Pilot grouping and route protocols in multi-carrier communication systems

Abstract

Embodiments disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for pilot grouping, route protocols, and scheduling in multi-carrier communication systems. In an embodiment, an access terminal may group a plurality of pilot signals characterized by different frequencies into one or more pilot groups, each pilot grouping being identified by a plurality of parameters (e.g., a PN offset and a group ID). Each pilot group may include pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area. The access terminal may further select a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting. The access terminal may also use the pilot grouping for effective set management.

1 . A method in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: 
 grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more pilot groups, each pilot group being identified by a plurality of parameters; and    selecting a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of parameters include a PN offset and a group identifier.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each pilot group includes one or more pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pilot signals are characterized by a plurality of frequencies.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising measuring a strength of the representative pilot signal.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal falls below a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising pointing a data source control (DSC) channel associated with an access terminal to each of a plurality of cells on different frequencies.  
   
   
       9 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising: 
 means for grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more pilot groups, each pilot group being identified by a plurality of parameters; and    means for selecting a representative pilot signal from each pilot group for pilot strength reporting.    
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of parameters include a PN offset and a group identifier.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein each pilot group includes one or more pilot signals having substantially the same coverage area.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means for measuring a strength of the representative pilot signal.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising means for reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal exceeds a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising means for reporting the strength of the representative pilot signal, if the strength of the representative pilot signal falls below a predetermined threshold.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the pilot signals are characterized by a plurality of frequencies.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , further comprising means for pointing a data source control (DSC) channel associated with an access terminal to each of a plurality of cells on different frequencies.  
   
   
       17 . A method in a communication system, comprising: 
 receiving a message indicating a plurality of forward link channels each carrying reverse link-related information for each of reverse link channels associated with an access terminal; and    assigning one of the reverse link channels to carry forward link-related information associated with at least one of the forward link channels.    
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the forward link-related information includes at least one of a cell selection, a sector selection, an automatic repeat request (ARQ) acknowledgment (ACK), and a signal-to-noise-and-interference (C/I) feedback.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the reverse link-related information includes a reverse power control (RPC) bit stream.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising monitoring a control channel carried one of the forward link channels.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising: 
 means for receiving a message indicating a plurality of forward link channels each carrying reverse link-related information for each of reverse link channels associated with an access terminal; and    means for assigning one of the reverse link channels to carry forward link-related information associated with at least one of the forward link channels.    
   
   
       22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the forward link-related information includes at least one of a cell selection, a sector selection, an automatic repeat request (ARQ) acknowledgment (ACK), and a signal-to-noise-and-interference (C/I) feedback  
   
   
       23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the reverse link-related information includes a reverse power control (RPC) bit stream.  
   
   
       24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising means for monitoring a control channel carried one of the forward link channels.  
   
   
       25 . A method in a multi-carrier communication system, comprising: 
 grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more scheduler groups in accordance with sequence numbers of the pilot signals, the pilot signals characterized by a plurality of frequencies; and    associating each scheduler group with a transmission queue.    
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals having a same sequence number.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the sequence number is associated with detecting gaps in a received data packet.  
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals associated with a sub-active set of an access terminal.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the pilot signals in each scheduler group are associated with a plurality of sectors in softer handoff.  
   
   
       30 . An apparatus adapted for multi-carrier communications, comprising: 
 means for grouping a plurality of pilot signals into one or more scheduler groups in accordance with sequence numbers of the pilot signals, the pilot signals characterized by a plurality of frequencies; and    means for associating each scheduler group with a transmission queue.    
   
   
       31 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals having a same sequence number.  
   
   
       32 . The apparatus of  claim 30 , wherein each scheduler group includes one or more pilot signals associated with a sub-active set of an access terminal.  
   
   
       33 . The apparatus of  claim 32 , wherein the pilot signals in each scheduler group are associated with a plurality of sectors in softer handoff.