Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This application claims the benefit, under 35 U.S.C. § 365 of International Application PCT/US03/024351, filed Aug. 4, 2003, which was published in accordance with PCT Article 21(2) on Feb. 24, 2005 in English. 
   The present invention generally relates to wireless receiving devices, and more particularly, to user equipment (UE) in a spread-spectrum based wireless system such as the Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS). 
   The basic unit of time in UMTS radio signals is a 10 milli-second (ms) radio frame, which is divided into 15 slots of 2560 chips each. UMTS radio signals from a cell (or base station) to a UMTS receiver are “downlink signals,” while radio signals in the reverse direction are termed “uplink signals.” When a UMTS receiver is first turned on, the UMTS receiver performs a “cell search” to search for a cell to communicate with. In particular, and as described below, the UMTS receiver initially looks for a downlink synchronization channel (SCH) transmitted from the cell to synchronize thereto at the slot and frame levels, and to determine the particular scrambling code group of the cell. Only after a successful cell search can voice/data communications begin. 
   With respect to the cell search, the SCH is a sparse downlink channel that is only active during the first 256 chips of each slot. The SCH is made up of two subchannels, the Primary SCH (PSCH) and the Secondary SCH (SSCH). The PSCH 256 chip sequence, or PSCH code, is the same in all slots of the SCH for all cells. In contrast, the SSCH 256 chip sequence, or SSCH code, may be different in each of the 15 slots of a radio frame and is used to identify one of 64 possible scrambling code groups. In other words, each radio frame of the SCH repeats a scrambling code group sequence associated with the respective transmitting cell. Each SSCH code is taken from an alphabet of 16 possible SSCH codes. 
   As part of the cell search, the UMTS receiver first uses the PSCH to achieve slot synchronization. In this regard, the UMTS receiver correlates received samples of the received PSCH against the known PSCH 256 chip sequence (which is the same for all slots) and, based on the location of the correlation peak, determines a slot reference time. Once the slot reference time is determined, the UMTS receiver is slot synchronized and can determine when each slot starts in a received radio frame. 
   After slot synchronization, the UMTS receiver ceases processing of the PSCH and begins processing the SSCH. In particular, the UMTS receiver correlates the particular sequence of 15 SSCH codes in a received radio frame against known sequences to achieve frame synchronization and to determine the scrambling code group of the cell. Identification of the scrambling code group then enables the UMTS receiver to descramble all of the other downlink channels of the cell (e.g., the Common Pilot Channel (CPICH)) for voice/data communications to begin. 
   Unfortunately, the above-described cell search process has some drawbacks. One is time. Since SSCH processing involves the identification of a sequence of 15 particular SSCH codes, the SSCH code processing typically occurs over a number of received radio frames, e.g., 10 to 20. Therefore, completion of the cell search may take on the order of 100 to 200 ms. Another drawback is that the UMTS receiver does not achieve frequency synchronization until the CPICH is descrambled, which, as noted above, occurs after successful completion of the above-mentioned cell search. As such, and especially since the UMTS receiver may be mobile, it is possible that channel conditions may change during SSCH processing such that the UMTS receiver loses slot synchronization (e.g., the correlation peak moves or disappears). If this happens, the SSCH processing may fail. Further, this failure is not detected by the UMTS receiver until the SSCH processing finishes. Thus, the entire Cell Search process must start over—further lengthening the time a user must wait till voice/data communications can start. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Therefore, and in accordance with the principles of the invention, a wireless receiver performs slot synchronization using a received first synchronization channel, and, subsequent to completion of slot synchronization, performs frame synchronization using a received second synchronization channel in such a way that the received first synchronization channel is now used by the wireless receiver to detect a change in channel conditions. 
   In an embodiment of the invention, the wireless receiver is a part of the UMTS user equipment (UE), the first synchronization channel is the PSCH subchannel and the second synchronization channel is the SSCH subchannel. The wireless receiver continues to process the PSCH during SSCH processing to monitor channel conditions. In particular, if a correlation peak associated with the PSCH subchannel drops below a predefined threshold, then SSCH processing is halted. If the SSCH processing is halted within a predefined initial time period, then SSCH processing is started anew. However, if the SSCH processing is halted after the predefined initial time period, SSCH processing attempts to estimate the scrambling code group based on the currently accumulated data. In other words, the PSCH channel acts as an “early-warning” system to detect sudden channel changes early on, thus saving processing time and reducing the overall time that a user has to wait for voice/data communications to start after the UE is turned on. 
   In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a cell search method uses PSCH processing as an early warning indicator of changing channel conditions, and notifies SSCH processing of changes in the channel conditions. Thus, the SSCH processing is prevented from continuing in situations where the channel conditions have changed significantly and which may result in erroneous results if SSCH processing were allowed to continue. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  shows a portion of an illustrative wireless communications system in accordance with the principles of the invention; 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show illustrative embodiments of a wireless receiver in accordance with the principles of the invention; and 
       FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  show illustrative flow charts in accordance with the principles of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Other than the inventive concept, the elements shown in the figures are well known and will not be described in detail. Also, familiarity with UMTS-based wireless communications systems is assumed and is not described in detail herein. For example, other than the inventive concept, spread spectrum transmission and reception, cells (base stations), user equipment (UE), downlink channels, uplink channels and RAKE receivers are well known and not described herein. In addition, the inventive concept may be implemented using conventional programming techniques, which, as such, will not be described herein. Finally, like-numbers on the figures represent similar elements. 
   An illustrative portion of a UMTS wireless communications system  10  in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1 . Cell (or base station)  15  broadcasts a downlink synchronization channel (SCH) signal  16  including the above-mentioned PSCH and SSCH subchannels. As noted earlier, the SCH signal  16  is used by UMTS User Equipment (UE) for synchronization purposes as a pre-condition to voice/data communications. For example, the UE processes the SCH signal during a “cell search” operation. In this example, UE  20 , e.g., a cellular phone, initiates a cell search when, e.g., UE  20  is turned on, or powered up. The purposes of the cell search operation include (a) synchronization to cell transmissions at the slot and frame level of the UMTS radio frame, and (b) determination of the scrambling code group of the cell (e.g., cell  15 ). As described below, and in accordance with the principles of the invention, UE  20  processes the SSCH subchannel to achieve frame synchronization with cell  15  while using the PSCH subchannel to monitor for changes in channel conditions. It should be noted that although the following examples illustrate the inventive concept in the context of this initial cell search, i.e., when UE  20  is turned on, the inventive concept is not so limited and is applicable to other instances of the cell search, e.g., when the UE is in an “idle mode.” 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an illustrative block diagram of a portion of UE  20  in accordance with the principles of the invention is shown. UE  20  includes front end  105 , analog-to-digital (A/D) converter  110 , cell search element  115 , searcher element  120 , rake receiver  125 , host interface block  130  and processor  135 . It should also be noted that, other than the inventive concept, additional elements may be included within the blocks shown in  FIG. 2  as known in the art but are not described herein for simplicity. For example, A/D converter  110  may include digital filters, buffers, etc. 
   Front end  105  receives a radio-frequency (RF) signal  101  transmitted from cell  15  ( FIG. 1 ) via an antenna (not shown) and provides a base band analog signal  106  representing the PSCH and SSCH subchannels. Base band analog signal  106  is sampled by A/D converter  110 , which provides a stream of received samples  111 . The received samples  111  are available to three components: cell search element  115 , searcher element  120  and rake receiver  125 . Cell search element  115  processes the PSCH and SSCH subchannels in accordance with the principles of the invention as described further below. Subsequent to a successful cell search, searcher element  120  evaluates the received samples for the assignment of multipaths to each of the fingers of rake receiver  125 , which, e.g., is capable of combining data from multiple paths in providing symbols for subsequent decoding by a decoder (not shown) to provide voice/data communications. Since only cell search element  115  is relevant to the inventive concept, search component  120  and rake receiver  125  are not described further herein. Host interface block  130  couples data between the three aforementioned components and processor  135 , which, in this context, receives the results from cell search component  115  via signaling  134 . Processor  135  is illustratively a stored-program controller processor, e.g., a microprocessor and includes memory (not shown) for storing programs and data. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 3 , an illustrative block diagram of cell search element  115  is shown. Cell search element  115  includes PSCH element  205  and SSCH element  210 . Reference should now also be made to  FIG. 4 , which shows an illustrative flow chart in accordance with the principles of the invention for processing the downlink PSCH and SSCH subchannels with cell search element  115  of  FIG. 3 . Processor  135  of UE  20  initiates the cell search in step  305  attempting to achieve slot synchronization by processing the downlink PSCH subchannel in step  305 . In particular, processor  135  activates PSCH element  205 , via signaling  206 , to process the received samples  111  as known in the art. For example, since the downlink PSCH subchannel is a known PSCH 256 chip sequence, or PSCH code, that occurs periodically (i.e., repeats in every slot of the downlink SCH signal), PSCH element  205  correlates the received samples  111  against the PSCH code and provides an associated peak correlation value. In this regard, PSCH element  205  comprises a matched filter and a buffer (both not shown) that stores the output signal of the matched filter. PSCH element  205  provides a peak value to processor  135  via signaling  206 . This peak value may be averaged over several slots of a received radio frame(s), e.g., between four and twenty slots, to decrease the probability of a “false lock.” If the peak value is not greater than a predefined threshold, processor  135  controls PSCH element  305  to continue processing any received signals to continue to look for a cell. However, if the peak value is greater than a predefined threshold, UE  20  completes slot synchronization and processor  135  continues the cell search process with respect to frame synchronization and determining the particular scrambling code group for the associated cell. An alternative method is to deem slot synchronization complete when the peak correlation value exceeds the next highest correlation value by a predefined additive or multiplicative factor. 
   In particular, in step  310  of  FIG. 4 , and in accordance with the principles of the invention, processor  135  enables both SSCH element  210  and PSCH element  205 . The former element processes the received samples  111  as known in the art for use in attempting frame synchronization and for identification of the scrambling code group of cell  15 . The latter element processes the PSCH subchannel to serve as an early warning detector for monitoring, or detecting changes in, channel conditions during SSCH processing. 
   Turning now to  FIG. 5 , step  310  of  FIG. 4  is shown in more detail. Illustratively, step  310  includes step  320 , which is related to SSCH processing, and steps  325 ,  330  and  335 , which relate to monitoring channel conditions. Step  320  corresponds to SSCH processing as known in the art and is illustratively performed by SSCH element  210  and processor  135  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , respectively. SSCH element  210  is coupled with processor  135  via signaling  211 . As noted above, the SSCH 256 chip sequence, or SSCH code, is different in each of the 15 slots of a radio frame for a particular cell. As such, each radio frame repeats a unique 15 SSCH code associated with a particular cell. Once activated by processor  135 , SSCH element  210  correlates the particular sequence of 15 SSCH codes in a received radio frame against known sequences for use in achieving frame synchronization and for use in determining the scrambling code group of the cell (here, the scrambling code group associated with cell  15 ). As noted above, the SSCH processing may require processing a number of received radio frames, e.g., 10 to 20, because UE  20  averages correlations over successive frames of data in order to get a robust estimate of the received 15 SSCH code sequence. Consequently, the time duration for SSCH processing may be on the order of 100 to 200 ms. Unfortunately, during this time frame UE  20  may lose slot synchronization. Therefore, and in accordance with an aspect of the invention, processor  135  uses PSCH element  205  during SSCH processing as an early warning detector of changes in channel conditions. In this regard, at activation of SSCH processing, processor  135  also enables a timer (not shown) to track the processing time (described below) for step  320 . As known in the art, a timer can be implemented in software and/or hardware. 
   In particular, in step  325 , PSCH element  205  correlates the received samples  111  against the known PSCH code during each slot and provides the magnitude of a corresponding correlation peak to processor  135  via signaling  206 . In step  330 , processor  135  compares the received correlation peak to a predetermined threshold. It should be noted that it doesn&#39;t matter if a stronger peak is out there (e.g., from a different cell), what is important is that the original peak (i.e., the one that the SSCH processing is currently tuned to, i.e., the signal from cell  15 ) is still there (even if it is now weaker). In this regard, if the magnitude of the received correlation peak is greater than the predetermined threshold (e.g., 50% of the original peak value), then it is assumed that channel conditions have not changed and processor  135  executes step  335 . The latter determines if SSCH processing is finished. If SSCH processing is finished, then cell search ends. However, if SSCH processing is not finished, then processor  135  returns to step  325  to continue use of the PSCH subchannel as an early warning detector of a change in channel conditions. 
   However, if, in step  330 , the received correlation peak is less than, or equal to, the predetermined threshold, it is presumed that channel conditions have changed such that continued SSCH processing will now be degraded. As such, processor  135  then halts the SSCH processing of step  320 , as illustratively represented by halt signal  216  of  FIG. 2 . Processor  135  then proceeds to illustrative steps  350 ,  355  and  360  of  FIG. 6 . In step  350 , processor  135  evaluates the value of the above-mentioned timer, which measures the currently elapsed time for SSCH processing. If the elapsed time is less than, or equal to a predefined value, i.e., it is “early” in the SSCH processing, processor  135  restarts cell search in step  305  of  FIG. 4 . In this case, it is presumed that SSCH processing does not yet have enough data to form a reliable decision as to frame synchronization and the scrambling code group of cell  15  and that it is better to restart the cell search. The definition of “early” is, e.g., that SSCH processing is less than 50% complete, or even less than 75% complete. For example, if SSCH processing is predefined as processing at least 10 radio frames, each frame being 10 ms, then an illustrative time value for use in step  350  may be 75 ms. 
   On the other hand, if the elapsed time is greater than the predefined value, i.e., it is “late” in the SSCH processing, then it is presumed that continued SSCH processing will contaminate the currently accumulated data with data that may not be reliable. As such, processor  135  checks, in step  355 , if a scrambling code group for cell  15  can be estimated based on the currently accumulated data. In particular, in step  355  processor  135 , in conjunction with SSCH element  210 , via signaling  211 , determines if there is a match between the currently estimated received 15 SSCH code sequence and one of the 64 possible sequences of 15 SSCH codes that denote the scrambling code group. If there is a match, then it is assumed that SSCH element  210  has correctly identified the received sequence and frame synchronization and scrambling code group determination is completed in step  360 . This match can either be an exact match across all 15 SSCH codes, or even a match to at least N, out of 15 SSCH codes if a unique scrambling code group is identifiable. N is illustratively predefined, e.g., N=13. However, if there is no match, processor  135  restarts cell search in step  305  of  FIG. 4 . 
   Once SSCH processing is successfully completed in step  320  or step  360 , the scrambling code group of cell  15  is identified which enables UE  20  to descramble all of the other downlink channels of the cell (including, e.g., the Common Pilot Channel (CPICH), which is used for frequency synchronization and also to determine the actual scrambling code for the cell from the identified scrambling code group) and voice/data communications can begin. 
   As described above, and in accordance with the principles of the invention, the PSCH subchannel is used to monitor channel conditions during processing of the SSCH subchannel. As such, this approach may improve the performance of the SSCH processing. Although described in the context of the initial cell search process, the inventive concept is applicable to any portion of wireless operation in which a downlink channel, such as the SSCH subchannel, is processed in the presence of changing channel conditions. 
   The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the invention and it will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous alternative arrangements which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the invention and are within its spirit and scope. For example, although illustrated in the context of separate functional elements, these functional elements may be embodied on one or more integrated circuits (ICs) and/or in one or more stored program-controlled processors (e.g., a microprocessor or digital signal processor (DSP)). Similarly, although illustrated in the context of a UMTS-based system, the inventive concept is applicable to any communications system that processes signals in the presence of changing channel conditions. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 5