Cell timing in a wireless device and base station

• US 10,523,389 B2
• Filed: 09/08/2017
• Issued: 12/31/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications LLC (Comcast Corporation)
• Inventors: Dinan, Esmael Hejazi
• Primary Examiner(s): Blanton, John D
• Application Number:
  US15/698,876
• Publication Number:
  US 20180014263A1
• Time in Patent Office: 844 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/2618 using hybrid code-time division multiple access [CDMA-TDMA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 11/00 Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codesH04J13/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04J 2011/0096 Network synchronisation
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2101/622 Layer-2 addresses, e.g. medium access control [MAC] addresses
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/18 Phase-modulated carrier systems, i.e. using phase-shift keying H04L27/32 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0681 Configuration of triggering conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0007 the frequencies being orthogonal, e.g. OFDM(A), DMT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/0048 Allocation of pilot signals, i.e. of signals known to the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/005 of common pilots, i.e. pilots destined for multiple users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/06 TPC algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/146 Uplink power control
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/346 distributing total power among users or channels
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/367 Power values between minimum and maximum limits, e.g. dynamic range
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/40 during macro-diversity or soft handoff
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0005 synchronizing of arrival of multiple uplinks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0045 compensating for timing error by altering transmission time
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/005 compensating for timing error by adjustment in the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/04 Wireless resource allocation
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 : Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0473 : the resource being transmission power
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 : Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 : in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 : in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/56 : based on priority criteria
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 : Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 : Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 : Terminal devices

Abstract

Methods and apparatuses are described for wireless communications. Cells may be grouped into a plurality of cell groups. A time adjustment may be determined and applied to uplink transmission timing of a cell group. A transmission timing difference between a first cell group and a second cell group may be determined. If the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold, one or more devices may stop transmitting uplink signals via one or more secondary cells and/or may stop applying the timing adjustment for a cell group.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a wireless device, at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group, wherein;

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group is based on a first cell of the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group is based on a second cell of the second cell group;

transmitting, by the wireless device via one or more secondary cells of the plurality of cells, uplink signals;

determining a timing adjustment for at least one cell group of the plurality of cell groups;

determining a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group;

based on the transmission timing difference not exceeding a threshold, applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group; and

based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold;

stopping transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals;

or

continuing transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals,

without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising stopping transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising continuing transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value for the determining the timing adjustment.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the timing adjustment is performed by the wireless device autonomously.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference is based on:

the uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

the uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference is based on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

12. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station to a wireless device, at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group, wherein;

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group is based on a first cell of the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group is based on a second cell of the second cell group;

transmitting, by the wireless device, to the base station, and via one or more secondary cells of the plurality of cells, uplink signals;

determining a timing adjustment for at least one cell group of the plurality of cell groups;

determining a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group;

based on the transmission timing difference not exceeding a threshold, applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group; and

based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold;

stopping transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals;

or

continuing transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising stopping transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising continuing transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value for the determining the timing adjustment.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining the timing adjustment is performed by the wireless device autonomously.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

20. The method of claim 12, further comprising receiving transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

21. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference is based on:

the uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

the uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

22. The method of claim 12, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference is based on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

23. A wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to;

receive at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group, wherein;

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group is based on a first cell of the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group is based on a second cell of the second cell group;

transmit, via one or more secondary cells of the plurality of cells, uplink signals;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one cell group of the plurality of cell groups;

determine a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group;

based on the transmission timing difference not exceeding a threshold, apply the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group; and

based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold;

stop transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals;

or

continue transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

24. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to stop transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals.

25. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to continue transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

26. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to receive a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value for the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment.

27. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment autonomously.

28. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to determine that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

29. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

30. The wireless device of claim 29, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:

determine that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

31. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to receive transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

32. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the transmission timing difference based on:

the uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

the uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

33. The wireless device of claim 23, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the transmission timing difference based on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

34. A system comprising:

a base station comprising;

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the base station, cause the base station to;

transmit at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group, wherein;

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group is based on a first cell of the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group is based on a second cell of the second cell group; and

a wireless device comprising;

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to;

transmit, via one or more secondary cells of the plurality of cells, uplink signals;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one cell group of the plurality of cell groups;

determine a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group;

based on the transmission timing difference not exceeding a threshold, apply the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group; and

based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold;

stop transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals;

or

continue transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to stop transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals.

36. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to continue transmitting, via the one or more secondary cells, the uplink signals, without applying the timing adjustment to the uplink signals of the at least one cell group.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to receive a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value for the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment.

38. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment autonomously.

39. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to determine that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

40. The system of claim 34, wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to:

determine that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

42. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to receive transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

43. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the transmission timing difference based on:

the uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

the uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

44. The system of claim 34, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the transmission timing difference based on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.