Patent Description:
Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication, and to techniques and apparatuses for E-UTRAN-New Radio dual connectivity (EN-DC) time division multiplexing (TDM) and carrier aggregation (CA).

NR, which may also be referred to as <NUM>, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). <CIT> describes a method for wireless communications includes determining a configuration of component carrier(s) (CCs) of a first radio access technology (RAT) and CC(s) of a second RAT. The method also includes identifying one of the CC(s) in the first RAT as an uplink anchor CC based on the configuration. The method further includes identifying a HARQ timing for at least one of the CC(s) of the second RAT based on at least one of a symbol duration, a transmit time interval (TTI) length or a subframe structure of the one of the CC(s) of the first RAT. The method further yet includes sending feedback to a second node in the identified uplink anchor CC for transmissions received in the CC(s) of the second RAT. <NPL> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>) provides a discussion on LTE HARQ ACK feedback in 1Tx EN-DC ,
<NPL> (<NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>), provides a discussion on issues for SUL and EN-DC.

A UE may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device or equipment, a biometric sensor or device, a wearable device (smart watches, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wrist bands, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, a smart meter or sensor, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

Controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform one or more techniques associated with EN-DC TDM and CA, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform or direct operations of, for example, process <NUM> of <FIG> and/or other processes as described herein. Memories <NUM> and <NUM> may store data and program codes for base station <NUM> and UE <NUM>, respectively.

In some aspects, a wireless communication device (e.g., BS <NUM> or UE <NUM>) may include means for determining a component carrier configuration for a primary cell of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is configured for dual connectivity with regard to a <NUM>/Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and a <NUM>/New Radio network, means for determining a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configuration for a secondary cell of the wireless communication device based at least in part on the first HARQ timing, and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of BS <NUM> or UE <NUM> described in connection with <FIG>.

Each radio frame may have a predetermined duration and may be partitions into a set of Z (Z ≥ <NUM>) subframes (e.g., with indices of <NUM> through Z-<NUM>). Each subframe may include a set of slots (e.g., two slots per subframe are shown in <FIG>). For example, each slot may include seven symbol periods (e.g., as shown in <FIG>), fifteen symbol periods, and/or the like. In a case where the subframe includes two slots, the subframe may include <NUM> symbol periods, where the <NUM> symbol periods in each subframe may be assigned indices of <NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>. In some aspects, a scheduling unit for the FDD may frame-based, subframe-based, slot-based, symbol-based, and/or the like.

Similarly, in some aspects, one or more SS blocks of the SS burst may be transmitted in consecutive radio resources (e.g., consecutive symbol periods) during one or more subframes.

The base station may transmit system information, such as system information blocks (SIBs) on a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) in certain subframes. The base station may transmit control information/data on a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) in C symbol periods of a subframe, where B may be configurable for each subframe. The base station may transmit traffic data and/or other data on the PDSCH in the remaining symbol periods of each subframe.

<FIG> shows an example subframe format <NUM> with a normal cyclic prefix. In some aspects, subframe format <NUM> may be used for transmission of SS blocks that carry the PSS, the SSS, the PBCH, and/or the like, as described herein.

An interlace structure may be used for each of the downlink and uplink for FDD in certain telecommunications systems (e.g., NR). For example, Q interlaces with indices of <NUM> through Q - <NUM> may be defined, where Q may be equal to <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or some other value. Each interlace may include subframes that are spaced apart by Q frames. In particular, interlace q may include subframes q, q + Q, q + 2Q, etc., where q ∈ {<NUM>,. , Q-<NUM>}.

Other examples may differ from what was described with regard to <FIG>.

Dual connectivity provides communication with regard to two or more radio access technologies (RATs). One dual connectivity configuration is E-UTRAN-NR dual connectivity (EN-DC) between an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access network (E-UTRAN), such as <NUM>/LTE, and a NR network, such as <NUM>/NR. For a UE performing EN-DC, data may be received on both a <NUM>/LTE connection and a <NUM>/NR connection (e.g., on a secondary cell group split bearer), although other configurations may be used. These connections are sometimes referred to as "legs.

In some cases, the primary cell (PCell) and the secondary cell (SCell) for EN-DC may have different component carrier configurations. Thus, it may be important to properly configure HARQ timing for different combinations of CA (e.g., for EN-DC) to avoid intermodulation distortion when there is a HARQ timing restriction due to the coexistence of <NUM>/LTE and <NUM>/NR or due to another reason. Some techniques and apparatuses described herein may provide HARQ timing configurations for a secondary cell of a wireless communication device based at least in part on a component carrier configuration of the primary cell and/or the secondary cell. Thus, intermodulation distortion may be reduced and HARQ may be enabled for EN-DC wireless communication devices.

A first case (hereinafter Case <NUM>) and a second case (hereinafter Case <NUM>) for the component carrier configuration, such as the HARQ timing configuration, are described herein. In Case <NUM>, component carriers or uplinks configured for a UE may have the same numerology, overlapping transmissions between different component carriers or uplinks with the same starting time and the same physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)/physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) transmission duration may be permitted, and one or two PUCCH groups may be used. In Case <NUM>, component carriers or uplinks configured for a UE may have the same or different numerologies, partially overlapping transmissions between different component carriers or uplinks may be permitted, the same or different transmission durations may be used, and one or two PUCCH groups may be used.

In some aspects, Case <NUM> HARQ timing is not used on a frequency division duplexing (FDD) primary cell (PCell), and, for an FDD secondary cell (SCell), the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is applied to the FDD SCell. In this case, FDD DL HARQ timing may be applied for the FDD SCell, Case <NUM> uplink (UL) scheduling/HARQ timing may be applied for the FDD SCell, and/or the UE may not be expected to transmit any UL signals/channels in subframes other than the offset UL subframes according to the Case <NUM> HARQ reference configuration. In some aspects, the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is not applied to the FDD SCell. In this case, FDD DLHARQ timing may be applied for the FDD SCell, an FDD UL HARQ timing may be applied for the FDD SCell, and/or there may be no restriction regarding the UL subframes on which the UE can transmit UL signals or channels.

In some aspects, for a time division duplexing (TDD) SCell for which the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is applied, the UL/DL configuration may be the same as the Case <NUM> reference configuration, the DL scheduling/HARQ timing on the TDD SCell may follow timing of the TDD SCell's own UL/DL configuration, and/or the UL scheduling/HARQ timing on the TDD SCell may follow timing of the TDD SCell's own UL/DL configuration. On the TDD SCell, the UE may not be allowed to perform an UL transmission in the uplink pilot time slot (UpPTS) of the special subframe of the UE's own UL/DL configuration. In some aspects, for a TDD SCell for which the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is not applied to the TDD SCell, the DL scheduling/HARQ timing on the TDD Scell may follow timing of the TDD SCell's own UL/DL configuration, the UL scheduling/HARQ timing on the TDD SCcell may follow timing of the TDD SCell's own UL/DL configuration, and there may be no restriction regarding the UL subframes on which the UE can transmit UL signals or channels other than the UE <NUM>'s own UL/DL configuration.

In some aspects, Case <NUM> HARQ timing on an FDD PCell may be used. In such a case, for an FDD SCell, if the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is applied to the FDD SCell, the same DL HARQ timing as the PCell is applied for the FDD SCell, the same UL scheduling and/or HARQ timing as the PCell is applied for the FDD SCell, and the UE may not be expected to transmit any UL signals or channels in subframes other than the offset UL subframes according to the Case <NUM> HARQ reference configuration of the PCell. In some aspects, for an FDD SCell, if the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is not applied to the FDD SCell, the same DL HARQ timing as the PCell is applied for the FDD SCell, the FDD UL scheduling and/or HARQ timing may be used, and there may be no restriction regarding the UL subframes on which the UE can transmit UL signals/channels.

In some aspects, for a TDD SCell, if Case <NUM> HARQ timing is applied to the TDD SCell, the UL/DL configuration may be the same as the reference configuration on the FDD PCell, the same DL HARQ timing as the PCell may be applied to the TDD Scell, and/or the UL scheduling and/or HARQ timing on the TDD SCell may follow timing of the TDD Scell's own UL/DL configuration. On the TDD SCell, the UE may not be allowed UL transmission in the UpPTS of the special subframe of its own UL/DL configuration.

In some aspects, for a TDD SCell, if the Case <NUM> HARQ timing is not applied for the TDD SCell, the same DL HARQ timing as the PCell may be applied to the TDD SCell, the UL scheduling and/or HARQ timing on the TDD SCell follows timing of the TDD SCell's own UL/DL configuration, and there may be no restriction with regard to UL subframes in which the UE can transmit UL signals and/or channels other than the UE <NUM>'s own UL/DL configuration.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a wireless communication device, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where a wireless communication device (e.g., BS <NUM>, UE <NUM>, etc.) performs EN-DC TDM and CA.

As shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include determining a component carrier configuration for a primary cell of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is configured for dual connectivity with regard to a <NUM>/Long Term Evolution (LTE) network and a <NUM>/New Radio network (block <NUM>). For example, the wireless communication device (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, and/or the like) may determine a component carrier configuration for a primary cell of the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device may be configured for dual connectivity (e.g., EN-DC) on a <NUM>/LTE network and a <NUM>/NR network.

As shown in <FIG>, in some aspects, process <NUM> may include applying a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) timing configuration for a secondary cell of the wireless communication device based at least in part on the component carrier configuration (block <NUM>). For example, the wireless communication device (e.g., using controller/processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, TX MIMO processor <NUM>, MOD <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, DEMOD <NUM>, MIMO detector <NUM>, receive processor <NUM>, <NUM>, and/or the like) may determine and/or apply a HARQ timing configuration for a secondary cell of the wireless communication device based at least in part on the component carrier configuration. In some aspects, the wireless communication device may determine and/or apply a component carrier configuration for the secondary cell based at least in part on the component carrier configuration of the primary cell. For example, the wireless communication device may determine and/or apply an uplink scheduling configuration based at least in part on an uplink scheduling configuration of the primary cell.

In a first aspect, the component carrier configuration permits component carriers or uplinks with a same numerology, overlapping transmission between different component carriers or uplinks with a same starting time, a same uplink shared channel or uplink control channel duration, and one or two uplink control channel groups.

In a second aspect, the component carrier configuration permits component carriers or uplinks with a same numerology or different numerologies, partially overlapping transmissions between different component carriers or uplinks, a same or different transmission duration, and one or two uplink control channel groups.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration is a frequency division duplexing downlink configuration.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, according to the present invention, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration for an uplink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration associated with the component carrier configuration.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration is a frequency division duplexing downlink configuration.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, according to the present invention, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration is a frequency division duplexing uplink configuration.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration follows a timing of an uplink or downlink configuration of the secondary cell for an uplink or for a downlink.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the wireless communication device is configured not to transmit in an uplink pilot time slot.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration follows a timing of an uplink or downlink configuration of the secondary cell for an uplink or for a downlink.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the wireless communication device is not restricted from transmitting in an uplink pilot time slot.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for an uplink or a downlink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration of the primary cell.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for a downlink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration of the primary cell.

In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration is a frequency division duplexing uplink configuration.

In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for a downlink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration of the primary cell.

In a fifteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourteenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for an uplink of the secondary cell follows a timing of an uplink or downlink configuration of the secondary cell for an uplink or for a downlink.

In a sixteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifteenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the wireless communication device is configured not to transmit in an uplink pilot time slot.

In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixteenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for a downlink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration of the primary cell.

In an eighteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventeenth aspects, when the secondary cell is configured for time division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for an uplink of the secondary cell follows a timing of an uplink or downlink configuration of the secondary cell.

In a nineteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighteenth aspects, the wireless communication device is not expected to transmit an uplink signal or channel in a subframe other than offset uplink subframes in accordance with a HARQ reference configuration of the primary cell.

In a twentieth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through nineteenth aspects, the wireless communication device is permitted to transmit an uplink signal or channel in an uplink subframe irrespective of whether the uplink subframe is associated with a HARQ reference configuration of the primary cell.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of determination of an SCell component carrier configuration based at least in part on a PCell component carrier configuration. As shown in <FIG>, a UE <NUM> may be associated with a PCell (shown by reference number <NUM>) and an SCell (shown by reference number <NUM>), which may be provided by a BS <NUM>. In some aspects, the PCell and the SCell may be provided by the same BS <NUM>. In some aspects, the PCell and the SCell may be provided by different BSs <NUM>. In some aspects, the PCell and the SCell may be associated with the same RAT. In some aspects, the PCell and the SCell may be associated with different RATs. As further shown, the PCell and the SCell may be configured to use FDD.

As shown in <FIG>, and by reference number <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may determine a component carrier (CC) configuration for the FDD PCell. For example, the UE <NUM> may determine the CC configuration based at least in part on the FDD PCell being associated with HARQ Timing Case <NUM>. In some aspects, the CC configuration may identify a DL HARQ timing configuration, a UL HARQ timing configuration, an uplink scheduling configuration, and/or the like. In some aspects, the UE <NUM> may determine the CC configuration based at least in part on configuration information for the PCell, control information for the PCell, synchronization information for the PCell, and/or the like.

As shown by reference number <NUM>, the UE <NUM> may apply the CC configuration (e.g., the DL HARQ timing configuration, the UL HARQ timing configuration, the uplink scheduling configuration, and/or the like) for the TDD SCell. For example, the UE <NUM> may perform a DL HARQ operation and/or a UL HARQ operation on the SCell in accordance with the HARQ timing configuration of the FDD PCell. As another example, the UE <NUM> may process scheduling information in accordance with the uplink scheduling configuration. In some aspects, the UE <NUM> may apply the CC configuration for the TDD SCell based at least in part on the TDD SCell being associated with the HARQ timing Case <NUM>. In some aspects, the UE <NUM> may apply the CC configuration for the TDD SCell based at least in part on the TDD SCell being associated with the HARQ timing Case <NUM>. In this way, the UE <NUM> may reduce intermodulation interference between the PCell and the SCell.

Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and/or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of aspects. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of aspects includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication performed by a wireless communication device, comprising:
determining (<NUM>) a component carrier configuration for a primary cell of the wireless communication device, wherein the wireless communication device is configured for dual connectivity with regard to a <NUM>/Long Term Evolution, LTE, network and a <NUM>/New Radio network; and
determining (<NUM>) a hybrid automatic repeat request, HARQ, timing configuration for a secondary cell of the wireless communication device based at least in part on the component carrier configuration, wherein the primary cell is associated with the LTE network and the secondary cell is associated with the New Radio network or the primary cell is associated with the New Radio network and the secondary cell is associated with the LTE network, and wherein, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration for an uplink or a downlink of the secondary cell is equal to a HARQ timing configuration or a scheduling configuration of the primary cell, and wherein, when the secondary cell is configured for frequency division duplexing, and when the component carrier configuration is not used for the secondary cell, the HARQ timing configuration is a frequency division duplexing uplink configuration.