Methods for controlling an uplink signal transmission power and communication devices

In an embodiment, a method for controlling an uplink signal transmission power in a communication device is provided. The method may include receiving a first message in a control channel modification time period, the first message including scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message, the second message including an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by another communication device in the same control channel modification time period, controlling the communication device to receive the second message in accordance with the scheduling information, and controlling the uplink signal transmission power, which is used by the communication device for transmitting signals, depending on the uplink signal transmission power related information.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments relate to methods for controlling an uplink signal transmission power and to communication devices.

BACKGROUND

A current topic in the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) standardization groups is the further development of UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) towards a mobile radio communication system optimized for packet data transmission by improving the system capacity and the spectral efficiency. In 3GPP, the activities in this regard are summarized under the general term LTE for “Long Term Evolution”. The aim is amongst others to increase the maximum net transmission rate significantly in future, namely to 300 Mbps in the downlink transmission direction and to 75 Mbps in the uplink transmission direction.

For the transmission of data in uplink transmission direction, a closed-loop power control is conventionally carried out for the physical channels PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), i.e. the eNodeB (evolved NodeB) transmits TPC (Transmit Power Control) commands to the UE (User Equipment) on which the transmit power of PUSCH and PUCCH in a subframe are adjusted. Main purposes of the uplink transmission direction closed-loop power control are usually to compensate path-loss and achieve a given SINR (Signal-to-Interference Noise Ratio) target for the respective physical channels.

In fact, the setting of the UE transmit power for PUSCH and PUCCH transmission in a subframe does not only depend on the TPC command but may also depend on mobile radio cell-specific and UE-specific parameters. The cell-specific parameters are usually broadcast by an eNodeB to all UEs in a mobile radio cell via system information. The UE-specific parameters are signaled by an eNodeB to a UE in a dedicated RRC (Radio Resource Control) message, e.g. during channel establishment procedure.

Regarding the cell-specific power control parameters, there may be an issue if these parameters need to be updated, e.g. due to adaptation of the uplink transmission direction power control operation by the communication network depending on the traffic load in the mobile radio cell. However, the current mechanism for notification and update of system information as specified is inefficient for uplink transmission direction power control purposes as the duration between the decision by the communication network to change the system information and its usage can be relatively long. Thus, for a relatively long time, uplink transmission direction power control operation may be performed based on outdated parameters that would result in severe performance degradation in the uplink.

Therefore, there is a need for an optimization of the current mechanism for notification and update of uplink transmission direction power control related system information.

DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1shows a communication system100in accordance with an embodiment. In this embodiment, the high-level network architecture of LTE including the radio access network E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network)102and the core network EPC (Evolved Packet Core)104are shown. However, in alternative embodiments, other types of communication systems in accordance with another communication standard may be provided. In an embodiment, the E-UTRAN102may consist of base transceiver stations eNodeB (eNBs)106. Each eNB106may provide radio coverage for one or more mobile radio cells108within the E-UTRAN102. Control and user data may be transmitted between a respective eNB106and a communication terminal device, e.g. a mobile radio communication terminal device such as e.g. a so-called User Equipment (UE)110located in a mobile radio cell108over an air interface112on the basis of a multiple access method. For LTE, new multiple access methods have been specified. For the downlink transmission direction (downlink transmission direction: e.g. signal transmission direction from an associated respective mobile radio base station to a mobile radio terminal device) OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) in combination with TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) will usually be used. OFDMA in combination with TDMA, subsequently also called OFDMA/TDMA, is a multicarrier multiple access method, in which a subscriber is provided with a defined number of sub-carriers (also referred to as sub-carrier frequencies in the following) in the frequency spectrum and a defined transmission time for the purpose of data transmission. Uplink data transmission (uplink transmission direction: e.g. signal transmission from a mobile radio terminal device to an associated respective mobile radio base station) is usually based on SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) in combination with TDMA.

The eNBs106are connected to the EPC (Evolved Packet Core)104, more specifically to an MME (Mobility Management Entity)114and to a Serving Gateway (S-GW)116. The MME114is responsible for controlling the mobility of UEs110located in the mobile radio coverage area of the E-UTRAN102, while the S-GW116is responsible for handling the transmission of user data between a UE110and the communication network such as e.g. the EPC104.

In an embodiment, in accordance with LTE, the following types of duplexing methods may be supported: full-duplex FDD (Frequency Division Duplex), half-duplex FDD and TDD (Time Division Duplex). Full-duplex FDD may use two separate frequency bands for uplink signal transmissions and downlink signal transmissions, and both signal transmissions can occur simultaneously. Half-duplex FDD may also use two separate frequency bands for uplink signal transmissions and downlink signal transmissions, but both signal transmissions are non-overlapping in time. TDD may use the same frequency band for signal transmission in both uplink signal transmissions and downlink signal transmissions. Within a time frame, the direction of transmission may be switched alternatively between downlink and uplink.

Time frame structure type1200as shown inFIG. 2is in an embodiment applicable to both full-duplex and half-duplex FDD. Each radio frame is 10 ms long (i.e. radio frame time duration Tf=307200*Ts=10 ms (with Ts=3.25521*10−8s) and may consist of 20 time slots202, each time slot202having a length of 0.5 ms, numbered from 0 to 19 inFIG. 2. A subframe204may be defined as two consecutive time slots202. For FDD, 10 subframes204may be available for downlink signal transmission and 10 subframes204may be available for uplink signal transmissions in each 10 ms time interval. Uplink signal transmissions and downlink signal transmissions may be separated in the frequency domain. Depending on the time slot format, a subframe204may consist of 14 or 12 OFDMA symbols in DL (downlink signal transmission) and 14 or 12 SC-FDMA symbols in UL (Uplink signal transmission), respectively.

Due to the TDMA component of the LTE multiple access schemes in UL and DL, in accordance with an embodiment, so-called timing advance (TA) adjustments for the uplink signal transmissions take place with the aim that a signal transmitted from a UE110arrives at the base transceiver station (e.g. the eNodeB106) according to the determined frame/subframe timing and does not interfere with the signal transmission of other UEs (not shown in the figures for reasons of clarity). A timing advance value may correspond to the length of time a UE110should advance its timing of UL signal transmission. The timing advance value may be sent by the eNodeB106to UE110according to the perceived propagation delay of UL signal transmissions.

FIG. 3shows the UL-DL frame timing for FDD in a block diagram300. The start of the signal transmission of an uplink (UL) radio frame number #i302from the UE (referred to as UE transmitter Tx304) shall start a predefined time interval306of length ((NTA+NTA offset)*Ts)) seconds before the start of the receiving of the corresponding downlink (DL) radio frame number #i308at the UE (referred to as UE receiver Rx310), where NTA offset=0 for full-duplex FDD and NTA offset=614 for half-duplex FDD. For NTA, the following minimum and maximum values may apply: NTA,min=0, NTA,max=20490, i.e. in case of full-duplex FDD the maximum timing advance is NTA,max*Ts≈0.67 ms with Ts=10 ms/307200=32.55 ns.

FIG. 4shows a diagram400illustrating various communication channels in accordance with an embodiment as will be described in more detail below.

In more detail, as shown inFIG. 4, in an embodiment, various logical channels402, transport channels404, and physical channels406may be provided for uplink signal transmission (inFIG. 4symbolized by means of reference number408) and downlink signal transmission (inFIG. 4symbolized by means of reference number410), respectively.

In an embodiment, the following physical channels406may be provided:Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), designated with reference number412;Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), designated with reference number414;Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), designated with reference number416;Physical Broadcast Channel (P-BCH), designated with reference number418; andPhysical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), designated with reference number420.

Some characteristics of the respective physical channels406will be described in more detail below.The PUSCH412exists in uplink signal transmission and carries user data and control data on the Uplink Shared Channel (UL-SCH)422as one of the provided transport channels404. In an embodiment, the following logical channels402may be mapped to the UL-SCH422: the Common Control Channel (CCCH)430, the Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)432, and the Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH)434. In an embodiment, the PUSCH412may be power-controlled by a mobile radio base station such as e.g. by an eNodeB106.The PUCCH414is an uplink physical channel only, i.e. no logical and transport channels are mapped to this channel PUCCH414. The PUCCH414may carry the control information such as HARQ ACK/NAKs (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement/Negative Acknowledgement) in response to downlink signal transmissions on the PDSCH416, scheduling requests and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) reports. In an embodiment, the PUCCH414may be power-controlled by a mobile radio base station such as e.g. by an eNodeB106.The PDSCH416exists in downlink signal transmission and carries user data and control data on the transport channel404Downlink Shared Channel (DL-SCH)426and paging messages on the transport channel404Paging Channel (PCH)424. In an embodiment, the following logical channels402may be mapped to the DL-SCH426: the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)438, the Common Control Channel (CCCH)430, the Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH)432, and the Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH)434. In an embodiment, the logical channel402Paging Control Channel (PCCH)436may be mapped to the PCH424. In an embodiment, the PDSCH416may occupy the OFDMA symbols in a subframe not occupied by the PDCCH420.The PDCCH420is a downlink physical channel only, i.e. no logical and transport channels are mapped to this channel PDCCH420. In an embodiment, the PDCCH420may carry the control information related to downlink signal transmissions such as resource allocation of the PCH424and the DL-SCH426. In an embodiment, the PDCCH420may carry the control information related to uplink signal transmissions such as resource allocation of UL-SCH422, TPC (Transmit Power Control) commands for PUCCH414and PUSCH412. Due to the different types of control information to be transmitted, the control information may be grouped into so-called DCI (Downlink Control Information) formats, e.g. PDCCH420with DCI format #0 may be used for the scheduling of PUSCH412, and the DCI formats #3/3A may be used for the transmission of TPC commands for PUCCH414and PUSCH412(either with 2-bit or 1-bit power adjustments). The PDCCH420may occupy one, two, or three OFDMA symbols in the first time slot in a subframe. The number of OFDMA symbols may dynamically be adjusted by the communication network.The P-BCH418is a downlink channel carrying system information on the Broadcast Channel (BCH)428to be broadcast in the respective mobile radio cell, e.g. mobile radio cell108. In an embodiment, the logical channel402Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)438may be mapped to the BCH428.

In an embodiment, in which the communication system100is an LTE communication system100, the following UL-DL transmission timing relationship may apply for FDD as illustrated in a diagram500inFIG. 5(wherein six subframes502,504,506,508,510,512are shown):

In an embodiment, the UE110shall upon detection of a PDSCH transmission514in a first subframe #i502intended for the UE110(indicated by preceding PDCCH transmission516) and for which an HARQ ACK/NACK shall be provided, transmit the ACK/NACK response message518in a fifth subframe #i+4510, e.g. on the PUCCH414.

The UE110shall upon detection of a PDCCH transmission516with DCI format0in the second subframe #i+1504intended for the UE110, adjust the corresponding PUSCH transmission520in the sixth subframe #i+5512according to the PDCCH information516.

In the following, the power control for the PUSCH412and the PUCCH414in FDD will be described in more detail.

The setting of the UE110transmit power PPUSCHfor the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)412transmission in a subframe #i may be defined by
PPUSCH(i)=min{PMAX, 10 log10(MPUSCH(i))+PO—PUSCH(j)+α·PL+ΔTF(i)+f(i)}[dBm].

The description of each parameter in the above PUSCH formula is summarized in table 1.

The setting of the UE110transmit power PPUCCHfor the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission in a subframe #i may be defined by
PPUCCH(i)=min{PMAX,P0—PUCCH+PL+ΔF—PUCCH(F)+g(i)}[dBm].

The description of each parameter in the above PUCCH formula is summarized in table 2.

In an embodiment, TPC commands may be transmitted to a UE110over different types of PDCCHs420as summarized in table 3.

In a cellular mobile radio communication system such as GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) or UMTS, e.g. in a cellular mobile radio communication system100in accordance with an embodiment, important system-specific and cell-specific parameters may be broadcast to all UEs110in a mobile radio cell108as system information.

In LTE this may be done usingthe Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)438as a logical channel402, which is mapped onto the Broadcast Channel (BCH)428as a transport channel404and is physically sent on the Physical Broadcast Channel (P-BCH)418as a physical channel406via the air interface;the Broadcast Control Channel (BCCH)438as a logical channel402, which is mapped onto the Downlink Shared Channel (DL-SCH)426as a transport channel404and is physically sent on the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)416as a physical channel406via the air interface.

Overall, a large amount of system information is transmitted to all UEs110located in a respective mobile radio cell108. According to the nature of this information, this information may be grouped into various blocks. The current structure in LTE looks as follows:Master Information Block (MIB): contains a limited number of most essential and frequently transmitted parameters to acquire other information from the cell, e.g. System Frame Number (SFN), DL bandwidth information; the system frame number indicates the timing used in the mobile radio cell108and serves for the synchronization of data transmission.System Information Block Type1(SIB Type1): contains information relevant when evaluating if a UE110is allowed to access a mobile radio cell108, and scheduling as well as mapping information for other SIB types.System Information Block Type2(SIB Type2): contains common and shared channel information, e.g. random access parameters, default paging cycle, BCCH438modification period coefficient, uplink power control parameters, configuration of PUCCH414and PUSCH412.System Information Block Type3(SIB Type3): contains mobile radio cell108re-selection information, mainly related to the serving cell.System Information Block Type4(SIB Type4): contains information about the serving frequency and intra-frequency neighbouring mobile radio cells relevant for mobile radio cell re-selection.System Information Block Type5(SIB Type5): contains information about other E-UTRA frequencies and inter-frequency neighbouring mobile radio cells relevant for mobile radio cell re-selection.System Information Block Type6(SIB Type6): contains information about UTRA frequencies and UTRA neighbouring mobile radio cells relevant for mobile radio cell re-selection.System Information Block Type7(SIB Type7): contains information about GERAN (GSM/EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution)) frequencies relevant for mobile radio cell re-selection.System Information Block Type8(SIB Type8): contains information about CDMA2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000) frequencies and CDMA2000 neighbouring mobile radio cells relevant for mobile radio cell re-selection.

In an embodiment, the MIB may be transmitted on the P-BCH418, whereas the SIB Types1to8may be transmitted on the PDSCH416. The SIBs may be transmitted in the mobile radio cell with a definite periodicity. The MIB may use a fixed schedule with a periodicity of 40 ms and repetitions made within 40 ms. The first transmission of the MIB is scheduled in the first subframe #0502of radio frames for which the SFN mod 4=0, and repetitions are scheduled in the first subframe #0502of all other radio frames. The SIB Type1may use a fixed schedule with a periodicity of 80 ms and repetitions made within 80 ms. The first transmission of SIB Type1is scheduled in a sixth subframe #5 of radio frames for which the SFN mod 8=0, and repetitions are scheduled in the sixth subframe #5 of all other radio frames for which SFN mod 2=0. All other SIB Types (i.e. 2 to 8) may be transmitted within periodically occurring time domain windows of length [1, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20] ms. The periodicity may be in the value range=[80, 160, 320, 640, 1280, 2560, 5120] ms.

Using the system information the UE110can determine whether it is allowed to camp on the mobile radio cell108and may for example determine the radio resources for sending data using the air interface. As system information changes may occur due to adaptation of mobile radio cell configuration depending on the traffic load in the mobile radio cell, the UEs110are basically configured to acquire and store only “valid” (i.e. latest versions of) system information. In accordance with an embodiment, in LTE the, notification and update of system information is based on so-called “BCCH modification periods”, i.e. system information changes only occur at specific radio frames.

The modification period boundaries are defined by SFN mod N. N is the Modification period length and may be configured by the system information. When the communication network changes (some of the) system information, it may first notify the UEs110by a paging message including the systemInfoModification indication within a modification period(n)602. During the modification period(n)602, the system information is transmitted as defined by its scheduling. In the next modification period(n+1)604, the communication network may transmit the updated system information. These general principles are illustrated in a timing diagram600inFIG. 6. Upon receiving a change notification, the UE110knows that the current system information is valid until the next modification period boundary. After this boundary, the UE110acquires the new system information. If no paging message is detected during the modification period(n)602, or the systemInfoModification indication is not included in the message, UE110may assume that no change of system information will occur in the next modification period(n+1)604. The length of the modification period N can be relatively long (i.e. in worst case 20 s) as it is given by following formula:
Modification period length=modificationPeriodCoeff×defaultPagingCycle

In an embodiment, the modificationPeriodCoeff can take the values [1, 2, 4, 8], and the defaultPagingCycle can take the values [320, 640, 1280, 2560] ms. Both parameters may be signaled on SIB Type2.

In view of the above facts it can be stated that the conventional mechanism for notification and update of system information is rather inefficient for uplink power control purposes, for example due to following reasons:The duration between the decision by the communication network to change the system information and its usage is in the range of 2*Modification period length, i.e. in worst case it will last 40 s. Thus, for a relatively long time, uplink power control operation will be performed based on outdated parameters that would result in severe performance degradation in the uplink.Although the UE110is informed about changes in the system information, no further details are usually provided e.g. regarding which system information has changed.

In an embodiment, there is provided an optimization of the conventional mechanism for notification and update of uplink power control related system information. The following parameters for PUSCH412and PUCCH414are cell-specific and are broadcast on SIB Type2: P0—NOMINAL—PUSCH(j), α, P0—NOMINAL—PUCCH, ΔF—PUCCH(F). For illustration, an exemplary interaction between notification and update of SIB Type2and uplink power control for PUSCH is depicted in a message flow diagram700FIG. 7:

In the modification period(n)702, power control for PUSCH transmission of UE110may be performed (step1(denoted with reference number714) (in step1, a first TPC command message706is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the first TPC command message706for a first PUSCH transmission708) and step3(denoted with reference number718) (in step3, a second TPC command message708is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the second TPC command message710for a second PUSCH transmission712)) based on currently valid system information stored in the UE110. In addition, the communication network notifies the UE110in step2(denoted with reference number716) by a paging message720including the systemInfoModification indication about a change of system information, but without any indication which system information has changed.

In the modification period(n+1)704, the communication network, e.g. the eNodeB106, transmits the changed system information, e.g. the uplink power control related system information in SIB Type2722.

The UE110acquires the new system information in SIB Type2722in step5(denoted with reference number724) and applies the updated information as fast as possible, e.g. in step6(denoted with reference number726(in step6, a fourth TPC command message734may be transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110may use the information included in the fourth TPC command message734for a fourth PUSCH transmission736)) or in the next modification period(n+2) (not shown inFIG. 7) at the latest.

In the modification period(n+1)704, power control for PUSCH transmission of the UE110can be performed based on current valid system information stored in the UE110as long as the changed system information has not been acquired (see step4(denoted with reference number728) (in step4, a third TPC command message730is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the third TPC command message730for a third PUSCH transmission732)).

In various embodiments, a solution for the notification and update of uplink power control related system information is provided. The provided solution may include one or more of the following embodiments:For the paging of the change of uplink power control related system information, cell-specific paging occasions may be defined within the length of a single BCCH modification period and all UEs110may check the PDCCH at the specified time instants. One uplink power control related paging occasion (PO) is a radio frame where there may be the PUCCH transmitted addressing the paging message and is given by SFN mod T. The value T may be configured by the communication network, e.g. by the eNodeB106(in general, by an associated mobile radio base station) and signaled via system information.In the paging message a new information element is introduced referred to as systemInfoModificationUL-PC for indicating the change of uplink power control related system information.Further, the paging message may carry the scheduling information of the uplink power control related system information to be updated.The updated uplink power control related system information is transmitted on DL-SCH/PDSCH in accordance with the scheduling information and in the same BCCH modification period as the paging message following a definite number of radio frames.The UE110may acquire the new uplink power control related system information and may apply the updated information in the following BCCH modification period at the latest.

Some effects of various embodiments may be:The mechanism for notification and update of uplink power control related system information may be significantly improved in terms of latency about 50% compared with the conventional LTE mechanism.The possible performance degradation in the uplink can be significantly reduced due to improved power control related system information update.The UE may be informed about changes in uplink power control related system information.

Without loss of generality the following configuration is considered in the following implementations of the embodiments:An LTE mobile radio cell operating in full-duplex FDD mode.The UE110and the eNodeB106are in RRC connected mode, i.e. user data and control data may be transmitted in UL and DL via PUSCH412and PDSCH416, respectively.UL power control for PUSCH412transmission in subframe #i is performed according to following formula:
PPUSCH(i)=min{PMAX, 10 log10(MPUSCH(i))+PO—PUSCH(j)+α·PL+ΔTF(i)+f(i)}[dBm].The TPC commands δPUSCHare signaled on PDCCH420DCI format #0, #3, #3A.The two mobile radio cell-specific power control parameters P0—NOMINAL—PUSCH(j), α are broadcast on SIB Type2.For the notification and update of UL power control related system information a BCCH modification period length may be defined including two cell-specific paging occasions according toFIG. 8.

FIG. 8shows the notification and update of UL power control related system information in accordance with an embodiment in a timing diagram800. InFIG. 8, a change notification and information update time period802of a length of one BCCH modification period is shown. Furthermore,FIG. 8shows a plurality of radio frames804,806,808,810,812,814,816,818.

In an implementation, it is assumed that the communication network has decided to adapt the uplink power control operation for all RRC connected mode UEs110located in the mobile radio cell106due to the current high traffic load in the mobile radio cell106. Then, the notification and update of the mobile radio cell-specific UL power control parameters P0—NOMINAL—PUSCH(j), α is performed according to a message flow diagram900as shown inFIG. 9.

In step1(denoted with reference number902) (in step1902, a first TPC command message904is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the first TPC command message904for a first PUSCH transmission906) uplink power control for PUSCH transmission906is performed based on current valid system information stored in the UE110.

In a first BCCH modification period(n)908, the UE110checks the PDCCH420at the specified two (in alternative embodiments one, three, four, or even more) cell-specific paging occasions, which (has) have previously been specified, e.g. by the communication network, e.g. signaled by the mobile radio base station such as e.g. the eNodeB106. Referring back toFIG. 8, two radio frames, e.g. the third radio frame #i+2808and the (N+1)-th radio frame #i+N812are predefined (e.g. by the communication network) as the paging occasions.

Furthermore, in step2(denoted with reference number910), the UE110may be notified at the two paging occasions by a paging message912(sent e.g. via the PDSCH416) (generated and sent by the mobile radio base station such as e.g. the eNodeB106) including the information element systemInfoModificationUL-PC for indicating the change of uplink power control related system information in SIB Type2that will be transmitted later, as will be described in more detail below. Further, the paging message912may carry the scheduling information of the uplink power control related system information to be updated. The paging message912may be sent in the third radio frame #i+2808or in the (N+1)-th radio frame #i+N812as shown inFIG. 8in an embodiment.

In step3(denoted with reference number914), the updated uplink power control related system information of SIB Type2is transmitted on a downlink shared channel such as e.g. the DL-SCH426/PDSCH416in a power control update message916in accordance with the scheduling information included in the received paging message912and in the same BCCH modification period(n)908following the paging message912. In an embodiment, the power control update message916may be sent in the (N+3)-th radio frame #i+N+2816as shown inFIG. 8. The power control update message916carries new values of the two mobile radio cell-specific power control parameters P0—NOMINAL—PUSCH(j), α and UE110acquires and stores both parameters.

In step4(denoted with reference number918), a second TPC command message920is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the second TPC command message920for a second PUSCH transmission922).

If possible the updated power control information may be applied already in the BCCH modification period(n)908(step4918) for PUSCH signal transmission922, otherwise the updated power control information may be applied in the following BCCH modification period(n+1)942at the latest (step5(denoted with reference number924) (in step5, a third TPC command message926is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the third TPC command message926for a third PUSCH transmission928), in step6(denoted with reference number930) (in step6, a fourth TPC command message932is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the fourth TPC command message932for a fourth PUSCH transmission934), and in step7(denoted with reference number936) (in step7, a fifth TPC command message938is transmitted from the eNodeB106to the UE110, and the UE110uses the information included in the fifth TPC command message938for a fifth PUSCH transmission938)).

FIG. 10shows a method1000for controlling an uplink signal transmission power in a communication device in accordance with an embodiment. In1002, a first message is received in a control channel modification time period, wherein the first message includes scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message, wherein the second message includes an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by another communication device in the same control channel modification time period. In1004, the communication device is controlled to receive the second message in accordance with the scheduling information. Furthermore, in1006, the uplink signal transmission power, which is used by the communication device for transmitting signals, is controlled depending on the uplink signal transmission power related information.

In an example of this embodiment, the first message may be a paging message. In another example of this embodiment, the first message may be received via a radio interface. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device is a radio communication device, e.g. a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device is a communication terminal device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the first message may be received in a control channel modification time period at a predefined first message receiving time. In yet another example of this embodiment, the first message may be received in a control channel modification time period at a predefined paging occasion. In yet another example of this embodiment, the first message may be received via a control channel, e.g. via a downlink control channel, e.g. via a physical downlink control channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message is a system information block message. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message is a system information block type2message. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message may be received via a different (communication) channel, e.g. different physical channel, than the channel via which the first message is received. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message may be received via a downlink shared channel, e.g. via a physical downlink shared channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the uplink signal transmission power related information may be an uplink power control related system information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a radio communication device, e.g. a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a communication network device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a mobile radio base station. In yet another example of this embodiment, the control channel modification time period is a broadcast control channel modification time period. In yet another example of this embodiment, the method may further include transmitting signals using the uplink signal transmission power related information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the signals are transmitted via a radio interface.

FIG. 11shows a method1100for controlling an uplink signal transmission power in a communication device in accordance with another embodiment. In1102, a first message is transmitted to the communication device in a control channel modification time period. The first message may include scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message. The second message may include an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by another communication device in the same control channel modification time period. In1104, the second message may be transmitted to the communication device in accordance with the scheduling information in the same control channel modification time period.

In an example of this embodiment, the first message may be a paging message. In another example of this embodiment, the first message may be transmitted via a radio interface. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device may be a radio communication device, e.g. a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device is a communication terminal device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the first message may be transmitted in a control channel modification time period at a predefined paging occasion. In yet another example of this embodiment, the first message may be transmitted via a control channel, e.g. via a downlink control channel, e.g. via a physical downlink control channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message is a system information block message, e.g. a system information block type2message. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message may be transmitted via a different channel than the channel via which the first message is transmitted. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message may be transmitted via a downlink shared channel, e.g. via a physical downlink shared channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the uplink signal transmission power related information is an uplink power control related system information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the method may be carried out by a radio communication device, e.g. by a mobile radio communication device, e.g. by a communication network device, e.g. by a mobile radio base station. In yet another example of this embodiment, the control channel modification time period is a broadcast control channel modification time period.

FIG. 12shows a communication device1200(e.g. implemented as the UE110) in accordance with another embodiment. The communication device1200may include a receiver configured to receive a first message in a control channel modification time period, wherein the first message includes scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message, wherein the second message includes an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by another communication device in the same control channel modification time period. Furthermore, the communication device1200may include a controller1204. The controller1204may be configured to control the communication device1200, e.g. the receiver1202, to receive the second message in accordance with the scheduling information. Furthermore, the controller1204may be configured to control the uplink signal transmission power, which is used by the communication device for transmitting signals, depending on the uplink signal transmission power related information.

In an example of this embodiment, the first message may be a paging message, e.g. a mobile radio paging message. In another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202is configured to receive the first message via a radio interface. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device1200may be configured as a radio communication device, e.g. as a mobile radio communication device, e.g. as a communication terminal device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202may be configured to receive the first message in a control channel modification time period at a predefined first message receiving time. In yet another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202may be configured to receive the first message in a control channel modification time period at a predefined paging occasion. In yet another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202may be configured to receive the first message via a control channel, e.g. via a downlink control channel, e.g. via a physical downlink control channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message is a system information block message, e.g. a system information block type2message. In yet another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202may be configured to receive the second message via a different channel (e.g. different physical channel) than the channel via which the first message is received. In yet another example of this embodiment, the receiver1202may be configured to receive the second message via a downlink shared channel, e.g. via a physical downlink shared channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the uplink signal transmission power related information is an uplink power control related system information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a radio communication device, e.g. a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a communication network device, e.g. a mobile radio base station. In yet another example of this embodiment, the control channel modification time period is a broadcast control channel modification time period. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device1200may further include a transmitter1206configured to transmit signals using the uplink signal transmission power related information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1206may be configured to transmit signals via a radio interface.

FIG. 13shows a communication device1300(e.g. implemented as the eNodeB106) in accordance with another embodiment. The communication device1300may include a transmitter1302configured to transmit to another communication device a first message in a control channel modification time period, wherein the first message includes scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message, wherein the second message includes an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by the communication device in the same control channel modification time period. Furthermore, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit to the other communication device the second message in accordance with the scheduling information in the same control channel modification time period. Furthermore, the communication device1300may optionally include a receiver1304configured to receive signals from another communication device. The additional components which are usually included in a communication device such as a base station, are also provided in the communication device1300, however, are not shown for reasons of clarity.

In an example of this embodiment, the first message may be a paging message. In another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit the first message via a radio interface. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a radio communication device, e.g. a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the other communication device is a communication terminal device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit the first message in a control channel modification time period at a predefined paging occasion. In yet another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit the first message via a control channel, e.g. via a downlink control channel, e.g. via a physical downlink control channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the second message is a system information block message, e.g. a system information block type2message. In yet another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit the second message via a different channel (e.g. communication channel, e.g. physical channel) than the channel via which the first message is transmitted. In yet another example of this embodiment, the transmitter1302may be configured to transmit the second message via a downlink shared channel, e.g. via a physical downlink shared channel. In yet another example of this embodiment, the uplink signal transmission power related information is an uplink power control related system information. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device may be configured as a radio communication device, e.g. as a mobile radio communication device. In yet another example of this embodiment, the communication device may be configured as a communication network device, e.g. as a mobile radio base station. In yet another example of this embodiment, the control channel modification time period is a broadcast control channel modification time period.

FIG. 14shows a method1400for controlling an uplink signal transmission power in a communication device in accordance with yet another embodiment. In1402, a first message may be received via a first mobile radio physical channel, wherein the first message includes scheduling information about the timing of the transmission of a second message, wherein the second message includes an uplink signal transmission power related information, which will be transmitted by another communication device, wherein the first message further includes an information that the second message includes the uplink signal transmission power related information. In1404, the communication device may be controlled to receive the second message in accordance with the scheduling information. In1406, the uplink signal transmission power may be controlled, which is used by the communication device for transmitting signals, depending on the uplink signal transmission power related information.

In various embodiments, mobile radio cell-specific paging occasions may be defined within the length of a BCCH modification period and a new information element referred to as systemInfoModificationUL-PC may be introduced in the paging message for indicating the change of uplink power control related system information.

Furthermore, in various embodiments, the updated uplink power control related system information may be transmitted on DL-SCH/PDSCH in accordance with the scheduling information and in the same BCCH modification period as the paging message following a definite number of radio frames.

Moreover, in various embodiments, the UE110may acquire the new uplink power control related system information and may apply the updated information in the following (immediately subsequent in time) BCCH modification period at the latest.