Simultaneous dual mode operation in cellular networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide for determining whether an insufficient guard band exists in a spectrum carrying potentially interfering signals and allocating a temporary guard band to spectrally separate the two signals, thereby reducing or preventing inter-signal interference.

1 : A system for communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the system comprising: 
 a memory;    a processor coupled to the memory; and    program code executable on the processor, the program code operable for: 
 receiving the first signal in the first mode from a user equipment (UE);  
 determining that the UE requests operation in the second mode; and  
 determining whether an insufficient guard band exists.  
   
     
     
         2 : The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first mode comprises time division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.  
     
     
         3 : A method for communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the method comprising: 
 receiving the first signal in the first mode from a user equipment (UE);    determining that the UE requests operation in the second mode; and    determining whether an insufficient guard band exists.    
     
     
         4 : The method of  claim 3 , wherein the first mode comprises time division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.  
     
     
         5 : The method of  claim 3 , further comprising creating a guard band if the insufficient guard band exists.  
     
     
         6 : The method of  claim 5 , wherein the guard band comprises a bandwidth that falls at least partially within a first band operating in the first mode.  
     
     
         7 : The method of  claim 5 , wherein the guard band comprises a bandwidth that falls at least partially within a second band operating in the second mode.  
     
     
         8 : The method of  claim 5 , wherein the guard band comprises a bandwidth that falls partially within a first band operating in the first mode and falls partially within a second band operating in the second mode.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein creating a guard band comprises reconfiguring one or more transmitters to limit transmissions within the guard band.  
     
     
         10 : The method of  claim 3 , wherein: 
 receiving the first signal comprises receiving a first message sent from the UE; and    determining at the UE requests operation in the second mode comprises determining from the first message that the UE requests operation in the second mode.    
     
     
         11 : The method of  claim 10 , wherein the received message from the UE comprises a request for a service.  
     
     
         12 : The method of  claim 11 , wherein the service comprises a broadcast service.  
     
     
         13 : The method of  claim 10 , wherein the received message from the UE comprises an explicit request for dual-mode operation.  
     
     
         14 : The method of  claim 11 , wherein the received message from the UE comprises an implicit request for dual-mode operation.  
     
     
         15 : The method of  claim 3 , further comprising sending, to a UE, a request for an indication from the UE of a sufficient guard band bandwidth.  
     
     
         16 : The method of  claim 3 , further comprising receiving an indication from the UE of a sufficient guard band bandwidth.  
     
     
         17 : The method of  claim 3 , further comprising sending, to a UE, one or more parameters indicative of a service provided in the second mode.  
     
     
         18 : The method of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the one or more parameters comprises an encryption parameter.  
     
     
         19 : A computer program product comprising program code for communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the computer program product comprising program code for: 
 receiving the first signal in the first mode from a user equipment (UE);    determining that the UE requests operation in the second made; and    determining whether an insufficient guard band exists.    
     
     
         20 : User equipment (UE) for communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the UE comprising: 
 a memory;    a processor coupled to the memory;    a transmission system operable to communicate contemporaneously using the first signal operating in the first mode and the second signal operating in the second mode; and    program code executable on the processor, the program code operable for: 
 sending the first signal in the first mode from the UE to a network; and  
 indicating to the network that the UE requests operation in the second mode.  
   
     
     
         21 : A method of using user equipment (UE) for communicating using a first signal operating in a first mode and a second signal operating in a second mode, the method comprising: 
 sending the first signal in the first mode from the UE to a network;    indicating to the network that the UE requests operation in the second mode; and    communicating contemporaneously using the first signal operating in the first mode and the second signal operating in the second mode.    
     
     
         22 : The method of  claim 21 , wherein the first mode comprises time division duplex (TDD) operation and the second mode comprises frequency division duplex (FDD) operation.  
     
     
         23 : The method of  claim 21 , wherein communicating contemporaneously comprises receiving and processing a broadcast signal in the second mode while communicating signal in the first mode.