METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MULTI-CARRIER UPLINK (UL) TRANSMISSION (Tx) HANDOVER

Abstract

Various solutions for multi-carrier uplink transmission handover in mobile communications are described herein. A device may receive a configuration that identifies a plurality of uplink frequency bands for an uplink handover. In an event in which an uplink handover is triggered, the device may identify a subset of uplink bands. Each uplink frequency band in the identified subset is not the frequency band from which it is switched, but cannot be both at the same time. The device may determine a handover period location based on a frequency band priority associated with the identified subset. The device may perform an uplink handover according to the handover period location.

Description

[0001] Cross-referencing

[0002] This disclosure is part of a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application No. 63 / 515,605, filed July 26, 2023, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure generally relates to mobile communications, and more specifically, to handover of multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) in mobile communications for user equipment (UE). Background Technology

[0004] Unless otherwise stated herein, the methods described in this section are not prior art to the claims listed below, and are not recognized as prior art by virtue of being included in this section.

[0005] Wireless communication technologies have experienced exponential growth over the years. In fifth-generation (5G) New Radio (NR) systems, or 5G-Advanced systems, a powerful technology—carrier aggregation (CA)—is used to increase the data rate per user equipment (UE). To increase the flexibility of the CA framework, multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) handover can be applied. In 5G-Advanced systems, when a UE implements multi-carrier uplink transmission handover, it can dynamically switch between three or more frequency bands. However, existing mechanisms for determining the handover cycle position associated with uplink handover can lead to unpredictable UE behavior in certain scenarios and may affect the reliability of wireless communication.

[0006] Therefore, preventing unpredictable UE behavior has become a significant issue in newly developed wireless communication systems. Consequently, appropriate solutions are needed to address this problem. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following summary is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, the following summary aims to introduce the concepts, highlights, benefits, and advantages of the novel and non-obvious techniques described herein. Selected embodiments will be further described in the detailed description. Therefore, the following summary is not intended to identify the essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0008] The objective of this disclosure is to propose a solution or approach to address the aforementioned issues related to multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) handover in mobile communications.

[0009] In one aspect, a method may involve, in an event where an uplink handover configured with uplink bands is triggered, a device identifying a subset of multiple uplink bands, wherein each uplink band in the identified subset is either the band from which it is handover or the band to which it is handover, but not both simultaneously. The method may also involve the device determining a handover cycle position based on band priority associated with the identified subset. The method may further involve the device performing the uplink handover according to the handover cycle position.

[0010] In one aspect, an apparatus may include a transceiver that wirelessly communicates with network nodes of a wireless network during operation. The apparatus may also include a processor communicatively connected to the transceiver. During operation, the processor may perform operations including receiving configurations of a plurality of uplink frequency bands identified for uplink handover via the transceiver. The processor may perform operations including identifying a subset of the uplink frequency bands in an event that triggers the uplink handover, wherein each uplink frequency band in the identified subset is either the band from which it is handover or the band to which it is handover, but not both simultaneously. The processor may also perform operations including determining a handover cycle position based on the frequency band priority associated with the identified subset. The processor may further perform operations including performing the uplink handover according to the handover cycle position.

[0011] It is worth noting that although the descriptions provided herein may be made in the context of certain wireless access technologies, networks, and network topologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, 5G, NR, 5G-Advanced, Internet of Things (IoT), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), Beyond 5G (B5G), and 6G), the proposed concepts, schemes, and any variations / derivatives thereof can be implemented in other types of wireless access technologies, networks, and network topologies. Therefore, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein. Attached Figure Description

[0012] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure and form part of this disclosure. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure. It should be noted that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, as some components may be shown out of proportion to their actual dimensions in order to clearly illustrate the concepts of the present disclosure.

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example scenario of a communication environment in which various solutions and schemes of this disclosure can be implemented.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where the switching cycle position is determined based on the priority order of different frequency bands.

[0015] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where the highest priority frequency band involves both the frequency band from which it switches and the frequency band to which it switches.

[0016] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example scenario of multi-carrier uplink transmission switching according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example scenario of multi-carrier uplink transmission switching according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating an example process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0020] This specification discloses detailed embodiments and implementations of the claimed subject matter. However, it should be understood that the disclosed embodiments and implementations are merely illustrative of the claimed subject matter and can be embodied in various forms. This disclosure can be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the exemplary embodiments and implementations set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments and implementations are provided to make the description of this disclosure thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of this disclosure to those skilled in the art. In the following description, details of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the presented embodiments and implementations.

[0021] Overview

[0022] Implementations of this disclosure relate to various technologies, methods, schemes, and / or solutions related to multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) handover in mobile communications. According to this disclosure, multiple possible solutions can be implemented individually or in combination. That is, although these possible solutions may be described separately below, two or more of them can be implemented in one or another combination.

[0023] Figure 1An example scenario 100 is shown, illustrating a communication environment that can implement various solutions and schemes according to this disclosure. Scenario 100 involves a user equipment (UE) 110 wirelessly communicating with a wireless network (e.g., a 5G NR network) consisting of an access network 120 and a core network 130. UE 110 can be a smartphone, wearable device, IoT device, tablet, etc. Alternatively, UE 110 can be a laptop (NB) or personal computer (PC) with a data card inserted or installed, the data card including a modem and radio frequency (RF) transceiver to provide wireless communication capabilities. In 5G NR, the access network 120 is connected to the core network 130 via an NG interface, more specifically, to the user plane function (UPF) via the NG user plane portion (NG-u), and to the mobility management function (AMF) via the NG control plane portion (NG-c). A base station (e.g., a next-generation Node-B (gNB)) can connect to multiple UPFs / AMFs for load sharing and redundancy. In addition, the core network may include other entities such as Session Management Function (SMF) and Unified Data Management (UDM).

[0024] Access network 120 may include multiple base stations (BS), such as BS 121 and BS 122, each of which can provide communication coverage for a geographic coverage area that supports communication with UE 110.

[0025] In one embodiment, when the UE supports multi-carrier uplink transmission handover, the UE can dynamically handover between all three or four configured uplink frequency bands. For example, when the UE supports dynamic handover between uplink frequency bands A, B, and C, the UE can handover between uplink frequency bands A and B, between uplink frequency bands A and C, and between uplink frequency bands B and C. The time period required for the UE to complete an uplink handover from one frequency band to another is called the handover period. The handover period location can be within the frequency band that was active before the handover or within the frequency band that was active after the handover. The frequency band that was active before the handover is called the band from which it was handed over, and the frequency band that was active after the handover is called the band to which it was handed over. In the current mechanism, the UE determines the handover period location based on the priority level of all configured uplink frequency bands. For example, if the frequency band with the highest frequency band priority is the band to which it is handed over, the handover period is determined to be within the frequency band from which it was handed over. Alternatively, if the frequency band with the highest frequency band priority is the frequency band from which it is switched, the handover period is determined to be within the frequency band to which it is switched. The priority level of each uplink frequency band is configured by network nodes (e.g., base stations) via Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages. Figure 2Scenario 210-220 illustrates the determination of the handover cycle location within the current mechanism. In scenario 210, the UE can switch from band A to band C, and can also switch from band B to band C. That is, bands A and B are the bands from which it switches, while band C is the band to which it switches. Among bands A, B, and C, band C has the highest band priority, while band A has the lowest. Since the band with the highest band priority is the band to which it switches (i.e., band C), the UE can determine that the handover cycle location is within the bands from which it switches (i.e., bands A and B). Alternatively, in scenario 220, band A has the highest band priority, while band C has the lowest. Since the band with the highest band priority is the band from which it switches (i.e., band A), the UE can determine that the handover cycle location is within the band to which it switches (i.e., band C).

[0026] Current mechanisms for determining handover cycle positions can lead to unpredictable UE behavior in several scenarios. For example, in... Figure 3 In scenarios 310 to 330 shown, it is assumed that frequency band A has the highest frequency band priority among the uplink frequency bands configured for uplink handover. When frequency band A is both the frequency band from which it is handover and the frequency band to which it is handover, traditional mechanisms cannot predict UE behavior to determine the handover cycle location. This ambiguous UE behavior may occur when the frequency band with the highest frequency band priority is involved in both the frequency band from which it is handover and the frequency band to which it is handover, negatively impacting the reliability of mobile communication.

[0027] In view of the above, this disclosure proposes several schemes for multi-carrier uplink transmission handover in mobile communications. According to the schemes of this disclosure, in an event where uplink handover with multiple configured uplink frequency bands is triggered, the user equipment (UE) identifies a subset of the configured uplink frequency bands (also called a frequency band subset), wherein each uplink frequency band in the identified frequency band subset is either the frequency band from which it is handover or the frequency band to which it is handover, but not both simultaneously. Specifically, in an event where the uplink frequency band with the highest frequency band priority is both the frequency band from which it is handover and the frequency band to which it is handover, the uplink frequency band with the highest frequency band priority among the configured uplink frequency bands is not included in the frequency band subset. Then, the UE determines the handover cycle position based on the frequency band priority associated with the frequency band subset and performs uplink handover according to that handover cycle position.

[0028] Figure 4Example scenarios 410 and 420 of multi-carrier uplink transmission handover according to an embodiment of this disclosure are illustrated. In scenarios 410 and 420, frequency bands A, B, and C are configured uplink frequency bands on which the UE can perform uplink handover. The UE can switch from frequency bands A and B to frequency bands A and C. That is, frequency bands A and B are the frequency bands from which it switches, and frequency bands A and C are the frequency bands to which it switches. The priority level indicates the priority of the frequency band; the higher the level, the higher the priority.

[0029] In scenario 410, among frequency bands A, B, and C, frequency band A has the highest frequency band priority, frequency band B has the second highest frequency band priority, and frequency band C has the lowest frequency band priority. In this embodiment, when an uplink handover configured with frequency bands A, B, and C is triggered, the UE identifies a subset of frequency bands including frequency bands B and C because frequency band A, which has the highest frequency band priority, is both the frequency band from which it is handover and the frequency band to which it is handover. The UE then specifies the uplink frequency band with the highest frequency band priority in the frequency band subset and determines the handover cycle position based on whether the specified uplink frequency band is the frequency band from which it is handover or the frequency band to which it is handover. As shown in scenario 410, frequency band B is the frequency band with the highest frequency band priority in the frequency band subset. Since it is the frequency band from which it is handover, the UE determines the handover cycle position to be in the set of frequency bands to which it is handover associated with the configured uplink frequency band (i.e., frequency bands A and C to which it is handover).

[0030] On the other hand, in scenario 420, band A has the highest band priority, band C has the second highest band priority, and band B has the lowest band priority. In this embodiment, in the event that an uplink handover configured with bands A, B, and C is triggered, the UE identifies a subset of bands including bands B and C because band A, which has the highest band priority, is both the band from which it is handover and the band to which it is handover. Within the band subset, the UE designates band C as the band with the highest band priority. Band C is the band to which it is handover, therefore the UE determines the handover period location to be within the set of bands from which it is handover associated with the configured uplink bands (i.e., bands A and B from which it is handover).

[0031] In other words, the UE determines the handover cycle position based on the second highest priority frequency band in the configured uplink frequency bands. Specifically, when the highest priority frequency band in the configured uplink frequency bands is both the band from which it is handed over and the band to which it is handed over, in events where the highest and second highest priority frequency bands are the bands from which it is handed over, the UE determines the handover cycle position within the set of bands to which it is handed over associated with the configured uplink frequency bands. Alternatively, in events where the highest and second highest priority frequency bands are the bands to which it is handed over, the UE determines the handover cycle position within the set of bands from which it is handed over associated with the configured uplink frequency bands.

[0032] In some embodiments, the UE determines the handover cycle position based on the lowest priority frequency band in the configured uplink frequency bands. When the highest priority frequency band in the configured uplink frequency bands is both the band from which it is handed over and the band to which it is handed over, in the event that the lowest priority frequency band is the band from which it is handed over, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of bands from which it is handed over associated with the configured uplink frequency band. Alternatively, in the event that the lowest priority frequency band is the band to which it is handed over, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of bands to which it is handed over associated with the configured uplink frequency band.

[0033] Figure 5 Further example scenarios 510 and 520 of multi-carrier uplink transmission handover according to an embodiment of this disclosure are illustrated, wherein frequency bands A, B, C, and D are configured uplink frequency bands for which the UE can perform uplink handover. Priority level indicates the priority of the frequency band; a higher level indicates a higher priority.

[0034] In scenario 510, a user equipment (UE) can switch from frequency bands A, B, and D to frequency bands A and C. That is, frequency bands A, B, and D are the frequency bands from which it is switched, while frequency bands A and C are the frequency bands to which it is switched. Among frequency bands A, B, C, and D, frequency band A has the highest frequency band priority, while frequency band D has the lowest frequency band priority. In this embodiment, when an uplink handover configured with frequency bands A, B, C, and D is triggered, the UE identifies a subset of frequency bands including frequency bands B, C, and D because frequency band A, with the highest frequency band priority, is both the frequency band from which it is switched and the frequency band to which it is switched. The UE determines a first value based on the priority level of each frequency band belonging to the set of frequency bands from which it is switched associated with this frequency band subset. Furthermore, the UE determines a second value based on the priority level of each frequency band belonging to the set of frequency bands to which it is switched associated with this frequency band subset. The handover cycle position is then determined based on the first and second values. In scenario 510, the set of frequency bands to which this frequency band subset is handed over includes frequency bands B and D. Therefore, the first value is determined based on the priority levels of frequency bands B and D. The first value is, for example (but not limited to), the sum of the priority levels of each frequency band in the set of frequency bands to which it is handed over (i.e., 3+1=4). The set of frequency bands to which this frequency band subset is handed over includes frequency band C. Therefore, the second value is determined based on the priority level of frequency band C. The second value is, for example (but not limited to), the sum of the priority levels of each frequency band in the set of frequency bands to which it is handed over (i.e., 2). In events where the first value is greater than the second value, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands to which the configured uplink frequency bands are handed over (i.e., frequency bands A and C).

[0035] In scenario 520, the UE can switch from frequency bands A and B to frequency bands A, C, and D. That is, frequency bands A and B are the frequency bands from which it switches, while frequency bands A, C, and D are the frequency bands to which it switches. The first value 1 and the second value 5 can be determined in a manner similar to the aforementioned embodiments. In events where the first value is less than the second value, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands from which it switches (i.e., frequency bands A and B from which it switches) associated with the configured uplink frequency bands.

[0036] In the foregoing embodiments, the set of frequency bands to which a configured uplink frequency band is switched may include one or more frequency bands that take effect after the switch. The set of frequency bands to which a configured uplink frequency band is switched may include one or more frequency bands that took effect before the switch.

[0037] Exemplary Implementation

[0038] Figure 6 An example communication device 610 according to an implementation of this disclosure is shown. The communication device 610 can perform various functions to implement the schemes, techniques, processes and methods described herein related to multi-carrier uplink transmission handover in mobile communications, including the scenarios / schemes described above and the process 700 described below.

[0039] Communication device 610 may be part of an electronic device, which may be a portable or mobile device, a wearable device, a wireless communication device, or a computing device. For example, communication device 610 may be implemented in a smartphone, smartwatch, personal digital assistant, digital camera, or computing device such as a tablet, laptop, or notebook computer. Communication device 610 may also be part of a machine-type device, which may be an Internet of Things (IoT), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), or Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) device, such as a fixed or stationary device, a home appliance, a wired communication device, or a computing device. For example, communication device 610 may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart refrigerator, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker, or a home control center. Alternatively, communication device 610 may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips, such as (but not limited to) one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more Reduced Instruction Set Computing (RISC) processors, or one or more Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processors. Communication device 610 may include... Figure 6 At least some of the components shown, such as processor 612. Communication device 610 may also include one or more other components unrelated to the proposed solutions of this disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device, and / or user interface device), therefore, these components of communication device 610 are not... Figure 6 This is shown in the text and not described below, in order to keep it concise.

[0040] In one aspect, processor 612 may be implemented as one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more CISC processors. That is, although the singular term "processor" is used herein to refer to processor 612, in some implementations of this disclosure, processor 612 may include multiple processors, while in other implementations it is a single processor. In another aspect, processor 612 may be implemented in hardware (and optionally firmware) comprising, for example (but not limited to), one or more transistors, one or more diodes, one or more capacitors, one or more resistors, one or more inductors, one or more memristors, and / or one or more varactor diodes, these components being configured and arranged to achieve a particular purpose of this disclosure. In other words, in at least some implementations, processor 612 is a dedicated machine specifically designed, arranged, and configured to perform at least part of a specific task, including multi-carrier uplink transmission handover in a user equipment (UE) (e.g., represented by communication device 610), to conform to various implementations of this disclosure.

[0041] In some implementations, the communication device 610 may also include a transceiver 616 connected to the processor 612, capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the transceiver 616 may be capable of wireless communication with wireless networks of different types of Radio Access Technologies (RATs). In some implementations, the transceiver 616 may be equipped with multiple antenna ports (not shown), such as four antenna ports. That is, the transceiver 616 may be equipped with multiple transmit antennas and multiple receive antennas for multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless communication.

[0042] In some implementations, the communication device 610 may further include a memory 614 connected to the processor 612 and accessible by the processor 612 to store data. The memory 614 may include a random access memory (RAM), such as dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), thyristor RAM (T-RAM), and / or zero-capacitance RAM (Z-RAM). Alternatively, the memory 614 may include a read-only memory (ROM), such as a mask ROM, programmable ROM (PROM), erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), and / or electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM). Alternatively, the memory 614 may include a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), such as flash memory, solid-state memory, ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM), magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM), and / or phase-change memory.

[0043] Communication device 610 can be a communication entity capable of using various proposed solutions of this disclosure. For illustrative purposes and without limitation, a functional description of communication device 610 implemented in or as a user equipment (UE) is provided below.

[0044] Explanatory process

[0045] Figure 7 An example process 700 implemented according to this disclosure is shown. Process 700 may be an example of some or all of the above-described scenario / scheme, involving multi-carrier uplink transmission handover in mobile communications. Process 700 may represent one aspect of the functional implementation of communication device 610. Process 700 may include one or more operations, actions, or functions, as shown by one or more blocks 710, 720, and 730. Although shown as discrete blocks, the individual blocks of process 700 may be divided into more blocks, merged into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Furthermore, the blocks of process 700 may be arranged in accordance with... Figure 7 The process 700 may be executed in the order shown, or in a different order. Process 700 may be implemented by communication device 610 or any suitable user equipment or machine type device. For illustrative purposes only and without limitation, process 700 is described below in the context of communication device 610 as a user equipment. Process 700 may begin at block 710.

[0046] At 710, process 700 may involve the processor 612 of communication device 610 identifying a subset of multiple uplink frequency bands in an event where an uplink handover configured with uplink frequency bands is triggered, wherein each uplink frequency band in the identified subset is either the frequency band from which it is being switched or the frequency band to which it is being switched, but not both simultaneously. Process 700 can proceed from 710 to 720.

[0047] At 720, process 700 may involve processor 612 determining the switching cycle position based on the frequency band priority associated with the identified subset. Process 700 can proceed from 720 to 730.

[0048] At 730, process 700 may involve processor 612 performing uplink switching based on the switching cycle position.

[0049] In some implementations, the uplink band with the highest frequency band priority is not included in the identified subset in events where it is both the band from which it is switched and the band to which it is switched.

[0050] In some implementations, process 700 may further involve processor 612 specifying the uplink frequency band with the highest frequency band priority in the identified subset (e.g., Figure 4 Frequency band B in scenario 410, or Figure 4(Frequency band C in scenario 420). Furthermore, process 700 may further involve processor 612 determining the switching cycle position based on whether the specified uplink frequency band is switched from its switching frequency band or switched to its frequency band.

[0051] In some implementations, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands to which the uplink band is switched (e.g., ...). Figure 4 In scenario 410, frequency bands A and C), in an event where the specified uplink frequency band is the frequency band from which it is switched, and the switching cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands from which it is switched associated with the uplink frequency band (e.g., Figure 4 In scenario 420, frequency bands A and B are used in the event of switching to one of the specified uplink frequency bands.

[0052] In some implementations, process 700 may further involve processor 612 determining a first value based on the priority level of each uplink frequency band belonging to the set of frequency bands from which it switches, associated with the identified subset. Figure 5 In scenario 510, frequency bands B and D, or Figure 5 (Frequency band B in scenario 520). Furthermore, process 700 may further involve processor 612 determining a second value (e.g., based on the priority level of each uplink frequency band belonging to the set of frequency bands to which the identified subset is switched) Figure 5 In scenario 510, frequency band C, or Figure 5 (Frequency bands C and D in scenario 520). Furthermore, process 700 may further involve processor 612 determining the switching cycle position based on the first and second values.

[0053] In some implementations, the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands to which the uplink band is switched (e.g., ...). Figure 5 In scenario 510, frequency bands A and C), in an event where the first value is greater than the second value, and the handover cycle position is determined to be within the set of frequency bands associated with the uplink frequency band since its handover (e.g., Figure 5 In scenario 520, frequency bands A and B, in the event where the first value is less than the second value.

[0054] In some implementations, the priority level of each uplink band is configured by the network node via Radio Resource Control (RRC) messages.

[0055] In some implementations, the position of this switching cycle is related to the time period required for the device to complete an uplink switch from one frequency band to another.

[0056] In some implementations, this uplink handover includes multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) handover.

[0057] In some implementations, the uplink band includes three or four uplink bands.

[0058] Additional notes

[0059] The topics described in this document sometimes demonstrate different components contained within or connected to different other components. It should be understood that the architectures depicted are merely examples, and many other architectures can actually be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Conceptually, any arrangement of components to achieve the same functionality is effectively “related” in order to achieve the desired functionality. Therefore, any two components combined in this document to achieve a particular function can be considered “related” in order to achieve the desired functionality, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two such related components can also be considered “operationally connected” or “operationally coupled” to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components that can be so related can also be considered “operationally coupled” to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operational coupling include, but are not limited to, physically connectable and / or physically interactive components and / or wirelessly interactive components and / or logically interactive and / or logically interactive components.

[0060] Furthermore, regarding the use of virtually any plural and / or singular terms in this article, a person with technical skills may appropriately translate from plural to singular and / or from singular to plural depending on the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly listed.

[0061] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that, generally, the terms used herein, especially in appended claims, such as the body of an appended claim, are generally considered to be “open” terms; for example, the term “comprising” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” and the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” etc. Those skilled in the art will also understand that if a specific number of claim statements is intentional, that intention will be explicitly stated in the claims, and without such a statement, there is no such intention. For example, to aid understanding, the following appended claims may contain the use of introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim statements. However, the use of these phrases should not be construed as implying that the introduction of claim statements by the indefinite article “a” or “an” restricts any particular claim containing such an introductory claim statement to containing only one such statement, even if the same claim contains the introductory phrase “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an,” for example, “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted as “at least one” or “one or more”; the same applies to definite articles used to introduce claim statements. Furthermore, even if the specific number of claims is explicitly stated, a person skilled in the art will recognize that such a statement should be interpreted as at least the stated number. For example, the simple statement "two statements" without any other modifiers means at least two statements, or two or more statements. Additionally, when using conventions such as "at least one A, B, and C, etc.", this structure is generally understood by a person skilled in the art to mean the convention. For example, "a system having at least one A, B, and C" will include, but is not limited to, a system having only A, a system having only B, a system having only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. Similarly, when using conventions such as "at least one A, B, or C, etc.", this structure is generally understood by a person skilled in the art to mean the convention. For example, "a system having at least one A, B, or C" will include, but is not limited to, a system having only A, a system having only B, a system having only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc. Those skilled in the art will also understand that virtually any separated word and / or phrase presents two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, and should be understood to include the possibility of containing one term, two terms, or two terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" will be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0062] As can be seen from the foregoing, the various implementations of this disclosure described herein are for illustrative purposes, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. Therefore, the various implementations disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting, and the true scope and spirit are indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A method characterized by, comprising: identifying, by a processor of a device, a subset of a plurality of uplink bands in an event in which an uplink switch of one of the uplink bands is triggered, wherein each uplink band in the identified subset is either a band from which the switch is made or a band to which the switch is made, but not both; determining, by the processor, a switch period position based on band priorities associated with the identified subset; and performing, by the processor, the uplink switch in accordance with the switch period position. in an event in which one of the uplink bands having a highest band priority is both a band from which the switch is made and a band to which the switch is made, the uplink band having the highest band priority among the plurality of uplink bands is not included in the identified subset.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, the determining of the switch period position further comprises:

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, specifying, by the processor, one of the uplink bands in the identified subset having a highest band priority; and determining, by the processor, the switch period position based on whether the specified uplink band is a band from which the switch is made or a band to which the switch is made. in an event in which the specified uplink band is the band from which the switch is made, the switch period position is determined to be among a set of bands to which the switch is made associated with the plurality of uplink bands, and in an event in which the specified uplink band is the band to which the switch is made, the switch period position is determined to be among a set of bands from which the switch is made associated with the plurality of uplink bands.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, the determining of the switch period position further comprises:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein, determining, by the processor, a first value in accordance with a priority level of each uplink band belonging to a set of bands from which the switch is made associated with the identified subset; determining, by the processor, a second value in accordance with a priority level of each uplink band belonging to a set of bands to which the switch is made associated with the identified subset; and determining, by the processor, the switch period position based on the first value and the second value. in an event in which the first value is greater than the second value, the switch period position is determined to be among the set of bands to which the switch is made associated with the plurality of uplink bands; 6. The method of claim 5, wherein, and in an event in which the first value is less than the second value, the switch period position is determined to be among the set of bands from which the switch is made associated with the plurality of uplink bands. the priority level of each of the plurality of uplink bands is configured by a network node through a radio resource control (RRC) message.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein, the switch period position is associated with a time period required for the device to complete the uplink switch from one band to another band.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, the uplink switch comprises a multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) switch.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein, the plurality of uplink bands comprises 3 or 4 uplink bands.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein, comprising:

11. An apparatus, comprising: a transceiver that, during operation, is configured to wirelessly communicate with a network node; and a processor that is communicatively connected to the transceiver, wherein during operation the processor is configured to perform operations comprising: receiving, by the transceiver, a configuration of a plurality of uplink bands identified for an uplink switch; ​ ​ In the event that the uplink switching is triggered, a subset of the plurality of uplink bands is identified, where each uplink band in the identified subset is either a band switched from or a band switched to, but not both; a switching period position is determined based on band priorities associated with the identified subset; and the uplink switching is performed according to the switching period position.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, In the event that an uplink band with a highest band priority is both a band switched from and a band switched to, the uplink band with the highest band priority among the plurality of uplink bands is not included in the identified subset.

13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, During operation, the processor further performs operations comprising: designating an uplink band with a highest band priority among the identified subset; and determining the switching period position based on whether the designated uplink band is a band switched from or a band switched to.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein, In the event that the designated uplink band is a band switched from, the switching period position is determined to be in a set of bands switched to associated with the plurality of uplink bands, and in the event that the designated uplink band is a band switched to, the switching period position is determined to be in a set of bands switched from associated with the plurality of uplink bands.

15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, During operation, the processor further performs operations comprising: determining a first value according to a priority level of each uplink band in a set of bands switched from associated with the identified subset; determining a second value according to a priority level of each uplink band in a set of bands switched to associated with the identified subset; and determining the switching period position according to the first value and the second value.

16. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein, In the event that the first value is greater than the second value, the switching period position is determined to be in the set of bands switched to associated with the plurality of uplink bands; and in the event that the first value is less than the second value, the switching period position is determined to be in the set of bands switched from associated with the plurality of uplink bands.

17. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The priority level of each of the plurality of uplink bands is configured by the network node through a radio resource control (RRC) message.

18. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The switching period position is associated with a time period required for the device to complete the uplink switching from one band to another band.

19. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The uplink switching comprises a multi-carrier uplink (UL) transmission (Tx) switching.

20. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein, The plurality of uplink bands comprises 3 or 4 uplink bands.

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