Cell timing in a wireless device and base station

• US 9,763,203 B2
• Filed: 02/09/2015
• Issued: 09/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2012
• 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): Lin, Kenny
• Application Number:
  US14/616,774
• Publication Number:
  US 20150181547A1
• Time in Patent Office: 946 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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

A plurality of cells are grouped into a primary cell group and a secondary cell group. The wireless device receives a timing advance command comprising a time adjustment value and an index of the secondary cell group. The wireless device applies the time adjustment value to uplink transmission timing of the secondary cell group. The wireless device triggers an action when the difference between primary cell group timing and secondary cell group timing is greater than a value.

Claims

1. 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;

receive a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

apply the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

2. The wireless device 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.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

4. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

5. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

6. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

7. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the the one or more secondary cells are determined to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

8. 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;

receive a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

apply the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

determine one or more secondary cells to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

9. The wireless device of claim 8, 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.

10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

11. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to stop transmitting via the one or more secondary cells in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

12. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

13. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

14. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

15. 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;

autonomously determine a required timing adjustment based on a downlink reference timing change associated with one of the plurality of cell groups;

determine a transmission timing difference based on the required timing adjustment; and

apply the required timing adjustment to uplink signals in the one of the plurality of cell groups, unless the transmission timing difference exceeds a threshold.

16. The wireless device of claim 15, 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.

17. The wireless device of claim 16, wherein the second cell group comprises one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

18. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

19. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predetermined value.

20. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

21. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein the required timing adjustment is autonomously determined in response to a transmission timing error, between a wireless device timing and a reference signal timing, exceeding a maximum timing error value.

22. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

23. The wireless device of claim 15, wherein one or more secondary cells are determined to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

24. 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;

receiving a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

applying the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

25. The method of claim 24, 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.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

28. The method of claim 24, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

30. The method of claim 24, further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

31. 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;

receiving a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

applying the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

determining one or more secondary cells to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

32. The method of claim 31, 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.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising stop transmitting via the one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

38. 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;

autonomously determining a required timing adjustment based on a downlink reference timing change associated with one of the plurality of cell groups;

determining a transmission timing difference based on the required timing adjustment; and

associating the required timing adjustment with uplink signals in the one of the plurality of cell groups, unless the transmission timing difference exceeds a threshold.

39. The method of claim 38, 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.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the second cell group comprises one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

41. The method of claim 38, further comprising stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

42. The method of claim 38, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predetermined value.

43. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

44. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining the required timing adjustment is in response to a transmission timing error, between a wireless device timing and a reference signal timing, exceeding a maximum timing error value.

45. The method of claim 38, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

46. The method of claim 38, further comprising determining that one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

47. 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

transmit a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index; 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;

apply the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

48. The system of claim 47, 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.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

50. The system of claim 47, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

51. The system of claim 47, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

52. The system of claim 47, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

53. The system of claim 47, wherein the one or more secondary cells are determined to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

54. 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

transmit a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index; 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;

apply the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

determine one or more secondary cells to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

55. The system of claim 54, 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.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

57. The system of claim 54, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to stop transmitting via the one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

58. The system of claim 54, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

59. The system of claim 54, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

60. The system of claim 54, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

61. 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;

autonomously determine a required timing adjustment based on a downlink reference timing change associated with one of the plurality of cell groups;

determine a transmission timing difference based on the required timing adjustment; and

apply the required timing adjustment to uplink signals in the one of the plurality of cell groups, unless the transmission timing difference exceeds a threshold.

62. The system of claim 61, 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.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the second cell group comprises one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

64. The system of claim 61, wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

65. The system of claim 61, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predetermined value.

66. The system of claim 61, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

67. The system of claim 61, wherein the required timing adjustment is determined in response to a transmission timing error, between a wireless device timing and a reference signal timing, exceeding a maximum timing error value.

68. The system of claim 61, wherein the transmission timing difference is determined based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

69. The system of claim 61, wherein one or more secondary cells are determined to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

70. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station and 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 base station and to the wireless device, a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

applying the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

71. The method of claim 70, 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.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

73. The method of claim 70, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

74. The method of claim 70, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

75. The method of claim 70, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

76. The method of claim 70, further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

77. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station and 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 base station and to the wireless device, a timing advance command comprising a timing adjustment value and a cell group index;

applying the timing advance command to a cell group corresponding to the cell group index;

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

determining one or more secondary cells to be out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding a threshold.

78. The method of claim 77, 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.

79. The method of claim 78, wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

80. The method of claim 77, further comprising stop transmitting via the one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

81. The method of claim 77, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

82. The method of claim 77, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predefined value.

83. The method of claim 77, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

84. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a base station and 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;

autonomously determining a required timing adjustment based on a downlink reference timing change associated with one of the plurality of cell groups;

determining a transmission timing difference based on the required timing adjustment; and

associating the required timing adjustment with uplink signals in the one of the plurality of cell groups, unless the transmission timing difference exceeds a threshold.

85. The method of claim 84, 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.

86. The method of claim 85, wherein the second cell group comprises one or more secondary cells, and wherein, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group is determined to have expired.

87. The method of claim 84, further comprising stop transmitting via one or more secondary cells, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.

88. The method of claim 84, wherein transmissions of downlink signals via the first cell group and the second cell group are time aligned within a predetermined value.

89. The method of claim 84, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on first cell group uplink transmission timing and second cell group uplink transmission timing.

90. The method of claim 84, wherein the determining the required timing adjustment is in response to a transmission timing error, between a wireless device timing and a reference signal timing, exceeding a maximum timing error value.

91. The method of claim 84, wherein the determining the transmission timing difference comprises determining the transmission timing difference based, at least in part, on a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal.

92. The method of claim 84, further comprising determining that one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync, in response to the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold.