Master carrier operation for multi-carrier unlicensed technologies

Abstract

A network node, wireless device and various methods are provided. For example, a network node for operating in an unlicensed frequency band is provided. The network node includes processing circuitry configured to: modify at least one function of at least one carrier in a frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band where the frequency band edge being located, in a frequency domain, in a non-transmission portion of a spectrum mask that is configured to reduce leakage into an adjacent frequency band, and perform a communication function using the at least one carrier having the modified at least one function.

1 . A network node for operating in an unlicensed frequency band, the network node comprising:
 processing circuitry configured to:
 modify a communication function of at least one carrier in a frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band to enable a listen before talk, LBT, procedure using the at least one carrier; and 
 perform the modified communication function using the at least one carrier. 
   
     
     
         2 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the communication function of the at least one carrier includes configuring a master carrier of the at least one carrier for receiving only. 
     
     
         22 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein modifying the communication function of the at least one carrier includes configuring the at least one carrier to carry a downlink beacon. 
     
     
         23 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein the frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band is in a non-transmission portion of a spectrum mask that is configured to reduce leakage into an adjacent frequency band. 
     
     
         24 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform an LBT procedure on a master carrier of the at least one carrier. 
     
     
         25 . The network node of  claim 24 , further comprising a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry and configured to transmit results of the LBT procedure to at least one other network node. 
     
     
         26 . The network node of  claim 24 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to distribute results of the LBT procedure to at least one second carrier LBT function of at least one second carrier of the at least one carrier. 
     
     
         27 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to coordinate LBT procedures of a plurality of other network nodes. 
     
     
         28 . The network node of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the processing circuitry is further configured to:
 receive a request from at least one other network node for master carrier LBT sensing; and 
 perform the requested master carrier LBT sensing on a master carrier of the at least one carrier. 
   
     
     
         29 . The network node of  claim 1 , further comprising a radio interface in communication with the processing circuitry and configured to communicate with a plurality of wireless devices. 
     
     
         30 . A method in a network node for operating in an unlicensed frequency band, the method comprising:
 modifying a communication function of at least one carrier in a frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band to enable a listen before talk, LBT, procedure using the at least one carrier; and   perform the modified communication function on the at least one carrier.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein modifying the communication function of the at least one carrier includes configuring a master carrier of the at least one carrier for receiving only. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein modifying the communication function of the at least one carrier includes configuring the at least one carrier to carry a downlink beacon. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 30 , wherein the frequency band edge of the unlicensed frequency band is in a non-transmission portion of a spectrum mask that is configured to reduce leakage into an adjacent frequency band. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising performing an LBT procedure on a master carrier of the at least one carrier. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising transmitting results of the LBT procedure to at least one other network node. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 34 , further comprising distributing results of the LBT procedure to at least one second carrier LBT function of at least one second carrier of the at least one carrier. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising coordinating LBT procedures of a plurality of other network nodes. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving a request from at least one other network node for master carrier LBT sensing; and   performing the requested LBT sensing on a master carrier of the at least one carrier.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising communicating with a plurality of wireless devices.