阅读说明：本技术 用户设备发起的带宽请求 (User equipment initiated bandwidth request ) 是由 王继兵 埃里克·理查德·施陶费尔 于 2019-02-27 设计创作，主要内容包括：本公开描述了用于用户设备发起的带宽请求的技术和系统。在一些方面,用户设备确定与通过无线连接与基站通信有关的状况。用户设备基于所确定的状况来选择用于与基站通信的频率带宽。然后,用户设备向基站传送在所选择频率带宽上通信的请求。在一些实施方式中,用户设备可以响应于传送请求而接收资源许可,该资源许可分配所选择的频率带宽的至少部分以用于通过无线连接通信。(This disclosure describes techniques and systems for user equipment initiated bandwidth requests. In some aspects, a user equipment determines a condition related to communicating with a base station over a wireless connection. The user equipment selects a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station based on the determined condition. The user equipment then transmits a request to the base station to communicate on the selected frequency bandwidth. In some embodiments, a user equipment may receive a resource grant allocating at least a portion of a selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over a wireless connection in response to a transmission request.)

1. A method performed by a user equipment for a user equipment-initiated bandwidth request, the method comprising:

determining a condition related to communicating with a base station of a wireless network over a wireless connection;

selecting, by the user equipment, a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station, the selecting based on the determined condition; and

transmitting a request to the base station to communicate on the selected frequency bandwidth.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frequency bandwidth is a portion of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth comprising a frequency range over which the wireless network is operable.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising receiving a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant allocating at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over the wireless connection.

4. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the condition comprises a wireless signal detected at the user equipment, the wireless signal not being included in the wireless connection.

5. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the condition comprises:

a power state of the user device; and/or

A thermal state of the user equipment.

6. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the condition comprises an amount of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station.

7. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the condition comprises a type of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station.

8. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the request comprises a requested amount of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the requested amount of communication resources identifies a requested amount of uplink communication resources and a requested amount of downlink communication resources.

10. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the user equipment transmits the request as a radio resource control message or as a medium access control message, the request being transmitted on currently allocated communication resources, on a physical random access channel or on a supplemental uplink.

11. The method of at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the request specifies one or both of a selected frequency bandwidth or an amount of communication resources for the downlink and/or uplink, in particular the request specifies an increase or decrease of an amount of communication resources allocated to one or both of the uplink or downlink.

12. The method according to at least one of the preceding claims, having a requested frequency hopping pattern such that the base station and the user equipment agree on a planned change in location of the frequency bandwidth, and/or the request comprises a requested scheduling for changing elements of the selected frequency bandwidth, such as an amount of allocated communication resources or a location of the selected frequency bandwidth.

13. A user equipment, comprising:

a processor;

a hardware-based transceiver; and

a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

establishing a wireless connection with a base station of a wireless network via the hardware-based transceiver;

receiving, via the hardware-based transceiver, a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant identifying a first frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection;

determining a condition related to communicating with the base station over the frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant;

selecting a second frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station based on the determined condition; and

transmitting, via the hardware-based transceiver, a request to the base station to communicate on the second frequency bandwidth.

14. The user equipment of claim 13, wherein the first and second frequency bandwidths are part of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth comprising a range of frequencies over which the wireless network is operable.

15. The user equipment of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the second frequency bandwidth:

spaced apart in the frequency domain by the first frequency bandwidth identified from the resource grant; or

Narrower than the first frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant.

16. The user equipment of at least one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the request identifies a duration of time for which the user equipment requests communication on the second frequency bandwidth.

17. The user equipment of at least one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the request identifies a requested frequency hopping pattern for communication over the second frequency bandwidth.

18. A base station of a wireless network, comprising:

a processor;

hardware-based transceiver: and

a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a user equipment via the hardware-based transceiver, a request to communicate over a wireless connection, the request including the selected frequency bandwidth;

comparing the request to the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth; and

transmitting, via the hardware-based transceiver, a resource grant to the user equipment, the resource grant allocating communication resources for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection, the resource grant based on the request and a comparison of the request with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

19. The base station of claim 18, wherein the selected frequency bandwidth is a portion of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth including a frequency range over which the wireless network is operable.

20. The base station of claim 18 or claim 19, wherein:

the request comprises a requested amount of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station; and:

the amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth meets or exceeds the requested amount of communication resources; and is

The resource grant allocates an amount of communications resources within the selected frequency bandwidth based on the requested amount of communications resources; or

The requested amount of communication resources exceeds an amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth;

the resource grant allocates an amount of communication resources based on the requested amount of communication resources; and

at least a portion of the allocated communication resources are outside of the selected frequency bandwidth.

21. The base station of at least one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting a proposed alternative frequency bandwidth to the user equipment based on the requested amount of communications resources exceeding the amount of available communications resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

22. The base station according to at least one of claims 18 to 21, wherein:

the request identifying a requested amount of uplink communication resources and a requested amount of downlink communication resources; and is

The resource grant allocates the communication resources for communication with the base station based on the requested amount of uplink communication resources and the requested amount of downlink communication resources.

23. The base station according to at least one of claims 18 to 22, wherein:

the request identifies a type of data to be transmitted to or received from the user device; and is

The resource grant allocates the communication resources for communication with the base station based on the data type to be transmitted to or received from the user equipment.

Background

Typically, providers of wireless networks manage wireless communications through the wireless network. For example, a base station manages wireless communications for user equipment associated with a wireless network. A provider of a wireless network receives a request for communication, determines a schedule for communication, and communicates the schedule to a user device that transmitted the request. The user equipment then follows the schedule to transmit data to and receive data from the provider. This procedure is effective for managing wireless connections with multiple user devices, particularly when the provider manages a conventional wireless network with relatively narrow overall bandwidth allocations and static wireless connection bandwidth allocations.

With recent advances in wireless communication technology, providers manage relatively wide overall frequency allocations and can dynamically adjust the bandwidth for individual wireless connections. This allows the provider to customize the communication with the associated user devices and to associate with an increasing number of user devices. However, these advances may present new challenges for associated user equipment.

Disclosure of Invention

This document describes techniques and systems for implementing user equipment initiated bandwidth requests. Advancements in wireless communication technologies allow providers to access wider bandwidths to allocate communication resources to associated user devices. In addition, this advancement allows for an increased amount of bandwidth that can be allocated to a single wireless connection with a single user device. This allows a larger data capacity to be communicated in one time interval, which may improve the user experience. However, there may be a situation that would make a frequency bandwidth more preferable than another frequency bandwidth. In many cases, the provider cannot detect these conditions. These conditions may include one or more of a power state of the user device, a thermal state of the user device, other wireless signals at the user device, or an amount or type of data to be communicated over the wireless connection. Thus, in the context of user equipment-initiated bandwidth requests, the user equipment may detect these conditions, select a frequency bandwidth for communicating with a base station providing the network, and transmit the selected frequency bandwidth to the base station. This may improve the user equipment experience by allowing the user equipment to affect frequency bandwidth allocations more suitable for communication over a wireless connection.

In some aspects, a user equipment determines a condition related to communicating with a base station of a wireless network over a wireless connection. The user equipment selects a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station based on the determined condition. The user equipment then transmits a request to the base station to communicate on the selected frequency bandwidth. In some embodiments, a user equipment may receive a resource grant allocating at least a portion of a selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over a wireless connection in response to a transmission request.

In other aspects, a user device includes a processor, a hardware-based transceiver, and a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon. The processor performs operations related to a user equipment initiated bandwidth request in response to the processor executing the instructions. The operations include establishing a wireless connection with a base station of a wireless network via a hardware-based transceiver. The operations also include receiving, via a hardware-based transceiver, a resource grant from a base station. The resource grant identifies a first frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection. The operations also include determining a condition related to communicating with the base station over the frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant. The operations then include selecting a second frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station based on the determined condition, and transmitting a request to communicate over the second frequency bandwidth to the base station.

In yet another aspect, a base station of a wireless network includes a processor, one or more hardware-based transceivers, and a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon. The processor performs operations related to a user equipment initiated bandwidth request in response to the processor executing the instructions. The operations include receiving a request from a user equipment to communicate over a wireless connection, wherein the request includes a selected frequency bandwidth. The operations further comprise comparing the request to an availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. The operations further include transmitting, via the one or more hardware-based transceivers, a resource grant to the user equipment, the resource grant allocating communication resources for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection. The resource grant is based on the request and compares the request to the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. This summary is provided to introduce a selection of subject matter that is further described in the detailed description and the accompanying drawings. Accordingly, this summary should not be considered to describe essential features nor should it be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Drawings

Details of one or more aspects of a user equipment initiated bandwidth request for a wireless network are described below. The use of the same reference symbols in different instances in the description and the figures indicates similar elements:

fig. 1 illustrates an example device configuration of a user equipment and a base station in accordance with one or more aspects of a user equipment initiated bandwidth request.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example networking environment in which a user device and a base station can communicate in accordance with one or more aspects of a user device-initiated bandwidth request.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example user interface of a user device in accordance with one or more aspects of a bandwidth request initiated by the user device.

Fig. 4 illustrates example communication resources that may be used for communication between a user equipment and a base station.

Fig. 5 illustrates other example communication resources that may be used for communication between a user equipment and a base station.

Fig. 6 illustrates other example communication resources that may be used for communication between a user equipment and a base station.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example method performed by a user device for a user device-initiated bandwidth request.

Fig. 8 illustrates another example method performed by a user device for a user device-initiated bandwidth request.

Fig. 9 illustrates another example method performed by a user device for a user device-initiated bandwidth request.

Detailed Description

A base station of a wireless network manages wireless connections with user equipment by scheduling communication resources for communication with the user equipment. Recent advances in wireless communication technology allow a base station to allocate an increased amount of bandwidth over a wireless connection to user equipment associated with the base station relative to conventional techniques. In addition, recent advances allow for a wider overall bandwidth of the wireless network, which allows the base stations to spread the allocation of communication resources over a relatively wide frequency bandwidth relative to conventional techniques. However, based on conditions at the user equipment, the user equipment may prefer an amount of frequency bandwidth allocation or a frequency location of the bandwidth allocation.

This document describes techniques and systems for user equipment initiated bandwidth requests. The user equipment-initiated bandwidth request includes the user equipment determining conditions for communicating with the base station, selecting a preferred frequency bandwidth for communication, and transmitting a request to the base station for communication on the selected frequency bandwidth. The condition may be, for example, an environmental condition or an internal condition of the user equipment.

In an illustrative embodiment, a user equipment communicates with a base station over a wireless connection. The user device detects one or more WiFi signals in an environment in which the user device is located. The WiFi signal operates at a frequency bandwidth of about 2.4GHz and 5 GHz. Based on this condition, the user equipment determines that it prefers to communicate with the base station in a frequency bandwidth that will reduce interference to WiFi signals. In addition, the user equipment determines that the internal temperature is close to the upper limit of the safe operating temperature. Based on this condition, the user equipment determines that it prefers to communicate with the base station at a frequency bandwidth narrower than the standard frequency bandwidth. The user device may additionally determine to communicate at a frequency bandwidth that is located at a low frequency bandwidth that will not stimulate high power and cause increased heat to be transferred. The user equipment then selects a frequency bandwidth based on these conditions. For example, the user device may select a frequency bandwidth that is 50MHz wide and located between 3GHz and 4.5 GHz. Alternatively, the user device may select a frequency bandwidth that is 30MHz wide, while excluding frequency bandwidths between 2.2GHz and 2.6GHz, between 4.5GHz and 5.5GHz, and beyond 20 GHz. The user equipment then transmits a request to the base station, wherein the request identifies the selected frequency bandwidth. Based on the request, the base station allocates communication resources for communication with the user equipment and transmits a resource grant identifying the allocated communication resources.

The following discussion describes operating environments and techniques that may be employed in operating environments and/or network environments. In the context of the present disclosure, reference is made to an operating environment or a networked environment by way of example only.

Operating environment

Fig. 1 illustrates an example operating environment 100 in which a device for user device initiated bandwidth requests may be implemented. In this example, the operating environment includes a user equipment 102 and a base station 104, each configured to communicate over a wireless connection 106 of a wireless network. In general, the wireless connection 106 includes an uplink 108 through which the user equipment 102 communicates data to the base station 104 and a downlink 110 through which the base station 104 communicates other data to the user equipment 102, such as application data and grants for further communication. Although shown or described with reference to the uplink 108 or downlink 110 alone, the communication between the user equipment 102 and the base station 104 may also be referred to as a wireless association, a frame exchange, a wireless link, or a communication link.

The wireless connection 106 may be implemented according to any suitable protocol or standard, such as global system for mobile communications (GSM), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMax), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), evolved HSPA (HSPA +) protocols, Long Term Evolution (LTE) protocols, LTE-advanced protocols, fifth generation (5G) New Radio (NR) protocols, or future high-level protocols. The protocol may operate based on Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) or Time Division Duplexing (TDD). The wireless connection 106 may operate over a dynamic frequency bandwidth that may range from a high frequency bandwidth, such as a frequency bandwidth greater than 1GHz, to a low frequency bandwidth, such as 2 MHz. Further, the wireless connection 106 may be configured to allow operation at high frequencies, such as frequencies above 3GHz, and low frequencies, such as those between 5GHz and 3 GHz.

The user device 102 includes a processor 112, a computer readable storage medium (CRM)114 having a communication condition monitor 116 and a bandwidth selector 118, and a communication module 120. The user device 102 is illustrated as a smart phone, however, the user device 102 may alternatively be implemented as any device having wireless communication capabilities, such as a mobile gaming console, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, an Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS), a point of sale (POS) terminal, a health monitoring device, an unmanned aerial vehicle, a camera, a media streaming dog, a wearable smart device, an internet of things (IoT) device, a personal media device, a navigation device, a Mobile Internet Device (MID), a wireless hotspot, a femtocell, a smart vehicle, or a broadband router.

The processor 112 of the user device 102 may execute processor-executable instructions or code stored by the CRM114 to cause the user device 102 to perform operations or implement various device functionalities. In this example, the CRM114 also stores processor-executable code or instructions for implementing one or more of the communication condition monitor 116 or the bandwidth selector 118 of the user device 102. The communication status monitor 116 or the bandwidth selector 118 may be implemented as a module comprising one or more of hardware or software.

A processor, such as processor 112, may be implemented as an application processor (e.g., a multi-core processor) or system on a chip with other components of user device 102 integrated therein. CRMs such as CRM114 may include any suitable type of memory medium or storage medium, such as read-only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (prom), Random Access Memory (RAM), static RAM (sram), or flash memory. In the context of this discussion, CRM is implemented as a hardware-based storage medium that does not include transitory signals or carriers. In some cases, the CRM stores one or more of the firmware, operating system, or application of the associated device as instructions, code, or information. The instructions or code may be executable by an associated processor to implement various functionalities of an associated device, such as those related to network communications.

In some aspects, the communication condition monitor 116 monitors conditions, such as internal and environmental conditions, that may affect communication over the wireless connection 106 on different frequency bandwidths. The internal conditions may include one or more of a thermal state of the user device 102, a power state of the user device 102, or an amount or type of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station 104. The environmental conditions may include, for example, a microwave oven operating at about 2.4GHz, a WiFi router communicating over a frequency bandwidth of about 5GHz, another user device in the vicinity communicating over another frequency bandwidth, or an obstruction that may reflect high frequency transmissions.

The bandwidth selector 118 determines one or more preferred frequency bandwidths for communicating with the base station 104 based on the monitored conditions. The bandwidth selector 118 may select the preferred frequency bandwidth as one or more ranges of preferred frequencies or one or more ranges of excluded frequencies. Additionally or alternatively, the bandwidth selector 118 may select an amount of communication resources within the preferred frequency bandwidth that may be less than all of the communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. Additionally or alternatively, the bandwidth selector 118 may select configuration parameters for the communication resources.

The user equipment 102 then transmits a request to communicate with the base station 104 over the selected frequency bandwidth using the communication module 120. The user equipment 102 may communicate the request as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or a Medium Access Control (MAC) message. Further, the user equipment 102 may transmit the request on the currently allocated communication resource, a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), a supplemental uplink, or an uplink of another radio access technology. The request may specify one or both of a selected amount of frequency bandwidth or communication resources for downlink 110 only, uplink 108 only, or both uplink 108 and downlink 110. For example, the request may specify increasing or decreasing an amount of communication resources allocated to one or both of the uplink 108 or downlink 110. The request may further include a requested frequency hopping pattern such that the base station 104 and the user equipment 102 agree on a planned change in location of the frequency bandwidth to avoid fading. Additionally or alternatively, the request may include a requested schedule for changing elements of the selected frequency bandwidth, such as an amount of allocated communication resources or a location of the selected frequency bandwidth.

The communication module 120 of the user equipment 102 includes a hardware-based transceiver and associated circuitry or other components for communicating with the base station 104 via a wireless medium. For example, the communication module 120 may transmit data to the base station 104 via the transmitter of the transceiver over one or more channels of the uplink 108, such as PRACH, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), or Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The data transmitted to the base station 104 may include any suitable type of framed or packetized information, such as Sounding Reference Signals (SRS), device state information, radio connection control information, data requests, application data, or network access requests. The communication module 120 may also receive other data from the base station 104 via the transceiver's receiver over one or more channels of the downlink 110, such as a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), or a physical hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) indicator channel (PHICH). The data may include one or more of application data, downlink pilots, primary or secondary synchronization signals (PSS or SSS), Master Information Blocks (MIB), System Information Blocks (SIB), Downlink Control Information (DCI) messages, downlink grants, uplink grants, radio connection configuration settings, network control information, or communication mode selection.

In this example, the base station 104 is shown generally as a cellular base station of a wireless network. The base station 104 may be implemented to provide and manage a cell of a wireless network that includes a plurality of other base stations, each managing another respective cell of the wireless network. As such, the base station 104 may communicate with a network management entity or other base stations of the plurality of base stations to coordinate connectivity or handover of mobile stations within or across cells of the wireless network.

The base station 104 may be configured as any suitable type of base station or network management node, such as a GSM base station, a node base station (node B) transceiver station (e.g., for UMTS), an evolved node B (e.g., an eNB for LTE), or a next generation node B (e.g., a gNB for a 5G NR). As such, the base station 104 may control or configure parameters of the uplink 108 or downlink 110 according to one or more of the wireless standards or protocols described herein.

The base station 104 includes a processor 122, a computer readable storage medium (CRM)124 having a resource manager 126 and a collision manager 128, and a communication module 130. In this example, the CRM 124 also stores processor executable code or instructions for implementing a resource manager 126 and a conflict manager 128 of the base station 104. The resource manager 126 and conflict manager 128 may be implemented as modules comprising one or more of hardware or software.

In some aspects, the resource manager 126 of the base station 104 is implemented to perform various functions associated with allocating physical access (e.g., resource blocks) or communication resources available to the base station 104. Physical access to the air interface, such as base station 104, may be partitioned or divided into various units (e.g., frames) of one or more of a frequency bandwidth, time, symbol, or spatial layer. For example, within the framework of the 5G NR protocol, the resource manager 126 may allocate the frequency bandwidth and time interval of access in resource blocks, each of which may be fully or partially allocated to one or more channels for communication with the user equipment 102. A resource block may include a plurality of subcarriers, each of the subcarriers spanning a portion of a frequency domain of the resource block. The resource manager 126 may separate these subcarriers according to the configuration. The subcarriers may be further divided into resource elements or OFDM symbols, each of which spans a portion of the time domain of the subcarrier. Thus, a resource block includes a plurality of OFDM symbols that may be grouped into subcarriers with other OFDM symbols having a common frequency.

In some aspects, the conflict manager 128 receives a request to communicate with the base station 104 over the selected frequency bandwidth via the communication module 130. The conflict manager 128 compares the request with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. The conflict manager 128 may suggest approval of the request to the resource manager 126 if the amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth meets or exceeds the requested amount of communication resources. If the amount of requested communication resources exceeds the amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth, the collision manager 128 may determine whether one or more other wireless connections occupying communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth may be moved to other communication resources. The determination may include comparing the request to other requests received from other user devices. Additionally or alternatively, the conflict manager 128 may suggest allocating communication resources to the user equipment 102 such that at least a portion of the allocated communication resources are outside of the selected frequency bandwidth. The conflict manager 128 may further determine an alternative frequency bandwidth to propose to the user device 102.

The resource manager 126 allocates communication resources for communication with the base station 104 over the wireless connection 106 based on one or more of the request and the suggestion by the conflict manager 128. The base station 104 transmits an associated resource grant indicating an allocation of communication resources via the communication module 130. The communication module 130 comprises a hardware-based transceiver that includes a receiver, a transmitter, and associated circuitry or other components for communicating with the user device 102 via a wireless medium. The communication module 130 may be configured to communicate over one or more frequency bandwidths of the wireless medium and over multiple spatial layers and beams. In some cases, the communication module 130 includes or is coupled with a plurality of hardware-based transceiver and antenna array couplings configured to establish and manage wireless connections with a plurality of user devices over one or more frequency bandwidths. The base station 104 may communicate any suitable data with the user equipment 102 over the uplink 108 and downlink 110 on one or more channels, such as scheduling of allocated communication resources, downlink pilots, application data, radio connection status information, or radio connection control information.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example networking environment 200 in which user devices and base stations can communicate in accordance with one or more aspects of user device-initiated bandwidth requests, which can be implemented. The network environment includes respective instances of the user equipment 102 and the base station 104 that provide a wireless network with which the user equipment 102 and other user equipment can be associated. Through the wireless network, the base station 104 may implement or provide access to other networks or resources, such as a network 202 (e.g., the internet) connected via a backhaul link (e.g., a fiber optic network). Additionally or alternatively, the networking environment 200 may include other base stations or mobility managers 204, such as Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) or access and mobility management functions (AMFs), to provide regional wireless networks, such as 5GNR networks and associated data services.

In this example, the user equipment 102 transmits a frequency bandwidth request 206 to the base station 104. For example, the frequency bandwidth request 206 may be transmitted on a channel of the wireless connection 106, such as a PUCCH or PRACH. The frequency bandwidth request 206 may include a duration of time for which the user equipment 102 requests communication over the requested frequency bandwidth. For example, frequency bandwidth request 206 may provide a schedule of requests for communication over wide frequency bandwidth and narrow frequency bandwidth. In some implementations, the frequency bandwidth request 206 can include a modifier that can be used by the base station 104 to modify the context of the frequency bandwidth request 206 based on, for example, the location of the base station 104. For example, the frequency bandwidth request 206 may request communication over a frequency bandwidth around 2.4GHz in order to save power and reduce thermal effects, except when the device 102 is located at the user's home or work site.

Based on the frequency bandwidth request 206, the base station 104 compares the frequency bandwidth request 206 with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. The base station 104 then transmits the resource grant 208 to the user equipment 102. The base station 104 may transmit the resource grant 208 within a DCI message. Further, the base station 104 may transmit the resource grant 208 directly, such as through the PDCCH of the wireless connection 106, or indirectly, such as through another wireless connection via another radio access technology, for example, 208. Resource grant 208 may further acknowledge or deny other requests within frequency bandwidth request 206, such as a frequency hopping pattern, a schedule for changing the amount of traffic allocated, or a schedule for changing the location of the allocated communication resources.

The base station 104 transmits Downlink (DL) data 210 to the user equipment 102 over the downlink communication resources identified in the resource grant 208. The base station 104 may transmit the downlink data 210 over a channel of the wireless connection 106, such as a PDSCH or PDCCH. The user equipment 102 transmits Uplink (UL) data 212 to the base station 104 over the uplink communication resources identified in the resource grant 208.

Fig. 3 illustrates an example user interface 300 of an example of a user device 102 through which one or more aspects of a user device initiated bandwidth request may be implemented. In this example, the user interface 300 is presented through a visible portion of the display 302 for providing output to a user. The display 302 may also include or be integrated with a touch screen or touch sensitive overlay to receive touch input from a user. The display 302 may also display one or more of a thermal status indicator 304 (shown as "temperature") of the device, another wirelessly connected indicator 306 of the user device 102, an indicator 308 (shown as 5G NR) of the wireless connection 106, or a power status indicator 310. In the context of a user device-initiated bandwidth request, indicators 304, 306, 308, and 310 represent one or more discoveries of communication condition monitor 116. For example, the communication condition monitor 116 detects that the environmental condition includes a wireless signal to or from a WiFi provider. Additionally, the communication condition monitor 116 may detect a high temperature as indicated by the thermal status indicator 304 or a high battery charge level as indicated by the power status indicator 310.

In some implementations, the display 302 provides or makes accessible a settings menu 312, and the user interface 300 can receive input 314 through the settings menu 312 to select the bandwidth request mode. The settings menu 312 may receive additional inputs 316, 318, and 320 to select one or more modes for the user equipment-initiated bandwidth request. Inputs 316, 318, and 320 select example modes, respectively, including collision avoidance, battery saving, and heat reduction modes. These inputs 314, 316, 318, and 320 may be included as internal conditions identified in the frequency bandwidth request 206.

Additionally or alternatively, the user device 102 may provide a notification 322 via the user interface 300 based on user input to indicate that the user device 102 is entering the bandwidth request mode. In this example, the notification 322 is illustrated as a pop-up notification in the display 302, however, other forms of notification 322 may be implemented in addition to or instead of a pop-up notification. For example, user device 102 may provide an audible notification, a visual notification via a Light Emitting Diode (LED) indicator separate from display 302, or a motion-based notification, such as a vibration of user device 102.

User interface 300 is but one of many possible user interfaces for implementing user device initiated bandwidth requests. Although user device 102 is illustrated as a smartphone with a touch screen, an alternative user interface may be implemented by user device 102. For example, the user device 102 may be implemented as a laptop computer with a user interface. The user interface of the laptop may include, for example, one or more of a mouse, a touch pad, a keyboard, a microphone, a monitor, a projector screen, or a speaker. In some implementations, the user interface does not include a settings menu 312 for receiving inputs 314, 316, 318, or 320, but rather the user device 102 automatically enters the bandwidth request mode without receiving user input.

Fig. 4 illustrates a set 400 of example communication resources that may be used for a base station 104 to communicate with user equipment. The set 400 of communication resources available to the base station 104 to communicate with the associated user equipment spans a frequency bandwidth 402 and a time interval 404. The communication resources span a frequency bandwidth 406, which frequency bandwidth 406 is part of the frequency bandwidth 402 of the set 400. The frequency bandwidth 406 may be dynamically determined by the base station 104 and may vary for different communication resources of the set 400.

The communication resources shown as boxes can be resource blocks, resource block groups, resource element groups, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, single-carrier frequency division multiplexing (SC-FDM) symbols, or a classification of other communication resources. The base station 104 allocates a frequency bandwidth 408 for the wireless connection 106 with the user equipment 102. For purposes of this discussion, frequency bandwidth 408 may be referred to as a standard frequency bandwidth or an initial resource grant for wireless connection 106.

Fig. 5 illustrates another example set 500 of communication resources that may be used by a base station 104 to communicate with user equipment. The set 500 may be included in a frequency bandwidth request 206, the frequency bandwidth request 206 indicating a request to reduce the amount of communication resources for the wireless connection 106 or to narrow the frequency bandwidth. As discussed herein, the user device 102 can request the frequency bandwidth 502 to reduce the amount of communication resources for the wireless connection 106 based on the determined conditions related to the wireless connection. For example, user device 102 may determine one or more conditions, such as a high temperature thermal state, a low charge power state, a small amount of data to transmit, or data of a voice call type to transmit.

Although shown as spanning three communication resources to illustrate a relatively narrow frequency bandwidth, frequency bandwidth 502 may span any number of communication resources. Moreover, the frequency bandwidth 502 may be any portion of a standard frequency bandwidth. Further, frequency bandwidth request 206 can include a request for less than all of the communication resources in frequency bandwidth 502.

In alternative embodiments, the frequency bandwidth request 206 may include a request for an increased frequency bandwidth and an increased number of communication resources based on the amount of data to be communicated with the base station 104. In other implementations, the frequency bandwidth request 206 can include a request for allocation of communication resources outside of the frequency bandwidth 502.

Fig. 6 illustrates another example set 600 of communication resources that may be used by a base station 104 to communicate with user equipment. The set 600 may be included in the frequency bandwidth request 206, the frequency bandwidth request 206 indicating a request to select or change a frequency location of the wireless connection 106 to the set 600. As discussed herein, the user device 102 may request a particular frequency bandwidth 602 to reduce collisions with other wireless signals detected by the user device 102. Additionally or alternatively, the user device 102 may request a particular frequency bandwidth 602 based on a thermal or power state of the user device 102. In some implementations, the user equipment 102 also requests a certain amount of communication resources in addition to the frequency location of the frequency bandwidth 602.

Techniques for user equipment initiated bandwidth requests

Fig. 7-9 depict methods for implementing user equipment initiated bandwidth requests. The methodologies are shown as a collection of blocks that specify operations performed by the respective blocks, but are not necessarily limited to the orders or combinations of blocks shown for performing the operations by the respective blocks. For example, operations of different methods may be combined in any order to implement alternative methods without departing from the concepts described herein. In portions of the following discussion, techniques may be described with reference to fig. 1-6, which are referenced by way of example only. The techniques are not limited to execution by the entity or entities operating on a device or to the entities depicted in the figures.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example method 700 performed by a user device for a user device-initiated bandwidth request. The method 700 includes operations that may be performed by a communication condition monitor, such as the communication condition monitor 116, a bandwidth selector, such as the bandwidth selector 118, and a communication module, such as the communication module 120 in some aspects, the operations of the method 700 may improve the experience at the user device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to affect frequency bandwidth allocations that are more suitable for communication over the wireless connection 106.

At operation 702, a user equipment determines a condition related to communicating with a base station of a wireless network over a wireless connection. For example, the user device 102, while communicating over the wireless connection 106, detects one or more conditions, such as internal or environmental conditions, that affect the quality of the wireless connection or the performance of the user device 102.

At operation 704, the user equipment selects a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station. The selection is based on the determined condition. For example, the user device 102 selects the frequency bandwidth 502 based on detecting a low battery power state. As noted, the frequency bandwidth is a portion of the total bandwidth of the wireless network, and the total bandwidth includes the frequency range over which the wireless network can operate.

At operation 706, the user equipment transmits a request to the base station to communicate on the selected frequency bandwidth. For example, the user equipment 102 transmits a frequency bandwidth request 206 to the base station 104. The frequency bandwidth request 206 may include one or more of a requested amount of communication resources, a frequency location of a preferred frequency bandwidth, or a requested communication configuration for the wireless connection 106.

At optional operation 708, the user equipment receives a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant allocating at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over the wireless connection. For example, the user equipment 102 receives a resource grant 208 identifying at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth 502 for communicating over the wireless connection 106.

Fig. 8 illustrates an example method 800 performed by a user device for a user device-initiated bandwidth request. Method 800 includes operations that may be performed by a communication condition monitor, such as communication condition monitor 116, a bandwidth selector, such as bandwidth selector 118, and a communication module, such as communication module 120. Method 800 describes a method of requesting a change to a frequency bandwidth allocated by a base station 104. In some aspects, the operations of method 800 may improve the experience of the user device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to request a change in the allocation of frequency bandwidth suitable for communication over the wireless connection 106.

At optional operation 802, a user equipment establishes a wireless connection with a base station of a wireless network. For example, the user equipment 102 establishes a wireless connection 106 with the base station 104 via access requests and responses on the PRACH and PDCCH.

At operation 804, the user equipment receives a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant identifying a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station. For example, the user equipment 102 receives a resource grant from the base station 104 that identifies communication resources within the frequency bandwidth 408 for communicating via the wireless connection 106. As noted above, the frequency bandwidth is a portion of the total bandwidth of the wireless network, and the total bandwidth includes the frequency range over which the wireless network can operate.

At operation 806, the user equipment determines a condition related to communicating with the base station over the frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant. For example, the communication condition monitor 116 of the user equipment 102 detects potentially interfering wireless signals not included in the wireless connection 106 at or near the frequency location of the frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant.

At operation 808, the user equipment selects another frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station. The user equipment selects the other frequency bandwidth based on the determined condition. For example, the bandwidth selector 118 of the user equipment 102 selects the frequency bandwidth 602 for communication with the base station 104.

At operation 810, the user equipment transmits a request to the base station to communicate on the other frequency bandwidth. For example, the user equipment 102 transmits a frequency bandwidth request 206 to the base station 104 to request a frequency bandwidth 602 for communicating with the base station 104.

At optional operation 812, the user equipment receives a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant allocating at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over the wireless connection. For example, the user equipment 102 receives a resource grant 208 identifying at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth 502 for communicating over the wireless connection 106.

Fig. 9 illustrates an example method 900 performed by a base station for a user equipment-initiated bandwidth request. Method 900 includes operations that may be performed by a resource manager, such as resource manager 126, a conflict manager, such as conflict manager 128, and a communication module, such as communication module 130. In some aspects, the operations of method 900 may improve the experience at the user device 102 by allowing the user device 102 to affect frequency bandwidth allocations that are more suitable for communication over the wireless connection 106.

At operation 902, the base station receives a request from a user equipment to communicate over a wireless connection. The request includes the selected frequency bandwidth. For example, the base station 104 receives the frequency bandwidth request 206 from the user equipment 102 over one of the PRACH or PUCCH. The user equipment 102 may request communication over the frequency bandwidth 602. The request may also include one or more conditions considered by the user equipment 102 in selecting the frequency bandwidth 602.

At operation 904, the base station compares the request with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. For example, the conflict manager 128 compares the frequency bandwidth request 206 with available communication resources within the frequency bandwidth 602.

At operation 906, the base station 104 transmits a resource grant to the user equipment, the resource grant allocating communication resources for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection. The resource grant is based on a request from the user equipment and a comparison of the request with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth. For example, the base station 104 communicates the resource grant 208 to the user equipment 102. The communication resources allocated in the resource grant 208 may include communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth, if available.

At optional operation 908, the base station transmits the proposed alternative frequency bandwidth to the user equipment. For example, the base station 104 transmits an offer to communicate via the associated frequency bandwidth to the user equipment 102. The base station 104 may propose an alternative frequency bandwidth based on the amount of requested communication resources exceeding the amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

Although the techniques for using and apparatus for implementing user equipment-initiated bandwidth requests have been described in language specific to features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the subject of the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as example ways in which user equipment initiated bandwidth requests may be implemented.

In the following, some examples are described.

Example 1: a method performed by a user equipment for a user equipment-initiated bandwidth request, the method comprising:

determining a condition related to communicating with a base station of a wireless network over a wireless connection;

selecting, by the user equipment, a frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station, the selecting based on the determined condition; and

transmitting a request to the base station to communicate on the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 2: the method of example 1, wherein the frequency bandwidth is a portion of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth comprising a frequency range over which the wireless network may operate.

Example 3: the method of example 1 or example 2, further comprising receiving a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant allocating at least a portion of the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating over the wireless connection.

Example 4: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the condition comprises a wireless signal detected at the user equipment, the wireless signal not being included in the wireless connection.

Example 5: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the condition comprises:

a power state of the user device; and/or

A thermal state of the user equipment.

Example 6: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the condition comprises an amount of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station.

Example 7: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the condition comprises a type of data to be transmitted to or received from the base station.

Example 8: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the request comprises a requested amount of communication resources for communicating with the base station within the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 9: the method of example 8, wherein the requested amount of communication resources identifies a requested amount of uplink communication resources and a requested amount of downlink communication resources.

Example 10: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the user equipment transmits the request as a radio resource control message or as a medium access control message on a currently allocated communication resource, on a physical random access channel or a supplemental uplink.

Example 11: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, wherein the request specifies one or both of a selected frequency bandwidth or an amount of communication resources for a downlink and/or an uplink, in particular the request increases or decreases an amount of communication resources specified for allocation to one or both of an uplink or a downlink.

Example 12: the method of at least one of the preceding examples, having the requested frequency hopping pattern causes the base station and the user equipment to be on a planned change in location of the frequency bandwidth, and/or the request comprises a schedule of requests to change elements of the selected frequency bandwidth, such as an amount of allocated communication resources or a location of the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 13: a user equipment, comprising:

a processor;

a hardware-based transceiver; and

a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

establishing a wireless connection with a base station of a wireless network via the hardware-based transceiver;

receiving, via the hardware-based transceiver, a resource grant from the base station, the resource grant identifying a first frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection;

determining a condition related to communicating with the base station over the frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant;

selecting a second frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station based on the determined condition; and

transmitting, via the hardware-based transceiver, a request to the base station to communicate on the second frequency bandwidth.

Example 14: the user equipment of example 13, wherein the first and second frequency bandwidths are part of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth comprising a range of frequencies over which the wireless network may operate.

Example 15: the user equipment of example 13 or 14, wherein the second frequency bandwidth:

spaced apart in the frequency domain by the first frequency bandwidth identified from the resource grant; or

Narrower than the first frequency bandwidth identified in the resource grant.

Example 16: the user equipment of at least one of examples 13 to 15, wherein the request identifies a duration of time for which the user equipment requests communication on the second frequency bandwidth.

Example 17: the user equipment of at least one of examples 13 to 16, wherein the request identifies a requested frequency hopping pattern for communication over the second frequency bandwidth.

Example 18: a base station of a wireless network, comprising:

a processor;

hardware-based transceiver: and

a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored thereon that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving, from a user equipment via the hardware-based transceiver, a request to communicate over a wireless connection, the request including a selected frequency bandwidth;

comparing the request to the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth; and

transmitting, via the hardware-based transceiver, a resource grant to the user equipment, the resource grant allocating communication resources for communicating with the base station over the wireless connection, the resource grant based on the request and a comparison of the request with the availability of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 19: the base station of claim 18, wherein the selected frequency bandwidth is a portion of a total bandwidth of the wireless network, the total bandwidth including a frequency range over which the wireless network may operate.

Example 20: the base station of example 18 or 19, wherein:

the request comprises a requested amount of communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth for communicating with the base station; and:

the amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth meets or exceeds the requested amount of communication resources; and is

The resource grant allocates an amount of communications resources within the selected frequency bandwidth based on the requested amount of communications resources; or

The requested amount of communication resources exceeds an amount of available communication resources within the selected frequency bandwidth;

the resource grant allocates an amount of communication resources based on the requested amount of communication resources; and

at least a portion of the allocated communication resources are outside of the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 21: the base station of at least one of examples 18 to 20, wherein the operations further comprise: transmitting a proposed alternative frequency bandwidth to the user equipment based on the requested amount of communications resources exceeding the amount of available communications resources within the selected frequency bandwidth.

Example 22: the base station of at least one of examples 18 to 21, wherein:

the request identifying a requested amount of uplink communication resources and a requested amount of downlink communication resources; and is

The resource grant allocates the communication resources for communication with the base station based on the requested amount of uplink communication resources and the requested amount of downlink communication resources.

Example 23: the base station of at least one of examples 18 to 22, wherein:

the request identifies a type of data to be transmitted to or received from the user device; and is

The resource grant allocates the communication resources for communication with the base station based on the data type to be transmitted to or received from the user equipment.