Patent attributes
Methods and apparatuses are described in which an unlicensed spectrum is used for Long Term Evolution (LTE) communications. A first method includes performing clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine availability of an unlicensed spectrum, transmitting a request-to-send (RTS) signal to a set of user equipments (UEs) using the unlicensed spectrum when a determination is made that the unlicensed spectrum is available, and receiving, in the unlicensed spectrum, a common clear-to-send (CTS) signal and an individual CTS signal from one or more of the UEs in response to the RTS signal. A second method includes transmitting an RTS signal in an unlicensed spectrum or a V-RTS signal in a licensed spectrum, addressed to a set of UEs, and transmitting a CTS-to-self signal in the unlicensed spectrum along with the transmission of the V-RTS signal.
