IP Library Granted Patent US 11,277,241
Granted Patent B2
US 11,277,241 · App. 16/696,370 · Granted Mar 15, 2022

Cell timing in a wireless device and base station

Inventor: Esmael Hejazi Dinan (McLean, VA)
Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
H04L5/0048H04B7/2618H04J11/00H04L5/005H04L5/0007H04L5/14H04L27/18H04L41/0681H04L61/6022H04L69/22H04W52/06H04W52/146H04W52/346H04W52/367H04W52/40H04W56/005H04W56/0005H04W56/0045H04W72/04H04W72/042H04W72/0406H04W72/0413H04W72/0446H04W72/0473H04W72/10H04W74/0833H04W76/27H04J2011/0096H04W88/02
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,277,241
App. No.
16/696,370
Granted
Mar 15, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Methods, apparatuses, and systems are described for wireless communications. A transmission timing difference between a first cell group and a second cell group may be determined. If the transmission timing difference exceeds a threshold, one or more devices may stop transmitting uplink signals via one or more secondary cells and/or may not apply the timing adjustment for a cell group.

Claims (253)

1. A method comprising:

performing, by a wireless device, uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determining a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stopping uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells; or

not applying the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining the timing adjustment comprises at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving at least one control message comprising a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with a plurality of cell groups, wherein the plurality of cell groups comprises the first cell group and the second cell group.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising receiving transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

9. A method comprising:

performing, by a wireless device, uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determining a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stopping uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein the determining the timing adjustment comprises at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

11. The method of claim 9 , further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

12. The method of claim 9 , further comprising:

receiving at least one control message comprising a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with a plurality of cell groups, wherein the plurality of cell groups comprise the first cell group and the second cell group.

13. The method of claim 9 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

14. The method of claim 9 , further comprising receiving transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

15. The method of claim 9 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

16. The method of claim 9 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

17. A method comprising:

performing, by a wireless device, uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determining a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

not applying the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the determining the timing adjustment comprises at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising determining that the one or more secondary cells are out-of-sync.

20. The method of claim 17 , further comprising:

receiving at least one control message comprising a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with a plurality of cell groups, wherein the plurality of cell groups comprise the first cell group and the second cell group.

21. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the method further comprises:

determining, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

22. The method of claim 17 , further comprising receiving transmissions, via the first cell group and the second cell group, of downlink signals that are time aligned within a predefined value.

23. The method of claim 17 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

24. The method of claim 17 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

25. A wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells; or

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

26. The wireless device of claim 25 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

27. The wireless device of claim 25 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

28. The wireless device of claim 25 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

29. The wireless device of claim 25 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

30. A wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells.

31. The wireless device of claim 30 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

32. The wireless device of claim 30 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

33. The wireless device of claim 30 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

34. The wireless device of claim 30 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

35. A wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

36. The wireless device of claim 35 , wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

37. The wireless device of claim 35 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

38. The wireless device of claim 35 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

39. The wireless device of claim 35 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

40. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells; or

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed, further configure the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 40 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

45. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45 , wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed, further configure the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 45 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

50. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions that, when executed, configure a wireless device to:

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with a first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or a second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50 , wherein the instructions, when executed, configure the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions, when executed, further configure the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 50 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

55. A system comprising:

a base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

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

transmit at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group; and

a wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to:

receive the at least one control message;

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with the first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells; or

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

56. The system of claim 55 , wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

57. The system of claim 55 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

58. The system of claim 55 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

59. The system of claim 55 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

60. The system of claim 55 , wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

61. A system comprising:

a base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

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

transmit at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group; and

a wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to:

receive the at least one control message;

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with the first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

stop uplink transmission via the one or more secondary cells.

62. The system of claim 61 , wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

63. The system of claim 61 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

64. The system of claim 61 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

65. The system of claim 61 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

66. The system of claim 61 , wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

67. A system comprising:

a base station comprising:

one or more processors; and

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

transmit at least one control message comprising configuration parameters of a plurality of cells grouped into a plurality of cell groups comprising a first cell group and a second cell group; and

a wireless device comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to:

receive the at least one control message;

perform uplink transmission via one or more secondary cells associated with the first cell group;

determine a timing adjustment for at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group; and

based on a determination that a transmission timing difference between the first cell group and the second cell group exceeds a threshold:

not apply the timing adjustment to the at least one of the first cell group or the second cell group.

68. The system of claim 67 , wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, cause the wireless device to determine the timing adjustment by at least one of:

receiving a timing advance command, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing adjustment value;

measuring a timing associated with at least one transmission in the first cell group or in the second cell group; or

the wireless device autonomously determining the timing adjustment.

69. The system of claim 67 , wherein the second cell group comprises the one or more secondary cells, and wherein the instructions stored in the memory of the wireless device, when executed by the one or more processors of the wireless device, further cause the wireless device to:

determine, based on the transmission timing difference exceeding the threshold, that a time alignment timer associated with the second cell group has expired.

70. The system of claim 67 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

uplink transmission timing associated with the first cell group; and

uplink transmission timing associated with the second cell group.

71. The system of claim 67 , wherein the transmission timing difference is based on:

a first synchronization signal; and

a second synchronization signal.

72. The system of claim 67 , wherein the at least one control message comprises a time alignment timer information element for a time alignment timer of a plurality of time alignment timers associated with the plurality of cell groups.

Assignments (4)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: DINAN, ESMAEL H
To: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055080/0743 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: DINAN, ESMAEL H
To: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055080/0745 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: DINAN, ESMAEL H
To: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
Reel/Frame 055080/0754 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 29, 2021
From: OFINNO TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
To: COMCAST CABLE COMMUNICATIONS, LLC
Reel/Frame 055080/0759 →
Continuity (17)
Continuation 15698876 · Sep 8, 2017
Continuation 15201558 · Jul 4, 2016
Continuation 14960391 · Dec 6, 2015
Continuation 14622969 · Feb 16, 2015
Continuation 14616774 · Feb 9, 2015
Continuation 14608244 · Jan 29, 2015
Continuation 13862430 · Apr 14, 2013
Continuation 13862424 · Apr 13, 2013
Continuation 13862420 · Apr 14, 2013
Provisional Application 61700869 · Sep 13, 2012
Provisional Application 61661361 · Jun 19, 2012
Provisional Application 61661329 · Jun 18, 2012
Provisional Application 61654900 · Jun 3, 2012
Provisional Application 61635957 · Apr 20, 2012
Provisional Application 61625085 · Apr 17, 2012
Provisional Application 61625078 · Apr 16, 2012
Related Publication 20200204319A1 · Jun 25, 2020
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