New carrier type allocation in uplink/downlink subframe configuration for time division communication

Abstract

Certain embodiments relate to wireless communication systems, such as long term evolution advanced (LTE-A), which may be part of third generation partnership project (3GPP) LTE release 12 (Rel-12). More specifically, certain embodiments may provide an arrangement related to new carrier type for time division long term evolution (TD-LTE), which may also be related to Enhanced Interference Management and Traffic Adaptation. According to certain embodiments, a method can include determining that a split configuration is to be followed, in which at least one system information block configured up-link subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration. The method can also include applying the determined split configuration to communications with an access point.

1 . A method, comprising:
 determining that a split configuration is to be followed, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   applying the determined split configuration to communications with an access point.   
     
     
         2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the determining is based on broadcast or dedicated signaling. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein demodulation reference signal is used as a channel estimation reference for signals received via the new carrier type subframe. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A method, comprising:
 configuring a user device to follow a split configuration, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   signaling the user device the configuration.   
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the signaling is directed to instruct the user equipment only when the user equipment is configured to use new carrier type. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein at least one user equipment in the cell operates according to an uplink-downlink configuration defined by system information block and at least one other user equipment operates according to the split configuration. 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 signaling to the user device that the split configuration is to be followed.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   determine that a split configuration is to be followed, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   apply the determined split configuration to communications with an access point.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to determine the split configuration based on broadcast or dedicated signaling. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein demodulation reference signal is used as a channel estimation reference for signals received via the new carrier type subframe. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus, comprising:
 at least one processor; and   at least one memory including computer program code,   wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to   configure a user device to follow a split configuration, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   signal the user device the configuration.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to completely prevent uplink usage of new carrier type downlink subframes by at least one of a specific scheduler implementation. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to instruct the user equipment regarding the split configuration only when the user equipment is configured to use new carrier type. 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein at least one user equipment in the cell is configured to operate according to an uplink-downlink configuration defined by system information block and at least one other user equipment is configured to operate according to the split configuration. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to signal to the user device that the split configuration is to be followed. 
     
     
         27 . A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions which, when run on a processor, control the processor to:
 determine that a split configuration is to be followed, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   apply the determined split configuration to communications with an access point.   
     
     
         28 . The computer program of  claim 27 , wherein the processor determines based on broadcast or dedicated signaling. 
     
     
         29 . The computer program of  claim 27 , wherein a demodulation reference signal is used as a channel estimation reference for signals received via the new carrier type downlink subframe. 
     
     
         30 . A computer program embodied on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, said computer-readable medium including computer-executable instructions which, when run on a processor, control the processor to:
 configure a user device to follow a split configuration, in which at least one system information block configured uplink subframe is reconfigured as a new carrier type downlink subframe, whereas at least one other system information block configured subframe is as indicated by system information block configuration; and   signal the user device the configuration.   
     
     
         31 . The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the signaling is directed to instruct the user equipment only when the user equipment is configured to use new carrier type. 
     
     
         32 . The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein at least one user equipment in the cell operates according to an uplink-downlink configuration defined by system information block and at least one other user equipment operates according to the split configuration. 
     
     
         33 . The computer program of  claim 30 , wherein the computer program further controls the processor to signal to the user device that the split configuration is to be followed.