Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W72/00—Local resource management
  • H04W72/20—Control channels or signalling for resource management
  • H04W72/21—Control channels or signalling for resource management in the uplink direction of a wireless link, i.e. towards the network
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04J—MULTIPLEX COMMUNICATION
  • H04J11/00—Orthogonal multiplex systems, e.g. using WALSH codes
  • H04J11/0023—Interference mitigation or co-ordination
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. Transmission Power Control [TPC] or power classes
  • H04W52/04—Transmission power control [TPC]
  • H04W52/38—TPC being performed in particular situations
  • H04W52/50—TPC being performed in particular situations at the moment of starting communication in a multiple access environment
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W56/00—Synchronisation arrangements
  • H04W56/001—Synchronization between nodes
  • H04W56/0015—Synchronization between nodes one node acting as a reference for the others
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W56/00—Synchronisation arrangements
  • H04W56/004—Synchronisation arrangements compensating for timing error of reception due to propagation delay
  • H04W56/005—Synchronisation arrangements compensating for timing error of reception due to propagation delay compensating for timing error by adjustment in the receiver
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access
  • H04W74/002—Transmission of channel access control information
  • H04W74/004—Transmission of channel access control information in the uplink, i.e. towards network
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W76/00—Connection management
  • H04W76/10—Connection setup
  • H04W76/15—Setup of multiple wireless link connections
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
  • H04W76/00—Connection management
  • H04W76/20—Manipulation of established connections
  • H04W76/28—Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]

Definitions

• Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be multiple-access systems capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include code division multiple access (CDMA) systems, time division multiple access (TDMA) systems, frequency division multiple access (FDMA) systems, and orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) systems, e.g., a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.
• CDMA code division multiple access
• TDMA time division multiple access
• FDMA frequency division multiple access
• OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access
• a wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple mobile devices or other user equipment (UE) devices.
• Base stations may communicate with UEs on downstream and upstream links.
• Each base station has a coverage range, which may be referred to as the coverage area of the cell.
• Wireless communications systems may support carrier aggregation, in which several carriers from a common base station are aggregated to serve a UE. Additionally, wireless systems may support dual connectivity, in which a UE simultaneously maintains connections with two base stations on separate carriers. In dual connectivity applications, carriers associated with different base stations may be unsynchronized.
• a UE may operate in dual connectivity with two (or more) base stations.
• Each base station may provide a set of carriers, known as cell groups, and the UE may have a simultaneous connection with one or more carriers from each cell group.
• the UE may autonomously determine a timing difference between the carriers of the respective cell groups, and it may adjust the timing of an operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of one or both carriers to account for the difference.
• the UE autonomously adjusts a measurement gap operation or adjusts a discontinuous reception (DRX) operation to account for a determined timing difference between carriers.
• DRX discontinuous reception
• a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) having dual connectivity with first and second network nodes comprising respective first and second cell groups is described.
• the method may include determining a timing difference between a first carrier of the first cell group and a second carrier of the second cell group, and adjusting a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the timing difference.
• the apparatus may include means for determining a timing difference between a first carrier of the first cell group and a second carrier of the second cell group, and means for adjusting a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the timing difference.
• a further apparatus operable for dual connectivity wireless communication with first and second network nodes including respective first and second cell groups is described.
• the apparatus may include at least one processor, a memory in electronic communication with the at least one processor, and instructions stored in the memory which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to determine a timing difference between a first carrier of the first cell group and a second carrier of the second cell group, and adjust a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the timing difference.
• a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code in support of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE) having dual connectivity with first and second network nodes including respective first and second cell groups is described.
• the code may include instructions executable to determine a timing difference between a first carrier of the first cell group and a second carrier of the second cell group, and adjust a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the timing difference.
• adjusting the timing includes offsetting the at least one operation in relation to the radio resource configuration by a number of subframes determined in accordance with the timing difference.
• the at least one operation includes implementing a measurement gap on the second carrier, and adjusting the timing includes offsetting the measurement gap on the second carrier in relation to a measurement gap configuration of the first carrier.
• the operation includes a discontinuous reception (DRX) operation on the first carrier, and adjusting the timing includes offsetting a subframe in which radio frequency (RF) retuning is performed in connection with the DRX operation.
• DRX discontinuous reception
• RF radio frequency
• offsetting the measurement gap is based at least in part on a minimum gap length. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples offsetting the measurement gap includes aligning the measurement gap on the second carrier such that the measurement gap on the second carrier and a measurement gap on the first carrier overlap in time and the overlap includes a minimum gap length of the UE.
• the adjusting is performed autonomously by the UE.
• determining the timing difference between the first carrier and the second carrier includes receiving broadcast information that includes frame numbering for the first and second carriers, measuring subframe timing of the first and second carriers, and identifying the timing difference based at least in part on the received frame numbering and the measured subframe timing.
• Some examples of the method, apparatuses, or non-transitory computer-readable medium described above may further include receiving broadcast information that includes a measurement gap configuration for the first carrier. Accordingly, adjusting the timing of the at least one operation may be based at least in part on the received measurement gap configuration.
• the first cell group includes a master cell group (MCG) and the second cell group includes a secondary cell group (SCG).
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system
• FIG. 2 shows aspects of a dual-connectivity UE according to the present disclosure
• FIG. 3A illustrates an example of a timing difference between carriers of different cell groups
• FIGs. 3B and 3C illustrate examples of a timing adjustment of a measurement gap operation in relation to a UE radio resource configuration
• FIG. 4A illustrates an example of a timing difference between carriers of different cell groups observed by a dual-connectivity UE;
• FIGs. 4B and 4C illustrate examples of a timing adjustment of a DRX operation in relation to a UE radio resource configuration;
• FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a dual-connectivity device configured for autonomous timing adjustment
• FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a dual-connectivity device configured for autonomous timing adjustment
• FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of a dual-connectivity device configured for autonomous timing adjustment
• FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a wireless communications system
• FIG. 9 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure
• FIG. 10 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure
• FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure
• FIG. 12 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure
• FIG. 13 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure
• FIG. 14 shows a flowchart illustrating a method which may be performed by a dual-connectivity UE in accordance with the present disclosure.
• a user equipment may be configured to autonomously identify and adjust for timing misalignments between carriers of different cell groups while having dual connectivity with corresponding base stations. While timing of carriers within cell groups may be synchronized with one another, in dual connectivity implementations, base stations may not be synchronized with one another. However, as disclosed herein, certain operations in the radio interface benefit from alignment among aggregated carriers from disparate cell groups.
• DRX discontinuous reception
• the dual-connectivity UE may, for example, experience misalignment glitches in which it is unable to receive the control channel of its master cell group and is therefore not reachable by the network. Similarly, misalignment may present a situation in which the dual-connectivity UE is unable to perform measurements due to an insufficient measurement gap duration that results from conflicting configurations.
• a UE operating in dual connectivity may determine a misalignment (e.g. , a timing difference) between or among carriers of different cell groups, and the UE may autonomously adjust one or several operations with respect to its radio resource configuration to account or compensate for the timing difference.
• a misalignment e.g. , a timing difference
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 100 in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.
• the wireless communications system 100 includes base stations 105, communication devices, also known as a user equipment (UE )1 15, and a core network 130.
• UE user equipment
• the base stations 105 may communicate with the UEs 1 15 under the control of a base station controller (not shown), which may be part of the core network 130 or the base stations 105 in various examples.
• Base stations 105 may communicate control information or user data with the core network 130 through backhaul links 132.
• the base stations 105 may communicate, either directly or indirectly, with each other over backhaul links 134, which may be wired or wireless communication links.
• the wireless communications system 100 may support operation on multiple carriers (waveform signals of different frequencies).
• Wireless communication links 125 may be modulated according to various radio technologies.
• Each modulated signal may carry control information (e.g., reference signals, control channels, etc.), overhead information, data, etc.
• a particular combination of carriers may dictate a manner in which a UE 1 15 performs.
• a UE 1 15 may be served by base stations 105 supporting different cell groups.
• a UE 1 15 may thus simultaneously communicate on carriers of different cell groups that may be unsynchronized. So, in some examples, a UE 1 15 determines a timing difference between carriers and adjusts one or several operations in relation to a radio resource configuration of the respective carriers or cell groups.
• the base stations 105 may wirelessly communicate with the UEs 1 15 via one or more base station antennas. Each of the base station 105 sites may provide communication coverage for a respective geographic area 1 10.
• a base station 105 may also be referred to as a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a basic service set (BSS), an extended service set (ESS), a NodeB, evolved node B (eNB), Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or some other suitable terminology.
• the coverage area 1 10 for a base station may be divided into sectors making up only a portion of the coverage area (not shown).
• the wireless communications system 100 may include base stations 105 of different types (e.g., macro, micro, or pico base stations). There may be overlapping coverage areas for different technologies.
• the wireless communications system 100 may be a Heterogeneous Long Term Evolution (LTE)/LTE-A network in which different types of base stations provide coverage for various geographical regions.
• LTE Long Term Evolution
• LTE-A Heterogeneous Long Term Evolution
• each base station 105 may provide communication coverage for a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, or other types of cell.
• a macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider.
• a pico cell would generally cover a relatively smaller geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscriptions with the network provider.
• a femto cell would also generally cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g. , a home) and, in addition to unrestricted access, may also provide restricted access by UEs having an association with the femto cell.
• the core network 130 may communicate with the base stations 105 via a backhaul 132 (e.g., SI , etc.).
• the base stations 105 may also communicate with one another, directly or indirectly, via backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2, etc.) or via backhaul links 132 (e.g., through core network 130).
• the wireless communications system 100 may support synchronous or asynchronous operation. For synchronous operation, the base stations may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may be approximately aligned in time. For asynchronous operation, the base stations 105 may have different frame timing, and transmissions from different base stations may not be aligned in time.
• a UE may be served from different base stations that make up base band units (BBU), and which may each have one or more remote radio heads (RRH).
• BBU base band units
• RRH remote radio heads
• different BBUs e.g., base stations 105
• RRH remote radio heads
• backhaul links 134 backhaul links 134
• the backhaul between BBUs may be non-ideal and may limit the efficiency with which the BBUs may share information (e.g. ,
• a UE 1 15 may therefore be configured to account for unsynchronized carriers from base stations 105 of different BBUs.
• the UEs 1 15 may be dispersed throughout the wireless communications system 100, and each UE may be stationary or mobile.
• a UE 1 15 may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communications device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.
• a UE 1 15 may be a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, or the like.
• PDA personal digital assistant
• a UE may be able to communicate with macro eNBs, pico eNBs, femto eNBs, relays, and the like.
• the communication links 125 shown in wireless communications system 100 may include uplink (UL) transmissions from a UE 1 15 to a base station 105, or downlink (DL) transmissions, from a base station 105 to a UE 1 15 over DL carriers.
• the downlink transmissions may also be called forward link transmissions while the uplink transmissions may also be called reverse link transmissions.
• the communication links 125 may transmit bidirectional communications using FDD (e.g., using paired spectrum resources) or TDD operation (e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources).
• FDD e.g., using paired spectrum resources
• TDD operation e.g., using unpaired spectrum resources.
• Frame structures for FDD e.g. , frame structure type 1
• TDD e.g. , frame structure type 2
• the timing of different carriers may be such that a UE 1 15 may receive carriers having frames (and subframes) that are misaligned in time.
• a UE 1 15 may thus adjust timing of operations, including measurement gap generation or discontinuous reception (DRX) operations. These adjustments may include offsetting (e.g., extending) an operation in relation to a radio resource configuration by a number of subframes determined, by the UE 1 15, in accordance with a timing difference of the received carriers.
• DRX discontinuous reception
• FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a wireless communications system 200 with a UE or UEs 1 15 capable of autonomous radio resource configuration extension in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.
• the wireless communications system 200 may be an example of aspects of the wireless communications system 100 of FIG. 1.
• the wireless communications system 200 includes a base station 105-a (e.g., a network node), which may be associated with a master cell group (MCG), and a base station 105-b (e.g. , a network node), which may be associated with a secondary cell group (SCG).
• MCG master cell group
• SCG secondary cell group
• the base station 105-a may, for instance, be a LTE macro cell, while the base station 105-b may be an LTE pico cell, an R H, etc.
• Each of the base stations 105 may have an independent scheduler (not shown); and each base station 105 may have a respective coverage area 1 10.
• An MCG may be a cell group (also referred to as a carrier group) that includes a primary cell (e.g. , primary component carrier (PCC), PCell, etc.).
• An SCG may be a cell group that does not include a PCell, but which may be configured with a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) enabled secondary cell (SCell).
• Carriers within each group may be synchronized with one another. For instance, each carrier within an MCG may be synchronized with other carriers of the MCG; and each carrier within an SCG may be synchronized with other carriers of the SCG. Carriers of the MCG may, however, be unsynchronized with respect to carriers of the SCG.
• the base stations 105 -a, 105-b may be in communication with one another via a non-ideal backhaul link 134-a. So, while the connected mode UE consumes radio resources from both the master and secondary cell groups, there is no requirement that the base stations 105 maintain synchronization between their collective cells or cell groups. This is unlike carrier aggregation in which synchronization is maintained among the cells of a particular base station.
• a non-ideal backhaul and separate schedulers may have other effects as well, for example, concerning the respective radio resource configurations associated with cells of the MCG (e.g., carriers associated with the base station 105-a) and the SCG (e.g., carriers associated with the base station 105-b) and the ability of one base station serving a dual-connectivity UE to accommodate operation of another base station serving the dual-connectivity UE.
• the UE 1 15 -a may, for example, have dual connectivity with the base stations 105-a, 105-b, and thus may be communicating via a carrier 225-a of the MCG and a carrier 225-b of the SCG.
• the UE 1 15-a may determine a timing difference between the carrier 225- a of the MCG and the carrier 225-b the SCG.
• the UE 1 15 may therefore adjust a timing of an operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the carrier 225-a or the carrier 225-b based, in whole or part, on the determined timing difference.
• the UE 1 15 may implement a measurement gap on a carrier (e.g., a carrier of the MCG or SCG).
• adjusting the timing includes offsetting the operation (e.g., adjusting a measurement gap, modifying a DRX operation, etc.) in relation to the radio resource configuration, where the offsetting may be by a number of subframes determined in accordance with the timing difference.
• offsetting e.g., adjusting a measurement gap, modifying a DRX operation, etc.
• the UE 1 15-a may receive broadcast information, including frame numbering, over each of the carriers 225-a, 225-b.
• the UE 1 15-a may measure sub frame timing of the carriers 225-a, 255-b, respectively. Then, based on the received frame numbering and the measured subframe timing, the UE 1 15 -a may identify the timing difference between carriers 225 -a, 225-b.
• FIG. 3 A illustrated is an example 300-a of a timing difference between radio resource configurations of carriers of different cell groups in a dual connectivity setting.
• configured measurement gaps 322 do not align between carriers due to differences in subframe timing for a carrier 305 of a first cell group (e.g., MCG) and subframe timing for a carrier 310 of a second cell group (e.g., SCG) as shown.
• Five frames 315 of each carrier are depicted, but those skilled in the art will recognize the general applicability to complete radio resource configurations of a carrier.
• Each frame 315 consists of ten (10) subframes 320 of 1 ms duration.
• Base stations 105 in a dual connectivity setting may be able to identify some timing differences between their respective carriers, in some cases. But as discussed, misalignment of carriers (e.g., frame/sub frame timing) or cell groups of the different base stations may occur and create difficulties for the dual-connectivity UE to operate in accordance with its R C configuration.
• configured measurement gap patterns 322 may be based on subframe timing; as shown in the example, misalignment of frames/sub frames between carriers 305, 310 can result in misaligned measurement gap patterns 322.
• a measurement gap is a time duration during which a UE 1 15 may tune away from a frequency of its serving carrier in order to perform measurements of other frequencies or other RATs.
• a UE 1 15 may implement a measurement gap on a carrier of a cell group.
• a minimum measurement gap length (or duration) can be defined to permit a UE to tune away, acquire measurements, and return to its serving cell.
• a minimum measurement gaps of 6 ms may be used, which provides at least 5 ms for the UE 1 15 to tune away from the serving LTE link (e.g., carrier) in order to perform measurements of other frequencies or RATs.
• the remaining 1 ms may be used for retuning the UE's 1 15 radio frequency (RF) components— e.g., returning to the serving link.
• RF radio frequency
• a UE 115 may determine a timing difference between carriers of the respective cell groups, and it may adjust the timing of an operation in relation to the radio resource configuration of one or both carriers. For example, the UE 115 may autonomously extend the measurement gap 322 of either the MCG or the SCG, or both, so that the extended gap will completely cover the measurement gap of the other cell group, thus ensuring availability of a minimum measurement gap duration.
• FIGs. 3B and 3C illustrate examples 300-b, 300-c of a timing adjustment(s) of a measurement gap operation(s) in relation to a radio resource configuration of a dual- connectivity UE.
• a UE 115 may determine a measurement gap or measurement gap pattern 322-a on one or several serving carriers according to its R C configuration. As shown, UE 115 may autonomously adjust timing of the measurement gap by, for example, extending 325 the measurement gap in relation to a measurement gap configuration 322-a of the
• the UE 115 may extend 330 the measurement gap in relation to a measurement gap configuration 322-a of the corresponding radio resource configuration— e.g., the subframe timing 305-b of measurement gaps for the first cell group.
• extending the measurement gap may be based, wholly or partially, on a minimum gap length for the UE 115 ⁇ e.g., 6 ms). As shown in FIG. 3C, for example, the measurement gap may be extended by one subframe 320-a, and thus by 1ms.
• extending the measurement gap may include extending the measurement gap on the first carrier or the second carrier such that the measurement gap on the first carrier and the measurement gap on the second carrier overlap in time. This overlap may include a minimum gap length for the UE 115 to acquire measurements.
• the UE 115-a (FIG. 2) may report a gap length extension to the base station 105-a or the base station 105-b. The reported gap length extension may be based on the UE-determined timing difference, and it may be indicative of a number of sub frames utilized for the measurement gap. Either or both base stations 105 may rely on the report to identify or determine a number of subframe lost for available transmissions (e.g., DL transmissions).
• FIG. 4A illustrates a further example 400-a of a timing difference between carriers of different cell groups in a dual connectivity setting.
• This example illustrates timing differences associated with a configured DRX operation of a dual-connectivity UE.
• subframe timing 405 for a first cell group e.g., MCG
• subframe timing 410 for a second cell group e.g., SCG
• Portions of radio frames 415 of each carrier are depicted, but those skilled in the art will recognize the general applicability to the wider radio resource configuration of the dual-connectivity UE.
• Each frame 415 consists of ten (10) sub frames 420 of 1 ms duration and, as illustrated, may be identified by a corresponding system frame number (SFN).
• SFN system frame number
• the DRX on-duration (e.g., active DRX duration) 435 is a number of sub frames (e.g., 4 sub frames or 4 ms).
• a UE 1 15 monitors the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) from the serving base station(s).
• PDCCH physical downlink control channel
• Example 400-a illustrates a situation in which RF retuning 440 for the SCG subframe timing 410 on-duration creates a "glitch" 445-a in the MCG on-duration. That is, because the UE 1 15 may retune 440 on one carrier during the DRX on-duration of another carrier, the UE 1 15 is not fully engaged in a DRX configuration for the complete DRX on-duration for either carrier. In other words, the retuning 440 on one carrier cuts short the DRX on-duration of the other carrier.
• FIGs. 4B and 4C illustrate examples 400-b, 400-c of a timing adjustment or adjustments of a DRX operation(s) in relation to a radio resource configuration of a dual- connectivity UE.
• UE 1 15 may extend 450 an active DRX duration for one or both of the carriers in relation to their corresponding radio resource configurations, such as shown for the subframe timing of DRX operations for carriers 405-a, 410-a.
• extending the active DRX duration includes accommodating control channel reception on one or several carriers for at least the configured on-duration and may be performed autonomously by the UE. For example, retuning 440 is scheduled such to accommodate the full DRX on-duration 435 -a, 435-b of both carriers.
• the UE 1 15 may autonomously adjust the timing by offsetting 455 a subframe in which radio frequency (RF) retuning 440 may be performed based on activity one or several cell groups.
• Offsetting 455 the subframe may include accommodating reception during an active DRX duration 435 -c on a carrier.
• retuning 440 in SFN 101 of the SCG 410-b may be offset 455 to accommodate control channel reception on the MCG 405 -b during its DRX on-duration 435 -c.
• FIG. 5 shows a block diagram 500 of a UE 1 15-b configured for
• the UE 1 15-b may be an example of one or more aspects of the UEs 1 15 described with reference to FIGs. 1-4.
• the UE 1 15-b may include a receiver 505, a timing module 510, and a transmitter 515.
• the UE 1 15-b may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other.
• the components of the UE 1 15-b may, individually or collectively, be
• ASICs application specific integrated circuits
• the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more ICs.
• other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g.,
• each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.
• the receiver 505 may be configured to receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g. , control channels, data channels, etc.). The received information may be passed on to the timing module 510, and to other components of the UE 1 15-b. In some examples, the receiver 505 may be configured to receive broadcast information, including frame numbering over one or more carriers.
• information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g. , control channels, data channels, etc.).
• the received information may be passed on to the timing module 510, and to other components of the UE 1 15-b.
• the receiver 505 may be configured to receive broadcast information, including frame numbering over one or more carriers.
• the timing module 510 may be configured to determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the timing module 510 may also be configured to adjust a timing of one or more operations in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based, wholly or partially, on the determined timing difference.
• the transmitter 515 may be configured to transmit the one or more signals received from other components of the UE 1 15-b.
• the transmitter 515 may be collocated with the receiver 505 in a transceiver module.
• the transmitter 515 may include a single antenna, or it may include a plurality of antennas.
• the transmitter 515 may be configured to report a gap length extension to a base station, where the gap length extension is based on a determined timing difference between carriers and may be indicative of a number of sub frames utilized for a measurement gap.
• transmitter 515 may send a subframe timing difference or an indication of a measurement gap adjustment to a base station.
• FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a UE 1 15-c configured for autonomous timing adjustment in support of dual-connectivity operation.
• the UE 1 15-c may be an example of one or more aspects of the UE 1 15 described with reference to FIGs. 1-5.
• the UE 1 15-c may include a receiver 505-a, a timing module 510-a, or a transmitter 515-a.
• the UE 1 15-c may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with each other, and each may be examples of the corresponding modules described with reference to FIG. 5.
• the timing module 510-a may also include a difference determination module 605, and a timing adjustment module 610.
• the components of the UE 115-c may, individually or collectively, be
• each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application-specific processors.
• the receiver 505 -a may be configured to receive information which may be passed on to the timing module 510-a, and to other components of the UE 115-c.
• the timing module 510-a may be configured to perform the operations described above with reference to FIG. 5.
• the transmitter 515 -a may be configured transmit the one or more signals received from other components of the UE 115-c.
• the difference determination module 605 may be configured to determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of the second cell group. For example, for a UE 115-c having dual connectivity with a carrier of an MCG and a carrier of an SCG, the difference determination module 605 may be configured to determine a timing difference between the two carriers as discussed above. In some cases, a timing difference may be determined based on broadcast information. [0067] The timing adjustment module 610 may be configured to adjust a timing of one or more operations in relation to a radio resource configuration of a first carrier of a first cell group or a second carrier of a second cell group, where the adjustment may be based, to some extent, on the determined timing difference.
• the timing of a measurement gap, DRX on-duration, RF retuning, or other operation may be adjusted in relation to an RRC configuration. Adjusting the timing may include offsetting the operation in relation to the radio resource configuration by a number of subframes determined in accordance with the timing difference. In some examples, the adjusting or offsetting may be performed autonomously by the UE 115-c— e.g., the UE 115-c may perform adjustments without specific direction from a network.
• FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a timing module 510-b configured for autonomous radio resource configuration extension in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.
• the timing module 510-b may be an example of one or more aspects of a timing module 510 described with reference to FIGs. 5 and 6.
• the timing module 510-b may include a difference determination module 605 -a and a timing adjustment module 610-a. Each of these modules may perform the functions of the corresponding modules described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the timing module 510-b may also include a measurement gap module 705, a DRX module 710, a subframe timing module 715, and a timing identification module 720.
• the components of the timing module 510-b may, individually or collectively, be implemented with one or more ASICs adapted to perform some or all of the applicable functions described herein in hardware.
• the functions may be performed by one or more other processing units (or cores), on one or more ICs.
• other types of integrated circuits may be used (e.g., Structured/Platform ASICs, an FPGA, or another Semi-Custom IC), which may be programmed in any manner known in the art.
• the functions of each unit may also be implemented, in whole or in part, with instructions embodied in a memory, formatted to be executed by one or more general or application- specific processors.
• the measurement gap module 705 may be configured to generate or recognize a measurement gap on a first carrier or a second carrier, or both.
• the timing adjustment module 610-a may, with the measurement gap module 705, be configured to extend a measurement gap in relation to a measurement gap configuration of a corresponding radio resource configuration.
• extending the measurement gap may be based on a minimum gap length for the UE.
• extending the measurement gap may include extending the measurement gap on a first carrier or a second carrier such that the measurement gap on the first carrier and the measurement gap on the second carrier overlap in time and the overlap provides at least the minimum gap length for the UE.
• the DRX module 710 may be configured to initiate or recognize a DRX operation of a first carrier or a second carrier, or both.
• the timing adjustment module 610-a may, with the DRX module 710, extend an active DRX duration in relation to the corresponding radio resource configuration. Extending the active DRX duration may include accommodating reception during the active DRX duration on the first carrier or the second carrier for a configured number of subframes.
• the timing adjustment module 610-a may, with the DRX module 710, offset a subframe in which RF retiming may be performed. Offsetting the timing of the RF retuning may be based on activity in a cell group. Offsetting the subframe may include accommodating reception during an active DRX duration on a carrier.
• the subframe timing module 715 may be configured to determine subframe timing of a first and second carrier.
• the subframe timing module 715 may be configured to measure carriers of an MCG or an SCG and determine subframe boundaries or other indications of subframe timing for carriers received by a UE 1 15.
• the timing identification module 720 may be configured to identify the timing difference of a first and second carrier based on frame numbering received by the receiver 505-a and the measured subframe timing.
• FIG. 8 shows a diagram of a wireless communications system 800.
• Wireless communications system 800 may include a UE 1 15-d, which may be an example of the UEs 1 15 described with reference to FIGs. 1-7.
• the UE 1 15-d may include a processor module 805, a timing module 810, which may be an example of a timing module described with reference to FIGs. 5-7, memory 815 (including software (SW) 820), a synchronization identification module 825, a transceiver module 835, and one or more antenna(s) 840.
• Each of the modules of the UE 1 15-d may communicate, directly or indirectly, with each other (e.g., via one or more buses 845).
• the UE 1 15-d includes components for bidirectional voice and data communications, including components for transmitting communications and components for receiving communications.
• the synchronization identification module 825 may be configured to recognize or indicate that a first carrier of a first cell group may be synchronized with carriers of the first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group may be synchronized with carriers of the second cell group.
• the transceiver module 835 may be configured to communicate bi-directionally, via the antenna(s) 840 on one or more wired or wireless links, with one or more networks, as described above.
• the transceiver module 835 may be configured to
• the transceiver module 835 may include a modem configured to modulate the packets from processor 805 and deliver a modulated signal to the antenna(s) 840 for transmission, and to demodulate signals received from the antenna(s) 840. While the UE 1 15-d may include a single antenna 840, the UE 1 15-d may also have multiple antennas 840 capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions.
• the memory 815 may include random access memory (RAM) or read only memory (ROM).
• the memory 815 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 820 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor module 805 to perform various functions described herein (e.g., autonomously determining a timing difference, adjusting a timing, reporting a measurement gap length, etc.).
• the software/firmware code 820 may not be directly executable by the processor module 805 but be configured to cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.
• the processor module 805 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, etc.), and may include RAM and ROM.
• the memory 815 may store computer-readable, computer-executable software/firmware code 820 containing instructions that are configured to, when executed, cause the processor module 805 to perform various functions described herein (e.g., call processing, database management, processing of carrier mode indicators, reporting CSI, etc.).
• the timing module 810 may perform the same or similar functions described with reference to the timing modules 510 of FIGs. 5 and 6.
• the timing module 810 is configured to perform the functions of the difference determination module 605 and the timing adjustment module 610, including the functions of the sub-modules described in FIG. 7.
• the timing module 810 may be a component in communication with the other components of the UE 1 15-d via the bus 845.
• the functionality of the timing module 810 may be implemented as computer- executable instructions stored in the memory 815 and executable by the processor module 805 or as an aspect of the transceiver module 835.
• flowchart 900 illustrating a method for autonomous timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• the functions of flowchart 900 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8.
• the blocks of the flowchart 900 may be performed by the timing module described with reference to FIGs. 5-8.
• the UE 115 operating in dual connectivity may determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the functions of block 905 may be performed by the difference determination module 605 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 may adjust a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the determined timing difference.
• the functions of block 910 may be performed by the timing adjustment module 610 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• FIG. 10 shows a flowchart 1000 illustrating a method for autonomous timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• the functions of flowchart 1000 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8.
• the blocks of the flowchart 1000 may be performed by the timing module described with reference to FIGs. 5-8.
• the method described in flowchart 1000 may be an example of the method described in FIG. 9.
• the UE 115 may determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the functions of block 1005 may be performed by the difference determination module 605 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 generate a measurement gap on at least one of the first carrier or the second carrier.
• the functions of block 1010 may be performed by the measurement gap module 705 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 115 may extend the measurement gap in relation to a measurement gap configuration of the corresponding radio resource configuration.
• the functions of block 1015 may be performed by the measurement gap module 705 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 115 may report a gap length extension to a base station.
• the gap length extension may be based on the determined timing difference and may be indicative of a number of sub frames utilized for the measurement gap.
• the functions of block 1020 may be performed by the transmitter 515 as described above with reference to FIG. 5.
• FIG. 11 shows a flowchart 1100 illustrating a method for timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• the functions of flowchart 1100 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8.
• the blocks of the flowchart 1100 may be performed by the timing module as described with reference to FIGs. 5-8.
• the method described in flowchart 1200 may also be examples of the methods described with reference to FIGs. 9 and 10.
• the UE 115 may determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the functions of block 1105 may be performed by the difference determination module 605 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 may adjust a timing of a DRX operation on the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the determined timing difference.
• the functions of block 1110 may be performed by the timing adjustment module 610 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 may extend an active DRX duration in relation to the corresponding radio resource configuration.
• the functions of block 1115 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• FIG. 12 shows a flowchart 1200 illustrating a method for timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• the functions of flowchart 1200 may be implemented by a UE 115 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8.
• the blocks of the flowchart 1200 may be performed by the timing module as described with reference to FIGs. 5-8.
• the method described in flowchart 1300 may be examples of the methods described with reference to FIGs. 9-11.
• the UE 115 may determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the functions of block 1205 may be performed by the difference determination module 605 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 may adjust a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the determined timing difference.
• the functions of block 1210 may be performed by the timing adjustment module 610 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• a UE 115 may determine whether the operation includes a DRX operation on the first or second carrier. In certain examples, the functions of block 1215 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7. [0095] At block 1220, the UE 115 may determine that the operation comprises a DRX operation of the first carrier. In certain examples, the functions of block 1220 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 115 may offset a sub frame in which RF retuning is performed based on activity in the second cell group.
• the functions of block 1225 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 115 may determine that the operation comprises a DRX operation of the second carrier. In certain examples, the functions of block 1230 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7. [0098] At block 1235, the UE 115 may offset a subframe in which RF retuning is performed based on activity in the first cell group. In certain examples, the functions of block 1235 may be performed by the DRX module 710 as described above with reference to FIG. 7. [0099] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart 1300 illustrating a method for timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• flowchart 1300 may be implemented by a UE 1 15 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8. In certain examples, the blocks of the flowchart 1300 may be performed by the timing module as described with reference to FIGs. 5-8. The method described in flowchart 1300 may also be examples of the methods described with reference to FIGs. 9-14.
• the UE 1 15 may receive broadcast information comprising frame numbering over the first or second carriers in dual-connectivity operation.
• the UE 1 15 may have an SFN of first carrier and may acquire (e.g., measure, receive broadcast information, etc.) subframe information for the second carrier.
• the functions of block 1305 may be performed by the receiver 505 as described above with reference to FIG. 5.
• the UE 1 15 may measure and determine subframe timing in connection with the first or second carriers.
• the functions of block 1310 may be performed by the subframe timing module 715 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 1 15 may identify a timing difference between the carriers based on the received frame numbering and the measured subframe timing.
• the functions of block 1315 may be performed by the timing identification module 720 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 1 15 may adjust a timing of at least one operation in relation to a radio resource configuration of the first carrier or the second carrier based at least in part on the identified timing difference.
• the functions of block 1320 may be performed by the timing adjustment module 610 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• FIG. 14 shows a flowchart 1400 illustrating a method for autonomous timing adjustment by a dual-connectivity UE.
• the functions of flowchart 1400 may be implemented by a UE 1 15 or its components as described with reference to FIGs. 1-8.
• the blocks of the flowchart 1400 may be performed by the timing module described with reference to FIGs. 5-8.
• the method described in flowchart 1400 may be an example of the method described in FIG. 9.
• the UE 115 may determine a timing difference between a first carrier of a first cell group and a second carrier of a second cell group.
• the functions of block 1405 may be performed by the difference determination module 605 as described above with reference to FIG. 6.
• the UE 115 implement a measurement gap for the second carrier.
• the functions of block 1410 may be performed by the measurement gap module 705 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• the UE 115 may adjust the measurement gap for the second carrier in relation to an R C measurement gap configuration of the first carrier.
• the functions of block 1415 may be performed by the measurement gap module 705 as described above with reference to FIG. 7.
• CDMA code division multiple access
• TDMA time division multiple access
• FDMA frequency division multiple access
• OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple access
• SC-FDMA single carrier frequency division multiple access
• a CDMA system may implement a radio technology such as CDMA2000, Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (UTRA), etc.
• CDMA2000 covers IS-2000, IS-95, and IS-856 standards.
• IS- 2000 Releases 0 and A are commonly referred to as CDMA2000 IX, IX, etc.
• IS-856 (TIA- 856) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 IxEV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc.
• UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA.
• WCDMA Wideband CDMA
• a TDMA system may implement a radio technology such as Global System for Mobile
• GSM Global System for Mobile Communications
• An OFDM A system may implement a radio technology such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Evolved UTRA (E-UTRA), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, etc.
• UMB Ultra Mobile Broadband
• E-UTRA Evolved UTRA
• Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11
• WiMAX IEEE 802.16
• IEEE 802.20 WiMAX
• Flash-OFDM Flash-OFDM
• Universal Mobile Telecommunication System UMTS
• 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE- Advanced (LTE-A) are new releases of Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) that use E-UTRA.
• UTRA, E-UTRA, UMTS, LTE, LTE-A, and Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project” (3 GPP).
• CDMA2000 and UMB are described in documents from an organization named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2).
• the techniques described herein may be used for the systems and radio technologies mentioned above as well as other systems and radio technologies.
• LTE Long Term Evolution
• LTE terminology is used in much of the description above, although the techniques are applicable beyond LTE applications.
• Information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques.
• data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
• a general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine.
• a processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
• the functions described herein may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described above can be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
• Computer-readable media includes both computer-readable storage media and communication media including any non-transitory medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one place to another.
• a storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.
• computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), compact disk (CD )ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special- purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.
• Disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu- ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
• DVD digital versatile disc
• Disk and disc include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk and blu- ray disc where disks usually reproduce data magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.

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