Handover signaling in wireless networks

• US 9,913,269 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2015
• Issued: 03/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2011
• 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): Chou, Albert T
• Application Number:
  US14/926,816
• Publication Number:
  US 20160157135A1
• Time in Patent Office: 859 Days
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 27/2601 Multicarrier modulation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 24/08 Testing, supervising or monitoring using real traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0005 Control or signalling for completing the hand-off
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/0072 of resource information of target access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 36/06 Reselecting a communication resource in the serving access point
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0446 Resources in time domain, e.g. slots or frames
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/0453 Resources in frequency domain, e.g. a carrier in FDMA
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/20 Control channels or signalling for resource management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 72/23 in the downlink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards a terminal

Abstract

According to some aspects, a first base station may communicate with a second base station (e.g. during a handover process) regarding support of new carrier types by a wireless device. The first base station may receive parameters from a wireless device via a legacy carrier indicating whether the wireless device supports a new carrier type, and information about these parameters may be transmitted to the second base station. The first base station may receive messages for configuring communications between the wireless device and the second base station, which may include identification of legacy carriers and associated new carrier type carriers. The configuration information may be transmitted to the wireless device and the second base station may communicate with the wireless device based on the configuration information.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a first base station and from a wireless device via a first legacy carrier, one or more parameters indicating whether the wireless device supports a new carrier type;

determining to perform a handover of the wireless device;

transmitting, to a second base station and prior to handover of the wireless device, a handover request comprising an indication that the wireless device supports the new carrier type;

receiving, by the first base station and responsive to the handover request, at least one message comprising configuration information for communications between the wireless device and the second base station, the configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more legacy carriers; and

transmitting, by the first base station and to the wireless device, the configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating a first new carrier type carrier of the one or more new carrier type carriers with a second legacy carrier of the one or more legacy carriers.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises a carrier identifier associated with the second legacy carrier.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises cross-carrier scheduling configuration parameters.

5. The method of claim 2, wherein the second legacy carrier is the first legacy carrier.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more identifiers of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more identifiers of the one or more new carrier type carriers are carrier indices or carrier physical cell IDs.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more new carrier type carriers with the associated at least one of the one or more legacy carriers.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information indicating a type of each carrier of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the information indicating a type of each carrier comprises one or more physical layer configuration parameters associated with each respective carrier.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associated with one or more physical channels for the wireless device; and

information for setting up or modifying at least one radio bearer.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein transmitting the configuration information to the wireless device comprises transmitting a control message comprising the configuration information to the wireless device via the first legacy carrier.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting, by the first base station and to the wireless device, second configuration information to configure communications between the wireless device and the first base station, the second configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more second legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more second new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more second legacy carriers.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the second configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers with respective one or more legacy carriers of the one or more second legacy carriers.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first legacy carrier is a backward compatible carrier.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the new carrier type is a non-backward compatible carrier type.

16. A first base station comprising:

one or more processors configured to determine to perform a handover of a wireless device;

receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the wireless device via a first legacy carrier, one or more parameters indicating whether the wireless device supports a new carrier type; and

transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a second base station and prior to handover of the wireless device, a handover request comprising an indication that the wireless device supports the new carrier type;

wherein the receiving circuitry is further configured to receive, from the second base station and responsive to the handover request, at least one message comprising configuration information for communications between the wireless device and the second base station, the configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more legacy carriers, and

wherein the transmitting circuitry is further configured to transmit the configuration information to the wireless device.

17. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating a first new carrier type carrier of the one or more new carrier type carriers with a second legacy carrier of the one or more legacy carriers.

18. The first base station of claim 17, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises a carrier identifier associated with the second legacy carrier.

19. The first base station of claim 17, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises cross-carrier scheduling configuration parameters.

20. The first base station of claim 17, wherein the second legacy carrier is the first legacy carrier.

21. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the one or more identifiers of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more identifiers of the one or more new carrier type carriers are carrier indices or carrier physical cell IDs.

22. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more new carrier type carriers with the associated at least one of the one or more legacy carriers.

23. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information indicating a type of each carrier of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers.

24. The first base station of claim 23, wherein the information indicating a type of each carrier comprises one or more physical layer configuration parameters associated with each respective carrier.

25. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associated with one or more physical channels for the wireless device; and

information for setting up or modifying at least one radio bearer.

26. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the transmitting circuitry configured to transmit the configuration information to the wireless device is further configured to transmit a control message comprising the configuration information to the wireless device via the first legacy carrier.

27. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the transmitting circuitry is further configured to:

transmit, to the wireless device, second configuration information to configure communications between the wireless device and the first base station, the second configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more second legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more second new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more second legacy carriers.

28. The first base station of claim 27, wherein the second configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers with respective legacy carriers of the one or more second legacy carriers.

29. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the first legacy carrier is a backward compatible carrier.

30. The first base station of claim 16, wherein the new carrier type is a non-backward compatible carrier type.

31. A method comprising:

receiving, by a second base station and prior to handover of a wireless device, a handover request comprising an indication that the wireless device supports a new carrier type;

transmitting, to a first base station and responsive to the handover request, at least one message comprising configuration information for communications between the wireless device and the second base station, the configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more legacy carriers; and

communicating, by the second base station and based at least in part on the configuration information, with the wireless device responsive to handover of the wireless device.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

transmitting, by the second base station and to the wireless device, first data via the one or more new carrier type carriers.

33. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating a first new carrier type carrier of the one or more new carrier type carriers with a first legacy carrier of the one or more legacy carriers.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the first legacy carrier comprises a carrier identifier associated with the first legacy carrier.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the first legacy carrier comprises cross-carrier scheduling configuration parameters.

36. The method of claim 31, wherein the one or more identifiers of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more identifiers of the one or more new carrier type carriers are carrier indices or carrier physical cell IDs.

37. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more new carrier type carriers with the associated at least one of the one or more legacy carriers.

38. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information indicating a type of each carrier of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers.

39. The method of claim 31, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associated with one or more physical channels for the wireless device; and

information for setting up or modifying at least one radio bearer.

40. The method of claim 31, further comprising:

transmitting, by the second base station, a channel state information reference signal for each of the one or more new carrier type carriers on an associated legacy carrier.

41. A second base station comprising:

receiving circuitry configured to receive, prior to handover of a wireless device, a handover request comprising an indication that the wireless device supports a new carrier type;

one or more processors configured to generate at least one message to configure the wireless device for communications with the second base station based on the indication that the wireless device supports the new carrier type, wherein the at least one message comprises configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more legacy carriers; and

transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a first base station and responsive to the handover request, the at least one message,

wherein the second base station is configured to communicate with the wireless device responsive to handover of the wireless device and based at least in part on the configuration information.

42. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the transmitting circuitry is further configured to:

transmit, to the wireless device, first data via the one or more new carrier type carriers.

43. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating a first new carrier type carrier of the one or more new carrier type carriers with a first legacy carrier of the one or more legacy carriers.

44. The second base station of claim 43, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the first legacy carrier comprises a carrier identifier of the first legacy carrier.

45. The second base station of claim 43, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the first legacy carrier comprises cross carrier scheduling configuration parameters.

46. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the one or more identifiers of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers are carrier indices or carrier physical cell IDs.

47. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more new carrier type carriers with the associated at least one of the one or more legacy carriers.

48. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information indicating a type of each carrier of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers.

49. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associated with one or more physical channels for the wireless device; and

information for setting up or modifying at least one radio bearer.

50. The second base station of claim 41, wherein the transmitting circuitry is further configured to:

transmit a channel state information reference signal for each of the one or more new carrier type carriers on an associated legacy carrier.

51. A system comprising:

a first base station comprising;

one or more processors; and

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

determine to perform a handover of a wireless device;

receive, from the wireless device via a first legacy carrier, one or more parameters indicating whether the wireless device supports a new carrier type; and

transmit, to a second base station and prior to handover of the wireless device, a handover request comprising an indication that the wireless device supports the new carrier type;

receive, from the second base station and responsive to the handover request, at least one message comprising configuration information for communications between the wireless device and the second base station, the configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more legacy carriers, and

transmit the configuration information to the wireless device; and

the second base station, wherein the second base station comprises;

one or more processors; and

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

transmit the at least one message; and

communicate with the wireless device based at least in part on the configuration information.

52. The system of claim 51, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating a first new carrier type carrier of the one or more new carrier type carriers with a second legacy carrier of the one or more legacy carriers.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises a carrier identifier associated with the second legacy carrier.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein the information associating the first new carrier type carrier with the second legacy carrier comprises cross-carrier scheduling configuration parameters.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein the second legacy carrier is the first legacy carrier.

56. The system of claim 51, wherein the one or more identifiers of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more identifiers of the one or more new carrier type carriers are carrier indices or carrier physical cell IDs.

57. The system of claim 51, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more new carrier type carriers with the associated at least one of the one or more legacy carriers.

58. The system of claim 51, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information indicating a type of each carrier of the one or more legacy carriers and the one or more new carrier type carriers.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the information indicating a type of each carrier comprises one or more physical layer configuration parameters associated with each respective carrier.

60. The system of claim 51, wherein the configuration information further comprises:

information associated with one or more physical channels for the wireless device; and

information for setting up or modifying at least one radio bearer.

61. The system of claim 51, 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, cause the first base station to transmit a control message comprising the configuration information to the wireless device via the first legacy carrier.

62. The system of claim 51, 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, cause the first base station to:

transmit, to the wireless device, second configuration information to configure communications between the wireless device and the first base station, the second configuration information comprising;

one or more identifiers of one or more second legacy carriers; and

one or more identifiers of one or more second new carrier type carriers, wherein each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers is associated with at least one of the one or more second legacy carriers.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein the second configuration information further comprises:

information associating each of the one or more second new carrier type carriers with respective legacy carriers of the one or more second legacy carriers.

64. The system of claim 51, wherein the first legacy carrier is a backward compatible carrier.

65. The system of claim 51, wherein the new carrier type is a non-backward compatible carrier type.

66. The system of claim 51, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the second base station, when executed by the one or more processors of the second base station, cause the second base station to:

transmit, to the wireless device, first data via the one or more new carrier type carriers.

67. The system of claim 51, wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the second base station, when executed by the one or more processors of the second base station, cause the second base station to:

transmit a channel state information reference signal for each of the one or more new carrier type carriers on an associated legacy carrier.