WO2015142278A1

WO2015142278A1 - Node and method for capability reporting

Info

Publication number: WO2015142278A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/050338
Authority: WO
Inventors: Erika TEJEDOR; Håkan Palm; Christian Bergljung; Ingrid Nordstrand; Lisa BOSTRÖM; Tao CUI
Original assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
Priority date: 2014-03-20
Filing date: 2015-03-20
Publication date: 2015-09-24

Abstract

Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a wireless device (501), and corresponding methods therein, for providing a carrier aggregation capability report. Example embodiments presented herein are also directed towards a base station (401), and corresponding methods therein, for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability report.

Description

NODE AND METHOD FOR CAPABILITY REPORTING

TECHNICAL FIELD

Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a wireless device, and corresponding methods therein, for providing a carrier aggregation capability report. Example embodiments presented herein are also directed towards a base station, and corresponding methods therein, for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability report.

BACKGROUND Carrier Aggregation

The 3GPP LTE Rel-10 specifications standardized CA supporting Component Carrier (CC) bandwidths up to 20 MHz (which is the maximal LTE Rel-8 carrier bandwidth). Hence, an LTE Rel-10 operation wider than 20 MHz is possible and appear as a number of LTE carriers to an LTE Rel-10 terminal.

The 3GPP LTE Rel-10 standard support up to 5 aggregated carriers where each carrier is limited in the RF specifications to have a one of six bandwidths namely 6, 15, 25, 50, 75 or 100 RB The number of aggregated CC as well as the bandwidth of the individual CC may be different for uplink and downlink. A symmetric configuration refers to the case where the number of CCs in downlink and uplink is the same whereas an asymmetric configuration refers to the case that the number of CCs is different. It is important to note that the number of CCs configured in the network may be different from the number of CCs seen by a terminal: A terminal may for example support more downlink CCs than uplink CCs, even though the network offers the same number of uplink and downlink CCs.

During initial access a LTE Rel-10 terminal behaves similar to a LTE Rel-8 terminal. Upon successful connection to the network a terminal may - depending on its own capabilities and the network - be configured with additional CCs in the UL and DL. Configuration is based on RRC. Due to the heavy signalling and rather slow speed of RRC signalling it is envisioned that a terminal may be configured with multiple CCs even though not all of them are currently used. If a terminal is activated on multiple CCs this would imply it has to monitor all DL CCs for PDCCH and PDSCH. This implies a wider receiver bandwidth, higher sampling rates, etc. resulting in high power consumption. The 3GPP radio specifications, i.e. TS 36.101 , include requirements for up to 2C DL and only 1 UL in Rel-10. In the Rel-12 version of this specification, 3DL CA is being introduced as well as UL inter-band CA. Carrier Aggregation with multiple SCells

When there is support for one SCell per CA-capable UE, the "fall-back" for when this SCell no longer works (e.g., UE has moved out of coverage) is to deconfigure the SCell and only use the PCell. With current UE capability signalling the UE has already indicated support for this fall-back implicitly since it was allowed to attach to this cell as PCell.

When having support for more than one SCell, the UE will with the current UE capability structure has to report all the possible SCell combinations, e.g. if it supports CA for B1 + B2 + B3, including all possible "fall-back" combinations it must also report support of B1 + B2, B1+B3 and B2+B3. UE capability handling

During the Attach procedure, the absence of the UE AS capability in the Initial UE context setup request from MME will trigger the eNB to send the UE capability enquiry. Then the UE AS capability after received by the eNB is uploaded to MME and will be stored in MME until detach or re-attach. The eNB keeps the UE capability information during the time when the UE is RRC connected. After initial attach procedure, the MME will usually provide the UE capability to the eNB in subsequent RRC connection setups. Upon reception of UE capability from MME, the eNB may decide more UE capability is needed based on what other RATs are supported by the UE and if such neighbor cells are present. The available UE capability information in source eNB is transferred from source to target eNB at handover preparationThe eNB may acquire the UE capability after a Handover completion. The UE capabilities are then uploaded to the MME.

UE capability handling

For each UE band combination, the UE reports, according to TS36.331 , CA band combination capabilities, measurement gap capability, supported bandwidth combination set, multiple timing advance, and simultaneous Rx-Tx. For each CA band combination capability, the UE indicates, according to TS36.331 , band indicator, each Bandwidth class and MIMO capability of DL, each Bandwidth class and MIMO capability of UL, supported number of CSI process (corresponding to 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15 and 20 MHz respectively), as illustrated in Figure 1 SUMMARY

The current RRC signalling for the UE to report supported band combinations/single bands is limited to 128 different combinations/bands. The current status in 3GPP (Rel-1 1 at least) is that the UE has to report all the combinations/bands that it supports, as the eNB must follow what is explicitly reported and may not make any assumptions as to what combinations or subsets of combinations the UE supports.

With the increase of number of CCs aggregated, it is needed to compact the capability signalling when possible. This could allow, for certain UEs to fit the capability signalling within the 128 different band/band combinations that can be signalled.

The number of possible bands/band combinations will not only increase due to added number of CCs aggregated, but also due to that UEs are expected to support more bands and band-combination to be able to function in many different areas of the world as well as support carrier aggregation in the different areas.

Thus, at least one example object of the example embodiments presented herein is to provide a means of reporting capability information of a wireless device in which an amount of utilized system resources may be reduced.

According to some of the example embodiments, a compact signalling method is introduced for the UE CA capability reporting. The UE capability is reported per group of band combinations. In each group, the CA capability and other band combination related capabilities are the same for all the band combinations belonging to the group.

At least one example advantage of some of the example embodiments is that it is possible to either continue using the limited 128 supported bands/band combinations or alternatively make the list slightly longer but nowhere near infinity. A further example advantage is that the example embodiments allow for removal of redundant information by reporting common capabilities for the band combinations and their fall-back modes instead of separate reporting as of today.

Accordingly, some of the example embodiments are directed towards a method, in a wireless device, for providing a carrier aggregation capability report. The wireless device is configured for use in a wireless communications network. The method comprises determining a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device. The method further comprises sending, to a base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a wireless device for providing a carrier aggregation capability report. The wireless device is configured for use in a wireless communications network. The wireless device comprises processing circuitry configured to determine a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device. The wireless device also comprises radio circuitry configured to send, to a base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a method, in a base station, for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability of a wireless device. The base station is comprised in a wireless communications network. The method comprises receiving, from the wireless device, a carrier aggregation capability report. The carrier aggregation capability report comprises a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations being reported. The method further comprises mapping the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value.

Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a base station for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability of a wireless device. The base station is comprised in a wireless communications network. The base station comprises radio circuitry configured to receive, from the wireless device, a carrier aggregation capability report comprising a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations supported being reported. The base station further comprises processing circuitry configured to map the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value.

ACRONYMS

3GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

CA Carrier Aggregation

CC Component Carriers

CDMA Code Division Multiple Access

CSI Channel State Information

DL Downlink

eNB Evolve Node B

EPC Evolved Packet Core

EUTRA Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access

EUTRAN Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network

GERAN GSM EDGE Radio Access Network

GSM Global System for Mobile Communication D c

IE Information Element

LTE Long Term Evolution

MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output

MME Mobility Management Entity

NAS Non-Access Stratum

NW Network

PCell Primary Cell

PDCCH Physical Dedicated Control Channel

PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

RAN Radio Access Network

RAT Radio Access Type

RB Resource Blocks

RF Radio Frequency

RRC Radio Resource Control

SCell Secondary Cell

SIB System Information Block

UE User Equipment

UL Uplink

UTRA Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing will be apparent from the following more particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the example

embodiments.

FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of carrier aggregation;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are message passing diagrams illustrating a wireless device sending a group capability report to a base station, according to some of the example embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example a base station receiving a group capability report and thereafter using the received report to map the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities, according to some of the example embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example node configuration of a wireless device, according to some of the example embodiments presented herein; FIG. 6 is an illustration of an example node configuration of a base station, according to some of the example embodiments presented herein;

FIG. 7 A is a flow diagram of example operations which may be taken by the wireless device of FIG. 5, according to some of the example embodiments;

FIG. 7B is an illustration of modules which may perform at least some of the operations of FIG. 7A, according to some of the example embodiments;

FIG. 8A is a flow diagram of example operations which may be taken by the base station of FIG. 6, according to some of the example embodiments; and

FIG. 8B is an illustration of modules which may perform at least some of the operations of FIG. 8A, according to some of the example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular components, elements, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments. However, the example embodiments may be practiced in other manners that depart from these specific details. In other instances, detailed descriptions of well-known methods and elements are omitted so as not to obscure the description of the example embodiments.

It should be appreciated that the terms wireless device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. It should also be appreciated that the terms base station and eNodeB (eNB) may be used interchangeably. It should be appreciated that all example embodiments described herein may be utilized independently or in any combination with other example embodiments.

Overview of carrier aggregation group capability

According to some of the example embodiments, the UE informs the eNB about its capabilities in a compacted way. For a specific band combination, the UE reports its capability for N DL CA, where N>1. The eNB reads this capability and assumes that lower order of DL CA among the bands included in the signalled band combination is supported. The number of UL supported can be greater or equal to 1 and less or equal to the number of DL CCs. For M UL CA, where M>1 and M<=N, the eNB assumes that lower order of UL CA among the bands included in the signaled band combination are supported

Furthermore, different groups may be specified to be signaled by the UE. A group capability may be used to distinguish different capabilities in the different supported modes of CA.

According to some of the example embodiments, the specific band related capabilities comprise the capabilities for a specific band combination which deviate from the common band related capabilities.

In an example implementation, the UE informs the eNB about its capabilities on a compacted way but with only part of the capability information for a particular bandwidth combination in the specific part, see Table 1. The specific parts could e.g. be the bandwidth combination sets supported when B+C is configured which may not be fully consistent with the supported bandwidth combinations inferred from A+B+C. For example only the information that deviates or is special for this specific sub-combination can be listed in the specific part. The remaining capability information for B+C would be derived from that for A+B+C and listen in the common part.

Table 1 : Band A+B+C Group Capabilities

Group Common band related Specific band related

Capability capabilities capabilities

0 A+B+C - A+B A+C

B+C

1 A+B+C Specific parts of B+C

A+B

A+C

Parts of B+C common with

A+B+C

3 A+B+C Specific parts of A+C

A+B

B+C

Parts of A+C common with

A+B+C

4 A+B+C Specific parts of A+B

B+C Specific parts of A+C

Parts of A+C common with

A+B+C

Parts of A+C common with

A+B+C

5 A+B+C Specific parts of A+C

A+B Specific parts of B+C

Parts of A+C common with

A+B+C

Parts of B+C common with

A+B+C

6 A+B+C Specific parts of A+B

A+C Specific parts of B+C

Parts of A+B common with

A+B+C

Parts of B+C common with

A+B+C

7 A+B+C Specific parts of A+B

Parts of A+B common with Specific parts of A+C A+B+C

Specific parts of B+C

Parts of A+C common with

A+B+C

Parts of B+C common with

A+B+C

According to some of the example embodiments, the UE reports that it has common capabilities for Band A + B + C belonging to group 0. The eNB then understands that all the band-combinations A+B+C, A+B, A+C, B+C share the same capabilities.

According to some of the example embodiments, another Group may be indicated and then the eNB has to check the specific capabilities that apply for a subset of the band- combinations possible to derive. Only information about the capabilities that deviates from the reported common capabilities is provided.

Group capability: refers to the group to which the CA belongs. This can be used, for example, as identifiers of a mapping table in the UE. In this example, when the eNB receives Group Capability 0, it understands that this mean that A+B+C, A+B, A+C and B+C have the same band related capabilities.

Common band related capabilities: relates to the band capabilities which are common for a set band combinations. In this example, it contains all common capabilities for the CA modes including in the group.

Specific band related capabilities: relates to the band capabilities which are specific for a band combination and different from the Common band related capabilities. In this example, this field contains the capabilities for the CA mode which differ from the common.

According to some of the example embodiments, the specific band related capabilities comprise all capabilities for a specific band combination which contains at least one specific band related capability.

One example implementation of the Group capabilities is shows in Table 2 for a UE supported N DL CA (implying also support to fallback DL CA modes), the band related capabilities for N and the fallback DL CA modes may be the same. For another UE, the band related capabilities for N and fallback DL CA may differ. Band related capabilities could for example be, but is not limited to, MIMO layers, UL/DL support, BW class, bandwidth combination sets or need for measurement gaps.

Table 2 shows an example of Group Capabilities for 3DL CA between Band A+B+C. Band A+B+C denote Band A, Band B and Band C. They can be any operated band. The order may be, but not restricted to, from the lowest to the highest operating band number being part of the CA combination (3DL between Band 1 , 2 and 3 would be reported as Band 1+2+3 following this principle). Table 2: Band A+B+C Group Capabilities

Group capability: refers to the group to which the CA belongs. This can be used, for example, as identifiers of a mapping table in the UE. In this example, when the eNB receives Group Capability 0, it understands that this means that A+B+C, A+B, A+C and B+C have the same band related capabilities Common band related capabilities: it relates to the band capabilities which are common for a set band combinations. In this example, it contains common capabilities for the CA modes which have all capabilities common.

Specific band related capabilities: it relates to the band capabilities which are specific for a band combination and different from the Common band related capabilities. In the example this field contains all the capabilities for the CA mode which includes at least one specific band capability.

According to some of the example embodiments, a legacy UE that does not support the group signaling will report all supported bands/band combinations. A UE that supports the signaling but attaches to an eNB that does not will have to report all supported bands/band combinations.

UE reporting of group capability

According to some of the example embodiments, the UE reports the group capability. According to some of the example embodiments, the UE reports the group capability, the capability for N DL and M UL CA (M<=N) and the specific band related capabilities for band combinations with different than the common band capabilities. An example of such an embodiment is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 and 3 corresponds to group capability 1 and 0, respectively, that the UE reports. In case the UE has different/specific capabilities for one subset of band combinations, the UE signals another group capability with the inclusion of the specific capability applicable only that subset of band combination.

According to some of the example embodiments, the UE reports the group capability and the capability for N DL and M UL CA (M<=N). The eNB can decode which are the band combinations with common and specific band related capabilities (for example, but not restricted to, by the implementation of a mapping table). The eNB request further information on the common or specific band related capabilities as needed. This request can be done by the eNB at any point in time. An example of such an embodiment is illustrated in Figure 3. eNB translation of the information

According to some of the example embodiments, the UE reports the highest band combination supported for a specific band combination, the group capability, Common band related capabilities and Specific band related capabilities. Specific band related capabilities ; empty for the case of Group Capability 0. According to some of the example embodiments, the base station receives the capabilities reported by the UE and together with the "general" group capability table which is implemented on the eNB, it can decode the information, see Figure 4. Specifically, the eNB may use the group capability value provided by the UE as an index into a mapping within the eNB.

According to some of the example embodiments, in the case of handover, the serving cell forwards the Group Capability information to the target eNB.

According to some of the example embodiments, the eNB may provide such group capabilities or any other related information described herein to the MME.

Example node configurations

Figure 5 illustrates an example of base station 401 which may incorporate some of the example embodiments discussed above. As shown in Figure 5, the base station 401 may comprise a radio circuitry 410 configured to receive and transmit any form of communications or control signals within a network. It should be appreciated that the radio circuitry 410 may be comprised as any number of transceiving, receiving, and/or transmitting units, modules or circuitry. It should further be appreciated that the radio circuitry 410 may be in the form of any input/output communications port known in the art. The radio circuitry 410 may comprise RF circuitry and baseband processing circuitry (not shown).

The base station 401 may further comprise at least one memory unit or circuitry 430 that may be in communication with the radio circuitry 410. The memory 430 may be configured to store received or transmitted data and/or executable program instructions. The memory 430 may be any suitable type of computer readable memory and may be of volatile and/or nonvolatile type.

The base station 401 may further comprise further comprises a network interface 440 and processing circuitry 420 which may be configured to analyze or prepare requests for compatibility data as described herein. The processing circuitry 420 may also be configured to provide configuration instructions to the user equipment or wireless device. The processing circuitry 420 may be any suitable type of computation unit, e.g. a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other form of circuitry. It should be appreciated that the processing circuitry need not be provided as a single unit but may be provided as any number of units or circuitry.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of a user equipment/wireless device which may incorporate some of the example embodiments discussed above. As shown in Figure 6, the wireless device 501 may comprise a radio circuitry 510 configured to receive and transmit any form of communications or control signals within a network. It should be appreciated that the radio circuitry 510 may be comprised as any number of transceiving, receiving, and/or transmitting units, modules, or circuitry. It should further be appreciated that the radio circuitry 510 may be in the form of any input/output communications port known in the art. The radio circuitry 510 may comprise RF circuitry and baseband processing circuitry (not shown).

The wireless device 501 may further comprise at least one memory unit or circuitry 530 that may be in communication with the radio circuitry 510. The memory 530 may be configured to store received or transmitted data and/or executable program instructions. The memory 530 may be any suitable type of computer readable memory and may be of volatile and/or non-volatile type.

The wireless device 501 may further comprise further processing circuitry 520 which may be configured to provide compatibility reports. The processing circuitry 520 may be any suitable type of computation unit, e.g. a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or any other form of circuitry. It should be appreciated that the processing circuitry need not be provided as a single unit but may be provided as any number of units or circuitry.

Example node operations

Figure 7A is a flow diagram depicting example operations which may be taken by the wireless device for providing a carrier aggregation capability report, as described herein. It should also be appreciated that Figure 7A comprises some operations which are illustrated with a solid border and some operations which are illustrated with a dashed border. The operations which are comprised in a solid border are operations which are comprised in the broadest example embodiment. The operations which are comprised in a dashed border are example embodiments which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further operations which may be taken in addition to the operations of the boarder example embodiments. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination.

Figure 7B is a module diagram describing modules of the wireless device according to some of the example embodiments herein.

Operation 10

The wireless device is configured to determine 10 a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations being reported by the wireless device. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the group capability value associated with the frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations being reported by the wireless device. The determining module 10A is configured to perform operation 10.

Examples of group capability values available to the wireless device are provided in Figures 2-4. Examples of definitions of such group capability values (which are available to the base station) are provided in tables 1 and 2.

Example operation 12

According to some of the example embodiments, the determining 10 further comprises determining 12 the group capability value associated with the frequency band related capability of all frequency band combinations supported by the wireless device. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the group capability value associated with the frequency band related capability of all frequency band combinations supported by the wireless device.

Example operation 14

According to some of the example embodiments, the determining 10 further comprises receiving 14, from the base station, an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report. The radio circuitry 510 is configured to receive, from the base station, the indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report.

Example operation 16

According to some of the example embodiments, the determining 10 and receiving 14 further comprise determining 16 the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

It should be appreciated that the indicated frequency band combinations may be a subset of the total number of frequency band or frequency band combinations which the wireless device supports.

According to some of the example embodiments, the indication or parameters used in determining the subset may also be provided in the report. According to some of the example embodiments, an indication that the wireless device has not provided information for its full set of frequency band combinations may also be provided.

Example operation 18

According to some of the example embodiments, the determining 10 further comprises determining 18 the group capability value based on an internal configuration. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the group capability value based on the internal configuration.

Examples of such a wireless device internal configuration are provided in Figures 2-4. Example operation 20

According to some of the example embodiments, the determining 10 further comprises determining 20 the group capability value based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the group capability value based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier

aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

According to some of the example embodiments, the wireless device reports its capability for N DL CA, where N>1. The base station reads this capability and assumes that a lower order of DL CA among the bands included in the signalled band combination is supported. The number of UL supported may be greater or equal to 1 and less or equal to the number of DL CCs. For M UL CA, where M>1 and M<=N, the base station assumes that lower order of UL CA among the bands included in the signalled band combination are supported.

Operation 22

The wireless device is further configured to send 22, to the base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value. The radio circuitry 510 is configured to send, to the base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value. The sending module 22A is configured to perform operation 22. Example operation 24

According to some of the example embodiments, the sending 22 further comprises sending 24, to the base station, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device. The radio circuitry 510 is configured to send, to the base station, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device.

According to some of the example embodiments, the delta set comprises band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device and which are distinct to the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are supported by the wireless device. Examples of such a delta set are provided in table 1. Here, only the specific band related capabilities which are distinct from the command band related capabilities are sent. Specifically, for group capability number 1 , the delta set comprises only the specific band related capabilities associated with B+C. Thus, not all capabilities related to B+C are sent but just those which are distinct from the common band related capabilities. An example of such a specific band related capability may be that the band combination of B+C does not support MIMO. Thus, according to some of the example embodiments, only this information is sent.

According to some of the example embodiments, the delta set comprises all band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless.

Examples of such a delta set are provided in table 2. Here, all of the band related capabilities, which are associated with a subset of frequency band combinations comprising at least one band related capability which is distinct from the common band related capabilities, are sent in the carrier aggregation capability or capability report.

Figure 8A is a flow diagram depicting example operations which may be taken by the base station in obtaining a carrier aggregation capability report, as described herein. It should also be appreciated that Figure 8A comprises some operations which are illustrated with a solid border and some operations which are illustrated with a dashed border. The operations which are comprised in a solid border are operations which are comprised in the broadest example embodiment. The operations which are comprised in a dashed border are example embodiments which may be comprised in, or a part of, or are further operations which may be taken in addition to the operations of the boarder example embodiments. It should be appreciated that these operations need not be performed in order. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations may be performed in any order and in any combination.

Figure 8B is a module diagram describing modules of the base station according to some of the example embodiments herein. Example operation 30

According to some of the example embodiments, the base station is configured to send 30, to the wireless device, an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report. The radio circuitry 410 is configured to send, to the wireless device, the indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report.

Operation 32

The base stations is configured to receive 32, from the wireless device, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising a group capability value associated with the frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations being reported. The radio circuitry 410 is configured to receive, from the wireless device, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising a group capability value associated with the frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations being reported. The receiving module 32A is configured to perform operation 32.

Example operation 34

According to some of the example embodiments, the sending 30 and the receiving 32 further comprises receiving 34, from the wireless device, the carrier aggregated capability report comprising the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations. The radio circuitry 410 is configured to receive, from the wireless device, the carrier aggregated capability report comprising the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

Example operation 36

According to some of the example embodiments, the receiving 32 further comprises receiving 36, from the wireless device, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device. The radio circuitry 410 is configured to receive, from the wireless device a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device.

Operation 38

The base station is configured to map 38 the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to map the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value. The mapping module 38A is configured to perform operation 38.

Example operation 40

According to some of the example embodiments, the mapping 38 further comprises determining 40 that the group capability value is based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to determine that the group capability value is based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

Example operation 42

According to some of the example embodiments, the mapping 38 further comprises utilizing 42 a table comprising a listing of group capabilities and corresponding band related capabilities. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to utilize a table comprising a listing of group capabilities and corresponding band related capabilities.

According to some of the example embodiments, such a table may be stored within the base station or accessible to the base station. According to some of the example embodiments, the group capability value may be used as an index to such a table. Examples of such tables are provided in tables 1 and 2. An example of such a mapping is provided in Figure 4.

Example operation 44

According to some of the example embodiments, the base station is further configured to send 44, to a target base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value. The radio circuitry 410 is configured to send, to the base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

According to some of the example embodiments, the report may be provided in a handover preparation message or a UERadioAccessCapabilitylnformation IE, exactly as received from the wireless device. According to some of the example embodiments, the report may be provided to the target base station in a new message.

Example operation 46

According to some of the example embodiments, the base station is further configured to send 46, to a MME, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value. The radio circuitry 410 is further configured to send, to the MME, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

According to some of the example embodiments, the base station may be further configured to retrieve the report provided to the MME (by the same or another base station) when the wireless device enters a connected mode.

According to some of the example embodiments, the report may be provided to the MME in a UE Capability Info Indication message or a UERadioAccessCapabilitylnformation IE as received by the wireless device. According to some of the example embodiments, the report may be provided to the MME in a new message.

It should be noted that although terminology from 3GPP LTE has been used herein to explain the example embodiments, this should not be seen as limiting the scope of the example embodiments to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems, including WCDMA, WiMax, UMB and GSM, may also benefit from the example embodiments disclosed herein.

The description of the example embodiments provided herein have been presented for purposes of illustration. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of various alternatives to the provided embodiments. The examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to explain the principles and the nature of various example embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the example embodiments in various manners and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products. It should be appreciated that the example embodiments presented herein may be practiced in any combination with each other.

It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

A "device" as the term may be used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to include a radiotelephone having ability for Internet/intranet access, web browser, organizer, calendar, a camera (e.g., video and/or still image camera), a sound recorder (e.g., a microphone), and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a personal communications system (PCS) user equipment that may combine a cellular radiotelephone with data processing; a personal digital assistant (PDA) that can include a radiotelephone or wireless communication system; a laptop; a camera (e.g., video and/or still image camera) having communication ability; and any other computation or communication device capable of transceiving, such as a personal computer, a home entertainment system, a television, etc. Furthermore, a device may be interpreted as any number of antennas or antenna elements.

Although the description is mainly given for a user equipment, as measuring or recording unit, it should be understood by the skilled in the art that "user equipment" is a non-limiting term which means any wireless device, terminal, or node capable of receiving in DL and transmitting in UL (e.g. PDA, laptop, mobile, sensor, fixed relay, mobile relay or even a radio base station, e.g. femto base station).

A cell is associated with a radio node, where a radio node or radio network node or eNodeB used interchangeably in the example embodiment description, comprises in a general sense any node transmitting radio signals used for measurements, e.g., eNodeB,

macro/micro/pico base station, home eNodeB, relay, beacon device, or repeater. A radio node herein may comprise a radio node operating in one or more frequencies or frequency bands. It may be a radio node capable of CA. It may also be a single- or muti-RAT node. A multi-RAT node may comprise a node with co-located RATs or supporting multi-standard radio (MSR) or a mixed radio node. The various example embodiments described herein are described in the general context of method steps or processes, which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, including computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may include removable and non-removable storage devices including, but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc. Generally, program modules may include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and program modules represent examples of program code for executing steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of such executable instructions or associated data structures represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions described in such steps or processes.

In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications can be made to these embodiments.

Accordingly, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

1. A method, in a wireless device (501), for providing a carrier aggregation capability report, the wireless device being configured for use in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

determining (10) a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device; and

sending (22), to a base station (401 ), the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining (10) further comprises determining (12) the group capability value associated with the frequency band related capability of all frequency band combinations supported by the wireless device.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining (10) further comprises:

receiving (14), from the base station (401), an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report; and

determining (16) the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein the determining (10) further comprises

determining (18) the group capability value based on an internal configuration of the wireless device.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein the determining (10) further comprises

determining (20) the group capability value based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, wherein the sending (22) further comprises sending (24), to the base station, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the delta set comprises the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device and which are distinct to the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are supported by the wireless device.

8. The method of claim 6, the delta set comprises all the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless.

9. A wireless device (501) for providing a carrier aggregation capability report, the wireless device being configured for use in a wireless communications network, the wireless device comprising:

processing circuitry (520) configured to determine a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device; and

radio circuitry (510) configured to send, to a base station (401), the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

10. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the processing circuitry (520) is further

configured to determine the group capability value associated with the frequency band related capability of all frequency band combinations supported by the wireless device.

1 1. The wireless device of claim 9, wherein the processing circuitry (520) further comprises:

radio circuitry (510) configured to receive, from the base station (401 ), an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report; and

processing circuitry (520) configured to determine the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

12. The wireless device of any of claims 9-1 1 , wherein the processing circuitry (520) is

further configured to determine the group capability value based on an internal configuration of the wireless device .

13. The wireless device of any of claims 9-12, wherein the processing circuitry (520) is

further configured to determine the group capability value based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

14. The wireless device of any of claims 9-13, wherein the radio circuitry (510) is further configured to send, to the base station, a delta set of frequency band capabilities which are specific to a subset of the frequency band combinations being reported.

The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the delta set comprises band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device and which are distinct to the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are supported by the wireless device.

16. The wireless device of claim 14, wherein the delta set comprises all of the band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless.

17. A method, in a base station (401 ), for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability of a

wireless device (501 ), the base station being comprised in a wireless communications network, the method comprising:

receiving (32), from the wireless device, a carrier aggregation capability report comprising a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations being reported; and

mapping (38) the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value.

The method of claim 17, wherein the receiving (32) further comprises receiving (36), from the wireless device, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the delta set comprises band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device and which are distinct to the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are supported by the wireless device.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the delta set comprises all band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless.

21. The method of any of claims 17-20, further comprising:

sending (30), to the wireless device (501 ), an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report; and

the receiving (32) further comprises receiving (34), from the wireless device, the carrier aggregated capability report comprising the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

22. The method of any of claims 17-21 , wherein the mapping (38) further comprises

determining (40) that the group capability value is based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

23. The method of any of claims 17-22, wherein the mapping (38) further comprises utilizing (42) a table comprising a listing of group capabilities and corresponding band related capabilities.

24. The method of any of claims 17-23, wherein the base station (401 ) is a source base station, the method further comprising sending (44), to a target base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

25. The method of any of claims 17-2, further comprising sending (46), to a Mobility

Management Entity, MME, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

26. The method of any of claims 24-25, wherein the carrier aggregation capability report is comprised in a UERadioAccessCapabilitylnformation information element.

27. A base station (401 ) for obtaining a carrier aggregation capability of a wireless device (501 ), the base station being comprised in a wireless communications network, the base station comprising:

radio circuitry (410) configured to receive, from the wireless device, a carrier aggregation capability report comprising a group capability value associated with frequency band related capabilities of frequency band combinations supported and being reported by the wireless device and a set of frequency band related capabilities which are common to all frequency band combinations being reported; and processing circuitry (420) configured to map the set of frequency band related capabilities to individual frequency band related capabilities using the group capability value.

28. The base station of claim 27, wherein the radio circuitry (410) is further configured to receive, from the base station, a delta set of frequency band capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device.

29. The base station of claim 28, wherein the delta set comprises band related capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless device and which are distinct to the band related capabilities of the frequency band combinations which are supported by the wireless device.

30. The base station of claim 28, wherein the delta set comprises all band related

capabilities of frequency band combinations which are not supported by the wireless.

31. The base station of any of claims 27-30, wherein the radio circuitry (410) is further

configured to send, to the wireless device (501 ), an indication of which frequency band combinations are to be comprised in the carrier aggregation capability report; and the radio circuitry (410) is further configured to receive, from the wireless device, the carrier aggregated capability report comprising the group capability value associated with frequency band related capability of the indicated frequency band combinations.

32. The base station of any of claims 27-31 , wherein the processing circuitry (420) is further configured to determine that the group capability value is based on a wireless device capability for N downlink carrier aggregations and M uplink carrier aggregations, wherein N>1 , M>1 and M<=N.

33. The base station of any of claims 27-32, wherein the processing circuitry (420) is further configured to utilize a table comprising a listing of group capabilities and corresponding band related capabilities.

34. The base station of any of claims 27-33, wherein the base station (401) is a source base station, and the radio circuitry (410) is further configured to send, to a target base station, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

35. The base station of any of claims 27-34, wherein the radio circuitry (410) is further configured to send, to a Mobility Management Entity, MME, the carrier aggregation capability report comprising the group capability value.

The base station of any of claims 34-35, wherein the carrier aggregation capability report is comprised in an UERadioAccessCapability Information information element.