CLIAMS:We Claim:

1. A method for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:

Mapping at least a System Information Block (SIB) message into a System Information (SI) message in which SIB messages of same periodicity are mapped to a single SI message;

Segmenting statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe known a priori;

Scheduling and signaling the SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1); and

Transmitting the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is set to ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, each of the segmented SI message is transmitted in a single subframe wherein, the predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in a single subframe is known a priori.

3. A method for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
Receiving the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
Decoding the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling with SI-RNTI;
Buffering the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received with bit set to ‘1’ for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment; and
Discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh.

4. The eNodeB for SI message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A mapping module, adapted to map SIB messages of same periodicity to a single SI message;
An adding module, adapted to add a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information;
A segmenting module, adapted to segment statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe; and

A transmitting module, adapted to transmit the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message and and adapted to transmit the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information over SIB type 1 (SIB1).

5. The User Equipment (UE) for SI message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A receiving module, adapted to receive the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
A decoding module, adapted to decode the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling SI-RNTI and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh; and
An assembly module, adapted to buffer the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received with bit set to ‘1’ for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment.

6. The Wireless communication system comprising of:
An eNodeB for SI message communication on a wireless channel over which the transmitter and receivers communicate in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A mapping module, adapted to map SIB messages of same periodicity to a single SI message;
An adding module, adapted to add a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information;
A segmenting module, adapted to segment statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe; and

A transmitting module, adapted to transmit the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is set to ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message and adapted to transmit the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information over SIB type 1 (SIB1).

7. The Wireless communication system of claim 7 further comprising of:
A receiving module, adapted to receive the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
A decoding module, adapted to decode the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling SI-RNTI and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh; and
An assembly module, adapted to buffer the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment.
,TagSPECI:FORM 2
THE PATENTS ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
THE PATENTS RULES, 2003

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10, rule 13)

TITLE: “System Information message communication by static segmenting”

Tejas Networks Limited
Plot No: 25, JP Software Park
Electronic City, Phase 1,
Hosur Road,
Bangalore – 560100, Karnataka, India

Nationality: INDIA

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates ‘System Information’ message communication in LTE deployed wireless communication systems.
Background
The Long Term Evolution (LTE) is a new terrestrial mobile communication standard currently being standardized by the 3GPP. The Radio Access Network (RAN) of LTE is named as the Evolved-Universal Mobile Telecommunication Systems Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN). The E-UTRAN physical layer is based on Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM). More precisely; the downlink transmission scheme is based on conventional OFDM using a cyclic prefix while the uplink transmission is based on single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) techniques. LTE supports both frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD).
System Information (SI) in an LTE system is divided into a number of System Information Blocks (SIBs) and Master Information Block (MIB). The MIB includes limited number of most essential and frequently transmitted parameters to acquire other information from the cell. SI is defined in 3GPP TS 36.300 as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message carrying a number of System Information Blocks (SIBs) that have the same periodicity. Each System Information Block (SIB) contains a set of related system information parameters. System Information BlockType1 (SIB1) is transmitted alone, separately from other SI-messages. SIBs other than SIB1 are carried in SI messages and mapping of System Information Blocks to SI messages is flexibly configurable by using a scheduling Information parameter included in SIB1, with restrictions that each SIB is contained only in a single SI message. Only SIBs having the same scheduling (periodicity) requirement can be mapped to the same SI message. In the prior art, the number of SI bits that can be transmitted in any subframe is limited and the SI message should be transmitted in one subframe. There is another restriction in terms of ‘maximum of bits that can be transmitted over a single subframe’. This restriction is due to channel condition, modulation and coding scheme, etc. This restriction requires that an SI message formed of multiple SIBs need to be segmented; but, there is no method defined for this segmentation.
This limits the number of System Information Block (SIB) messages that can be mapped to a single SI message. This decreases the number of SIB messages that can be mapped to a single SI message thereby delaying the acquisition of SI messages by UE, which as a consequence increases the power consumption of UE.
Therefore there is a need to provide flexibility in mapping SIB messages to a single SI message thereby providing opportunity for faster acquisition of SI messages by User Equipment (UE), which as a consequence reduces the UE power consumption.
Summary
The summary represents the simplified condensed version of the claimed subject matter and it is not an extensive disclosure of the claimed subject matter. The summary neither identifies key or critical elements nor delineates the scope of the claimed subject matter. The summary presents the simplified form of the claimed subject matter and acts as a prelude to the detailed description that is given below.
The present invention and its embodiments are made to provide for a feasible solution for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system.
The method of the invention provides for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of mapping at least a System Information Block (SIB) message into a System Information (SI) message in which SIB messages of same periodicity are mapped to a single SI message. The method further comprising of segmenting statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe known a priori. The method further comprising of adding a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and signaling the number of SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1); and transmitting the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment number is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is 1 then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message.
The method further comprising of: receiving the signaling of the static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI ; decoding the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling SI-RNTI ;buffering the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment; and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh.
Another aspect relates to system facilitating the above method of ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system. Another aspect relates to eNodeB and User Equipment (UE) facilitating the above method of ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system.
Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Description of the Drawings
The features, advantages and other aspects of the embodiments of the present invention will be obvious to any person skilled in the art to appreciate the invention when read with the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates mapping SIBs to an SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication systems as known in the prior art.
Figure 2 is an illustrative representation of SIBs mapped to a single SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 is an illustrative representation of SIBs mapped to a single SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication system in accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 represents indicating the transmitted segments as part of previously transmitted segments by using a 1 bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe.

Figure 5 is a block diagram representing the functions performed by scheduling device in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

Figure 6 is a block diagram representing the functions performed by the UE in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The figures are not drawn to scale and are illustrated for simplicity and clarity to help understand the various embodiments of the present invention. Throughout the drawings it should be noted that like reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features and structures.
Detailed Description
The following descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and their equivalents. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of exemplary embodiments of the present invention are provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

In the figures certain embodiments are shown in block diagrams in order to facilitate describing those embodiments. The term module, system and the like are intended to refer to an entity or entities within a communication network node comprising of; hardware, software, a combination of hardware and software. For e.g., module may be, but not limited to being, a process running on a processor, a processor, an integrated circuit, or a computer. Both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be a module. A module may be localized on one computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. The components may communicate by way of local and/or remote processes.
The present invention and its embodiments are mainly described in relation to 3GPP specifications and standards (LTE-Advanced) for applicability of certain exemplary embodiments. For exemplary purposes only, most of the embodiments are outlined according to the LTE-Advanced mobile communication system with the solution to the problem discussed in the background. The terminology used is therefore related thereto. Such terminology is used in the context of describing the embodiments of the invention and it does not limit the invention in any way. Any other network architecture or system deployment, etc., may be applicable for/in any kind of modern and future communication network including any mobile/wireless communication networks/systems as long as it is compliant with the features described herein.
The techniques described herein may be used for various wireless communication networks such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, CDMA implementing radio technology such as Universal Terrestrial Radio Access(UTRA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, TDMA implementing radio technology such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) networks, OFDMA implementing radio technology such as Evolved URTA (E-UTRA), SC-FDMA networks. This invention is applicable to Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) as well as Time Division Duplex (TDD).
User equipment (UE) used in the following description denotes various terminologies used like an access terminal (AT), wireless communication device, terminal, wireless handset, computer or wireless module, wireless module for use with a computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), tablet computer or device.
In 3GPP LTE, a Base station may be referred to as evolved Node B or eNodeB. For the sake of simplicity and brevity in the following description the term eNodeB used generically to mean the functions performed by nodes referred to in the context of explaining functions associated with a ‘Base station’, Access Point, a Node B, an enhanced Node B, Base station, Evolved Node B, eNB, radio access stations (RASs), or Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) and the like.
LTE system information is one of the key aspects of the air interface. It consists of the Master Information Block (MIB) and a number of System Information Blocks (SIBs). The MIB carries the most essential information that is needed for the UE to acquire other information from the cell. It includes the downlink channel bandwidth, the Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel (PHICH) configuration, the SFN (System Frame Number) which helps with synchronization and acts as a timing reference the eNodeB transmit antenna configuration etc. The MIB is broadcast on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), while SIBs are sent on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) through Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages. SIB1 is carried by "SystemInformationBlockType1" message. It includes information related to UE cell access and defines the schedules of other SIBs, such as the PLMN Identities of the network, the tracking area code (TAC) and cell ID, cell barring status, to indicate if a UE may camp on the cell or not, transmissions times and periodicities of other SIBs etc. SIB2 and other SIBs are carried by "System Information (SI)" message.
The SIB2 contains radio resource configuration information common for all UEs, including the uplink carrier frequency and the uplink channel bandwidth (in terms of the number of Resource Blocks, for example n25, n50), the Random Access Channel (RACH) configuration, the paging configuration such as the paging cycle etc.
SIB3 contains information common for intra-frequency, inter-frequency, and/or inter-RAT cell reselection. SIB4contains the intra-frequency neighboring cell information for Intra-LTE intra-frequency cell reselection, such as neighbor cell list, black cell list, and Physical Cell Identities (PCIs) for Closed Subscriber Group (CSG etc. SIB5contains the neighbor cell related information for Intra-LTE inter-frequency cell-reselection, such as neighbor cell list, carrier frequency, cell reselection priority, threshold used by the UE when reselecting a higher/lower priority frequency than the current serving frequency, etc. An SI message can contain one or several SIBs. LTE contemplates SIBs upto 32, which offers scope to map SIBs ranging from SIB 2 to SIB 32 in a single SI message. Only SIBs having the same scheduling (periodicity) requirement can be mapped to the same SI message. SIB2 is always mapped to the SI message that corresponds to the first entry in the list of SI messages in the scheduling information parameter.
The MIB uses a fixed schedule with a periodicity of 40ms and repetitions made within 40ms. The first transmission of the MIB is scheduled in subframe #0 of radio frames for which the System Frame Number (SFN) mod 4 = 0 and repetitions are scheduled in subframe #0 of all other radio frames. The SIB1 uses a fixed schedule with a periodicity of 80ms and repetitions made within 80ms. SIB1 is scheduled in subframe #5 of radio frames for which SFN mod 8 = 0 and repetitions are scheduled in subframe #5 of all other radio frames for which SFN mod 2 = 0.The SI messages are transmitted with periodically occurring time domain windows (referred to as SI-windows) using a dynamic scheduling mechanism.
Each SI message is associated with a SI-window and the SI-windows of different SI messages do not overlap. That is, within one SI-window only the corresponding SI is transmitted. The length of the SI-window is common for all SI messages and is configurable. Within the SI-window, the corresponding SI message can be transmitted a number of times in any subframe other than subframes where SIB1 is present (i.e. subframe #5 of radio frames for which SFN mod 2 = 0), any uplink subframes in Time Division Duplex (TDD) and any MBSFN subframes. SIB1 configures the SI window length and the transmission periodicity for the SI messages. For TDD networks, SIB1 configures TDD configuration which includes subframe assignment and special subframe configuration. SIB2 configures the MBSFN-subframe configuration which defines subframes that are reserved for MBSFN in downlink.
Referring to 3GPP Technical Specification (TS 36.331) System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1) includes the ‘Scheduling Info List’ parameter which contains the scheduling information for SI messages and mapping of SIB messages (SIB2 to SIB 32) to SI messages. Further it explains the SI acquisition procedure which includes determination of the start radio frame and start sub frame for the SI messages. From the above references it is understood that there is flexibility in mapping multiple SIBs to a single SI message. But the SI message has to be transmitted fully in one subframe and it can be transmitted any number of times within SI-window.
However, the associated problem is that the number of SI bits that can be transmitted in any subframe is limited. Maximum bits that can be transmitted in any sub frame is 456 considering the fact that modulation order for SI-RNTI has been fixed as Qm=2 (QPSK Modulation) wherein maximum value of I (TBS) for Qm=2 is 9 and by inferring that if DCI Format 1A is scrambled. Similarly the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted will be 256 bits if DCI Format 1C is scrambled with SI-RNTI. From the above, it can be inferred that the maximum number of bits of SI that can be transmitted in one subframe is 456 bits. This limits the number of SIB messages that can be mapped to a single SI message and may not be sufficient when multiple SIBs are mapped to a single SI message. Maximum number of Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs) that can be allocated for SI transfer is 3.
Figure 1 illustrates mapping SIBs to an SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication systems as known in the prior art. SI message is bundled into MAC SDU and transported as ‘Transparent MAC PDU’ on DLSCH transport channel. As an example SIB2 and SIB3 in column 11 are mapped to a single SI message SI1 as shown in column 13 having same periodicity as shown in column 12. Similarly SIB4 and SIB5 are mapped to SI message SI2 and SIB6 is mapped to SI3 based on the assumption that combined size of SIB2 and SIB3 is less than the predefined threshold value of bits (i.e., N bits) that can be transmitted in a single subframe and if SIB4 is added to the same SI, the total size of SIB2, SIB3, SIB4 exceeds the N bits.
Further it is assumed that SI-window length is 5 milli-seconds (ms) and the SI-periodicity of SI1, SI2 is 8 radio frames (i.e., 80 ms) as shown in column 15. Only SIB1 transmission is shown to overlap in the SI-window in the example on subframe 5 in radio frame SFN mod 2=0 as shown in column 14. Further it is assumed that Medium Access Control (MAC) scheduler schedules SI messages in all transmission opportunities in the corresponding SI-window. Scheduling requirements of SI1 and SI2 (Sub Frame (SF) and System Frame Number (SFN) on which SI are transmitted are derived as per 3GPP TS 36.331. From the figure 1 it is clear that SI1, SI2 and SI3 are scrambled with SI-RNTI and transmitted as a whole within each transmission opportunity in the corresponding SI-window.
Figure 2 and 3 is an illustrative representation of SIBs mapped to a single SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication system in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. The exemplary embodiments provides for enabling static segmentation as there is flexibility in mapping SIBs to a single SI message. As an exemplary embodiment, the static segmentation may be implemented in any scheduling device within an eNodeB or similar network elements deployed in a wireless communication system wherein, the predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in a single subframe is known a priori. The scheduling device may be a MAC scheduler. In Static Segmenting technique, the receiver is notified apriori by the transmitter about the number of segments that will transmitted per SI messages during or within every SI modification period. SI modification period is the time during which the SI messages and the information within the messages do not change. The number of segments an SI message is segmented depends on channel condition, modulation and coding scheme, etc. If maximum number of permitted bits for transmission is 456 bits then an SI message of 1000 bits will be segmented into 3 segments (as an example 450 bits, 450 bits, 100 bits). Remaining bits are zero padded. The segmentation can be arbitrary, e.g. 400 bits, 350 bits and 250 bits. An SI message can be formed by multiple SIBs. E.g., SIB2, SIB3 and SIB4. SIB1 is always present in subframe number 5 (SF#5) and SIB2 is always present in SI#1. The number of segment is notified in SIB1, for every SI message, during every opportunity for SIB1.
Figure 2 shows an illustrative representation of SIBs mapped to a single SI message and transmitting as per LTE deployed wireless communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
As an example SIB2, SIB3 and SIB4 in column 22 are mapped to a single SI message SI1 as shown in column 24 having same periodicity as shown in column 23 without the limitation of predefined threshold value of bits (i.e., N bits) that can be transmitted in a single subframe. Similarly SIB5 and SIB6are mapped to SI message SI2.
Considering that the size of SI1 exceeds N bits (maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a single transmission opportunity) SI1 is statically segmented based on the size of SI bits that can be transmitted in that subframe. When static segmentation is enabled, SI messages may be segmented into different segments (i.e., SI-Segment1, SI-Segment2,….SI-Segment n) known a priori. In the illustrated case, SI1 is segmented to 2 SI-Segments SI1S1 and SI1S2 and SI2 is segmented into 6 segments SI2S1, SI2S2, SI2S3, SI2S4, SI2S5 and SI2S6 known a priori.
1stsegment of SI1 i.e., N bits in one subframe is designated as SI1S1. In this example, an assumption is made that SFN0 is the start radio frame in the modification period. SI1S1 is transmitted in System Frame Number 0(SFN0) as indicated in column 25 and in Sub Frame 0 (SF0) as indicated in row 27 by mapping it to SI-RNTI. Same process of segmentation is carried out until last bit of SI1 is accommodated and transmitted in the sequence where SI1S2 last segment is transmitted in SFN0, SF1 and the sequence repeated in SF2, 3 and 4 in the SI-window and the process of repeating the sequence carried on in SFN 8, and 16. Similarly as shown in the above illustration out of 6 SI2 segments, the 1st segment of SI2 i.e., N bits in one subframe is designated as SI2S1. SI2S1 is transmitted in SFN0 as indicated in column 25 and in SF6 as indicated in row 27. SI2S2 is transmitted in SFN0 as indicated in column 25 and in SF7 as indicated in row 27. Similarly SI2S3 in SF0, SF8 and SI2S4 in SFO, SF9 as shown in row 27. Further SI2S5 is transmitted in SFN16, SF6 and SI2S6 is transmitted in SFN16, SF7 which is the first transmission opportunity (subframe) in the next SI-window for SI2.
Figure 3 shows another illustrative representation of SIBs mapped to a single SI message and transmitting. In the illustrated case, no segmentation is applied for SI1 or in other words there is only a one segment for SI1. SI2 is segmented to 4 SI-Segments SI2S1 and SI2S2 SI2S3 and SI2S4 which is known a priori.
The only segment of SI1 i.e., N bits in one subframe is designated as SI1S1. In this example, an assumption is made that SFN0 is the start radio frame in the modification period. SI1S1 is transmitted in System Frame Number 0 (SFN0) as indicated in column 25 and in Sub Frame 0 (SF0) as indicated in row 27. Same process of transmission is repeated in all the available transmission opportunity (subframe) in the SI-window of SI1. The above process gets repeated in SFN 8, 16 and 24 according to its periodicity. Further as shown in the illustration out of 4 SI2 segments, the 1st segment of SI2 i.e., N bits in one subframe is designated as SI2S1. SI2SI is transmitted in SFN0 as indicated in column 25 and in SF6 as indicated in row 27. SI2S2 is transmitted in SFN0 as indicated in column 25 and in SF7 as indicated in row 27. Similarly SI2S3 in SFN0, SF8 and the last segment SI2S4 in SFNO, SF9 as shown in row 27. Same process of transmission is repeated in all the available transmission opportunity (subframe) in the SI-window of SI2. The above process gets repeated in SFN 16, 24 according to its periodicity.
SIB1 is transmitted in SF5 in all radio frames for which SFN mod 2=0, as shown in column 26 in figures 2 and 3. All SI-Segments are transmitted after scrambling with SI-RNTI. The start radio frame and the start subframe for the SI message is determined by the known method in 3GPP TS 36.331. For the first transmission of the SI message in the modification period, the 1st SI segment i.e., SI-Segment 1 maps to the first transmission opportunity within the corresponding SI-window. The subsequent SI-Segments may be transmitted on subsequent transmission opportunities, in order within the corresponding SI-windows. If number of segments is greater than the number of transmission opportunities within the SI-window, the SI segments of the SI message may be continued to be transmitted in the next SI-window. For further transmissions, the 1st SI-Segment i.e., SI-Segment 1 need not map to the first opportunity within the SI-window.
Figure 4 represents the indication of the transmitted segments as part of previously transmitted segments by using a 1 bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe. As an exemplary embodiment one bit is taken from the maximum number of permitted bits (as an example, 456 or 256) that can be transmitted in any one subframe. The preferred embodiment provides for taking the last bit 41 in the subframe 40 for using it as indication bit for indicating whether the segment is part of the previously transmitted segment. The subframes 42, 43 and 44 are shown carrying SI message segments before the data is scrambled with SI-RNTI (=OxFFDE). If the previous indication bit was set to zero and if the indication bit in the newly transmitted segment is 1 then the current segment is construed as the first segment. The receiver 46 as part of UE identifies that Data 1 is not part of the segment because indication bit is 0 assuming that previously received segment also had indication bit as ‘0’. Similarly receiver 46 identifies that Data 2 and Data 3 are segments of one SI message. Further the information about number of segments present in SIB1 and indication bit conveys whether all segments were transmitted or not by the transmitter 45 as part of the eNodeB.
A user equipment (UE) acquires the detailed time-domain scheduling (and other information e.g. frequency-domain scheduling, information on the used transport format etc.) from decoding the SI-RNTI on Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). The UE acquires SIB1 and other SI messages on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) resource indicated by decoding PDCCH with Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) scrambled by SI-RNTI with Downlink Control Information (DCI) Format 1A or IC.
As an exemplary embodiment, the UE acquires the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB1 and acquires the SI-Segments by decoding the received SI-Segments by descrambling with the received SI-RNTI. The successfully decoded SI-Segments are buffered based on receiving the indication bit in the subframe and if the indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment the UE assembles by concatenating the received segments to form a single SI message. If decoding the entire SI-Segments are not successful then the UE discards all previously received segments and initiates SI message acquisition process afresh.
Figure 5 is a block diagram representing the functions performed by a scheduling device 50 within an eNodeB or similar network elements deployed in a wireless communication system in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The scheduling device 50 comprises of: a mapping module 51, adapted to map SIB messages of same periodicity to a single SI message; an adding module 52, adapted to add a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information; a segmenting module 53, adapted to segment statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe; and a transmitting module 54, adapted to transmit the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is set to ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message and and adapted to transmit the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information over SIB type 1 (SIB1). Scheduling device 50 may also include a memory 55 that retains instructions for executing functions associated with modules 51, 52, 53, 54 and 55, as well as measured or computed data that may be generated during executing such functions.
Figure 6 is a block diagram representing the functions performed by an UE in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the invention. The UE 60 comprises of: a receiving module 61, adapted to receive the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration messages over SIB Type 1 (SIBI) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI; a decoding module 62, adapted to decode the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling with SI-RNTI and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh; and an assembly module 63, adapted to buffer the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment. The UE 60 may also include a memory 64 that retains instructions for executing functions associated with modules 61, 62 and 63 as well as measured or computed data that may be generated during executing such functions.
Memory described above can be any storage device including any kind of computer readable storage media, for example, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, registers, hard disks, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.
Another embodiment of the invention relates to the implementation of the above described various embodiments using hardware and software. It is recognized that the various embodiments of the invention may be implemented or performed using computing devices (processors). A computing device or processor may for e.g., be general purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, etc. The various embodiments of the invention may also be performed or embodied by a combination of these devices
Further, the various embodiments of the invention may also be implemented by means of software modules, which are executed by a processor or directly in hardware. Also a combination of software modules and a hardware implementation may be possible. The software modules may be stored on any kind of computer readable storage media, for example RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, registers, hard disks, CD-ROM, DVD, etc.
It is to be noted that respective functional blocks or elements according to above-described aspects can be implemented by any known means, either in hardware and/or software, respectively, if it is only adapted to perform the described functions of the respective parts. The mentioned method, steps can be realized in individual functional blocks or by individual devices, or one or more of the method, steps can be realized in a single functional block or by a single device.
The present invention also covers any conceivable combination of method steps and operations described above, and any conceivable combination of nodes, apparatuses, modules or elements described above, as long as the above-described concepts of methodology and structural arrangement are applicable.
It should be further noted that the individual features of the different embodiments of the invention may individually or in arbitrary combination be subject matter to another invention. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

We Claim:

1. A method for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:

Mapping at least a System Information Block (SIB) message into a System Information (SI) message in which SIB messages of same periodicity are mapped to a single SI message;

Segmenting statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe known a priori;

Scheduling and signaling the SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1); and

Transmitting the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is set to ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein, each of the segmented SI message is transmitted in a single subframe wherein, the predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in a single subframe is known a priori.

3. A method for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
Receiving the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
Decoding the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling with SI-RNTI;
Buffering the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received with bit set to ‘1’ for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment; and
Discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh.

4. The eNodeB for SI message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A mapping module, adapted to map SIB messages of same periodicity to a single SI message;
An adding module, adapted to add a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information;
A segmenting module, adapted to segment statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe; and

A transmitting module, adapted to transmit the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message and and adapted to transmit the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information over SIB type 1 (SIB1).

5. The User Equipment (UE) for SI message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A receiving module, adapted to receive the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
A decoding module, adapted to decode the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling SI-RNTI and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh; and
An assembly module, adapted to buffer the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received with bit set to ‘1’ for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment.

6. The Wireless communication system comprising of:
An eNodeB for SI message communication on a wireless channel over which the transmitter and receivers communicate in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of:
A mapping module, adapted to map SIB messages of same periodicity to a single SI message;
An adding module, adapted to add a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information;
A segmenting module, adapted to segment statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe; and

A transmitting module, adapted to transmit the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is set to ‘1’ then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message and adapted to transmit the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and other SI configuration information over SIB type 1 (SIB1).

7. The Wireless communication system of claim 7 further comprising of:
A receiving module, adapted to receive the signaling of the number of static SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1) and receiving SI-Segments scrambled with SI-RNTI;
A decoding module, adapted to decode the received SI-Segments by de-scrambling SI-RNTI and discarding all previous successfully received segments if the entire SI-Segments are not successfully received at the MAC layer and initiating SI message acquisition afresh; and
An assembly module, adapted to buffer the received segments as part of previously transmitted segment if one bit indication is received for all transmitted segments and assembling the received segments to form a single SI message if indication bit ‘0’ is received as part of last segment.
Dated this the 31st day of March 2013

Abstract
System Information message communication by static segmenting
The method of the invention provides for ‘System Information’ (SI) message communication in an LTE deployed wireless communication system comprising of mapping at least a System Information Block (SIB) message into a System Information (SI) message in which SIB messages of same periodicity are mapped to a single SI message. The method further comprising of segmenting statically the SI message exceeding predefined threshold value of SI bits that can be transmitted in any one subframe known a priori. The method further comprising of adding a parameter in Scheduling Info structure in SIB Type 1 indicating the number of SI-Segments segmented statically and signaling the number of SI-Segments and other SI configuration information over SIB Type 1 (SIB1); and transmitting the segmented SI messages in the corresponding SI-window wherein, the transmitted segment number is indicated as part of previously transmitted segment via one bit indication taken out from the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted in a subframe and wherein if the indication bit is 1 then the segment is part of previous frame that had non-zero indication bit and if indication bit is ‘0’ then the segment is the last segment of the System Information message. The method further comprising of receiving the signaling of the static SI-Segments and the segmented SI messages, decoding and assembling the received segments for form a single SI message.
Figure 4