U.S. patent application number 17/317119 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-26 for node and method for downlink scheduling and hybrid automatic repeat request timing.
The applicant listed for this patent is Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ). Invention is credited to Jung-Fu CHENG, Daniel LARSSON.
Application Number | 20210266114 17/317119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005579629 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210266114 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LARSSON; Daniel ; et
al. |
August 26, 2021 |
NODE AND METHOD FOR DOWNLINK SCHEDULING AND HYBRID AUTOMATIC REPEAT
REQUEST TIMING
Abstract
Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a base
station, and corresponding method therein, for determining a
control timing configuration. The control timing configuration
provides a subframe timing for configuring PUSCH and uplink
HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell serving a user equipment in a
multiple cell communications network. The user equipment is served
by a TDD based cell and a FDD based cell. Example embodiments are
also directed towards a user equipment, and corresponding method
therein, determining the control timing configuration discussed
above.
Inventors: |
LARSSON; Daniel;
(Vallentuna, SE) ; CHENG; Jung-Fu; (Fremont,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (Publ) |
Stockholm |
|
SE |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005579629 |
Appl. No.: |
17/317119 |
Filed: |
May 11, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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15346409 |
Nov 8, 2016 |
11012200 |
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17317119 |
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14239470 |
Feb 18, 2014 |
9510361 |
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PCT/SE2013/051208 |
Oct 16, 2013 |
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15346409 |
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61869086 |
Aug 23, 2013 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04W 72/1263 20130101;
H04W 72/0446 20130101; H04W 84/042 20130101; H04B 7/2615 20130101;
H04W 88/08 20130101; H04L 1/1861 20130101; H04L 5/0055 20130101;
H04L 1/1812 20130101; H04L 5/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04L 1/18 20060101
H04L001/18; H04L 5/00 20060101 H04L005/00; H04B 7/26 20060101
H04B007/26; H04W 72/12 20060101 H04W072/12; H04L 5/14 20060101
H04L005/14; H04W 72/04 20060101 H04W072/04 |
Claims
1. A method, in a base station, for determining a control timing
configuration, the control timing configuration providing a
subframe timing setting for configuring Physical Uplink Shared
Channel, PUSCH, and uplink Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request
Acknowledgment, HARQ-ACK, control timing for a cell serving a user
equipment in a multiple cell communications network, the user
equipment being served by a Time Division Duplex, TDD, based cell,
and a Frequency Division Duplex, FDD, based cell, the method
comprising: determining a control timing configuration for a
secondary cell, the secondary cell being one of the TDD based cell
or the FDD based cell, based on a type of a scheduling cell, the
type of the scheduling cell being one of the FDD based cell or the
TDD based cell; implementing the control timing configuration for
PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell serving the
user equipment; and if the cell serving the user equipment is a FDD
based cell, the determining further comprising determining the
control timing configuration for the PUSCH follows FDD timing.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining the
control timing configuration comprises a transmission timing value
of 4 for all subframes for a Physical Uplink Shared Channel,
PUSCH.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein the scheduling cell is the TDD
based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based cell, and
wherein HARQ-ACK is transmitted on the secondary cell, the
determining further comprising: determining the control timing
configuration to be configuration number 0 if a configuration
number of the scheduling cell is 0; and if the configuration number
of the scheduling cell is not 0, determining the control timing
configuration to be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4 for a
subframe in which a corresponding TDD subframe, for a same
configuration number, is a downlink subframe.
4. A base station for determining a control timing configuration,
the control timing configuration providing a subframe timing
setting for configuring Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, and
uplink Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request Acknowledgment,
HARQ-ACK, control timing for a cell serving a user equipment in a
multiple cell communications network, the user equipment being
served by a Time Division Duplex, TDD, based cell, and a Frequency
Division Duplex, FDD, based cell, the base station comprising:
processing circuitry configured to: determine a control timing
configuration for a secondary cell, the secondary cell being one of
TDD based cell or the FDD based cell, based on a type of a
scheduling cell, the scheduling cell being one of the FDD based
cell or the TDD based cell; and said processing circuitry further
configured to implement the control timing configuration for PUSCH
and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell serving the user
equipment; and if the cell serving the user equipment is a FDD
based cell, the control timing configuration for the PUSCH follows
FDD timing.
5. The base station of claim 4, wherein the processing circuitry
further configured to determine the control timing configuration
comprises a transmission timing value of 4 for all subframes for a
Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH, wherein downlink subframes
of the scheduling cell which map to downlink subframes of the
secondary cell are excluded from PUSCH timing.
6. The base station of claim 4, wherein the scheduling cell is the
TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based cell, and
wherein HARQ-ACK is transmitted on the secondary cell, the
processing circuitry is further configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be configuration number 0 if a
configuration number of the scheduling cell is 0; and if the
configuration number of the scheduling cell is not 0, the
processing circuitry is further configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4
for a subframe in which a corresponding TDD subframe, for a same
configuration number, is a downlink subframe.
7. A method, in a user equipment, for determining a control timing
configuration, the control timing configuration providing a
subframe timing setting for configuring Physical Uplink Shared
Channel, PUSCH, and uplink Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request
Acknowledgment, HARQ-ACK, control timing for a cell serving the
user equipment in a multiple cell communications network, the user
equipment being served by a Time Division Duplex, TDD, based cell,
and a Frequency Division Duplex, FDD, based cell, the method
comprising: determining a control timing configuration for a
secondary cell, the secondary cell being one of the TDD based cell
or the FDD based cell, based on a type of a scheduling cell, the
type of the scheduling cell being one of the FDD based cell or the
TDD based cell; and implementing the control timing configuration
for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell serving the
user equipment; and if the cell serving the user equipment is a FDD
based cell, the determining further comprising determining the
control timing configuration for the PUSCH follows FDD timing.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the control timing configuration
comprises a transmission timing value of 4 for all subframes for a
Physical Uplink Shared Channel, PUSCH.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the scheduling cell is the TDD
based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based cell, and
wherein HARQ-ACK is transmitted on the secondary cell, the
determining further comprising: determining the control timing
configuration to be configuration number 0 if a configuration
number of the scheduling cell is 0; and if the configuration number
of the scheduling cell is not 0, determining the control timing
configuration to be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4 for a
subframe in which a corresponding TDD subframe, for a same
configuration number, is a downlink subframe.
10. A user equipment for determining a control timing
configuration, the control timing configuration providing a
subframe timing setting for configuring Physical Uplink Shared
Channel, PUSCH, and uplink Hybrid Automatic Retransmission Request
Acknowledgment, HARQ-ACK, control timing for a cell serving the
user equipment in a multiple cell communications network, the user
equipment being served by a Time Division Duplex, TDD, based cell,
and a Frequency Division Duplex, FDD, based cell, the user
equipment comprising: processing circuitry configured to: determine
the control timing configuration for a secondary cell, the
secondary cell being one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based
cell, based on a type of a scheduling cell, the type of the
scheduling cell being one of the FDD based cell or the TDD based
cell; and the processing circuitry further configured to implement
the control timing configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK
control timing for a cell serving the user equipment; and, if the
cell serving the user equipment is a FDD based cell, the
determining further comprising determining the control timing
configuration for the PUSCH follows FDD timing.
11. The user equipment of claim 10, further configured to determine
the control timing configuration comprises a transmission timing
value of 4 for all subframes for a Physical Uplink Shared Channel,
PUSCH.
12. The user equipment of claim 10, wherein the scheduling cell is
the TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based cell,
and wherein HARQ-ACK is transmitted on the secondary cell, the
processing circuitry is further configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be configuration number 0 if a
configuration number of the scheduling cell is 0; and if the
configuration number of the scheduling cell is not 0, the
processing circuitry is further configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4
for a subframe in which a corresponding TDD subframe, for a same
configuration number, is a downlink subframe.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/346,409, filed Nov. 8, 2016, entitled "NODE
AND METHOD FOR DOWNLINK SCHEDULING AND HYBRID AUTOMATIC REPEAT
REQUEST TIMING", which is a continuation of U.S. National Stage
Patent Application Ser. No. 14/239,470, filed Feb. 18, 2014,
entitled "NODE AND METHOD FOR DOWNLINK SCHEDULING AND HYBRID
AUTOMATIC REPEAT REQUEST TIMING," which claims priority to
International Application Serial No. PCT/SE2013/051208,
International filing date Oct. 16, 2013, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/869,086, filed Aug. 23,
2013, the entireties of each of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] Example embodiments presented herein are directed towards a
base station and user equipment, and corresponding methods therein,
for determining a one control timing configuration. The control
timing configuration provides a subframe timing setting for
configuring Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and uplink
Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgment (HARQ-ACK) control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment in a multiple cell
communications network. The user equipment is served by a Time
Division Duplex (TDD) based cell and a Frequency Division Duplex
(FDD) based cell.
BACKGROUND
Long Term Evolution Systems
[0003] Long Term Evolution (LTE) uses Orthogonal Frequency Division
Multiplexing (OFDM) in the downlink direction and a Discrete
Fourier Transform (DFT)-spread OFDM in the uplink direction. The
basic LTE downlink physical resource can thus be seen as a
time-frequency grid, where each resource element corresponds to one
OFDM subcarrier during one OFDM symbol interval. In the time
domain, LTE downlink transmissions may be organized into radio
frames of 10 ms, with each radio frame consisting of ten
equally-sized subframes of length Tsubframe=1 ms.
[0004] Furthermore, the resource allocation in LTE is typically
described in terms of resource blocks, where a resource block
corresponds to one slot, e.g., 0.5 ms, in the time domain and 12
subcarriers in the frequency domain. A pair of two adjacent
resource blocks in time direction, e.g., 1.0 ms, is known as a
resource block pair. Resource blocks are numbered in the frequency
domain, starting with 0 from one end of the system bandwidth.
[0005] The notion of virtual resource blocks (VRB) and physical
resource blocks (PRB) has been introduced in LTE. The actual
resource allocation to a user equipment is made in terms of VRB
pairs. There are two types of resource allocations, localized and
distributed. In the localized resource allocation, a VRB pair is
directly mapped to a PRB pair, hence two consecutive and localized
VRBs are also placed as consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain.
On the other hand, the distributed VRBs are not mapped to
consecutive PRBs in the frequency domain, thereby providing
frequency diversity for data channel transmitted using these
distributed VRBs.
[0006] Downlink transmissions are dynamically scheduled, i.e., in
each subframe the base station transmits control information
regarding which terminals data is transmitted and upon which
resource blocks the data is transmitted, in the current downlink
subframe. This control signaling is typically transmitted in the
first 1, 2, 3 or 4 OFDM symbols in each subframe and the number
n=1, 2, 3 or 4 is known as the Control Format Indicator (CFI). The
downlink subframe also contains common reference symbols, which are
known to the receiver and used for coherent demodulation of, e.g.,
the control information.
[0007] From LTE Release 11 and onwards, the above described
resource assignments may also be scheduled on the enhanced Physical
Downlink Control Channel (EPDCCH). For 3GPP Release 8 to 3GPP
Release 10, only Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) is
available.
PDCCH Search Space
[0008] LTE defines so-called search spaces, which describe the set
of CCEs the terminal is supposed to monitor for scheduling
assignments/grants relating to a certain component carrier. A
search space is a set of candidate control channels formed by CCEs
on a given aggregation level, which the terminal is supposed to
attempt to decode. As there are multiple aggregation levels,
corresponding to one, two, four, and eight CCEs, a terminal has
multiple search spaces. In each subframe, the terminals will
attempt to decode all the PDCCHs that can be formed from the CCEs
in each of its search spaces. If the CRC checks, the content of the
control channel is declared as valid for this terminal and the
terminal processes the information (scheduling assignment,
scheduling grants, etc.). Each terminal in the system therefore has
a terminal-specific search space at each aggregation level.
[0009] In several situations, there is a need to address a group
of, or all, terminals in the system. To allow all terminals to be
addressed at the same time, LTE has defined common search spaces in
addition to the terminal-specific search spaces. A common search
space is, as the name implies, common, and all terminals in the
cell monitor the CCEs in the common search spaces for control
information. Although the motivation for the common search space is
primarily transmission of various system messages, it may be used
to schedule individual terminals as well. Thus, it may be used to
resolve situations where scheduling of one terminal is blocked due
to lack of available resources in the terminal-specific search
space. More important, the common search space is not dependent of
user equipment configuration status. Therefore, the common search
space may be used when the NW needs communicate with the user
equipment during user equipment reconfiguration periods.
PUCCH
[0010] If the mobile terminal has not been assigned an uplink
resource for data transmission, the L1/L2 control information,
e.g., channel-status reports, Hybrid-ARQ acknowledgments, and
scheduling requests, is transmitted in uplink resources, e.g.,
resource blocks, specifically assigned for uplink L1/L2 control on
3GPP Release 8 PUCCH. These resources are located at the edges of
the total available cell bandwidth. Each such resource consists of
12 "subcarriers", e.g., one resource block, within each of the two
slots of an uplink subframe. In order to provide frequency
diversity, these frequency resources are frequency hopping on the
slot boundary, i.e., one "resource" consists of 12 subcarriers at
the upper part of the spectrum within the first slot of a subframe
and an equally sized resource at the lower part of the spectrum
during the second slot of the subframe or vice versa. If more
resources are needed for the uplink L1/L2 control signaling, e.g.,
in case of very large overall transmission bandwidth supporting a
large number of users, additional resources blocks can be assigned
next to the previously assigned resource blocks.
Carrier Aggregation
[0011] The LTE Release 10 standard has recently been standardized,
supporting bandwidths larger than 20 MHz. One important requirement
on LTE Release 10 is to assure backward compatibility with LTE
Release 8. This should also include spectrum compatibility. That
would imply that an LTE Release 10 carrier, wider than 20 MHz,
should appear as a number of LTE carriers to an LTE Release 8
terminal. Each such carrier may be referred to as a Component
Carrier (CC). In particular for early LTE Release 10 deployments it
may be expected that there will be a smaller number of LTE Release
10 capable terminals compared to many LTE legacy terminals.
Therefore, it is necessary to assure an efficient use of a wide
carrier also for legacy terminals, i.e., that it is possible to
implement carriers where legacy terminals may be scheduled in all
parts of the wideband LTE Release 10 carrier. The straightforward
way to obtain this would be by means of Carrier Aggregation (CA).
CA implies that an LTE Release 10 terminal may receive multiple CC,
where the CC have, or at least the possibility to have, the same
structure as a Release 8 carrier.
[0012] The number of aggregated CC as well as the bandwidth of the
individual CC may be different for uplink and downlink. A symmetric
configuration refers to the case where the number of CCs in
downlink and uplink is the same whereas an asymmetric configuration
refers to the case that the number of CCs is different. It is
important to note that the number of CCs configured in a cell may
be different from the number of CCs seen by a terminal: A terminal
may for example support more downlink CCs than uplink CCs, even
though the cell is configured with the same number of uplink and
downlink CCs.
[0013] During initial access a LTE Release 10 terminal behaves
similar to a LTE Release 8 terminal. Upon successful connection to
the network a terminal may, depending on its own capabilities and
the network, be configured with additional CCs in the UL and DL.
Configuration is based on RRC. Due to the heavy signaling and
rather slow speed of RRC signaling, it is envisioned that a
terminal may be configured with multiple CCs even though not all of
them are currently used. If a terminal is configured on multiple
CCs this would imply it has to monitor all DL CCs for PDCCH and
PDSCH. This implies a wider receiver bandwidth, higher sampling
rates, etc., resulting in high power consumption.
[0014] To mitigate the above problems, LTE Release 10 supports
activation of CCs on top of configuration. The terminal monitors
only configured and activated CCs for PDCCH and PDSCH. Since
activation is based on Medium Access Control (MAC) control
elements, which are faster than RRC signaling,
activation/de-activation may follow the number of CCs that are
required to fulfill the current data rate needs. Upon arrival of
large data amounts multiple CCs are activated, used for data
transmission, and de-activated if not needed anymore. All but one
CC, the DL Primary CC (DL PCC), may be de-activated. Activation
provides therefore the possibility to configure multiple CC but
only activate them on a need basis. Most of the time a terminal
would have one or very few CCs activated resulting in a lower
reception bandwidth and thus battery consumption.
[0015] Scheduling of a CC is done on the PDCCH via downlink
assignments. Control information on the PDCCH is formatted as a
Downlink Control Information (DCI) message. In Release 8 a terminal
only operates with one DL and one UL CC, the association between DL
assignment, UL grants and the corresponding DL and UL CCs is
therefore clear. In LTE Release 10 two modes of CA needs to be
distinguished. The first case is very similar to the operation of
multiple Release 8 terminals, a DL assignment or UL grant contained
in a DCI message transmitted on a CC is either valid for the DL CC
itself or for associated (either via cell-specific or UE specific
linking) UL CC. A second mode of operation augments a DCI message
with the Carrier Indicator Field (CIF). A DCI containing a DL
assignment with CIF is valid for that DL CC indicted with CIF and a
DCI containing an UL grant with CIF is valid for the indicated UL
CC.
[0016] DCI messages for downlink assignments contain among others
resource block assignment, modulation and coding scheme related
parameters, HARQ redundancy version, etc. In addition to those
parameters that relate to the actual downlink transmission most DCI
formats for downlink assignments also contain a bit field for
Transmit Power Control (TPC) commands. These TPC commands are used
to control the uplink power control behavior of the corresponding
PUCCH that is used to transmit the HARQ feedback.
[0017] In LTE Release 10, the transmission of PUCCH is mapped onto
one specific uplink CC, the UL Primary CC (UL PCC). Terminals only
configured with a single DL CC, which is then the DL PCC, and UL
CC, which is then the UL PCC, are operating dynamic ACK/NACK on
PUCCH according to 3GPP Release 8. The first Control Channel
Element (CCE) used to transmit PDCCH for the DL assignment
determines the dynamic ACK/NACK resource on 3GPP Release 8 PUCCH.
Since only one DL CC is cell-specifically linked with the UL PCC no
PUCCH collisions may occur since all PDCCH are transmitted using
different first CCE.
[0018] Upon reception of DL assignments on a single Secondary CC
(SCC) or reception of multiple DL assignments, a PUCCH format
(which is referred to as CA PUCCH herein) that can carry the
HARQ-ACK of multiple serving cells should be used. A DL SCC
assignment alone is untypical. The eNB scheduler should strive to
schedule a single DL CC assignment on the DL PCC and try to
de-activate SCCs if not needed. A possible scenario that may occur
is that eNB schedules terminal on multiple DL CCs including the
PCC. If the terminal misses all but the DL PCC assignment it will
use Release 8 PUCCH instead of CA PUCCH. To detect this error case
eNB has to monitor both the Release 8 PUCCH and the CA PUCCH.
[0019] In LTE Release 10, the CA PUCCH format is based on the
number of configured CC. Configuration of CC is based on RRC
signaling. After successful reception/application of the new
configuration a confirmation message is sent back making RRC
signaling very safe. CA PUCCH Transmission Scheme
[0020] In this application, CA PUCCH refers to means of
transmitting HARQ-ACK of multiple serving cells in the UL. For
Rel-10 LTE, CA PUCCH can be embodied in one of the following two
approaches. The first method is based on the use of PUCCH format 3
that is based on DFTS-OFDM. The multiple ACK/NACK bits are encoded
to form 48 coded bits. The coded bits are then scrambled with
cell-specific (and possibly DFTS-OFDM symbol dependent) sequences.
24 bits are transmitted within the first slot and the other 24 bits
are transmitted within the second slot. The 24 bits per slot are
converted into 12 QPSK symbols, DFT precoded, spread across five
DFTS-OFDM symbols and transmitted within one resource blocks
(bandwidth) and five DFTS-OFDM symbols (time). The spreading
sequence is user equipment specific and enables multiplexing of up
to five users within the same resource blocks. For the reference
signals cyclic shifted CAZAC sequences, e.g., computer optimized
sequences, may be used.
[0021] The second CA PUCCH method is called channel selection. The
basic principle is that the user equipment is assigned a set of
PUCCH format la/lb resources. The user equipment then selects one
of resources according to the ACK/NACK sequence the user equipment
should transmit. On one of the assigned resources, the user
equipment would then transmit a QPSK or BPSK. The eNB detects which
resource the user equipment used and which QPSK or BPSK value the
user equipment fed back on the used resource and combines this into
a HARQ response for associated DL cells. A similar type of mapping
including a bundling approach is also done for TDD as in the FDD,
in case the user equipment is configured with channel
selection.
Time Division Duplex
[0022] Transmission and reception from a node, e.g., a terminal or
user equipment 501 and base station 401 in a cellular system such
as LTE, may be multiplexed in the frequency domain or in the time
domain (or combinations thereof). Frequency Division Duplex (FDD)
as illustrated to the left in FIG. 1 implies that downlink and
uplink transmission take place in different, sufficiently
separated, frequency bands. Time Division Duplex (TDD), as
illustrated to the right in FIG. 1, implies that downlink and
uplink transmission take place in different, non-overlapping time
slots. Thus, TDD can operate in unpaired spectrum, whereas FDD
requires paired spectrum.
[0023] Typically, the structure of the transmitted signal in a
communication system is organized in the form of a frame structure.
For example, LTE uses ten equally-sized subframes of length 1 ms
per radio frame as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0024] In case of FDD operation, illustrated in the upper section
of FIG. 2, there are two carrier frequencies, one for uplink
transmission (f.sub.UL) and one for downlink transmission
(f.sub.DL). At least with respect to the terminal in a cellular
communication system, FDD may be either full duplex or half duplex.
In the full duplex case, a terminal may transmit and receive
simultaneously, while in half-duplex operation, the terminal may
not transmit and receive simultaneously. The base station is
capable of simultaneous reception/transmission though, e.g.,
receiving from one terminal while simultaneously transmitting to
another terminal. In LTE, a half-duplex terminal is
monitoring/receiving in the downlink except when explicitly being
instructed to transmit in a certain subframe.
[0025] In case of TDD operation, illustrated in the lower section
of FIG. 2, there is only a single carrier frequency and uplink and
downlink transmissions are always separated in time also on a cell
basis. As the same carrier frequency is used for uplink and
downlink transmission, both the base station and the mobile
terminals need to switch from transmission to reception and vice
versa. An essential aspect of any TDD system is to provide the
possibility for a sufficiently large guard time where neither
downlink nor uplink transmissions occur. This is required to avoid
interference between uplink and downlink transmissions. For LTE,
this guard time is provided by special subframes, e.g., subframe 1
and, in some cases, subframe 6, which are split into three parts: a
downlink part (DwPTS), a guard period (GP), and an uplink part
(UpPTS). The remaining subframes are either allocated to uplink or
downlink transmission.
[0026] TDD allows for different asymmetries in terms of the amount
of resources allocated for uplink and downlink transmission,
respectively, by means of different downlink/uplink configurations.
In LTE, there are seven different configurations as shown in FIG.
3. It should be appreciated that a DL subframe may mean either DL
or the special subframe.
[0027] To avoid severe interference between downlink and uplink
transmissions between different cells, neighbor cells should have
the same downlink/uplink configuration. If this is not done, uplink
transmission in one cell may interfere with downlink transmission
in the neighboring cell and vice versa. Hence, the downlink/uplink
asymmetry may typically not vary between cells, but is signaled as
part of the system information and remains fixed for a long period
of time.
PUSCH Scheduling and PHICH Timings
[0028] The PUSCH scheduling timing and the corresponding HARQ
feedback PHICH timing are described extensively in 3GPP Technical
Specification 36.213. A basic summary is provided below for
discussing the example embodiments presented herein.
[0029] For TDD UL/DL configurations 1-6 and normal HARQ operation,
the user equipment shall upon detection of a PDCCH/ePDCCH with
uplink DCI format and/or a PHICH transmission in subframe n
intended for the user equipment, adjust the corresponding PUSCH
transmission in subframe n+k, with k given in Table 8-2 of TS
36.213 (reproduced in Table 1 below), according to the PDCCH/ePDCCH
and PHICH information. For FDD, k=4.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 k for TDD configurations 0-6 TDD UL/DL
subframe number n Configuration 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 6 4 6 1 6 4
6 4 2 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 6 7 7 7 7 5
[0030] For TDD UL/DL configuration 1-6, if a user equipment is
configured with one serving cell, or if the user equipment is
configured with more than one serving cell and the TDD UL/DL
configuration of all the configured serving cells is the same, an
HARQ-ACK received on the PHICH assigned to a user equipment in
subframe i is associated with the PUSCH transmission in the
subframe i-k as indicated by the following Table 8.3-1 of TS 36.213
(reproduced below). For FDD, k=4.
TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 k for TDD configurations 0-6 TDD UL/DL
subframe number i Configuration 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 7 4 7 4 1 4 6
4 6 2 6 6 3 6 6 6 4 6 6 5 6 6 6 4 7 4 6
[0031] For TDD, if the user equipment is configured with one
serving cell, or if the user equipment is configured with more than
one serving cell and the TDD UL/DL configuration of all the
configured serving cells is the same, for PUSCH transmissions
scheduled from serving cell cin subframe n, the user equipment
shall determine the corresponding PHICH resource of serving cell c
in subframe n+k.sub.PHICH, where k.sub.PHICH is given in Table
9.1.2-1 of TS 36.213 (reproduced in Table 3 below). For FDD,
k.sub.PHICH=4.
TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 k.sub.PHICH for TDD TDD UL/DL subframe index
n Configuration 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 7 6 4 7 6 1 4 6 4 6 2 6 6 3
6 6 6 4 6 6 5 6 6 4 6 6 4 7
[0032] Within the downlink control information (DCI) transmitted to
the user equipment via PDCCH/ePDCCH for scheduling PUSCH, there is
a transmit power control (TPC) command. For a PUSCH transmission at
subframe i, the TPC command from subframe i-K.sub.PUSCH should be
incorporated. For TDD UL/DL configurations 1-6, K.sub.PUSCH is
given in Table 5.1.1.1-1 of TS 36.213 (reproduced in Table 4
below). For FDD, K.sub.PUSCH=4.
TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 K.sub.PUSCH for TDD TDD UL/DL subframe
number i Configuration 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 -- -- 6 7 4 -- -- 6 7
4 1 -- -- 6 4 -- -- -- 6 4 -- 2 -- -- 4 -- -- -- -- 4 -- -- 3 -- --
4 4 4 -- -- -- -- -- 4 -- -- 4 4 -- -- -- -- -- -- 5 -- -- 4 -- --
-- -- -- -- -- 6 -- -- 7 7 5 -- -- 7 7 --
SUMMARY
[0033] In current 3GPP standards, the possibility of a user
equipment being served by an aggregated FDD and TDD carrier
simultaneously is not discussed or addressed. Thus, at least one
example object of the example embodiments presented herein is to
provide mechanisms to implement control timing configurations for
establishing PUSCH and Physical HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell
serving a user equipment in a FDD and TDD carrier aggregated
network. The example embodiments presented herein have the example
advantage of providing a simple scheme to derive the subframes for
the timing of HARQ and the scheduling for TDD and FDD
aggregation.
[0034] Accordingly, some of the example embodiments are directed
towards a method, in a base station, for determining a control
timing configuration. The control timing configuration provides a
subframe timing setting for configuring PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK
control timing for a cell serving a user equipment in a multiple
cell communications network. The user equipment is served by a TDD
based cell and a FDD based cell. The method comprises determining a
control timing configuration for a secondary cell. The secondary
cell is one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell. The
determining is based on a type of a scheduling cell. The type of
the scheduling cell is one of the FDD based cell or the TDD based
cell. The method further comprises implementing the at least one
control timing configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment.
[0035] Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a base
station for determining a control timing configuration. The control
timing configuration provides a subframe timing setting for
configuring PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell
serving a user equipment in a multiple cell communications network.
The user equipment is served by a TDD based cell and a FDD based
cell. The base station comprises processing circuitry configured to
determine a control timing configuration for a secondary cell. The
secondary cell being one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based
cell. The processing circuitry is configured to determine the
control timing configuration based on a type of the scheduling
cell. The type of the scheduling cell is one of the FDD based cell
or the TDD based cell. The processing circuitry is further
configured to implement the control timing configuration for PUSCH
and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell serving the user
equipment.
[0036] Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a
method, in a user equipment, for determining a control timing
configuration. The control timing configuration provides a subframe
timing setting for configuring PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment in a multiple cell
communications network. The user equipment is served by a TDD based
cell and a FDD based cell. The method comprises determining a
control timing configuration for a secondary cell. The secondary
cell is one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell. The
determining is based on a type of a scheduling cell. The type of
the scheduling cell is one of the FDD based cell or the TDD based
cell. The method further comprises implementing the control timing
configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a
cell serving the user equipment.
[0037] Some of the example embodiments are directed towards a user
equipment for determining a control timing configuration. The
control timing configuration provides a subframe timing setting for
configuring PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a cell
serving the user equipment in a multiple cell communications
network. The user equipment is served by a TDD based cell and a FDD
based cell. The user equipment comprises processing circuitry
configured to determine a control timing configuration for a
secondary cell. The secondary cell is one of the TDD based cell or
the FDD based cell. The processing circuitry is configured to
determine the control timing configuration based on a type of at
least one scheduling cell. The type of the scheduling cell being
one of the FDD based cell or the TDD based cell. The processing
circuitry is further configured to implement the at least one
control timing configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment.
Definitions
[0038] ACK Acknowledgement [0039] AL Aggregation Level [0040] ARQ
Automatic Repeat reQuest [0041] BPSK Binary Phase Shift Keying
[0042] C-RNTI Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier [0043] CA
Carrier Aggregation [0044] CAZAC Constant Amplitude Zero
Autocorrelation [0045] CC Component Carrier [0046] CCE
Control-Channel Elements [0047] CFI Control Format Indicator [0048]
CIF Carrier Indicator Field [0049] CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check
[0050] DCI Downlink Control Information [0051] DFT Discrete Fourier
Transform [0052] DFTS DFT Spread [0053] DL Downlink [0054] DTX
Discontinuous Transmission [0055] DwPTS Downlink Part of a Special
Subframe [0056] ePDCCH enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel
[0057] E-UTRA Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access [0058] GP
Guard Period [0059] FDD Frequency Division Duplexing [0060] HARQ
Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request [0061] LSB Least Significant Bit
[0062] LTE Long Term Evolution [0063] MAC Medium Access Control
[0064] NACK Non-Acknowledgement [0065] NW Network [0066] OFDM
Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing [0067] PCell Primary
Cell [0068] PCC Primary CC [0069] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control
Channel [0070] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel [0071] PHICH
Physical Hybrid ARQ Indicator Channel [0072] PRB Physical Resource
Blocks [0073] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel [0074] PUSCH
Physical Uplink Shared Channel [0075] QPSK Quadrature Phase Shift
Keying [0076] REG Resource Element Group [0077] RNTI Radio Network
Temporary Identifier [0078] RRC Radio Resource Control [0079] SCell
Secondary Cell [0080] SCC Secondary CC [0081] TDD Time Division
Duplexing [0082] TPC Transmit Power Control [0083] UE User
Equipment [0084] UL Uplink [0085] UpPTS Uplink Part of a Special
Subframe [0086] VRB Virtual Resource Blocks
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0087] The foregoing will be apparent from the following more
particular description of the example embodiments, as illustrated
in the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters
refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon illustrating the example embodiments.
[0088] FIG. 1 is an illustrative example of frequency and time
division duplex;
[0089] FIG. 2 is an illustrative example of an uplink/downlink
time/frequency structure for LTE in the case of FDD and TDD;
[0090] FIG. 3 is an illustrative example of the different
uplink/downlink TDD configurations;
[0091] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate an example of PUSCH scheduling
and feedback timing for a configuration 1 and configuration 2 cell,
respectively, without the use of cross carrier scheduling;
[0092] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of control timing scheduling
for a FDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a TDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the TDD based scheduled cell follows a FDD
control timing configuration, according to some of the example
embodiments;
[0093] FIG. 6 illustrates an example control timing scheduling for
a FDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a TDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the TDD based scheduled cell follows its
own control timing configuration, according to some of the example
embodiments;
[0094] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate example control timing scheduling
for a TDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a FDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the FDD based scheduled cell follows the
configuration timing of the TDD based PCell, according to some of
the example embodiments;
[0095] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate example control timing scheduling
for a TDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a FDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the FDD based scheduled cell follows its
own configuration timing, according to some of the example
embodiments;
[0096] FIG. 11 illustrates an example of subframe hierarchy,
according to some of the example embodiments;
[0097] FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate example control timing scheduling
for a TDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a FDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the FDD based scheduled cell follows a
configuration timing of configuration 0 or 6 based on the subframe
hierarchy of FIG. 11, according to some of the example
embodiments;
[0098] FIGS. 14 and 15 illustrate example control timing scheduling
for a TDD based PCell and scheduling cell and a FDD based SCell and
scheduled cell, wherein the FDD based scheduled cell follows a
configuration timing according to revised tables, according to some
of the example embodiments;
[0099] FIG. 16 is an illustrative example of an example base
station configuration, according to some of the example
embodiments;
[0100] FIG. 17 is an illustrative example of a user equipment
configuration, according to some of the example embodiments;
[0101] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram depicting example operations which
may be taken by the base station of FIG. 16, according to some of
the example embodiments; and
[0102] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram depicting example operations which
may be taken by the user equipment of FIG. 17, according to some of
the example embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0103] In the following description, for purposes of explanation
and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as
particular components, elements, techniques, etc. in order to
provide a thorough understanding of the example embodiments.
However, the example embodiments may be practiced in other manners
that depart from these specific details. In other instances,
detailed descriptions of well-known methods and elements are
omitted so as not to obscure the description of the example
embodiments.
[0104] As part of the development of the example embodiments
presented herein, a problem will first be identified and
discussed.
Interband TDD Carrier Aggregation with Different UL-DL
Configurations on Different Carries
[0105] In LTE Release 10, carrier aggregation of TDD cells is
specified with the restriction that the U/D configurations for all
the aggregated cells are identical. The need to allow more flexible
carrier aggregation of TDD cells is to be addressed in Release 11
of LTE.
[0106] The U/D configurations of neighboring cells need to be
compatible to avoid severe interference problems. However, there
are cases where the neighboring cells are operated by different
operators or different wireless systems. The LTE TDD cells adjacent
to those neighboring systems are hence required to adopt certain
compatible U/D configurations. As a result, an operator may have
several TDD cells having different U/D configurations on different
frequencies.
[0107] To solve the HARQ control and A/N feedback timings in
carrier aggregation systems with cells of different UL-DL
configurations, WO2013/025143 and 3GPP TS 36.211 V11.1.0 3rd
Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio
Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access
(E-UTRA); Physical channels and modulation (Release 11), taught
that a user equipment is configured with at least one of two timing
configuration numbers. The first timing configuration number is a
PDSCH HARQ control timing configuration number for determining
PDSCH HARQ A/N timings across all aggregated cells. The second
timing configuration number is a PUSCH control timing configuration
number for determining PUSCH scheduling and the corresponding HARQ
A/N timings on PHICH across all aggregated cells.
[0108] As an example to illustrate the mechanism discussed above,
consider PUSCH A/N feedback timing for a user equipment configured
with carrier aggregation but and self-scheduling with configuration
1 cell and a configuration 2 cell shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B,
respectively. As shown in FIG. 4A, table 3 may be utilized to
determine the UL HARQ control timing for a configuration 1 cell.
Utilizing the n-k calculation, it is determined that such HARQ A/N
feedbacks for PUSCH is transmitted from subframes 2, 3, 7 and 8 to
subframes 6, 9, 1 and 4, respectively. Similarly, for a
configuration 2 cell, utilizing the n-k calculation, FIG. 4B
illustrates HARQ A/N feedbacks for PUSCH are transmitted from
subframes 2 and 7 to subframes 6 and 1, respectively.
[0109] For a user equipment configured with these two serving cells
with cross-carrier scheduling, the UL feedback is changed for the
scheduled cell in some UL/DL configurations to allow more UL
subframes to be scheduled. Examples of such scheduling are provided
in WO2013/025143 and 3GPP TS 36.211 V11.1.0 3rd Generation
Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access
Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA);
Physical channels and modulation (Release 11).
Overview of the Example Embodiments
[0110] In current 3GPP standards, the possibility of a user
equipment being served by an aggregated FDD and TDD carrier
simultaneously is not discussed or addressed. Thus, at least one
example object of the example embodiments presented herein is to
provide mechanisms to provide uplink scheduling and HARQ control
timing for a FDD and TDD carrier aggregated network.
[0111] Therefore, some of the example embodiments presented herein
are directed towards how to allocate the HARQ timing and scheduling
timing for PUSCH transmission, for example, UL HARQ. According to
some of the example embodiments, depending on which if either FDD
or a certain UL/DL configuration for TDD is used, an applicable
reference configuration is selected for the HARQ timing. An
advantage of the example embodiments is the ability to provide a
simple scheme to derive the subframes for the timing of HARQ and
scheduling for TDD and FDD aggregation.
[0112] The applicable scheduling and HARQ timing for a user
equipment performing aggregation between a FDD carrier and a TDD
carrier depends on which of the carriers the scheduling is
performed from. In addition, what impacts the applicable timings
are whether the user equipment is configured with cross-carrier
scheduling or not. The example embodiments are mostly described
from the basis of only aggregation between two carriers although it
is assumed that the aggregation may also be extended to more than
two carriers.
[0113] In this section, the example embodiments will be illustrated
in more detail by a number of examples. It should be noted that
these examples are not mutually exclusive. Components from one
example embodiment may be tacitly assumed to be present in another
embodiment and a person skilled in the art may use any number of
the example embodiments in other example embodiments.
[0114] The example embodiments will be presented as follows. First,
example embodiments directed towards the FDD based cell functioning
as the scheduling cell, as described under the heading "The FDD
based cell as the scheduling cell". Examples of scheduling for a
TDD based SCell and a FDD based PCell are provided under the
subheadings "Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing" and "Scheduled
SCell follows TDD timing".
[0115] Numerous example embodiments are directed towards the TDD
based cell functioning as the scheduling cell as described under
the heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell". Examples
of such scheduling for the FDD based SCell and a TDD based PCell
are provided under the subheadings "Scheduled SCell follows TDD
timing", "Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing", "Scheduled SCell
follows timing according to subframe hierarchy", "FDD SCell
scheduling based on revised tables" and "Cases where the PHICH is
transmitted on the scheduled FDD cell".
[0116] Finally, example node configurations and example node
operations are provided under the subheadings "Example node
configuration" and "Example node operations", respectively. It
should be appreciated that in the example embodiments described
herein, the scheduling cell may be the PCell or a different SCell.
In the example embodiments described herein, it is SCell which is
scheduled (i.e., the scheduled cell).
The FDD Based Cell as the Scheduling Cell
[0117] Scheduled SCell Follows FDD Timing
[0118] According to some of the example embodiments, the HARQ-ACK
for a PUSCH on a scheduled SCell is transmitted from the serving
cell that carried the scheduling PDCCH/ePDCCH. The PUSCH scheduling
and PHICH timings of a TDD SCell shall follow those for the FDD
scheduling cell. Subframes which map toward a DL subframe on the
SCell are excluded from the timing. Such example embodiments are
illustrated in FIG. 5.
[0119] FIG. 5 illustrates a FDD based cell as the primary cell and
the scheduling cell. The secondary cell, which is the scheduled
cell, is a TDD based cell with a configuration of 1. As shown in
FIG. 5, HARQ-ACK for PUSCH is scheduled with a timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH. Thus, uplink subframes 7, 8, 2 and 3
of the TDD based cell are scheduled for HARQ-ACK to subframes 1, 2,
6 and 7, of the FDD based cell, respectively. It should be
appreciated that scheduled HARQ-ACK timings that map to a downlink
subframe on the secondary scheduled TDD based cell are excluded
from feedback.
[0120] Scheduled SCell Follows TDD Timing
[0121] According to some of the example embodiments, the HARQ-ACK
for a PUSCH on the scheduled SCell is transmitted from the
scheduled SCell. The PUSCH scheduling and PHICH timings of a TDD
SCell shall follow its own timings as defined by its own UL/DL
configuration. Such example embodiments are illustrated in FIG.
6.
[0122] FIG. 6 illustrates a FDD based cell as the primary and the
scheduling cell and the secondary and scheduled cell as a TDD based
cell with a configuration of 1. As illustrated, the scheduled cell
follows HARQ-ACK timings according to table 3. Utilizing the n+k
calculation, PUSCH from subframes 7, 8, 2 and 3 are scheduled for
HARQ-ACK in subframes 1, 4, 6 and 9, respectively, in the TDD based
cell.
The TDD Based Call as the Scheduling Cell
[0123] According to some of the example embodiments, the HARQ-ACK
for a PUSCH on the scheduled SCell is transmitted from the serving
cell that carried the scheduling PDCCH/ePDCCH.
[0124] Scheduled SCell Follows TDD Timing
[0125] According to some of the example embodiments, the PUSCH
scheduling and PHICH timings of a FDD SCell shall follow those for
the TDD scheduling cell. Such example embodiments are illustrated
in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.
[0126] FIG. 7 illustrates a FDD based SCell which is also the
scheduled cell. FIG. 7 further illustrates a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 1 which is also the scheduling cell. In FIG. 7,
the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the dashed
lines indicate PHICH timings. For the case of a TDD configuration 1
PCell and a FDD SCell, four SCell UL subframes are to be
schedulable, specifically, subframes 2, 3, 7 and 8. These subframes
are scheduled according to table 3 via the n+k calculation. Thus,
as provided by table 3, HARQ-ACK timings for subframes 2, 3, 7 and
8 of the FDD based SCell are scheduled to subframes 6, 9, 1 and 4,
respectively, of the TDD based PCell.
[0127] FIG. 8 illustrates a FDD based SCell which is also the
scheduled cell. FIG. 8 further illustrates a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 2 which is also the scheduling cell. In FIG. 8,
the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the dashed
lines indicate PHICH timings. For the case of a TDD configuration 2
PCell and a FDD SCell, two SCell UL subframes are schedulable,
specifically, subframes 2 and 7. These subframes are scheduled
according to table 3 via the n+k calculation. Thus, as provided by
table 3, HARQ-ACK timing for subframes 2 and 7 of the FDD based
SCell are scheduled to subframes 8 and 3, respectively, of the TDD
based PCell.
[0128] Scheduled SCell Follows FDD Timing
[0129] According to some of the example embodiments, the PUSCH
scheduling and PHICH timings of a FDD SCell shall follow its own
timings. Specifically, the FDD SCell shall be scheduled with a
timing value of 4 for all subframes for a PUSCH. It should be
appreciated that FDD scheduling which maps to downlink subframes in
the TDD based cell are excluded from PUSCH timing.
[0130] FIG. 9 provides an illustrative example of such an
embodiment. In FIG. 9, the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling
timings and the dashed lines indicate PHICH timings. As shown in
FIG. 9, a TDD based PCell, which is functioning as the scheduling
cell, with a configuration of 1 is aggregated with a FDD based
SCell, which is functioning as the scheduled cell. In such a
configuration, two SCell UL subframes may be scheduled,
specifically, subframes 0 and 5. Therefore, utilizing the timing
value of 4 for all subframes, the PHICH for subframes 0 and 5 of
the FDD based SCell are scheduled to subframes 4 and 9 of the TDD
based PCell. It should be appreciated that utilizing this example
embodiment, a HARQ-ACK scheduling of the FDD based cell subframe 3
is not possible as the PHICH for subframe 3 would be scheduled to
subframe 7 of the TDD based cell, which is an UL cell.
[0131] FIG. 10 provides another illustrative example of PUSCH
scheduling and PHICH timings in which a FDD SCell follows its own
timing. In FIG. 10, the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling
timings and the dashed lines indicate PHICH timings. As shown in
FIG. 10, a TDD based PCell, which is functioning as the scheduling
cell, with a configuration of 2 is aggregated with a FDD based
SCell, which is functioning as the scheduled cell. In such a
configuration, six SCell UL subframes may be scheduled,
specifically, subframes 4, 5, 7, 9, 0 and 2. Therefore, utilizing
the timing value of 4 for all subframes, subframes 4, 5, 7, 9, 0
and 2 of the FDD based SCell are scheduled to subframes 8, 9, 1, 3,
4 and 6 of the TDD based PCell. It should be appreciated that
utilizing this example embodiment, a HARQ-ACK scheduling of the FDD
based cell subframe 3 is not possible as subframe 3 would be
scheduled to subframe 7 of the TDD based cell, which is an UL
cell.
[0132] Scheduled SCell Follows Timing According to Subframe
Hierarchy
[0133] According to some of the example embodiments, the choice of
which configuration the SCell shall use for determining HARQ
control timing is based on a subframe hierarchy, as illustrated in
FIG. 11. It should be appreciated that the hierarchical ordering of
FIG. 11 is further described in WO2013/025143.
[0134] The subframe hierarchy may be designed with the following
principles:
[0135] (1) The UL subframes in a TDD configuration are also UL
subframes in those TDD configurations that can be corrected with
upward arrows.
[0136] For example, subframes 2 and 3 are UL subframes in
configuration 4. These two subframes are also UL in configurations
3, 1, 6 and 0, all of which can be connected from configuration 4
with upward arrows. As a second example, subframes 2 and 7 are UL
subframes in configuration 2. These two subframes are not both UL
in configuration 3 because there is no upward arrow connecting the
two configurations.
[0137] (2) The DL subframes in a TDD configuration are also DL
subframes in those TDD configurations that can be corrected with
downward arrows.
[0138] For example, subframe 0, 1, 5, 6 and 9 are DL subframes in
configuration 6. These five subframes are also DL in configurations
1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, all of which can be connected from configuration
6 with downward arrows. As a second example, subframe 7 is a DL
subframe in configuration 3 but not a DL subframe in configuration
2 because there is no downward arrow connecting the two
configurations.
[0139] With these design properties, the subframe hierarchy may
provide the following utility:
[0140] (1) Given a set of TDD configurations to be aggregated, a
TDD configuration that can be connected from all of the given TDD
configurations with upward arrows has the following two properties:
[0141] The TDD configuration comprises UL subframes that are a
superset of all UL subframes from all given TDD configurations.
[0142] The TDD configuration comprises DL subframes that are
available in all given TDD configurations.
[0143] Given the subframe hierarchy described above, according to
some of the example embodiments, the PUSCH scheduling and PHICH
timings of a FDD SCell shall follow those defined for a UL/DL
configuration 0 TDD cell. Alternatively, UL/DL configuration 6
could be used. The advantage of this example embodiment is that six
(or alternatively five) UL subframes on the FDD SCell may always be
scheduled. However, one example drawback may be that the PUSCH
round trip time for the FDD SCell may become greater than 10
ms.
[0144] FIG. 12 illustrates an example of FDD SCell scheduling based
on the subframe hierarchy as illustrated in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12,
the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the dashed
lines indicate PHICH timings. As shown in FIG. 12, the FDD based
SCell, which functions as the scheduled cell, is aggregated with a
TDD based PCell with a configuration of 1, which functions as the
scheduling cell. As illustrated, the FDD SCell provides HARQ-ACK
timing via configuration 0 as provided in table 3. Thus, using the
n+k calculation, subframes 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 of the FDD based
SCell provide HARQ-ACK feedback to subframes 6, 0, 0, 1, 5 and 5,
respectively, of the TDD based PCell.
[0145] FIG. 13 illustrates another example of FDD SCell scheduling
based on the subframe hierarchy as illustrated in FIG. 11. In FIG.
13, the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the
dashed lines indicate PHICH timings. As shown in FIG. 13, the FDD
based SCell, which functions as the scheduled cell, is aggregated
with a TDD based PCell with a configuration of 2, which functions
as the scheduling cell. As illustrated, the FDD SCell provides
HARQ-ACK timing via configuration 0 as provided in table 3. Thus,
using the n+k calculation, subframes 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, and 9 of the
FDD based SCell provide HARQ-ACK feedback to subframes 6, 0, 0, 1,
5 and 5, respectively, of the TDD based PCell.
[0146] FDD SCell Scheduling Based on Revised Tables
[0147] According to some of the example embodiments FDD based
SCells may be scheduled with the use of revised tables. Such
revised tables may be provided with the use of a combination of the
above explained embodiments.
[0148] Thus, according to some of the example embodiments, the
PUSCH scheduling and PHICH timings of a FDD SCell shall follow: (1)
UL/DL configuration 1 as the UL timing reference configuration if
the UL/DL configuration of the scheduling TDD cell is 2, 4 or 5;
and (2) UL/DL configuration of the scheduling cell as the UL timing
reference configuration if the UL/DL configuration of the
scheduling TDD cell is 0, 1, 3 or 6. The power control of the PUSCH
transmitted on the scheduled FDD Scell shall incorporate the
transmit power control command transmitted within the scheduling
DCI according to the above defined UL timing reference
configuration.
[0149] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configurations
1-6 cell and normal HARQ operation, the user equipment shall upon
detection of a PDCCH/ePDCCH with uplink DCI format and/or a PHICH
transmission in subframe n intended for the user equipment, adjust
the corresponding PUSCH transmission in subframe n+k, with k given
in Table 5.
[0150] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 0
cell and normal HARQ operation, the user equipment shall upon
detection of a PDCCH/ePDCCH with uplink DCI format and/or a PHICH
transmission in subframe n intended for the user equipment, adjust
the corresponding PUSCH transmission in subframe n+k if the MSB of
the UL index in the PDCCH/EPDCCH with uplink DCI format is set to 1
or PHICH is received in subframe n=0 or 5 in the resource
corresponding to I.sub.PHICH=0 with k given in Table 5. If the LSB
of the UL index in the DCI format 0/4 is set to 1 in subframe n or
a PHICH is received in subframe n=0 or 5 in the resource
corresponding to I.sub.PHICH=1 or PHICH is received in subframe n=1
or 6, the user equipment shall adjust the corresponding PUSCH
transmission in subframe n+7. If both the MSB and LSB of the UL
index in the PDCCH/ePDCCH with uplink DCI format are set in
subframe n, the user equipment shall adjust the corresponding PUSCH
transmission in both subframes n+k and n+7, with k given in Table
5.
TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Effective k for a FDD Scell scheduled from a
TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe number n
scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 6 4 6 1 6 4 6 4 2 6 4 6 4 3
4 4 4 4 6 4 6 4 5 6 4 6 4 6 7 7 7 7 5
[0151] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 1-6
cell, an HARQ-ACK received on the PHICH assigned to a user
equipment in subframe i is associated with the PUSCH transmission
in the subframe i-k as indicated by the following Table 6.
[0152] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 0
cell, an HARQ-ACK received on the PHICH in the resource
corresponding to I .sub.PHICH=0, assigned to a user equipment in
subframe i is associated with the PUSCH transmission in the
subframe i-k as indicated by the following Table 6. An HARQ-ACK
received on the PHICH in the resource corresponding to
I.sub.PHICH=1 assigned to a user equipment in subframe i is
associated with the PUSCH transmission in the subframe i-6.
TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Effective k for HARQ-ACK for a FDD Scell
received from the PHICH on a TDD scheduling cell TDD UL/DL
Configuration of the subframe number i scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 0 7 4 7 4 1 4 6 4 6 2 4 6 4 6 3 6 6 6 4 4 6 4 6 5 4 6 4 6 6
6 4 7 4 6
[0153] For PUSCH transmissions transmitted on a FDD serving cell
and scheduled from a TDD serving cell c in subframe n, the user
equipment shall determine the corresponding PHICH resource of
serving cell c in subframe n+k.sub.PHICH, where k.sub.PHICH is
given in Table 7.
[0154] It is further given if there is no PHICH resource available
in the determined subframe, the user equipment should generate a
local HARQ-ACK for the PHICH transmission. It is further given that
a retransmission of an HARQ process would occur if the user
equipment in such a scenario would receive an UL grant that
indicates a retransmission occasion.
TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 7 Effective k.sub.PHICH for a FDD Scell
scheduled from a TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe
index n scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 7 6 4 7 6 1 4 6 4 6
2 4 6 4 6 3 6 6 6 4 4 6 4 6 5 4 6 4 6 6 4 6 6 4 7
[0155] Within the downlink control information (DCI) transmitted to
the user equipment via PDCCH/EPDCCH for scheduling PUSCH, there is
a transmit power control (TPC) command. For a PUSCH transmission at
subframe i on a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD cell, the TPC
command from subframe i-K.sub.PUSCH should be incorporated, where
K.sub.PUSCH is given in Table 8.
TABLE-US-00008 TABLE 8 Effective K.sub.PUSCH for a FDD Scell
scheduled from a TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe
number i scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 -- -- 6 7 4 -- -- 6
7 4 1 -- -- 6 4 -- -- -- 6 4 -- 2 -- -- 6 4 -- -- -- 6 4 -- 3 -- --
4 4 4 -- -- -- -- -- 4 -- -- 6 4 -- -- -- 6 4 -- 5 -- -- 6 4 -- --
-- 6 4 -- 6 -- -- 7 7 5 -- -- 7 7 --
[0156] Cases Where the PHICH is Transmitted on the Scheduled FDD
Cell
[0157] In this setup, the HARQ-ACK for a PUSCH on the scheduled
SCell is transmitted on the scheduled cell. According to some of
the example embodiments, the PUSCH scheduling and PHICH timings of
a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD cell shall follow: (1) UL/DL
configuration 0 as the UL timing reference configuration if the
UL/DL configuration of the scheduling TDD cell is 0; and (2) FDD
PUSCH scheduling and PHICH timings if the UL/DL configuration of
the scheduling TDD cell is 1-6. The power control of the PUSCH
transmitted on the scheduled FDD Scell shall incorporate the
transmit power control command transmitted within the scheduling
DCI according to the FDD serving cell timing.
[0158] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configurations
1-6 cell and normal HARQ operation, the user equipment shall upon
detection of a PDCCH/EPDCCH with uplink DCI format and/or a PHICH
transmission in subframe n intended for the user equipment, adjust
the corresponding PUSCH transmission in subframe n+k, with k given
in Table 9.
[0159] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 0
cell and normal HARQ operation, the user equipment shall upon
detection of a PDCCH/EPDCCH with uplink DCI format and/or a PHICH
transmission in subframe n intended for the user equipment, adjust
the corresponding PUSCH transmission in subframe n+k if the MSB of
the UL index in the PDCCH/EPDCCH with uplink DCI format is set to 1
or PHICH is received in subframe n=0 or 5 in the resource
corresponding to I.sub.PHICH=0 with k given in Table 9. If the LSB
of the UL index in the DCI format 0/4 is set to 1 in subframe n or
a PHICH is received in subframe n=0 or 5 in the resource
corresponding to I.sub.PHICH=1 or PHICH is received in subframe n=1
or 6, the user equipment shall adjust the corresponding PUSCH
transmission in subframe n+7. If both the MSB and LSB of the UL
index in the PDCCH/EPDCCH with uplink DCI format are set in
subframe n, the user equipment shall adjust the corresponding PUSCH
transmission in both subframes n+k and n+7, with k given in Table
9.
TABLE-US-00009 TABLE 9 Effective k for a FDD Scell scheduled from a
TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe number n
scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 6 4 6 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 4
4 4 4 4
[0160] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 1-6
cell, an HARQ-ACK received on the PHICH assigned to a UE in
subframe i is associated with the PUSCH transmission in the
subframe i-k as indicated by the following Table 10.
[0161] For a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD UL/DL configuration 0
cell, an HARQ-ACK received on the PHICH in the resource
corresponding to I.sub.PHICH=0, assigned to a user equipment in
subframe i is associated with the PUSCH transmission in the
subframe i-k as indicated by the following Table 10. An HARQ-ACK
received on the PHICH in the resource corresponding to
I.sub.PHICH=1 assigned to a user equipment in subframe i is
associated with the PUSCH transmission in the subframe i-6.
TABLE-US-00010 TABLE 10 Effective k for HARQ-ACK for a FDD Scell
received from the PHICH on a TDD scheduling cell TDD UL/DL
Configuration of the subframe number i scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 0 7 4 7 4 1 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 4
[0162] For PUSCH transmissions transmitted on a FDD serving cell
and scheduled from a TDD serving cell c in subframe n, the user
equipment shall determine the corresponding PHICH resource of
serving cell c in subframe n+k.sub.PHICH, where k.sub.PHICH is
given in Table 11.
TABLE-US-00011 TABLE 11 Effective k.sub.PHICH for a FDD SCell
scheduled from a TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe
index n scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 4 7 6 4 7 6 1 4 4 4 4
4 4 2 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4
4 4 4 4 6 4 4 4 4 4
[0163] Within the downlink control information (DCI) transmitted to
the user equipment via PDCCH/EPDCCH for scheduling PUSCH, there is
a transmit power control (TPC) command. For a PUSCH transmission at
subframe i on a FDD SCell scheduled from a TDD cell, the TPC
command from subframe i-K.sub.PUSCH should be incorporated, where
I.sub.PUSCH is given in Table 12.
TABLE-US-00012 TABLE 12 Effective K.sub.PUSCH for a FDD SCell
scheduled from a TDD cell TDD UL/DL Configuration of the subframe
number i scheduling cell 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 -- -- 6 7 4 -- -- 6
7 4 1 4 -- -- 4 4 4 -- -- 4 4 2 4 -- 4 4 4 4 -- 4 4 4 3 4 4 4 4 4 4
-- -- -- 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 -- -- 4 4 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 -- 4 4 4 6 4 -- --
4 4 4 -- -- -- 4
[0164] FIG. 14 is an illustrative example of FDD based SCell
scheduling based on the revised tables presented above. In FIG. 14,
the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the dashed
lines indicate PHICH timings. As illustrated in FIG. 14, a FDD
based SCell, which functions as the scheduled cell, is aggregated
with a TDD based PCell with a configuration number of 1, which
functions as the scheduling cell. In the example embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 14, table 11 is used to determine the HARQ-ACK
feedback timing. Thus, utilizing the n+k calculation of table 11,
subframes 4, 5, 8, 9, 0 and 3 of the FDD based scheduled cell are
scheduled to subframes 8, 9, 2, 3, 4 and 7, respectively, of the
FDD based scheduled cell.
[0165] FIG. 15 is an illustrative another example of FDD based
SCell scheduling based on the revised tables presented above. In
FIG. 15, the solid lines indicate PUSCH scheduling timings and the
dashed lines indicate PHICH timings. As illustrated in FIG. 15, a
FDD based SCell, which functions as the scheduled cell, is
aggregated with a TDD based PCell with a configuration number of 2,
which functions as the scheduling cell. In the example embodiment
presented in FIG. 15, table 11 is used to determine the HARQ-ACK
feedback timing. Thus, utilizing the n+k calculation of table 11,
subframes 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 0, 1 and 2 of the FDD based scheduled cell
are scheduled to subframes 8, 9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, respectively,
of the FDD based scheduled cell.
Example Node Configurations
[0166] FIG. 16 illustrates an example node configuration of a base
station 401 which may perform some of the example embodiments
described herein. The base station 401 may comprise radio circuitry
or a communication port 410 that may be configured to receive
and/or transmit communication data, instructions, and/or messages.
It should be appreciated that the radio circuitry or communication
port 410 may comprise any number of transceiving, receiving, and/or
transmitting units or circuitry. It should further be appreciated
that the radio circuitry or communication port 410 may be in the
form of any input or output communications port known in the art.
The radio circuitry or communication port 410 may comprise RF
circuitry and baseband processing circuitry (not shown).
[0167] The base station 401 may also comprise a processing unit or
circuitry 420 which may be configured to implement HARQ-ACK control
timing as described herein. The processing circuitry 420 may be any
suitable type of computation unit, for example, a microprocessor,
digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable gate array
(FPGA), or application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or any
other form of circuitry. The base station 401 may further comprise
a memory unit or circuitry 430 which may be any suitable type of
computer readable memory and may be of volatile and/or non-volatile
type. The memory 430 may be configured to store received,
transmitted, and/or measured data, device parameters, communication
priorities, and/or executable program instructions, e.g.,
scheduling instructions. The memory 430 may also be configured to
store any form of configuration tables as described herein.
[0168] FIG. 17 illustrates an example node configuration of a user
equipment 501 which may perform some of the example embodiments
described herein. The user equipment 501 may comprise radio
circuitry or a communication port 510 that may be configured to
receive and/or transmit communication data, instructions, and/or
messages. It should be appreciated that the radio circuitry or
communication port 510 may comprise any number of transceiving,
receiving, and/or transmitting units or circuitry. It should
further be appreciated that the radio circuitry or communication
port 510 may be in the form of any input or output communications
port known in the art. The radio circuitry or communication port
510 may comprise RF circuitry and baseband processing circuitry
(not shown).
[0169] The user equipment 501 may also comprise a processing unit
or circuitry 520 which may be configured to implement HARQ-ACK
control timing, as described herein. The processing circuitry 520
may be any suitable type of computation unit, for example, a
microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), field programmable
gate array (FPGA), or application specific integrated circuit
(ASIC), or any other form of circuitry. The user equipment 501 may
further comprise a memory unit or circuitry 530 which may be any
suitable type of computer readable memory and may be of volatile
and/or non-volatile type. The memory 530 may be configured to store
received, transmitted, and/or measured data, device parameters,
communication priorities, and/or executable program instructions,
e.g., scheduling instructions. The memory 530 may also be
configured to store any form of configuration tables as described
herein.
Example Node Operations
[0170] FIG. 18 is a flow diagram depicting example operations which
may be performed by the base station 401 as described herein to
implement HARQ-ACK control timing, as described herein. It should
be appreciated that FIG. 18 comprises some operations which are
illustrated with a solid border and some operations which are
illustrated with a dashed border. The operations which are
comprised in a solid border are operations which are comprised in
the broadest example embodiment. The operations which are comprised
in a dashed border are example embodiments which may be comprised
in, or a part of, or are further operations which may be performed
in addition to the operations of the broader example embodiments.
It should be appreciated that these operations need not be
performed in order. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not
all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations
may be performed in any order and in any combination.
[0171] The example operations of FIG. 18 describe a base station,
and corresponding method, for determining a control timing
configuration. The control timing configuration provides a subframe
timing setting for configuration PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving a user equipment in a multiple cell
communications network. The user equipment is served by a TDD based
cell and a FDD based cell.
[0172] Operation 10
[0173] The base station 401 is configured to determine a control
timing configuration for a secondary cell. The secondary cell is
one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell. The determination
of the control timing configuration is based on a type of the
scheduling cell. The type of the scheduling cell is either FDD or
TDD. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to determine the
control timing configuration for the secondary cell.
[0174] Example Operation 12
[0175] According to some of the example embodiments, the
determining 10 may further comprise determining 12 the control
timing configuration to comprise a transmission timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH, where downlink subframes of the
scheduling cell which map to downlink subframes of the secondary
cell are excluded from PUSCH timing. The processing circuitry 420
is configured to determine the control timing configuration to
comprise a transmission timing value of 4 for all subframes for a
PUSCH, where downlink subframes of the scheduling cell which map to
downlink subframes of the secondary cell are excluded from PUSCH
timing.
[0176] According to some of the example embodiments, in example
operation 12, the secondary cell may be either the FDD based cell
or the TDD based cell. Furthermore, the scheduling cell may be the
TDD based cell or the FDD based cell.
[0177] An example of operation 12 is provided under at least the
heading "The FDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing", as well as FIG. 5. As shown
in FIG. 5, the TDD based SCell follows FDD timing, specifically, a
timing value of 4 is utilized for all subframes for a PUSCH.
[0178] A further example of operation 12 is provided under the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing", as well as FIGS. 9 and 10. As
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the FDD based SCell follows its own
timing, specifically, a timing value of 4 is utilized for all
subframes for a PUSCH.
[0179] Example Operation 14
[0180] According to some of the example embodiments, the
determining 10 may further comprise determining 14 the control
timing configuration to be equivalent to a TDD configuration of the
TDD based cell. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be equivalent to a
TDD configuration of the TDD based cell.
[0181] According to some of the example embodiments, in example
operation 14, the secondary cell may be either the FDD based cell
or the TDD based cell. Furthermore, the scheduling cell may be the
TDD based cell or the FDD based cell.
[0182] An example of operation 14 is provided under at least the
heading "The FDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows TDD timing", as well as FIG. 6. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, a TDD based SCell follows its own
configuration. Thus, in the example provided in FIG. 6, the TDD
based SCell follows control timing according to configuration 1,
which is the configuration of the TDD based SCell.
[0183] A further example of operation 14 is provided under at least
the heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and
subheading "Scheduled SCell follows TDD timing", as well as FIGS. 7
and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the FDD based SCell follows the control
timing according to the configuration of the TDD based PCell, which
functions as the scheduling cell. Specifically, the FDD based SCell
follows the control timing according to configuration 1, which is
the configuration of the TDD based PCell. Similarly, in FIG. 8, the
FDD based SCell follows control timing according to configuration
2, which is the configuration of the scheduling TDD based
PCell.
[0184] Example Operation 16
[0185] According to some of the example embodiments, the secondary
cell is the FDD based cell and the scheduling cell is the TDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the determining 10
further comprises determining 16 the control timing configuration
to be equivalent to a configuration number of 0 or 6. The
processing circuitry 420 is configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be equivalent to a configuration number of
0 or 6.
[0186] Example operation 16 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and the
subheading "Scheduled SCell follows timing according to subframe
hierarchy" and FIGS. 12 and 13. According to some of the example
embodiments, scheduling based on a subframe hierarchy provides that
either a configuration of 0 or 6 is chosen for scheduling the FDD
based SCell. It should be appreciated that the choice of a
configuration number of 0 or 6 is provided with respect to a
subframe hierarchy as explained in FIG. 11.
[0187] As shown in FIG. 12, a FDD based SCell, functioning as the
scheduled cell, is aggregated with a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 1, functioning as the scheduling cell. In the
example provided in FIG. 12, the FDD based SCell is scheduled with
a configuration of 0 as provided by the subframe hierarchy of FIG.
11.
[0188] FIG. 13 illustrates a FDD based SCell, functioning as the
scheduled cell, is aggregated with a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 2, functioning as the scheduling cell. In the
example provided in FIG. 13, the FDD based SCell is scheduled with
a configuration of 0 as provided by the subframe hierarchy of FIG.
11.
[0189] Example Operation 18
[0190] According to some of the example embodiments, the scheduling
cell is the TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the determining 10 may
further comprise determining 18 the control timing configuration to
be configuration number 1 if a configuration number of the
scheduling cell is 2, 4 or 5. The processing circuitry 420 is
configure to determine the control timing configuration to be
configuration number 1 if a configuration number of the scheduling
cell is 2, 4 or 5.
[0191] Example operation 18 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"FDD SCell scheduling based on revised tables" as well as tables
5-8. As illustrated in tables 5-8, for configurations 2, 4 and 5,
the k values of configuration 1 have been provided from tables 1-4,
respectively. All other configurations of tables 5-8 comprise the
normal configurations as provided in tables 1-4, respectively.
Thus, tables 5-8 are revised tables.
[0192] Example Operation 20
[0193] According to some of the example embodiments, the operation
of determining 10 and the example operation of determining 18 may
further comprise, if the configuration number of the scheduling
cell is not 2, 4 or 5, determining 20 the control timing
configuration to be equivalent to the configuration number of the
scheduling cell. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be equivalent to the
configuration number of the scheduling cell.
[0194] Example operation 20 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"FDD SCell scheduling based on revised tables" as well as tables
5-8. As illustrated in tables 5-8, for configurations 2, 4 and 5,
the k values of configuration 1 have been provided from tables 1-4,
respectively. All other configurations of tables 5-8 comprise the
normal configurations as provided in tables 1-4, respectively.
Thus, tables 5-8 are revised tables.
[0195] Example Operation 22
[0196] According to some of the example embodiments the scheduling
cell is the TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the HARQ-ACK is
transmitted on the secondary cell. Accordingly, the determining 10
may further comprise determining 22 the control timing
configuration to be configuration number 0 if the configuration of
the scheduling cell is 0. The processing circuitry 420 is
configured determine the control timing configuration to be
configuration number 0 if the configuration of the scheduling cell
is 0.
[0197] Example operation 22 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Cases where the PHICH is transmitted on the scheduled FDD cell" as
well as tables 9-12. As illustrated in tables 9-12, for
configuration 0, the k values of configuration 0 have been provided
from tables 1-4, respectively. All other configurations of tables
9-12 comprise FDD timing values, specifically a timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH. It should be appreciated that the
tables for configurations 1-6 are constructed in order to exclude
downlink subframes of the FDD based cell to map to uplink subframes
of the TDD based PCell (e.g., the scheduling cell). Thus, tables
9-12 are revised tables.
[0198] Example Operation 24
[0199] According to some of the example embodiments, the operation
of determining 10 and the example operation of determining 22
further comprise, if the configuration number of the scheduling
cell is not 0, determining 24 the control timing configuration to
be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4 for a subframe in which a
corresponding TDD subframe, for a same configuration number, is a
downlink subframe. The processing circuitry 420 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be a HARQ-ACK
feedback timing value of 4 for a subframe in which a corresponding
TDD subframe, for a same configuration number, is a downlink
subframe.
[0200] Example operation 24 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Cases where the PHICH is transmitted on the scheduled FDD cell" as
well as tables 9-12. As illustrated in tables 9-12, for
configuration 0, the k values of configuration 0 have been provided
from tables 1-4, respectively. All other configurations of tables
9-12 comprise FDD timing values, specifically a timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH. It should be appreciated that the
tables for configurations 1-6 are constructed in order to exclude
downlink subframes of the FDD based cell to map to uplink subframes
of the TDD based PCell (e.g., the scheduling cell). Thus, tables
9-12 are revised tables.
[0201] Operation 26
[0202] The base station is further configured to implement the
control timing configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment. The processing
circuitry 420 is configured to implement the control timing
configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a
cell serving the user equipment.
[0203] Example Operation 28
[0204] According to some of the example embodiments, the base
station may be further configured to send, to the user equipment,
the implemented control timing configuration via RRC signalling.
The radio circuitry 410 is configured to send, to the user
equipment, the implement control timing configuration via RRC
signalling.
[0205] FIG. 19 is a flow diagram depicting example operations which
may be performed by the user equipment 501 as described herein to
implement HARQ-ACK control timing, as described herein. It should
be appreciated that FIG. 19 comprises some operations which are
illustrated with a solid border and some operations which are
illustrated with a dashed border. The operations which are
comprised in a solid border are operations which are comprised in
the broadest example embodiment. The operations which are comprised
in a dashed border are example embodiments which may be comprised
in, or a part of, or are further operations which may be performed
in addition to the operations of the broader example embodiments.
It should be appreciated that these operations need not be
performed in order. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that not
all of the operations need to be performed. The example operations
may be performed in any order and in any combination.
[0206] The example operations of FIG. 19 describe a user equipment,
and corresponding method, for determining a control timing
configuration. The control timing configuration provides a subframe
timing setting for configuration PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving a user equipment in a multiple cell
communications network. The user equipment is served by a TDD based
cell and a FDD based cell.
[0207] Operation 30
[0208] The user equipment 501 is configured to determine a control
timing configuration for a secondary cell. The secondary cell is
one of the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell. The determination
of the control timing configuration is based on a type of the
scheduling cell. The type of the scheduling cell is either FDD or
TDD. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the
control timing configuration for the secondary cell.
[0209] Example Operation 32
[0210] According to some of the example embodiments, the
determining 30 may further comprise determining 32 the control
timing configuration to comprise a transmission timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH, where downlink subframes of the
scheduling cell which map to downlink subframes of the secondary
cell are excluded form PUSCH timing. The processing circuitry 520
is configured to determine the control timing configuration to
comprise a transmission timing value of 4 for all subframes for a
PUSCH, where downlink subframes of the scheduling cell which map to
downlink subframes of the secondary cell are excluded from PUSCH
timing.
[0211] According to some of the example embodiments, according to
example operation 32, the secondary cell may be either the FDD
based cell or the TDD based cell. Furthermore, the scheduling cell
may be the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell.
[0212] An example of operation 32 is provided under at least the
heading "The FDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing", as well as FIG. 5. As shown
in FIG. 5, the TDD based SCell follows FDD timing, specifically, a
timing value of 4 is utilized for all subframes for a PUSCH.
[0213] A further example of operation 32 is provided under the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows FDD timing", as well as FIGS. 9 and 10. As
illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the FDD based SCell follows its own
timing, specifically, a timing value of 4 is utilized for all
subframes for a PUSCH.
[0214] Example Operation 34
[0215] According to some of the example embodiments, the
determining 30 may further comprise determining 34 the control
timing configuration to be equivalent to a TDD configuration of the
TDD based cell. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be equivalent to a
TDD configuration of the TDD based cell.
[0216] According to some of the example embodiments, according to
example operation 34, the secondary cell may be either the FDD
based cell or the TDD based cell. Furthermore, the scheduling cell
may be the TDD based cell or the FDD based cell.
[0217] An example of operation 34 is provided under at least the
heading "The FDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Scheduled SCell follows TDD timing", as well as FIG. 6. As
illustrated in FIG. 6, a TDD based SCell follows its own
configuration. Thus, in the example provided in FIG. 6, the TDD
based SCell follows control timing according to configuration 1,
which is the configuration of the TDD based SCell.
[0218] A further example of operation 34 is provided under at least
the heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and
subheading "Scheduled SCell follows TDD timing", as well as FIGS. 7
and 8. As shown in FIG. 7, the FDD based SCell follows the control
timing according to the configuration of the TDD based PCell, which
functions as the scheduling cell. Specifically, the FDD based SCell
follows the control timing according to configuration 1, which is
the configuration of the TDD based PCell. Similarly, in FIG. 8, the
FDD based SCell follows control timing according to configuration
2, which is the configuration of the scheduling TDD based
PCell.
[0219] Example Operation 36
[0220] According to some of the example embodiments, the secondary
cell is the FDD based cell and the scheduling cell is the TDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the determining 30
further comprises determining 36 the control timing configuration
to be equivalent to a configuration number of 0 or 6. The
processing circuitry 520 is configured to determine the control
timing configuration to be equivalent to a configuration number of
0 or 6.
[0221] Example operation 36 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and the
subheading "Scheduled SCell follows timing according to subframe
hierarchy" and FIGS. 12 and 13. According to some of the example
embodiments, scheduling based on a subframe hierarchy provides that
either a configuration of 0 or 6 is chosen for scheduling the FDD
based SCell. It should be appreciated that the choice of a
configuration number of 0 or 6 is provided with respect to a
subframe hierarchy as explained in FIG. 11.
[0222] As shown in FIG. 12, a FDD based SCell, functioning as the
scheduled cell, is aggregated with a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 1, functioning as the scheduling cell. In the
example provided in FIG. 12, the FDD based SCell is scheduled with
a configuration of 0 as provided by the subframe hierarchy of FIG.
11.
[0223] FIG. 13 illustrates a FDD based SCell, functioning as the
scheduled cell, is aggregated with a TDD based PCell with a
configuration of 2, functioning as the scheduling cell. In the
example provided in FIG. 13, the FDD based SCell is scheduled with
a configuration of5 0 as provided by the subframe hierarchy of FIG.
11.
[0224] Example Operation 38
[0225] According to some of the example embodiments, the scheduling
cell is the TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the determining 30 may
further comprise determining 38 the control timing configuration to
be configuration number 1 if a configuration number of the
scheduling cell is 2, 4 or 5. The processing circuitry 520 is
configured to determine the control timing configuration to be
configuration number 1 if a configuration number of the scheduling
cell is 2, 4 or 5.
[0226] Example operation 38 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"FDD SCell scheduling based on revised tables" as well as tables
5-8. As illustrated in tables 5-8, for configurations 2, 4 and 5,
the k values of configuration 1 have been provided from tables 1-4,
respectively. All other configurations of tables 5-8 comprise the
normal configurations as provided in tables 1-4, respectively.
Thus, tables 5-8 are revised tables.
[0227] Example Operation 40
[0228] According to some of the example embodiments, the operation
of determining 30 and the example operation of determining 38 may
further comprise, if the configuration number of the scheduling
cell is not 2, 4 or 5, determining 40 the control timing
configuration to be equivalent to the configuration number of the
scheduling cell. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be equivalent to the
configuration number of the scheduling cell.
[0229] Example operation 40 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"FDD SCell scheduling based on revised tables" as well as tables
5-8. As illustrated in tables 5-8, for configurations 2, 4 and 5,
the k values of configuration 1 have been provided from tables 1-4,
respectively. All other configurations of tables 5-8 comprise the
normal configurations as provided in tables 1-4, respectively.
Thus, tables 5-8 are revised tables.
[0230] Example Operation 42
[0231] According to some of the example embodiments the scheduling
cell is the TDD based cell and the secondary cell is the FDD based
cell. According to such example embodiments, the HARQ-ACK is
transmitted on the secondary cell. Accordingly, the determining 30
may further comprise determining 42 the control timing
configuration to be configuration number 0 if the configuration of
the scheduling cell is 0. The processing circuitry 520 is
configured determine the control timing configuration to be
configuration number 0 if the configuration of the scheduling cell
is 0.
[0232] Example operation 42 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Cases where the PHICH is transmitted on the scheduled FDD cell" as
well as tables 9-12. As illustrated in tables 9-12, for
configuration 0, the k values of configuration 0 have been provided
from tables 1-4, respectively. All other configurations of tables
9-12 comprise FDD timing values, specifically a timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH. It should be appreciated that the
tables for configurations 1-6 are constructed in order to exclude
downlink subframes of the FDD based cell to map to uplink subframes
of the TDD based PCell (e.g., the scheduling cell). Thus, tables
9-12 are revised tables.
[0233] Example Operation 44
[0234] According to some of the example embodiments, the operation
of determining 30 and the example operation of determining 42
further comprise, if the configuration number of the scheduling
cell is not 0, determining 44 the control timing configuration to
be a HARQ-ACK feedback timing value of 4 for a subframe in which a
corresponding TDD subframe, for a same configuration number, is a
downlink subframe. The processing circuitry 520 is configured to
determine the control timing configuration to be a HARQ-ACK
feedback timing value of 4 for a subframe in which a corresponding
TDD subframe, for a same configuration number, is a downlink
subframe.
[0235] Example operation 44 is further described under at least the
heading "The TDD based cell as the scheduling cell" and subheading
"Cases where the PHICH is transmitted on the scheduled FDD cell" as
well as tables 9-12. As illustrated in tables 9-12, for
configuration 0, the k values of configuration 0 have been provided
from tables 1-4, respectively. All other configurations of tables
9-12 comprise FDD timing values, specifically a timing value of 4
for all subframes for a PUSCH. It should be appreciated that the
tables for configurations 1-6 are constructed in order to exclude
downlink subframes of the FDD based cell to map to uplink subframes
of the TDD based PCell (e.g., the scheduling cell). Thus, tables
9-12 are revised tables.
[0236] Example Operation 46
[0237] According to some of the example embodiments, the
determining 30 may further comprise receiving, from the base
station, the control timing configuration via RRC signalling. The
radio circuitry 510 is configured to receive, from the base
station, the control timing configuration via RRC signalling.
[0238] Operation 48
[0239] The user equipment is further configured to implement 48 the
control timing configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control
timing for a cell serving the user equipment. The processing
circuitry 520 is configured to implement the control timing
configuration for PUSCH and uplink HARQ-ACK control timing for a
cell serving the user equipment.
[0240] It should be noted that although terminology from 3GPP LTE
has been used herein to explain the example embodiments, this
should not be seen as limiting the scope of the example embodiments
to only the aforementioned system. Other wireless systems,
comprising HSPA, WCDMA, WiMax, UMB, WiFi and GSM, may also benefit
from the example embodiments disclosed herein.
[0241] The description of the example embodiments provided herein
have been presented for purposes of illustration. The description
is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit example embodiments to
the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are
possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from
practice of various alternatives to the provided embodiments. The
examples discussed herein were chosen and described in order to
explain the principles and the nature of various example
embodiments and its practical application to enable one skilled in
the art to utilize the example embodiments in various manners and
with various modifications as are suited to the particular use
contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may
be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatuses,
modules, systems, and computer program products. It should be
appreciated that the example embodiments presented herein may be
practiced in any combination with each other.
[0242] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not
necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than
those listed and the words "a" or "an" preceding an element do not
exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should
further be noted that any reference signs do not limit the scope of
the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at
least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that
several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the
same item of hardware.
[0243] Also note that terminology such as user equipment should be
considered as non-limiting. A wireless terminal or user equipment
(UE) as the term is used herein, is to be broadly interpreted to
comprise a radiotelephone having ability for Internet/intranet
access, web browser, organizer, calendar, a camera, e.g., video
and/or still image camera, a sound recorder, e.g., a microphone,
and/or global positioning system (GPS) receiver; a personal
communications system (PCS) user equipment that may combine a
cellular radiotelephone with data processing; a personal digital
assistant (PDA) that can comprise a radiotelephone or wireless
communication system; a laptop; a camera, e.g., video and/or still
image camera, having communication ability; and any other
computation or communication device capable of transceiving, such
as a personal computer, a home entertainment system, a television,
etc. It should be appreciated that the term user equipment may also
comprise any number of connected devices, wireless terminals or
machine-to-machine devices.
[0244] It should further be appreciated that the term dual
connectivity should not be limited to a user equipment or wireless
terminal being connected to only two base stations. In dual
connectivity a wireless terminal may be connected to any number of
base stations.
[0245] The various example embodiments described herein are
described in the general context of method steps or processes,
which may be implemented in one aspect by a computer program
product, embodied in a computer-readable medium, comprising
computer-executable instructions, such as program code, executed by
computers in networked environments. A computer-readable medium may
comprise removable and non-removable storage devices comprising,
but not limited to, Read Only Memory (ROM), Random Access Memory
(RAM), compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVD), etc.
Generally, program modules may comprise routines, programs,
objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular
tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
Computer-executable instructions, associated data structures, and
program modules represent examples of program code for executing
steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequence of
such executable instructions or associated data structures
represents examples of corresponding acts for implementing the
functions described in such steps or processes.
[0246] In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed
exemplary embodiments. However, many variations and modifications
can be made to these embodiments. Accordingly, although specific
terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive
sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *