TW201503717A - Preventing interrupts on active cell operation - Google Patents

Abstract

It is determined whether an apparatus can perform measurements without causing interrupts on an active cell. In response to a determination that the apparatus cannot perform inter-frequency measurements without causing interrupts on the active cell, the apparatus is prevented from indicating that the apparatus can perform measurements without gap assistance. It is determined at a base station whether an indication that a user equipment can perform measurements without gaps or interrupts has been received. In response to a determination the indication that the user equipment can perform measurements without gaps or interrupts has not been received, the base station determines a gap pattern for the user equipment and sends an indication of the gap pattern to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user equipment a schedule under which the user equipment is to the perform measurements. Methods, apparatus, computer programs and program products are disclosed.

Description

Technology to prevent interruption in active cell operation Field of invention

The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments are generally related to wireless communication and, more specifically, to techniques for preventing interruptions in active cell operation.

Background of the invention

This section is intended to provide a background or context of the invention disclosed hereinafter. The detailed description herein may include concepts that are pursued, but not necessarily, that are previously known, present or described. Therefore, the descriptions in this section are not prior art to the detailed description of the present invention, and are not admitted to the prior art.

The following abbreviations, as seen in the description and/or the drawings, are defined as follows:

In Carrier Aggregation (CA), multiple uplink (UL) or downlink (DL) LTE carriers in a continuous or non-contiguous frequency band may be bundled. Each aggregated carrier is referred to as a component carrier CC. The component carrier can have a bandwidth of 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, or 20 MHz and can aggregate up to five component carriers, and thus the maximum aggregate bandwidth is 100 MHz. When carrier aggregation is used, there are many service cells, one for each component carrier. The coverage of service cells can vary. RRC link is handled by only one cell, one service The cell (PCell) is served by a component carrier (PCC, such as DL and UL PCC). In the idle mode, the UE listens to system information on the DL PCC. On the UL PCC, the PUCCH is transmitted. Others are called secondary component carriers (DL and UL SCC) and serve secondary service cells (SCell). The SCC is added and removed as needed, and the PCC only changes when it is handed over.

With cross-carrier scheduling, users can dynamically schedule on different component carriers. This means that a UE can receive a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) control channel on one carrier and have a resource configuration on another carrier. To achieve this, a new information component is added to the downlink control channel called the Carrier Indicator Field (CIF). Version 11 CA also supports inter-band carrier aggregation where the component carriers are in different frequency bands. It must be proven to be extremely advantageous for operators with different frequency bands with LTE frequencies. LTE generally supports synchronized uplinks using an uplink time advance (TA) procedure.

3GPP TS 36.331 v11.3.0 (2013-03) and 3GPP TS 36.133 v11.4.0 (2013-03) describe various 3GPP specifications. In R4-131235, "A single chip with carrier aggregation is now considered", Qualcomm Incorporated was obtained from 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Conference #66 Bis, Chicago, USA, April 15 to April 19, 2013, for discussion According to separate integrated circuit chips for individual radio links, the initial wafer set is now most likely for carrier aggregation between inter-band and discontinuous bands. The report also suggests the potential for a single crystal generation solution that may have the opportunity to reduce certain key parameters such as cost, area and power consumption. But tighter accumulation also brings some problems, discussed in: ● R4-100799, "Carrier Aggregation Needs for Metric Clearance", Nokia, Nokia Siemens Networks, San Francisco 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Conference #54, February 22-26, 2010; ● R4-131231, " Inter-frequency non-continuous CA interrupt", Qualcomm Incorporated, Chicago 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Conference #66 Bis, April 15 to April 19, 2013; and ● R4-131664, "Inter-band carrier The consideration of the interruption of the gathering", Renesas Mobile Europe Ltd., Chicago 3GPP TSG-RAN WG4 Conference #66 Bis, April 15-19, 2013.

Early associated inter-band continuous carrier aggregation, discussed by RF retuning and requiring an interrupt (or glitch). Today, R4-131235, R4-131231, and R4-131664 discuss the need for an interrupt for inter-frequency CA and intra-frequency discontinuities. In such cases, the interrupt is estimated to be at least 2 milliseconds (and a 5 millisecond interrupt is required for the retuning condition).

In the context of inter-frequency metrics, it has typically been assumed that the UE requires a metric gap to perform inter-frequency metrics, so if a network is configured with a UE with inter-frequency metrics, the network also needs to be associated with the UE with metric gaps. During this period, the UE is allowed to stop listening to the serving cell (or PCell) and its receiver is tuned to another frequency to perform the metric. A UE capable of performing inter-frequency metrics in accordance with the requirements of 36.133 is capable of notifying the network of the capability in the "UE-EUTRA-Capability" information, as described in 36.331. Thus, the need to assemble the metric gaps is removed from the network when the inter-frequency metrics are grouped. Such a representation As supported by the UE, it has a plurality of different receiver chains that can independently assemble and receive signals simultaneously from different frequency bands. A UE with inter-frequency CA capability can be considered as an embodiment of such a UE.

Summary of invention

This section contains possible embodiments and is not intended to be limiting.

In one embodiment, a method includes: determining whether a device can perform a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the determining making a decision that the device is unable to perform an inter-frequency metric without The active cell causes an interruption, preventing the device from indicating that the device has no gap assistance to perform the metric.

An apparatus embodiment includes one or more processors and one or more memories including computer code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are assembled using the one or more processors to cause the device to perform at least the following: determining whether a device can perform metrics without being on an active cell Causing an interrupt; and in response to the decision making a decision that the device is unable to perform the inter-frequency metric without causing an interruption in the active cell, preventing the device from indicating that the device has no gap assistance to perform the metric.

An additional embodiment includes a computer program including code for determining whether a device can perform a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell when the computer program is run on a processor; and responding to the decision A decision is made that the device is unable to perform the inter-frequency metric without causing an interruption in the active cell, preventing the device from indicating that the device is capable of performing without gap assistance. the amount. In accordance with the computer program of this paragraph, the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium embodied in a computer computer code.

A computer program product embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium for a computer to carry computer code therein. The computer code includes: a code for determining whether a device can perform a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and responsive to the decision to make a decision that the device is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics without An interruption is caused on the active cell to prevent the device from indicating that the device is capable of performing the metric code without gap assistance.

Yet another embodiment is an apparatus comprising: means for determining whether a device is capable of performing a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the determining making a decision that the device is unable to perform an inter-frequency metric No interruptions are made on the active cell to prevent the device from indicating that the device can perform the metrics without gap assistance.

In another embodiment, a method includes: determining, at a station, whether a command has been received to indicate that a user equipment can perform metrics without gaps or interruptions; and responding to a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can have no gaps Performing a metric by interrupting, determining, at the station, a gap pattern for the user equipment and transmitting an indication of the gap pattern from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern indicates the user equipment The user device will perform a time course of the metric.

An apparatus embodiment includes one or more processors and one or more memories including computer code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are assembled using the one or more processors to cause the device to be executed At least the following: determining, at a station, whether a metric has been received indicating that the user equipment can be gap-free or interrupted; and performing a metric in response to a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can be gap-free or interrupted Determining, by the station, a gap pattern for the user equipment and transmitting one of the gap patterns from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user equipment that the user equipment is to be executed Measure one of the time courses.

An additional embodiment includes a computer program comprising code for when the computer program runs on a processor to: determine whether a device has been received at a station to indicate that a user device can perform metrics without gaps or interruptions; and Performing a metric at a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can be gap-free or interrupted, and determining, at the station, a gap pattern for the user equipment and transmitting an indication of the gap pattern from the station to the user The device, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user device that a time course under which the user device will perform the metric. In accordance with the computer program of this paragraph, the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium embodied in a computer computer code.

A computer program product embodiment includes a computer readable storage medium for a computer to carry computer code therein. The computer program code includes: a code for determining whether a user equipment can perform a measurement without gaps or interruptions at a station; and responding to a decision that the user equipment has no gap after receiving the instruction Performing a metric by interrupting, determining, at the station, a code for the gap pattern of the user equipment and transmitting one of the gap patterns from the station to the user equipment, The gap pattern indicates to the user device that a time course under which the user device will perform the metric.

An additional embodiment is a device comprising: means for determining, at a station, whether a component has been received to indicate that a user device can perform metrics without gaps or interruptions; and responsive to a decision that the user device has not received the indication Performing metrics without gaps or interruptions for determining, at the station, a component for the gap pattern of the user equipment and transmitting one of the gap patterns from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern pair The user device indicates a time course under which the user device will perform the metric.

1‧‧‧System, wireless network

10‧‧‧User Equipment (UE)

10A, 14A, 16A‧‧‧ Data Processor (DP)

10B, 14B, 16B‧‧‧ computer readable memory (MEM)

10C, 14C, 16C‧‧‧ Computer Command Program (PROG)

10D, 10D-1~2, 14D‧‧‧transmitters and receivers, transceivers

10F-1~2‧‧‧transmitter

10G-1~2‧‧‧ Receiver

10H-1~2‧‧‧Semiconductor wafer

10E, 14E, 100-1~2‧‧‧ antenna

11‧‧‧Wireless link

13, 15‧‧‧data/control path

14‧‧‧Evolved Node B (eNB)

14-1~2‧‧‧ Platform

16‧‧‧Network Control Element (NCE)

20-38, 52-78‧‧‧ squares

110‧‧‧One cell (PCell)

120‧‧‧Secondary cell (SCell)

In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of one of the features of a specific embodiment; FIG. 2 illustrates a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices and devices suitable for implementing embodiments of the present invention; The user equipment performs a block diagram of an example logic flow diagram for preventing interruption in active cell operation, and exemplifies operation on a computer readable memory according to an exemplary method of the specific embodiment herein. The execution result of one of the computer program instructions embodied in the computer program, and/or the function performed by the hardware logic; and FIG. 4 is performed by a station to prevent interruption in the operation of the active cell and is an example logic flow chart a block diagram illustrating the execution of one of the computer program instructions embodied on a computer readable memory in accordance with the operation of the exemplary method of the specific embodiment herein, and/or by hardware It has the function of logic.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiment

Referring to Figure 1, a schematic diagram of a system 1 incorporating features of a particular embodiment is shown. Although the features are described with reference to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings, it is understood that the features can be implemented in many different forms of embodiments.

The system 1 comprises at least one user equipment (UE) 10, which is connectable to a primary cell (PCell) 110 (formed by a first station 14-1 using antenna 100-1, shown as eNodeB in FIG. 2) 14) and a second cell (SCell) 120 (formed by the second station 14-2 using the antenna 100-2). A cell is generally referred to as an entity that communicates with a UE 10, but the technical "cell" is a region formed by at least partially borrowing a station. Referring also to FIG. 2, a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices and devices suitable for practicing embodiments of the present invention is illustrated. In FIG. 2, a wireless network 1 is adapted to be used on a wireless link 11 with a device, such as a mobile communication device, which can be referred to as a UE 10, communicating over a network access node, such as for an LTE or LTE-A network. eNodeB 14. The UEs 10 (for simplicity only one of Figures 1 and 2) each communicate with the eNodeB 14 using a wireless link 11. The wireless network 1 may include a network control element (NCE) 16, which may have a Mobile Management Entity (MME) and/or a Serving Gateway (S-GW) function, such as is known in the LTE system, and is provided A connection to another network, such as a public switched telephone network and/or a data communication network (such as the Internet).

The UE 10 includes a controller, such as a computer or data processor (DP) 10A, a computer readable memory (MEM) 10B that is specifically tangibly A computer program instruction program (PROG) 10C, and at least one suitable radio frequency (RF) transmitter and receiver (shown together as 10D) are used to communicate with the eNodeB 14 through one or more antennas 10E (not shown) Two-way wireless communication. The UE 10 may also have functionality to demodulate its control channel or decentralized control channel/PDCCH or E-PDCCH received via the radio link 11.

The eNodeB 14 also includes a controller, such as a computer or data processor (DP) 14A, a computer readable memory (MEM) 14B that specifically stores one of the computer instructions (PROG) 14C, and at least one suitable. The RF transmitter and receiver (shown together as 14D) are used to transmit one or more antennas 14E (two are shown, but as in the previous embodiment, there may be four, or even more than four, one antenna array ) communicating with the UE 10. The eNodeB 14 is additionally coupled to the NCE 16 via a data/control path 13. The NCE 16 also includes a controller, such as a computer or data processor (DP) 16A, a computer readable memory (MEM) 16B that stores a computer program (PROG) 16C. The NCE 16 can be connected to an additional network such as the Internet. This path 13 can now be known as the S1 interface for LTE systems. The eNodeB 14 can also be coupled to another eNodeB (or Node B) via the data/control path 15, which can now be known as the X2 interface in LTE systems.

The technology here can be regarded as a computer code (for example, PROG 10C or 14C, respectively) which is implemented in the memory of the UE 10 or the eNodeB 14 or has a computer code (by one or more processes). The device is implemented in combination with various hardware including memory locations, data processors, buffers, interfaces, etc., or entirely hardware (such as a very large integrated circuit). In addition, transmitters and receivers 10D and 14D can also be used Any type of wireless communication mask suitable for the local technical environment can now be implemented using, for example, individual transmitters, receivers, transceivers or combinations of such components.

In general, various embodiments of the UE 10 may include, but are not limited to, a cell phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) with wireless communication capabilities, a portable computer with wireless communication capabilities, and video capture with wireless communication capabilities. Devices such as digital cameras, gaming devices with wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback facilities with wireless communication capabilities, Internet facilities that permit wireless Internet access and browsing, and portable combinations that combine these features Unit or terminal.

Computer-readable MEM 10B and 14B can be any type suitable for the local technical environment, and can be used with any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems. , optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and removable memory. DP 10A and 14A can be any type suitable for the local technical environment and can include one or more of general purpose computers, special computers, microprocessors, digital signal processing (DSP) and multi-core processor based processors. As a non-limiting example.

The initial wafer set described above with respect to carrier aggregation in the band and in the discontinuous band is now most likely to be based on separate integrated circuit chips for each radio link. Describe the potential of a single wafer generation solution with the opportunity to reduce several key parameters such as cost, area, and power consumption. But tighter integration also brings the aforementioned problems. In the illustrative embodiment, there are typically multiple transceivers 10D for CA capable UEs. In Figure 2, through Two transceivers 10D-1 and 10D-2 are illustrated. The transceiver 10D-1 includes a transmitter 10F-1 and a receiver 10G-1. The transceiver 10D-2 includes a transmitter 10F-2 and a receiver 10G-2. Transceiver 10D-1 can be on one semiconductor wafer 10H-1, and transceiver 10D-2 can be on another semiconductor wafer 10H-2. Further, the transceivers 10D-1 and 10D-2 can be on one semiconductor wafer 10H-3.

The example scenario under discussion is caused by a certain solution for a UE that has a current CA and possibly a future dual connectivity (DC) UE. The problem is that when the first receiver 10G-1 is active, the UE initiates a second receiver activity (such as using the receiver 10G-2). The initiation of this second receiver 10G-2 activity causes interference with the already active first receiver 10G-1. This type of interference is also referred to as an interruption and is detailed later. The same condition may occur when or if the second receiver 10G-2 is no longer in use (eg, again turned off). Such a change in the second receiver 10G-2 can be caused, for example, by performing a metric using the second receiver 10G-2. In other words, the change may be caused by the UE 10, for example using the second receiver 10G-2 to perform inter-frequency metrics, or the change may be caused by the UE performing the metric at the assembled but deactivated SCell, eg according to the ScellMeasCycle or measCycleSCell. For example, this change may also occur due to SCell's combination/decommissioning and actuation/deactivation and other reasons.

Interference or interruption on the PCell indicates that the reception and possibly also the transmission on the active receiver link (the first receiver 10G-1, which is assigned to the PCell in this embodiment) is interrupted due to a change in the state of the second receiver 10G-2. After a given period of time, as explained above. Such an interrupt indicates that the UE 110 received or transmitted during an interrupt period (or experienced a partial TTI due to at least reception/transmission corruption due to interference/interruption). Currently understand that the interrupt period is short, but indicates that the UE will The TTI/PDCCH cannot be received during this time (at the TTI), and the UE 110 cannot transmit at the TTI (or at least part of the TTI) due to the TTI, resulting in a TTI reception/transmission error. In other words, the interruption is for the UE and the network. The DL reception and the omission of the UL transmission.

According to the reports in R4-131235 and R4-131664, it is believed that PCell interruptions need to be defined at least in the following cases: ● SCell combination; ● SCell disassociation; ● SCell actuation; ● SCell deactivation; ● SCell Metrics; and/or • inter-frequency metrics, such as when the carrier is configured as a potential cell on the SCell, the UE performs a normal inter-frequency metric on the carrier.

The interrupted transmission or reception by the UE 110 from a PCell due to the actuation and deactivation of the SCell, and the continuous CA in the in-band has been previously connected due to the interruption of the UE transmitting or receiving from the PCell at the time of deactivating the SCell. It is also an emphasis and discussion of inter-band CA (also including inter-frequency measurements). When SCell activity is not required, there is potential to display power savings gains at the UE side by allowing the UE to de-energize the power required to deactivate the SCell.

However, import interruptions have some side effects. If x milliseconds of interrupts are allowed, the UL interrupt will actually be (X+x) milliseconds: X milliseconds from the occurrence of the interrupt, and the loss of the UL scheduling opportunity from the x millisecond interrupt results in an additional x milliseconds. In addition, DL ack/nak will be affected because DL ack/nak will miss the x millisecond interrupt cycle.

Early hypothesis that CA-capable UEs target the supported CA group The combination will be able to perform inter-frequency (IF) metrics without metric gaps (refer to R4-100799). However, as mentioned above, it has been found that there are no valid assumptions. Features as described herein define explicit rules for the UE, and inter-frequency (IF) metrics cannot be performed without causing any interference (eg, interruptions in PCell operation) that cause PCell activity.

A feature as described herein is that for a UE that is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics without causing an interruption on an active cell (e.g., PCell), the UE is not allowed to indicate that the UE can perform inter-frequency metrics without an metric gap. The metric gap has a certain length, such as 6 milliseconds (e.g., the UE is long enough to perform retuning, and performs entity metrics on another carrier), while it is currently known that the interrupt is about 1 millisecond (and for example by the second receiver 10G-2 state) Caused by the change). The metric gap can be, for example, an existing gap pattern as defined, or a novel gap pattern, or a gap type.

In 3GPP TS 36.133, two different gap patterns are defined. The gap pattern consists of a metric gap (6 milliseconds) at which the UE tunes its receiver to another carrier to perform metrics, periodically repeated, for either 40 milliseconds or 80 milliseconds for this type. This point is networked, for example, via the eNodeB 14. For example, refer to Section 8.1.2.1 of 3GPP TS 36.133 V11.4.0 (2013-03), stating as follows: "Unless the UE has sent it to be able to perform these metrics without gaps, the inter-frequency and inter-RAT metric requirements within this clause The UE is configured to match a metric gap pattern. The UE only supports the metric gap patterns listed in Table 8.1.2.1-1, which is related to its metric capability."

In addition, Table 8.1.2.1-1, “Gap Pattern Configuration Supported by UE” states the following:

By not allowing the UE to indicate that the UE can perform inter-frequency metrics without gaps, the network will know that the UE cannot or should not perform an inter-frequency metric without an metric gap, and the network can allocate a metric gap (metric gap pattern) to the UE. . If the UE indicates that the UE does need the metric gap for the inter-frequency metric, the network must allocate a metric gap to the UE and the action gap pattern before requiring the UE to perform the inter-frequency metric.

For example, by stating additional conditions, in RAN2 and / or RAN4 specifications The achievable feature, if the start of the SCell activity or the activity on the carrier frequency (eg, the inter-frequency metric) causes an interruption, does not allow the UE to indicate that the UE can perform the inter-frequency metric without the network-assisted metric gap. The SCell activity can be, for example, in the form of cell detection and/or metrics. Instead of SCell, or SCell, this point can be applied to any inter-frequency carrier and/or inter-frequency neighboring cells.

Moreover, the feature as described herein is that the UE does not perform an inter-frequency metric on the network indicating that the UE is capable of no gaps (thus requiring gap assistance, such as according to 36.331 and 36.133 or any other gap assist).

Another option is that when such a UE indicates a UE outage, the UE will also implicitly indicate that the UE needs gap assistance for the inter-frequency metric. The gap assist can be in the form of an existing gap pattern or a novel gap pattern or a gap (eg, a single gap).

An additional option is to define the separation capability for UEs that are capable of performing inter-frequency metrics without gaps, but allow some degree of interruption for PCell reception.

Technical effects include, but are not limited to: • Resolving issues with unclarified specifications; • Using existing methods for licensing; • Ensuring network operation; • Allowing UEs to have degrees of freedom; and/or • Licensing UEs for integrated CA modems Saving electricity.

Features are available for CA-capable UEs that have an integrated CA solution (eg, a single circuit die for CA).

A specific embodiment of a device may include at least one process At least one memory comprising software, wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the software are configured to: when the device is unable to perform inter-frequency measurements without disrupting the active cell At the time, the device performs inter-frequency measurements without gaps.

A specific embodiment of a device may comprise at least one processor; at least one memory comprising software, wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the software are assembled to: The SCell activity causes an interruption, preventing the device from instructing the device to perform an inter-frequency metric without a network-assisted metric gap.

A specific embodiment of a device may comprise at least one processor; at least one memory comprising software, wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the software are configured to: not indicate a network The device has the ability to perform inter-frequency measurements without gaps.

A specific embodiment of a device may comprise at least one processor; at least one memory comprising software, wherein the at least one processor, the at least one memory, and the software are configured to indicate that the device is incapable of executing The inter-frequency metric does not cause an active cell break, and does not cause an active cell break by merely indicating that the device is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics, implicitly indicating that the device requires inter-frequency metric gap assistance.

Referring also to FIG. 3, an example method can include, as indicated by block 20, determining whether a device can perform inter-frequency metrics (eg, secondary cells) without causing an active cell (eg, a primary cell) to be interrupted; 22 indicating that in response to the decision indicating that the device does not cause an active cell to interrupt execution (eg, inter-frequency) metrics, preventing the device from instructing the network that the device can be assisted without gap assistance Line (for example, inter-frequency) metrics. Embodiments that prevent the device from instructing the network to indicate that the device can perform metrics without gap assistance can include preventing the device from performing a metric to the network indicating that the device can be assisted by an unmeasured gap or without interruption. Note that these interrupts are based on an interrupt on the UL transmission (e.g., on transmitter 10F-1) or DL reception (e.g., receiver 10G-1) received by receiver 10G-2. However, the UE decides that when the device is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics without disruption, it may be a UE-specific design issue at all (see Box 24), depending on how the CA combination is, and how it is also falsely transmitted from the VCO. In addition, the decision can also come from the power pull, indicating that when a new activity is initiated, the new activity may cause a change in the PLL/VCO bungee, and then affect the phase consumption for a certain period of time. Note that the metric is typically an inter-frequency metric for the SCell, but is not limited by this, and may be, for example, an inter-frequency metric or a possibly intra-frequency metric for the carrier.

The embodiment of block 22 is illustrated by blocks 26 and 28. In block 26, if the cell activity is initiated by the device (eg, for the SCell or another cell that is different from the active cell, by the transmitter 10F-2/receiver 10G-2), the active cell is caused ( For example, for an interruption of the PCell transmitter 10F-2/receiver 10G-1, the device performs an inter-frequency metric that prevents the device from indicating that the device can have a network-assisted metric gap. Note that the metric gap can include, but is not limited to, a defined metric gap and can be a newly defined metric gap. At block 28, the apparatus performs an operation to the network to indicate that the apparatus is capable of performing an inter-frequency metric with an unmeasured gap.

At block 30, the device selectively performs an indication network that is incapable of performing (e.g., inter-frequency) metrics without causing an interruption on an active cell. One embodiment of block 30 is illustrated by block 32, where It is shown that the device is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics without causing an interruption on an active cell, implicitly indicating that the device requires gap assistance (e.g., a gap pattern or a newly defined gap pattern) for inter-frequency measurements. In other words, if the device gives a station indicating that the device is unable to perform the inter-frequency metric without causing an interruption on the active cell, then the indication indicates that the station requires the gap to assist in the inter-frequency metric.

Block 34, where the apparatus performs an indication that the station receives a gap pattern can be performed at a plurality of locations, as shown. For example, when it is determined that the device is not capable of performing inter-frequency measurements without gaps, the station may send an indication of a gap pattern prior to block 30. In another embodiment, after receiving an indication in response to block 30, the station will transmit, and at block 34, the device will receive an indication of the gap pattern.

At block 36, the device operates to use a gap pattern to perform (e.g., inter-frequency) metrics on the secondary cells. At block 38, the apparatus operates to report the (e.g., inter-frequency) metric on the secondary cell to the active cell (e.g., the station forming the active cell). Note that the report may not be reported to the active cell, but may be reported to other entities in the network, such as to the secondary cell.

Turning to Figure 4, the figure is executed by a station (e.g., eNodeB 14) to prevent interruptions in active cell operations. The figure is also a block diagram of an example logic flow diagram. According to the specific embodiment herein, the operation of the exemplary method is performed on a computer readable memory, and/or in a hard body. The function of the logic execution.

At block 52, the station performs an operation to determine whether an indication is received that the UE can perform the inter-frequency metric without gaps. If an indication has been received for the UE Inter-frequency metrics may be performed without gaps (block 54 = YES), then at block 56, the station performs operation - the UE may perform the inter-frequency metric execution without gaps.

On the other hand, if an inter-frequency metric is not received indicating that the UE can have no gaps (block 54 = no), then at block 58, the station performs an operation to determine whether the UE has a level gap. Which gap pattern (if any) is used can depend on a number of aspects. Also, the gap pattern may be infrequently combined and/or active. For example, if the UE is not at the edge of a cell, then a metric that is active at the UE side may be required. If the station decides to have a metric gap for the UE (block 60 = YES), then at block 62, the station performs a decision for the UE's gap pattern; and at block 64, the station performs an operation to send an indication of the gap pattern to the UE. . Note that multiple instructions may be sent. At block 66, the station performs the actuation of the gap pattern, for example, via RRC signaling. Note that blocks 64 and 66 can be combined without being operated independently. Flow proceeds to block 76, which is detailed later.

Block 68 is reached if the station determines that there is no scheduling gap for the UE (block 60 = no). It is further found that block 68 can be selective. At block 68, the station performs an operation to determine whether to receive an indication that the UE is unable to perform the inter-frequency metric without causing an interruption on an active cell. If the indication is received (block 70 = YES), the station executes (block 72) to indicate that the device requires gap assistance. In other words, receiving the indication that the UE is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics does not cause an interruption on an active cell, implying that the UE requires gap assistance. Accordingly, the station executes (block 74) blocks 62, 64, and 66 to determine a gap pattern for the UE, transmit the gap pattern to the UE, and actuate the gap pattern. Note that actuating the gap pattern (at block 62) is an optional step. Flow proceeds to block 76 where the station performs an inter-frequency measurement on the secondary cell from the UE. Block 76 also arrives from block 66. Note that block 76 is optional, for example, receiving metrics is not guaranteed, but is only possible. If the indication is not received (block 70 = YES), then flow ends at block 78.

The determined gap pattern is not limited to the existing pattern in this specification for any of the foregoing blocks that determine any "gap pattern". Instead of (or in addition to the existing type), the options listed above in the Detailed Description section are also possible, and the gap pattern may even be a novel gap pattern that has not been previously used.

The following are examples. Embodiment 1. A method comprising: determining whether a device is capable of performing a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the decision making a decision that the device is unable to perform an inter-frequency metric without being in the active cell The interruption is caused by the element, preventing the device from indicating that the device has no gap assistance and can perform the metric. Embodiment 2. The method of embodiment 1, wherein preventing further comprises causing an interruption on the active cell if one of the cell activations of the device is initiated, wherein the cell actuation system is different from the active cell A cell that prevents the device from indicating that the device has no network-assisted measurement gap to perform the metric. Embodiment 3. The method of embodiment 1, wherein preventing further comprises the ability to perform a metric without indicating to the network that the device has an unmeasured gap.

The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises indicating to the network that the device is unable to perform the metric without causing an interruption on an active cell, thereby indicating that the device is unable to The metric is performed without causing an interruption on an active cell, thus implicitly indicating that the device requires gap assistance for the metric. Example 5. Any of Embodiments 1 to 4 The method of the method further comprising: receiving an indication of a gap pattern; using the gap pattern to perform a metric on a second cell; and reporting an indication of the metrics.

The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the active cell is one of a primary cell for carrier aggregation and the measurement system is to be at or used for one of the carrier aggregations Executed on the cell. The method of embodiment 6, wherein the interrupt is an interruption of at least one of an uplink or downlink communication between the device and the active cell, and the interrupting is performed by the interrupt One of these metrics of the secondary cell is caused by the receiver. The method of any one of embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics.

Embodiment 9. An apparatus comprising: means for determining whether a device is capable of performing a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the decision making a decision that the device is unable to perform inter-frequency metrics without An interruption is caused on the active cell to prevent the device from indicating that the device is capable of performing metrics without gap assistance.

Embodiment 10. The device of embodiment 9, wherein the means for preventing further comprises causing an interruption in the active cell if the cell activation by one of the devices is initiated, wherein the cell actuation system is directed to A cell of a different cell is used to prevent the device from indicating that the device has no network-assisted metric gaps to perform the metrics. Embodiment 11. The apparatus of embodiment 9, wherein the means for preventing further comprises means for performing an ability to perform a metric without indicating to the network that the apparatus has an unmeasured gap.

Embodiment 12. The device of any one of embodiments 9 to 11, One step includes means for indicating to a network that the device is unable to perform metrics without causing an interruption on an active cell, thereby indicating that the device is unable to perform metrics without causing an interruption on an active cell, Implicitly indicating that the device requires gap assistance for metrics. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 9 to 12, further comprising: means for receiving an indication of a gap pattern; for performing the metric on a second cell using the gap pattern And the means for reporting the indication of the metrics.

Embodiment 14. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 9 to 13, wherein the active cell is one of a primary cell for carrier aggregation and the measurement system is to be at or used for one of the carrier aggregations Executed on the cell. The device of embodiment 14 wherein the interrupt is an interruption of at least one of an uplink or downlink communication between the device and the active cell, and the interrupting is performed by the interrupt One of these metrics of the secondary cell is caused by the receiver. Embodiment 16. The apparatus of any one of embodiments 9 to 15, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics.

Embodiment 17. A user device comprising the apparatus of any of embodiments 9-16.

Embodiment 18. A method comprising: determining, at a station, whether a command has been received to indicate that a user equipment can perform metrics without gaps or interruptions; and responding to a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can be free of gaps or interruptions Performing a metric at which the station determines a gap pattern for the user equipment and transmits an indication of the gap pattern from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user equipment The user device will perform a time course of the metric.

Embodiment 19. The method of embodiment 18, further comprising actuating the gap pattern. The method of any one of embodiments 18 or 19, wherein determining, by the user device, a gap pattern is further responsive to not receiving the indication. The method of any one of embodiments 18 to 20, further comprising receiving a metric from the user device. The method of any one of embodiments 18 to 21, wherein the station forms an active cell, the active cell being a primary cell used by the user equipment for carrier aggregation, and the metrics It is executed by the user equipment on one of the secondary cells for the carrier aggregation.

The method of embodiment 22, wherein the interruption is an interruption of the user equipment in at least one of uplink or downlink communication between the user equipment and the active cell, and The interruptions are caused by the implementation of the metrics of the secondary cells at a receiver of the user equipment. The method of any one of embodiments 18 to 23, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics.

Embodiment 25. An apparatus, comprising: means for determining, at a station, whether a component indicating that a user equipment can perform a metric without gaps or interruptions; and responsive to a decision that the user equipment has not been received Metrics are performed by gaps or interruptions for determining, at the station, a component for the gap pattern of the user equipment and transmitting one of the gap patterns from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern is The user device indicates a time course under which the user device will perform the metric.

Embodiment 26. The device of embodiment 25, further comprising means for actuating the gap pattern. Example 27. Any of the examples 25 or 26 A device wherein a gap pattern is determined for the user device to further respond to not receiving the indication. Embodiment 28. The device of any one of embodiments 25 to 27, further comprising means for receiving a metric from the user device.

The device of any one of embodiments 25 to 28, wherein the station forms an active cell, the active cell being a primary cell used by the user equipment for carrier aggregation, and the like The metric is performed by the user equipment on one of the secondary cells for the carrier aggregation. The device of embodiment 29, wherein the interruption is an interruption of the user equipment in at least one of an uplink or downlink communication between the user equipment and the active cell, and The interruptions are caused by the implementation of the metrics of the secondary cells at a receiver of the user equipment. The device of any one of embodiments 25 to 30, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics.

Embodiment 32. A station comprising the apparatus of any of embodiments 25 to 31. Embodiment 33. A system comprising the apparatus of any one of embodiments 9 to 16 and the apparatus of any one of embodiments 25 to 31.

Embodiment 34. A computer program comprising code for executing a device as in any of embodiments 1 to 8 or 18 to 24. The computer program of embodiment 34, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium carrying computer code embodied therein for use in a computer.

Embodiment 36. An apparatus comprising one or more processors and one or more memories includes computer code. The one or more memories and the computer program code are assembled using the one or more processors to cause the loading The code of the method of any of embodiments 1 to 8 or 18 to 24 is executed.

It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description is only illustrative. Skilled people can make various substitutions and modifications. For example, the features recited in the respective dependent claims can be combined with each other in any suitable combination. Furthermore, the features of the various embodiments described above may also be selectively combined into new embodiments. Accordingly, the Detailed Description is intended to cover all such alternatives, modifications, and variations, which are within the scope of the appended claims. It is further noted that the blocks in Figures 3 and 4 can be considered as means of interconnecting the functions of the blocks.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in software (executed by one or more processors), hardware (eg, application specific integrated circuits), or a combination of software and hardware. In one embodiment, software (eg, application logic) The instruction set is maintained on any of a variety of conventional computer readable media. In the context of this document, "computer readable medium" may be any medium or component capable of containing, storing, communicating, transmitting or transmitting instructions by or in connection with an instruction execution system, device, or device, such as a computer. One embodiment is described and illustrated in, for example, FIG. The computer readable medium can include a computer readable storage medium (eg, memory 10B, 14B or other device) that can be any medium that can contain or store instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, device, or device, such as a computer. Or component. However, computer readable storage media does not cover propagating signals.

The different functions discussed herein can be performed in different orders and/or concurrently with each other if desired. Furthermore, one or more of the foregoing functions may be optional or may be combined.

Although the various aspects of the present invention have been set forth in the separate claims of the claims, other aspects of the present invention are intended to be inclusive of the features of the embodiments and/or the scope of the claims. Other combinations of such features, and not only those combinations explicitly recited in the scope of the claims.

1‧‧‧Wireless network

10‧‧‧User Equipment (UE)

10A, 14A, 16A‧‧‧ Data Processor (DP)

10B, 14B, 16B‧‧‧ computer readable memory (MEM)

10C, 14C, 16C‧‧‧ one of the computer instructions (PROG)

10D, 10D-1~2, 14D‧‧‧transmitters and receivers, transceivers

10E, 14E‧‧‧ antenna

10F-1~2‧‧‧transmitter

10G-1~2‧‧‧ Receiver

10H-1~3‧‧‧Semiconductor wafer

11‧‧‧Wireless link

13, 15‧‧‧data/control path

14‧‧‧Evolved Node B (eNodeB)

16‧‧‧Network Control Element (NCE)

Claims (35)

A method comprising: determining whether a device is capable of performing a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the determining making a decision that the device is unable to perform an inter-frequency metric without being in the active cell An interruption is caused to prevent the device from indicating that the device has no gap assistance to perform the metric. The method of claim 1, wherein preventing further comprises causing an interruption on the active cell if one of the cell activations of the device is initiated, wherein the cell actuation system is directed to a cell different from the active cell The element prevents the device from indicating that the device has no network-assisted measurement gap and can perform metrics. The method of claim 1, wherein the preventing further comprises the ability to perform a measure without indicating to the network that the device has an unmeasured gap. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 3, wherein the method further comprises indicating to the network that the device is unable to perform the metric without causing an interruption on an active cell, thereby indicating that the device is unable to perform the metric There is no interruption on an active cell, so implicitly indicating that the device requires gap assistance for the metric. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: receiving an indication of a gap pattern; using the gap pattern to perform a metric on a second cell; and reporting an indication of the metrics. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the active cell is used for One of the primary aggregations of the carrier aggregation and the measurements will be performed on or on one of the secondary cells for the carrier aggregation. The method of claim 6, wherein the interrupt is an interruption of at least one of uplink or downlink communication between the device and the active cell, and the interrupt is performed by the second cell One of these metrics is caused by the receiver. The method of any one of clauses 1 to 7, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics. An apparatus comprising: means for determining whether a device is capable of performing a metric without causing an interruption on an active cell; and in response to the determining making a decision that the device is unable to perform an inter-frequency metric without An interruption is caused on the active cell to prevent the device from indicating that the device is capable of performing the metrics without gap assistance. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for preventing further comprises causing an interruption on the active cell if one of the cell activations by the device is initiated, wherein the cell actuation system is directed to the active cell Different cells are used to prevent the device from indicating that the device has no network-assisted measurement gaps to perform the metrics. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the means for preventing further comprises means for performing an ability to perform a measure without indicating to the network that the device has an unmeasured gap. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 11, further comprising means for indicating to a network that the apparatus is incapable of performing metrics without an active cell The component that causes the interruption, and thus the indication that the device is unable to perform the metric without causing an interruption on an active cell, thus implicitly indicating that the device requires gap assistance for the metric. The apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 12, further comprising: means for receiving an indication of a gap pattern; means for performing a metric on a second cell using the gap pattern; And means for reporting the indication of such metrics. The apparatus of any one of clauses 9 to 13, wherein the active cell is one of a primary cell for carrier aggregation and the metric is to be on or in a secondary cell for the carrier aggregation carried out. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the interrupt is an interruption of at least one of uplink or downlink communication between the apparatus and the active cell, and the interrupting is performed by the second cell One of these metrics is caused by the receiver. The apparatus of any one of clauses 9 to 15, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics. A user equipment comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 16. A method comprising: determining, at a station, whether a metric has been received indicating that a user equipment can be gap-free or interrupted; and performing a metric in response to a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can be gap-free or interrupted At the station, it is decided to set up for the user. A gap pattern is provided and one of the gap patterns is transmitted from the station to the user equipment, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user equipment that a time course for which the user equipment will perform the metric. The method of claim 18, further comprising actuating the gap pattern. The method of any one of claims 18 or 19, wherein determining, by the user equipment, a gap pattern is further responsive to not receiving the indication. The method of any one of claims 18 to 20, further comprising receiving a metric from the user device. The method of any one of clauses 18 to 21, wherein the station forms an active cell, the active cell being a primary cell used by the user equipment for carrier aggregation, and the metrics are The user equipment is executed on one of the secondary cells for the carrier aggregation. The method of claim 22, wherein the interruption is an interruption of the user equipment in at least one of uplink or downlink communication between the user equipment and the active cell, and the interruption The metric of performing the second cell is caused by a receiver of the user equipment. The method of any one of clauses 18 to 23, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics. An apparatus comprising: means for determining, at a station, whether a component has been received to indicate that a user equipment can perform metrics without gaps or interruptions; and responsive to a decision that the user equipment has not received the indication that the user equipment can be free of gaps or interruptions And performing a metric for determining, at the station, one of the gap patterns for the user equipment and transmitting the gap pattern from the station A means for indicating to the user device, wherein the gap pattern indicates to the user device that a time course under which the user device will perform the metric. The device of claim 25, further comprising means for actuating the gap pattern. The apparatus of any one of claims 25 or 26, wherein determining, by the user equipment, a gap pattern is further responsive to not receiving the indication. The device of any one of claims 25 to 27, further comprising means for receiving a metric from the user device. The apparatus of any one of clauses 25 to 28, wherein the station forms an active cell, the active cell being a primary cell used by the user equipment for carrier aggregation, and the metrics are The user equipment is executed on one of the secondary cells for the carrier aggregation. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the interrupt is an interruption of the user equipment in at least one of an uplink or downlink communication between the user equipment and the active cell, and the interruption The metric of performing the second cell is caused by a receiver of the user equipment. The apparatus of any one of clauses 25 to 30, wherein the metrics are inter-frequency metrics. A station comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 31. A system comprising the apparatus of any one of claims 9 to 16 and the apparatus of any one of claims 25 to 31. A computer program comprising a program code for executing the apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 8 or 18 to 24. The computer program of claim 34, wherein the computer program is a computer program product comprising a computer readable medium carrying computer code embodied therein for use in a computer.