Indication to the master e-node B of successful primary secondary cell activation in dual connectivity

• US 10,728,944 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2015
• Issued: 07/28/2020
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Original Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson
• Inventors: Rahman, Imadur, Kazmi, Muhammad
• Primary Examiner(s): Yao, Kwang B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Bokhari, Syed M
• Application Number:
  US15/515,544
• Publication Number:
  US 20170223763A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,764 Days
• Field of Search: 370329, 370311, 370331, 370324, 370252, 370216
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/004 in the uplink, i.e. towards network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/006 in the downlink, i.e. towards the terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 74/0833 Random access procedures, e.g. with 4-step access
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/15 Setup of multiple wireless link connections

Abstract

There is disclosed a method for operating a network node in a wireless communication network, the network node being connected to a terminal via a first cell group. The method comprises receiving, by the network node, information indicating an activation status of the terminal regarding a second cell group, wherein the method further comprises transmitting, by the network node, further information based on the received information to the terminal and/or one or more further network nodes.

The disclosure also pertains to related methods and devices.

Claims

1. A method for operating a network node in a wireless communication network, the network node being connected to a terminal via a first cell group, the method comprising:

receiving, by the network node, information indicating an activation status of the terminal regarding a second cell group; and

transmitting, by the network node, further information based on the received information to the terminal and one or more further network nodes for at least a pre-defined number of times,

wherein the further information instructs the terminal and the one or more further network nodes to initiate a new activation procedure for at least one cell of the second cell group, and wherein the new activation procedure comprises activation of the at least one cell of the second cell group based on a timing message or a timing parameter received, by the terminal and the one or more further network nodes, from the network node.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the new activation procedure comprises the activation of the at least one cell of the second cell group further based on a carrier frequency of the at least one cell of the second cell group.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the new activation procedure comprises the activation of the at least one cell of the second cell group further based on a threshold of quality of signal measurement on the at least one cell of the second cell group.

4. A network node for a wireless communication network, the network node being connected or connectable to a terminal via a first cell group, wherein the network node is adapted to:

receive information indicating an activation status of the terminal regarding a second cell group; and

transmit, based on the received information, further information to the terminal and one or more further network nodes for at least a pre-defined number of times,

wherein the further information instructs the terminal and the one or more further network nodes to initiate a new activation procedure for at least one cell of the second cell group, wherein the new activation procedure includes a random access procedure, and wherein the random access procedure is performed between the terminal and the network node to access, align, or activate the at least one cell of the second cell group.

5. A method for operating a terminal in a wireless communication network, the terminal being adapted for dual connectivity, the terminal being connected to a network node via a primary cell group, and the terminal further being connected or connectable to a secondary cell group, the method comprising:

determining, by the terminal, an activation status of the terminal regarding the secondary cell group;

transmitting, by the terminal to the network node, information indicating the determined activation status of the terminal regarding the secondary cell group; and

receiving, by the terminal from the network node, further information for at least a pre-defined number of times based on the transmitted information, wherein the received further information instructs the terminal to initiate a new activation procedure for at least one cell of the secondary cell group, and wherein the new activation procedure comprises activation of the at least one cell of the secondary cell group based on a timing message or a timing parameter received, by the terminal, from the network node.

6. A terminal for a wireless communication network, the terminal being adapted for dual connectivity, the terminal being connected to a network node via a primary cell group, the terminal further being connected or connectable to a secondary cell group, and the terminal further being adapted to:

determine, by the terminal, an activation status of the terminal regarding the secondary cell group;

transmit, by the terminal to the network node, information indicating the determined activation status of the terminal regarding the secondary cell group; and

receive, by the terminal from the network node, further information for at least a pre-defined number of times based on the transmitted information, wherein the received further information instructs the terminal to initiate a new activation procedure for at least one cell of the secondary cell group, wherein the new activation procedure includes a random access procedure, and wherein the random access procedure is performed between the terminal and the network node to access, align, or activate the at least one cell of the secondary cell group.