Secondary cell activation and change procedure

Abstract

The invention relates to a secondary cell activation and change procedure. Aspects of apparatuses, systems, and methods for secondary cell group (SCG) addition are provided. A wireless device may establish communication with a first base station included in a primary cell group (MCG). The wireless device may receive, from the first base station, signaling that configures a second base station in a secondary cell group (SCG). The wireless device may establish communication with the second base station based on the signaling received from the first base station. At a first time, the wireless device may set the second base station to be in a deactivated state based on the signaling from the first base station that configures the second base station or establishes communication with the second base station. At a later time, the wireless device may set the second base station in an active state and communicate with the first base station and the second base station.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with application date of January 12, 2021, application number 202180089667.1, and titled "Secondary Cell Activation and Change Process". Technical Field

[0002] The present application relates to wireless devices, including apparatus, systems and methods for secondary cell activation and change procedures. Background Art

[0003] The use of wireless communication systems is growing rapidly. Wireless devices, especially wireless user equipment devices (UE), have become widespread. In addition, there are various applications (or applications) hosted on user devices that perform or rely on wireless communication, such as applications that provide messaging, email, browsing, video streaming, short videos, voice streaming, real-time games or other various online services.

[0004] Increased reliability in these communication systems is desirable. Summary of the invention

[0005]

[0013] Aspects of apparatus, systems, and methods for secondary cell group (SCG) addition are provided herein.

[0006] The wireless device may establish communication with a first base station included in a master cell group (MCG). The wireless device may receive signaling from the first base station to configure a second base station in a secondary cell group (SCG). The wireless device may establish communication with the second base station based on the signaling received from the first base station. At a first time, the wireless device may set the second base station to be in a deactivated state based on signaling from the first base station to configure the second base station or to establish communication with the second base station. At a later time, the wireless device may set the second base station to be in an activated state and communicate with the first base station and the second base station.

[0007] The wireless device may establish communication with a first base station included in a master cell group (MCG). The wireless device may receive signaling from the first base station to configure a second base station in a secondary cell group (SCG). The signaling from the base station may indicate a deactivated state of the second base station. At a first time, the wireless device may set the second base station to be in a deactivated state based on signaling from the first base station to configure the second base station. At a later time, the wireless device may set the second base station to be in an activated state and establish communication with the second base station based on signaling received from the first base station. Therefore, the wireless device may communicate with the first base station and the second base station in response to setting the second base station to be in an activated state.

[0008] In some aspects, the non-transitory memory medium may include program instructions executable by the UE, which, when executed, cause the UE to perform at least a portion or all of the above operations. In some aspects, the method performed by the UE may include the UE performing the above operations. In some aspects, the method performed by the base station or network element may include the base station or network element performing the corresponding operations.

[0009] This disclosure is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the topics described in this document. Therefore, it should be understood that the above features are only examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or essence of the topics described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the topics described herein will become apparent through the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A better understanding of the various aspects disclosed herein may be obtained when the following detailed description is considered in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

[0011] Figure 1 An exemplary wireless communication system according to some aspects is shown;

[0012] Figure 2 A base station (BS) in communication with a user equipment (UE) device is shown according to some aspects;

[0013] Figure 3 An exemplary block diagram of a UE according to some aspects is shown;

[0014] Figure 4 An exemplary block diagram of a BS according to some aspects is shown;

[0015] Figure 5 An exemplary block diagram of a cellular communication circuit according to some aspects is shown;

[0016] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An example of a 5G NR base station (gNB) according to some aspects is shown;

[0017] Figure 8 An exemplary wireless network in communication with a UE according to some aspects is shown;

[0018] Fig. 9 is a diagram illustrating exemplary cell coverage scenarios for macro cells and small cells according to some aspects; and

[0019] Figures 10 to 16 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary method for secondary cell group activation and change procedures according to some aspects.

[0020] Although the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific aspects thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, their purpose is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternative forms falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] Acronyms

[0022] The following acronyms are used in this patent application:

[0023] UE: User Equipment

[0024] BS: Base Station

[0025] ENB: eNodeB (base station)

[0026] LTE: Long Term Evolution

[0027] UMTS: Universal Mobile Telecommunications System

[0028] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0029] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0030] E-UTRAN: Evolved UMTS Terrestrial RAN

[0031] CN: Core Network

[0032] EPC: Evolved Packet Core

[0033] MME: Mobility Management Entity

[0034] HSS: Home Subscriber Server

[0035] SGW: Serving Gateway

[0036] PS: Packet Switching

[0037] CS: Circuit Switched

[0038] EPS: Evolved Packet Switching System

[0039] RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0040] IE: Information Element

[0041] QoS: Quality of Service

[0042] QoE: Quality of Experience

[0043] TFT: Business Flow Template

[0044] RSVP: Resource Reservation Protocol

[0045] API: Application Programming Interface

[0046] the term

[0047] The following is a glossary of terms used in this patent application:

[0048] Memory medium—any of the various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term "memory medium" is intended to include installation media, such as CD-ROM, floppy disk 104, or tape devices; computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory, magnetic media, for example, hard disk drives or optical storage devices; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may also include other types of memory or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer that executes a program, or may be located in a different second computer that is connected to the first computer via a network such as the Internet. In the latter case, the second computer may provide program instructions for execution to the first computer. The term "memory medium" may include two or more memory media that may reside in different locations, such as different computers connected via a network.

[0049] Computer System—Any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), a mainframe computer system, a workstation, a network appliance, an Internet appliance, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a television system, a grid computing system, or other devices or combinations of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.

[0050] User Equipment (UE) (or "UE device") - any of various types of computer systems or devices that are mobile or portable and that perform wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smart phones, tablets, portable gaming devices, wearable devices (e.g., smart watches, smart glasses), laptops, PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, other handheld devices, automobiles and / or motor vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) (e.g., drones), UAV controllers (UACs), etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to cover any electronic device, computing device, and / or telecommunication device (or combination of these devices) that is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.

[0051] Processing element - refers to various elements or combinations of elements that are capable of performing functions in a device such as user equipment or cellular network equipment. Processing elements may include, for example, processors and associated memory, portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, processor arrays, circuits such as ASICs (application specific integrated circuits), programmable hardware elements such as field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and any of the above combinations.

[0052] Figure 1 and Figure 2 —Communications systems

[0053] Figure 1 A simplified exemplary wireless communication system according to some aspects is shown. Note that Figure 1 The system is only one example of possible systems, and features of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of systems as desired.

[0054] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes a base station 102, which communicates with one or more user equipment 106A, user equipment 106B, etc. to user equipment 106N through a transmission medium. Each user equipment may be referred to as a "user equipment" (UE) in this article. Therefore, user equipment 106 is referred to as UE or UE device.

[0055] Base station (BS) 102 may be a base transceiver station (BTS) or a cell site ("cellular base station"), and may include hardware that enables wireless communications with UEs 106A-106N.

[0056] The communication area (or coverage area) of a base station may be referred to as a "cell". The base station 102 and the UE 106 may be configured to communicate over a transmission medium using any of a variety of radio access technologies (RATs), also referred to as wireless communication technologies or telecommunication standards, such as GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, Advanced LTE (LTE-A), 5G New Radio (5G NR), 6G, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), and the like. Note that if the base station 102 is implemented in the context of LTE, it may alternatively be referred to as an "eNodeB" or "eNB". Note that if the base station 102 is implemented in the context of 5G NR, it may alternatively be referred to as a "gNodeB" or "gNB".

[0057] As shown, base station 102 may also be configured to communicate with network 100 (e.g., a core network of a cellular service provider, a telecommunications network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and / or the Internet, among other possibilities). Thus, base station 102 may facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. In particular, cellular base station 102 may provide UE 106 with various telecommunication capabilities such as voice, short message service (SMS), and / or data services.

[0058] Base station 102 and other similar base stations operating according to the same or different cellular communication standards may thus provide a network of cells that can provide continuous or nearly continuous overlapping service to UEs 106A-106N and similar devices over a geographic area via one or more cellular communication standards.

[0059] Thus, although base station 102 may function as Figure 1 106A-106N, but each UE 106 may also be able to receive signals from (and possibly be within communication range of) one or more other cells (possibly provided by other base stations 102B-102N), which may be referred to as "neighboring cells". Such cells may also be able to facilitate communications between user devices and / or between user devices and network 100. Such cells may include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or cells of any various other granularity of service area size. Other configurations are also possible.

[0060] In some aspects, base station 102 may be a next generation base station, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5GNR) base station or "gNB". In some aspects, a gNB may be connected to a legacy Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and / or to an NR Core (NRC) network. In addition, a gNB cell may include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). In addition, a UE capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR may be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0061] It should be noted that the UE 106 is capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (associated with, for example, WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interface), LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.), the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using wireless networking (e.g., Wi-Fi) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi peer-to-peer, etc.). If desired, the UE 106 can also or alternatively be configured to communicate using one or more global navigation satellite systems (GNSS, such as GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television broadcast standards (e.g., Advanced Television Systems Committee—Mobile / Handheld (ATSC-M / H)), and / or any other wireless communication protocol. Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0062] Figure 2 A user equipment 106 (eg, one of devices 106A-106N) is shown in accordance with some aspects in communication with base station 102. UE 106 may be a device with cellular communication capabilities such as a mobile phone, handheld device, computer or tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0063] The UE 106 may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in a memory. The UE 106 may perform any of the method aspects described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or in addition, the UE 106 may include a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) configured to perform any of the method aspects described herein or any portion of any of the method aspects described herein.

[0064] UE 106 may include one or more antennas for communicating using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some aspects, UE 106 may be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) or LTE using a single shared radio component and / or GSM or LTE using a single shared radio component. The shared radio component may be coupled to a single antenna, or may be coupled to multiple antennas (e.g., for multiple input, multiple output or "multiple input multiple output" (MIMO) antenna systems) for performing wireless communications. Typically, the radio component may include any combination of a baseband processor, an analog radio frequency (RF) signal processing circuit (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, amplifiers, etc.), or a digital processing circuit (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing). Similarly, the radio component may use the aforementioned hardware to implement one or more receive chains and transmit chains. For example, UE 106 may share one or more portions of a receive chain and / or transmit chain between multiple wireless communication technologies such as those discussed above.

[0065] In some aspects, UE 106 may include any number of antennas and may be configured to use the antennas to transmit and / or receive directional wireless signals (e.g., beams). Similarly, BS 102 may also include any number of antennas and may be configured to use the antennas to transmit and / or receive directional wireless signals (e.g., beams). In order to receive and / or transmit such directional signals, the antennas of UE 106 and / or BS 102 may be configured to apply different "weights" to different antennas. The process of applying these different weights may be referred to as "precoding".

[0066] In some aspects, the UE 106 may include a separate transmit chain and / or receive chain (e.g., including separate antennas and other radio components) for each wireless communication protocol with which it is configured to communicate. As another possibility, the UE 106 may include one or more radio components shared between multiple wireless communication protocols, and one or more radio components used uniquely by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 may include a shared radio component for communicating using either LTE or 5G NR (or LTE or 1xRTT, or LTE or GSM), and a separate radio component for communicating using each of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible.

[0067] Figure 3 —UE block diagram

[0068] Figure 3 1 shows an exemplary simplified block diagram of a communication device 106 according to some aspects. Note that Figure 3The block diagram of the communication device is only an example of a possible communication device. According to various aspects, the communication device 106 can be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, a notebook or a portable computing device), a tablet computer and / or a combination of devices, in addition to other devices. As shown, the communication device 106 may include a group of components 300 configured to perform core functions. For example, the group of components may be implemented as a system on a chip (SOC), which may include parts for various purposes. Alternatively, the group of components 300 may be implemented as a separate component or group of components for various purposes. This group of components 300 may be coupled to various other circuits of the communication device 106 (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly).

[0069] For example, the communication device 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), input / output interfaces such as a connector I / F 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; a docking station; a charging station; an input device such as a microphone, a camera, a keyboard; an output device such as a speaker; etc.), a display 360 that may be integrated with the communication device 106 or external to the communication device 106, and cellular communication circuits 330 such as for 5G NR, LTE, GSM, etc., and short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuits 329 (e.g., Bluetooth TM In some aspects, the communication device 106 may include wired communication circuitry (not shown), such as, for example, a network interface card for Ethernet.

[0070] Cellular communication circuitry 330 may be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 335 and 336 as shown. Short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may also be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337 and 338 as shown. Alternatively, short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 may be (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to antennas 335 and 336 in addition to or in lieu of being (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to antennas 337 and 338. Short-range to medium-range wireless communication circuitry 329 and / or cellular communication circuitry 330 may include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, such as in a multiple-input-multiple-output (MIMO) configuration.

[0071] In some aspects, as further described below, the cellular communication circuit system 330 may include dedicated receive chains (including and / or, for example, communicatively, directly or indirectly coupled to a dedicated processor and / or radio component) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). In addition, in some aspects, the cellular communication circuit system 330 may include a single transmit chain that can switch between radio components dedicated to specific RATs. For example, a first radio component may be dedicated to a first RAT, such as LTE, and may communicate with a dedicated receive chain and a transmit chain shared with an additional radio component, such as a second radio component that may be dedicated to a second RAT (e.g., 5G NR) and may communicate with the dedicated receive chain and the shared transmit chain.

[0072] The communication device 106 may also include and / or be configured for use with one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include various elements such as a display 360 (which may be a touch screen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or may be implemented as part of a touch screen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or speakers, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of a variety of other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0073] The communication device 106 may also include one or more smart cards 345 having SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) functionality, such as one or more UICC cards (one or more Universal Integrated Circuit Cards) 345 .

[0074] As shown, the SOC 300 may include a processor 302 that may execute program instructions for the communication device 106 and a display circuit 304 that may perform graphics processing and provide display signals to a display 360. The processor 302 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 340 (which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 302 and convert those addresses to locations in a memory (e.g., memory 306, read-only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310)) and / or to other circuits or devices (such as display circuit 304, short-range wireless communication circuit 229, cellular communication circuit 330, connector I / F 320, and / or display 360). The MMU 340 may be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some aspects, the MMU 340 may be included as part of the processor 302.

[0075] As described above, the communication device 106 may be configured to communicate using wireless and / or wired communication circuits. The communication device 106 may be configured to transmit a request to attach to a first network node operating according to a first RAT and to transmit an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining a substantially concurrent connection with the first network node and a second network node operating according to a second RAT. The wireless device may also be configured to transmit a request to attach to a second network node. The request may include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining a substantially concurrent connection with the first and second network nodes. In addition, the wireless device may be configured to receive an indication that a dual connection (DC) has been established with the first and second network nodes.

[0076] As described herein, the communication device 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing features of using multiplexing to perform transmissions according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier (e.g., and / or multi-frequency carriers) and various other technologies described herein. The processor 302 of the communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 340, 345, 350, 360, the processor 302 of the communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0077] In addition, as described in the present invention, processor 302 may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processor 302 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processor 302. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuits (e.g., first circuits, second circuits, etc.) configured to perform the functions of one or more processors 302.

[0078] In addition, as described in the present invention, the cellular communication circuit 330 and the short-range wireless communication circuit 329 may each include one or more processing elements and / or processors. In other words, one or more processing elements / processors may be included in the cellular communication circuit 330, and similarly, one or more processing elements / processors may be included in the short-range wireless communication circuit 329. Therefore, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 330. In addition, each integrated circuit may include a circuit (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication circuit 330. Similarly, the short-range wireless communication circuit 329 may include one or more ICs configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication circuit 329. In addition, each integrated circuit may include a circuit (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication circuit 329.

[0079] Figure 4 —Block diagram of a base station

[0080] Figure 4 1 shows an exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to some aspects. Note that Figure 4 The base station of is only one example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 may include a processor 404 that may execute program instructions for the base station 102. The processor 404 may also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440 or other circuit or device, which may be configured to receive addresses from the processor 404 and convert these addresses to locations in memory (e.g., memory 460 and read-only memory (ROM) 450).

[0081] Base station 102 may include at least one network port 470. Network port 470 may be configured to couple to a telephone network and provide access to the telephone network described above. Figure 1 and Figure 2 Multiple devices of the telephone network described in, such as UE device 106.

[0082] The network port 470 (or an additional network port) may also or alternatively be configured to couple to a cellular network, such as a core network of a cellular service provider. The core network may provide mobility-related services and / or other services to multiple devices, such as the UE device 106. In some cases, the network port 470 may be coupled to a telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network may provide a telephone network (e.g., in other UE devices served by the cellular service provider).

[0083] In some aspects, base station 102 may be a next generation base station, e.g., a 5G New Radio (5GNR) base station or "gNB". In such aspects, base station 102 may be connected to a legacy Evolved Packet Core (EPC) network and / or to an NR Core (NRC) network. Furthermore, base station 102 may be considered a 5G NR cell and may include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Furthermore, a UE capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR may be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0084] The base station 102 may include at least one antenna 434 and possibly multiple antennas. The radio component 430 and the at least one antenna 434 may be configured to function as a wireless transceiver and may be further configured to communicate with the UE device 106. The antenna 434 may communicate with the radio component 430 via a communication chain 432. The communication chain 432 may be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. The radio component 430 may be configured to communicate via various wireless communication standards, including but not limited to 5G NR, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, Wi-Fi, etc.

[0085] Base station 102 may be configured to perform wireless communications using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, base station 102 may include multiple radios that enable base station 102 to communicate according to multiple wireless communication technologies. For example, as one possibility, base station 102 may include an LTE radio component for performing communications according to LTE and a 5G NR radio component for performing communications according to 5GNR. In this case, base station 102 may be able to operate as both an LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. As another possibility, base station 102 may include a multimode radio component capable of performing communications according to any one of multiple wireless communication technologies (e.g., 5GNR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.).

[0086] As further described later herein, BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting a specific implementation of the features described herein. The processor 404 of the base station 102 may be configured to implement or support a specific implementation of part or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the processor 404 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) or a combination thereof. Alternatively (or in addition thereto), in combination with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470, the processor 404 of the base station 102 may be configured to implement or support a part or all of the implementation of the features described herein.

[0087] In addition, as described herein, the one or more processors 404 may include one or more processing elements. Thus, the processor 404 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the processor 404. In addition, each integrated circuit may include circuits (e.g., first circuits, second circuits, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the one or more processors 404.

[0088] In addition, as described herein, radio 430 may include one or more processing elements. Thus, radio 430 may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of radio 430. In addition, each integrated circuit may include a circuit (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of radio 430.

[0089] Figure 5 —Block diagram of cellular communication circuit

[0090] Figure 5 An exemplary simplified block diagram of a cellular communication circuit according to some aspects is shown. Note that Figure 5 The block diagram of the cellular communication circuitry of is only one example of possible cellular communication circuitry; other circuitry, such as circuitry that includes or is coupled to sufficient antennas for different RATs to perform uplink activities using separate antennas, is also possible. According to various aspects, the cellular communication circuitry 330 may be included in a communication device such as the communication device 106 described above. As described above, the communication device 106 may be a user equipment (UE) device, a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet computer, and / or a combination of devices, among other devices.

[0091] Cellular communication circuitry 330 may be (eg, communicatively; directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more antennas, such as ( Figure 3 335a-335b and 336 as shown in FIG. 336. In some aspects, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include dedicated receive chains (including and / or, for example, communicatively, directly or indirectly coupled to a dedicated processor and / or radio component) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). For example, Figure 5 As shown, the cellular communication circuit 330 may include a modem 510 and a modem 520. The modem 510 may be configured for communication according to a first RAT (e.g., such as LTE or LTE-A), and the modem 520 may be configured for communication according to a second RAT (e.g., such as 5GNR).

[0092] As shown, the modem 510 may include one or more processors 512 and a memory 516 in communication with the processor 512. The modem 510 may communicate with a radio frequency (RF) front end 530. The RF front end 530 may include circuits for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the RF front end 530 may include a receiving circuit (RX) 532 and a transmitting circuit (TX) 534. In some aspects, the receiving circuit 532 may communicate with a downlink (DL) front end 550, which may include circuits for receiving radio signals via an antenna 335a.

[0093] Similarly, the modem 520 may include one or more processors 522 and a memory 526 in communication with the processor 522. The modem 520 may be in communication with the RF front end 540. The RF front end 540 may include circuits for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the RF front end 540 may include a receiving circuit 542 and a transmitting circuit 544. In some aspects, the receiving circuit 542 may be in communication with the DL front end 560, which may include circuits for receiving radio signals via the antenna 335b.

[0094] In some aspects, the switch 570 may couple the transmit circuit 534 to an uplink (UL) front end 572. In addition, the switch 570 may couple the transmit circuit 544 to the UL front end 572. The UL front end 572 may include circuitry for transmitting radio signals via the antenna 336. Thus, when the cellular communication circuit 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuit 534 and the UL front end 572) supported by the modem 510, the switch 570 may be switched to a first state that allows the modem 510 to transmit signals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuit 534 and the UL front end 572). Similarly, when the cellular communication circuit 330 receives an instruction to transmit according to a second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuit 544 and the UL front end 572) supported by the modem 520, the switch 570 may be switched to a second state that allows the modem 520 to transmit signals according to the second RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain including the transmit circuit 544 and the UL front end 572).

[0095] In some aspects, the cellular communication circuit 330 may be configured to: transmit, via the first modem, a request to attach to a first network node operating according to a first RAT when the switch is in the first state; and transmit, via the first modem, an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining a substantially concurrent connection with the first network node and a second network node operating according to a second RAT when the switch is in the first state. The wireless device may also be configured to transmit, via the second radio component, a request to attach to the second network node when the switch is in the second state. The request may include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining a substantially concurrent connection with the first and second network nodes. In addition, the wireless device may be configured to receive, via the first radio component, an indication that a dual connection with the first and second network nodes has been established.

[0096] As described herein, the modem 510 may include hardware and software components for implementing features of using multiplexing to perform transmissions according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier and various other technologies described herein. The processor 512 may be configured to implement part or all of the features described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 512 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or in addition), in combination with one or more of the other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, the processor 512 may be configured to implement part or all of the feature parts described herein.

[0097] In some aspects, processors 512, 522, etc. may be configured to implement or support a specific implementation of part or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, processors 512, 522, etc. may be configured as programmable hardware elements such as field programmable gate arrays or as application-specific integrated circuits or a combination thereof. In addition, as described in the present invention, processors 512, 522, etc. may include one or more processing elements. Therefore, processors 512, 522, etc. may include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of processors 512, 522, etc. In addition, each integrated circuit may include a circuit (e.g., a first circuit, a second circuit, etc.) configured to perform the functions of processors 512, 522, etc.

[0098] As described herein, the modem 520 may include hardware and software components for implementing the use of multiplexing to perform transmissions according to multiple radio access technologies in the same frequency carrier and various other technologies described herein. For example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (e.g., a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium), the processor 522 may be configured to implement part or all of the feature parts described herein. Alternatively (or in addition), the processor 522 may be configured as a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array), or as an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit). Alternatively (or additionally), in combination with one or more of the other components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335, and 336, the processor 522 may be configured to implement part or all of the feature parts described herein.

[0099] Figure 6 to Figure 7 —5G NR architecture

[0100] In some implementations, fifth generation (5G) wireless communications will initially be deployed in parallel with other wireless communications standards (e.g., LTE). Figure 6 6 shows a possible standalone (SA) implementation of a Next Generation Core (NGC) network 606 and a 5G NR base station (e.g., gNB 604), dual connectivity between LTE and 5G New Radio (5G NR or NR), such as according to Figure 7 The exemplary non-standalone (NSA) architecture shown has been specified as part of the initial deployment of NR. Figure 7As shown, the evolved packet core (EPC) network 600 may continue to communicate with the current LTE base station (e.g., eNB 602). In addition, the eNB 602 may communicate with the 5G NR base station (e.g., gNB 604), and data may be transferred between the EPC network 600 and the gNB 604. In some cases, the gNB 604 may also have at least a user plane reference point with the EPC network 600. Thus, the EPC network 600 may be used (or reused), and the gNB 604 may serve as additional capacity for the user equipment, for example, to provide increased downlink throughput for the UE. In other words, LTE may be used for control plane signaling, and NR may be used for user plane signaling. Thus, LTE may be used to establish a connection with the network, and NR may be used for data services. It should be understood that many other non-independent architecture variants are possible.

[0101] Figure 8 —Wireless communication system

[0102] Figure 8 An example simplified portion of a wireless communication system is shown. A UE 106 may communicate with a wireless network (e.g., a radio access network (RAN)), which may include one or more base stations (BS) 102 and may provide a connection to a core network (CN) 100 (such as an evolved packet core (EPC)). The base station 102 may be an eNodeB and / or a gNB (e.g., a 5G or NR base station) or other type of base station. The UE 106 may communicate with the base station 102 wirelessly. The base station 102 may in turn be coupled to the core network 100. As shown, the CN 100 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 322, a home subscriber server (HSS) 324, and a serving gateway (SGW) 326. The CN 100 may also include various other devices well known to those skilled in the art.

[0103] The operations described herein as being performed by a wireless network may be performed by Figure 8 The operations described herein as being performed by one or more of the network devices shown, such as the base station 102 or the CN 100, and / or one or more of the MME 322, HSS 324, or SGW 326 in the CN 100, and other possible devices. The operations performed by a radio access network (RAN) may be performed, for example, by the base station 102, or by other components of the RAN that may be used to connect the UE and the CN.

[0104] Fig. 9 —Example Cellular Environment

[0105] Fig. 9An exemplary cellular environment is shown in which multiple UEs are within range of a macro cell or LTE cell (e.g., which may be part of a master cell group (MCG)). Within the macro cell, multiple smaller cells (e.g., 5G or NR cells) may be used to provide connectivity to the UEs. The smaller cells may be secondary cells or part of a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0106] When a UE is configured with an SCG, the UE may maintain connections with both the MCG and the SCG. For example, for the MCG, the primary cell (PCell) may always be activated. In the SCG, the primary secondary cell (PSCell) may be activated or deactivated. In some aspects, the PSCell may be always activated (e.g., the SCG may always be in an activated state), and therefore, the UE may always support simultaneous reception and transmission in the MCG and the SCG. However, in other aspects, the state of the PSCell may change, for example, based on signaling between the network and the UE.

[0107] Figures 10 to 11B —Exemplary SCG Addition and Change Process

[0108] Fig.10 , Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Exemplary flow charts of SCG addition and change processes that may be applied in an “always activated” aspect are shown, although they may also be used in aspects where the state of the SCG and / or PSCell may change, for example between deactivation and activation or vice versa, as described in various aspects of this document. Fig.10 An exemplary secondary node addition process may be provided. Fig.11A and Fig. 11B An exemplary SN change (eg, MN initiated) procedure may be provided.

[0109] Figures 10 to 15Aspects of the method may be implemented by a wireless device such as UE 106, which communicates with a network via one or more base stations (e.g., BS 102) as shown in the drawings and described with respect to the drawings, or more generally, as needed, in combination with any of the computer systems or devices shown in the drawings and other circuits, systems, devices, elements or components shown in the drawings and other devices. For example, one or more processors (or processing elements) of the UE (e.g., processor 302, baseband processor, processor associated with communication circuits, etc., and various possibilities) may cause the UE to perform some or all of the method elements shown. For example, one or more processors (or processing elements) of the BS (e.g., processor 404, baseband processor, processor associated with communication circuits, etc.) may cause the UE to perform some or all of the method elements shown. It should be noted that although at least some elements of the method are described in a manner involving the use of communication technologies and / or features associated with 3GPP specification documents, such description is not intended to limit the present disclosure, and aspects of the method may be used in any suitable wireless communication system as needed. In various aspects, some of the method elements shown may be performed simultaneously in a different order than shown, may be replaced by other method elements, or may be omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as needed. As shown, the method may operate as follows.

[0110] In 1012, the master node (MN) 1004 may provide an SgNB (Secondary gNB) Add Request to a secondary node (SN) for communicating with the UE 1002. In 1014, the SN 1006 may provide an SgNB Add Request Acknowledge message to the MN 1004. Accordingly, in 1016, the MN 1004 may provide an RRCConnectionReconfiguration indicating the addition of the SN 1006 to the SCG to the UE 1002 (e.g., using reconfigurationWithSync in secondaryCellGroup when establishing an RLC bearer in the SCG). In 1018, the UE 1002 may transmit an RRCConnectionReconfigurationComplete to the MN 1004, which in turn may provide an SgNB Reconfiguration Complete message to the SN 1006 in 1020.

[0111] In one aspect, if the communication between the UE and the network is configured with a bearer requiring SCG radio resources (e.g., using a reconfigurationWithSync configuration), a random access channel (RACH) procedure may be used between the UE and the SN 1006. Thus, in 1022, the UE may trigger a RACH procedure for the newly configured secondary node (SN) PSCell. In the event of a RACH failure (e.g., a timer failure associated with the RACH, such as a T304 failure), the UE may trigger an SCG failure procedure.

[0112] In some aspects, after RACH is completed, for example, if reconfigurationWithSync is included in the spCellConfig of the MCG or SCG, and when the MAC of the NR cell group successfully completes the RACH process triggered above, the UE may stop timer T304 for the cell group; if running, stop timer T310 for the source SPCell; apply the portion of the CSI report configuration, scheduling request configuration, and sounding RS configuration that does not require the UE to know the SFN of the corresponding target SPCell (if any); and / or when acquiring the SFN of the target SPCell, apply the portion of the measurement and radio resource configuration that requires the UE to know the SFN of the corresponding target SPCell (e.g., measurement gaps, periodic CQI reports, scheduling request configuration, sounding RS configuration) (if any).

[0113] In some aspects, upon receiving the RRCReconfigurationComplete message for SCG addition / change and the UE successfully accesses the SCG via the RACH procedure, the network may consider the SCG addition / change procedure to be successfully completed, and perform SN state transfer in 1024 and perform data forwarding in 1026.

[0114] In 1036, a path update procedure may be performed, which may include an ERAP modification indication 1028 from the MN 1004 to the MME 1010, a bearer modification 1030 between the SGW 1008 and the MME 1010, an end marker packet 1032 between the MN 1004, the SN 1006 and the SGW 1008, and / or an ERAP modification confirmation from the SGW 1008 to the MN 1004.

[0115] Fig.11A and Fig. 11B Similar to Fig.10, but may correspond to an SN change procedure (e.g., MN initiated). As shown, in 1114, MN 1104 may send an SgNB add request to TSN (target SN) 1108. In 1116, TSN 1108 may provide SgNB add request confirmation to MN 1104. In 1118, MN 1104 may provide a release request to SSN (source SN) 1106, and in 1120, SSN 1106 may provide a confirmation back to MN 1104.

[0116] In 1122, MN 1104 may provide an RRCConnectionReconfiguration (e.g., a “zoom-out” reconfiguration) to UE 1102. UE 1102 may provide an RRCConnectionReconfigurationResponse to MN 1104 in 1124, and MN 1104 may provide an SgNBReconfigurationComplete message to TSN 1108 in 1126.

[0117] Therefore, in 1128, UE 1102 may perform a RACH procedure with TSN 1108. Thereafter, in 1130, SSN 1106 may provide an SN state transfer message to MN 1104. Therefore, in 1132, MN 1104 may provide an SN state transfer message to TSN 1108.

[0118] In 1134, data forwarding may be configured between the MN 1104, the SSN 1106, the TSN 1108, and the SGW 1110. In 1136, a secondary RAT data usage report message may be transmitted from the SSN 1106 to the MN 1104. In 1138, the MN 1104 may provide an ERAB modification indication to the MME 1112. In 1140, a bearer modification may occur between the SGW 1110 and the MME 1112. In 1142, end marker packets 1142 may be exchanged between the MN 1104, the SSN 1106, and the TSN 11108. In 1144, a new path indication may be provided from the SGW 1110 and the TSN 1108. In 1146, the SGW 1110 may provide an ERAB modification confirmation message to the UE 1102. Finally, in 1148, MN 1104 may provide UE context release to SSN 1106.

[0119] Figures 12 to 16 —Exemplary SCG Addition and Change Process

[0120] Figures 12 to 16An exemplary flow chart of an SCG addition and change process is shown, which may be applicable to aspects where the state of an SCG and / or PSCell may change between, for example, deactivation and activation or vice versa, but they may also be applicable to aspects where the state of an SCG and / or PSCell is always active, as described above in various aspects. Although these figures are described separately, the various descriptions may be applicable to different aspects of this document. For example, Fig.12 The description also applies to Figures 13 to 16 , Fig.13 The description applies to Fig.12 as well as Figures 14 to 16 Etc. In addition, all of these descriptions may apply to other figures or aspects associated with other figures.

[0121] In some aspects, upon SCG (e.g., PSCell) addition / change, RRC recovery, or UE handover, the cellular network (e.g., MN) may configure the SCG state (e.g., initial SCG state) to be deactivated.

[0122] However, when the SCG is configured to be in a deactivated state, UE operation may not include PDCCH monitoring, UL / DL data transmission, SRS transmission and / or SCG SCell activation, depending on the aspect or specific implementation. Therefore, the various aspects described herein may address how to configure the state change of the SCG (PSCell) after being deactivated. These aspects may be applicable to SCG / PSCell addition or change, RRC recovery and / or handover, and other possible scenarios. In addition, these aspects may be particularly applicable if the network configures reconfigurationWithSync in the secondaryCellGroup when adding / changing SCG / PSCell, RRC recovery and handover.

[0123] Although many aspects herein are described with respect to SCG addition / change (e.g., involving an MCG base station adding or configuring an SCG while maintaining its connection with a UE), they may also be applicable to other embodiments. For example, a source MN may provide an SCG addition / change as part of a handover process to a target MN. Thus, after the handover, the UE may communicate with the new SCG and the target MN as part of the MCG (rather than the source MN). Thus, all aspects described herein (e.g., including Figures 12 to 16 ) may be applicable to handover and aspects in which the MN remains the same. In addition, these aspects may also be applicable to situations involving a handover from a source SN to a target SN, such as regarding Fig.11A and Fig. 11B These aspects may also be applicable to situations where there is a handover from a source MN to a target MN and from a source SN to a target SN.

[0124] Fig.12 An exemplary aspect is shown in which the SCG may be configured to be in a deactivated state upon successful completion of a RACH. For example, the network may set the initial SCG state to deactivated in an initial configuration message (e.g., an RRC message) to the UE. Thus, the UE may perform a RACH procedure on the PSCell and set the SCG to be in a deactivated state upon successful completion of the RACH procedure.

[0125] In more detail, in 1208, MN 1204 may provide signaling to UE 1202 indicating the addition of SN 1206. For example, MN 1204 may provide an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 1202. The RRC reconfiguration message may indicate (e.g., explicitly): SCG addition, reconfigurationWithSync (RACH), and / or initial SCG deactivation state. Separately (and before, after, or simultaneously with 1208), MN 1204 and SN 1206 may perform an SCG addition procedure.

[0126] In 1212, UE 1202 may provide a response to the configuration of SN 1206 to MN 1204, for example, in an RRCReconfiguration Complete message. Thus, in 1214, MN 1204 may provide a confirmation of the SN addition, for example, via an SN Reconfiguration Complete message.

[0127] In 1216 , UE 1202 may perform a RACH procedure with SN 1206 .

[0128] During a first time period until the RACH procedure is completed, the SCG and / or PSCell may be configured to be in an activated state regardless of the indication of the SCG state from the MN (in this case, deactivated). During this first time period, the UE may apply the SCG configuration, perform the RACH procedure, and / or deliver an SCG reconfiguration complete message via an MCG RRC message.

[0129] During a second time period after the RACH procedure, the UE may apply the SCG configuration, set the SCG state to deactivated (based on an indication from the MN), and apply deactivated state UE behavior including a timer.

[0130] The time when RACH is successfully completed may be different for different types of procedures. For example, for CFRA (contention-free random access), the time when RACH is successfully completed may be when the UE receives Msg2 and / or RAR. For another example, for CBRA (contention-based random access), the time when RACH is successfully completed may be when the UE receives PDCCH scrambled by the C-RNTI of the UE in the SCG.

[0131] Later, for example, substantially after being in the deactivated state, the SN may be activated (e.g., UE initiated or network initiated) and the UE may be configured to communicate data with the MN and / or the SN (e.g., simultaneously). For example, the UE may perform uplink data communication with the SN, the MN, and / or both the SN and the MN.

[0132] Fig.13 An exemplary aspect is shown in which the network performs a RACH procedure in the SCG instead of Fig.12 In the initial message transmission (e.g., RRC message), the SCG is indicated to be in a deactivated state. For example, the UE may perform a RACH process in an activated SCG, and the network (e.g., SN) may notify the UE to set the SCG to a deactivated state during the RACH process.

[0133] In more detail, in 1308, MN 1304 may provide signaling to UE 1302 indicating the addition of SN 1306. For example, MN 1304 may provide an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 1302. The RRC reconfiguration message may indicate (e.g., explicitly): SCG addition and / or reconfigurationWithSync(RACH). The signaling may not indicate that the SCG is in a deactivated state. In some aspects, MN 1304 may also indicate an initial SCG activation state. Separately (and before, after, or simultaneously with 1308), MN 1304 and SN 1306 may perform an SCG addition procedure.

[0134] In 1312, UE 1302 may provide a response to the configuration of SN 1306 to MN 1304, for example, in an RRCReconfigurationComplete message. Accordingly, in 1314, MN 1304 may provide a confirmation of the SN addition, for example, via an SN ReconfigurationComplete message.

[0135] UE 1302 may perform a RACH procedure with SN 1306, and the network (eg, SN 1306) may indicate a deactivation state during the RACH procedure.

[0136] For example, in a two-step CBRA or CFRA RACH procedure, UE 1302 may provide MsgA in 1316, and SN 1306 may respond with deactivation in 1318 (e.g., within a PDCCH scrambled with the C-RNTI of UE 1302, e.g., as part of MsgB).

[0137] As another example, in a four-step CBRA RACH procedure, UE 1302 may provide a CBRA preamble at 1320, and SN 1306 may respond with Msg2 at 1322. UE 1302 may respond with Msg3 (e.g., indicating an SCG C-RNTI), and SN 1306 may respond with an SCG deactivation status indication (e.g., within a PDCCH scrambled by the SCG C-RNTI) at 1326, e.g., as part of Msg4.

[0138] As another example, in a four-step CFRA, the UE 1302 may provide a preamble at 1328, and the SN may respond with an SCG deactivation status indication in Msg2 at 1330. The remaining two steps may then be performed to complete the RACH process.

[0139] Later, for example, substantially after being in the deactivated state in 1330, the SN may be activated (e.g., UE initiated or network initiated) and the UE may be configured to communicate data with the MN and / or the SN (e.g., simultaneously). For example, the UE may perform uplink data communication with the SN, the MN, and / or both the SN and the MN.

[0140] Fig.14 An exemplary aspect is shown in which the UE may skip an initial RACH procedure, but may perform a later RACH procedure according to the configured RACH configuration at the first activation (e.g., in the RRC from the MN), which may be network-initiated or UE-initiated. For example, if the network sets the initial SCG state to deactivated in an RRC message, the UE may not perform a RACH procedure at PSCell addition. In addition, the UE may apply the SCG configuration immediately after the UE acquires the PSCell SFN, but may not start a timer for handover failure (e.g., T304 timer). At the first activation (e.g., network-initiated or UE-initiated), the UE may trigger a RACH on the PSCell to acquire uplink synchronization in the SCG according to the configured RACH configuration.

[0141] In more detail, in 1408, MN 1404 may provide signaling to UE 1402 indicating the addition of SN 1406. For example, MN 1404 may provide an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 1402. The RRC reconfiguration message may indicate (e.g., explicitly): SCG addition, reconfigurationWithSync, RACH configuration, and / or SCG deactivation status. Separately (and before, after, or simultaneously with 1408), MN 1404 and SN 1406 may perform an SCG addition procedure.

[0142] In 1412, UE 1402 may provide a response to the configuration of SN 1406 to MN 1404, for example, in an RRCReconfigurationComplete message. Thus, in 1414, MN 1404 may provide a confirmation of the SN addition, for example, via an SN ReconfigurationComplete message.

[0143] During this first time period (1408-1414), the UE may apply the SCG configuration, for example, by delivering an SCG configuration (or reconfiguration) completion message via an MCG RRC message, and / or setting the SCG to a deactivated state based on 1408.

[0144] In a second time period starting at 1416, UE 1402 may perform a RACH procedure using a RACH configuration provided by the network (e.g., provided in 1408), such as UE-initiated SCG activation upon arrival of data. At this point, the UE may set the SCG to be in an activated state and trigger a RACH.

[0145] Alternatively or in addition, 1418 and 1420 illustrate two different options for SCG activation indication, for example, in network-initiated SCG activation. In 1418, the SCG activation indication may be provided from the SN 1406 to the UE 1402. In 1420, the SCG activation indication may be provided from the MN 1404 to the UE 1402. In both options, the activation indication may indicate the RACH resources used to perform the RACH. Thus, in 1422, the UE may set the SCG to be in an activated state, triggering the RACH according to the RACH configuration (e.g., as desired, indicated in 1408 and / or in 1418 / 1420). Alternatively, if a dedicated UE RACH is not configured, then in 1422, the UE 1402 may perform a CBRA RACH.

[0146] Fig.15 An exemplary aspect is shown in which the UE may skip the initial RACH procedure and the network may not provide any RACH configuration upon SCG addition and / or change. For example, no RACH configuration may be provided during the SCG addition / change procedure and the UE RRC procedure may apply all SCG configurations immediately when the UE acquires the PSCell SFN. Therefore, there may be no need to start a timer for handover failure (e.g., T304 timer).

[0147] In more detail, in 1508, MN 1504 may provide signaling to UE 1502 indicating the addition of SN 1506. For example, MN 1504 may provide an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 1502. The RRC reconfiguration message may indicate (e.g., explicitly): SCG addition, reconfigurationWithSync, and / or SCG deactivation status. The signaling may not include RACH configuration. Separately (and before, after, or simultaneously with 1508), MN 1504 and SN 1506 may perform an SCG addition procedure.

[0148] In 1512, UE 1502 may provide a response to the configuration of SN 1506 to MN 1504, for example, in an RRCReconfiguration Complete message. Thus, in 1514, MN 1504 may provide a confirmation of the SN addition, for example, via an SN Reconfiguration Complete message.

[0149] The activation of the SCG state can be similar to Fig.14 Occurs, just not using the initial RACH configuration. For example, the UE may perform RACH using generic (non-UE specific) resources for UE initiated procedures. Alternatively or in addition, steps 1418 or 1420 and 1422 may be performed for a network initiated RACH.

[0150] Fig.16 An exemplary aspect is shown in which the network may enable a RACH-free mode for an SCG activated state. For example, the network may configure the UE to skip RACH in the SCG. For a timing advance (TA) timer expiration and / or no valid TA, the UE may perform uplink transmission based on TA=0 or a fixed TA. Therefore, the UE may not need to perform a RACH procedure for transmission with the SN.

[0151] In more detail, in 1608, MN 1604 may provide signaling to UE 1602 indicating the addition of SN 1606. For example, MN 1604 may provide an RRC reconfiguration message to UE 1602. The RRC reconfiguration message may indicate (e.g., explicitly): SCG addition, reconfigurationWithSync, and / or SCG deactivation status. Separately (and before, after, or simultaneously with 1608), MN 1604 and SN 1606 may perform an SCG addition procedure.

[0152] In 1612, UE 1602 may provide a response to the configuration of SN 1606 to MN 1604, for example, in an RRCReconfigurationComplete message. Thus, in 1614, MN 1604 may provide a confirmation of the SN addition, for example, via an SN ReconfigurationComplete message.

[0153] 1618 and 1620 indicate two options for SCG activation (e.g., maintaining a later time period after deactivation after 1614), which may be provided to UE 1602 via SN 1606 or MN 1604, respectively. Thus, in 1622, the UE may activate the SCG and perform uplink transmissions using TA=0 or some other fixed TA (e.g., previously indicated by the network, preconfigured by the UE, agreed upon by the standard, etc.).

[0154] Exemplary Aspects

[0155] The following description provides exemplary aspects corresponding to various aspects described herein, such as Figures 10 to 16 corresponding aspects of the method.

[0156] Embodiment 1. A method of operating a wireless device, comprising: by the wireless device: establishing communication with a first base station, wherein the first base station is included in a master cell group (MCG); receiving signaling for configuring a second base station from the first base station, wherein the second base station is included in a secondary cell group (SCG); establishing communication with the second base station based on the signaling received from the first base station; at a first time, based on the signaling from the first base station for configuring the second base station or establishing communication with the second base station, setting the second base station to a deactivated state. At a later time, setting the second base station to an activated state; and in response to setting the second base station to the activated state, communicating with base stations in the MCG and the second base station.

[0157] Embodiment 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the signaling from the first base station configuring the second configuration includes a random access channel (RACH) configuration, wherein the establishing communication with the second base station is performed using a RACH procedure using the RACH configuration.

[0158] Embodiment 3. The method according to any one of the preceding embodiments, wherein the establishing of communication with the second base station is performed when the second base station is set to the activated state.

[0159] Embodiment 4. The method according to embodiment 3, wherein setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state is performed based on the signaling from the first base station indicating the deactivated state.

[0160] Embodiment 5. The method according to embodiment 3, wherein setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state is performed based on an indication of the deactivated state during a random access procedure.

[0161] Embodiment 6. The method according to embodiment 5, wherein setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state is indicated in MsgB of the two-step random access procedure.

[0162] Embodiment 7. The method according to embodiment 5, wherein setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state is indicated in Msg4 of the four-step contention-based random access procedure.

[0163] Embodiment 8. The embodiment according to claim 5, wherein setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state is indicated in Msg2 of the four-step contention-free random access procedure.

[0164] Embodiment 9. An apparatus comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause a wireless device to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8.

[0165] Embodiment 10. The device according to embodiment 9, wherein the device further comprises a wireless communication circuit, and the wireless communication circuit is used at least to communicate with the first base station and the second base station.

[0166] Embodiment 11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, wherein the program instructions can be executed by at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 1 to 8.

[0167] Embodiment 12. A method for operating a wireless device, comprising: by the wireless device: establishing communication with a first base station, wherein the first base station is included in a main cell group (MCG); receiving signaling for configuring a second base station from the first base station, wherein the second base station is included in a secondary cell group (SCG), and wherein the signaling from the first base station indicates a deactivated state of the second base station; at a first time, based on the signaling from the first base station for configuring the second base station, setting the second base station to be in the deactivated state; at a later time, setting the second base station to be in an activated state, and establishing communication with the second base station based on the signaling received from the first base station; and in response to setting the second base station to be in the activated state, communicating with base stations in the MCG and the second base station.

[0168] Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the signaling from the first base station configuring the second configuration includes a random access channel (RACH) configuration, wherein the establishing communication with the second base station is performed using a RACH procedure using the RACH configuration.

[0169] Embodiment 14. A method according to any one of Embodiments 12 to 13, wherein the setting of the second base station to the activated state and the communicating with the base station in the MCG and the second base station are performed in response to data for transmission by the wireless device, wherein the communicating with the base station in the MCG and the second base station includes transmitting the data.

[0170] Embodiment 15. A method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 13, wherein setting the second base station to be in the activated state and communicating with the base station in the MCG and the second base station are performed in response to receiving an activation message from the first base station or the second base station.

[0171] Embodiment 16. A method according to embodiment 15, wherein the activation message is received from the first base station, wherein the activation message indicates resources for performing a random access channel (RACH) process, and wherein establishing communication with the second base station includes using the resources to perform the RACH process.

[0172] Embodiment 17. A method according to embodiment 15, wherein the activation message is received from the second base station, wherein the activation message indicates resources for performing a random access channel (RACH) process, and wherein establishing communication with the second base station includes using the resources to perform the RACH process.

[0173] Embodiment 18. The method according to embodiment 12, wherein the signaling from the first base station to configure the second base station does not include random access channel (RACH) configuration.

[0174] Embodiment 19. The method according to embodiment 18, wherein the establishing communication with the second base station and the communicating with the second base station do not include performing a RACH procedure.

[0175] Embodiment 20. The method of embodiment 19, wherein performing communication with the second base station includes using a predetermined timing advance value.

[0176] Embodiment 21. An apparatus comprising at least one processor configured to cause a wireless device to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 20.

[0177] Embodiment 22. The device according to embodiment 21, wherein the device further comprises a wireless communication circuit, and the wireless communication circuit is used at least to communicate with the first base station and the second base station.

[0178] Embodiment 23. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, which can be executed by at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of embodiments 12 to 20.

[0179] Embodiment 24. A method for operating a first base station, comprising: by the first base station: establishing communication with a wireless device, wherein the first base station is included in a primary cell group (MCG) of the wireless device; performing a secondary cell group (SCG) adding process with a second base station; providing RRC signaling about the second base station to the wireless device; receiving a response from the wireless device in response to the RRC signaling, wherein the response indicates completion of the SCG addition; and providing an SCG addition or change completion indication to the second base station in response to receiving the response from the wireless device.

[0180] Embodiment 25. A method according to embodiment 24, wherein the RRC signaling indicates a deactivation status of the second base station.

[0181] Embodiment 26. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the RRC signaling indicates a random access channel (RACH) configuration that can be used by the wireless device to perform a RACH procedure with the second base station.

[0182] Embodiment 27. The method according to embodiment 24 further includes: after providing the SCG addition completion indication to the second base station, providing an SCG activation message to the wireless device, wherein the SCG activation message indicates RACH resources for performing a random access channel (RACH) process with the second base station.

[0183] Embodiment 28. The method of embodiment 24, wherein the RRC signaling does not include a random access channel (RACH) configuration.

[0184] Embodiment 29. An apparatus comprises at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to enable a first base station device to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 24 to 28.

[0185] Embodiment 30. An apparatus according to embodiment 29, wherein the apparatus further comprises a wireless communication circuit, and the wireless communication circuit is at least used to communicate with the wireless device and the second base station.

[0186] Embodiment 31. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, which can be executed by at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of Embodiments 24 to 28.

[0187] Embodiment 32. A method for operating a base station, comprising: by the base station: performing a secondary cell group (SCG) adding process with a first base station, wherein the first base station is included in a main cell group (MCG) of a wireless device; receiving an SCG adding completion indication from the first base station, wherein the SCG adding completion indication is received in response to the first base station receiving a response of adding the base station from the wireless device; establishing communication with the wireless device; and communicating with the wireless device in response to the establishing communication.

[0188] Embodiment 33. A method according to embodiment 32, wherein the establishing of communication with the wireless device is performed using a random access channel (RACH) process, wherein the wireless device is in an SCG deactivated state when the RACH process is completed, and wherein the communicating with the wireless device is performed after changing to an SCG activated state.

[0189] Embodiment 34. A method according to embodiment 32, wherein the establishing of communication with the wireless device is performed using a random access channel (RACH) process, wherein the establishing of communication with the wireless device includes indicating an SCG deactivation state in the RACH process, and wherein the communicating with the wireless device is performed after changing to an SCG activation state.

[0190] Embodiment 35. A method according to embodiment 32, wherein the establishing communication with the wireless device and the communicating with the wireless device are performed in response to a random access channel (RACH) process initiated by the wireless device, wherein the RACH process is performed using a RACH configuration provided by the first base station.

[0191] Embodiment 36. A method according to embodiment 32, wherein the establishing of communication comprises: providing an SCG activation indication to the wireless device, wherein the SCG activation indication specifies a random access channel (RACH) resource for performing a RACH process; and performing the RACH process with the wireless device using the RACH resource.

[0192] Embodiment 37. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the establishing communication and the communicating with the wireless device are performed without performing a random access channel (RACH) procedure.

[0193] Embodiment 38. The method of embodiment 34, wherein the communicating with the wireless device is performed using a predetermined timing advance value.

[0194] Embodiment 39. A device comprising at least one processor, wherein the at least one processor is configured to cause a base station to perform a method according to any one of embodiments 32 to 38.

[0195] Embodiment 40. An apparatus according to embodiment 39, wherein the apparatus further comprises a wireless communication circuit, and the wireless communication circuit is at least used to communicate with the wireless device and the first base station.

[0196] Embodiment 41. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing program instructions, which can be executed by at least one processor to perform the method according to any one of Embodiments 32 to 38.

[0197] Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in any of a variety of forms. For example, some aspects may be implemented as computer-implemented methods, computer-readable memory media, or computer systems. Other aspects may be implemented using one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as ASICs. Other aspects may be implemented using one or more programmable hardware elements such as FPGAs.

[0198] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be configured such that it stores program instructions and / or data, wherein if the program instructions are executed by a computer system, the computer system is caused to perform a method, such as any of the method aspects described herein, or any combination of the method aspects described herein, or any subset of any of the method aspects described herein, or any combination of such subsets.

[0199] In some aspects, a device (e.g., a UE) may be configured to include a processor (or a group of processors) and a memory medium, wherein the memory medium stores program instructions, wherein the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method aspects described herein (or any combination of the method aspects described herein, or any subset of any of the method aspects described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device may be implemented in any of various forms.

[0200] In some aspects, a device comprises: an antenna; a radio coupled to the antenna; and a processing element coupled to the radio.The device may be configured to implement any of the above method aspects.

[0201] In some aspects, a memory medium may store program instructions that, when executed, cause an apparatus to implement any of the above-described method aspects.

[0202] In some aspects, an apparatus comprises: at least one processor (eg, in communication with a memory) configured to implement any of the above-described method aspects.

[0203] In some aspects, the methods include any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description and claims.

[0204] In some aspects, the method is performed as substantially described herein with reference to: each or any combination of the figures contained herein; with reference to each or any combination of the paragraphs in the detailed description; with reference to each or any combination of the figures and / or the detailed description; or with reference to each or any combination of the claims.

[0205] In some aspects, the wireless device is configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description, drawings, and / or claims.

[0206] In some aspects, a wireless device includes any component or combination of components as included in a wireless device as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0207] In some aspects, a non-transitory computer readable medium may store instructions that, when executed, cause performance of any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0208] In some aspects, the integrated circuit is configured to perform any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0209] In some aspects, the mobile station is configured to perform any act or combination of acts as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0210] In some aspects, a mobile station includes any component or combination of components as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures as included in a mobile station.

[0211] In some aspects, the mobile device is configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0212] In some aspects, the mobile device includes any component or combination of components as included in a mobile device as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0213] In some aspects, the network node is configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0214] In some aspects, the network node includes any component or combination of components as included in a mobile device as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0215] In some aspects, the base station is configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0216] In some aspects, a base station includes any component or combination of components as included in a mobile device as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0217] In some aspects, the 5G NR network node or base station is configured to perform any action or combination of actions as substantially described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0218] In some aspects, a 5G NR network node or base station includes any components or combination of components as included in a mobile device as described herein in the detailed description and / or figures.

[0219] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should be subject to privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized to meet or exceed industry or government requirements for maintaining user privacy. Specifically, personally identifiable information data should be managed and processed to minimize the risk of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of the authorized use should be clearly stated to users.

[0220] By interpreting each message / signal X received by a user equipment (UE) in the downlink as a message / signal X transmitted by the base station, and interpreting each message / signal Y transmitted by the UE in the uplink as a message / signal Y received by the base station, any of the methods for operating a UE described herein may become the basis for the corresponding method for operating a base station.

[0221] Although the above aspects have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to encompass all such variations and modifications.

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processor, the at least one processor being configured, when executing instructions stored in the memory: Receiving, at a first time, a signaling for configuring a secondary cell group SCG from a first base station of a primary cell group MCG, wherein the signaling configures the SCG to be in a deactivated state; at a later time, receiving an indication of activation of the SCG; as well as In response to receiving the indication, a random access channel (RACH) message for transmission through the SCG is sent to an interface with a radio frequency (RF) circuit.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to configure the SCG to be in a deactivated state based on the signaling at a first time, avoiding sending the RACH message to the interface with the RF circuit.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the indication of activation of the SCG is associated with an instruction to perform random access to the SCG. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling is associated with adding a primary / secondary cell (PSCell). The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signaling is associated with a primary / secondary cell (PSCell) change. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signaling is associated with Radio Resource Control (RRC) resumption. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the signaling is associated with a handover.

8. A method comprising: On cellular networks: Transmitting, at a first time, from a first base station of a primary cell group MCG to a wireless device, a signaling for configuring a secondary cell group SCG, wherein the signaling configures the SCG to be in a deactivated state; at a later time, transmitting to the wireless device an indication of activation of the SCG; and In response to the indication, a random access channel (RACH) message is received from the wireless device through the SCG.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the indication of activation of the SCG is associated with an instruction to perform random access to the SCG.

10. The method according to claim 8, wherein the signaling is associated with adding a primary and secondary cell (PSCell). The method according to claim 8 , wherein the signaling is associated with a change of a primary / secondary cell (PSCell).

12. The method of claim 8, wherein the signaling is associated with Radio Resource Control (RRC) resumption.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein the signaling is associated with a handover.

14. A method comprising: Receiving, at a first time, a signaling for configuring a secondary cell group SCG from a first base station of a primary cell group MCG, wherein the signaling configures the SCG to be in a deactivated state; at a later time, receiving an indication of activation of the SCG; and In response to receiving the indication, a random access channel RACH message for transmission is transmitted through the SCG.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising: The SCG is configured to be in a deactivated state based on the signaling at the first time to avoid transmitting the RACH message.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the indication of activation of the SCG is associated with an instruction to perform random access to the SCG. The method according to claim 14 , wherein the signaling is associated with adding a primary and secondary cell (PSCell). The method according to claim 14 , wherein the signaling is associated with a primary / secondary cell (PSCell) change.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling is associated with Radio Resource Control (RRC) resumption.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein the signaling is associated with a handover.

21. A user equipment comprising: Radio components; as well as A processor communicatively coupled to the radio, wherein the radio and the processor are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 14 to 20.

22. A base station, comprising: Radio components; as well as A processor communicatively coupled to the radio, wherein the radio and the processor are configured to perform the method of any one of claims 8 to 13.

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