Wireless device handover signaling

• US 9,843,982 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2016
• Issued: 12/12/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 06/20/2012
• 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): Masur, Paul H
• Application Number:
  US15/201,528
• Publication Number:
  US 20160316415A1
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• 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 5/14 Two-way operation using the same type of signal, i.e. duplex
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/22 Parsing or analysis of headers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/28 Timers or timing mechanisms used in protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/106 Packet or message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0005 Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0077 of access information of target access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/08 Reselecting an access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/38 by fixed network equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 56/0015 one node acting as a reference for the others
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/21 in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/27 Transitions between radio resource control [RRC] states

Abstract

A first base station transmits to a second base station a first message. The first message comprises at least one parameter indicating the wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups. The first base station receives from the second base station a second message comprising first configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group. The first base station transmits, to the wireless device, a third message comprising the first configuration parameters.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station and to a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that a wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

receiving, from the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

transmitting, by the wireless device and to the second base station, uplink signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

encrypting the third message; and

protecting, based on an integrity header, the third message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.

11. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station and to a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that a wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

receiving, by the first base station and from the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group;

receiving, by the wireless device and from the first base station, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

transmitting, by the wireless device and to the second base station, uplink carrier signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

encrypting the third message; and

protecting, based on an integrity header, the third message.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.

21. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station and to a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that a wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

receiving, from the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group;

transmitting, to the wireless device, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

transmitting, by the wireless device, uplink carrier signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

24. The method of claim 21, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

26. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

encrypting the third message; and

protecting, based on an integrity header, the third message.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.

31. A method comprising:

transmitting, by a first base station and to a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that a wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

receiving, by the first base station and from the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group;

receiving, by the wireless device and from the first base station, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

transmitting, by the wireless device, uplink carrier signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

34. The method of claim 31, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

35. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

36. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

encrypting the third message; and

protecting, based on an integrity header, the third message.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

40. The method of claim 31, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.

41. A system comprising:

a wireless device comprising one or more processors and memory; and

a first base station comprising;

one or more processors; and

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

transmit, to a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that the wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

receive, from the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group; and

transmit, to the wireless device, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

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

transmit uplink carrier signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

43. The system of claim 41, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

44. The system of claim 41, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the first base station, when executed by the one or more processors of the first base station, further cause the first base station to:

encrypt the third message; and

protect, based on an integrity header, the third message.

47. The system of claim 41, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

48. The system of claim 41, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

49. The system of claim 41, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.

51. A method comprising:

receiving, from a first base station and by a second base station, a first message comprising at least one parameter indicating that a wireless device supports configuration of a plurality of cell groups;

transmitting, by the second base station, a second message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a first plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group;

receiving, by the wireless device, a third message comprising the configuration parameters; and

transmitting, by the wireless device, uplink carrier signals via the first plurality of cell groups, 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.

52. The method of claim 51, wherein the third message is configured to cause the wireless device to start a synchronization process with a cell associated with the second base station.

53. The method of claim 51, wherein the at least one parameter further indicates whether the wireless device supports configuration of the plurality of cell groups for each of one or more band combinations supported by the wireless device.

54. The method of claim 51, wherein the third message is configured to cause a configuration of a time alignment timer for each of the first plurality of cell groups.

55. The method of claim 51, wherein the configuration parameters comprise a media access control dedicated information element (IE) comprising a sequence of at least one IE, and wherein a first IE of the sequence of at least one IE comprises:

a first cell group index; and

a first time alignment timer value.

56. The method of claim 51, further comprising:

encrypting the third message; and

protecting, based on an integrity header, the third message.

57. The method of claim 51, wherein the configuration parameters comprise:

configuration parameters of physical channels associated with the wireless device; and

configuration parameters of at least one radio bearer.

58. The method of claim 51, wherein the configuration parameters comprise at least one of:

a physical layer parameter;

a media access control (MAC) layer parameter;

or

a radio link control (RLC) layer parameter.

59. The method of claim 51, wherein the third message comprises a dedicated preamble index for connection with the second base station.

60. The method of claim 51, wherein:

the first cell group comprises a primary cell; and

the second cell group comprises at least one secondary cell.