Patent Description:
The following relates generally to wireless communication, and more specifically to carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems.

Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (<NUM>) systems such as a Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, and fifth generation (<NUM>) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform-spread-OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM).

Some wireless communications systems may utilize carrier aggregation techniques to transmit or receive information over multiple component carriers (CCs) within a system bandwidth or a wideband CC to increase throughput. In these systems, CCs and associated parameters for different cells may be limited by a channel raster (e.g., which may be predefined or preconfigured) such that a CC may only be configured on a valid channel raster entry. CCs may also be limited by spacing between subcarriers in the frequency domain or a location of the system band or wideband used for carrier aggregation.

At least some of these limitations are mitigated by the invention recited in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are covered by the dependent claims. A user equipment (UE) and a base station may communicate using wideband carrier aggregation. The UE may be allocated a wideband component carrier (CC) and a primary cell (PCell) CC in the wideband CC. In some examples, the base station may configure a secondary CC which is not aligned on a valid channel raster entry, such that the base station may not be able to indicate the location of the secondary CC with a channel raster value. The base station transmits a reference location of the CC as an absolute frequency location.

A user equipment (UE) and a base station may communicate using a primary cell (PCell) on a first carrier as well as one or more secondary cells (SCells) on other carriers in a wireless communication system which supports carrier aggregation. The wireless communications system may support carrier aggregation for wider channel bandwidths (e.g., wideband communications). For example, the UE may be allocated a wide bandwidth (e.g., a wideband component carrier (CC)) for communication with the base station. Some carrier aggregation configurations may include CCs on valid channel raster entries, and the base station may be able to indicate the location of the CC by providing the UE with a channel raster value (e.g., by an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) absolute radio frequency channel number (EARFCN)) that indicates where the secondary CC is located and a channel bandwidth or a number of resource blocks (RBs). However, if the secondary CC is not aligned on a valid channel raster entry, the base station may not be able to indicate the location of the secondary CC with a channel raster value.

To address this and other issues, a base station may signal the location of a new, secondary CC not on a valid channel raster entry to a UE based on a reference location relative to another frequency or another CC. The reference location of the new CC may be the center of the new CC, an edge of the new CC, the position of a subcarrier (e.g., center of a certain subcarrier such as subcarrier <NUM> of an N th RB) within the CC, or the position of an RB (e.g., an edge of the RB).

For example, the base station may indicate a reference location of the new CC relative to an edge frequency or the center frequency of the CC of the PCell. In some other examples, the reference location of the new CC may be indicated relative to an edge frequency or the center frequency of the wideband CC. In some examples, the reference location of the new CC may be indicated relative to a channel raster entry and/or a sync channel position of the CC. In some other examples, the reference location of the new CC may be relative to an arbitrary channel entry. The arbitrary channel entry may not be linked to a CC which the UE is aware of. Additionally, or alternatively, the base station may transmit a reference location of the CC as an absolute frequency location. For example, the base station may indicate the reference location within approximately <NUM> of the reference location of the CC.

In some examples, the relative location may be indicated based on RBs or subcarriers and the subcarrier spacing (SCS). In some examples, the SCS may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In some examples, the SCS may be implicit based on the SCS of a synchronization block (e.g., of the PCell), the wideband SCS, or explicitly indicated on the PCell.

The base station may also indicate the width of the CC to the UE. For example, the base station may indicate a number of RBs the UE may use and the relationship between the reference location and the RBs of the CC (e.g., a relationship between the reference location and the number of RBs of the CC). For example, the base station may indicate that the UE may use M RBs spanning a bandwidth of the new CC. The base station may also indicate that the reference location corresponds to the low frequency end of the new CC, the middle frequency of the new CC, high frequency edge of the new CC, or other example reference locations as described herein.

The carrier aggregation configurations may be based on whether the carrier aggregation is intra-band contiguous, non-continuous, or inter-band. For example, for intra-band carrier aggregation, the configurations may be relative to the CC for the PCell, another configured SCell, or the wideband CC, as these CCs may be relatively close to the new CC. In some examples, the configurations may be relative to a channel raster entry of the CC or a sync channel position of the CC. In some examples of inter-band carrier aggregation, the configuration may use an arbitrary channel entry, or the reference location may be indicated as an absolute frequency location.

Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of a wireless communications system. Various CC reference location configurations are illustrated and described. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system <NUM> includes base stations <NUM>, UEs <NUM>, and a core network <NUM>. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, or a New Radio (NR) network. In some cases, wireless communications system <NUM> may support enhanced broadband communications, ultra-reliable (e.g., mission critical) communications, low latency communications, or communications with low-cost and low-complexity devices.

In some examples, different geographic coverage areas <NUM> associated with different technologies may overlap and overlapping geographic coverage areas <NUM> associated with different technologies may be supported by the same base station <NUM> or by different base stations <NUM>. The wireless communications system <NUM> may include, for example, a heterogeneous LTE/LTE-A or NR network in which different types of base stations <NUM> provide coverage for various geographic coverage areas <NUM>.

The term "cell" refers to a logical communication entity used for communication with a base station <NUM> (e.g., over a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier for distinguishing neighboring cells (e.g., a physical cell identifier (PCID) or a virtual cell identifier (VCID)) operating via the same or a different carrier. In some examples, a carrier may support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., machine-type communication (MTC), narrowband Internet-of Things (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), or others) that may provide access for different types of devices.

In one example, a base station <NUM> may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE <NUM>. For instance, some signals (e.g. synchronization signals (SSs), reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a base station <NUM> multiple times in different directions, which may include a signal being transmitted according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions in different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by the base station <NUM> or a receiving device, such as a UE <NUM>) a beam direction for subsequent transmission and/or reception by the base station <NUM>. Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by a base station <NUM> in a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as a UE <NUM>). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based at least in in part on a signal that was transmitted in different beam directions. For example, a UE <NUM> may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the base station <NUM> in different directions, and the UE <NUM> may report to the base station <NUM> an indication of the signal it received with a highest signal quality, or an otherwise acceptable signal quality. Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted in one or more directions by a base station <NUM>, a UE <NUM> may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times in different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE <NUM>) or transmitting a signal in a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device).

A receiving device (e.g., a UE <NUM>, which may be an example of a mmW receiving device) may try multiple receive beams when receiving various signals from the base station <NUM>, such as SSs, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, a receiving device may try multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as "listening" according to different receive beams or receive directions. The single receive beam may be aligned in a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive beam directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio, or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions).

In other cases, a smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system <NUM> may be shorter than a subframe or may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) or in selected CCs) using sTTIs).

Each symbol may vary in duration depending on the SCS or frequency band of operation, for example.

A carrier may be associated with a pre-defined frequency channel (e.g., an EARFCN) and may be positioned according to a channel raster for discovery by UEs <NUM>. In some examples, signal waveforms transmitted over a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or DFT-s-OFDM).

The organizational structure of the carriers may be different for different radio access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, NR, etc.). A carrier may also include dedicated acquisition signaling (e.g., SSs or system information, etc.) and control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier.

In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may consist of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, where the symbol period and SCS are inversely related.

Devices of the wireless communications system <NUM> (e.g., base stations <NUM> or UEs <NUM>) may have a hardware configuration that supports communications over a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communications over one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communications system <NUM> may include base stations <NUM> and/or UEs <NUM> that can support simultaneous communications via carriers associated with more than one different carrier bandwidth.

Carrier aggregation may be used with both FDD and TDD CCs.

In some implementations of carrier aggregation, a base station <NUM> may configure a location and a set of RBs for a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may transmit to the UE <NUM> a reference location of the CC for the SCell. The reference location may include a relative location of the CC for the SCell with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC for the SCell. The base station <NUM> may also transmit to the UE <NUM> an indication of the set of RBs for the CC of the SCell. The UE <NUM> may receive the reference location of the CC of the SCell and the indication of the set of RBs for the CC of the SCell. Using this information, the UE <NUM> may determine a set of parameters of the CC of the SCell and communicate with the base station <NUM> using the CC of the SCell based on the set of parameters.

In some cases, wireless communications system <NUM> may utilize enhanced CCs (eCCs).

Wireless communications systems such as an NR system may utilize any combination of licensed, shared, and unlicensed spectrum bands, among others. The flexibility of eCC symbol duration and SCS may allow for the use of eCC across multiple spectrums. In some examples, NR shared spectrum may increase spectrum utilization and spectral efficiency, specifically through dynamic vertical (e.g., across frequency) and horizontal (e.g., across time) sharing of resources.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a wireless communications system <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, wireless communications system <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communication system <NUM>.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may support a carrier aggregation configuration. For example, UE <NUM>-a and base station <NUM>-a may communicate using a PCell on a first carrier as well as one or more SCells on other carriers. In some examples, the PCell may be configured for uplink and downlink communications, and the one or more SCells may be configured primarily for downlink communications. In some examples, the SCells may be configured for uplink communications. Base station <NUM>-a may transmit downlink information to UE <NUM>-a on a downlink communication link <NUM>. In some examples, the downlink communication link <NUM> may be an example of a broadcast transmission, PCell, or SCell. Base station <NUM>-a may also communicate with UE <NUM>-a on a downlink/uplink communication link <NUM>. In some examples, the downlink/uplink communication link <NUM> may be an example of a PCell or SCell.

Wireless communications system <NUM> may support carrier aggregation for wider channel bandwidths (e.g., wideband communications). For example, UE <NUM>-a may be allocated a wide bandwidth (e.g., a wideband CC) for communication with base station <NUM>-a. In some examples, CCs of the carrier aggregation configurations (e.g., a PCell and an SCell) may use the entire spectrum of the wideband CC. For example, if the wideband CC includes two CCs, the sum of the bandwidth for the two CCs may be the bandwidth of the wideband CC. In some other examples, the CCs may use a narrower subset of the wideband CC spectrum. For example, each of the two CCs may have a bandwidth that is less than half of the wideband CC bandwidth.

Some carrier aggregation configurations may include CCs on (e.g., deployed on) valid channel raster entries. A channel on a valid channel raster entry may be self-discoverable, such that UE <NUM>-a may perform initial system acquisition on the channel. For example, the center of the first CC and the second CC may be at a multiple of a certain bandwidth (e.g., a multiple of <NUM>), or the centers of the first CC and second CC may be at any frequency location as long as the subcarriers are aligned with the wideband CC.

When a secondary CC (e.g., of an SCell) is configured on a valid channel raster entry, UE <NUM>-a may be informed of the actual location and width (e.g., how many RBs) of the CC to operate on the secondary CC. In some examples, parameters related to a secondary CC, such as the location and width (e.g., a number of RBs) of the secondary CC, may be indicated by RRC signaling from the PCell. One way of indicating a secondary CC is to provide UE <NUM>-a with a channel raster value (e.g., an EARFCN) that may indicate where the secondary CC is located and a channel bandwidth or a number of RBs.

In some examples, a new CC (e.g., an SCell) may not be located on a valid channel raster entry. The location of a CC not on a valid channel raster entry may be signaled relative to another frequency or CC. For example, base station <NUM>-a may indicate a reference location of the new CC relative to a location in another CC or relative to an absolute frequency. The reference location of the new CC may be the center of the CC or the position of a subcarrier (e.g., center of a certain subcarrier such as subcarrier <NUM> of an N th RB) within the CC, or the position of an RB (e.g., an edge of the RB).

For example, base station <NUM>-a may transmit SCell location information <NUM> to UE <NUM>-a. SCell location information <NUM> may indicate a reference location of the new CC relative to an edge frequency or the center frequency of the CC of the PCell. In some other examples, the reference location of the new CC may be indicated relative to an edge frequency or the center frequency of the wideband CC. In some other examples, the reference location of the new CC may be relative to an arbitrary channel entry. The arbitrary channel entry may not be linked to a CC which UE <NUM>-a is aware of. The base station <NUM>-a transmits a reference location of the CC as an absolute frequency location. For example, base station <NUM>-a may indicate the reference location within approximately <NUM> of the reference location of the CC. In some examples, base station <NUM>-a may indicate the SCell location information <NUM> in an RRC message.

In some examples, the relative location may be provided in RBs or subcarriers and the SCS. In some examples, the SCS may be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, etc. In some examples, the SCS may be implicit based on the SCS of a SS block <NUM> (e.g., of the PCell), the wideband SCS, or explicitly indicated on the PCell.

Base station <NUM>-a may also indicate the width of the CC to UE <NUM>-a. For example, base station <NUM>-a may indicate a number of RBs UE <NUM>-a may use and the relationship between the reference location and the RBs of the CC. For example, base station <NUM>-a may indicate that UE <NUM>-a may use M RBs spanning a bandwidth of the new CC. Base station <NUM>-a may also indicate that the reference location corresponds to the low frequency end of the new CC, the middle frequency of the new CC, high frequency edge of the new CC, or other example reference location as described herein.

The carrier aggregation configurations may be based on whether the carrier aggregation is intra-band contiguous, non-continuous, or inter-band. For example, for intra-band carrier aggregation, the configurations may be relative to the CC for the PCell or the wideband CC, as these CCs may be relatively close to the new CC. In some examples of inter-band carrier aggregation, the configuration may use an arbitrary channel entry, or the reference location may be indicated as an absolute frequency location.

<FIG> illustrate examples of CC reference location indications <NUM> that support carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, CC reference location indications <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communication system <NUM>. A base station <NUM> may indicate the frequency location of a new CC (e.g., for an SCell) to a UE <NUM>. Implementations for indicating the frequency location for the new CC are illustrated in <FIG>.

A base station <NUM> may allocate a wideband CC <NUM> to a UE <NUM>. The wideband CC <NUM> may include a CC<NUM> <NUM>. In some examples, a CC<NUM> <NUM> may be for a PCell of the UE <NUM>. In other examples, the CC<NUM> <NUM> may be an SCell. The base station <NUM> may configure a secondary CC (e.g., and SCell) for the UE <NUM>. For example, the base station <NUM> may configure a CC<NUM> <NUM> as a secondary CC for the UE <NUM>. The base station <NUM> may indicate a reference location <NUM> of the CC<NUM> <NUM> in a number of different ways. For example, different configurations of a reference location <NUM> may point to different sections of the CC<NUM> <NUM> (e.g., an edge or middle of the CC<NUM> <NUM>), and the different configurations of the reference location <NUM> may be indicated with reference to different frequencies or CCs (e.g., the wideband CC, the CC<NUM> <NUM>, another CC entirely, or an absolute frequency).

For example, in CC reference location indication <NUM>-a, the base station <NUM> may indicate reference location <NUM>-a, corresponding to the center of CC<NUM> <NUM>-a. In some examples, reference location <NUM>-a may be indicated with reference to the center of wideband CC <NUM>-a. For example, the base station <NUM> may indicate an offset or frequency span <NUM>-a from the center of wideband CC <NUM>-a to reference location <NUM>-a. In some other examples, reference location <NUM>-a may be indicated with reference to the center of CC<NUM> <NUM>-a. For example, the base station <NUM> may indicate an offset of frequency span <NUM>-a from the center of CC<NUM> <NUM>-a to reference location <NUM>-a. In some examples, CC<NUM> <NUM>-a and CC<NUM> <NUM>-a may have a combined bandwidth equal to that of wideband CC <NUM>-a.

In CC reference location indication <NUM>-b, the base station <NUM> indicates reference location <NUM>-b, corresponding to an end of CC<NUM> <NUM>-b. In some examples, reference location <NUM>-b may be indicated with reference to the center of wideband CC <NUM>-b. For example, the base station <NUM> may indicate an offset or frequency span <NUM>-b from the center of wideband CC <NUM>-b to reference location <NUM>-b. In some other examples, reference location <NUM>-b may be indicated with reference to the center of CC<NUM> <NUM>-b. For example, the base station <NUM> may indicate an offset of frequency span <NUM>-b from the center of CC<NUM> <NUM>-b to reference location <NUM>-b. In some examples, CC<NUM> <NUM>-b and CC<NUM> <NUM>-b may have a combined bandwidth less than that of wideband CC <NUM>-b.

In CC reference location indication <NUM>-c, the base station <NUM> indicates reference location <NUM>-c, corresponding to the center of an arbitrary channel entry such as a CC which the UE <NUM> may not be aware of (e.g., CC<NUM>). For example, the base station <NUM> may indicate an offset or frequency span <NUM>-c from the center of CC<NUM> to reference location <NUM>-c. In some examples, reference location <NUM>-c may be indicated with reference to the position of a subcarrier within the CC. For example, reference location <NUM>-c may be the center of a subcarrier such as subcarrier <NUM> of an N th RB. In some examples, CC<NUM> <NUM>-c and CC<NUM> <NUM>-c may have a combined bandwidth less than that of wideband CC <NUM>-c.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a process flow <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, process flow <NUM> may implement aspects of wireless communication systems <NUM> or <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Process flow <NUM> illustrates aspects of techniques performed by base station <NUM>-b and a UE <NUM>-b, which may be examples of base station <NUM> and a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>.

In the following description of the process flow <NUM>, the operations between UE <NUM>-b and base station <NUM>-b may be performed in different orders or at different times. Certain operations may also be left out of the process flow <NUM>, or other operations may be added to the process flow <NUM>.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b configures an SCell for UE <NUM>-b. Configuring the SCell may include configuring a CC to be used for communication between base station <NUM>-b and UE <NUM>-b. In some cases, configuring the SCell may involve configuring a location of the CC at <NUM> and configuring a set of RBs for the CC at <NUM>.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may determine a reference location of the CC for the SCell configured in <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In some cases, the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. In some cases, the second CC includes a PCell CC of UE <NUM>-b, an SCell CC of UE <NUM>-b, a wideband CC of UE <NUM>-b, or an arbitrary channel unassociated with any CC of UE <NUM>-b. In some examples, the relative location of the CC may be relative to a channel raster entry of the second CC, a synchronization channel position of the second CC, or an arbitrary channel entry of the second CC. In some aspects, the reference location indicates a center frequency associated with the CC, a subcarrier position associated with the CC, or an RB position associated with the CC. In some instances, the subcarrier position corresponds to a center subcarrier of the CC, an edge subcarrier of the CC, or a subcarrier index of an RB of the CC. In some cases, the RB position corresponds to a center RB of the CC or an edge RB of the CC. In some examples, the reference location may be indicated in terms of RBs or subcarriers and an associated SCS. In some instances, at least one subcarrier of the CC aligns with a wideband CC of UE <NUM>-b. In some cases, the absolute frequency has a granularity of about <NUM>.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit the reference location (e.g., as determined at <NUM>) of the CC for the SCell to UE <NUM>-b. In some aspects, the reference location may be transmitted via an RRC message. In some examples, the reference location of the CC may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration (e.g., an intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation, an intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation, or an inter-band carrier aggregation).

At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit an indication of the set of RBs for the CC (e.g., as configured in <NUM>) to UE <NUM>-b. In some cases, the indication of the set of RBs includes a number of RBs for the CC. In some examples, the indication of the set of RBs may be transmitted via an RRC message.

At <NUM>, base station <NUM>-b may transmit a relationship indication to UE <NUM>-b. The relationship indication may indicate a relationship between the set of RBs and the reference location. In some examples, the relationship indication may indicate a relationship between the set of RBs and the absolute frequency.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM>-b may determine a set of parameters for the CC of the SCell for UE <NUM>-b. The set of parameters may be determined based on the reference location received at <NUM>, the indication of the set of resources received at <NUM>, the relationship indication received at <NUM>, or any combination thereof. The set of parameters may include a center frequency, a number of RBs, a SCS, a bandwidth or a bandwidth part (BWP) of the CC, or a combination thereof.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM>-b may communicate with base station <NUM>-b using the CC of the SCell for UE <NUM>-b (e.g., as configured at <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>). In some examples, UE <NUM>-b may communicate via the CC over the set of RB indicated at <NUM>. Communication between UE <NUM>-b and base station <NUM>-b may be in accordance with the parameters for the CC determined at <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station <NUM> as described herein. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, base station communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Receiver <NUM> may receive information such as packets, user data, or control information associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, and information related to carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems, etc.). Information may be passed on to other components of the device. The receiver <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the transceiver <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. The receiver <NUM> may utilize a single antenna or a set of antennas.

Base station communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the base station communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions of the base station communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

The base station communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations by one or more physical devices. In some examples, base station communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be a separate and distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In other examples, base station communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to an I/O component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

Base station communications manager <NUM> may configure a location and a set of RBs for a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>. Base station communications manager <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, a reference location of the CC, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. Base station communications manager <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, an indication of the set of RBs for the CC.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a base station <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, base station communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Base station communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the base station communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. Base station communications manager <NUM> may also include configuration component <NUM>, reference location component <NUM>, and RB component <NUM>.

Configuration component <NUM> may configure a location and a set of RBs for a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>.

Reference location component <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, a reference location of the CC, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. In some cases, the second CC includes a PCell CC of the UE <NUM>, an SCell CC of the UE <NUM>, a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>, or an arbitrary channel unassociated with any CC of the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the relative location of the CC may be relative to a channel raster entry of the second CC, a synchronization channel position of the second CC, or an arbitrary channel entry of the second CC. In some aspects, the reference location indicates a center frequency associated with the CC, a subcarrier position associated with the CC, or an RB position associated with the CC. In some instances, the subcarrier position corresponds to a center subcarrier of the CC, an edge subcarrier of the CC, or a subcarrier index of an RB of the CC. In some cases, the RB position corresponds to a center RB of the CC or an edge RB of the CC. In some examples, the reference location may be indicated in terms of RBs or subcarriers and an associated SCS. In some aspects, transmitting the reference location includes: transmitting the reference location via an RRC message. In some instances, at least one subcarrier of the CC aligns with a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some cases, the absolute frequency has a granularity of about <NUM>.

RB component <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, an indication of the set of RBs for the CC. In some cases, the indication of the set of RBs includes a number of RBs for the CC. In some examples, transmitting the indication of the set of RBs includes: transmitting the indication of the set of RBs via an RRC message.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a base station communications manager <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The base station communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a base station communications manager <NUM>, a base station communications manager <NUM>, or a base station communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The base station communications manager <NUM> may include configuration component <NUM>, reference location component <NUM>, RB component <NUM>, relationship component <NUM>, carrier aggregation component <NUM>, synchronization component <NUM>, and communication component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Reference location component <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, a reference location of the CC, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. In some cases, the second CC includes a PCell CC of the UE <NUM>, an SCell CC of the UE <NUM>, a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>, or an arbitrary channel unassociated with any CC of the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the relative location of the CC may be relative to a channel raster entry of the second CC, a synchronization channel position of the second CC, or an arbitrary channel entry of the second CC. In some aspects, the reference location indicates a center frequency associated with the CC, a subcarrier position associated with the CC, or an RB position associated with the CC. In some instances, the subcarrier position corresponds to a center subcarrier of the CC, an edge subcarrier of the CC, or a subcarrier index of an RB of the CC. In some cases, the RB position corresponds to a center RB of the CC or an edge RB of the CC. In some examples, the reference location is indicated in terms of RBs or subcarriers and an associated SCS. In some aspects, transmitting the reference location includes: transmitting the reference location via an RRC message. In some instances, at least one subcarrier of the CC aligns with a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some cases, the absolute frequency has a granularity of about <NUM>.

Relationship component <NUM> may transmit an indication of a relationship between the set of RBs and the reference location or the absolute frequency.

Carrier aggregation component <NUM> may determine the reference location of the CC based on a carrier aggregation configuration. In some cases, the carrier aggregation configuration includes one of an intra-band contiguous carrier aggregation, an intra-band non-contiguous carrier aggregation, or an inter-band carrier aggregation.

Synchronization component <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, an SS block according to an SS SCS, where the associated SCS is based on the SS SCS. In some cases, the SS SCS is based on a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>.

Communication component <NUM> may communicate, over the set of RBs, with the UE <NUM> using the CC.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of wireless device <NUM>, wireless device <NUM>, or a base station <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including base station communications manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, network communications manager <NUM>, and inter-station communications manager <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus <NUM>). Device <NUM> may communicate wirelessly with one or more UEs <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a central processing unit (CPU), a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems).

Software <NUM> may include code to implement aspects of the present disclosure, including code to support carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems. Software <NUM> may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or other memory. In some cases, the software <NUM> may not be directly executable by the processor but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein.

Inter-station communications manager <NUM> may manage communications with other base station <NUM> and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs <NUM> in cooperation with other base stations <NUM>. In some examples, inter-station communications manager <NUM> may provide an X2 interface within an LTE/LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between base stations <NUM>.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE <NUM> as described herein. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

UE communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the UE communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. UE communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be implemented in hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software executed by a processor, the functions of the UE communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described in the present disclosure.

The UE communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations by one or more physical devices. In some examples, UE communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be a separate and distinct component in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. In other examples, UE communications manager <NUM> and/or at least some of its various sub-components may be combined with one or more other hardware components, including but not limited to an I/O component, a transceiver, a network server, another computing device, one or more other components described in the present disclosure, or a combination thereof in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

UE communications manager <NUM> may receive, from a base station <NUM>, a reference location of a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. UE communications manager <NUM> may receive, from the base station <NUM>, an indication of a set of RBs for the CC. UE communications manager <NUM> may determine a set of parameters of the CC of the SCell based on the reference location and the set of RBs. UE communications manager <NUM> may communicate with the base station <NUM> using the CC based on the set of parameters.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a wireless device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Wireless device <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a wireless device <NUM> or a UE <NUM> as described with reference to <FIG>. Wireless device <NUM> may include receiver <NUM>, UE communications manager <NUM>, and transmitter <NUM>. Wireless device <NUM> may also include a processor. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

UE communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of the UE communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>. UE communications manager <NUM> may also include location component <NUM>, resource component <NUM>, parameter component <NUM>, and communication component <NUM>.

Location component <NUM> may receive, from a base station <NUM>, a reference location of a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC, and may receive, from the base station <NUM>, an SS block according to an SS SCS, where the associated SCS is based on the SS SCS. In some cases, the absolute frequency has a granularity of about <NUM>. In some examples, the relative location of the CC is relative to a channel raster entry of the second CC, a synchronization channel position of the second CC, or an arbitrary channel entry of the second CC. In some aspects, the reference location indicates a center frequency associated with the CC, a subcarrier position associated with the CC, or an RB position associated with the CC. In some cases, the subcarrier position corresponds to a center subcarrier of the CC, an edge subcarrier of the CC, or a subcarrier index of an RB of the CC. In some instances, the second CC includes a PCell CC of the UE <NUM>, an SCell CC of the UE <NUM>, a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>, or an arbitrary channel unassociated with any CC of the UE <NUM>. In some cases, the reference location is indicated in terms of RBs or subcarriers and an associated SCS. In some examples, the SS SCS is based on a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some aspects, at least one subcarrier of the CC aligns with a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some instances, the RB position corresponds to a center RB of the CC or an edge RB of the CC.

Resource component <NUM> may receive, from the base station <NUM>, an indication of a set of RBs for the CC. In some cases, the indication of the set of RBs includes a number of RBs for the CC.

Parameter component <NUM> may determine a set of parameters of the CC of the SCell based on the reference location and the set of RBs.

Communication component <NUM> may communicate with the base station <NUM> using the CC based on the set of parameters.

<FIG> shows a block diagram <NUM> of a UE communications manager <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The UE communications manager <NUM> may be an example of aspects of a UE communications manager <NUM> described with reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>. The UE communications manager <NUM> may include location component <NUM>, resource component <NUM>, parameter component <NUM>, communication component <NUM>, relationship component <NUM>, and RRC component <NUM>. Each of these modules may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses).

Location component <NUM> may receive, from a base station <NUM>, a reference location of a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC, and may receive, from the base station <NUM>, an SS block according to an SS SCS, where the associated SCS is based on the SS SCS. In some cases, the absolute frequency has a granularity of about <NUM>. In some aspects, the relative location of the CC is relative to a channel raster entry of the second CC, a synchronization channel position of the second CC, or an arbitrary channel entry of the second CC. In some examples, the reference location indicates a center frequency associated with the CC, a subcarrier position associated with the CC, or an RB position associated with the CC. In some instances, the subcarrier position corresponds to a center subcarrier of the CC, an edge subcarrier of the CC, or a subcarrier index of an RB of the CC. In some cases, the second CC includes a PCell CC of the UE <NUM>, an SCell CC of the UE <NUM>, a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>, or an arbitrary channel unassociated with any CC of the UE <NUM>. In some examples, the reference location is indicated in terms of RBs or subcarriers and an associated SCS. In some aspects, the SS SCS is based on a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some cases, at least one subcarrier of the CC aligns with a wideband CC of the UE <NUM>. In some instances, the RB position corresponds to a center RB of the CC or an edge RB of the CC.

Relationship component <NUM> may identify a relationship between the set of RBs and the reference location or the absolute frequency, where the set of parameters is determined based on the relationship. In some cases, identifying the relationship includes: receiving, from the base station <NUM>, an indication of the relationship between the set of RBs and the reference location or the absolute frequency.

RRC component <NUM> receives at least one of the reference location or the indication of the set of RBs via an RRC message.

<FIG> shows a diagram of a system <NUM> including a device <NUM> that supports carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Device <NUM> may be an example of or include the components of UE <NUM> as described above, e.g., with reference to <FIG>. Device <NUM> may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, including UE communications manager <NUM>, processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, software <NUM>, transceiver <NUM>, antenna <NUM>, and I/O controller <NUM>. These components may be in electronic communication via one or more buses (e.g., bus <NUM>). Device <NUM> may communicate wirelessly with one or more base stations <NUM>.

Processor <NUM> may include an intelligent hardware device, (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic component, a discrete hardware component, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor <NUM> may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into processor <NUM>. Processor <NUM> may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems).

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a base station <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a base station communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a base station <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally, or alternatively, the base station <NUM> may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM> the base station <NUM> may configure a location and a set of RBs for a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a configuration component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, a reference location of the CC, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a reference location component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM> the base station <NUM> may transmit, to the UE <NUM>, an indication of the set of RBs for the CC. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by an RB component as described with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> shows a flowchart illustrating a method <NUM> for carrier aggregation configurations in wireless systems in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method <NUM> may be implemented by a UE <NUM> or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method <NUM> may be performed by a UE communications manager as described with reference to <FIG>. In some examples, a UE <NUM> may execute a set of codes to control the functional elements of the device to perform the functions described below. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE <NUM> may perform aspects of the functions described below using special-purpose hardware.

At <NUM> the UE <NUM> may receive, from a base station <NUM>, a reference location of a CC of an SCell for a UE <NUM>, where the reference location includes a relative location of the CC with respect to a second CC or an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the CC. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a location component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM> the UE <NUM> may receive, from the base station <NUM>, an indication of a set of RBs for the CC. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a resource component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM> the UE <NUM> may determine a set of parameters of the CC of the SCell based on the reference location and the set of RBs. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a parameter component as described with reference to <FIG>.

At <NUM> the UE <NUM> may communicate with the base station <NUM> using the CC based on the set of parameters. The operations of <NUM> may be performed according to the methods described herein. In certain examples, aspects of the operations of <NUM> may be performed by a communication component as described with reference to <FIG>.

IS-<NUM> Releases may be commonly referred to as CDMA2000 1X, 1X, etc. IS-<NUM> (TIA-<NUM>) is commonly referred to as CDMA2000 <NUM>×EV-DO, High Rate Packet Data (HRPD), etc. UTRA includes Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) and other variants of CDMA.

An eNB may support one or multiple (e.g., two, three, four, and the like) cells, and may also support communications using one or multiple CCs.

The various illustrative blocks and modules described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed with a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device (PLD), discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein.

By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor.

Any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium.

Claim 1:
A method for wireless communication, comprising:
configuring (<NUM>) a location of a component carrier and a set of resource blocks for the component carrier of a secondary cell for a user equipment, UE;
transmitting (<NUM>), to the UE, a reference location of the component carrier, wherein the reference location comprises an absolute frequency that corresponds to the location of the component carrier;
transmitting (<NUM>), to the UE, an indication of the set of resource blocks for the component carrier; and
wherein the location of the component carrier and the indication of the set of resource blocks for the component carrier of the secondary cell are transmitted via a radio resource control, RRC, message over a primary cell, the primary cell being different from the secondary cell.