Wireless communication device, a network node and methods therein for improved random access

• US 10,624,133 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2019
• Issued: 04/14/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Rahman, Imadur, Kazmi, Muhammad
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit, Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US16/397,221
• Publication Number:
  US 20190254080A1
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/005 compensating for timing error by adjustment in the receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/16 Involving different core network technologies, e.g. a packet-switched [PS] bearer in combination with a circuit-switched [CS] bearer

Abstract

Embodiments herein relate to a communication device and a method performed by the communication device for enabling improved random access transmissions in a radio communications network. The communication device obtains information indicating a first random access channel configuration and also obtains information indicating at least a second random access channel configuration. Then, the communication device determine whether or not the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration. Furthermore, the communication device uses the result of the determining to determine the time required by the communication device to configure the at least second cell. Embodiments herein also relate to a first network node and a method therein for enabling improved random access transmissions in a radio communications network.

Claims

1. A method for configuring a secondary cell in dual connectivity performed by a communication device in a radio communications network, the communication device being capable of dual connectivity with a first cell of a first network node and at least a second cell of at least a second network node, the method comprising:

obtaining information indicating a first random access channel configuration for the first cell;

obtaining information indicating at least a second random access channel configuration for the at least second cell; and

configuring the at least second cell within a time, the time being based on whether the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time for configuring the at least second cell is shorter when the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration than when the at least second random access channel configuration is not orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein:

when the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration;

the time for configuring the at least second cell does not include a time to perform random access on the first cell; and

when the at least second random access channel configuration is not orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration;

the time for configuring the at least second cell includes the time to perform random access on the first cell.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the time for configuring the at least second cell is determined by the communication device based on a pre-defined rule.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first random access channel configuration and the at least second random access channel configuration are orthogonal with respect to each other when random access transmissions from the communication device according to the first random access channel configuration do not overlap in time with random access transmissions from the communication device according to the at least second random access channel configuration.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first cell belongs to a Master Cell Group, MCG, and the at least second cell belongs to a Secondary Cell Group, SCG.

7. A communication device for configuring a secondary cell in dual connectivity in a radio communications network, the communication device being configurable for dual connectivity with a first cell of a first network node and at least a second cell of at least a second network node, the communication device being configured to:

obtain information indicating a first random access channel configuration for the first cell;

obtain information indicating at least a second random access channel configuration for the at least second cell; and

configure the at least second cell within a time, the time being based on whether the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration.

8. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the time for configuring the at least second cell is shorter when the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration than when the at least second random access channel configuration is not orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration.

9. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein:

when the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration;

the time for configuring the at least second cell does not include a time to perform random access on the first cell; and

when the at least second random access channel configuration is not orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration;

the time for configuring the at least second cell includes the time to perform random access on the first cell.

10. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the communication device is configured to determine the time for configuring the at least second cell based on a pre-defined rule.

11. The communication device according to claim 7, wherein the first random access channel configuration and the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal when random access transmissions from the communication device according to the first random access channel configuration do not overlap in time with random access transmissions from the communication device according to the at least second random access channel configuration.

12. The communication device according to claim 7, further comprising a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the processor to:

obtain the information indicating the first random access channel configuration for the first cell;

obtain the information indicating at least the second random access channel configuration for the at least second cell; and

configure the at least second cell within the time.

13. A non-transitory computer readable medium, storing computer executable instructions which, when executed on at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to carry out a method for configuring a secondary cell in dual connectivity performed by a communication device in a radio communications network, the communication device being capable of dual connectivity with a first cell of a first network node and at least a second cell of at least a second network node, the method comprising:

obtaining information indicating a first random access channel configuration for the first cell;

obtaining information indicating at least a second random access channel configuration for the at least second cell; and

configuring the at least second cell within a time, the time being based on whether the at least second random access channel configuration is orthogonal to the first random access channel configuration.