Method and apparatus for controlling cell aggregation

According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a wireless device operating in a wireless communication network determines the difference in signal arrival times with respect to first and second cells, and the device and/or the involved wireless communication network uses the difference to control one or more aspects of Carrier Aggregation, CA, operation for the wireless device. For example, there may be a maximum timing difference defined for the wireless device, e.g., as a function of its inherent capabilities, and the wireless device may evaluate the timing difference of a second cell that is a candidate of aggregation into its CA configuration, or that may be a candidate for activation as a serving cell within a CA configuration, with respect to a first cell that is already in use as a serving cell for the wireless device.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to wireless communication networks, and particularly relates to controlling cell aggregation in such networks.

BACKGROUND

Release 10 of the 3GPP standard specifications—the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network or E-UTRAN standard—introduced Carrier Aggregation or CA as a means for qualifying E-UTRAN to meet the requirements for 4G services of up to 1000 Mbit/s, as well as for allowing operators with small, scattered spectrum allocations, e.g., allocations of 20 MHz or less, to provide a good user experience, based on aggregating the scattered allocations into aggregated allocations of 10, 20 MHz or more.

In the context of CA operation, a user equipment or UE is connected to a serving cell that is termed the Primary Cell, PCell, on what is referred to as the Primary Component Carrier or PCC. Mobility is managed with respect to the PCC, but in cases where the UE is using services that require high throughput, the network may activate one or more additional serving cells. Each additional serving cell is termed a Secondary Cell, or SCell, on what is referred to as a Secondary Component Carrier or SCC. The activation may happen before or after the UE detects the SCell.

Release 10 of the 3GPP standards consider and define two types of aggregation scenarios: intra-band contiguous aggregation and inter-band aggregation. Release 11 of the 3GPP standards further consider intra-band non-contiguous aggregation, while Release 12 of the 3GPP standards further considers aggregation of three downlink, DL, carriers, with one or two uplink, UL, carriers. These carriers may be inter-band or intra-band, contiguous or non-contiguous, or any combination thereof. Release 12 further considers the aggregation of Frequency Division Duplex, FDD, carriers with Time Division Duplex, TDD, carriers, where the PCC and any one or more SCCs to FDD and TDD, or to TDD and FDD, respectively.

For intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation the PCell and SCell(s) are contiguous in frequency. The applicable 3GPP standards requires that for contiguous intra-band aggregation, the time difference between the PCell and an SCell is allowed to be at most ±130 ns—see 3GPP TS 36.104 rev 11.4.0, sub-clause 6.5.3. The standard further assumes that for this particular scenario, the involved receiver can use a single fast Fourier transform, FFT, circuit or operation to demodulate the signal from both the PCell and the SCell simultaneously. Thus in practice it is required that the PCell and SCell are co-located, i.e., transmitted from the same physical network node site, otherwise propagation delay would make it impossible to use a single FFT circuit or operation.

For intra-band non-contiguous aggregation, the timing difference is allowed to be at most ±260 ns, but cell co-location is not assumed, nor is it assumed that a single FFT can be used. Similarly, for inter-band carrier aggregation the timing difference between the PCell and a SCell is allowed to be at most ±260 ns. However, the inter-band scenario further assumes that the cells may be non-co-located and that the UE will have to cope with a propagation delay difference between the PCell and the SCell of up to ±30 μs, resulting in a maximum delay spread of ±30.26 μs—see 3GPP TS 36.300, revision 11.5.0, Annex J.

FIG. 1illustrates example carrier aggregation deployment scenarios (a) through (e). In particular: item (a) illustrates co-located overlaid intra-band scenario where there is similar path loss for different carriers; item (b) illustrates co-located overlaid inter-band scenario where there is different path loss for different carriers; item (c) illustrates co-located inter-band partially overlaid scenario, item; (d) illustrates non-co-located remote radio heads (RRH) with inter-band carriers used to provide improved throughput at hotspots; and item (e) illustrates an overlaid inter-band scenario with repeaters. See 3GPP TS 36.300 rev 11.5.0 Annex J.

Thus,FIG. 1can be understood as illustrating examples of foreseen deployment scenarios that are applicable up to 3GPP Release 11. For the co-located intra-band scenario with fully overlapping coverage of the PCell and SCell, the eNodeB or eNB (LTE base station) can configure and activate the SCell when needed, based on reported measurements for the PCell.

The timing of the SCell is a known value in case the UE has measured and reported the cell recently, either as inter-frequency neighbor cell or as a cell on a configured secondary component carrier F2. Additionally, regardless of having been reported before, the timing of the SCell is also considered as being known in case of intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation, i.e., where the spectrums for the PCell and SCell are back-to-back. When the UE gets an activation command for the SCell under such conditions, the UE may be able to start reception from the SCell without prior fine-tuning of the timing.

In case the cell has not been reported previously and is on another band, i.e., an inter-band scenario, or is non-adjacent, the timing of the SCell is not known to the UE. However, the SCell timing shall fall within ±30.26 μs relative to the PCell. This timing window is significant as it occupies almost half an OFDM symbol time and, in such cases, the timing of the SCell will have to be tuned before the UE can start reception from the SCell.

FIG. 2illustrates a future deployment scenario. Because of the use of partially overlaid cells in some locations, a UE may have to aggregate one carrier, e.g., F1, from a network node or base station eNB A, and another, e.g., F2, from another network node or base station eNB B. Each network node manages several cells on two carriers. In the diagram, cells on F1and F2managed by eNB A and eNB B are labeled A and B, respectively.

From 3GPP Release 12 and onwards, such so-called inter-node radio resource aggregation is under discussion—see e.g. 3GPP TR 36.842. For one of the foreseen scenarios, the UE may be connected to a primary cell, a “master” cell, handled by one base station, and simultaneously to between one and four secondary cells, “assisting” cells, handled by other base station(s). In case the primary cell and secondary cell(s) are on different carriers, the UE handles aggregation in a manner similar to aggregation in the Release 11 deployment scenarios depicted inFIG. 1. One difference, however, is that in scenarios up to 3GPP Release 11, the aggregated cells were handled by the same network node—e.g., the same eNB or other base station—with either co-located cells on different carriers but sent from the same site, or non-co-located cells on different carriers, using Remote Radio Heads, RRHs. Such deployment scenarios are shown in the example items (e) and (f) inFIG. 1.

Thus,FIG. 2can be understood as depicting one example of inter-node radio resource aggregation/inter-node carrier aggregation. A UE that is in the coverage of network node eNB A on one carrier and in the coverage of network node eNB B on another carrier may aggregate both carriers even though the cells are handled by different base stations. In contrast, aggregation as considered in the 3GPP standards up to Release 11 would only be done within each respective base station, either eNB A or eNB B, but not both eNB A and eNB B. Note that the cells on both carriers may provide macro coverage—i.e., have large cell radius.

3GPP TS 36.133 specifies the requirements on the maximum delay for SCell activation, from reception of the activation command until valid channel state information, CSI, is transmitted to the network. With favorable radio conditions and SINR>−3 dB, activation shall be completed within: 24 ms if the cell is known, which is defined as Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurements having been reported to the network within the last min of 5 DRX cycles or 5 SCell measurement cycles; and 34 ms if the cell is unknown—i.e., a blind activation where the cell has not been reported within the last min 5 DRX cycles or 5 SCell measurement cycles. Here, “DRX” denotes discontinuous reception.

The UE shall start transmitting CSI 8 ms after having received the SCell activation command. Before synchronization to the SCell has been achieved, CSI shall indicate out-of-range, which is indicated using CQI index0. The requirements shall be met for a worst-case scenario regarding the available number of unicast subframes. For LTE FDD, the worst case is when there are two unicast subframes per 5 ms, For LTE TDD, the worst case is when there is only one unicast subframe and one special subframe per 5 ms.

In dual connectivity, DC, operating scenarios, the UE can be served by two nodes, which are referred to as a “main” eNB or MeNB, and “secondary” eNB or SeNB. The UE is configured with a PCC from both MeNB and SeNB. The PCells from the MeNB and SeNB are referred to as the PCell and the PSCell, respectively. The PCell and PSCell typically operate independently with respect to the UE. The UE is also configured with one or more SCCs from each of the MeNB and SeNB. The corresponding secondary serving cells served by MeNB and SeNB are simply referred to as SCells. A UE operating in DC typically has separate transceivers, TX/RX, for each of the connections with the MeNB and SeNB. This feature allows the MeNB and SeNB to independently configure the UE with respect to one or more procedures on the PCell and the PSCell. Examples of such procedures include radio link monitoring, RLM, DRX cycles, etc.

The UE can be configured to periodically report CQI to the base station. For LTE FDD, the reporting period can be: 2, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, 160, 32, 64, and 128 ms, respectively. For LTE TDD, the reporting period can be: 1, 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ms, respectively. Further, as seen in 3GPP TS 36.213, clause 7.2.2, there are some restrictions on the UL/DL configuration in use. A typical network configuration uses a CQI reporting period in the range 5 to 40 ms.

The CQI values that can be reported are depicted in Table 1, as presented inFIG. 3. More particularly, the table depicts 4-bit CQI values according to 3GPP TS 36.213, clause 7.2.3. Note that according to its conventional meaning, a CQI index value of 0 indicates to the eNB that the UE is out of radio coverage. CQI reporting may be aperiodic, in which case the UE reports CQI to the eNB responsive to indications in the Downlink Control Information or DCI.

Event-triggered reporting also may be used. For example, for mobility measurement purposes, a UE may be configured with events. The triggering of a given event causes the UE to take some action. For example, a certain event trigger causes the UE to report measured signal strength and signal interference values for detected cells. Existing events in E-UTRA are seen in 3GPP TS 36.331, V12.1.0 and include: event A1in which the serving cell becomes better than threshold; event A2in which the serving cell becomes worse than threshold; event A3, in which a neighbor cell becomes better than the PCell by some defined offset; event A4, in which a neighbor cell becomes better than some threshold; event A5, in which the PCell becomes worse than a threshold1and a neighbor cell becomes better than a threshold2; event A6, in which a neighbor cell becomes better than an SCell by some defined offset; event B1, in which an inter RAT neighbor cell becomes better than some threshold; and event B2, in which a PCell becomes worse than a threshold1and an inter RAT neighbor cell becomes better than a threshold2.

It is recognized herein that existing protocols and techniques do not provide a UE with any means for the UE to indicate to an eNB that the time difference between the PCell and any of the SCells is becoming larger than the UE can handle. The full responsibility is put on the eNB to maintain accurate information on what timing difference the UE may experience. However, the tools for acquiring such information, such as Observed Time Difference Of Arrival, OTDOA, or Reference Signal Time Difference, RSTD, are not available to the eNB, as such techniques are handled by nodes deeper into the core network. While proprietary solutions might be used by the eNB, such approaches would still only involve a predicted time difference. Hence, to ensure that the UE is within an area where carriers can be aggregated, the eNB likely will have to be more conservative than necessary. At the same time there may be UEs that are capable of handling PCell-to-SCell time differences beyond the ±30.26 μs range.

Additionally, in at least some mobility scenarios, particularly in urban areas or hilly terrain, the radio propagation delay may change rapidly. For example, the radio propagation delay changes rapidly and by a potentially significant amount whenever the line-of-sight is lost and the UE receives only reflected radio waves. A UE that has been activated while within the range of supported time differences between the PCell and an SCell may experience a time difference outside that range, particularly if the SCell has been activated close to the border with respect to propagation delays between PCell and SCell. Currently, the behavior of a UE that suddenly falls outside of its supported range of time differences is undefined.

Moreover, it is recognized herein that in inter-node radio resource aggregation new deployment scenarios will be encountered where it is likely that not all timings for cells under which the UE has coverage simultaneously are such that they fall within the time difference that the UE can handle, e.g. ±30.26 μs. Hence some cells will not be suitable to use for aggregation, but the UE has no means for indicating to the network as to which cells can be used for aggregation.

SUMMARY

According to one aspect of the teachings herein, a wireless device operating in a wireless communication network determines the difference in signal arrival times with respect to first and second cells, and the device and/or the involved wireless communication network uses the difference to control one or more aspects of Carrier Aggregation, CA, operation for the wireless device. For example, there may be a maximum timing difference defined for the wireless device, e.g., as a function of its inherent capabilities, and the wireless device may evaluate the timing difference of a second cell that is a candidate of aggregation into its CA configuration, or that may be a candidate for activation as a serving cell within a CA configuration, with respect to a first cell that is already in use as a serving cell for the wireless device.

In an example embodiment, a method at a wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports Carrier Aggregation, CA, includes measuring a difference in signal arrival times at the device for a second cell with respect to a first cell that is, or is associated with, a serving cell of the device. The method further includes comparing the difference to a configured value representing a maximum time difference permitted at the device for aggregating the second cell as another serving cell of the device, sending feedback to a network node in the network, at least on a conditional basis, indicating a result of the comparison.

In another embodiment, a method of CA operation at a wireless device operating in a wireless communication network that supports CA includes determining a difference in signal arrival times for a second serving cell in the CA configuration with respect to a first serving cell in the CA configuration, and detecting whether the difference is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the wireless device. The method further includes autonomously performing at least one of: for the case where the second serving cell is in an activated state in the context of the CA configuration, deactivating the second serving cell responsive to determining that the difference is out-of-range; and for the case where the second serving cell is in a deactivated state in the context of the CA configuration, activating the second serving cell responsive to determining that the difference is in-range.

In yet another embodiment, a wireless device is configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA and includes a communication interface and a processing circuit operatively associated with the communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive signals from first and second cells in the network, where at least the first cell is or is associated with a serving cell of the device. The processing circuit is configured to measure a difference in signal arrival times at the device for a second cell with respect to the first cell, compare the difference to a configured value representing a maximum time difference permitted at the device for aggregating the second cell as a serving cell for the device, and, at least on a conditional basis, send feedback to the network indicating a result of the comparison.

In yet another embodiment, a method at a network node configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA includes receiving feedback from a wireless device for a second cell. The feedback is dependent on whether a difference at the device in signal arrival times for the second cell with respect to a first cell is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the device. Here, the first cell is, or is associated with, a serving cell or the wireless device and the method includes controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell of the device, in response to the feedback.

In yet another embodiment, a network node is configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA comprises communication interface configured to receive feedback from a wireless device for a second cell, where the feedback depends on whether a difference at the device in signal arrival times for the second cell with respect to a first cell is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the device. Here, the first cell is, or is associated with, a serving cell for the wireless device. The network node further includes a processing circuit that is operatively associated with the communication interface and is configured to control at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell of the device, in response to the feedback.

In another embodiment, a method at a wireless device configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA includes measuring a difference in signal arrival times at the device for a second cell with respect to a first cell and performing at least one of: controlling whether or not the second cell is active as a serving cell in a CA configuration of the device in dependence on whether or not the difference in signal arrival times exceeds a maximum time difference permitted at the device; and indicating the difference in signal arrival times to the network, for use by the network in controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell for the device.

In a further embodiment, a wireless device is configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA and includes a communication interface configured to receive signals from the network and to send signals to the network, and further includes a processing circuit that is operatively associated with the communication interface. The processing circuit is configured to measure a difference in signal arrival times at the device for a second cell with respect to a first cell, and perform at least one of: control whether or not the second cell is active as a serving cell in a CA configuration of the device in dependence on whether or not the difference in signal arrival times exceeds a maximum time difference permitted at the device; and indicate the difference in signal arrival times to the network, for use by the network in controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell for the device.

In yet another embodiment, a method at a network node configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA includes receiving an indicated difference in signal arrival times from a wireless device, for a second cell with respect to a first cell. The method further includes controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell in a CA configuration of the device, in dependence on the indicated difference in signal arrival times.

In a further embodiment, a network node is configured for operation in a wireless communication network that supports CA and includes a communication interface that is configured to receive, directly or indirectly, indications from a device operating in the network of differences of signal arrival times at the device, for a second cell with respect to a first cell. The network node further includes a processing circuit that is operatively associated with the communication interface and is configured to control at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell as a serving cell in a CA configuration of the device, in dependence on the indications of the differences in signal arrival times.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In some portions of this disclosure, the non-limiting term “UE” is used. A UE as termed herein can be any type of wireless apparatus capable of communicating with a communication network node and/or with another wireless apparatus via radio signals. The UE may be a target device (where “target” refers to a given device being positioned), a Device-to-Device, D2D, UE, a Machine Type Communications, MTC, UE or UE capable of Machine-to-Machine, M2M, communications, a sensor or other embedded device equipped with a wireless communication interface, a tablet, mobile terminal, smart phone, laptop, network adaptor, USB dongles, modems, Customer Premises Equipment, CPE, etc.

Also, in some embodiments, generic terminology is used, such as “radio network node”, “network node”, or “NW node”. Unless specifically identified, or unless clear from the context, all such references should be understood as broadly referring to any one of a variety or network node types, such as a base station, a radio base station, a base transceiver station, a base station controller, a network controller, an evolved Node B, eNB, a Node B, a Main eNB, MeNB, in a dual-connectivity configuration, a Secondary eNB, SeNB, in a dual-connectivity mode, a relay node, an access point, a radio access point, a Remote Radio Unit or RRU, or a Remote Radio Head or RRH, etc.

In some embodiments, the term “PCell” is used and unless explicitly restricted or a particular intended meaning is clear from the context, this term should be broadly understood to cover any type of primary cell, such as a primary cell in a simple primary/secondary cell case, or a Primary Secondary Cell, PSCell, in a Dual Connectivity, DC, scenario. Further, the term “time difference of arrival” is sometimes shortened in this discussion to “time difference”. Unless otherwise noted, however, any references herein to “timing difference” or “timing difference between cells” should be understood as referring to the difference in signal arrival times at a wireless device, as between the signals from the noted cells. By way of non-limiting example, a UE or other wireless device experiences such timing differences as between a PCell and a SCell, as between a PCell and a PSCell, and as between respective SCells.

FIG. 4depicts an example wireless communication network8that includes a number of network nodes10, which here are configured as base stations that provide communication services to one or more UEs or other wireless devices12, where one wireless device12, denoted as “WD12” in the diagram, is illustrated for ease of discussion. The network nodes10each provide radio coverage in a number of cells14, includes cells14that operate on a first carrier frequency F1, and cells14that operate on a second carrier frequency F2.

The wireless device12and one or more of the network nodes10are configured according to one or more embodiments of the device-side and network-side teachings presented herein, respectively. To better understand these teachings in an example context, considerFIG. 5, which illustrates example embodiments of a network node10and a wireless device12.

As noted for the context ofFIG. 4, in a non-limiting example, the network node10comprises a network base station, such as an eNB in a Long Term Evolution, LTE, network. In any case, the example network node10depicted inFIG. 5includes a communication interface20, which may comprise more than one communication interface. For example, in a base station embodiment of the network node10, the communication interface20includes radiofrequency transceiver circuitry—i.e., receiver and transmitter circuitry—for transmitting signals to wireless devices12in one or more cells supported by the network node10, and for receiving signals from such devices12. The communication interface20may further comprise an inter-base station signaling interface and/or a Core-Network interface to one or more nodes in a Core Network associated with the Radio Access Network portion of the wireless network in which the node is configured to operate.

The network node10further includes a processing circuit22that is configured to carry out any or all of the network-side method(s) taught herein. The processing circuit22may comprise or be included in a number of digital processing circuits24. Non-limiting examples of such circuitry include a microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC, Field Programmable Gate Array, FGPA, and/or other digital processing circuit(s). Such circuitry may be configured as fixed circuitry, or as programmed circuitry, or as a mix of fixed and programmed circuitry.

In at least one embodiment, the processing circuit22is configured to carry out the network-node processing as taught herein based at least in part on the execution of a computer program product26stored in a computer-readable medium28, which may also store configuration information or data. It will be understood that the computer program product28comprises computer program instructions and that the execution of those program instructions by the digital processing circuits24specially adapt the digital processing circuits24to carry out the network-side processing operations taught herein, including implementation or execution of the disclosed algorithms.

The computer-readable medium28may actually comprise media, e.g., more than one memory device and/or more than one type of memory, such as EEPROM, FLASH and/or Solid State Disk. The computer-readable medium28also may include working memory, such as SRAM. In any case, however, the computer-readable medium28stores the computer program26in question in a non-transitory state, i.e., the computer-readable medium28provides for storage of at least some persistence. Note, however, that non-transitory storage does not necessarily mean permanent or unchanging storage, but the term does exclude merely propagating signals.

As for the wireless device12, or, simply, the “device12”, it includes a communication interface30, which comprises or includes radiofrequency transceiver circuitry—i.e., receiver and transmitter circuitry—for transmitting signals to and receiving signals from one or more nodes in a wireless communication network8in which the device12is configured to operate. For example, the network node10is a base station and the device12is configured to communicate with the network node10according to the defined air interface protocols, structure, timing, etc.

The device12further includes a processing circuit32that is configured to carry out any or all of the device-side method(s) taught herein. The processing circuit32may comprise or be included in a number of digital processing circuits34. Non-limiting examples of such circuitry include a microprocessor, Digital Signal Processor, Application Specific Integrated Circuit, ASIC, Field Programmable Gate Array (FGPA), and/or other digital processing circuit(s). Such circuitry may be configured as fixed circuitry, or as programmed circuitry, or as a mix of fixed and programmed circuitry.

In at least one embodiment, the processing circuit32is configured to carry out the device-side processing as taught herein based at least in part on the execution of a computer program product36stored in a computer-readable medium38, which may also store configuration information or data. It will be understood that the computer program product38comprises computer program instructions and that the execution of those program instructions by the digital processing circuits34specially adapt the digital processing circuits34to carry out the device-side processing operations taught herein, including execution of the disclosed algorithms.

The computer-readable medium38may actually comprise media, e.g., more than one memory device and/or more than one type of memory, such as EEPROM, FLASH and/or Solid State Disk. The computer-readable medium38also may include working memory, such as SRAM. In any case, however, the computer-readable medium38stores the computer program36in question in a non-transitory state, i.e., the computer-readable medium28provides for storage of at least some persistence. Note, however, that non-transitory storage does not necessarily mean permanent or unchanging storage, but the term does exclude merely propagating signals.

The above network node10and device12are configured, for example, according to any of a number of example embodiments. In one such example, the communication interface30of the device12is configured to receive signals from first and second cells14in the network8, wherein at least the first cell14is or is associated with a serving cell14of the device12. The processing circuit32of the device12is operatively associated with the communication interface30and is configured to measure a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for the second cell14with respect to the first cell14, and to compare the difference to a configured value representing a maximum time difference permitted at the device12for aggregating the second cell14as a serving cell for the device12. Further, the processing circuit32is configured to, at least on a conditional basis, send feedback to the network8indicating a result of the comparison.

In an example scenario, the first and second cells14are configured as serving cells14in a CA configuration of the device12and both cells14are activated for serving the device12. The processing circuit32of the device12is configured to send the feedback to the network8as an out-of-range indication for the second cell14, in response to detecting the difference going out-of-range with respect to the maximum time difference.

In another example case, the first and second cells14are configured as serving cells14in a CA configuration of the device12. The processing circuit32of the device12is configured to send, as at least part of the feedback, periodic indications of whether the difference is in-range or out-of-range with respect to the maximum time difference.

In yet another example case, the first cell14is configured as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of the device12, and the second cell14is a candidate for aggregating in the CA configuration. The processing circuit32of the device12is configured to send, as at least part of the feedback it sends to the network8, an indication responsive to detecting the difference coming in-range with respect to the maximum time difference.

The configured value in an example case is signaled to the device12by the network8. In another example case, the configured value is preconfigured in the device12, e.g., it is provisioned or otherwise stored in the configuration data held in the computer-readable medium38. Of course, it is contemplated herein that the device12accommodates both possibilities, such as where it uses a preconfigured value from its storage, unless the network8sends a value to use. It may be that priority is given to network-signaled values, e.g., a network-signaled value overrides the preconfigured value, but such overriding may be constrained.

For example, the preconfigured value stored in the device12in one or more embodiments represents a maximum arrival time difference supported by the device12for cell aggregation. Thus, to the extent that the network8signals a smaller time difference, the device12will use the signaled time difference and otherwise will use its preconfigured value. In any case, in at least one embodiment, the processing circuit32is configured to send the feedback to the network8as an out-of-range indication for the second cell14, in response to determining from the comparison that the difference exceeds the maximum time difference supported by the wireless device12for cell aggregation.

In any of the above embodiments, the processing circuit32may be configured to send the out-of-range indication implicitly, by transmitting a certain value or signal according to a defined pattern that is recognized by the network8as the out-of-range indication. Here, the certain value or signal has a signaling purpose independent from use as an indicator of the out-of-range condition. In other words, the certain value or signal is “overloaded” by the device12, which may continue to use it for its intended purpose, but which also uses it to implicitly signal the out-of-range condition. In one example, the processing circuit32is configured to transmit the certain value or signal as one of: a minimum Channel Quality Indicator, CQI, index value according to the defined pattern; an alternating pattern of minimum and maximum CQI index values; Negative Acknowledgements or NACKs according to the defined pattern; a defined reference signal sequence; and one or more random access preambles according to the defined pattern.

In at least one embodiment, the first and second cells14comprise one of: a Primary Cell, PCell, and a Secondary Cell, SCell, in a CA configuration of the wireless device12; two Secondary Cells, SCells, in the CA configuration; or a PCell from a main base station in a dual-connectivity configuration for the wireless device12, and a Primary Secondary Cell, PSCell, from a secondary base station in the dual-connectivity configuration.

Broadly, the wireless device12is configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA, the communication interface30of the device12is configured to receive signals from the network8and to send signals to the network8, and the processing circuit32of the device12is configured to measure a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for a second cell14with respect to a first cell14. Correspondingly, the processing circuit32is configured to perform at least one of: control whether or not the second cell14is active as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of the device12, in dependence on whether or not the difference in signal arrival times exceeds a maximum time difference permitted at the device12; and indicate the difference in signal arrival times to the network8, for use by the network8in controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14for the device12.

Turning to network-side example embodiment, a base station or other type of network node10is configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA, and the communication interface20of the network node10is configured to receive feedback from a wireless device12for a second cell14. Here, the feedback is dependent on whether a difference at the device12in signal arrival times for the second cell14with respect to a first cell14is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the device12. Further, the first cell14is, or is associated with, a serving cell14for the wireless device12, and the processing circuit22of the network node is configured to control at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14of the device12, in response to the feedback.

In an example case, the first and second cells14are both configured as serving cells14in a CA configuration of the device12, and the processing circuit22of the network node10is configured to deactivate the second cell14with respect to serving the device12, in response to the feedback indicating the out-of-range condition for the second cell14. Additionally, or alternatively, the device12is configured to provide the feedback as event-driven feedback sent on an event-driven basis and, and the processing circuit22is configured to toggle activation or deactivation of the second cell14with respect to serving the device12, responsive to receiving the event-driven feedback from the device12.

In another embodiment, or at a different time or under different operating conditions, the device12is configured to provide the feedback as periodic feedback. Correspondingly, the processing circuit22is configured to toggle activation or deactivation of the second cell14with respect to serving the device12, responsive to receiving the periodic feedback from the device12. Broadly, the network node10may respond to periodic feedback and to event-driven feedback. For example, in a first scenario or under first conditions, a given device12provides periodic feedback, while in a second scenario or under second conditions, a given device12provides event-driven feedback. Further, a given device12may provide both periodic feedback and event-driven feedback, or one device12may provide periodic feedback while another device12provides event-driven feedback.

In an example scenario, the first cell14is PCell in a CA configuration of the device12and the second cell14is one of one or SCells included in the CA configuration, and the processing circuit22is configured to receive periodic mobility reports from the device12. Each report indicates a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for one or more of the SCells with respect to the PCell and, for each of one or more reports, the processing circuit22is configured to: determine a location of the device12from the mobility report; associate the differences in arrival times included in the mobility report with the location of the device12; and store the location and the associated differences in a database29. The database29may be stored by the network node10in the computer-readable medium28, such as is shown in the non-limiting example ofFIG. 5, or the database29may reside elsewhere and be updated by the processing circuit22via signaling.

In a related example, the one or more processing circuits24of the network node are configured to, over time, receive periodic mobility reports from multiple devices12operating with CA configurations involving multiple cells14of the network8, and accumulate location information and associated signal arrival time differences in the database29. The one or more processing circuits24, e.g., via the processing circuit22, are further configured to derive coverage information for cell aggregation for the multiple cells14in the network8, from the accumulated location information and associated signal arrival time differences in the database29, and use the coverage information to inform carrier aggregation decisions made by the network8for given devices12operating within areas of the network8corresponding to the coverage information.

In at least one such embodiment, the one or more processing circuits24are configured to use the coverage information at least in part to make CA configuration decisions for a given device12currently operating in an area of the network8corresponding to the coverage information. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more processing circuits24are configured to use the coverage information derived from the database29to better judge where cells14can be aggregated, and to thereby obviate or reduce the need to have devices12operating in the areas of the network8corresponding to the database29to send indications of actual cell-to-cell arrival time differences. Among other advantages, this obviation reduces signaling overhead.

In the same or in a related embodiment, the one or more processing circuits24are configured to share the coverage information with one or more other network nodes10. For example, where the network node10is an eNB or other base station, the network node10shares the coverage information with neighboring base stations. In at least one such embodiment, the network node10is also configured to receive coverage information from another network node10, and to use the received coverage information to inform carrier aggregation decisions made by the network node10. Thus, a first network node10may share coverage information with a second network node10, for use by the second network node10and/or the first network node10may use coverage information shared with it by the second network node10.

Thus, broadly, in at least one embodiment, a network node10as contemplated herein is configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA and it includes a communication interface20that is configured to receive, directly or indirectly, indications from a device12operating in the network8of differences of signal arrival times at the device12, for a second cell14with respect to a first cell14. The contemplated network node10, which may be but not necessarily is a base station or other radio network node, includes a processing circuit22that is operatively associated with the communication interface30and configured to control at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of the device12, in dependence on the indications of the differences in signal arrival times.

FIG. 6illustrates a method600at a wireless device12configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA. It will be appreciated that the method600may be implemented via the circuit arrangement depicted inFIG. 5for the wireless device12, e.g., by execution of computer program instructions from the computer program36. However, the method600is not limited to that circuit arrangement, and it should be understood that one or more steps of the method may be performed in an order other than that suggested by the illustration and/or may be performed in parallel or along with other processing ongoing at the device12.

The method600includes measuring (Block602) a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for a second cell14with respect to a first cell14that is, or is associated with, a serving cell14of the device12. The method600further includes comparing (Block604) the difference to a configured value representing a maximum time difference permitted at the device12for aggregating the second cell14as another serving cell14of the device12, and sending (Block606) feedback to a network node10in the network8, at least on a conditional basis, indicating a result of the comparison. The “maximum time difference” here, for example, is the maximum value as dictated by the capabilities of the device12, or it may be the maximum as signaled by the network8.

FIG. 7illustrates a method700at a network node10configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA. It will be appreciated that the method700may be implemented via the circuit arrangement depicted inFIG. 5for the network node10, e.g., by execution of computer program instructions from the computer program26. However, the method700is not limited to that circuit arrangement, and it should be understood that one or more steps of the method may be performed in an order other than that suggested by the illustration and/or may be performed in parallel or along with other processing ongoing at the network node10.

The method700includes receiving (Block702) feedback from a wireless device12for a second cell14, where the feedback is dependent on whether a difference at the device12in signal arrival times for the second cell14with respect to a first cell14is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the device12. Here, the first cell14is, or is associated with, a serving cell14for the wireless device12, and the method700correspondingly includes the network node10controlling (Block704) at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14of the device12, in response to the feedback.

FIG. 8illustrates another example method800performed by a wireless device12in one or more embodiments. As before, the wireless device12is configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA. The method800includes measuring (Block802) a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for a second cell14with respect to a first cell14, performing (Block804) at least one of: controlling (Block804A) whether or not the second cell14is active as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of the device12in dependence on whether or not the difference in signal arrival times exceeds a maximum time difference permitted at the device12; and indicating (Block804B) the difference in signal arrival times to the network8, for use by the network8in controlling at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14for the device12.

The maximum time difference represents, for example, a maximum time difference that is supported by the device12or that is configured by the network8as between the signal arrival times of respective active serving cells14of the device12.

Indicating the difference in signal arrival times to the network8comprises, in at least one embodiment, indicating the difference in signal arrival times as a quantized value. For example, indicating the difference in signal arrival times as a quantized value comprises the wireless device12sending an in-range or out-of-range indication to the network8on at least a conditional basis. This can be understood as signaling a go or no-go, or good or bad indication, rather than signaling the actual arrival time difference.

In at least one embodiment, the processing circuit32of the wireless device12is configured to implement the method800. For example, the processing circuit32is configured to measure the difference in signal arrival times at the device12for a second cell14with respect to a first cell14, and perform the operations of Block804A and/or Block804B.

FIG. 9illustrates another example method900at a network node10, according to one or more embodiments contemplated herein. Again, the network node10is configured for operation in a wireless communication network8that supports CA, and the method900includes receiving (Block902) an indicated difference in signal arrival times from a wireless device12, for a second cell14with respect to a first cell. The method900further includes controlling (Block904) at least one of aggregation and activation of the second cell14as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of the device12, in dependence on the indicated difference in signal arrival times.

Further, in at least one implementation of the method900, the second cell14is currently configured as a serving cell14for the wireless device12in the CA configuration. Correspondingly, controlling (Block904) at least one of the aggregation and the activation of the second cell14comprises controlling the activation of the second cell14, responsive to determining from the indicated difference in signal arrival times whether or not the second cell14is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the device12.

In the same or another embodiment, controlling (Block904) at least one of the aggregation and activation of the second cell14comprises determining from the indicated difference in signal arrival times for the second cell14as to whether the difference in signal arrival times for the second cell14is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted at the device12. For a case where the second cell14is currently activated as a serving cell14for the device12, the controlling of Block904comprises deactivating the second cell14, responsive to determining that the second cell14is out-of-range.

Here, determining whether the second cell14is in-range or out-of-range comprises receiving a measurement value from the device12as the indicated difference in signal arrival times for the second cell14, and comparing the measurement value to the maximum time difference permitted at the device12. The maximum time difference may be signaled by the device12, based on its capability, or may be set by the network8, based on a determined value or based on a default or assumed value.

In at least one implementation of the method900, receiving (Block902) the indicated difference in signal arrival times for the second cell14comprises detecting that a signal or value sent from the device12has a characteristic pattern that is indicative of a quality or condition of the difference in signal arrival times for the second cell14as measured by the device12. For example, the device12may send CQI values in a distinctive pattern, or send NACKs in a distinctive pattern, etc.

The network node10illustrated inFIG. 5may be configured to implement the method900, although the method900may be performed by other circuit arrangements. In the context ofFIG. 5, the processing circuit22is configured to control at least one of aggregation and activation of a second cell14as a serving cell14in a CA configuration of a wireless device12, in dependence on the indications of the differences in signal arrival times between a first cell and the second cell.

FIG. 10illustrates a particular example embodiment of a method1000of a UE or other wireless device12monitoring PCell-to-SCell timing and reporting CQI index0when the SCell goes out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference signaled to the device12or otherwise known to the device12. More broadly, the method1000can be understood as a wireless device12monitoring PCell-to-SCell timing and reporting pre-defined feedback signal or pre-defined pattern of feedback signals, e.g. CQI index0or consecutive CQI0over certain subframes, when the signal arrival time difference between the PCell and the SCell goes out-of-range.

The method1000“begins” with the assumption that the wireless device12has been requested to activate a SCell and has successfully done so (Block1002). As long as the SCell still is active (YES from Block1004), the wireless device12monitors the time difference between PCell and SCell (Block1006). As long as the timing difference is within the defined maximum time difference (YES from Block1008), the wireless device12continues decoding Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDDCH, /Physical Downlink Shared Channel, PDSCH, transmissions to it (Block1010), and correspondingly reporting non-zero CQI values (Block1012) (in-range condition).

However, if the difference in signal arrival time exceeds the maximum time difference permitted (NO from Block1008), the wireless device12reports a CQI index value of zero for the SCell (Block1014). Note that the maximum time difference is at least as large as that needed to comply with any controlling standards, e.g., at least the 30.26 μs minimum allowed by the 3GPP standard for PCell-to-SCell signal arrival time differences. Of course, the maximum time difference may be larger than any applicable minimum, e.g., it may be set according to the actual capabilities of the wireless device12, or the network8may set it to a default value or some value calculated in view of applicable network conditions.

Of course, if the SCell is not active at the point in time where its active status is checked in Block1004, processing follows regular procedures for monitoring a deactivated cell (Block1016). Note that the SCell may be deactivated explicitly by the network8, e.g., via Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling sent to the wireless device12, or it may be deactivated upon expiration of a controlling timer.

Note that the use of the CQI index zero in the above method1000is a non-limiting example of using a certain value or signal as an implicit indicator to the network8. While CQI values are used conventionally to indicate, it is contemplated herein to send CQI0values for an involved cell according to a defined pattern, wherein that pattern is known to the network8as signifying, for example, the out-of-range condition for the cell's signal arrival times relative to the arrival times of signals from another cell. Thus, sending CQI0according to a defined pattern implicitly indicates that the signal arrival time difference between two cells exceeds a defined maximum time difference.

Non-limiting example patterns include: consecutive CQI index0transmissions over N consecutive CQI reporting occasion, TTI or subframes; alternate CQI index0and CQI index 15—a maximum index value—over M consecutive CQI reporting occasion, TTI or subframes; consecutive NACK transmissions over N consecutive TTI or subframes or transmission occasions; a certain pre-defined sequence of reference signal, such as a Sounding Reference Signal, SRS, sequence; or a certain pattern of random access preamble sequences transmitted over N Random Access Channel, RACH, transmission occasions.

In the latter example, the pattern may comprise more than one preamble sequence, which could be transmitted either in consecutive RACH transmission occasions, or each sequence in the pattern could be transmitted in every Pth RACH transmission occasion. The preamble sequences in the pattern can be pre-defined. This scheme can be used especially when there is also an uplink SCell on which RACH is allowed, but it should be understood that the wireless device12could send such signaling on either the uplink PCell or uplink PSCell in a Dual Connectivity, DC, configuration.

Broadly, the parameters associated with the pattern can be pre-defined or configured by the network node10. Example parameters include: the pattern sequence length N, e.g., the number of elements comprising the pattern sequence; and the inter-sequence distance in time, e.g., the pattern definition specifies that each element in the sequence is sent over every Kth TTI, such as every two TTIs or every 2 ms. As a further pattern parameter example, the pattern definition may depend on a reference time, which indicates a starting time for the pattern, or enables derivation of the starting time. Examples of reference time are: frame number such as system frame number or SFN, e.g., the pattern start is referenced to SFN=0; and an absolute time, e.g., based on a global clock such as a Global Positioning System, GPS, time base. In one example, the pattern start time is referenced to SFN=0, with the pattern starting some defined number of M frames after SFN=0. The pattern end time may also be a defined parameter. For example, the time at which a pattern stops can be derived from a reference time, such as L frames after SFN=0. The pattern stop time may also be known from the start time and knowledge of the pattern length.

In another example of implicit signaling, when a wireless device12detects that the received time difference of signals between a PCell and a SCell at the wireless device12exceeds the permitted maximum time difference, the wireless device12reports a CQI index for both the PCell and the SCell in the same reporting occasion or in consecutive reports. Correspondingly, the network node10is configured to recognize or interpret such signaling as being an indication of the out-of-range condition for the difference in signal arrival times between the involved PCell and SCell.

This signaling behavior may be carried out by the wireless device12for as long as the SCell still is active and out of range, where “range” here denotes the maximum supported difference in signal arrival times between the SCell and, e.g., the PCell. After completing the transmission of the defined pattern for implicit signaling, the wireless device12in one or more embodiments terminates its uplink transmissions with respect to the SCell. If the received time difference between the PCell and the SCell falls back within the maximum time difference, or a lower value that, e.g., provides hysteresis for the in-range/out-of-range condition detection, the wireless device12in this embodiment resumes normal transmission behavior. That is, it transmits CQI indexes corresponding to actual SCell quality. This behavior enables the network node10to recognize that the received timing between the PCell and the SCell has fallen back to an acceptable difference.

In a contemplated variation, when cross-carrier scheduling is used, the wireless device12receives control information, including PDSCH allocations, for both the PCell and the SCell, via PDCCH transmissions in the PCell. Thus, the wireless device12does not monitor the PDCCH as seen in Block1010inFIG. 10. As an alternative, because the wireless device12can receive PDSCH allocations for the SCell via PDCCH transmissions to it in the PCell, the wireless device12may send NACKs in response to all allocations it receives for the SCell.

FIG. 11illustrates an example method1100of a network node10monitoring and acting upon CQI reporting from a UE or other wireless device12. The network node10is, for example, a base station and has successfully had the wireless device10to activate a SCell in a CA configuration, and has configured periodic CQI reporting by the wireless device12(Block1102). The network node10thus receives CQI reports from the wireless device12(Block1104), and checks whether the CQI reported by the wireless device12indicates that the SCell is within range, with respect to the permissible maximum time difference in signal arrival times (Block1106).

For example, in an embodiment where the wireless device12reports CQI0for the out-of-range condition, the network node10interprets non-zero CQI values from the wireless device12as indicating both channel conditions and the in-range condition for the SCell, and considers the SCell as being available for scheduling use with respect to the wireless device12(YES from Block1106and Block1108). On the other hand, if the wireless device reports CQI0for the SCell (NO from Block1106), the network node10deactivates the SCell with respect to the wireless device12(Block1110).

Note that when cross-carrier scheduling is used, when SCell control information, including allocations, are transmitted via PCell control signaling to the wireless device12, the wireless device12may be configured to NACK all allocations received for the SCell, when the SCell is in the out-of-range condition. Thus, the network node10may be configured to deduce that the SCell is out-of-range if a certain number of consecutive NACKs are received from the wireless device12in response to allocations sent in the SCell.

FIG. 12illustrates an example method1200of processing at a UE or other wireless device12, which uses event-based reporting of the in-range/out-of-range condition for a SCell. Here, the wireless device12is configured to use event-based reporting (Block1202), and in operation it monitors the difference in signal arrival times between the SCell and the PCell (Block1204) and determines from that monitoring whether the SCell is out-of-range (Block1206). If so (YES from Block1206), the wireless device12sends an event-based report to the network node10, indicating that the SCell is out of range (Block1208). The wireless device12then monitors to see whether the SCell comes back into range (Block1210and Block1212). If so (YES from Block1212), the wireless device12sends an event-based report to the network node10, indicating that the SCell has come back into range (Block1214).

If the SCell was in-range when checked in Block1206(NO from Block1206), the wireless device12checks whether the SCell is an active cell in its CA configuration (Block1216). If so, it decodes PDCCH and PDSCH for the SCell (Block1218), otherwise it returns to monitor the difference in signal arrival times in Block1204.

The embodiment or implementation variation represented byFIG. 12may be understood as adding new defined “events” for reporting by a wireless device12, e.g., new events in addition to the existing ones defined in 3GPP TS 36.331. Correspondingly, new measurements may be defined in 3GPP TS 36.213 and 36.133, for these newly specified events.

The method1200thus stands as a non-limiting example of event-based reporting, whereby a wireless device12sends reports to the network8, in response to detecting that an SCell aggregated for CA operation with respect to the wireless device12has gone out-of-range, or has come back into range. Note that the SCell may or may not be active in the CA configuration and this event-based reporting can be used to make activation decisions with respect to an inactive SCell and/or to make scheduling decisions—on the network side—and decoding decisions—on the device side—with respect to an active SCell that goes out of range. Broadly, the contemplated event-based reporting is useful for a number of functions within the overall network8. For example, the monitoring and event-based reporting can be useful for ad hoc-approaches to inter-node radio resource aggregation in complex network deployment scenarios. The wireless device12, for example, can tell the network8which cells are suitable for aggregation, and the network8can then decide which neighboring base stations to use for providing SCells or assisting cells, for the wireless device12.

As a non-limiting example of the several advantages flowing from the teachings herein, a UE or other wireless device12that supports arrival time differences between cells14that are larger than the standardized or predefined maximum time difference can operate at the “aggregation border” defined by the standardized maximum time difference, e.g., ±30.26 μs for the 3GPP standard. For example, because a wireless device or a UE in an example configuration taught herein detects and signals the out-of-range condition, the controlling network node10can aggregate an SCell into the CA configuration of the UE even when the SCell is already at the aggregation border, and then rely on the UE to alert the network if the arrival time difference for that SCell exceeds the actual capabilities of the UE. This behavior allows, for example, much more flexible cell aggregation and exploits the fact that at least some UEs may be capable of supporting arrival time differences greater than the standardized maximum difference assumed for all network-compatible devices, e.g., a given UE may be capable of supporting arrival time differences of as much as ±35 μs instead of ±30.26 μs.

Absent such UE behavior and absent direct and current knowledge of actual arrival time differences at the UE, the controlling network node10would necessarily adopt a more conservative aggregation behavior. Or, to view the teachings herein from another perspective, a UE or other wireless device12provides an affirmative indication to the network when the difference in signal arrival times for a given cell14with respect to another given cell14exceeds a maximum time difference permitted at the device12—which may be in excess of the default or standardized maximum time difference. This behavior obviates the need for the network's overly conservative approaches to controlling cell aggregation that are intended to avoid any violation of the standardized maximum time difference.

Thus, in at least one embodiment contemplated herein, a UE or other wireless device12shall indicate to a network node10, e.g. eNB, MeNB, SeNB, base station etc., that the time difference of arrival of signals, which can be denoted as ΔΓ, from the PCell to SCell, or between a PSCell and a SCell, or between a PSCell and a PCell in a DC configuration, or more generally as between any two serving cells, is out-of-range or in-range. The network node10can avoid scheduling the wireless device12with respect to the out-of-range cell14and/or can deactivate the concerned cell14, such as responsive to ΔΓ exceeding the range, e.g., going outside ±30.26 μs.

FIG. 13illustrates a periodic reporting method1300at a UE or other wireless device12, where the wireless device12is configured to perform periodic reporting of PCell-to-SCell time differences, e.g., for one or more SCells that are aggregated in a CA configuration of the wireless device12, or that are prospective candidates for such aggregation. In a 3GPP example context, the method1300assumes that new measurement reporting is introduced in 3GPP TS 36.213, 36.331 and 36.133. The wireless device12is configured with periodic reporting of PCell-to-SCell signal arrival time differences (Block1302), and the wireless device12correspondingly monitors the time difference (Block1304), and reports it to the network8periodically (Blocks1306and1308).

FIG. 14illustrates a network-side method1400implemented at an example network node10, e.g., at an eNB in a LTE embodiment of the network8. The method1400involves configuring and acting on event-based reporting of in-range and out-of-range conditions for a second cell with respect to a first cell—e.g., configuring the event-based reporting whereby a wireless device12reports when the signal arrival time difference between a second cell with respect to a first cell goes out of range or comes back into range.

The method1400includes configuring the UE or other wireless device12to for event-based reporting (Block1402), determining whether an event-based report has been received from the wireless device12(Block1404), and, if so, determining whether the report indicates that the second cell, here a SCell, is out of range (Block1406). If so, processing continues with determining whether the SCell is active in a CA configuration with respect to the wireless device12(Block1408) and, if so, deactivating the SCell (Block1410). If the SCell is reported as being in range (NO from Block1406), processing continues with determining whether the SCell is active (Block1412). If not, processing continues with checking whether there is data to be transmitted for the wireless device (Block1414) and, if so, activating the SCell for use in transmitting to the wireless device12(Block1416).

Such processing is useful, for example, for ad hoc-approach to inter-node radio resource aggregation in complex network deployments. According to such reporting, the involved wireless device12tells the network8which cells14are suitable for aggregation, and the network8can then decide which neighboring base stations to use for providing SCells or assisting cells.

Blocks1502-1516(even) ofFIG. 15illustrates similar processing at the network side, e.g., for a network node10, but the overall method1500is directed to the example of configuring periodic reporting at a target UE or other wireless device12, and receiving periodic reports relating to the difference in signal arrival times for a second cell at the wireless device12with respect to a first cell (Blocks1502and1504). In particular, the network node10determines from a report or reports as to whether the difference in signal arrival times exceeds a defined limit (Block1506). If so, the network node10determines whether the second cell, here a SCell, is active in a CA configuration of the wireless device12(Block1508) and, if so, it deactivates the SCell (Block1510).

If the time difference does not exceed the defined limit (NO from Block1506), the network node10determines whether the SCell is already an active cell in the CA configuration of the wireless device12(Block1512). If not (NO from Block1512), it determines whether there is data to transmit to the wireless device12(Block1514), and, if so, it activates the SCell (Block1516).

FIG. 16depicts a method1600as another example of network-side processing carried out by a suitably configured network node10, such as an eNB or other base station. The method1600in an overall sense involves acquiring and refining information on coverage areas for PCell and SCell aggregation with respect to signal PCell-to-SCell signal arrival time differences for UEs or other wireless devices12operating in such coverage areas.

According to the method1600, a UE or other wireless device12is configured for periodic reporting of mobility measurements, including PCell-to-SCell signal arrival time differences (Block1602). Thus, the network node10receives reports at the configured periodicity and, for a given received report (YES from Block1604), the network node10performs “finger printing” of the location of the wireless device12, based on the reported mobility measurements (Block1606).

The reported measurements include, for example, signal strength or quality measurements made by the wireless device12with respect to neighboring cells14in the network8, and may include signal arrival time differences for any one or more cells, with respect to, e.g., a current serving cell14of the wireless device12. The network node10and/or one or more other nodes in the network8associated the reported arrival time differences with the fingerprint information (Block1608) and store the associations in a database, to refine the information on coverage with respect to, e.g., PCell to SCell signal arrival time differences (Block1610).

Over time, the network8can accumulate or otherwise develop a good statistical “picture” of signal arrival time differences between given cells14in the network8, for any given coverage area of the network8. Assuming that sufficient fingerprinting history is available in the database, the network node10can at determine the position of a given wireless device12based on comparing the signal arrival time differences reported by it for given cells14in the network8to the stored fingerprinting information.

To the extent that such information is accumulated and refined over many measurement reports from any number of wireless devices12, e.g., over days, weeks, months, etc., the fingerprinting may become quite accurate. Further, even where the fingerprinting is not used for reporting device position, the historical information provides a good basis on which to make cell aggregation decisions. Thus, the network node10may be configured to use the fingerprinting information to determine whether or not a given cell14or cells14should be aggregated with respect to a given wireless device12operating within the network8. Notably, this type of fingerprinting is a valuable alternative to, or supplement for, so called “drive testing” in which measurement reports are collected from wireless devices12that are specifically moved or located within actual or intended coverage areas of the network8, to collect information about coverage quality, coverage gaps, etc.

FIG. 17depicts yet another facet of network-side processing, such as is performed at a network node10in one or more embodiments contemplated herein. In particular, the method1700relates to activation and deactivation of a SCell for a given UE or other wireless device12, based on finger-printing from mobility measurements and usage of the PCell-to-SCell arrival time difference database at issue inFIG. 16. Of course, fingerprinting also may be based additionally, or alternatively, on carriers and/or Radio Access Technologies, RATs, other than the prospective Secondary Component Carriers, SCCs, associated with a Primary Component Carrier or PCC.

According to the example ofFIG. 17, the network node10configures a UE or other wireless device12to perform periodic mobility measurements on a SCC from a SCell that is in a CA configuration for the wireless device12but is currently deactivated—i.e., not being used for CA transmissions to/from the device12(Block1702).

The network node10receives a mobility measurement or mobility report from the wireless device12(YES from Block1704), and performs fingerprinting of the location based on the reported mobility measurements (Block1706). In other words, the network node10compares the mobility measurements, or values derived therefrom, to corresponding parameters collected in the database, to look up the statistical or collected PCell-to-SCell signal arrival time differences (Block1708), and to determine from the looked-up information as to whether the SCell at issue is within range for CA with respect to the wireless device12(Block1710).

If so, the network node10determines whether the SCell is active (Block1712) and, if not, it activates the SCell for CA use with respect to the wireless device12(Block1714). On the other hand, if the database information indicates that the SCell is not within range for CA use (NO from Block1710), the network node10determines whether the SCell is active for CA use with respect to the wireless device12(Block1716) and, if so, it deactivates the SCell for CA use with respect to the wireless device12(Block1718).

FIG. 17can therefore be understood as a mechanism for using historic data—accumulated signal arrival time difference measurements or values derived therefrom, as collected from any number of wireless devices12for any number of cell pairings—as a basis for determining whether the signal arrival time differences for a given second cell will be within a permissible range, with respect to a given first cell, for a given wireless device12at a given location in the network8. In other words, the historic data can supplant the need, in at least some instances, for having the device12report or otherwise indicate the actual arrival time differences as seen at the device12, for the involved cells14.

In the context ofFIG. 17, the mobility measurement reports from the wireless device12may comprise Reference signal received power (RSRP) and/or Reference signal received quality (RSRQ) measurements, and the network node10can use such measurements to determine the location of the wireless device12, according to whatever parameterization is used by the database to express location, e.g., while location may be expressed in terms of geographic coordinates, it also may be expressed in terms of relative signal levels, etc. In any case, once the “fingerprint” of the device's current location is determined, the network node10can then use the associative linking or mapping information in the database to identify the SCells that are considered as being suitable for CA, for the wireless device12. This suitability may be determined not only as a function of the signal arrival time differences, but also as a function of historic signal strength measurements.

Further,FIG. 18illustrates another example method1800of CA control or operation at a wireless device12operating in a wireless communication network8that supports CA. The method1800includes determining (Block1802) a difference in signal arrival times for a second serving cell14in the CA configuration with respect to a first serving cell14in the CA configuration, e.g., for a SCell with respect to a PCell. The method1800further includes detecting (Block1804) whether the difference is in-range or out-of-range with respect to a maximum time difference permitted for the wireless device12, and autonomously performing at least one of: for the case where the second serving cell14is in an activated state in the context of the CA configuration, deactivating (Block1808) the second serving cell14responsive to determining that the difference is out-of-range (NO from Block1804, YES from Block1806); and, for the case where the second serving cell14is in a deactivated state in the context of the CA configuration, activating (Block1812) the second serving cell14responsive to determining that the difference is in-range (YES from Block1804, YES from Block1810).

Note that the maximum time difference permitted for the wireless device12is one of: a value signaled to the wireless device12by the network8, e.g., by the network node10, or is a predefined value known to the wireless device12, e.g., a value specific to the implementation or capabilities of the wireless device12.

In at least one embodiment of the method1800, the first serving cell14at issue in the method is a PCell or a SCell in a CA configuration of the device12. It is also possible that the first and second serving cells14are both SCells in the CA configuration. Further, it is possible that the first serving cell14is a PCell or a SCell in a main cell group, MCG, from a main base station in a DC configuration for the device12, or a Primary Secondary Cell, PSCell, or a SCell in a secondary cell group, SCG, from a secondary base station in the DC configuration. Broadly, the time-difference comparison at issue in this embodiment and in others, e.g., the method600illustrated inFIG. 6, may involve essentially any two cells14, where one cell14is a currently serving cell14of the involved device12, or is associated with a currently serving cell14, such as through a reference cell relationship, and where the other cell14is also a currently serving cell14, or is a candidate for consideration as a serving cell14.

In such embodiments, the processing circuit32of the wireless device12is configured to measure a difference in signal arrival times at the device12for the second cell14with respect to the first cell14, compare the difference to a configured value representing a maximum time difference permitted at the device12for aggregating the second cell14as a serving cell14for the device12, and to perform at least one of: send feedback to the network8indicating a result of the comparison, where the sending of the feedback may be performed conditionally; and control activation and deactivation of the second cell14with respect to its use in serving the wireless device12.

The feedback may comprise actual or quantized time difference measurements, for evaluation by the network8, or may comprise in-range or out-of-range indicators, e.g., a binary flag or other information element that offers signaling efficiency. Moreover, the feedback may be sent periodically and/or on a triggered or event-driven basis, such as in response to detecting that the time difference goes from being in-range to being out-of-range, or vice versa. Still further, the feedback may be explicit, or may be implicit, such as where another signal or indicator is manipulated in a characteristic manner that implicitly conveys to the network8the in-range or out-of-range status. As noted before, non-limiting examples of such implicit signaling include: sending a minimum Channel Quality Indicator, CQI, index value according to the defined pattern; sending an alternating pattern of minimum and maximum CQI index values; sending NACKs or some other frequently-signaled value according to a defined pattern; sending a defined reference signal sequence; and sending random access preambles according to the defined pattern.

Note, too, that explicit indications can be sent by a wireless device12using existing channels and protocols, e.g., such as by sending a message using a MAC Packet Data Unit (PDU), Radio resource control (RRC) signaling, in an uplink (UL) physical channel, or on any unused or spare bits, which are often referred to as “unused code words”. Examples of UL physical channels are PUCCH and PUSCH. For example, one bit of information can be used to indicate whether the time difference of arrival is within or out of range. The unused bits or spare bits, i.e., those not used in PUCCH or PUSCH for any other purpose, can be designated for indicating whether the time difference of arrival is within or out of range.

In further detail, in embodiments where a given wireless device12has the capability to autonomously activate and/or deactivate a given cell14for CA use with respect to the device12, in dependence on its signal arrival time differences with respect to another cell14being used to serve the device12, or being related to a cell14used for serving the device12, the autonomous capability may be enabled or disabled by the network8. Additionally, or alternatively, the network8may configure the device's autonomous behavior, e.g., by specifying a value ΔΓ that is used by the device12to make the in-range/out-of-range decision and/or to make the activation and/or deactivation decision. Also, as noted, there may be a first threshold used for deciding that the timing is out-of-range, and a lower second threshold used for deciding that the timing has come back into range. The difference between those two ranges provides hysteresis and prevents a “ping-ponging” of the in-range/out-of-range status, which improves control and can substantially reduce signaling, e.g., reporting of in-range/out-of-range status changes. A similar hysteretic control may be applied to the actual cell activation and deactivation control.

As for sending arrival-time-difference indications for multiple cells14, the device12and the network node10can exploit cell-specific CQI reporting, at least for activated cells14in a CA configuration of the device. The device12can also send explicit indicators together with EARFCN, Evolved Absolute Radio Frequency Channel, and PCI, frequency and physical cell identity, for each cell14. Or, in cases where the device12determines arrival-time differences only for configured SCells, the device12may indicate SCell indexes in a list instead of EARFCN and PCI. That is, the SCells configured in the CA configuration of a device12are identified in a list and the controlling network node10activates given ones of the listed SCells by sending a bit mask that indicates which cells14in the list are to be active. MAC commands are used to provide this signaling and hence the controlling network node10knows the list order, and therefore the device12can use indexes corresponding to the list order to identify which arrival-time-difference information goes with which cell14.

In embodiments where the device12is configured to report arrival-time difference measurements using a quantized format, the arrival time differences may be expressed as some multiple of a defined time unit. For example, the arrival time differences are expressed as multiples of some base time unit that is known to the device12and to the network8, such as multiples of Ts, which serves as the basic time unit in LTE. Alternatively, quantization may be based on an indexed table, where for, example, one table entry covers “larger than” and another table entry covers “less than” for timings that are outside the range of interest. As non-limiting examples, consider the following table entries: T0: t>40 μs; T1: 39<t<=40 μs; T2: 38<t<=39 μs; . . . ; Txx: t<−40 μs.

In a more aggressive example of quantization, a given wireless device12may be configured to indicate measured arrival-time differences to the network8for a given cell14with respect to another cell14, based quantizing the arrival-time difference measurement into one of two values: (1) in-range or (2) out-of-range. The in-range or out-of-range determination is made, for example, based on the device12comparing the measured arrival time difference to a maximum time difference permitted for the device12. In two example cases, the word “permitted” means the maximum time difference the device12is capable of handling, as defined by a preconfigured value stored in the device12that represents the maximum time difference the device12supports, or means a configured value that is signaled to the device by the network12, for use in determining the in-range or out-of-range condition.

Broadly, as contemplated herein for one or more embodiments, a wireless device12is configured to measure arrival time differences between a first cell14and a second cell14and to send an indication of the measured arrival time difference to a network node10. The indication may be sent explicitly or implicitly and it may comprise the actual measured difference in signal arrival times, or it may comprise a quantized representation of the actual measured difference in signal arrival times. In one example, there are more than three quantization values, with each value corresponding to a range of time differences separated by thresholds—which are predefined or signaled values. In another example, there are only two quantization levels—in-range and out-of-range—which are defined by the maximum permitted time difference. Again, that maximum value may represent the actual capability of the device12or may represent a value configured by the network8.

Of course, it is also contemplated herein that in one or more embodiments the network8knows the maximum permitted time difference for a given device12, based on capability reporting by the device12. Here, the device12indicates to the network8the maximum time difference it can support, e.g., as between active serving cells14in a CA configuration, and it indicates that value to the network8. Such capability reporting is, of course, particularly useful for devices12that are capable of handling more than the “standards-assumed” maximum arrival time difference. The network node10can then use the actual reported capability of the device12to decide whether a given cell14is in-range or out-of-range, based on comparing the indications of arrival-time differences received from the device12for that cell14to the maximum time difference that the device12indicated it was capable of supporting. Such capability reporting is done, for example, via RRC signaling. Of course, to accommodate devices12that cannot or have not provided capability information, the network node10could use the standards-assumed maximum time difference, e.g., the +/−30.26 μs assumed in the 3GPP LTE standard.

Of further note, the timing differences at issue in this disclosure may be used to inform or otherwise enrich the associated decision-making with respect to cell aggregation and/or activation. However, the in-range condition may not be dispositive and the device12and/or the network node10may consider one or more other variables when making such decisions. Non-limiting examples of further considerations include cell loading and signal quality, e.g., as observed at the device12with respect to the subject cells14.