Method and apparatus for conveying antenna configuration information via masking

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to the interaction between the network entity, such as a base station and a receiver such as a mobile terminal, and more particularly - to a method and apparatus for transmitting information about the configuration of the antenna.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In conventional wireless communication systems, mobile devices or other user equipment transmit information to a network and receive information from the network, e.g., via a base station. In some networks, the base stations or other network entities which transmit information to the user equipment may have different antenna configurations, including a different number of antennas, such as one antenna, two antennas or four antennas, and / or may transmit information in accordance with various schemes transmit diversity. In this regard, the base station with a single antenna may transmit information without using transmit diversity, while base stations with two or four antennas may transmit information in accordance with a transmission diversity scheme or a specific transmission diversity scheme out of a set of different available transmission diversity schemes. In order to effectively receive information from a base station, a user equipment, for example, must know or recognize the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme applied by the base station. The mobile device can perform demodulation of the received signal only after correctly determining the antenna configuration, i.e. the number of transmit antennas and / or transmission diversity scheme of the base station. Since the antenna configuration information is needed for correct demodulation of the received signal, the UE must determine the antenna configuration information with very high confidence.

For example, in an advanced terrestrial radio access network of universal mobile telecommunications system (E-UTRAN, Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network) user equipment can gather information about the configuration of a base station, which in the E-UTRAN is called an Evolved Node B (eNodeB), through the use of data contained in the message symbol OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing). For example, technical specification third generation partnership project 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project), in particular, 3GPP TS 36.211, REL 8 and 3GPP TS 36,212, REL 8, provide information on the antenna configuration. In this regard, the user equipment can extract antenna configuration information from the transmitted reference signals or by attempts to decode the data of the physical broadcast channel (SRF, Physical Broadcast Channel).

In the E-UTRAN node eNodeB does not explicitly informs the user equipment about the number of antennas and a diversity transmission scheme. Instead, the user equipment may analyze the provided reference signals in order to determine the number of antennas and / or transmission diversity scheme applied node eNodeB. In general, reference signals are placed in a subframe SMF channel or other channel in accordance with the number of transmission antennas of the base station. The reference signals are designed primarily to evaluate the channels. Regardless of the position of the reference signal within the sub-frame, detecting the presence of a reference signal allows the user equipment to determine the number of transmission antennas of the base station. However, this procedure is unreliable in low signal / noise ratio, in which the channel should work SRF.

While information on the configuration of the antenna can be derived from reference signals, the user equipment, at least initially, has no information about the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme prior to receiving and demodulating channel SRF. Since information about the antenna configuration is required for proper demodulation of data channels and control channels, there may be a delay and loss of data if the user equipment properly determine the antenna configuration and / or transmit diversity schemes or if the user equipment is slow in determining the antenna configuration and / or transmit diversity schemes. Consequently, sometimes the user equipment being designed to make assumptions regarding the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. Such assumptions of antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme may be made prior to or during the SMF channel demodulation and are not always correct. Therefore, the user equipment can make assumptions about the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme based on a subset of information from the channel SRF. For example, in some cases, it may be applied early channel decoding circuit SRF, which uses the information obtained from the first four packets (bursts) information including SRF.

However, even if the configuration of the antenna in relation to and / or transmission diversity scheme was made an incorrect assumption, this error is not always immediately evident after demodulation and decoding. In some cases, the channel RVSN can be correctly demodulate and decode, even if it was made an incorrect assumption. This is called a false definition. In such situations, the user equipment has no means for detecting that the assumption was wrong. Thus, the user equipment can continue to use an incorrect assumption in further communications resulting in poor performance.

In addition to the problems that arise due to the fact that the choice of antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme implemented in the user equipment "random" noise signal associated with the SMF channel may also be the cause of errors. With low signal / noise ratio combination incorrect assumption and data corrupted by noise can result in what is demodulated and decoded channel SMF may appear correct. Under the same conditions, the correct assumption about the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme may appear incorrect because of the presence of noise. However, some of these cases can be identified by the user equipment, since the SMF channel bits protected cyclic redundancy control (CRC). Typically CRC code, associated with the SMF channel comprises 16 bits. However, some errors because of low signal / noise ratio, can be detected by performing CRC checking. However, noise can also affect the CRC bits, which can lead to wrong conclusions about the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme.

Thus, to eliminate or reduce loss of data and communication latency, it is useful to provide an improved method for more reliably determining the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme of a network entity such as a base station. In particular, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for determining the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme of the base station, such as a network node eNodeB E-UTRAN, which ensure high reliability of determination of whether the assumption is made about the proper antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention provides a method, apparatus and computer program product for providing additional information about the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. In essence, embodiments of the method and apparatus allow the recipient reliably distinguish between a plurality of antenna configurations and / or the transmission diversity scheme, which allows more reliably perform demodulation and interpretation of data. In addition embodiments of the method and apparatus provide this additional information without transmitting additional bits or adding other performance information associated with the transmission of the data.

In accordance with various aspects of the invention provide a method, apparatus and computer program product for determining a set of bit masks based upon hamming distances between the masks and the differences between the mask bits, where each bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme. In some embodiments, the set of masks can be determined so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit differences between the masks. Furthermore, in some embodiments, factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits, may also be taken into account when determining the set of masks. A mask set can be selected based on the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. In one embodiment, for example, multiple bits may be masked by a plurality of CRC bits. In another embodiment, the bit mask is sufficient for an unambiguous recognition of at least three different antenna configurations and / or transmission diversity scheme.

In accordance with another aspect, a method, apparatus and computer program product for analyzing a plurality of received bits to determine which mask from a plurality of predefined bit masks was applied to the data bits, and for subsequent determination of the antenna configuration or transmit diversity schemes based on the respective bit mask which is defined as a mask applied to the data bits. To determine which mask from a set of predefined bit masks has been applied to the bits, the mask can be selected from a set of bit patterns defined on the basis of Hamming distance between these masks and the difference bits between the mask where each bit mask set is associated with the antenna configuration and transmit diversity schemes. In some embodiments, the set of masks can be determined so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit differences between the masks. Furthermore, in some embodiments, factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits, may also be taken into account when determining the set of masks. The selected mask can be applied to the received sequence of bits and then the result can be analyzed to determine whether the selected right mask. If the wrong mask may be formed new selection mask, the mask can be applied (superimposed on bits) and the result can be analyzed similarly. A plurality of bits which are analyzed may be bits of a physical broadcast channel. In one embodiment, for example, a plurality of bits to be analyzed may be a plurality of CRC bits. In an embodiment, the bit mask is sufficient for an unambiguous recognition of at least three different antenna configurations or transmission diversity schemes.

In one embodiment, a method for transmitting information about the configuration of the antenna by masking. The method may include selecting a bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme. A bit mask is selected from a set of bit masks. The kit may include a first bit mask associated with a single-antenna configuration, a second bit mask associated with a two-antenna configuration, and a third bit mask associated with chetyrehantennoy configuration. The method may also include applying the bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme to a set of predetermined bits of a plurality of bits.

In another embodiment, the invention provides an apparatus for transmitting information about the configuration of the antenna by masking. The apparatus may comprise a processor configured to select a bit mask associated with the antenna configuration and diversity scheme of transmission, wherein the bit mask is selected from a set of bit masks including a first bit mask associated with a single-antenna configuration, a second bit mask associated with a two-antenna configuration, and a third a bit mask associated with chetyrehantennoy configuration. A processor may also be configured to apply the bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme to a set of predetermined bits of a plurality of bits.

In another embodiment, a computer program product for transmitting information about the configuration of the antenna by masking. The computer program product may include at least one computer-readable medium with stored thereon instructions executable code. The instructions may be configured to select the bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme. A bit mask is selected from a set of bit masks. The kit may include a first bit mask associated with a single-antenna configuration, a second bit mask associated with a two-antenna configuration, and a third bit mask associated with chetyrehantennoy configuration. Commands can also be configured to apply the bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme to a set of predetermined bits of a plurality of bits.

In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for use in communications. The apparatus may include means for selecting a bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme. A bit mask is selected from a set of bit masks. The kit may include a first bit mask associated with a single-antenna configuration, a second bit mask associated with a two-antenna configuration, and a third bit mask associated with chetyrehantennoy configuration. The apparatus may also include means for applying the bit mask associated with an antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme to a set of predetermined bits of a plurality of bits.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

After the general description of the embodiments of the present invention will now be described accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

3a shows an example of a 16-bit CRC field according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3D shows an example of further split the 16-bit CRC field according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart of information transmission procedure according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Further embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments. The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited herein discussed embodiments; these embodiments are presented to the disclosure of the invention satisfies the statutory requirements. Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is a block diagram of a mobile terminal 10, which can realize the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the mobile telephone illustrated in the drawing and viewed herein is only an example of one type of mobile terminal (also called user equipment), which can realize the advantages of the embodiments of the present invention and, therefore, does not limit the present invention. Along with an embodiment of the mobile terminal 10, which is shown in the drawing and discussed in exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also be applied to other types of mobile terminals, such as portable digital assistants (PDA), pagers, mobile computers, mobile television stations, slot devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and other types of systems, voice and text. In addition embodiments of the present invention can be used in user equipment that is not mobile.

The system and method provided by embodiments of the present invention are described below mainly in connection with mobile communications applications. Nevertheless, it should be understood that the system and method provided by embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with a variety of other applications, both in the field of mobile communications, and beyond.

The mobile terminal 10 includes an antenna 12 (or multiple antennas) in communication with a transmitter 14 and a receiver 16. The mobile terminal 10 also includes a device, such as a controller 20 or other processing element that transmits signals to the transmitter 14 and receives signals from the receiver 16. These signals include signaling information in accordance with the air interface standard of the applicable cellular system, and also user speech, received data and / or data generated by the user. In this regard, the mobile terminal 10 is capable of operating in accordance with one or more air interface standards, communication protocols, modulation types, and access types. For example, the mobile terminal 10 is capable of operating in accordance with any communication protocol of the first, second, third and / or fourth generation or the like. For example, the mobile terminal 10 is able to operate according to wireless communication protocols of the second generation (2G) IS-136 (Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Multiple Access with Time Division Multiplexing), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication, Global System for Mobile Communications ) and IS-95 (Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), code division multiple access channel) in wireless communication protocols of third generation (3G), such as the universal mobile telecommunications system (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS)), including UMTS LTE (UMTS Long Term Evolution, the long-term development of UMTS), CDMA2000, broadband CDMA (Wideband CDMA (WCDMA)) and access to the synchronous time division CDMA (Time Division-Synchronous CDMA (TD-SCDMA)), with wireless communication protocols fourth generation (4G) or the like.

Obviously, the device such as the controller 20 includes means, such as circuitry required for implementing audio and logic functions of the mobile terminal 10. For example, controller 20 may include a digital signal processor, a microprocessor, various analog-digital and digital to analog converters, and other support circuits. The functions of the mobile terminal 10 associated with the control and signal processing are allocated between these devices according to their respective functional capabilities. Controller 20 may also include features of convolutional coding and interleave message and data prior to modulation and transmission. The controller 20 may thus additionally include an internal voice coder, and internal data modem. In addition, the controller 20 may include functionality to operate one or more programs are stored in memory. For example, the controller 20 is able to interact with the software for communication, such as a standard web browser. A program to communicate allows the mobile terminal 10 to transmit and receive Web content, such as content distribution and / or other web pages in accordance with, for example, application protocol for wireless communication (WAP, Wireless Application Protocol), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP, Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and / or the like.

The mobile terminal 10 may also include a user interface that includes a display device such as a conventional earphone or speaker 24, a microphone 26, a display 28 and user input interface, all of these devices are connected to the controller 20. The user input interface, which allows the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, can comprise any of a number of devices allowing the mobile terminal 10 to receive data, such as a keyboard 30, a touch display (not shown) or other input device. In embodiments including the keypad 30, the keypad 30 may include standard numeric keys (0-9) and related keys (#, *), and other conventional and programmable keys are used for controlling a mobile terminal 10. Alternatively, the keypad 30 may have the configuration of a standard keyboard QWERTY. The keyboard 30 may also include various soft keys with associated functions. Additionally or alternatively, the mobile terminal 10 may include an interface device such as a joystick or other user input interface. Mobile terminal 10 also includes a battery 34, such as a vibrating battery pack, which is used to power the various circuits required to operate the mobile terminal 10 and provides additional mechanical vibration as well perceptible output.

The mobile terminal 10 may also include a user identification module 38 (UIM, User Identity Module). Module UIM 38 is typically a memory device with a built-in processor. Module 38 UIM may include, for example, a subscriber identity module (SIM, Subscriber Identity Module), UICC card (UICC, Universal Integrated Circuit Card), a universal subscriber identity module (USIM, Universal Subscriber Identity Module), a removable user identity module ( R-UIM, Removable User Identity Module), and others. The module UIM 38 typically stores information elements related to mobile subscribers. Besides module UIM 38, the mobile terminal 10 may be equipped with memory. For example, the mobile terminal 10 may include volatile memory 40, such as a volatile memory RAM, including the cache area for the temporary storage of data. The mobile terminal 10 may also include volatile memory 42, which can be embedded and / or removable. Additionally or alternatively, nonvolatile memory 42 may include electrically erasable memory EEPROM, flash memory or similar. In such a memory can store various pieces of information and data used by the mobile terminal 10 to implement the functions of the mobile terminal 10. For example, this memory may comprise an identifier such as a code for international mobile equipment identification (IMEI, International Mobile Equipment Identification), which allows a unique identifying the mobile terminal 10.

2 illustrates an example of one type of system in which can be used in advantageous embodiments of the present invention. The system includes a plurality of network devices, such as mobile terminals 10 or other type of user equipment. As shown, each of the mobile terminal 10 includes an antenna 12 for transmitting signals to base site or base station 44 (BS, Base Station), such as a network node eNodeB in E-UTRAN, as well as for receiving signals. The base station 44 can belong to one or more cellular or mobile networks each of which includes elements required to operate the network, such as the center 46 mobile switching (MSC, Mobile Switching Center). As is known to those skilled in the art, the mobile network is also called BMI (BS / MSC / Interworking function - the base station / mobile switching center / interworking function). In operation, when mobile terminal 10 makes or receives a call center MSC 46 is capable of routing calls to the mobile terminal 10 and from it. Center MSC 46 may also provide connectivity to terrestrial backbone links when the mobile terminal 10 is involved in a call. In addition, the switching center MSC 46 is able to control forwarding of messages to the mobile terminal 10 and from, as well as manage the forwarding of messages for the mobile terminal 10 from the center of the transmission of messages and send messages to the center. It should be noted that although the switching center MSC 46 in the system shown in Figure 1, the center MSC 46 is merely an example network device and embodiments of the present invention is not limited to use in a network that uses MSC.

In one embodiment, the MSC center 46 can be coupled to a data network such as a local area network (LAN), regional network (MAN), and / or a wide area network (WAN). Center MSC 46 can be connected directly to the data network. However, in one exemplary embodiment, the center 46 is connected to the gateway MSC 48 GTW, and the GTW gateway 48 connects to the WAN, such as the Internet 50. In turn, devices such as processing elements (e.g., personal computers, servers, and so on. n.) can be connected to the mobile terminal 10 via the Internet 50. For example, as will be shown below, the processing elements can include one or more processing elements associated with a computing system 52, the source server 54 and / or the like.

The base station BS 44 can also be connected to a signaling unit 56 supporting GPRS (Signaling GPRS (General Packet Radio Service, General Packet Radio Service) Support Node (SGSN)). As is known to those skilled in the art, the SGSN node 56 is typically capable of performing functions similar to MSC center 46, for packet-switched services. Node SGSN 56 a similar center MSC 46 can be coupled to a data network such as the Internet 50. The SGSN node 56 can be connected directly to the data network. However, in a typical embodiment, the SGSN node 56 is connected to the basic packet switching network such as a GPRS core network 58. Basic packet switched network then connects the gateway 48 to another GTW, such as the gateway node 60 supporting GPRS (GGSN), and GGSN node 60 is connected to the Internet 50. In addition GGSN node 60, the base packet switched network may also be associated with the gateway 48 GTW . Also, the node GGSN 60 can connect to the messaging center. At the same GGSN nodes 60 and 56 of the SGSN, and the center of 46 MSC, are able to control forwarding of messages, such as MMS. Nodes GGSN 60 and SGSN 56 may also control the forwarding of messages for the mobile terminal 10 in the message center and the message center of the mobile terminal.

Furthermore, by connecting the node 56 to the SGSN GPRS core network 58 and the GGSN node device 60, such as a computing system 52 and / or the source server 54 may communicate with the mobile terminal 10 via the Internet 50, SGSN node 56 and GGSN node 60. Thus devices such as a computing system 52 and / or the source server 54, may communicate with mobile terminal 10 via the node SGSN 56, GPRS core network 58 and the GGSN node 60. By directly or indirectly connecting mobile terminals 10 and other devices (e.g., computing system 52, the source server 54, etc.) to the Internet 50, mobile terminals 10 may communicate with other devices and with one another, for example, via HTTP and / or similar protocol to implement the various functions of mobile terminals 10.

It should be noted that while the herein shown and described are not all possible all the elements of the mobile network, the mobile terminal 10 may communicate with one or more different networks through the base station BS 44. In this regard, the network (s) may communicate in accordance with any of the plurality of communication protocols, such as one or more mobile communication protocol of the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, third-generation (3G), 3,9G , fourth generation (4G) or the like. For example, one or more networks capable of supporting communication in accordance with 2G wireless communication protocols: IS-136 (TDMA), GSM and IS-95 (CDMA). Also, for example, one or more networks capable of supporting communication in accordance with the protocols of wireless 2.5G: GPRS, EDGE (Enhanced Data GSM Environment, improved GSM system for data transfer) or similar. Further, for example, one or more networks capable of supporting communication in accordance with 3G wireless communication protocols, such as E-UTRAN or UMTS network, which uses WCDMA radio access technology. In some networks, a narrowband analog mobile phone service (Narrow-Band Analog Mobile Phone Service (NAMPS)) and a system access communication (Total Access Communication System (TACS)) can also be applied advantages of embodiments of the present invention, like in mobile stations with two or more modes (eg, digital / analog or TDMA / CDMA / analog phones).

The mobile terminal 10 may also be connected to one or more wireless access points 62 (Access Point (AP)). Point 62 to access the AP may comprise access points configured to communicate with the mobile terminal 10 in such a manner as through RF channel (RF) technology Bluetooth (BT), according to the standard data transmission in the infrared (IrDA) or any other of the plurality of different standards of wireless networks, including wireless LAN technology (WLAN) such as IEEE 802.11 (e.g., 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, etc.), the technology WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access, a worldwide interoperability of microwave access wireless ) such as IEEE 802.16, and / or ultra radio technology UWB (Ultra Wideband), such as IEEE 802.15 and / or the like. AP 62 access points can be connected to the Internet 46 50. Similarly, the center of the MSC, the access point 62 AP can be directly connected to the Internet 50. However, in one embodiment, the access point AP 62 connected to the Internet 50 indirectly through a gateway 48 GTW. Furthermore, in one embodiment, a base station BS 44 is considered as another AP access point 62. Obviously, when directly or indirectly connecting mobile terminals 10, computing system 52, the server 54 of the source and / or a number of other devices to the Internet 50, mobile terminals 10 can communicate with each other, the computer system and other devices that allows various functions mobile terminals 10, such as data, content or the like computer system 52 and / or receiving data, content or the like from the computing system 52. As used herein, the terms "data," "content," "information," and similar terms are interchangeable and are used to convoy The shutter data that can transmit, receive and / or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. Thus, use of any of these terms does not limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Obviously, by direct or indirect connections mobile terminal 10, computing system 52, the server 54 of the source and / or a number of other devices to the Internet 50, mobile terminals 10 can communicate with one another, the computing system, the server 54 source and other devices that allows various functions of mobile terminals 10, such as data, content or the like computer system 52, the source server 54, etc. and / or receiving data, content or the like from a computer system 52, the source server 54, etc.

As to the relationship between the base station 44 and mobile terminal 10, the base station BS 44 can apply different antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. Antenna configuration may include equipping the BS 44 by one or more antennas that utilize various transmission diversity schemes. For example, in some embodiments, the base station BS 44 can comprise a single transmit antenna. In other typical embodiments, the base station BS 44 can comprise two transmit antennas that uses space-frequency block codes (SFBC, Space-Frequency Block Codes) as a transmission diversity scheme. In other typical embodiments, the base station BS 44 can comprise four transmit antennas that use circuit-switched transmission diversity frequency (Frequency Switched Transmit Diversity, FSTD) codes SFBC.

Wherein upon receiving information from the base station 44 the mobile terminal 10 may be "blind" to make an assumption about the antenna configuration and diversity scheme used by BS 44. Mobile terminal 10 makes this assumption on the antenna configuration and diversity scheme used by the base station at random, because at this point of interaction between the base station 44 and mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal may not have information about the characteristics of the base station 44. In essence, the mobile terminal 10 uses the assumption that this antenna configuration and diversity scheme to demodulate and decode the information transmitted by the base station 44. In some cases, the information transmitted by the base station 44 may comprise a SMF in subframe data, which is transmitted to a mobile terminal packet (intermittent) manner. Information transmitted by the base station 44 can also comprise CRC bits, associated to SRF. Mobile terminal 10 can demodulate and decode the SRF and the associated CRC bits, using the assumption that their antenna configuration and diversity scheme.

As mentioned above, the situation in which the mobile terminal has been made an incorrect assumption, but the data is demodulated and decoded properly by the mobile terminal. Thus, there is a false definition. To indeed verify that the mobile terminal has been made on the assumption is correct antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme of the base station 44 according to the invention can be used a method comprising masking CRC bits, associated to SRF. In some embodiments, the CRC bits can be masked by performing "exclusive OR" between these bits and a predetermined mask associated with the particular scheme and transmit diversity antenna configuration. Mask associated with a transmit diversity scheme and the configuration of the base station antenna 44, can be applied to the CRC bits at the base station before transmitting the SRF and the associated CRC bits. Upon receiving the SRF and the CRC bits, the mobile terminal can make an assumption regarding the antenna configuration and diversity scheme used by BS 44. Based on this assumption, the mobile terminal can select the appropriate mask and unmask the CRC bits. If the decovered CRC bits are consistent with the control channel via the SMF CRC, it is possible to determine that a correct assumption has been made regarding the antenna configuration and diversity scheme used by the base station 44. Alternatively, if the decovered CRC bits do not match with the control channel by using the SRF CRC, you can determine what went wrong assumption about the antenna configuration and the diversity scheme used by the base station 44, and can be made other assumptions.

For more information on masking of bits in connection with the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme can be found in US Patent Application No. 11/969794 entitled "Method and apparatus for transmitting information about the antenna configuration" and filed on 4 January 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference.

3a shows an example of a 16-bit CRC field according to various embodiments. CRC field 300 may comprise 16 bits (0 through 15) of information and can be used to verify the accuracy of the data associated with those bits CRC. In some embodiments, the SMF data channel can be used to determine the CRC bits and the CRC bits can be transmitted together with the SMF. Although the example shows a 16-bit CRC field 300, it is assumed that, in various embodiments, can be used any number of CRC bits. Bits CRC, which fill the field of CRC, may be used to ensure the intactness of data in the channel SRF. However, in various embodiments, the CRC bits are masked, thereby to transmit information regarding the antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme of the base station, or node eNodeB, to the mobile terminal without the need for additional proprietary information, such as additional bits of information.

Before applying the mask on the first mask CRC bits can be properly designed. In a conventional E-UTRAN system can be used three antenna configurations and associated transmit diversity schemes. E-UTRAN systems can include a single antenna configuration with no transmission diversity, a configuration with two antennas using a transmit diversity with the space-frequency block codes (SFBC), and a four antenna configuration utilizing FSTD scheme with SFBC. Although the example described relate to systems E-UTRAN with three antenna configurations and associated transmit diversity schemes, it is contemplated that the present invention may be used in other systems and / or systems with any number of antenna configurations and associated transmit diversity schemes . In the case of using a conventional E-UTRAN system, the invention may include the creation of three masks associated with each of the three antenna configurations and the E-UTRAN corresponding to the transmission diversity scheme.

When creating masks imposed on the CRC bits, may be used Hamming distance between the masks. The Hamming distance can describe the number of substitutions or other operations that need to be undertaken to convert a first entity, such as the sequence of the first mask, the second object, such as the sequence of the second mask. For example, the first bit sequence and the second sequence of 1111 bits 0000 have a Hamming distance of 4, since it requires four operations to replace 4 units of the first sequence of zeros to obtain the second sequence. Hamming distance also equal to four if operations to perform with the second sequence to produce a first sequence. Due to the presence of noise in wireless communications, in some cases it may be advantageous to increase and / or maximize the Hamming distance between two masks to reduce the likelihood of distortion of the CRC bits by noise to such an extent that there will be a situation in which an incorrect mask can result in the correct result control CRC.

Thus, when using the invention in a conventional E-UTRAN system three masks can be developed based on the Hamming distance between them. One way of developing three masks, according to the invention can be described based on Figure 3b. 3b shows an example of a 16-bit CRC field 310, which is divided into three parts, namely a first portion 320, second portion 330 and third portion 340. In the example CRC field 310 of the first portion contains 6 bits, the second portion comprises 5 bits and the third part contains 5 bits. Note that the number of parts and the number of bits in each portion of CRC field 310 shown just as an example and may be any number of bits in the parts and each part under the condition that each bit position of the CRC field is contained within only one such portion.

In various embodiments, the first mask MASK1 mask may be zero. In some respects zero mask may be preferable because the imposition of such a mask on a bit sequence results in a bit sequence identical to the original. In some embodiments, to reduce the amount of unnecessary calculations, overlay the mask on the sequence of zeros is not required, since the result is identical to the original data. Similarly, in some embodiments, which is to specify a mask which contains one unit, since computationally imposition of such a mask requires a bit-sequence replacing the values ​​of bits, which also reduces the amount of computation when applying a mask and its removal.

Furthermore, considering the Hamming distance, in this case, to obtain substantially equal hamming distances between the masks, a second mask MASK2 can according to the invention be formed by filling a first portion 320 units CRC fields. The second portion 330 may also be filled with units. Finally, the third part 340 may be filled with zeros. For the same reason, to form a third mask MASK3, the first part can be filled with 320 units, the second part 330 can be filled with zeros, and a third portion 340 can be filled units. As a result of this process will be obtained following three masks:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1111111111100000

MASK3 = 1111110000011111

Having created a set of masks, it is possible to evaluate the Hamming distance between them. One method of determining the hamming distance between two masks is to sum up the number of different bits in each part. Consequently, in this example, the Hamming distance between MASK1 and MASK2 can be determined by adding the bit length of the first portion, i.e. 6, with the bit length of the second part, i.e. 5, since all bits in the first and second parts of the different masks and all bits in the third part of these masks are the same. Thus, the Hamming distance between MASK1 and MASK2 is 11. Similarly, the hamming distance between MASK2 and MASK3 can be determined by adding the bit length of the second portion, i.e. 5, with the bit length of the third part, i.e. 5, since all bits in the second and third parts of the different masks and all bits in the first parts of these masks are the same. Thus, the Hamming distance between MASK2 and MASK3 is 10. The Hamming distance between two masks can also be calculated by applying the operation "XOR" two masks and then counting the number of units in the obtained result. These masks can be associated with the antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme, so that the mask MASK1 associated with single-antenna configuration mask MASK2 is associated with two-antenna configuration and MASK3 is associated with the mask chetyrehantennoy configuration. The Hamming distance between the three masks can be described as 11-11-10, or xyz, where x - Hamming distance between the single-antenna configuration mask and the two-antenna configuration mask, y - Hamming distance between the single-antenna configuration mask and the mask configuration, and chetyrehantennoy z - Hamming distance between the two-antenna configuration mask and the mask chetyrehantennoy configuration.

When selecting masks based on hamming distances between masks may be additional factors considered. For example, studies of conventional systems E-UTRAN indicates that the false determination, i.e. a situation in which not identified incorrect assumption of the antenna configuration and diversity scheme, a transmission more easily occur in cases where the erroneously selected single-antenna configuration, and the eNodeB uses the configuration with two antennas, and in those cases where the erroneously selected configuration with two antennas, and the eNodeB uses the single-antenna configuration. In addition, the probability of a false definition between the single-antenna configuration and configuration chetyrehantennoy higher than the probability of a false definition between the two-antenna configuration and chetyrehantennoy configuration. Thus, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to select mask sets with Hamming distance between the masks given these statistics so as to increase the likelihood that incorrect assumptions are identified. In connection with this set of masks according to the invention can be designed so that the largest Hamming distance between the masks will be single-antenna configuration and chetyrehantennoy configuration, and the smallest Hamming distance is between two-antenna configuration mask and chetyrehantennoy configuration. Thus, in regard to the above example 11-11-10 Hamming distance will correspond to the probabilities considered.

Moreover, using the process described above, it is possible to form various additional sets of masks can be achieved where desired Hamming distance. For example, it may be formed by a set of masks where the bit length of the first part of the CRC field is 8, the bit length of the second part of the CRC field is 4 and the bit length of the third part of the CRC field is 4. Using the above procedure concerning the placement of ones and zeros in the CRC field parts, obtain a result set of masks, described as 08/12/12. Further, using the same method, but with the bit length of the first portion of 10, the bit length of the second portion equal to 3 and the bit length equal to the third part 3 may define a set of masks, described as 13-13-6.

An additional factor that may be considered in various embodiments of the invention - is that noise in wireless systems tends to distort the data blocks following each other. This often takes place in relation to the sequences that use convolutional coding, such as the Strategic Missile Forces. In other words, bit errors are typically not distributed over the entire set of coded bits, are often concentrated in a block or sequence of erroneous bits, i.e. all errors are often found at a small distance from each other. If the distortion of the mask bits wrong becomes right, it's probably a false definition. To minimize the possibility of this situation, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to distribute the bits that have different values ​​in different masks, the entire mask, rather than using a larger portion of masks, which are substantially the same. For this purpose, in some embodiments the difference is at least one bit may take place within a predetermined block of bits within the sequence. For example, in blocks of two bits, these bits may be different or in blocks of four bits the third bit can be different from the others, etc. Additionally, the bits within each block need not have the same distribution. In this set of masks can be evaluated on a bit by bit basis to ensure that the difference between the positions of bits in each mask. This reduces the likelihood that distortion will lead to a false block definition, but retained the Hamming distance between the masks. For example, consider the following set of masks:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1111111111111111

MASK3 = 0000000011111111

This set of masks can be described as 8.8.16 against Hamming distances therebetween. However, it should be noted that the distortion of the block of the first eight bits of the mask MASK3 can result in a probability of false detection mask MASK2. A similar situation occurs when the damaged unit of the last eight bits of the mask MASK3, which leads to a probability of false detection mask MASK1.

However, if the ones and zeros in the mask MASK3 distribute mask MASK3 bit by bit to create a distinction between the positions of the bits in each mask can be formed next set of masks having the same Hamming distance Description 08/08/16:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1111111111111111

MASK3 = 0101010101010101

Note that for such a modification mask MASK3 required distortion of almost the entire length of the bit mask to trigger a probable false definition. It should also be noted that this set of masks satisfies the considerations relating to the probability of erroneous selection between different configurations of antennas in E-UTRAN, if the mask MASK1 associated with single-antenna configuration, MASK2 is associated with the mask is two-antenna configuration and MASK3 is associated with the mask chetyrehantennoy configuration. In this case, the Hamming distance 08/08/16 give the maximum distance between the single-antenna and two-antenna configuration, a configuration that, as said, the most problematic with respect false determinations. Similarly, the mask MASK3 could be replaced with 1010101010101010 combination with the same Hamming distance and the difference bits.

In this respect, it can be seen that the alternating one-zero combinations or zero-one provides an optimum difference bits within one mask. However, masks containing additional units or zeros, may give rise to identical values ​​of neighboring bits. One means of forming masks having a maximum difference between the bits, but still including more than eight units of eight zeros or may consist in that to start with a mask of zeros and two identical masks having an alternating structure, such 1010101010101010. In these two identical masks of alternating structure in the position of the first mask can be inserted into one or more units, and the same number of zeros can be inserted into the same position of the second mask, so that the newly introduced bits are placed evenly or as evenly as possible, by entire sequence of bits. Next, unnecessary bits at the end or beginning of the sequences can be removed. Similarly leading or trailing bits can be distributed uniformly removed before inserting new bit mask. Further, as a check, in those embodiments where one of the masks is a mask of zeros, the difference between the other two masks can be determined by performing a logical operation "XOR" between the two masks and analyzing the result, shows the difference between bits.

In view of the probability of false definitions and considerations relating to differences between the bits, you can create additional masks, where, for example, the Hamming distance between the first mask and the second mask is more than any other Hamming distances, and is supported by the maximum difference between bits of masks. A further example would be the structure of the Hamming distance 09/09/14 to the difference bits. This can be formed by the following mask:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1111011111110111

MASK3 = 0101101010101101

Similarly, it may be formed in the next set of masks that meet the same conditions:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1110111111111011

MASK3 = 0101101010101101

In some embodiments, these mask sets may also be desirable because studies have shown that a further reduction in false determinations when the Hamming distance is more than 8, becomes less significant. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce the Hamming distance between the mask and MASK1 MASK2, that is, the distance between the single-antenna and two-antenna configurations to increase the distance between the mask and MASK1 MASK3, as well as masks and MASK2 MASK3. In some embodiments, the difference may be used Hamming distances between masks less than the predetermined number, for example 2 or 3. In this case, an additional set of masks, which leads to a more balanced structure can be described as 10/10/12. Such a set of masks can be as follows:

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1011101110111011

MASK3 = 0110110101101101

In addition to creating a set of different masks based on the factors described above, in some embodiments, form a set of masks can be manipulated to create a new set of masks, where the new set of masks retains some or all of the characteristics of the original mask set. Manipulation set of masks may be desirable for various reasons. One such reason may be related to situations in which the signal strength is low or there are other types of distortion, such as, for example, a DC offset, which may occur after demodulating the signal consisting of all zeros. This may appear after decoding the sequence of zeros that can also meet the CRC code of zeros. In such situations, using a mask of zeros may be a false definition. In such cases it may be advantageous to manipulate the set of masks, which takes into account the factors discussed above, and has a mask of zeros. In this way possible to generate a set of masks that does not include a mask of zeros, but preserves the Hamming distance and the difference between the initial set of bit masks.

According to some embodiments of the invention for transforming an original set of masks into a new set of masks that preserves the Hamming distance and the difference between the initial set of bit masks may be used scrambling mask. Scrambling mask can be a sequence of bits equal in bit length, and the lengths of masks applied to each mask set to generate a new set of masks. In some embodiments, the masking scrambling may include performing a logical operation "XOR" on the original mask using the scrambling mask to generate a new mask. This process may be repeated for each mask from the initial set of masks.

For example, consider the masking 0011001100110011 to scramble the next set of masks that can be described as 08/08/16, using the logical operation "XOR":

MASK1 = 0000000000000000

MASK2 = 1111111111111111

MASK3 = 0101010101010101

The resulting set of masks where the operation "XOR" is executed for each bit of each mask with the appropriate mask bit scrambling is as follows:

MASK1 = 0011001100110011

MASK2 = 1100110011001100

MASK3 = 0110011001100110

Note that the resultant mask set maintains the structure 08/08/16 distances, but bits changed to obtain a new set of masks. Also note that the mask of zeros was excluded from the set of masks. With regard to the exclusion of zero mask from a set of masks, it is possible to take into account, as mentioned above, that the imposition of a zero mask requires no additional computational cost, since the resulting mask will be the same as the original. With this in mind, it may be desirable to select a scrambling mask so that it was equivalent to an existing mask from a set of masks. Thus after applying the scrambling mask to the set of masks result masking identical scrambling mask is a mask of zeros. If, for example, it is expected that a four antenna case will be the main mode of operation may be appropriate to select a mask of zeros only for the case of four antennas to exploit the reduction of the computational complexity associated with this mask as often as possible.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, a set of masks can be applied permutation or interleaving function to form a new set of masks having the same attributes as that of the original mask, but altered sequences of bits. Permutation or interleaving function can perform bitwise reordering set of masks to obtain a new set of masks. In some embodiments, a permutation or interleaving function can result in a set of masks having the same hamming distances, but other difference between bits. For example, a cyclic permutation function can move the last bit (s) of each mask in the position of the first bit (s) and shift the remaining bits in the more significant bits of the position (to the right). Note that the resulting mask will have the same distribution of the Hamming distance, but the difference between the bit masks may be changed. Thus, in some embodiments, a permutation or interleaving function can be used to generate masks having altered differences between the bits, but preserving the distribution of the Hamming distance, associated with the initial set of masks.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of transmitting and receiving the SRF in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Procedure 4 is directed to the use of a mask to the CRC bits to provide antenna configuration information and may also be used to verify that the user equipment to determine the correct antenna configuration.

Briefly predefined separate mask for each antenna configuration and / or transmit diversity schemes, such as the first mask for a configuration with a single antenna, the second mask configuration with two antennas using SFBC, and a third mask for a configuration with four antennas utilizing FSTD. At least a few bits, transmitted by the network entity, such as base station 44, and received by the user equipment, impose mask associated with the particular antenna configuration of the network entity. In one embodiment, the mask is applied to the channel bits SRF. In particular, usually includes the SMF channel information bits and CRC bits, which are calculated on the basis of information bits to check said information bits. In this embodiment, the CRC bits are masked.

In one embodiment, where the mask is superimposed on the CRC bits, Transmission and reception SRF shown in Figure 4, step 400 includes determining a set of masks based on the hamming distances and bit differences, computing bits, such as CRC bits, in step 405, obtaining a mask based on antenna configurations and / or diversity schemes transmitting network entity, such as a base station or node eNodeB, in step 410, use the bits received mask in step 415, combining the masked bits and information bits SRF to generate a packet SMF at step 420 and SMF transmission of the packet at step 430. As shown in Figure 4, after the transmission of the UE receives packets SMF in step 440 and then determines a mask which has been used before checking the information bits, for example, in some embodiments, by performing the control procedures CRC for decovered bit CRC. In one embodiment, in step 450 determined a mask by selecting the assumed antenna configuration and / or transmit diversity schemes and associated masks, then step 460 is performed decover the received bits on the basis of the selected mask to perform the analysis of the received bits in step 470, and at step 480 determined by antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. On the basis of the mask, which is defined as a user equipment used by the base station is determined by this mask associated with the antenna configuration information, which allows properly and reliably perform demodulation of the information bits and / or used to confirm the preliminary assumption of the antenna configuration.

At step 400, according to one embodiment of the invention define a set of masks. The set of masks can be determined by any entity that is connected to a communications network or otherwise. Furthermore, regardless of which entity determines the set of masks, in some embodiments, the appropriate mask for a base station that is the mask associated with the antenna configuration of the base station and transmit diversity schemes can be known to the base station, and the entire set of available masks It can be known by mobile terminals. The set of masks can be determined based on hamming distances between the masks, the differences between the bits, or a combination of these approaches. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the set of masks can be determined based on such factors as the additional computational cost, the probability and the probability of false determinations distortion bits block. In some embodiments, the mask can be determined such that upon superimposing one of at least three different antenna configurations and / or transmission diversity schemes can be uniquely determined. In addition, a set of masks and shaped masks communication with antenna configurations and transmission diversity schemes can be known not only base station but also the user equipment with which the base station will communicate. In some embodiments, the generated set of masks can be stored in the user equipment even before any of the communications between the base station and the UE, e.g., during initial configuration of the user equipment. When the user equipment receives the data, it can make a selection from a set of masks. In some embodiments, the mask can be a bit mask, a bit sequence having a length equal to the number of masked bits, such as the number of CRC bits, associated with the SMF.

At step 405 bits is calculated, such as, for example, CRC bits. CRC bits are calculated on the basis of the channel information bits SRF. CRC code for the SMF may be calculated by any known method. CRC bits can compute the base station, such as BS 44, a computing device connected to a base station, or any other means.

At step 410, the mask can be obtained from the predetermined set of masks. The mask can be obtained from the predetermined set of masks where each mask associated with a single antenna configuration and / or a separate diversity transmission scheme. In some embodiments, the mask may be prepared so that when it is used the unambiguous detection of at least three different antenna configurations and / or transmission diversity scheme. Since the mask in the predetermined set of masks can be associated with different antenna configurations and transmission diversity schemes, in some embodiments, the mask can be obtained based on the antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme of the base station.

In step 415 bits mask obtained by applying a mask on these bits. Application of the mask at step 410, for example, CRC bits can be performed by any known method such as a logical operation "XOR". Since in some embodiments, the mask is selected based on the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme, the application of the mask introduces a resultant signal to the information about at least the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. While this embodiment is directed to the use of the obtained mask to CRC bits, in other embodiments may use any other bit sequence. In some embodiments, to create a mask is applied to the channel bits SRF.

In step 420 the masked bits are combined with the information to generate a package RVSN RVSN. In some embodiments, the CRC bits attached to the information bits after channel SMF masking. In other embodiments, the use of masks CRC in step 410 is performed after joining the CRC bits to the information bits SMF channel. Additionally, in some embodiments, in step 420, the encoding operation may be performed to ensure that forward error correction (FEC), which is applied to the information bits and the masked SMF channel bits CRC. Data bits channel SRF and masked CRC bits can be encoded at a low rate code, such as one-ninth. Furthermore, in some embodiments, masking is performed after the encoding procedure for a forward error correction FEC, resulting in masking the encoded data of the antenna configuration in a special way, sometimes called scrambling.

Furthermore, in step 420 can be performed, channel coding and rate matching. In some embodiments, masking of the bits can be performed after channel coding or rate matching, since all these are linear operations. Since channel coding and rate matching may have an effect on the value of the masked bits, such as CRC bits SMF channel used mask can be changed, for example, by using a scrambling function or a permutation or interleaving function. The formation and channeling mask will also consider the effects of channel coding and / or rate matching on the bits which will ultimately be transmitted. In this case, the Hamming distance between the masks generated set of masks and overlays, as such, may be determined taking into account the impact of channel coding and / or rate matching. That is, it may be selected a set of masks, wherein the Hamming distance and the difference bits consider how these masks will be affected by channel coding and / or rate matching.

For example, suppose that uses very simple channel encoder that adds a parity bit between each of the data bits in the sequence. After adding parity bits mask of zeros will still include only zeros. The mask of one unit, which has before encoding largest Hamming distance from the mask of zeros, is encoded by such an encoder mask 1010101 ... however, mask 1010101 ... that is before encoding a smaller Hamming distance coded mask 1101110111 ... which is, after coding a greater distance Hamming than a mask of all ones. This example shows that the Hamming distance between the masks before and after coding may vary and therefore can be optimized differently before and after encoding. Obviously encoders that are used may be more complex than in this simple example, but the principle remains the same. Similarly, puncturing will remove some of the encoded bits and also may affect differently on the Hamming distance and the difference bits. In essence, the desired Hamming distance and the difference bits can be obtained for bits immediately prior to transmission, where the likelihood of data corruption is high. When this mask can be generated and superimposed after channel coding and rate matching, if the mask used is, for example, an encoded mask. Similarly, a mask can be formed and superposed before channel coding and / or rate matching when the masks take into consideration the effects that channel coding and / or rate matching has to transmit the resulting bit sequence. In some embodiments, to determine the set of masks having the desired Hamming distance after channel coding and / or rate matching may be performed to search for all the potential masks, a significant number of masks can be selected at random or can be selected masks that have at at least a good Hamming distance before encoding. Masks having desirable hamming distances can be selected from this set. In addition, a set of masks can be determined according to any other embodiments described herein, the invention.

At step 430 are transmitted packet SRF. Package SRF may be broadcast by the base station, such as BS 44, or other means. In some embodiments, the packet is transmitted as SRF samodekodiruemyh four packets. In some embodiments, the transmission may include displaying the SMF resource elements reserved for the channel SRF, and SMF transmission of the packet over a wireless interface according to the antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme that are associated with the selected mask. Furthermore, in some embodiments, step 430 also performs modulation and encoding SRF packet transmission diversity.

At step 440 the user equipment, such as a mobile terminal 10 or other device that receives a packet SRF. In some embodiments, the SMF packet may be received in four samodekodiruemyh packets. In some embodiments, the operations subsequent to receiving the packet, at step 440 the SMF may be carried out, for example, in a mobile terminal specular manner with respect to operations 405, 410, 415 and 420, implemented by a base station.

In step 450, it is assumed antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity schemes and selected associated mask (ie a mask associated with the proposed antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme) of a predetermined set of masks. In step 450 performs demodulation RVSN package by using information about the proposed antenna configuration. In some embodiments for performing the demodulation can be used on the assumption most robust antenna configuration, i.e. the configuration with the largest number of antennas. In addition, in some embodiments, the estimated antenna configuration is determined based on the mapping of resource elements. In embodiments where FEC encoding takes place, the user equipment can perform FEC decoding after performing a demodulation. Furthermore, in some embodiments, at step 450 the user equipment may also be carried out channel decoding and rate matching.

In step 460 the user equipment performs the unmasking received bits. When performing demasking using the mask which is associated with the assumed antenna configuration of the base station. In some embodiments, the unmasking step is applied to the masked bits, such as the masked CRC bits, by any known method, for example, by a logical operation "XOR".

At step 470, an analysis of the received bits to determine which mask was utilized to mask the bits prior to transmission. In some embodiments, the analysis of the received bits consist of a control bit of CRC. In some embodiments, a CRC can be computed on the received channel information bits SRF. CRC bits, computed on the received channel information bits SMF then compared with unmasked CRC bits, as part of this analysis. In some embodiments, the comparison may be accomplished by applying the operation "XOR" for decovered CRC bits and the CRC bits, computed by the user equipment received information bits SMF channel. In other embodiments, the analysis may include a comparison between the CRC bits, which have been calculated by the user equipment and the received still masked CRC bits, for example, by the operation "XOR". Here, if the result of operation "XOR" coincides with the mask associated with the assumed antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme, then the assumption regarding the antenna configuration is correct and it is determined which of a plurality of predetermined mask bit masks has been applied to the data bits.

In step 480 is determined by antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. If the test result in step 470 is a match, then the mask used to mask the bits is known and it is determined that the assumption of user equipment antenna configuration was correct. In some embodiments, if the CRC check indicates a match, the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme selected by the user equipment can be considered highly reliable.

If, at step 470 matches the result of analysis has been detected, in some embodiments, to determine the antenna configuration and / or transmit diversity schemes, the procedure returns to Step 450, demodulates the packet SRF based on different masks and therefore a different information about the proposed antenna configuration . In other embodiments, when there is no match as a result of the analysis in step 470 the procedure returns to Step 460 and using another mask for demasking CRC bits. The additional demodulation of the received packet is not RVSN made. Also, in some embodiments where the masking bit CRC is used, calculating CRC with different masks can be implemented very efficiently. First, the CRC bits are calculated without any mask, that is equivalent to the mask containing all zeros. If the CRC bits are all zeros, then use a mask with all zeros, and is determined by the corresponding antenna configuration. Otherwise, the CRC bits are compared with the other possible masks. If the result of these comparisons is the coincidence, is defined by the corresponding antenna configuration. It should be noted that in this embodiment does not require recalculation of the CRC for different masks. In particular, it is not required to pass through all of the data bits CRC generator polynomial, which is the difficult part for generating CRC. As a result, you only need a simple comparison of the result of the CRC calculation with a set of defined masks, which is a very simple operation.

Furthermore, in some embodiments, in the absence of coincidence decision to return to the demodulation operation 450 or to simply demasking CRC bits with a different mask in step 460 may be based on the signal / noise ratio. In cases where the signal / noise ratio is high, a simple return to the unmasking operation can be more efficient, but if the signal / noise ratio is low, more efficient operations will return to the demodulation RVSN package based on the new assumption. In accordance with various embodiments may be taken into account other factors such as the complexity of the treatment, when the decision to return to the demodulation based on the new assumption that requires further processing, or return to the unmasking on the basis of a new assumption, which require less processing. In a further embodiment, the CRC bits are first unmask at step 460 using a different mask, and if the result is negative, then the decision to return to operation at the demodulation step 450. Regardless of returning to Step 450 or 460, this procedure can be repeated until until a match is found which defines the antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme.

In another embodiment, the functions described above with regard to data transmission, may be implemented in the device. The apparatus may include a processor configured to determine a set of bit masks based upon hamming distances between the masks and bit differences between the masks, for example, so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit difference between the masks. Furthermore, in some embodiments, Hamming distance and the difference bits can consider factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits. The processor may be configured to compute bits, such as CRC bits, obtaining a mask based on a antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme, the network entity and applying the obtained mask to these bits. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to combine the masked bits and information bits for the packet generation SRF and SRF to SRF provide a package for transmission.

In another embodiment, the functions described above with regard to data reception, can be realized in the device. The apparatus may include a processor configured to receive a packet SRF and then selecting the assumed antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme and a corresponding mask. The processor may be configured to select a mask from a set of bit patterns which are determined based on hamming distances between the masks and bit differences between the masks, for example, so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit difference between the masks. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to select a mask from a set of bit patterns which are determined based on hamming distances between the masks, so that the Hamming distance and the difference bits into account factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to decover the received bits using the selected mask prior to performing the analysis of the received bits and determining the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. Furthermore, the processor may be configured to determine which antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme was utilized to transmit the received burst by determining which mask was utilized prior to transmitting packet SRF.

In another embodiment, the functions described above with regard to data transmission, may be implemented in the method. The method may include defining a set of bit masks based upon hamming distances between the masks and bit differences between the masks, for example, so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit differences between the masks. Furthermore, in some embodiments, Hamming distance and the difference bits can consider factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits. The method may include computing bits, such as CRC bits, obtaining a mask based on a antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme, the network entity and applying the obtained mask to these bits. Furthermore, the method can include combining the masked bits and information bits for the packet generation SRF and SRF to SRF provide a package for transmission.

In another embodiment, the functions described above with regard to data reception, can be realized in the process. The method may include receiving a packet SRF and then selecting the assumed antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme and a corresponding mask. The method may also include selecting a mask from a set of bit patterns which are determined based on hamming distances between the masks and bit differences between the masks, for example, so as to maximize the Hamming distance between the masks and bit difference between the masks. Furthermore, the method may also include selecting a mask from a set of bit patterns which are determined based on hamming distances between the masks and bit differences, so that the Hamming distance and the difference bits into account factors such as the probability of false determinations and the possibility of corrupting blocks of bits. Furthermore, the method may include decover the received bits using the selected mask prior to performing the analysis of the received bits and determining the antenna configuration and / or transmission diversity scheme. Furthermore, the method can include determining which antenna configuration and transmission diversity scheme was utilized to transmit the received burst by determining which mask was utilized prior to transmitting packet SRF.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a network entity such as a base station 44 and the user equipment, such as a mobile terminal 10 that implement embodiments of the present invention running a computer program product. A computer program product for implementing the invention includes computer readable media and computer-readable part of the program code, such as a series of computer instructions stored on computer readable media.

4 is a block diagram of methods, apparatuses and program products according to embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that each block or step of the block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts may be implemented by computer program instructions. Computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus, such as a processor, e.g., controller 20 associated with mobile terminal 10 or a processor associated with the base station 44 in order to create the device so that the commands in the performance of a computer or other programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions specified in the block (s) or step (steps) block diagram. Computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable memory and direct a computer or other programmable device to provide its function in a certain way, when the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce a product comprising instruction means, which carries out the functions specified in the block ( s) or step (steps) block diagram. Computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to run a series of functional steps carried out by the computer or other programmable apparatus to create computer executable process, wherein the instructions executable by the computer or other programmable apparatus provide steps for implementing the functions specified in the block (s) or step (steps) block diagram.

Accordingly, blocks or steps of the flowchart support combinations of means for performing the specified functions, combinations of steps for performing the specified functions and program instruction means for performing the specified functions. It should be understood that each block or step of the flowchart, and combinations of blocks or steps in the flowchart can be implemented in hardware-based computer systems, special purpose that perform the specified functions or steps, or based on combinations of special-purpose hardware and computer instructions.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the present invention as set forth herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which these embodiments are based on ideas presented in the foregoing description and drawings. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are included within the scope of the appended claims. Although herein specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not limitation.