambiguous to the base station or eNB80.

Therefore, in addition to the foregoing embodiments, embodiments of the present invention also provide a system and method informing a base station, e.g., an eNB80, of when it will tune-out and/or tune back in. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention configure the20to indicate a one-time tune-out, a periodic tune-out, or an a-periodic tune-out. The indications include parameters that indicate, for example, a periodicity for the tune-out, a System Frame Number (SFN), and when the tune-out will occur. Other parameters are also possible.

Embodiments of the present invention also configure the UE20to include information of whether the tune-out will impact the UEs20Primary Cell (PCell), and/or one or more of the UEs20Secondary Cells (SCell) in one or more of the messages previously described.

As seen in more detail below, the embodiments of the present invention may be utilized as stand-alone embodiments, or they may be used to complement other messages or MAC CE(s) configured to provide similar information, and/or in cases where the UE20needs to indicate an impact on one or more specific serving cells.

In one embodiment, in a message sent to the base station, e.g., the eNB80, the UE20is configured to indicate that the message applies for one or more specific serving cells. The message may comprise, for example, a MAC CE, and ties the identification of specific serving cells to the tune-out. Thus, in one embodiment, the MAC CE is a tune-out message that indicates which of the cell(s) serving the UE20will be impacted by the tune-out.

In another embodiment, the MAC CE is generated to include a bitmap that indicates which serving cell(s) that are affected.FIGS. 3-5illustrate some possible exemplary implementations of such a bitmap that indicates the affected serving cells. Those skilled in the art, however, should readily appreciate that the bitmaps and the MAC CEs illustrated in these figures are merely exemplary. To be valid and usable with the embodiments of the present invention, the bitmap does not necessarily have to include the fields shown in the example. Similarly, the illustrated locations of the bitmap in the message are not essential, and thus, are also exemplary and used for illustrative purposes only. The fields seen in the MAC CEs ofFIGS. 3-5may be located in any order and/or could also be located in a MAC CE having a different number of fields or different types of fields than shown in the figures.

FIG. 3illustrates one exemplary implementation of a MAC CE tune-out message. This embodiment of the MAC CE implements an 8-bit bitmap to indicate which of the serving cells are affected by the tune-out. The 8-bit bitmap corresponds to the cell indices of the SCells and the PCell, which are sometimes, indicated using the terms SCellIndex or ServCellIndex. Although the bitmap is located at the end of the MAC CE, those of ordinary skill in the art should appreciate that the bitmap is not restricted as to its placement within the MAC CE, and may be placed anywhere within the MAC CE or within another, different MAC CE.

The first 7 bits of the bitmap inFIG. 3correspond to the cell index, e.g., sometimes indicated asSCellIndex, of a secondary serving cell in descending order, where Cicorresponds to cell index i. The last bit of the bitmap, P, corresponds to the PCell. These bits are set to identify which of the serving cell(s) will be affected by the tune-out. Particularly, those serving cell(s) that will be affected by the tune-out are indicated with value of 1 (or alternatively, value 0). All serving cells that are not affected by the tune-out, however, are indicated using the other value (i.e., 0 or 1). For a SCellIndex i that is not in use (i.e. not configured for an SCell), the base station or eNB80is configured to ignore the indication.

Therefore, in this embodiment, one possible implementation for defining the bits C1-C7and P may be as follows.

Ci: if there is a SCell configured with SCellIndex i, this field indicates whether the SCell with SCellIndex i is affected by the UE20tune-out indicated by this MAC CE. Otherwise, the base station or eNB80shall ignore the Cifield. In one embodiment, the Cifield is set to “1” to indicate that the SCell with SCellIndex i is affected by the tune-out, and set to “0” to indicate that the SCell with SCellIndex i is not affected by the tune-out. In another embodiment, the Cifield is set to “0” to indicate that the SCell with SCellIndex i is affected by the tune-out, and set to “1” to indicate that the SCell with SCellIndex i is not affected by the tune-out.

P: This field indicates whether the PCell is affected by the UE20tune-out indicated by this MAC CE. In one embodiment, the P field is set to “1” to indicate that the PCell is affected by the tune-out, and set to “0” to indicate that the PCell is not affected by the tune-out. In another embodiment, the P field is set to “0” to indicate that the PCell is affected by the tune-out, and set to “1” to indicate that the PCell is not affected by the tune-out.

FIG. 4illustrates another exemplary implementation of the MAC CE configured to utilize the same principle as previously described forFIG. 3. Particularly, the embodiment ofFIG. 5also indicates a tune-out impact for one or more SCells, but uses only a 7-bit bitmap C1-C7rather than an 8-bit bitmap. Particularly, C1-C7are utilized for indicating the impact (or lack of impact) on an SCell, as described above, but the PCell does not have a separate field. In these embodiments, all 7 bits of the bitmap are set to “0” (or alternatively, “1”) to indicate tune-outs that impact the PCell. Thus, in this embodiment, since traffic on SCells is currently not possible without the PCell (as it is needed for PUCCH transmission), a tune-out on the PCell also implicitly defines a tune-out on all configured SCells.

FIG. 5illustrates an embodiment of the MAC CE structure that may be used either with or without modifications. Particularly, assuming that the “TYPE” field shown inFIG. 5has at least one unused value, the value, or range of values, is used to indicate that this message is a one-time tune-out message, a periodic tune-out message, or an a-periodic tune-out message that applies to a SCell instead of a the PCell. If the TYPE field is set to another value, or a specific range of values are set, the tune-out message applies for the PCell only.

In another embodiment, the unused value(s) of the TYPE field could also be utilized to indicate to the base station or eNB80that the UE20has provided information about which SCell(s) it will perform a tune-out on using some or all reserved bits of the MAC CE. This embodiment of using a type value as an indication could be combined with the example implementation using a 7-bit bitmap previously described.

In another embodiment, the TYPE field can be used to indicate whether the UE20will or will not tune-out on the PCell. A bitmap, such as the bitmaps seen inFIGS. 3 and 4, for example, can then be used to indicate which SCell(s), if any, that the UE20will tune-out on in addition to the PCell.

Sending a Tune-In Message to the Base Station or eNB

In addition to the foregoing embodiments, other embodiments of the present invention provide a method for the UE20to indicate to the base station or eNB80that it is back from the tune-out, and thus, is listening to the base station or eNB80on some or all of its receivers.

Particularly, in one or more embodiments the UE20may send a tune-in message to the base station or eNB80when the UE20has returned to listening to the Radio Access Technology (RAT) that the UE20temporarily ceased to monitor. The tune-in message may, for example, correspond to a MAC CE, and may include a MAC subheader having a unique and/or pre-defined LCID value.

In another embodiment, the tune-in message may also contain information that identifies which configured serving cell(s) are no longer affected by the UE's20tune-out.

In one embodiment, the tune-in message may correspond to the feedback or response messages sent by the UE20to the base station or eNB80once the base station or eNB80resumes scheduling and normal operations with the UE20, as previously described.

In one embodiment, the UE20sends a tune-in message only if the UE20is no longer monitoring another RAT on one or more receivers. In such embodiments, tune-in message may, for example, comprise, a 7 or 8-bit bitmap structured as previously described.

In one embodiment, the UE20sends a tune-in message only if the UE20is no longer monitoring another RAT on any of its receivers.

FIG. 6is a block diagram illustrating some components of an exemplary UE20configured to operate according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. As seen inFIG. 6, UE20comprises a programmable controller70, a memory72, a user I/O interface74, and a communications interface76. The user I/O interface74provides the components necessary for a user to interact with the UE20. The communications interface76comprises one or more transceivers that facilitate the communications with the RANs16,18, over the respective air interfaces. The memory72may comprise any solid state memory or computer readable media known in the art. Suitable examples of such media include, but are not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Flash, or a device capable of reading computer-readable media, such as optical or magnetic media.

The programmable controller70may be implemented by one or more microprocessors, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof, and generally controls the operation of the UE20according to the appropriate standards for both the LTE-based RAN16and the IS95/CDMA-based RAN18. Such functions include, but are not limited to, communicating with the base station or eNB80to indicate the intention to temporarily “tune-out” of the RAN16/PSCN12, as well as to “tune-in” to indicate its return, as previously described in this application. In this regard, the programmable controller70may be configured to implement logic and instructions78to perform embodiments of the present invention as previously described.

FIG. 7illustrates an exemplary base station or eNB80according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 8, the base station or eNB80comprises a programmable controller82, a communications interface84, and a memory86. The communications interface84may, for example, comprise a transmitter and receiver configured to operate in an LTE system or other similar system. As is known in the art, the transmitter and receiver are coupled to one or more antennas (not shown) and communicate with the UE20over the LTE-based air interface. Memory86may comprise any solid state memory or computer readable media known in the art. Suitable examples of such media include, but are not limited to, ROM, DRAM, Flash, or a device capable of reading computer-readable media, such as optical or magnetic media.

The programmable controller82controls the operation of the base station or eNB80in accordance with the LTE standard. The functions of the controller82may be implemented by one or more microprocessors, hardware, firmware, or a combination thereof, and include performing the functions to grant and support the temporary tune-outs requested by the UE20. Thus, the controller82may be configured to according to logic and instructions88stored in memory86to communicate the MAC Control Elements with the UE20, as well as to suspend scheduling and other functions regarding the UE20to avoid radio link failure and dropped calls while the UE20is tuned out of the RAN16/PSCN12.

The embodiments of the present invention provide advantages and benefits not realized by conventional systems and methods. For example, the present embodiments provide a solution in which the base station or eNB80is not only aware of when the UE20tunes-out, but also on which serving cells (if multiple) as well as when the UE20ends the tune-out or tunes back in. Additionally, the present embodiments enable the UE20to indicate that it will tune-out on one or more serving cells, as well as to indicate that it has tuned-in, even if the UE20was only tuned-out on a subset of its configured serving cells.

FIGS. 8A-8Care flow diagrams illustrating methods90,100, and120, respectively, for controlling communications between the UE20and a base station or eNB80in a radio access network RAN16. In this embodiment, the UE20comprises, for illustrative purposes, first and second transceivers. Each transceiver includes a corresponding receiver configured to communicate on respective first and second carriers. Additionally, the UE20is configured with one or more serving cells for communicating with the RAN16. The methods90,100, and120are all performed at the UE20by the programmable controller70.

FIG. 8Ais a flow diagram illustrating a method90according to one embodiment wherein the programmable controller70of UE20controls communications between the UE20and the base station or eNB80in a radio access network RAN16. Method90begins with the programmable controller70monitoring the RAN16on a specific serving cell, of the one or more serving cells, using a first receiver of the first and second transceivers (box92). To temporarily suspend communications with the base station or eNB80, the programmable controller at UE20indicates to the base station or eNB80in RAN16a temporary tune-out from the RAN16on at least one of the first receiver and a second receiver of the first and second transceivers (box94). Once the indication is sent, the programmable controller70temporarily suspends communications with the base station or eNB80in RAN16on the at least one of the first and second receivers (box96). In some embodiments, the programmable controller70at UE20may temporarily suspend the communications responsive to receiving an acknowledgement message from the base station or eNB80.

FIG. 8Bis a flow diagram illustrating a method100of how the programmable controller70at the UE20may be configured to indicate the intention to tune-out of the RAN16according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Particularly, as seen in method100, the programmable controller70may send a tune-out message to the base station or eNB80in the RAN16to indicate the temporary tune-out from the RAN16(box102). The tune-out message may include any information needed or desired, but in one embodiment, the tune-out message includes information that indicates one or more of a UE20identifier, a Logical Channel Identifier (LCID), a cell index that identifies which of the one or more serving cells will be affected by the temporary tune-out, a System Frame Number (SFN), and a time that the tune-out will occur.

In one embodiment, when the temporary tune-out involves the first receiver, the programmable controller70may indicate to the base station or eNB80in RAN16that the UE20is configured to temporarily cease monitoring the specific serving cell (box104). In another embodiment, the programmable controller70may indicate to the base station or eNB80in the RAN16, an impact on the one or more serving cells when the UE20performs the temporary tune-out (box106). In such embodiments, the programmable controller70may identify which of the one or more serving cells will be affected by the temporary tune-out (box108). Additionally or alternatively, the programmable controller70at the UE20may, in one embodiment, indicate whether the tune-out will be a one-time tune-out, a periodic tune-out, or an a-periodic tune-out (box110). In embodiments where the tune-out is a periodic tune-out, the programmable controller70at the UE20may indicate a periodicity for the periodic tune-out (box112).

FIG. 8Cis a flow diagram illustrating a method120in which the programmable controller70controls the UE20to resume communications with the RAN16. As seen inFIG. 8C, the UE20may monitor, or may already be monitoring, another serving cell of the one or more serving cells using the second receiver (box122). Regardless, however, the programmable controller70sends a tune-in message to the base station or eNB80in RAN16via a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) to indicate that the UE20is once again monitoring the RAN (16) on at least one of the specific serving cell and the another serving cell (box124). The tune-in message may comprise any information needed or desired, but in one embodiment, the tune-in message comprises one or more of a Logical Channel Identifier (LCID) and a cell index identifying which of the one or more serving cells will no longer be affected by the temporary tune-out. More specifically, the programmable controller70may indicate to the base station or eNB80in the RAN16, that the UE20is finished performing the temporary tune-out and returns to communicate with the RAN16(box126). The programmable controller70then resumes communications with the base station or eNB80in the RAN16on the at least one of the first and second receivers (box128).

FIGS. 9A-9Bare flow diagrams illustrating methods130and140respectively, for controlling communications between the UE20and a base station, e.g., eNB80, in RAN16. The methods130and140are all performed at the base station, e.g., eNB80, in RAN16by the programmable controller82.

FIG. 9Ais a flow diagram illustrating a method130wherein the programmable controller82of base station or eNB80controls communications between the UE20and the base station or eNB80in a radio access network RAN16. As seen in method130, the base station or eNB80configures the UE20with one or more serving cells for communicating with the RAN16(box132). The programmable controller82at the base station or eNB80then receives, from the UE20, an indication that at least one of a first receiver of the UE20monitoring a specific serving cell of the one or more serving cells, and a second receiver of the UE20, will temporarily tune-out from the RAN16(box134). Responsive to receiving the indication from the UE20, the programmable controller82temporarily suspends communications with at least one of the first and second receivers (box136). In some embodiments, the programmable controller82at the base station or eNB80may send an acknowledgement to the UE20upon receiving the tune-out message.

FIG. 9Billustrates a method140wherein the programmable controller82at base station or eNB80resumes communications with the UE20according to another embodiment. Particularly, in this embodiment, the programmable controller82at the base station or eNB80temporarily stops scheduling data for the at least one of the first and second receivers (box142) to suspend communications with the at least one of the first and second receivers. Thereafter, the base station or eNB80receives a tune-in message indicating that the UE20is finished performing the temporary tune-out and returns to communicate with the RAN16(box144). In response to receiving the tune-in message, the programmable controller82resumes scheduling data for the at least one of the first and second receivers (box146). In some embodiments, the programmable controller82at the base station or eNB80may also send an acknowledgement to the UE20upon receiving the tune-in message.