WO2017105408A1

WO2017105408A1 - Ue categorization and band selection strategy for fractional frequency reuse in full-duplex system

Info

Publication number: WO2017105408A1
Application number: PCT/US2015/065773
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shu-Ping Yeh; Yang-Seok Choi; Shilpa Talwar; Ping Wang; Feng Xue; Konstantinos D. DIMOU
Original assignee: Intel IP Corporation
Priority date: 2015-12-15
Filing date: 2015-12-15
Publication date: 2017-06-22

Abstract

An apparatus for use in an eNodeB of a cellular network including a plurality of eNodeBs, comprises a memory circuit configured to store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network. The apparatus further includes a transmit circuit configured to transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB and a receive circuit configured to receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request. In addition, the apparatus includes a processing circuit operably coupled to the receive circuit configured to selectively schedule the UE to perform transmission in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of each of the prioritized usage frequency bands, based on the interference profile from the UE.

Description

UE CATEGORIZATION AND BAND SELECTION STRATEGY FOR FRACTIONAL FREQUENCY REUSE IN FULL-DUPLEX SYSTEM

FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to full-duplex wireless communication systems and, in particular to a method for user equipment (UE) categorization and band selection in full-duplex wireless communication systems.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Capacity in wireless communication networks is generally limited by the radio spectrum available. The capacity of a wireless communication network, therefore, depends on efficient use of the available radio spectrum. Traditionally, cellular systems utilize half-duplex operation where orthogonal radio resources (orthogonal in time or in frequency) are allocated for downlink (from base station (BS) to user equipment (UE)) and uplink (from UE to BS) transmissions. Full-duplex systems allow simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) in the same frequency band at the same time, which increases the physical layer capacity. Due to simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) at a UE in full duplex systems, an uplink (UL) signal from the UE may interfere with downlink (DL) signals intended for nearby UEs, and a DL signal to the UE may be corrupted by proximate UL signals from nearby UEs. Hence, any proximate UE pairs may interfere with each other resulting in loss of DL capacity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0003] Some examples of circuits, apparatuses and/or methods will be described in the following by way of example only. In this context, reference will be made to the accompanying Figures.

[0004] Fig. 1 depicts an example implementation of frequency planning in accordance with fractional frequency reuse, in a full-duplex cellular system, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0005] Fig. 2 depicts a table which shows a detailed categorization of UEs, band selection strategy and frequency planning, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. [0006] Fig. 3a depicts a table which shows a detailed categorization and band assignment of UE with DL only traffic and frequency planning of the cellular network, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0007] Fig. 3b depicts a table which shows a detailed categorization and band assignment of UE with UL only traffic and frequency planning of the cellular network, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0008] Fig. 4a depicts a table which shows a UE band assignment with no awareness of UE cross-cell interference, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0009] Fig. 4b depicts a table which shows a UE band assignment with no awareness of UE cross-cell interference and having additional information available to identify low- risk interfering UEs, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0010] Fig. 5a depicts a table which shows a UE band assignment with victim-only awareness of UE cross-cell interference, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0011] Fig. 5b depicts a table which shows a UE band assignment with victim-only awareness of UE cross-cell interference and having additional information available to identify low-risk interfering UEs, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for use in an Evolved NodeB (eNB) in a cellular network that facilitates a user equipment (UE) band selection, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus for use in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart for a method that facilitates a user equipment (UE) band selection in an Evolved NodeB (eNB) in a cellular network, according to various embodiments of the disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 9 illustrates a flow chart for a method that facilitates interference reporting in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network for UE band selection, according to various embodiments of the disclosure. [0016] Fig. 1 0 illustrates, for , example components of a User Equipment (UE) device 1000, according to one embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for use in an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a memory circuit configured to store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands. The apparatus further comprises a transmit circuit configured to transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB and a receive circuit configured to receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request. In addition, the apparatus comprises a processing circuit operably coupled to the receive circuit and configured to selectively schedule the UE to perform transmission in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of each of the prioritized usage frequency bands, based on the interference profile from the UE.

[0018] In one embodiment of the disclosure, a computer-readable storage device stores computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to receive and store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network. The predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands. Further, the computer executable instructions cause the eNodeB to transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB and receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request. In addition, the computer executable instructions cause the eNodeB to schedule the UE to perform both uplink (UL) transmission and downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB, and selectively schedule the UE to perform a UL transmission or a DL transmission or both in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both, respectively of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, based on the interference profile from the UE. In the embodiments described throughout the disclosure, the term "DL transmission" for the UE indicates a reception of data at the UE from the eNodeB and the term "UL transmission" for the UE indicates a transmission of data from the UE to the eNodeB.

[0019] In one embodiment of the disclosure, an apparatus for use in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receive circuit configured to receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE and receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs. Further, the apparatus comprises a memory circuit configured to store the interference information, a processing circuit configured to determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB, and a transmit circuit configured to transmit the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

[0020] In one embodiment of the disclosure, a computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE and receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs. Further, the computer executable instructions cause the UE to store the interference information in a memory circuit, determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB and transmit the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

[0021] The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout, and wherein the illustrated structures and devices are not necessarily drawn to scale. As utilized herein, terms "component," "system," "interface," and the like are intended to refer to a computer-related entity, hardware, software (e.g., in execution), and/or firmware. For example, a component can be a processor (e.g., a microprocessor, a controller, or other processing device), a process running on a processor, a controller, an object, an executable, a program, a storage device, a computer, a tablet PC and/or a user equipment (e.g., mobile phone, etc.) with a processing device. By way of illustration, an application running on a server and the server can also be a component. One or more components can reside within a process, and a component can be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. A set of elements or a set of other components can be described herein, in which the term "set" can be interpreted as "one or more."

[0022] Further, these components can execute from various computer readable storage media having various data structures stored thereon such as with a module, for example. The components can communicate via local and/or remote processes such as in accordance with a signal having one or more data packets (e.g., data from one component interacting with another component in a local system, distributed system, and/or across a network, such as, the Internet, a local area network, a wide area network, or similar network with other systems via the signal).

[0023] As another example, a component can be an apparatus with specific functionality provided by mechanical parts operated by electric or electronic circuitry, in which the electric or electronic circuitry can be operated by a software application or a firmware application executed by one or more processors. The one or more processors can be internal or external to the apparatus and can execute at least a part of the software or firmware application. As yet another example, a component can be an apparatus that provides specific functionality through electronic components without mechanical parts; the electronic components can include one or more processors therein to execute software and/or firmware that confer(s), at least in part, the functionality of the electronic components.

[0024] Use of the word exemplary is intended to present concepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term "or" is intended to mean an inclusive "or" rather than an exclusive "or". That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, "X employs A or B" is intended to mean any of the natural inclusive permutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both A and B, then "X employs A or B" is satisfied under any of the foregoing instances. In addition, the articles "a" and "an" as used in this application and the appended claims should generally be construed to mean "one or more" unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to a singular form. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms "including", "includes", "having", "has", "with", or variants thereof are used in either the detailed description and the claims, such terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term

"comprising."

[0025] In the following description, a plurality of details is set forth to provide a more thorough explanation of the embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that embodiments of the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form rather than in detail in order to avoid obscuring embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, features of the different embodiments described hereinafter may be combined with each other, unless specifically noted otherwise.

[0026] As indicated above, full-duplex systems allow simultaneous transmit and receive (STR) in the same frequency band at the same time, at a cost of UE-to-UE interference. Embodiments described herein address a radio resource management (RRM) problem in full-duplex systems. Radio resource management (RRM) is the system level control of co-channel interference and other radio transmission

characteristics in wireless communication systems, for example cellular

networks, wireless networks and broadcasting systems. The objective is to utilize the limited radio-frequency spectrum resources and radio network infrastructure as efficiently as possible. For devices with individual full-duplex capability to work together as a system, one needs to carefully design the channel access and plan the spectrum usage. Though radio resource management has long been a topic in wireless communication, conventional RRM schemes are designed based on the assumption of half-duplex transmission. For a system with full-duplex transmission, the interference environment is more complicated than the half-duplex system and it requires an intelligent RRM strategy to achieve the full benefit of full-duplex transmission. [0027] This disclosure is directed towards a strategy for RRM, in particular to reduce UE-to-UE interference, in full-duplex cellular systems by employing frequency planning and interference aware scheduling. In particular, a frequency planning strategy by applying fractional frequency reuse (FFR) with the introduction of additional DL-centric zones and UL-centric zones is proposed. In the embodiments described herein, the UE-to-UE interference problem is minimized via intelligently scheduling the UEs so that UE pairs causing strong UE-to-UE interference are not scheduled at the same radio resource block (RB).

[0028] With fraction frequency reuse, a base station or an eNodeB is assigned a prioritized usage frequency band, which is orthogonal to the prioritized usage frequency bands of its neighboring base stations. An eNodeB is configured to serve an area referred to as a serving cell of the eNodeB. In some embodiments, the UE band selection is achieved by assigning the UEs who suffer or cause strong UE-to-UE interference to transmit on the prioritized usage frequency band of its serving cells and assigning the UEs not experiencing strong UE-to-UE interference to transmit on all bands. In addition, with UE capability to detect interference and distinguishing the interfering UE identity, UE only needs to avoid using the priority usage frequency bands of interfering neighbor cell UEs and can share access to frequency bands other than the prioritized usage frequency bands of the interfering neighbor cell UEs with the interfering neighbor cell UEs.

[0029] For example, for a UE causing strong interference to a neighbor cell UE, the UE should avoid uplink (UL) transmission on the priority usage frequency band of the neighbor UE; for a UE receiving strong interference from a neighbor cell UE, the UE should avoid downlink (DL) transmission on the priority usage frequency band of the neighbor UE. If the UE both causes and receives strong interference to/from neighbor cell UEs on the same priority band, the UE should avoid transmission on the priority band entirely. For a UE experiencing strong neighboring cell interference in one band but neither causing nor receiving strong interference on another priority band of neighbor cells, the prioritized band (with no interference with current UE) is further categorized into sub bands of DL-centric and UL-centric zones. In one embodiment, DL transmission is always allowed in the DL-centric zone and UL transmission is always allowed in the UL-centric zone if the UE experiences no interference in this priority usage frequency band. Based on the fact that a UE is causing interference or receiving interference, the UE should avoid using the DL-centric zone for UL transmission if the UE is causing high interference and avoid using the UL-centric zone for DL transmission if the UE is receiving high interference.

[0030] For the above frequency planning to work, the UE should be able to detect the neighbor cell UE interference power level. In this disclosure, the frequency planning concept combining fractional frequency reuse, a DL centric zone and a UL centric zone, and the band selection strategy of UEs for different levels of interference awareness is proposed. The different levels of interference awareness include, for example, full knowledge of interference, no knowledge of interference and victim-only awareness of interference.

[0031] Fig. 1 depicts an example implementation of frequency planning 100 in accordance with fractional frequency reuse, in a full-duplex cellular system, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. In this embodiment, a 3-sector cellular deployment with reuse of 3 in prioritized bands is illustrated to describe how the frequency planning can be accomplished. However, in other embodiments, different deployment scenarios with fewer or more adjacent neighbors and a different reuse factor in fractional frequency reuse can be used. The 3-sector cellular deployment 100 comprises a plurality of cells or sectors 1 , 2 and 3 with a reuse of 3, and each having a base station or eNodeB associated therewith. Each cell has a prioritized usage band associated therewith corresponding to a prioritized usage frequency band of the base station. For example, in Fig. 1 , the cells marked as 1 have a band 1 as their prioritized usage frequency band, cells marked as 2 have a band 2 as their prioritized usage frequency band and cells marked as 3 have a band 3 as their prioritized usage frequency band. Further, the bands 1 , 2 and 3 are orthogonal to one another. As indicated above, in one embodiment, all UEs can use their prioritized usage frequency bands for full-duplex transmission, however, using the prioritized usage frequency bands of neighboring cells for transmission depends on the UE's interference scenarios. By full-duplex

transmission, it is intended herein that, the UE is allowed to do transmission in both uplink and downlink directions.

[0032] For example, three types of users are depicted in cell 1 10 depending on their interference scenarios. A first type of user includes UE A, which is neither an aggressor nor a victim (with respect to interference) to UEs in the neighboring sectors (or cells). In such cases, the UE A can be scheduled for full-duplex transmission in all the available prioritized usage frequency bands, that is, band 1 , band 2 and band 3, respectively. In some embodiments, an aggressor UE causes interference to neighboring cell UEs and a victim UE receives interference from neighboring cell UEs. A second type of user includes UE B, which interferes with UEs in only one neighboring cell, that is cell 120 having band 3 as its prioritized usage frequency band. In such a case, the UE B cannot be scheduled for full-duplex transmission in band 3. Further, a third type of user includes UE C, which interferes with UEs in cell 130 having band 2 as its prioritized usage frequency band and cell 140 having band 3 as its prioritized usage frequency band. Therefore, UE C cannot be scheduled for full-duplex transmission in band 2 and band 3, and can be scheduled for full-duplex transmission only in band 1 .

[0033] In some embodiments, more aggressive frequency planning can be done by having a full awareness of cross-cell UE interference. By having full awareness, the UEs can be categorized as aggressor to a neighboring UE or a victim to a neighboring UE based on their interference measurement to/from other UEs in neighboring sectors. In one embodiment, if a UE is an aggressor to its neighbor cell UE, it should avoid uplink (UL) transmission in the prioritized usage frequency band for that neighbor cell UE and if a UE is a victim of its neighbor cell UE, it should avoid downlink (DL) transmission in the prioritized usage frequency band for that neighbor cell UE. For example, suppose UE B is an aggressor to the UE in the cell 120 in Fig. 1 and not a victim to any of its neighboring cell UEs. Then the UE B only needs to avoid UL transmission in the priority usage frequency band, i.e., band 3, of the neighboring cell 120 and can use this band for DL transmission. Similarly, for the case when the UE B is a victim of the UE in the cell 120 and not an aggressor to any of its neighboring cell UEs, the UE B should avoid DL transmission on the priority usage frequency band, i.e., band 3, of the neighboring cell 120 and can use this band for UL transmission. In some embodiments, the UE B is both a victim and an aggressor to the UE in cell 120. In such embodiments, DL or UL transmission in the priority usage frequency band, that is, band 3 of the neighboring cell 120 is precluded.

[0034] In some embodiments, the priority usage frequency bands of other

neighboring cells/base stations that are not interfered by the UE B, say band 2 in cell 170, are further divided into a DL-centric zone and a UL-centric zone. An aggressor UE should avoid UL transmission in the DL-centric zone and a victim UE should avoid DL transmission in the UL-centric zone for the priority usage frequency bands of neighbor stations with no interfering UEs. For example, if UE B is an aggressor UE to band 3 and does not cause or receive interference to/from UEs in band 2, then UE B can do DL transmission in the DL-centric zone and full-duplex transmission in the UL-centric zone of band 2. Similarly, if UE B is a victim UE to band 3 and does not cause or receive interference to/from UEs in band 2, then UE B can do UL transmission in the UL-centric zone and full-duplex transmission in the DL-centric zone of band 2.

[0035] Fig. 2 depicts a table 200 which shows a detailed categorization of UEs, band selection strategy and frequency planning, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The UE categorization and frequency planning is described herein with reference to the 3-sector deployment as explained above with respect to Fig. 1 .

However, in other embodiments, different deployments and different reuse patterns can be used. Fig. 2 depicts the UE categorization and band selection strategy for sector 1 UEs (e.g., cell 1 UEs in Fig. 1 ), having both downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) traffic, assuming full awareness of cross-cell UE interference. Further, each of the available priority usage frequency bands, that is, band 1 , band 2 and band 3 is divided into a DL- centric zone and a UL-centric zone. For example, in the table, 1 D and 1 U denote the DL-centric zone and the UL-centric zone for band 1 , 2D and 2U denote the DL-centric zone and the UL-centric zone for band 2 and 3D and 3U denote the DL-centric zone and the UL-centric zone for band 3. Further, S|_<, indicates that interference power is received from sector i and Si_>, indicates that interference power is directed towards sector i. The TH in the table 200 denotes the interference power level threshold to categorize a UE as an aggressor or a victim. For, example, if S|_<i > TH, then sector 1 UE is a victim to sector i UE and if S|_>, > TH, then sector 1 UE is an aggressor to sector i UE.

[0036] In some embodiments, the threshold TH can be computed based on a predefined tolerable interference power level, and in other embodiments, the threshold TH can be computed based on the SINR requirement for message decoding of the UE. For the first case, a UE is categorized as a victim or an aggressor if the UE observes an interference power level above the pre-defined threshold or if other UEs report or experience interference from this UE a power level that exceeds the pre-defined threshold. For the second case, the SINR threshold is translated into the tolerable interference power level and the categorization of strong aggressor/victim can be done in the same manner as described above. In one embodiment, the translation of the SINR threshold and the interference power level can be performed as shown below:

Psignal

≥ SINR

P inter ferer UE +P inter ferer_BS +Pecho+Pno ise (1 ) PinterfererJJE ≤ _si^_Rth ^' P inter ferer_BS ^' PecflO - Pnoise (2)

According to the required SINR threshold to decode a message and knowledge of noise power, echo power, interference power from BSs, the tolerable interference power level from neighbor UEs can be computed.

[0037] Referring back to Fig. 2, in row 21 0 of the table 200, sector 1 UE is not a victim or an aggressor to the UEs in sector 2 and sector 3 respectively. Therefore, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do full-duplex (i.e., both DL and UL) transmission in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is band 1 , band 2 and band 3

respectively. Row 220 shows another example, wherein sector 1 UE is a victim of sector 2 UE and does not cause or receive interference from sector 3 UEs. In this case, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform full-duplex transmission only in band 1 . In band 2, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform only UL transmission and in band 3, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform both UL and DL transmission in the DL-centric zone and only UL transmission in the UL-centric zone. In another embodiment, in row 230, the sector 1 UE is both a victim and an aggressor to sector 3 UE. In this case, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform full-duplex transmission only in band 1 . In band 3, no transmission is allowed for the sector 1 UE and in band 2, only DL transmission is allowed in the DL- centric zone and only UL transmission is allowed in the UL-centric zone. Other combinations of interferences listed in the table 200 in Fig. 2 can be explained using the same concept above.

[0038] The examples given above give a list of the permitted priority usage frequency bands for transmission for the sector 1 UE. For example, in the interference scenario given in row 210 of the table 200, sector 1 UE is not a victim or an aggressor to the UEs in sector 2 and sector 3 respectively. Therefore, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do full- duplex (i.e., both DL and UL) transmission in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively. Therefore, in one embodiment, an eNodeB associated with the sector or cell 1 , can selectively schedule the sector 1 UE to perform both UL transmission and DL transmission in band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively. However, in other embodiments, the eNodeB associated with the sector or cell 1 , can selectively schedule the sector 1 UE to perform UL-only or DL-only or full- duplex (both DL and UL) transmission based on other factors, for example, a scheduling decision of the eNodeB.

[0039] Similarly, in the interference scenario given in row 220 of the table 200, sector 1 UE is a victim of sector 2 UE and does not cause or receive interference from sector 3 UEs. In this case, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform full-duplex transmission in band 1 . In band 2, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform only UL transmission and in band 3, the sector 1 UE is allowed to perform both UL and DL transmission in the DL-centric zone and only UL transmission in the UL-centric zone. In one embodiment, the eNodeB associated with the sector or cell 1 , can selectively schedule the sector 1 UE to perform full-duplex (both DL and UL) transmission in band 1 , however, in other embodiments the eNodeB can schedule the sector 1 UE to perform UL-only or DL-only transmission in band 1 , based on the scheduling decision of the eNodeB. Similarly, in one

embodiment, the eNodeB can selectively schedule the sector 1 UE to perform UL transmission in band 2, however, in other embodiments, the eNodeB can choose the sector 1 UE not to perform any transmission in band 2, based on the scheduling decision of the eNodeB.

[0040] In one embodiment, Fig. 3a depicts a table 300 which shows a detailed categorization of UE with DL only traffic and frequency planning. The frequency planning described herein is similar to the 3-sector deployment explained above with respect to Fig. 1 . However, in other embodiments, different deployments and different reuse patterns can be used. Fig. 3a depicts the UE categorization and band selection strategy for sector 1 UEs (e.g., cell 1 UEs in Fig. 1 ), having only downlink (DL) traffic, assuming full awareness of cross-cell UE interference. In row 310 of the table 300, the sector 1 UE is not a victim to the UEs in sector 2 and sector 3 respectively. Therefore, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do DL transmission in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively. Further, in the embodiment shown in row 320, the sector 1 UE is a victim to the sector 2 UE. The sector 1 UE is therefore not allowed to do transmission in the priority usage frequency band of sector 2, that is band 2. Further, in band 3, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do DL transmission in the DL-centric zone and no transmission in the UL-centric zone. Other combinations of interferences listed in the table 300 in Fig. 3a can be explained using the same concept above.

[0041] In another embodiment, Fig. 3b depicts a table 301 , which shows a detailed categorization of UE with UL only traffic and frequency planning. The frequency planning described herein is similar to the 3-sector deployment explained above with respect to Fig. 1 . However, in other embodiments, different deployments and different reuse patterns can be used. Fig. 3b depicts the UE categorization and band selection strategy for sector 1 UEs (e.g., cell 1 UEs in Fig. 1 ), having only uplink (UL) traffic, assuming full awareness of cross-cell UE interference. In row 350 of the table 301 , the sector 1 UE is not an aggressor to the UEs in sector 2 and sector 3 respectively.

Therefore, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do UL transmission in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively. Further, in the embodiment shown in row 360, the sector 1 UE is an aggressor to the sector 2 UE. The sector 1 UE is therefore not allowed to do transmission in the priority usage frequency band of sector 2, that is band 2. Further, in band 3, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do UL transmission in the UL-centric zone and no transmission in the DL-centric zone. Other combinations of interferences listed in the table 301 in Fig. 3b can be explained using the same concept above.

[0042] Fig. 4a depicts a table 400 which shows a UE band assignment with no awareness of UE cross-cell interference, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The frequency planning described herein is similar to the 3-sector deployment explained above with respect to Fig. 1 . In some embodiments, a UE cannot detect if the UE is causing or receiving interference to/from the neighboring cell UEs. For example, in Fig. 4a, the sector 1 UE cannot detect if it is causing or receiving interference to/from the sector 2 UEs and sector 3 UEs respectively. In such

embodiments, to protect the UEs in the neighboring cells, full-duplex transmission is performed only in band 1 and no transmission is performed in band 2 and band 3 respectively. In some embodiments, with additional information available, for example, location information or the local channel measurement from eNodeB and neighboring eNodeBs, UEs with low risk interfering with neighboring cell UEs can be identified. In such embodiments, for the low-risk UEs in sector 1 , full-duplex transmission can be allowed in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is, band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively, as shown in row 450 of table 401 in Fig. 4b.

[0043] Fig. 5a depicts a table 500 which shows a UE band assignment with victim- only awareness of UE cross-cell interference, according to one embodiment of the disclosure. The frequency planning described herein is similar to the 3-sector deployment explained above with respect to Fig. 1 . In some embodiments, if a UE can detect neighboring cell UEs causing strong interference and can distinguish which is the priority usage frequency band of the interfering UEs, but is not able to identify the UE ID or to communicate between base-stations the aggressor UE list, one can do the frequency planning in a 'victim-aware' sense. In this case, no transmission is allowed for priority usage frequency bands of the strong interferers and only the local priority band can be used for full-duplex usage. For bands of neighbor cells with no strong interference, DL transmission can be scheduled in those bands.

[0044] For example, in row 510 of table 500 in Fig. 5a, it is identified that sector 1 UE is not a victim to sector 2 and sector 3 UEs, however, it is not able to identify if the sector 1 UE is an aggressor to sector 2 and sector 3 UEs. Therefore, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do full-duplex transmission only in band 1 . In bands 2 and 3, the sector 1 UE is allowed to do only DL transmission. In row 520 of table 500 in Fig 5a, it is identified that the sector 1 UE is a victim to the sector 2 UE. Therefore, the sector 1 UE is not allowed to transmit in the priority usage frequency band of sector 2 and is allowed to do DL transmission in the priority usage frequency band of sector 3. Sector 1 UE is allowed to perform full-duplex transmission only in band 1 . In some embodiments, with additional information available, for example, location information or the local channel measurement from BS and neighboring BSs, UEs with low risk interfering with neighboring cell UEs can be identified. In such embodiments, for the low-risk UEs in sector 1 identified as not to be victims of sector 2 UEs and sector 3 UEs, full-duplex transmission can be allowed in all the available priority usage frequency bands, that is, band 1 , band 2 and band 3 respectively, as shown in row 550 of table 501 in Fig. 5b. Other combinations of interferences listed in the tables in Figs. 5a and 5b can be explained using the same concept above.

[0045] Fig. 6 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 600 for use in an Evolved NodeB (eNB) in a cellular network that facilitates a user equipment (UE) band selection, according to various embodiments described herein. The cellular network comprises a plurality of cells/sectors each having a base station (BS) or an eNodeB associated therewith. The apparatus 600 can include a transmitter circuit 610, a receiver circuit 620 and a processor 630. Each of the receiver circuit 620 and the transmitter circuit 610 are configured to be coupled to one or more antennas, which can be the same or different antenna(s). Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a memory circuit 640 coupled to the processor 630. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 640 comprises a computer readable storage device that includes instructions to be executed by the processor 630. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 640 can be an independent circuit and in other embodiments, the memory circuit 640 can be integrated on chip with the processor 630. Alternately, in other embodiments, the instructions to be executed by the processor 630 can be stored on a non-transitory storage medium like CR-ROM, flash drive etc., and can be downloaded to the memory circuit 640 for execution. In some embodiments, the receiver circuit 620 and the transmitter circuit 61 0 can have one or more components in common, and both can be included within a transceiver circuit, while in other aspects they are not. In various embodiments, the apparatus 600 can be included within an Evolved Universal

Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) Node B (Evolved NodeB, eNodeB, or eNB).

[0046] In some embodiments, the transmit circuit 610 is configured to transmit an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB. In some embodiments, the

interference report request is sent periodically to the UE, however, in other

embodiments, the interference report request is sent randomly. The predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands, similar to the frequency planning profile indicated in Fig. 1 . In Fig. 1 , the frequency planning profile comprises a 3-sector deployment with a reuse of 3, however, in other embodiments, different deployments and different reuse factors could be used. The one or more neighboring cells of the "eNodeB of interest" includes the neighboring eNodeBs having a priority usage frequency band different from the priority usage frequency band of the "eNodeB of interest" based on the deployment scenario and the reuse factor.

[0047] In one embodiment, the predetermined frequency planning profile is determined based on a knowledge of an uplink traffic and a downlink traffic in the network over a period of time. In some embodiments, the predetermined frequency planning profile is determined in a network controller based on network traffic conditions over a period of time, among other factors. In some embodiments, the network controller could be a part of the eNodeB, however, in other embodiments, the network controller can be a standalone control circuit. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 640 is configured to receive and store the predetermined frequency planning profile before transmitting the predetermined frequency planning profile to the UE.

[0048] The receiver circuit 620 in Fig. 6 is configured to receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request. In some embodiments, the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, and the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both. The processing circuit 630 is operably coupled to the receiver circuit 620 and is configured to selectively schedule the UE to perform transmission in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of each of the priority usage frequency bands, based on the interference profile received from the UE. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 630 is configured to schedule the UE based on the UE categorization and band assignment strategies given in table 200 in Fig. 2. Further, in some embodiments, the processing circuit 630 is configured to schedule the UE based on the UE categorization and band assignment strategies given in table 300 in Fig. 3a, when the UE has only DL traffic and based on table 301 in Fig. 3b, when the UE has only UL traffic. In some embodiments, when the interference profile received from the UE does not indicate a full awareness of the cross-cell interference, the processing circuit 630 is configured to schedule the UE based on the UE categorization and band assignment strategies given in tables 400, 401 , 500 and 501 , respectively based on the interference awareness level.

[0049] In some embodiments, the processing circuit 630 is further configured to schedule the UE based on a scheduling decision of the eNodeB, in addition to the UE categorization and band selection strategies above. For example, for a UE with full- duplex capability (i.e., both UL-traffic and DL-traffic), the processing circuit 630 of the eNodeB can choose to schedule the UE for UL-only transmission or DL-only

transmission in the prioritized usage frequency band of the eNodeB instead of the allowed full-duplex transmission, that is both UL and DL transmission, according to the band selection strategy in Fig. 2 above. Further, for a UE that is neither a victim nor an aggressor to any of its neighboring cell UEs, the the processing circuit 630 of the eNodeB can choose to schedule the UE for UL-only transmission or DL-only

transmission in the prioritized usage frequency band of each of the neighboring eNodeBs instead of the allowed full-duplex transmission according to the band selection strategy in row 210 in Fig. 2 above. In some embodiments, the scheduling decision of the eNodeB is determined at the network controller. However, in some embodiments, the scheduling decision of the UE is determined at the eNodeB itself.

[0050] Fig. 7 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 700 for use in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network, according to various embodiments described herein. The apparatus 700 includes a receiver circuit 710, a processor 730, and a transmitter circuit 720. Further, in some embodiments, the apparatus comprises a memory circuit 740 coupled to the processor 730. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 740 comprises a computer readable storage device that includes instructions to be executed by the processor 730. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 740 can be an independent circuit and in other embodiments, the memory circuit 740 can be integrated on chip with the processor 730. Alternately, in other embodiments, the instructions to be executed by the processor 730 can be stored on a non-transitory storage medium like CR-ROM, flash drive etc., and can be downloaded to the memory circuit 740 for execution. Each of the receiver circuit 710 and the transmitter circuit 720 are configured to be coupled to one or more antennas, which can be the same or different antenna(s). In some embodiments, the receiver circuit 710 and transmitter circuit 730 can have one or more components in common, and both can be included within a transceiver circuit, while in other aspects they are not. In various embodiments, the apparatus 700 can be included within a UE, for example, with apparatus 700 (or portions thereof) within a receiver and transmitter or a transceiver circuit of a UE.

[0051] The receiver circuit 71 0 is configured to receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB associated with a serving cell of the UE. In some embodiments, the predetermined frequency planning profile is the same as the predetermined frequency planning profile explained above with respect to Fig. 6. Further, the receiver circuit 710 is configured to receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 740 is configured to store the interference information. In some embodiments, the memory circuit 740 is coupled to the processing circuit 730 and the processing circuit 730 is configured to determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB.

[0052] In some embodiments, the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both. In some embodiments, the interference profile is the same as the interference profile explained above with respect to Fig. 6. In some embodiments, the UE is categorized as a victim on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE receives an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level from a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB. Similarly, the UE is categorized as an aggressor on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE creates an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level to a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

[0053] Fig. 8 illustrates a flow chart for a method 800 that facilitates a user equipment (UE) band selection in an Evolved NodeB (eNB) in a cellular network, according to various embodiments described herein. The method 800 is described herein with reference to the apparatus 600 in Fig. 6. At 802, a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network is received and stored at the memory circuit 640 of an eNodeB. At 804, an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile are transmitted from the transmit circuit 61 0 of the eNodeB to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB. At 806, an interference profile is received at the receive circuit 620 of the eNodeB from the UE in response to the interference report request. At 808, the UE is selectively scheduled to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB at the processing circuit 630, based on the interference profile from the UE. The processing circuit 630 also selectively schedules the UE to perform a UL transmission or a DL transmission or both in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, based on the interference profile from the UE. In some embodiments, the processing circuit 630 can schedule the UE to perform a DL-only transmission or a UL-only transmission in the prioritized usage frequency band of the eNodeB based on a scheduling decision of the eNodeB.

[0054] Fig. 9 illustrates a flow chart for a method 900 that facilitates interference reporting in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network for UE band selection, according to various embodiments described herein. The method 900 is described herein with reference to the apparatus 700 in Fig. 7. At 902, an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network is received at the receiver circuit 710 of the UE from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE. The receiver circuit 710 further receives interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs. At 904, the interference information is stored in the memory circuit 740 of the UE. At 906, an interference profile is determined based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB, at the processing circuit 730. At 908, the determined interference profile is transmitted to the eNodeB by the transmit circuit 720 of the UE.

[0055] While the methods are illustrated and described above as a series of acts or events, it will be appreciated that the illustrated ordering of such acts or events are not to be interpreted in a limiting sense. For example, some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events apart from those illustrated and/or described herein. In addition, not all illustrated acts may be required to implement one or more aspects or embodiments of the disclosure herein. Also, one or more of the acts depicted herein may be carried out in one or more separate acts and/or phases.

[0056] Embodiments described herein may be implemented into a system using any suitably configured hardware and/or software. Fig. 10 illustrates, for one embodiment, example components of a User Equipment (UE) device 1000. In some embodiments, the UE device 1000 may include application circuitry 1002, baseband circuitry 1 004, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry 1006, front-end module (FEM) circuitry 1008 and one or more antennas 1010, coupled together at least as shown.

[0057] The application circuitry 1002 may include one or more application processors. For example, the application circuitry 1002 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, 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 processors may be coupled with and/or may 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.

[0058] The baseband circuitry 1004 may include circuitry such as, but not limited to, one or more single-core or multi-core processors. The baseband circuitry 1004 may include one or more baseband processors and/or control logic to process baseband signals received from a receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 and to generate baseband signals for a transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006. Baseband processing circuity 1004 may interface with the application circuitry 1002 for generation and processing of the baseband signals and for controlling operations of the RF circuitry 1006. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a second generation (2G) baseband processor 1004a, third generation (3G) baseband processor 1004b, fourth generation (4G) baseband processor 1004c, and/or other baseband processor(s) 1004d for other existing generations, generations in

development or to be developed in the future (e.g., fifth generation (5G), 6G, etc.). The baseband circuitry 1004 (e.g., one or more of baseband processors 1004a-d) may handle various radio control functions that enable communication with one or more radio networks via the RF circuitry 1006. The radio control functions may include, but are not limited to, signal modulation/demodulation, encoding/decoding, radio frequency shifting, etc. In some embodiments, modulation/demodulation circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1004 may include Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT), precoding, and/or constellation mapping/demapping functionality. In some embodiments,

encoding/decoding circuitry of the baseband circuitry 1004 may include convolution, tail- biting convolution, turbo, Viterbi, and/or Low Density Parity Check (LDPC)

encoder/decoder functionality. Embodiments of modulation/demodulation and encoder/decoder functionality are not limited to these examples and may include other suitable functionality in other embodiments.

[0059] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may include elements of a protocol stack such as, for example, elements of an evolved universal terrestrial radio access network (EUTRAN) protocol including, 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) 1004e of the baseband circuitry 1004 may be configured 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 may include one or more audio digital signal processor(s) (DSP) 1004f. The audio DSP(s) 1004f may be include elements for compression/decompression and echo cancellation and may include other suitable processing elements in other embodiments. Components of the baseband circuitry may be suitably combined in a single chip, 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 1004 and the application circuitry 1002 may be implemented together such as, for example, on a system on a chip (SOC).

[0060] In some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 may provide for communication compatible with one or more radio technologies. For example, in some embodiments, the baseband circuitry 1004 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), a wireless personal area network (WPAN). Embodiments in which the baseband circuitry 1004 is configured to support radio communications of more than one wireless protocol may be referred to as multi-mode baseband circuitry. [0061] RF circuitry 1006 may enable communication with wireless networks using modulated electromagnetic radiation through a non-solid medium. In various embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include switches, filters, amplifiers, etc. to facilitate the communication with the wireless network. RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1008 and provide baseband signals to the baseband circuitry 1004. RF circuitry 1006 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry to up-convert baseband signals provided by the baseband circuitry 1004 and provide RF output signals to the FEM circuitry 1008 for transmission.

[0062] In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include mixer circuitry 1 006a, amplifier circuitry 1006b and filter circuitry 1006c. The transmit signal path of the RF circuitry 1006 may include filter circuitry 1006c and mixer circuitry 1006a. RF circuitry 1006 may also include synthesizer circuitry 1006d for synthesizing a frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the transmit signal path. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path may be configured to down-convert RF signals received from the FEM circuitry 1008 based on the synthesized frequency provided by synthesizer circuitry 1006d. The amplifier circuitry 1006b may be configured to amplify the down-converted signals and the filter circuitry 1 006c may be 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 1004 for further processing. In some embodiments, the output baseband signals may be zero-frequency baseband signals, although this is not a requirement. In some embodiments, mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path may comprise passive mixers, although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0063] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may be configured to up-convert input baseband signals based on the synthesized frequency provided by the synthesizer circuitry 1006d to generate RF output signals for the FEM circuitry 1008. The baseband signals may be provided by the baseband circuitry 1004 and may be filtered by filter circuitry 1006c. The filter circuitry 1006c may include a low-pass filter (LPF), although the scope of the embodiments is not limited in this respect.

[0064] In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a 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 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a 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 1 006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a may be arranged for direct downconversion and/or direct upconversion, respectively. In some embodiments, the mixer circuitry 1006a of the receive signal path and the mixer circuitry 1006a of the transmit signal path may be configured for super-heterodyne operation.

[0065] 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 alternate embodiments, the output baseband signals and the input baseband signals may be digital baseband signals. In these alternate embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuitry and the baseband circuitry 1004 may include a digital baseband interface to communicate with the RF circuitry 1006.

[0066] In some dual-mode embodiments, a 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.

[0067] In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a fractional-N synthesizer or 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, synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a delta-sigma synthesizer, a frequency multiplier, or a synthesizer comprising a phase-locked loop with a frequency divider.

[0068] The synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be configured to synthesize an output frequency for use by the mixer circuitry 1006a of the RF circuitry 1006 based on a frequency input and a divider control input. In some embodiments, the synthesizer circuitry 1006d may be a fractional N/N+1 synthesizer.

[0069] 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 1004 or the applications processor 1002 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 applications processor 1 002.

[0070] Synthesizer circuitry 1 006d of the RF circuitry 1 006 may include a divider, a delay-locked loop (DLL), a multiplexer and a phase accumulator. In some embodiments, the divider may be a dual modulus divider (DMD) and the phase accumulator may be 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 these 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 provides negative feedback to help ensure that the total delay through the delay line is one VCO cycle.

[0071] In some embodiments, synthesizer circuitry 1 006d may be configured to generate a carrier frequency as the output frequency, while in other embodiments, the output frequency may be a multiple of the carrier frequency (e.g., twice the carrier frequency, four times the carrier frequency) and used in conjunction with 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 a LO frequency (fLO). In some embodiments, the RF circuitry 1006 may include an IQ/polar converter.

[0072] FEM circuitry 1008 may include a receive signal path which may include circuitry configured to operate on RF signals received from one or more antennas 1010, amplify the received signals and provide the amplified versions of the received signals to the RF circuitry 1006 for further processing. FEM circuitry 1008 may also include a transmit signal path which may include circuitry configured to amplify signals for transmission provided by the RF circuitry 1006 for transmission by one or more of the one or more antennas 1010.

[0073] In some embodiments, the FEM circuitry 1008 may include a TX/RX switch to switch between transmit mode and receive mode operation. The FEM circuitry may include a receive signal path and a transmit signal path. The receive signal path of the FEM circuitry 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 1006). The transmit signal path of the FEM circuitry 1 008 may include a power amplifier (PA) to amplify input RF signals (e.g., provided by RF circuitry 1006), and one or more filters to generate RF signals for subsequent transmission (e.g., by one or more of the one or more antennas 1010.

[0074] In some embodiments, the UE device 1000 may include additional elements such as, for example, memory/storage, display, camera, sensor, and/or input/output (I/O) interface.

[0075] While the apparatus has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, alterations and/or modifications may be made to the illustrated examples without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described

components or structures (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the invention.

[0076] Examples can include subject matter such as a method, means for performing acts or blocks of the method, at least one machine-readable medium including instructions that, when performed by a machine cause the machine to perform acts of the method or of an apparatus or system for concurrent communication using multiple communication technologies according to embodiments and examples described herein. [0077] Example 1 is an apparatus for use in an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs, the apparatus comprising a memory circuit configured to store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands; a transmit circuit configured to transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB; a receive circuit configured to receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request; and a processing circuit operably coupled to the receive circuit and configured to selectively schedule the UE to perform transmission in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of each of the prioritized usage frequency bands, based on the interference profile from the UE.

[0078] Example 2 is an apparatus including the subject matter of example 1 , wherein the prioritized usage frequency band of the eNodeB and the prioritized usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs are orthogonal to one another.

[0079] Example 3 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -2, including or omitting elements, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile is determined at a network controller, based on a knowledge of an uplink traffic and a downlink traffic in the network over a period of time.

[0080] Example 4 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -3, including or omitting elements, wherein the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both. [0081] Example 5 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -4, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE is categorized as a victim on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE receives an interference power level above a predetermined threshold from a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

[0082] Example 6 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -5, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE is categorized as an aggressor on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the UE creates an interference power level above a predetermined threshold to a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

[0083] Example 7 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -6, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission comprises scheduling the UE to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB.

[0084] Example 8 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -7, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform both uplink (UL) transmission and downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs.

[0085] Example 9 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -8, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform only UL transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is a victim but not an aggressor on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB. [0086] Example 10 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -9, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform both UL transmission and DL transmission in the DL centric zone, and only UL transmission in the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

[0087] Example 1 1 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -10, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform only DL transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is an aggressor but not a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB.

[0088] Example 12 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -1 1 , including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform both UL transmission and DL transmission in the UL centric zone, and only DL transmission in the DL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

[0089] Example 13 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -12, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform neither DL transmission nor UL transmission in both the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is an aggressor and a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB. [0090] Example 14 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 1 -13, including or omitting elements, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform only UL transmission in the UL centric zone, and only DL transmission in the DL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

[0091] Example 15 is computer-readable storage device storing computer- executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to receive and store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands; transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB; receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request; selectively schedule the UE to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB, based on the interference profile from the UE; and selectively schedule the UE to perform a UL transmission or a DL transmission or both in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both, respectively of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, based on the interference profile from the UE.

[0092] Example 16 is a computer-readable storage device including the subject matter of example 15, wherein the interference report request is transmitted periodically to the UE. [0093] Example 17 is a computer-readable storage device including the subject matter of example 15-16, including or omitting elements, wherein the interference report request is transmitted randomly to the UE.

[0094] Example 18 is an apparatus for use in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs, comprising a receive circuit configured to receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE; and receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs; a memory circuit configured to store the interference information; a processing circuit configured to determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB; and a transmit circuit configured to transmit the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

[0095] Example 19 is an apparatus including the subject matter of example 18, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB of the serving cell of the UE and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands.

[0096] Example 20 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 18-19, including or omitting elements, wherein the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both.

[0097] Example 21 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 18-20, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE is categorized as a victim on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE receives an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level from a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB. [0098] Example 22 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 18-21 , including or omitting elements, wherein the predetermined threshold power level is determined based on a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for message decoding of the UE.

[0099] Example 23 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 18-22, including or omitting elements, wherein the UE is categorized as an aggressor on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE creates an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level to a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

[00100] Example 24 is an apparatus including the subject matter of examples 18-23, including or omitting elements, wherein the predetermined threshold power level is determined based on a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for message decoding of the UE.

[00101 ] Example 25 is a computer-readable storage device storing computer- executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE; receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs; store the interference information in a memory circuit; determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB; and transmit the

determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

[00102] Example 26 is a method for an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs comprising receiving and storing a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands; transmitting an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB; receiving an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request;

selectively scheduling the UE to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB, based on the interference profile from the UE; and selectively scheduling the UE to perform a UL transmission or a DL transmission or both in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both, respectively of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, based on the interference profile from the UE.

[00103] Example 27 is a computer-readable storage device storing computer- executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to perform the method of claim 26.

[00104] Example 28 is a method for a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs comprising receiving an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE; receiving interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs; storing the interference information in a memory circuit;

determining an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB; and transmitting the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

[00105] Example 29 is a computer-readable storage device storing computer- executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to perform the method of claim 28.

[00106] Various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with aspects disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other

programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but, in the alternative, processor can be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. [00107] The above description of illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what is described in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples are described herein for illustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that are considered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as those skilled in the relevant art can recognize.

[00108] In this regard, while the disclosed subject matter has been described in connection with various embodiments and corresponding Figures, where applicable, it is to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used or modifications and additions can be made to the described embodiments for performing the same, similar, alternative, or substitute function of the disclosed subject matter without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the disclosed subject matter should not be limited to any single embodiment described herein, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims below.

[00109] In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described components (assemblies, devices, circuits, systems, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a "means") used to describe such components are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any component or structure which performs the specified function of the described component (e.g., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary implementations of the disclosure. In addition, while a particular feature may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

Claims

1 . An apparatus for use in an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs, the apparatus comprising:

a memory circuit configured to store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands;

a transmit circuit configured to transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB;

a receive circuit configured to receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request; and

a processing circuit operably coupled to the receive circuit and configured to selectively schedule the UE to perform transmission in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both of each of the prioritized usage frequency bands, based on the interference profile from the UE.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the prioritized usage frequency band of the eNodeB and the prioritized usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs are orthogonal to one another.

3. The apparatus of any of the claims 1 -2, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile is determined at a network controller, based on a knowledge of an uplink traffic and a downlink traffic in the network over a period of time.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the UE is categorized as a victim on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE receives an interference power level above a predetermined threshold from a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

6. The apparatus of any of the claims 4-5, wherein the UE is categorized as an aggressor on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE creates an interference power level above a predetermined threshold to a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission comprises scheduling the UE to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises scheduling the UE to perform both uplink (UL) transmission and downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises:

scheduling the UE to perform only UL transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is a victim but not an aggressor on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises: scheduling the UE to perform both UL transmission and DL transmission in the DL centric zone, and only UL transmission in the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

1 1 . The apparatus of claim 7, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises:

scheduling the UE to perform only DL transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is an aggressor but not a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 1 , wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises:

scheduling the UE to perform both UL transmission and DL transmission in the UL centric zone, and only DL transmission in the DL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

13. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises:

scheduling the UE to perform neither DL transmission nor UL transmission in both the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a first neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is an aggressor and a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein selectively scheduling the UE transmission further comprises:

scheduling the UE to perform only UL transmission in the UL centric zone, and only DL transmission in the DL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of a second neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, when the interference profile indicates that the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim on the priority usage frequency band of the second neighboring eNodeB, wherein the priority usage frequency band of the first neighboring eNodeB and the second neighboring eNodeB are different.

15. A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause an eNodeB of a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to:

receive and store a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands;

transmit an interference report request and the predetermined frequency planning profile to a user equipment (UE) in a serving cell of the eNodeB;

receive an interference profile from the UE in response to the interference report request;

selectively schedule the UE to perform an uplink (UL) transmission and a downlink (DL) transmission in the DL centric zone and the UL centric zone of the priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB, based on the interference profile from the UE; and

selectively schedule the UE to perform a UL transmission or a DL transmission or both in the DL centric zone or the UL centric zone or both, respectively of the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs, based on the interference profile from the UE.

16. The computer-readable storage device of claim 15, wherein the interference report request is transmitted periodically to the UE.

17. The computer-readable storage device of any of the claims 15-16, wherein the Interference report request is transmitted randomly to the UE.

18. An apparatus for use in a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs, comprising:

a receive circuit configured to:

receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE; and

receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs; a memory circuit configured to store the interference information;

a processing circuit configured to determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB; and

a transmit circuit configured to transmit the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the predetermined frequency planning profile comprises information on a priority usage frequency band of the eNodeB of the serving cell of the UE and priority usage frequency bands of one or more neighboring eNodeBs in accordance with a fractional frequency reuse scheme, and information on a downlink (DL) centric zone and an uplink (UL) centric zone within each of the priority usage frequency bands.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both.

21 . The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the UE is categorized as a victim on a priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE receives an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level from a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the predetermined threshold power level is determined based on a signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR) for message decoding of the UE.

23. The apparatus of any of the claims 18-21 , wherein the UE is categorized as an aggressor on a

priority usage frequency band of a neighboring eNodeB of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs when the UE creates an interference power level above a predetermined threshold power level to a UE in a serving cell of the neighboring eNodeB.

24. A computer-readable storage device storing computer-executable instructions that, in response to execution, cause a user equipment (UE) in a cellular network comprising a plurality of eNodeBs to:

receive an interference report request and a predetermined frequency planning profile of the cellular network, from an eNodeB in a serving cell of the UE;

receive interference information from one or more neighboring cell UEs;

store the interference information in a memory circuit;

determine an interference profile based on the interference information and the received predetermined frequency planning profile from the eNodeB; and

transmit the determined interference profile to the eNodeB.

25. The computer-readable storage device of claim 24, wherein the interference profile comprises information on the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is a victim or an aggressor or both, or the priority usage frequency bands of the one or more neighboring eNodeBs on which the UE is neither an aggressor nor a victim, or both.