Patent Description:
The following relates generally to wireless communication and more specifically to narrowband communication for different device capabilities in unlicensed spectrum.

Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, (e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).

Some wireless communications systems may support communication 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 not be configured to account for differences in resource capability or bandwidth availability.

Some wireless systems support narrowband communication configurations such as NB-IoT and eMTC in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum. However, resource availability or regulatory restrictions for communication in an unlicensed spectrum may impose limitations that impact narrowband communications. These limitations may reduce the efficiency of narrowband communications and may not account for varying capabilities of narrowband devices within the system. <NPL> provides details on multiple NB-loT operations. <NPL> discusses resource allocation and channel access for PUSCH. <NPL>), describes NB IoT - NB-PDCCH designs.

The invention is defined and limited by the appended set of independent claims which provides methods, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium for performing narrowband communication in the unlicensed spectrum between devices with different capabilities. Further embodiments are set out by the dependent claims.

Resources for narrowband communication in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may be configured and allocated based on resource availability, regulatory constraints, device capability or category, etc. Machine type communication (MTC) devices or other relatively low complexity devices, including those associated with the Internet of Things (IoT), may communicate using one or more narrowband carriers, which may occupy between one tone and multiple resource blocks in an unlicensed spectrum band. In some cases, different countries may have different amounts of bandwidth available in unlicensed spectra. Different device types may thus be configured differently as they move between geographic regions.

By way of example, MTC (or enhanced MTC (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 designed for high data rates or continuous communication (e.g., Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)), these devices may communicate using deployments designed to reduce the complexity of devices, increase coverage, and provide better battery life.

Further, eMTC and narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) devices may communicate in an unlicensed frequency spectrum band when resources in a licensed spectrum are unavailable (e.g., due to increased data traffic, high usage fees, etc.). Either eMTC or NB-IoT techniques may be supported by a base station and used by devices communicating at relatively low data rates or in low signal to noise ratio (SNR) environments.

While eMTC deployments may offer some advantages over NB-IoT deployments in certain scenarios (e.g., resource flexibility, channel quality feedback, and frequency diversity), cell acquisition may take two to three times longer in an eMTC deployment than in an NB-IoT deployment. Depending on a geographic region of operation, the resource flexibility of an eMTC deployment may allow a device to satisfy, for example, bandwidth requirements (e.g., for a given application). As for NB-IoT deployments, faster cell acquisition procedures of these deployments may allow more efficient (e.g., energy efficient) use of resources in an unlicensed frequency spectrum band. Accordingly, it may be appropriate to provide improved system performance to support narrowband techniques that facilitate flexible deployment operation (e.g., eMTC and NB-IoT deployments) in multiple geographic regions that, in some cases, may be associated with varying available spectrum or bandwidth.

As described herein, a wireless communications system may support efficient narrowband techniques for facilitating flexible deployment operation. In some examples, a narrowband wireless device may receive a configuration on a first carrier for communication on additional carriers of an unlicensed spectrum band. The narrowband wireless device may then receive an assignment of resources to use for communication on the additional carriers. Based on the resource assignment and the configuration of the multiple carriers, the narrowband wireless device may communicate with a base station in the unlicensed spectrum using the additional carriers. These techniques for narrowband communication in an unlicensed spectrum may allow for efficient use of an unlicensed spectrum in different geographic regions.

Aspects of the disclosure introduced above are described below in the context of a wireless communications system. Examples of processes and signaling exchanges that support narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum are then described. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system <NUM> includes base stations <NUM>, user equipment (UE)s <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may be an LTE (or LTE-A) network. In some implementations, the wireless communications system <NUM> may support communication between base stations <NUM> and UEs <NUM> with different capabilities.

Each base station <NUM> may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic coverage area <NUM>. Communication links <NUM> shown in wireless communications system <NUM> may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE <NUM> to a base station <NUM>, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station <NUM> to a UE <NUM>.

A UE <NUM> may also be referred to as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

A UE <NUM> may be capable of narrowband communication, and may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a personal electronic device, a handheld device, a personal computer, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an IoT device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, an
MTC device, an appliance, an automobile, or the like. Some UEs <NUM> may be wearable devices, such as personal biometric or fitness monitors, location tracking devices, sensors, monitors, or the like.

In some cases, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) may carry downlink control information (DCI) in at least one control channel element (CCE), which may consist of nine logically contiguous resource element groups (REGs), where each REG contains four (<NUM>) resource elements. DCI includes information regarding downlink scheduling assignments, uplink resource grants, transmission scheme, uplink power control, hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) information, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), etc..

The size and format of the DCI messages can differ depending on the type and amount of information that is carried by the DCI. For example, if spatial multiplexing is supported, the size of the DCI message may be large compared to contiguous frequency allocations. Similarly, for a system that employs multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), the DCI may include additional signaling information. DCI size and format may depend on the amount of information as well as factors such as bandwidth, the number of antenna ports, and duplexing mode. PDCCH can carry DCI messages associated with multiple users, and each UE <NUM> may decode the DCI messages that are intended for it. For example, each UE <NUM> may be assigned a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) and each DCI may be scrambled based on the C-RNTI. Additionally, the size and format of the DCI messages, or the PDCCH carrying DCI, may depend on a capability or category of a device that is intended to receive the DCI or PDCCH. A PDCCH or other downlink control message may be configured for eMTC devices and NB-IoT devices, and the configuration of such messages may account for the relatively low complexity or low-power preference for eMTC and NB-IoT devices.

To reduce power consumption and overhead at the UE <NUM> (e.g., eMTC or NB-IoT device), a limited set of CCE locations can be specified for DCI associated with a specific UE <NUM>. CCEs may be grouped (e.g., in groups of <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> CCEs), and a set of CCE locations in which UE <NUM> may find relevant DCI may be specified. These CCEs may be known as a search space. The search space can be partitioned into two regions: a common CCE region or search space and a UE-specific (dedicated) CCE region or search space. The common CCE region is monitored by all UEs <NUM> served by a base station <NUM> and may include information such as paging information, system information, random access procedures and the like. The UE-specific search space may be smaller for an eMTC device and smaller still for a NB-IoT device.

The UE-specific search space may include user-specific control information. CCEs may be indexed, and the common search space may start from CCE <NUM>. The starting index for a UE specific search space may depend on the C-RNTI, the subframe index, the CCE aggregation level and a random seed. A UE <NUM> may attempt to decode DCI by performing a process known as a blind decode, during which search spaces are randomly decoded until the DCI is detected. During a blind decode, the UE <NUM> may attempt to descramble all potential DCI messages using its C-RNTI.

Data may be divided into logical channels, transport channels, and physical layer channels. Channels may also be classified into control channels and traffic channels. Logical control channels may include a paging control channel (PCCH) for paging information, a broadcast control channel (BCCH) for broadcast system control information, a multicast control channel (MCCH) for transmitting multimedia broadcast/multicast services (MBMS) scheduling and control information, a dedicated control channel (DCCH) for transmitting dedicated control information, a common control channel (CCCH) for random access information, a dedicated traffic channel (DTCH) for dedicated UE data, and an MBMS traffic channel (MTCH), for multicast data. Downlink transport channels may include a broadcast channel (BCH) for broadcast information, a downlink shared channel (DL-SCH) for data transfer, a paging channel (PCH) for paging information, and a multicast channel (MCH) for multicast transmissions. Uplink transport channels may include a random access channel (RACH) for access and an uplink shared channel (UL-SCH) for data.

Downlink physical channels may include a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) for broadcast information, a physical control format indicator channel (PCFICH) for control format information, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) for control and scheduling information, a physical HARQ indicator channel (PHICH) for HARQ status messages, a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) for user data and a physical multicast channel (PMCH) for multicast data. Uplink physical channels may include a physical random access channel (PRACH) for access messages, a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) for control data, and a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) for user data. The downlink physical channels employed for communication for eMTC or NB-IoT communication may be tailored or configured for the low complexity, low-power preferences of such devices. For example, PDSCH or PUSCH, or both, may be configured with relatively small payloads, compared with PDSCH and PUSCH for more capable UEs <NUM> (e.g., UEs <NUM> with multiple radio frequency (RF) chains, capable of carrier aggregation, etc.).

A UE <NUM> attempting to access a wireless network may perform an initial cell search by detecting a primary synchronization signal (PSS) from a base station <NUM>. The PSS may enable synchronization of slot timing and may indicate a physical layer identity value. The UE <NUM> may then receive a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). The SSS may enable radio frame synchronization, and may provide a cell identity value, which may be combined with the physical layer identity value to identify the cell. The SSS may also enable detection of a duplexing mode and a cyclic prefix length. Some systems, such as time division duplexing (TDD) systems, may transmit an SSS but not a PSS. The PSS and the SSS may be located in the central <NUM> and <NUM> subcarriers of a carrier, respectively. Alternatively, the location of PSS and SSS may depend on a particular application or deployment. For example, a system operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band may broadcast PSS or SSS at a location known to eMTC or NB-IoT devices, but the locations may span fewer subcarriers than LTE deployments and, as discussed below, may be transmitted on an anchor carrier.

After receiving the PSS and SSS, the UE <NUM> may receive a master information block (MIB), which may be transmitted in the PBCH or on a specific broadcast channel for narrowband devices, such as eMTC or NB-IoT devices. The MIB may contain system bandwidth information, single frequency network (SFN) information, and a PHICH configuration. The MIB may also contain system information that provides information about additional narrowband carriers, resource availability, regulatory constraints, or the like. Some or all of this additional information may also be included in other system information blocks (SIBs). After decoding the MIB, the UE <NUM> may receive one or more SIBs. For example, SIB1 may contain cell access parameters and scheduling information for other SIBs. Decoding SIB1 may enable the UE <NUM> to receive SIB2. SIB2 may contain radio resource control (RRC) configuration information related to RACH procedures, paging, PUCCH, PUSCH, power control, sounding reference signals (SRSs), and cell barring.

In some cases, a base station <NUM> and a UE <NUM> may communicate using more than one carrier. Each aggregated carrier may be referred to as a component carrier (CC). Each CC can have a bandwidth of, e.g., <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. But aggregation of such carriers may be unhelpful or not applicable in the eMTC and NB-IoT context. For example, carrier aggregation may be designed to facilitate large bandwidths in the downlink, while eMTC and NB-IoT may be principally concerned with asymmetric uplink communications. Additionally, eMTC and NB-IoT may operate in bands significantly narrower than a single CC. As discussed below, some eMTC and NB-IoT devices may communicate on multiple narrowband carriers, and this communication may support degrees of narrowband operation and may thus be distinct from the wide bandwidths facilitated by carrier aggregation. Likewise, in eMTC and NB-IoT, uplink control information may be transmitted on one or multiple narrowband carriers, rather than a single designated primary cell. Additionally, each narrowband carrier that supports eMTC or NB-IoT may not be associated with a different cell but may be different frequencies of a cell of one base station <NUM> or access point operating in an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

In some cases, wireless system <NUM> may utilize both licensed and unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands. For example, wireless system <NUM> may employ LTE License Assisted Access (LTE-LAA) or LTE Unlicensed (LTE U) radio access technology in an unlicensed band, such as the <NUM> Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. When operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum bands, wireless devices such as base stations <NUM> and UEs <NUM> may employ listen-before-talk (LBT) procedures to ensure the channel is clear before transmitting data. Operations in an unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, or both. Duplexing in an unlicensed spectrum may be based on frequency division duplexing (FDD), TDD, or a combination of both.

Devices operating in a shared or unlicensed frequency spectrum may perform an LBT procedure such as a clear channel assessment (CCA) prior to communicating in order to determine whether the channel is available. A CCA may include an energy detection procedure to determine whether there are any other active transmissions. For example, the device may infer that a change in a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) of a power meter indicates that a channel is occupied. Specifically, signal power that is concentrated in a certain bandwidth and exceeds a predetermined noise floor may indicate another wireless transmitter. A CCA may also include detection of specific sequences that indicate use of the channel. For example, another device may transmit a specific preamble prior to transmitting a data sequence.

Some types of wireless devices may provide for automated communication. Automated wireless devices may include those implementing Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication or MTC.

As mentioned, some UEs <NUM> may be MTC devices, such as those designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines. 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.

An eMTC device may also operate using half-duplex communications at a reduced peak rate. eMTC devices may also be configured to enter a power-saving "deep sleep" mode when not engaging in active communications. An eMTC deployment may provide resource flexibility and may use some channels associated with an LTE/LTE-A system and other channels in an unlicensed spectrum. In some examples, eMTC devices may communicate over a scalable bandwidth (e.g., between one (<NUM>) resource block (RB) and six (<NUM>) RBs), and eMTC devices may have a maximum data rate of one (<NUM>) Mbps. eMTC devices may be power limited and may support features that limit power usage. However, an acquisition procedure for the transition of an eMTC device from an idle mode to a connected mode may be power consuming. Additionally or alternatively, an eMTC device may be designed for operation in an in-band deployment mode. For a standalone deployment mode (e.g., in an unlicensed spectrum), the physical (PHY), media access control (MAC), and upper layer procedures at the eMTC device may be cumbersome.

NB-IoT devices may be a subset of eMTC devices or low power devices that support a higher maximum coupling loss (MCL) and may include synchronization channels that support power boosting for faster cell acquisition and search. These features allow for increased efficiency for operation of NB-IoT devices in a standalone deployment mode (e.g., in an unlicensed spectrum) when compared to eMTC devices. Additionally, an acquisition procedure for the transition of an NB-IoT device from an idle mode to a connected mode may not be as power consuming as the same procedure for an eMTC device. However, NB-IoT devices may not support communication over a scalable bandwidth. Instead, NB-IoT devices may communicate using a range of resources between one (<NUM>) tone and one (<NUM>) RB with a maximum data rate of <NUM> kbps for uplink communication. In some cases, this range of resources may not conform to the minimum bandwidth requirement for operation in an unlicensed spectrum (e.g., depending on a geographic region). Additionally, this range of resources may not allow a device to transmit with the minimum power for transmission in an unlicensed spectrum. Therefore, wireless communications system <NUM> may be modified to support features of both NB-IoT deployments and eMTC deployments.

Accordingly, wireless communications system <NUM> may support communication over scalable bandwidths for a single network of devices with different capabilities. A base station <NUM> may configure UE <NUM> for communication on multiple carriers based on the capability or a category of the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may then allocate resources for communication with UE <NUM> based on the configuration. The resource allocation may be for communication on a single carrier or multiple carriers of an unlicensed spectrum. Each carrier may be associated with a different narrowband region of the unlicensed spectrum. After receiving the resource allocation (or assignment of resources) UE <NUM> may communicate with base station <NUM> using the allocated resources. Base station <NUM> may format control and data signals for transmissions to UE <NUM> (or vice versa) based on the allocation of resources and the capabilities of the UE <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a wireless communications system <NUM> illustrating an example of narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless communications system <NUM> may include base station <NUM>-a, which may be an example of a base station <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless communications system <NUM> may also include UE <NUM>-a, which may be an example of a UE <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station <NUM>-a may provide communication coverage for a respective coverage area <NUM>-a, which may be an example of a coverage area <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station <NUM>-a may communicate with UE <NUM>-a using an anchor carrier <NUM> and/or using non-anchor carriers <NUM>. In some cases, each carrier of the non-anchor carriers <NUM> may be contiguous to another carrier of the non-anchor carriers <NUM>.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may support techniques for narrowband communication in an unlicensed spectrum that allow for efficient use of the unlicensed spectrum in multiple geographic regions. In some examples, base station <NUM>-a may perform an LBT procedure to gain access to anchor carrier <NUM>. After gaining access to anchor carrier <NUM>, base station <NUM>-a may transmit a configuration message to UE <NUM>-a. UE <NUM>-a may monitor anchor carrier <NUM> for the configuration message and receive the configuration message from base station <NUM>-a. The configuration message may identify a configuration of non-anchor carriers <NUM> for communication with base station <NUM>-a in the unlicensed spectrum. In some cases, the configuration message may be included in RRC signaling when, for example, UE <NUM>-a is in a connected mode. The anchor carrier <NUM> and non-anchor carriers <NUM> may each occupy a different narrowband region of the unlicensed spectrum.

In some cases, base station <NUM>-a may transmit the configuration message along with synchronization signals (e.g., PSS and/or SSS) on anchor carrier <NUM>. UE <NUM>-a may monitor anchor carrier <NUM> and receive the synchronization signals from base station <NUM>-a. UE <NUM>-a may then identify the configuration message in the synchronization signal transmission. The anchor carrier may be used for communication with a specific UE (e.g., UE <NUM>-a) or for communication with multiple UEs <NUM>. In some cases, UE <NUM>-a may be preconfigured to monitor anchor carrier <NUM> for the synchronization signals. By monitoring the single anchor carrier <NUM> instead of multiple carriers, UE <NUM>-a may reduce power consumption. Additionally or alternatively, UE <NUM>-a may perform a random access procedure (e.g., using a physical random access channel (PRACH)) to gain access to anchor carrier <NUM>, and UE <NUM>-a may receive the configuration message during the random access procedure.

After identifying the configuration indicated by the configuration message, UE <NUM>-a may transition from an RRC-idle mode to an RRC-connected mode and begin monitoring multiple carriers (e.g., non-anchor carriers <NUM>). UE <NUM>-a may receive an allocation of resources (e.g., between one (<NUM>) tone and multiple RBs) from base station <NUM>-a on non-anchor carriers <NUM> for communication with base station <NUM>-a. The resource allocation may depend on the configuration and may include time-frequency resources of the anchor carrier <NUM> or non-anchor carriers <NUM>. These techniques may support simultaneous transmissions on a configurable number of carriers and may support communication between base station <NUM>-a and different device type deployments (e.g., eMTC or NB-IoT devices). Additionally, the flexible allocation of resources may support higher data rates for communication between base station <NUM>-a and UE <NUM>-a in an unlicensed spectrum.

In some examples, the resource allocation from base station <NUM>-a may include resources allocated for downlink transmissions to UE <NUM>-a. Base station <NUM>-a may transmit control messages to UE <NUM>-a via a control channel (e.g., narrowband physical downlink control channel (NPDCCH) or eMTC physical downlink control channel (MPDCCH)). Base station <NUM>-a may format the control message transmission based on the resources allocated to UE <NUM>-a (e.g., anchor carrier <NUM> and/or non-anchor carriers <NUM>) and the capabilities of UE <NUM>-a. In other examples, base station <NUM>-a may transmit data to UE <NUM>-a via a data channel (e.g., PDSCH). Base station <NUM>-a may format the data transmission based on the resources allocated to UE <NUM>-a (e.g., anchor carrier <NUM> and/or non-anchor carriers <NUM>) and the capabilities of UE <NUM>-a.

In other examples, the resource allocation from base station <NUM>-a may include resources allocated for uplink transmissions from UE <NUM>-a. In some examples, UE <NUM>-a may transmit control messages to base station <NUM>-a via a control channel (e.g., PUCCH). UE <NUM>-a may format the control message transmission based on the resources allocated to UE <NUM>-a (e.g., anchor carrier <NUM> and/or non-anchor carriers <NUM>) and the capabilities of UE <NUM>-a. In other examples, UE <NUM>-a may transmit data to base station <NUM>-a via a data channel (e.g., narrowband physical uplink shared channel (NPUSCH) or eMTC physical uplink shared channel (MPUSCH)). UE <NUM>-a may format the data transmission based on the resources allocated to UE <NUM>-a (e.g., anchor carrier <NUM> and/or non-anchor carriers <NUM>) and the capabilities of UE <NUM>-a.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a carrier configuration <NUM> for narrowband communication in an unlicensed spectrum for different device capabilities in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Carrier configuration <NUM> may include an anchor carrier <NUM>, which may be an example of anchor carrier <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Carrier configuration <NUM> may also include non-anchor carriers <NUM> and non-anchor carrier <NUM>, which may be examples of non-anchor carriers <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

With increasing data traffic in cellular networks, the offloading of at least some data traffic to an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM> may provide a cellular operator with opportunities for enhanced data transmission capacity. In some cases, devices associated with a plurality of mobile network operators may compete with each other to access an unlicensed or shared licensed radio frequency. Therefore, once a base station <NUM> or UE <NUM> gains access to an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM>, it may be beneficial to support efficient use of the resources of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM>.

A first UE <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>, but which may be an example of a UE <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, for example) may monitor a portion of or all of the frequencies of anchor carrier <NUM>-a (e.g., a downlink portion) for a downlink transmission, and a second UE <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>, but which may be an example of a UE <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, for example) may monitor a portion of or all of the frequencies of anchor carrier <NUM>-a (e.g., a downlink portion) for a downlink transmission from a base station <NUM> (not shown in <FIG>, but which may be an example of a base station <NUM> depicted in <FIG>, for example). By monitoring an anchor carrier <NUM>, the first UE <NUM> and second UE <NUM> may conserve power when compared to monitoring multiple carriers for the downlink transmission from the base station <NUM>.

The first UE <NUM> may receive a first configuration message on anchor carrier <NUM>-a, and the second UE <NUM> may receive a second configuration message on anchor carrier <NUM>-a. Each configuration message may indicate a configuration for additional carriers for each UE <NUM> to use for communication with the base station <NUM>. Alternatively, each UE <NUM> may be configured to monitor different anchor carriers with different bandwidths and/or center frequencies in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM>. The first UE <NUM> may decode (e.g., blindly decode) the first configuration message and identify non-anchor carriers <NUM> for use in communicating with a base station <NUM>. In some cases, each carrier of the non-anchor carriers <NUM> may be contiguous to another carrier of the non-anchor carriers <NUM> (e.g., non-anchor carrier <NUM>-a may be contiguous to non-anchor carrier <NUM>-b). The second UE <NUM> may decode (e.g., blindly decode) the second configuration message and identify non-anchor carrier <NUM> for use in communicating with base station <NUM>. In some examples, each non-anchor carrier <NUM> or <NUM> in the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM> may be located in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM>.

After determining the configuration of additional carriers for communication, first UE <NUM> may begin to monitor non-anchor carriers <NUM> in addition to monitoring anchor carrier <NUM>-b (e.g., which may be the same as anchor carrier <NUM>-a). Similarly, second UE <NUM> may begin to monitor non-anchor carrier <NUM> in addition to monitoring anchor carrier <NUM>-b. This may include tuning an RF chain at the first UE <NUM> to receive signals on non-anchor carriers <NUM>, and tuning an RF chain at the second UE <NUM> to receive signals on non-anchor carrier <NUM>. First UE <NUM> may then receive a resource allocation on non-anchor carriers <NUM> for communication with a base station <NUM> on non-anchor carriers <NUM>. In some cases, the resource allocation may not be for communication on all of the non-anchor carriers <NUM>.

The second UE <NUM> may also receive a resource allocation on non-anchor carrier <NUM> for communication with a base station <NUM> on non-anchor carrier <NUM>. Each UE <NUM> may then communicate with base station <NUM> based on the resource allocation and the configured carriers. The configuration of carriers and resource allocation may be based on the capability or category of a device operating in unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band <NUM>. This method of narrowband communication in an unlicensed spectrum may allow consistent operation across multiple geographic regions since configurations and resource allocations may be flexible depending on, for example, bandwidth and transmit power requirements in different geographic regions. The first UE <NUM> may transmit on non-anchor carriers <NUM> and on a portion or all of the frequencies of anchor carrier <NUM>-b (e.g., an uplink portion). The second UE <NUM> may transmit on non-anchor carrier <NUM> and on a portion or all of the frequencies of anchor carrier <NUM>-b (e.g., the uplink portion).

<FIG> illustrates an example of a process flow <NUM> for narrowband communication in an unlicensed spectrum for different device capabilities in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. In some cases, process flow <NUM> may represent aspects of techniques performed by a UE <NUM> or base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG>. In the present example, a base station <NUM>-b may communicate with a UE <NUM>-b in an unlicensed spectrum. UE <NUM>-b may be a low data rate device, such as an NB-IoT device, or another device operating in a low SNR environment with a limited power supply.

At step <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit and UE <NUM>-b may receive a configuration message on resources of a first carrier (e.g., an anchor carrier as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>) in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some cases, prior to the configuration message transmission, UE <NUM>-b may transmit an indication of a capability or category of UE <NUM>-b to base station <NUM>-b on the first carrier (e.g., on an uplink portion of the anchor carrier). In such cases, the configuration message may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b. In some examples, UE <NUM>-b may perform a random access procedure using resources of the first carrier, and UE <NUM>-b may receive the configuration message during the random access procedure. Base station <NUM>-b may also transmit an additional configuration message on the first carrier in the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a second UE <NUM> (not shown). The additional configuration message may identify a configuration of a second set of additional carriers that may each be in different narrowband regions.

At block <NUM>, UE <NUM>-b may identify a configuration of additional carriers (e.g., non-anchor carriers as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>) for communication with base station <NUM>-b based on the configuration message. In some cases, each carrier of the additional carriers may be in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Additionally or alternatively, the additional carriers may be contiguous to one another. In some examples, the bandwidth of each narrowband region may include a bandwidth of twelve (<NUM>) LTE subcarriers (e.g., one (<NUM>) RB). The configuration of the additional carriers may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b. In some cases, UE <NUM>-b may receive a system information broadcast message on resources of the first carrier, and UE <NUM>-b may identify the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the system information broadcast message. Additionally or alternatively, the number of carriers in the configuration may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b.

In some cases, UE <NUM>-b may receive synchronization signals (e.g., PSSs and/or SSSs) on resources of the first carrier (e.g., the anchor carrier). UE <NUM>-b may monitor for the synchronization signals while operating in an RRC idle mode. UE <NUM>-b may identify a location of the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the synchronization signals. Additionally or alternatively, UE <NUM>-b may determine that base station <NUM>-b has gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on receiving the synchronization signals. UE <NUM>-b may then tune one or more RF chains to frequencies of the different narrowband regions based on determining that the base station gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions.

At step <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit, and UE <NUM>-b may receive, an assignment of resources on the additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. In some cases, base station <NUM>-b may include the resource assignment in a downlink control message (e.g., DCI), and the format of the downlink control message may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b.

At step <NUM>, UE <NUM>-b and base station <NUM>-b may communicate on the additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the resource assignment. In some examples, base station <NUM>-b may transmit and UE <NUM>-b may receive a downlink data message on the resources of the additional carriers, and the format of the downlink data message may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b. In further examples, UE <NUM>-b may transmit an uplink control message or an uplink data message on resources of the first carrier, and the format of the uplink message may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b. In yet further cases, UE <NUM>-b may transmit an uplink control message or an uplink data message on resources of the additional carriers, and the format of the uplink message may be based on the capability or category of UE <NUM>-b.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE narrowband communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver <NUM> may 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 narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device. The receiver <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>.

UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may receive a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; identify, based on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; receive, on resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and communicate on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE narrowband communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may also include configuration messaging component <NUM>, configuration identifier <NUM>, resource assignment manager <NUM>, and narrowband communication component <NUM>. Configuration messaging component <NUM> may receive (e.g., from receiver <NUM>) a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Configuration identifier <NUM> may identify, based on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

Resource assignment manager <NUM> may receive (e.g., from receiver <NUM>), on resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Narrowband communication component <NUM> may communicate (e.g., via receiver <NUM> and transmitter <NUM>) on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment and transmit an uplink message on resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region. In some cases, the one or more additional carriers are contiguous to one another. In some cases, a bandwidth of each narrowband region includes a bandwidth of twelve LTE subcarriers (one (<NUM>) RB).

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE narrowband communications manager <NUM>, a UE narrowband communications manager <NUM>, or a UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The UE narrowband communications manager <NUM> may include configuration messaging component <NUM>, configuration identifier <NUM>, resource assignment manager <NUM>, narrowband communication component <NUM>, device capability manager <NUM>, system information manager <NUM>, random access component <NUM>, and synchronization component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Configuration messaging component <NUM> may receive a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Configuration identifier <NUM> may identify, based on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Resource assignment manager <NUM> may receive, on resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

Narrowband communication component <NUM> may communicate on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment and transmit an uplink message on resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region. In some cases, the one or more additional carriers are contiguous to one another. In some cases, a bandwidth of each narrowband region includes a bandwidth of twelve LTE subcarriers (1RB).

Device capability manager <NUM> may transmit an indication of a capability or category of a wireless device on resources of the first carrier, where the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based on the capability or category of the wireless device and transmit an uplink control message on resources of the first carrier, where a format of the uplink control message is based on the capability or category of the wireless device. In some cases, a number of the one or more additional carriers in the configuration is based on the capability or category of the wireless device. In some cases, receiving the assignment of resources includes receiving a downlink control message having a format that is based on the capability or category of the wireless device. In some cases, communicating on the one or more additional carriers includes receiving a downlink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, where a format of the downlink data message is based on the capability or category of the wireless device. In some cases, communicating on the one or more additional carriers includes transmitting an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the one or more additional carriers, where a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based on the capability or category of the wireless device.

System information manager <NUM> may receive a system information broadcast message on resources of the first carrier and identify the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the system information broadcast message. Random access component <NUM> may perform a random access procedure using resources of the first carrier, where the configuration message is received during the random access procedure.

Synchronization component <NUM> may receive one or more synchronization signals on resources of the first carrier, identify a location of the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on the one or more synchronization signals, determine that a base station has gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band based on receiving the one or more synchronization signals, tune one or more RF chains to frequencies of the different narrowband regions based on determining that the base station gained access to the first narrowband region and the different narrowband regions, and monitor for the one or more synchronization signals while operating in an RRC idle mode. In some cases, the one or more synchronization signals include a PSS and a SSS.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of wireless device <NUM>, wireless device <NUM>, or a UE <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including UE narrowband communications manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, and I/O controller <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more busses (e.g., bus <NUM>). Device <NUM> may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum).

Software <NUM> may include code to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including code to support narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum. Software <NUM> may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software <NUM> may not be directly executable by the processor but may cause a computer ('e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, base station narrowband communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may transmit (e.g., via transmitter <NUM>) a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a first wireless device, where the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, transmit, on resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, and communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, base station narrowband communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may also include configuration messaging component <NUM>, resource assignment manager <NUM>, and narrowband communication component <NUM>. Configuration messaging component <NUM> may transmit a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a first wireless device, where the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

Resource assignment manager <NUM> may transmit, on resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Narrowband communication component <NUM> may communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment; transmit an additional configuration message on the first carrier in the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a second wireless device, where the additional configuration message identifies a configuration of a second set of additional carriers that are each different narrowband regions; and receive an uplink message from the first wireless device on resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region. In some cases, each carrier of the first set of additional carriers is contiguous to another carrier of the first set of additional carriers.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station narrowband communications manager <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The base station narrowband communications manager <NUM> may include configuration messaging component <NUM>, resource assignment manager <NUM>, narrowband communication component <NUM>, device capability manager <NUM>, system information manager <NUM>, random access component <NUM>, and synchronization component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Configuration messaging component <NUM> may transmit a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a first wireless device, where the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Resource assignment manager <NUM> may transmit, on resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band.

Narrowband communication component <NUM> may communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment; transmit an additional configuration message on the first carrier in the first narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a second wireless device, where the additional configuration message identifies a configuration of a second set of additional carriers that are each different narrowband regions; and receive an uplink message from the first wireless device on resources of the first carrier in the first narrowband region. In some cases, each carrier of the first set of additional carriers is contiguous to another carrier of the first set of additional carriers.

Device capability manager <NUM> may receive an indication of a capability or category of the first wireless device on resources of the first carrier, where the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device and receive an uplink control message on resources of the first carrier, where a format of the uplink control message is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device. In some cases, a number of carriers in the first set of additional carriers in the configuration is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device. In some cases, transmitting the assignment of resources includes transmitting a downlink control message having a format that is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device. In some cases, communicating on the first set of additional carriers includes transmitting a downlink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, where a format of the downlink data message is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device. In some cases, communicating on the first set of additional carriers includes receiving an uplink control message or an uplink data message on the resources of the first set of additional carriers, where a format of the uplink control message or the uplink data message is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device.

System information manager <NUM> may transmit a system information broadcast message on resources of the first carrier, where the system information broadcast message identifies the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. Random access component <NUM> may perform a random access procedure with the first wireless device using resources of the first carrier, where the configuration message is transmitted during the random access procedure. Synchronization component <NUM> may transmit one or more synchronization signals (e.g., PSSs or SSSs) on resources of the first carrier.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of base station <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including base station narrowband communications manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, network communications manager <NUM>, and inter-base station communications manager <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more busses (e.g., bus <NUM>). Device <NUM> may communicate wirelessly with one or more UEs <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum).

Software <NUM> may include code to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including code to support narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum. Software <NUM> may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software <NUM> may not be directly executable by the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

Inter-base station communications manager <NUM> may manage communications with other base station <NUM>, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs <NUM> in cooperation with other base stations <NUM>. For example, the inter-base station communications manager <NUM> may coordinate scheduling for transmissions to UEs <NUM> for various interference mitigation techniques such as beamforming or joint transmission. In some examples, inter-base station communications manager <NUM> may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between base stations <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a UE <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a UE narrowband communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a UE <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the UE <NUM> may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may receive a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a configuration messaging component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may identify, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a configuration identifier as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may receive, on resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a resource assignment manager as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may communicate on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a narrowband communication component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may transmit an indication of a capability or category of a wireless device on resources of the first carrier. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a device capability manager as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the UE <NUM> may identify, based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, where the configuration of the one or more additional carriers is based on the capability or category of the wireless device. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a configuration identifier as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for narrowband communication for different device capabilities in an unlicensed spectrum in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a base station narrowband communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally or alternatively, the base station <NUM> may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a first wireless device, where the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a configuration messaging component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit, on resources of the first carrier to the first wireless device, an assignment of resources on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a resource assignment manager as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may communicate with the first wireless device on the first set of additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a narrowband communication component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may receive an indication of a capability or category of the first wireless device on resources of the first carrier. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a device capability manager as described with reference to <FIG>.

At block <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit a configuration message on resources of a first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band to a first wireless device, where the configuration message identifies a configuration of a first set of additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band and the configuration of the first set of additional carriers is based on the capability or category of the first wireless device. The operations of block <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described with reference to <FIG>. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of block <NUM> may be performed by a configuration messaging component as described with reference to <FIG>.

Furthermore, aspects from two or more of the methods <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, or <FIG> may be combined.

The terms "system" and "network" are often used interchangeably.

3GPP LTE and LTE-A are releases of UMTS that use E-UTRA. UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and GSM are described in documents from the organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (<NUM> GPP). While aspects an LTE system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE applications.

In LTE/LTE-A networks, including such networks described herein, the term eNB may be generally used to describe the base stations. The wireless communications system or systems described herein may include a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A network in which different types of eNBs provide coverage for various geographical regions. For example, each eNB or base station may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a small cell, or other types of cell. The term "cell" may be used to describe a base station, a carrier or component carrier associated with a base station, or a coverage area (e.g., sector, etc.) of a carrier or base station, depending on context.

Base stations may include or may be referred to by those skilled in the art as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, eNB, Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology. The geographic coverage area for a base station may be divided into sectors making up a portion of the coverage area. The wireless communications system or systems described herein may include base stations of different types (e.g., macro or small cell base stations). The UEs described herein may be able to communicate with various types of base stations and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, relay base stations, and the like. There may be overlapping geographic coverage areas for different technologies.

A UE may be able to communicate with various types of base stations and network equipment including macro eNBs, small cell eNBs, relay base stations, and the like.

Also, as used herein, including in the claims, "or" as used in a list of items (for example, a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items refers to any combination of those items, including single members. As an example, "at least one of: A, B, or C" is intended to cover A, B, C, A-B, A-C, B-C, and A-B-C. , as well as any combination with multiples of the same element (e.g., A-A, A-A-A, A-A-B, A-A-C, A-B-B, A-C-C, B-B, B-B-B, B-B-C, C-C, and C-C-C or any other ordering of A, B, and C).

By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of medium.

Claim 1:
A method (<NUM>) for wireless communication, comprising:
transmitting an indication of a capability of a wireless device on resources of a first carrier;
receiving (<NUM>) a configuration message on resources of the first carrier in a first narrowband region of an unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band;
identifying (<NUM>), based at least in part on the configuration message, a configuration of one or more additional carriers that are each in a different narrowband region of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band, wherein the wherein the number of the one or more additional carriers in the configuration is based at least in part on the capability of the wireless device;
receiving (<NUM>), on resources of the first carrier, an assignment of resources on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band; and
communicating (<NUM>) on the one or more additional carriers in the different narrowband regions of the unlicensed radio frequency spectrum band according to the assignment.