Channel access for a mixed numerology carrier

Abstract

In a radio air interface, a mixed-numerology carrier is one that multiplexes orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) waveforms that have different numerologies onto the same carrier. This disclosure provides for a sync signal (SS) enabling channel access for such a mixed-numerology carrier. In one example, a single SS, having a given numerology, supports channel access for a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier. In another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, and a single, common numerology is used for all SS's. In still another example, a plurality of numerologies on the mixed-numerology carrier each has its own respective SS, where each SS has the same numerology as the numerology for which the SS provides channel access.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication, comprising:
 a processor;   a transceiver communicatively coupled to the processor; and   a memory communicatively coupled to the processor,   wherein the processor is configured for:
 searching a carrier for a sync signal (SS) having an SS numerology, wherein the carrier comprises waveforms of a plurality of numerologies including the SS numerology, a first numerology, and a second numerology; 
 detecting a first SS and reading first configuration information and additional information, each carried on the first SS, wherein the additional information relates to a second SS on the carrier, which maps to a second channel on the carrier; and 
 receiving the second channel, via the transceiver, based on the additional information. 
   
     
     
         2 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the second channel has the second numerology. 
     
     
         3 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the second numerology is different from the SS numerology. 
     
     
         4 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the second numerology is different from the first numerology. 
     
     
         5 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the SS numerology is the same as the first numerology, and the second numerology differs from the SS numerology and the first numerology. 
     
     
         6 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the first configuration information corresponds to a first channel on the carrier, and indicates that the first channel has the first numerology. 
     
     
         7 . The UE of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of numerologies comprises at least two different numerologies. 
     
     
         8 . A method of wireless communication operable at a user equipment (UE), comprising:
 searching a carrier for a sync signal (SS) having an SS numerology, wherein the carrier comprises waveforms of a plurality of numerologies including the SS numerology, a first numerology, and a second numerology;   detecting a first SS and reading first configuration information and additional information, each carried on the first SS, wherein the additional information relates to a second SS on the carrier, which maps to a second channel on the carrier; and   receiving the second channel based on the additional information.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second channel has the second numerology. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second numerology is different from the SS numerology. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the second numerology is different from the first numerology. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the SS numerology is the same as the first numerology, and the second numerology differs from the SS numerology and the first numerology. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the first configuration information corresponds to a first channel on the carrier, and indicates that the first channel has the first numerology. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of numerologies comprises at least two different numerologies. 
     
     
         15 . A user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication, comprising:
 means for searching a carrier for a sync signal (SS) having an SS numerology, wherein the carrier comprises waveforms of a plurality of numerologies including the SS numerology, a first numerology, and a second numerology;   means for detecting a first SS and reading first configuration information and additional information, each carried on the first SS, wherein the additional information relates to a second SS on the carrier, which maps to a second channel on the carrier; and   means for receiving the second channel based on the additional information.   
     
     
         16 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the second channel has the second numerology. 
     
     
         17 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the second numerology is different from the SS numerology. 
     
     
         18 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the second numerology is different from the first numerology. 
     
     
         19 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the SS numerology is the same as the first numerology, and the second numerology differs from the SS numerology and the first numerology. 
     
     
         20 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the first configuration information corresponds to a first channel on the carrier, and indicates that the first channel has the first numerology. 
     
     
         21 . The UE of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of numerologies comprises at least two different numerologies. 
     
     
         22 . A non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer executable code, comprising instructions for causing a user equipment (UE) configured for wireless communication, to:
 search a carrier for a sync signal (SS) having an SS numerology, wherein the carrier comprises waveforms of a plurality of numerologies including the SS numerology, a first numerology, and a second numerology;   detect a first SS and reading first configuration information and additional information, each carried on the first SS, wherein the additional information relates to a second SS on the carrier, which maps to a second channel on the carrier; and   receive the second channel based on the additional information.   
     
     
         23 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the second channel has the second numerology. 
     
     
         24 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the second numerology is different from the SS numerology. 
     
     
         25 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the second numerology is different from the first numerology. 
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the SS numerology is the same as the first numerology, and the second numerology differs from the SS numerology and the first numerology. 
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the first configuration information corresponds to a first channel on the carrier, and indicates that the first channel has the first numerology. 
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the plurality of numerologies comprises at least two different numerologies.