Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to blockage detection for access point (AP) services. In particular, the present disclosure relates to blockage detection for AP service using a blockage poll (B-Poll) channel and/or a blockage response (B-RSP) channel.

Background

[0002] The next generation (5G) of wireless networks may provide high peak rates and high edge rates. Millimeter-wave (mmWave) communication is attractive for deployment in 5G due to a large available bandwidth catering to high peak rates. Signal propagation in mmWave frequencies is highly sensitive to blocking caused by buildings, foliage, vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, and self-blocking, making reliable communication challenging.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0003] FIG. 1 is a timing diagram of a B-Poll channel and a B-RSP channel according to one embodiment.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of a B-Poll channel and a B-RSP channel according to one embodiment.

[0005] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an attach command (AC) channel according to one embodiment.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram of blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating electronic device circuitry that may be eNodeB circuitry, user equipment (UE) circuitry, network node circuitry, or some other type of circuitry according to one embodiment. [0008] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a method for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a method for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating components of a device according to one embodiment.

[0012] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating components according to some embodiments.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0013] Wireless mobile communication technology uses various standards and protocols to generate and/or transmit data between a base station and a wireless communication device. Wireless communication system standards and protocols can include, for example, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) long term evolution (LTE); the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16 standard, which is commonly known to industry groups as worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX); and the IEEE 802.1 1 standard, which is commonly known to industry groups as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) or Wi-Fi. In 3GPP radio access networks (RANs) in LTE systems, a base station may include Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (also commonly denoted as evolved Node B, enhanced Node B, eNodeB, or eNB) and/or Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) in the E-UTRAN, which communicate with a wireless communication device, known as user equipment (UE). In LTE networks, the E-UTRAN may include a plurality of eNodeBs and may communicate with the plurality of UEs. LTE networks include a radio access technology (RAT) and core radio network architecture that can provide high data rate, low latency, packet optimization, and improved system capacity and coverage.

[0014] In some examples, a blockage between a UE and an access point (AP) can develop. As used herein, an AP can include a base station and/or a device comprising a transmitter sending information towards a UE. A blockage can be attributed to buildings, foliage, vehicular traffic, pedestrian traffic, and self- blocking, making reliable communication challenging in 5G systems operating in the Millimeter-wave (mmWave). [0015] Leveraging macro-diversity available from the simultaneous

connectivity to multiple APs is one possible solution. However, the requirement of bi-directional beam steering for link establishment in mmWave brings its own new set of challenges. Another solution is macro-diversity for blockage mitigation to establish reliable and higher edge data rate.

[0016] The terms UE, eNodeB, and AP are used to identify nodes which share similar logical and conceptual functionalities in 5G systems. The terms UE, eNodeB, and AP may have different names in 5G systems.

[0017] A blockage between a UE and an AP can be detected and mitigated through dynamic AP assignment. Dynamic AP assignment refers to coupling of a UE to two or more APs to detect and/or mitigate a blockage between a UE and at least one of the two or more APs.

[0018] A downlink and an uplink control channel, which can be referred to as a B-Poll channel and a B-RSP channel, respectively, can be used for

simultaneous and synchronous blockage detection at both a network (e.g. , AP) and a UE. The B-Poll channel and the B-RSP channel together and/or

individually are a bi-directional control channel that periodically polls a UE to determine whether a blockage exists between the UE and an AP.

[0019] Mitigating a blockage can include generating and accessing a blockage mitigation set (BMS) of APs to which the UE can connect when the serving AP is blocked. The BMS can be UE specific. The BMS can include an ordered set of APs.

[0020] The order of the BMS of APs can be based on the directional (e.g., beamformed) received signal strength indicator (RSSI) from the APs, the load at the corresponding APs, the best receive direction/sector for the APs at a given UE, and the network utility objectives such as the proportional fair and/or alpha-fair

objectives. Apha-fair objectives are a general class of resource allocation fairness metrics encompassing varying degree of fairness like very fair max min fairness, (e.g., somewhat fair) proportional fairness, and very unfair max sum. Upon detecting a blockage between a servicing AP and a UE, a network (e.g., through an AP of the BMS other than the servicing AP) can provide an attach command (AC) to the blocked UE which can allow the blocked UE to refine beamforming to the AP that provided the AC and can provide other control information such as a buffer status report (BSR) and a channel quality indicator (CQI) to the AP. As used herein the AC command can be provided by an AC channel as shown in FIG. 3. Upon detecting the blockage between a servicing AP and a UE, the blocked UE can switch its receive sector to the first AP of the BMS and dwell for a certain time to receive an AC before switching to the lower priority AP until a successful AC is received and executed.

[0021] Reference is now made to the figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements. For clarity, the first digit of a reference numeral indicates the figure number in which the corresponding element is first used. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of the embodiments disclosed herein. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, or materials. Further, in some cases, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail in order to avoid obscuring aspects of the embodiments. Furthermore, the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a timing diagram of a B-Poll channel and a B-RSP channel according to one embodiment. FIG. 1 includes a bi-directional control channel 100 comprising a B-Poll channel 102 and a B-RSP channel 104. FIG. 1 also includes a UE 106 and a servicing AP 108. The B-Poll channel 102 and the B-RSP channel 104 are a dedicated B-Poll channel 102 and a dedicated B-RSP channel 104 because they do not rely on any other channel and/or communication to provide the corresponding data. The B-Poll channel 102 is a downlink communication while the B-RSP channel 104 is an uplink communication.

[0023] Since outage detection at network is key to a network controlled and/or initiated reselection mechanism , the bi-directional control channel 100 can be provided in the form of a periodic poll (B-Poll) channel 102 from the AP 108 (e.g. , servicing AP) and corresponding response (B-RSP) channel 104 from the polled UEs. The B-Poll channel 102 can be used to request a confirmation on whether the UE 106 is receiving data from the AP 108. The B-RSP channel 104 can be used to respond that the UE 106 is receiving data from the AP 108.

[0024] Furthermore, a persistent allocation or resources can be leveraged as an implicit B-Poll channel and B-RSP channel. That is, the B-Poll channel 102 can be persistently provided to a UE until a B-RSP channel 104 is received to identify that no blockage exists or after a predetermined criteria is met, at which time a blockage can be identified.

[0025] The B-Poll channel 102 can be generated and/or provided in a dedicated manner using beamforming to a specific UE 106. The B-Poll channel 104 can also be sent with a broader beam such that a large number of UEs can decode and respond in UE specific B-RSP channel 104.

[0026] The B-Poll channel 102 can contain the time and/or frequency allocation for UEs to respond in UE specific B-RSP channel 104. The UEs can respond via directional beams to the servicing AP 108 and the AP 108 can receive with a broader beam on the allotted resources with their UE

identification (ID). The B-RSP channel 104 for UEs may be multiplexed in time and/or frequency.

[0027] In some embodiments, if the UEs are persistently allocated a given resource for a B-RSP channel 104, then the B-Poll channel 102 may not require resource allocation information and can carry only the eNodeB ID and the corresponding broader beam ID.

[0028] FIG. 2 is a timing diagram of a B-Poll channel and a B-RSP channel according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 includes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) 212, data 214, an acknowledgement (ACK) 216, and a B-RSP channel 204. FIG. 2 also includes UEs 206-1 and 206-2, referred to generally as UEs 206, and an AP 208.

[0029] In this example, the B-Poll channel can be embedded in the PDCCH 212. The B-Poll channel and B-RSP channel 204 can be embedded in a data allocation of other UEs as shown below. For example, the PDCCH 212 can be generated and sent on broader beam serves as an implicit B-Poll channel for the UEs 206 that are not allocated data 214 in the subsequent allocation (e.g. , data 214). The ACK 216 following data 214 serves as the implicit B-RSP for the data scheduled UE 206-2. The unscheduled UEs (e.g. , UE 206-1 ) can respond in the B-RSP channel 204 following the ACK 216 phase. The allocation for ACK 216 and the B-RSP channel 204 can communicated in the PDCCH 212. If there is a persistent allocation for the B-RSP channel 204 in the PDCCH 212, the allocation information for the B-RSP channel 204 may be omitted from the PDCCH 212. [0030] The B-Poll channel and/or the B-RSP channel 204 can be generated and provided periodically for each UE with a certain period (e.g. , T _B ). The UEs 206-2 can interpret an outage and/or a blockage upon missing N consecutive B- Poll channels and/or PDCCHs 212 from the servicing AP 208. The AP 208 can interpret an outage and/or a blockage upon missing N consecutive B-RSP channels 204. The parameters T _B and N can be communicated in the system information broadcast to the associated UEs 206. Additional parameters (e.g. , T _A c and M discussed below) can also be communicated in the system

information broadcast to the associated UEs 206.

[0031] In FIG. 2, the same PDCCH 212, including a B-Poll, can be generated and provided to the UE 206-2 and the UE 206-1 via the AP 208. The AP 208 can then generate and provide the data 214 to the UE 206-2 as scheduled in the PDCCH 212. The UE 206-2 can generate and provide the ACK 216 to the AP 208 as scheduled in the PDCCH 212. The UE 206-1 can also provide a B-RSP channel 204 as also scheduled in the PDCCH 212. The ACK 216 can substitute as a B-RSP channel 204 reply for the UE 206-2.

[0032] Upon detecting an outage and/or blockage the AP 208 can generate and/or provide an offload message to a next AP from BMS. The next AP can then provide an AC command to the UE which is experiencing the blockage and/or outage. The next AC is further described in FIG. 3.

[0033] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an AC channel 330 according to one embodiment. The AC channel 330 can include attach command control information (AC-Ctrl) 332, a beamforming refinement 324, an attach command response (AC- RSP) 336, and/or an attach command acknowledgement (AC-ACK) 338. That is, an AC provided via the AC channel 330 can include one or more of the AC-Ctrl 332, the beamforming refinement 334, the AC-RSP 336, and/or the AC-ACK 328, among other types of data. For example, the AC channel 330 can schedule the AC-ACK 338 without actually receiving the AC-ACK 338.

[0034] The AC-Ctrl 332 indicates the allocation type to be for the AC channel 330 and the list of UE IDs (e.g. , those received from a UE offload message) for AC-RSP 336 allocation. That AC-Ctrl 332 can be sent via a broader beam.

[0035] The beamforming refinement 334 can be initiated by a UE receiving the AC channel 330 to allow the UE to refine the beamforming direction of the AP. That is, the UE can refine the beam to the AP. For example, the AP can transmit and sweep through a number of narrow beams while the UE measures the corresponding RSSI.

[0036] The AC-RSP 336 can be provided by the UE to provide feedback that identifies the best sector (e.g. , as measured from the beamforming refinement 334) to the AP. Along with the beamforming feedback, a buffer status report can also be sent via the AC-RSP 336. An example allocation for the AC-RSP 336 can have one symbol per UE with the fixed modulation and coding scheme (MCS).

[0037] The AC-ACK 338 can carry the acknowledgement from the AP to the UEs about the successful reception of AC-RSP 336. The AC-ACK 338 can be provided with a broad sector if there are multiple UEs and a narrow beam if there is only one UE. An example AC-ACK 338 allocation may have two symbols (e.g. , 2000 bits) with the fixed MCS comprising 16 bits per UE, 4 bits for ACK 338 or non-acknowledgement (NACK), 4 bits of UL MCS. , and 8 bits for timing advance (TA) measurement.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a timing diagram 440 of blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment. FIG. 4 includes a plurality of APs 408-1 (e.g., AP 1 ), 408-2 (e.g., AP 2), and 408-3 (e.g., AP 3), referred to herein as APs 408, and a UE 406. In this example, AP 408-1 is a servicing AP.

[0039] In some examples, the UE 406 can perform a plurality of measurements 442-1 and 442-2 (e.g., Sync) to gather data used to generate a BMS. A PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel 412-1 can be generated and provided by the AP 408-1 to the UE 406 as described above. The UE 406 can respond with a B-RSP channel 418.

[0040] At a later time, the AP 408-1 can again poll the UE 406 via the PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel 412-2. The AP 408-1 can wait to receive a corresponding B- RSP channel. After a predefined period T _B , the AP 408-1 can again poll the UE 406 via the PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel 412-2. The AP 408-1 can again wait to receive a corresponding B-RSP channel. After a predefined period T _B , the AP 408-1 can determine whether a predetermined threshold (N) of the PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests has gone unanswered. In the example of FIG. 1 , the

predetermined threshold of the PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests is two (e.g., N=2). That is, it can be determined whether two PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests have gone unanswered. [0041] In some examples, the T _B can be a period of time between B-Poll channel requests or a period of time before it is determined to provide an offload message to a next AP. That is, instead of determining whether a predetermined threshold N of PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests has gone unanswered to determine whether to provide an offload message, it can be determined whether the period T _B has expired without a response to the PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests.

[0042] The AP 408-1 can provide an offload message 444-1 upon a

determination that at least two PDCCH and/or B-Poll channel requests have gone unanswered. The offload message 444-1 can be provided to a next highest priority AP from the BMS.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, the BMS can include the AP 408-1 , the AP 408-2, and the AP 408-3. The BMS can be specific to the UE 406. The BMS can define a highest priority for the AP 408-1 , a next highest priority for the AP 408-2, and a lowest priority for the AP 408-3. As such, the offload message 444-1 can be provided to the AP 408-2.

[0044] The offload message 444-1 can request that the UE 406 receive service from the AP 408-2 instead of the AP 408-1. That is, the offload message 444-1 can define that the servicing AP be the AP 408-2 instead of the AP 408-1.

[0045] The AP 408-2 can provide an AC 446-1 to the UE 406. The AP 408-2 can wait to receive a reply. FIG. 4 shows that no reply is provided. The AP 408-2 can wait for a reply. If no reply is received, then the AP 408-3 can again provide the AC 446-2. If no reply is received, it can be determined whether a period T _A c has expired without receiving a reply to either of the AC 446-1 or the AC 446-2. In other examples, it can be determined whether M of the AC 446-1 and the AC 446-2 has been provided to the UE 406 without a response.

[0046] If no reply has been received, then the AP 408-2 can provide a failure notice 450 to AP 408-1 . The failure notice 450 can indicate that the UE 406 is also experiencing a blockage from the AP 408-2.

[0047] The AP 408-1 can select a next highest priority AP from the BMS. The next highest priority AP after the AP 408-2 is the AP 408-3. The AP 408-3 can receive an offload message 444-2 from the AP 408-3. The AP 408-3 can provide an AC 446-3. In FIG. 4, the UE 406 can receive the AC 446-3 and respond to the AC 446-3. The AC 446-3 can be a servicing AC based on a successful AC 446-3. In some examples, the AC 408-3 can further provide a success notice to the AP 408-1 to inform the AP 408-1 that the UE 406 has been successfully switched from receiving service from the AP 408-1 to the AP 408-3.

[0048] The BMS is comprised of an ordered plurality of APs formed by a 3GPP network and communicated to UEs as needed. The UEs use this set to steer their corresponding receive sectors towards the respective APs in an order they are listed in the set.

[0049] A prioritized list of APs can be considered for cell association. The prioritized list of APs (e.g., BMS) can be used by the network and the UEs to determine which of the list of APs will try to communicate with the UEs and which of the list of APs the UEs will listen for.

[0050] The BMS of APs can be created by performing a number of

measurements 442-1 and 442-2 and a number of calculations associated with those measurements. The number of measurements and calculations can be performed to determine some function of throughput between the UE 406 and each of the APs 408. The function of throughput can be, for example, a total throughput, among other functions of throughput. The function of throughput can be used to prioritize (e.g., order) the APs 408.

[0051] The cell association problem for a general alpha-fair network utility maximization (NUM) of the UE 406 perceived throughput is given below. In particular, the formulation below maximizes a certain metric, determined by function f(), of total user throughput, (e.g. sum user throughput, minimum user throughput, or sum log user throughput (proportional fair)). The certain metrics can include sum user throughput, minimum user throughput, and/or sum log user throughput (e.g., proportional fair).

[0052] The NUM can be performed by:

Wherein c _{u b} is the physical layer/peak rate of UE u (e.g., UE 406) on AP b (e.g., AP 408-1 , 408-2, or 408-3) obtained using the RSSI of the sync process. The RSSI can be obtained from different APs 408 using the synch process. The design variable of the above optimization is representing the resources allocated to UE u on RAT b. The utility for oc-optimal formulation is given by

f(r) = log(r) if ot=l,

else f r =

Thus, proportional fairness is a special case of this formulation cc=l.

[0053] The optimal solution of the above problem leads to the following optimal association rules, where UE u is assigned to

B ^* (u) = arg max where ti _u , _b are the optimal Lagrange multipliers. The pseudo code for deriving the optimal Lagrange variables is given bellow as OPT-LOAD.

1 . procedure OPT-LOAD

2. Each BS is assigned with initial load indicators X _b , 1.

3. Each UE is assigned with initial load indicators v _{u l} .

4. i = 1

5. while i≤ N do

6. Evaluate U _{b i} based on the current indicators.

7. Compute the subgradient for each BS

8. Compute the subgradient for each UE

9. Update the load indicator for each BS as

,i+i = ,i - eiVF(A _b )Vb.

10. Update the load indicator for each UE as

v _u , _£ +i = v _u ,i - e _t VF y _u )Vu.

i = i + l end while

end procedure

[0054] In reference numbers 2 and 3, some initial values are assigned to these variables (e.g., X _b , 1 and v _{u l} ). The variables are subsequently refined in iterations, indexed by / ^' , of reference numbers 6 to 10 to obtain the optimal values of X _b , 1 and

[0055] Based on the above formulation, each BMS includes an ordered set of a plurality of APs 408 for each UE 406 based on the following criterion. For NUM based approaches and for each UE u, the APs are ordered based on ^ub such that

APs with a high ^Cub are given priority over APs with a low ^Cub . For NUM and diversity based approaches and for each UE u, the APs are ordered based on q ^Cu exp(k(s _ub - s) ² ) where s _ub is the receive sector for AP b and UE u, s is the sector for the servicing AP, and k is a constant.

[0056] Based on the ordered BMS formed by the network (and communicated to each UE periodically), the UE 406, when observing a blockage event, can sweep the corresponding receive sectors for the ordered APs, until a successful AC is completed. Each UE 406 dwells on the receive sector for a maximum time T _ac or makes M attempts to complete AC before switching to the receive sector for the lower priority AP.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating electronic device circuitry that may be eNodeB circuitry, user equipment (UE) circuitry, network node circuitry, or some other type of circuitry according to one embodiment. FIG. 5 illustrates an electronic device 500 that may be, or may be incorporated into or otherwise part of, an eNodeB, a UE, or some other type of electronic device in accordance with various embodiments. Specifically, the electronic device 500 may be logic and/or circuitry that may be at least partially implemented in one or more of hardware, software, and/or firmware. In embodiments, the electronic device logic may include radio transmit/transmitter logic (e.g., a first transmitter logic 577) and receive/receiver logic (e.g., a first receiver logic 583) coupled to a control logic 573 and/or a processor 571 . In embodiments, the transmit/transmitter and/or receive/receiver logic may be elements or modules of transceiver logic. The first transmitter logic 577 and the first receiver logic 583 may be housed in separate devices. For example, the first transmitter logic 577 can be incorporated into a first device while the first receiver logic 583 is incorporated into a second device, or the transmitter logic 577 and the receiver logic 583 can be incorporated into a device separate from a device including any combination of the control logic 573, a memory 579, and/or the processor 571 . The electronic device 500 may be coupled with or include one or more antenna elements 585 of one or more antennas. The electronic device 500 and/or the components of the electronic device 500 may be configured to perform operations similar to those described elsewhere in this disclosure.

[0058] In embodiments where the electronic device 500 implements, is

incorporated into, or is otherwise part of a UE and/or an eNodeB, or device portion thereof, the electronic device 500 can detect a blockage for AP services. The processor 571 may be coupled to the first receiver and the first transmitter. The memory 579 may be coupled to the processor 571 having control logic instructions thereon that, when executed, detect a blockage for AP services.

[0059] In embodiments where the electronic device 500 receives data, generates data, and/or transmits data to/from a UE to implement a downlink signal including the ESS, the processor 571 may be coupled to a receiver and a transmitter. The memory 579 may be coupled to the processor 571 having control logic 573 instructions thereon that, when executed, may be able to generate the ESS using a root index generated from a physical cell ID.

[0060] As used herein, the term "logic" may refer to, be part of, or include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, the processor 571 (shared, dedicated, or group), and/or the memory 579 (shared, dedicated, or group) that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable hardware components that provide

the described functionality. Specifically, the logic may be at least partially

implemented in, or an element of, hardware, software, and/or firmware. In some embodiments, the electronic device logic may be implemented in, or functions associated with the logic may be implemented by, one or more software or firmware modules.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a method 650 for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment. The method 650 can include generating 652 an ordered BMS of AP IDs that correspond to a plurality of APs, encoding 654 a PDCCH to provide to a UE via a mmWave frequency, wherein the PDCCH incorporates a B-Poll channel, determining 656 that an ACK for the PDCCH is not received from the UE, and detecting 658 a blockage of an AP, of the ordered BMS of AP IDs, servicing the UE based on the determination that the ACK for the PDCCH is not received from the UE, selecting 660 a next AP ID from the BMS, and generating 662 an offload message to instruct a next AP with the next AP ID to provide an AC to the UE.

[0062] The method 650 can include generating the BMS of AP IDs specifically for the UE and synchronizing the BMS of AP IDs with a corresponding BMS of AP IDs on the UE to provide simultaneous and synchronous blockage detection independent of an indication from the UE of detection by the UE of the blockage. That is, each UE can have a different BMS of APs. The method 650 can further include encoding the B-Poll as a bi-directional control channel. The B-Poll channel can be multiplexed in one or both of time and frequency.

[0063] FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a method 760 for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment. The method 760 can include storing 762 an ordered BMS of AP IDs that correspond to a plurality of APs associated with an eNodeB, determining 764 that a B-Poll channel is not received via a mmWave frequency, switching 766 a receiver sector of the UE to correspond to a receiver sector of a next highest priority AP ID from the BMS based on the determination that the B-Poll channel is not received, processing 768 an AC from a next highest priority AP with the next highest priority AP ID, and generating 770 a AC response (AC-RSP) message for the next highest priority AP to report a best sector in response to the AC.

[0064] The method 760 further include processing the B-Poll channel every period T _B . That is, the B-Poll channel can be broadcast periodically to the UE in T _B intervals. The method 760 can further include determining that the B-Poll channel is not received upon determining that the B-Poll channel is missed N consecutive times. In some examples, T _B and N originate at least at one of the eNodeB and an AP.

[0065] The method 760 further includes control a beamforming refinement in response to processing the AC. The method 760 also includes generating the AC-RSP message for the next highest priority AP in response to performing the beamforming refinement. The response can include at least one of a best sector to the next highest priority AP in a particular phase, beamforming feedback, and/or a buffer status report. The method 760 can also include receiving and/or processing an acknowledgement (e.g. , AC-ACK) from the AP in response to generating the AC-RSP message and performing a plurality of measurements associated with the APs to determine a prioritized (e.g., ordered) list of the APs that correspond to AP IDs to be considered for cell association and inclusion in the BMS. The prioritized list of the APs can be provided to the eNodeB.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a method 870 for blockage detection of AP services according to one embodiment. The method 870 includes determining 872 that a B-RSP channel is not received in a mmWave frequency from a UE, generating 874 a first offloading message, wherein the first offloading message instructs a second AP to provide an AC to the UE, processing 876 a failure notice from the second AP indicating that the AC was not received by the UE,. The method 870 can also include generating 878 a second offloading message, wherein the second offloading message instructs a third AP to provide the AC to the UE, and processing 880 a success notice from the third AP indicating that the AC was received by the UE.

[0067] The B-RSP channel can be a response to a B-Poll channel. The B-RSP channel and the B-Poll channel can be provided independently of other channels. The B-RSP channel can be provided in a time and frequency allocation provided by the B-Poll channel. In some examples, the AP can be associated with an eNodeB. For example, the AP can be an access point of the eNodeB.

[0068] FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating components of a device according to one embodiment. In some embodiments, the device may include application circuitry 903, baseband circuitry 905, radio frequency (RF) circuitry 907, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 909, and one or more antennas 914, coupled together at least as shown in FIG. 9. Any combination or subset of these components can be included, for example, in a UE device or an eNodeB device.

[0069] The application circuitry 903 may include one or more application processors. By way of non-limiting example, the application circuitry 903 may include one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The processor(s) may include any combination of general-purpose processors and dedicated processors (e.g., graphics processors, application processors, etc.). The processor(s) may be operably coupled and/or include memory/storage, and may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory/storage to enable various applications

and/or operating systems to run on the system.

[0070] By way of non-limiting example, the baseband circuitry 905 may include one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 905 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic. The baseband circuitry 905 may be configured to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 907. The baseband circuitry 905 may also be configured to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 907. The baseband circuitry 905 may interface with the application circuitry 903 for generation and processing of the baseband signals, and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 907.

[0071] By way of non-limiting example, the baseband circuitry 905 may include at least one of a second generation (2G) baseband processor 91 1 A, a third generation (3G) baseband processor 91 1 B, a fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 91 1 C, and other baseband processor(s) 91 1 D for other existing generations and

generations in development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), sixth generation (6G), etc.). The baseband circuitry 905 (e.g., at least one of the baseband processors 91 1 A-91 1 D) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 907. By way of non-limiting example, the radio control functions may include signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, other functions, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments,

modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 905 may be programmed to perform Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, constellation

mapping/demapping functions, other functions, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 905 may be programmed to perform convolutions, tail-biting convolutions, turbo, Viterbi, Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) encoder/decoder functions, other functions, and combinations thereof. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and

encoder/decoder functions are not limited to these examples, and may include other suitable functions.

[0072] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 905 may include elements of a protocol stack. By way of non-limiting example, elements of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) protocol include, for example, physical (PHY), media access control (MAC), radio link control (RLC), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), and/or radio resource control (RRC) elements. A central processing unit (CPU) 91 1 E of the baseband circuitry 905 may be

programmed to run elements of the protocol stack for signaling of the PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP and/or RRC layers. In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 905 may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 91 1 F. The audio DSP(s) 91 1 F may include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation. The audio DSP(s) 91 1 F may also include other suitable processing elements.

[0073] The baseband circuitry 905 may further include a memory/storage 91 1 G. The memory/storage 91 1 G may include data and/or instructions for operations performed by the processors of the baseband circuitry 905 stored thereon. In some embodiments, the memory/storage 91 1 G may include any combination of suitable volatile memory and/or non-volatile memory. The memory/storage 91 1 G may also include any combination of various levels of memory/storage including, but not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) having embedded software instructions (e.g., firmware), random access memory (e.g., dynamic random access memory (DRAM)), cache, buffers, etc. In some embodiments, the memory/storage 91 1 G may be shared among the various processors or dedicated to particular processors.

[0074] Components of the baseband circuitry 905 may be suitably combined in a single chip or a single chipset, or disposed on a same circuit board in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some or all of the constituent components of the baseband circuitry 905 and the application circuitry 903 may be

implemented together, such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[0075] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 905 may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 905 may support communication with an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) and/or other wireless metropolitan area networks (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), or a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 905 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry. [0076] The RF circuitry 907 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 907 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. The RF circuitry 907 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 909, and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 905. The RF circuitry 907 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 905, and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 909 for

transmission.

[0077] In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 907 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 907 may include a mixer circuitry 913A, an amplifier circuitry 913B, and a filter circuitry 913C. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 907 may include the filter circuitry 913C and the mixer circuitry 913A. The RF circuitry 907 may further include a synthesizer circuitry 913D configured to synthesize a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path may be configured to down- convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 909 based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 913D. The amplifier circuitry 913B may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals.

[0078] The filter circuitry 913C may include a low-pass filter (LPF) or band-pass filter (BPF) configured to remove unwanted signals from the down-converted signals to generate output baseband signals. Output baseband signals may be provided to the baseband circuitry 905 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals may include zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0079] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 913D to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 909. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry 905 and may be filtered by the filter circuitry 913C. The filter circuitry 913C may include a low-pass filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0080] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 913A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers, and may be arranged for quadrature downconversion and/or upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 913A of the transmit signal path may include two or more mixers and may be arranged for image rejection (e.g., Hartley image rejection). In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 913A of the transmit signal path may be arranged for direct downconversion and/or direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 913A of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 913A of the transmit signal path may be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

[0081] In some embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be analog baseband signals, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect. In some alternative embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In such embodiments, the RF circuitry 907 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry, and the baseband circuitry 905 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 907.

[0082] In some dual-mode embodiments, separate radio IC circuitry may be provided for processing signals for each spectrum, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0083] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 913D may include one or more of a fractional-N synthesizer and a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect, as other types of frequency synthesizers may be suitable. For example, the synthesizer circuitry 913D may include a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider, other synthesizers, and combinations thereof.

[0084] The synthesizer circuitry 913D may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 913A of the RF circuitry 907 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 913D may be a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer.

[0085] In some embodiments, frequency input may be provided by a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), although that is not a requirement. Divider control input may be provided by either the baseband circuitry 905 or the application circuitry 903 depending on the desired output frequency. In some embodiments, a divider control input (e.g., N) may be determined from a look-up table based on a channel indicated by the application circuitry 903.

[0086] The synthesizer circuitry 913D of the RF circuitry 907 may include a divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may include a dual modulus divider (DMD), and the phase accumulator may include a digital phase accumulator (DPA). In some embodiments, the DMD may be configured to divide the input signal by either N or N+1 (e.g., based on a carry-out) to provide a fractional division ratio. In some example embodiments, the DLL may include a set of cascaded, tunable, delay elements; a phase detector; a charge pump; and a D-type flip-flop. In such embodiments, the delay elements may be configured to break a VCO period up into Nd equal packets of phase, where Nd is the number of delay elements in the delay line. In this way, the DLL may provide negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0087] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 913D may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency, etc.) and used in conjunction with a quadrature generator and divider circuitry to generate multiple signals at the carrier frequency with multiple different phases with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the output frequency may be an LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 907 may include an IQ/polar converter.

[0088] The FEM circuitry 909 may include a receive signal path, which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from the one or more antennas 914, amplify the received signals, and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 907 for further processing. The FEM circuitry 909 may also include a transmit signal path, which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 907 for transmission by at least one of the one or more antennas 914.

[0089] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 909 may include a TX/RX switch configured to switch between a transmit mode and a receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry 909 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 909 may include a low-noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify received RF signals and provide the amplified received RF signals as an output (e.g., to the RF circuitry 907). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 909 may include a power amplifier (PA) configured to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by the RF circuitry 907), and one or more filters configured to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 914).

[0090] In some embodiments, the device may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, a display, a camera, one of more sensors, an input/output (I/O) interface, other elements, and combinations thereof.

[0091] In some embodiments, the device may be configured to perform one or more processes, techniques, and/or methods as described herein, or portions thereof.

[0092] FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating components, according to some example embodiments, able to read instructions from a machine-readable or computer-readable medium (e.g., a machine-readable storage medium) and perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. Specifically, FIG. 10 shows a diagrammatic representation of hardware resources 1000 including one or more processors (or processor cores) 1010, one or more memory/storage devices 1020, and one or more communication resources 1030, which are communicatively coupled via a bus 1040.

[0093] The processors 1010 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processor, a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor, a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP) such as a baseband processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a radio-frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), another processor, or any suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor 1012 and a processor 1014. The memory/storage devices 1020 may include main memory, disk storage, or any suitable combination thereof. [0094] The communication resources 1030 may include interconnection and/or network interface components or other suitable devices to communicate with one or more peripheral devices 1004 and/or one or more databases 1006 via a network 1008. For example, the communication resources 1030 may include wired

communication components (e.g., for coupling via a Universal Serial Bus (USB)), cellular communication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components, Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components, and other communication components.

[0095] Instructions 1050 may comprise software, a program, an application, an applet, an app, or other executable code for causing at least one of the processors 1010 to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. The instructions 1050 may reside, completely or partially, within at least one of the processors 1010 (e.g., within the processor's cache memory), the memory/storage devices 1020, or any suitable combination thereof. Furthermore, any portion of the instructions 1050 may be transferred to the hardware resources 1000 from any combination of the peripheral devices 1004 and/or the databases 101 1 . Accordingly, the memory of the processors 1010, the memory/storage devices 1020, the peripheral devices 1004, and the databases 101 1 are examples of computer- readable and machine-readable media.

Example Embodiments

[0096] Example 1 is an apparatus for an evolved node B (eNodeB). The apparatus includes electronic memory to store a plurality of access point (AP) identifications (IDs). The apparatus includes one or more processors designed to generate an ordered blockage mitigation set (BMS) of AP IDs that correspond to a plurality of APs, and encode a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to provide to a user equipment (UE) via a millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency, where the PDCCH incorporates a blockage poll (B-Poll) channel. The apparatus includes one or more processors designed to determine that an acknowledgement (ACK) for the PDCCH is not received from the UE, and detect a blockage of an AP, of the ordered BMS of AP IDs, servicing the UE based on the determination that the ACK for the PDCCH is not received from the UE. The apparatus includes one or more

processors designed to select a next AP ID from the BMS, and generate an offload message to instruct a next AP with the next AP ID to provide an attach command (AC) to the UE.

[0097] Example 2 is the apparatus of Example 1 , where the one or more processors are further designed to generate the BMS of AP IDs specifically for the UE, and synchronize the BMS of AP IDs with a corresponding BMS of AP IDs on the UE to provide simultaneous and synchronous blockage detection independent of an indication from the UE of detection by the UE of the blockage.

[0098] Example 3 is the apparatus of Example 1 , where the one or more processors are further designed to encode the B-Poll channel as a bi-directional control channel.

[0099] Example 4 is the apparatus of Example 1 , where the one or more processors are further designed to multiplex the B-Poll in one or both of time and frequency.

[0100] Example 5 is an apparatus for a user equipment (UE) including electronic memory to store an ordered blockage mitigation set (BMS) of access point (AP) identifications (IDs) that correspond to a plurality of APs associated with an evolved node B (eNodeB). The apparatus also includes one or more baseband processor units designed to determine that a B-Poll channel is not received via a millimeter- wave (mmWave) frequency, and switch a receiver sector of the UE to correspond to a receiver sector of a next highest priority AP ID from the BMS based on the determination that the B-Poll channel is not received. The apparatus also includes one or more baseband processor units designed to process an attach command (AC) from a next highest priority AP with the next highest priority AP ID, and generate a AC response (AC-RSP) message for the next highest priority AP to report a best sector in response to the AC.

[0101] Example 6 is the apparatus of Example 5, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to process the B-Poll channel every period T _B.

[0102] Example 7 is the apparatus of Example 6, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to determine that the B-Poll channel is not received upon determining that the B-Poll channel is missed N consecutive times.

[0103] Example 8 is the apparatus of Example 7, where T _B and N originate at least at one of the eNodeB and an AP. [0104] Example 9 is the apparatus of Example 5, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to control a beamforming refinement in response to processing the AC.

[0105] Example 10 is the apparatus of Example 9, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to generate the AC-RSP message for the next highest priority AP in response to performing the beamforming refinement.

[0106] Example 1 1 is the apparatus of Example 10, where the response includes at least one of a best sector to the next highest priority AP in a particular phase, beamforming feedback, and a buffer status report.

[0107] Example 12 is the apparatus of Example 10, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to process an acknowledgement from the AP in response to generating the AC-RSP message.

[0108] Example 13 is the apparatus of Example 5, where the one or more baseband processor units are further designed to perform a plurality of

measurements associated with the APs to determine a prioritized list of the APs that correspond to AP IDs to be considered for cell association and inclusion in the BMS.

[0109] Example 14 is the apparatus of Example 13, where the prioritized list of the APs is provided to the eNodeB.

[0110] Example 15 is a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when implemented by a computing device in a first access point (AP), cause the computing device to determine that a blockage response (B- RSP) channel is not received in a millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency from a user equipment (UE), and generate a first offloading message, where the first offloading message instructs a second AP to provide an attach command (AC) to the UE. The computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when implemented by a computing device in a first access point (AP), cause the

computing device to process a failure notice from the second AP indicating that the AC was not received by the UE. computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when implemented by a computing device in a first access point (AP), cause the computing device to generate a second offloading message, where the second offloading message instructs a third AP to provide the AC to the UE, and process a success notice from the third AP indicating that the AC was received by the UE. [0111] Example 16 is the computer-readable storage medium of Example 15, where the B-RSP channel is a response to a blockage poll (B-Poll) channel.

[0112] Example 17 is the computer-readable storage medium of Example 16, where the B-RSP channel and the B-Poll channel are provided independently of other channels.

[0113] Example 18 is the computer-readable storage medium of Example 15, where the B-RSP channel is provided in a time and frequency allocation provided by the B-Poll channel.

[0114] Example 19 is the computer-readable storage medium of Example 15, where the AP is associated with an evolved node B (eNodeB).

[0115] Example 20 is a method including generating an ordered blockage mitigation set (BMS) of access point (AP) identifications (IDs) that correspond to a plurality of APs, and encoding a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) to provide to a user equipment (UE) via a millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency, where the PDCCH incorporates a blockage poll (B-Poll) channel. The method also includes determining that an acknowledgement (ACK) for the PDCCH is not received from the UE, and detecting a blockage of an AP, of the ordered BMS of AP IDs, servicing the UE based on the determination that the ACK for the PDCCH is not received from the UE. The method also includes selecting a next AP ID from the BMS, and generating an offload message to instruct a next AP with the next AP ID to provide an attach command (AC) to the UE.

[0116] Example 21 is the method of Example 20, further including generating the BMS of AP IDs specifically for the UE, and synchronizing the BMS of AP IDs with a corresponding BMS of AP IDs on the UE to provide simultaneous and synchronous blockage detection independent of an indication from the UE of detection by the UE of the blockage.

[0117] Example 22 is the method of Example 20, further including encoding the B-Poll channel as a bi-directional control channel.

[0118] Example 23 is the method of Example 20, further including multiplexing the B-Poll in one or both of time and frequency.

[0119] Example 24 is a method including determining that a B-Poll channel is not received via a millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency, and switching a receiver sector of the user equipment (UE) to correspond to a receiver sector of a next highest priority access point (AP) identification (ID) from a blockage mitigation set (BMS) of AP IDs that correspond to a plurality of APs associated with an evolved node B (eNodeB) based on the determination that the B-Poll channel is not received. The method also includes processing an attach command (AC) from a next highest priority AP with the next highest priority AP ID, and generating a AC response (AC-RSP) message for the next highest priority AP to report a best sector in response to the AC.

[0120] Example 25 is the method of Example 24, further including processing the B-Poll channel every period T _B.

[0121] Example 26 is the method of Example 25, further including determining that the B-Poll channel is not received upon determining that the B-Poll channel is missed N consecutive times.

[0122] Example 27 is the method of Example 26, where T _B and N originate at least at one of the eNodeB and an AP.

[0123] Example 28 is the method of Example 24, further including controlling a beamforming refinement in response to processing the AC.

[0124] Example 29 is the method of Example 28, further including generating the AC-RSP message for the next highest priority AP in response to performing the beamforming refinement.

[0125] Example 30 is the method of Example 29, where the response includes at least one of a best sector to the next highest priority AP in a particular phase, beamforming feedback, and a buffer status report.

[0126] Example 31 is the method of Example 29, further including processing an acknowledgement from the AP in response to generating the AC-RSP message.

[0127] Example 32 is the method of Example 24, further including performing a plurality of measurements associated with the APs to determine a prioritized list of the APs that correspond to AP IDs to be considered for cell association and inclusion in the BMS.

[0128] Example 33 is the method of Example 32, where the prioritized list of the APs is provided to the eNodeB.

[0129] Example 34 is a method including determining that a blockage response (B-RSP) channel is not received in a millimeter-wave (mmWave) frequency from a user equipment (UE), and generating a first offloading message, where the first offloading message instructs a second AP to provide an attach command (AC) to the UE. The method also includes processsing a failure notice from the second AP indicating that the AC was not received by the UE. The method also includes generating a second offloading message, where the second offloading message instructs a third AP to provide the AC to the UE, and processing a success notice from the third AP indicating that the AC was received by the UE.

[0130] Example 35 is the method of Example 34, where the B-RSP channel is a response to a blockage poll (B-Poll) channel.

[0131] Example 36 is the method of Example 35, where the B-RSP channel and the B-Poll channel are provided independently of other channels.

[0132] Example 37 is the method of Example 34, where the B-RSP channel is provided in a time and frequency allocation provided by the B-Poll channel.

[0133] Example 38 is the method of Example 34, where the AP is associated with an evolved node B (eNodeB).

[0134] Example 39 is at least one computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer-readable instructions, when executed, to implement a method as exemplified in any of Examples 20-38.

[0135] Example 40 is an apparatus including a means to perform a method as exemplified in any of Examples 20-38.

[0136] Example 41 is a means for performing a method as exemplified in any of Examples 20-38.

[0137] Various techniques, or certain aspects or portions thereof, may take the form of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media, such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, or any other machine-readable storage medium wherein, when the program code is loaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes an apparatus for practicing the various techniques. In the case of program code execution on programmable computers, the computing device may include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and nonvolatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and at least one output device. The volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements may be a RAM, an EPROM, a flash drive, an optical drive, a magnetic hard drive, or another medium for storing electronic data. The eNodeB (or other base station) and UE (or other mobile station) may also include a transceiver component, a counter

component, a processing component, and/or a clock component or timer component. One or more programs that may implement or utilize the various techniques described herein may use an application programming interface (API), reusable controls, and the like. Such programs may be implemented in a high-level procedural or an object-oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the program(s) may be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case, the language may be a compiled or an interpreted language, and combined with hardware implementations.

[0138] It should be understood that many of the functional units described in this specification may be implemented as one or more components, which is a term used to more particularly emphasize their implementation independence. For example, a component may be implemented as a hardware circuit comprising custom very large scale integration (VLSI) circuits or gate arrays, off-the-shelf semiconductors such as logic chips, transistors, or other discrete components. A component may also be implemented in programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices, or the like.

[0139] Components may also be implemented in software for execution by various types of processors. An identified component of executable code may, for instance, comprise one or more physical or logical blocks of computer instructions, which may, for instance, be organized as an object, a procedure, or a function.

Nevertheless, the executables of an identified component need not be physically located together, but may comprise disparate instructions stored in different locations that, when joined logically together, comprise the component and achieve the stated purpose for the component.

[0140] Indeed, a component of executable code may be a single instruction, or many instructions, and may even be distributed over several different code

segments, among different programs, and across several memory devices. Similarly, operational data may be identified and illustrated herein within components, and may be embodied in any suitable form and organized within any suitable type of data structure. The operational data may be collected as a single data set, or may be distributed over different locations including over different storage devices, and may exist, at least partially, merely as electronic signals on a system or network. The components may be passive or active, including agents operable to perform desired functions.

[0141] Reference throughout this specification to "an example" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrase "in an example" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0142] As used herein, a plurality of items, structural elements, compositional elements, and/or materials may be presented in a common list for convenience. However, these lists should be construed as though each member of the list is individually identified as a separate and unique member. Thus, no individual member of such list should be construed as a de facto equivalent of any other member of the same list solely based on its presentation in a common group without indications to the contrary. In addition, various embodiments and examples may be referred to herein along with alternatives for the various components thereof. It is understood that such embodiments, examples, and alternatives are not to be construed as de facto equivalents of one another, but are to be considered as separate and autonomous representations of embodiments.

[0143] Although the foregoing has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles thereof. It should be noted that there are many alternative ways of implementing both the processes and apparatuses described herein. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the embodiments are not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.