Method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in secondary cell activation and related equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in secondary cell activation and a related device, in particular to a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in secondary cell activation, a wireless communication device, a base station device and a computer program product, the method comprises the following steps: receiving a message used for configuring a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource used for activating a secondary cell (SCell), so as to configure the TRS used for activating the SCell as a time-frequency synchronization signal; the TRS resource is a non-periodic TRS resource, the SCell is activated by a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), the non-periodic TRS is triggered by the MAC CE, the non-periodic TRS is triggered in a time slot n1, the non-periodic TRS is detected in a time slot n1 + X, the time slot n1 + X is detected in a time slot n2 + X, the time slot n1 + X is detected in a time slot n2, and the time slot n1 + X is detected in a time slot n2. Wherein X is an offset configured by a radio resource control (RRC) message or defined by a protocol.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese patent application No. 201980094971.8, filed on March 28, 2019, entitled "Method and apparatus for fast service cell activation". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for rapid service cell activation. Background Technology

[0003] Mobile communication technologies are propelling the world toward an increasingly interconnected and networked society. Compared to existing wireless networks, next-generation systems and wireless communication technologies will need to support a wider range of use case characteristics and provide more complex and granular access requirements and flexibility. Evolving from LTE and LTE-A Advanced, fifth-generation wireless systems (5G) need to support emerging service demands such as higher data rates, a greater number of connections, ultra-low latency, and high reliability.

[0004] Dual Connectivity (DC) and Carrier Aggregation (CA) were introduced in the 3GPP Release 15 NR (New Radio) standard (3GPP TS 38.331 V15.4.0) to improve data rates.

[0005] In carrier aggregation (CA), two or more serving cells are aggregated into a cell group. User equipment (UE) can simultaneously receive or transmit on one or more serving cells, depending on its capabilities.

[0006] In dual connectivity (DC) operation, a UE in the RRC_CONNECTED state is configured with two radio links that utilize radio resources provided by two different schedulers located at two different base stations connected via a non-ideal backhaul and providing E-UTRA (i.e., if the node is an ng-eNB) or NR access (i.e., if the node is a gNB).

[0007] Therefore, a UE can be configured with a master cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0008] The serving cell in a cell group can be a PCell (the primary cell of the MCG), a PSCell (the primary cell of the SCG), or a SCell (the secondary cell). A SCell can be in an active, deactivated, or dormant state. A SCell can be transitioned to an active state by a MAC CE (SCell activates MAC CE), or it can be configured to be activated by an RRC message.

[0009] However, no existing technological solution currently provides multiple methods sufficient to meet the requirements of 5G standards for rapid serving cell activation. Therefore, there is a need for methods and apparatus with improved serving cell activation. Summary of the Invention

[0010] This document describes methods, systems, and devices for rapid service cell activation.

[0011] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, comprising: receiving at a user equipment (UE) a message containing a CSI report configuration for a serving cell, wherein the type of the CSI report configuration is a semi-persistent report; and activating the CSI report configuration for the serving cell by the UE when a predetermined event occurs.

[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI report configuration is identified by an explicit indicator or by an information element IE (configuration ID) in the message.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the predetermined event is any one of the following events: receiving a MAC CE at the UE to activate the bandwidth portion (BWP) for the serving cell; the UE being woken up according to a discontinuous reception DRX configuration for the serving cell or the cell group to which the serving cell belongs; and the UE being woken up according to a received wake-up signal indicating that the UE is to be woken up according to a DRX configuration for the serving cell or the cell group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, the activation of the CSI report configuration is automatic once a predetermined event occurs.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI reporting configuration also includes reporting on PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0016] As used herein, the terms “automatic” and “automatically” mean, for example, that the action of activating the CSI report configuration is triggered by a specific event (such as one of the events described above) without any additional event (such as receiving a MAC CE or DCI) occurring after said specific event to trigger said action.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources of the PUCCH or PUSCH used for CSI reporting are included in the message.

[0018] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, comprising: sending a message containing a CSI report configuration for a serving cell to a user equipment (UE) for activation of the CSI report configuration for the serving cell by the UE upon occurrence of a predetermined event, wherein the type of the CSI report configuration is a semi-persistent report.

[0019] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI report configuration is identified by an explicit indicator or by an information element IE (configuration ID) in the message.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the predetermined event is any one of the following events: sending a MAC CE event to the UE to activate the bandwidth portion (BWP) for the serving cell; sending a wake-up signal to the UE to wake up the UE according to the wake-up signal, which is used to instruct the UE to wake up according to the DRX configuration for the serving cell or the cell group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0021] According to a preferred embodiment, the activation of the CSI report configuration is automatic once a predetermined event occurs.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI reporting configuration also includes reporting on PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0023] According to a preferred embodiment, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources of the PUCCH or PUSCH used for CSI reporting are included in the message.

[0024] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the method comprising a method according to any one of the foregoing methods for configuring direct and active CSI reports.

[0025] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the method comprising: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message at a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers a RACH procedure; and applying the CSI report configuration when a timing advance command (MAC CE) is received during the RACH procedure.

[0026] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the method comprising: receiving a radio resource control (RRC) message at a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers a RACH procedure; and applying CSI report configuration when downlink control information (DCI) is received at the UE during the RACH procedure.

[0027] According to a preferred embodiment, the DCI is addressed to the UE's Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI).

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, a contention-based RACH process or a non-contention-based RACH process is triggered by a change in the primary cell, a change in the primary / secondary cell, or the addition of a secondary cell group.

[0029] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The method includes: sending a radio resource control (RRC) message to a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers either a contention-based RACH process or a non-contention-based RACH process; and sending a timing advance command (MAC CE).

[0030] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a method for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The method includes: sending a radio resource control (RRC) message to a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers a RACH procedure; and sending downlink control information (DCI) to the UE for application CSI report configuration.

[0031] According to a preferred embodiment, the DCI is addressed to the UE's Cell Radio Network Temporary Identifier (C-RNTI).

[0032] According to a preferred embodiment, a contention-based RACH process or a non-contention-based RACH process is triggered by a change in the primary cell, a change in the primary / secondary cell, or the addition of a secondary cell group.

[0033] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the method comprising any of the foregoing methods for configuring application CSI reports.

[0034] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided, the method comprising: receiving a MAC control unit (CE) from a user equipment (UE) indicating that the application of CSI report configuration should be stopped; and stopping the application of CSI report configuration once the MAC CE is received at the UE.

[0035] According to a preferred embodiment, the MAC CE includes an indicator configured by the UE to stop applying CSI reports.

[0036] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying the CSI report configuration, the method includes the additional step of applying the additional CSI report configuration when the UE receives a MAC CE with the additional CSI report configuration applied.

[0037] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying the CSI report configuration, the UE sends a CSI report to the base station BS for the serving cell to be activated.

[0038] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying additional CSI report configuration, the UE sends a CSI report to the base station BS for the serving cell to be activated.

[0039] According to a preferred embodiment, after receiving a CSI report, the UE receives a MACCE that stops applying the CSI report configuration.

[0040] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided, the method comprising: receiving downlink control information (DCI) indicating the cessation of CSI report configuration by a user equipment (UE); and stopping the application of CSI report configuration upon receiving the DCI at the UE.

[0041] According to a preferred embodiment, DCI includes an indicator configured by the UE to stop applying CSI reports.

[0042] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI report configuration type is either periodic or semi-persistent.

[0043] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying the CSI report configuration, the method includes the additional step of applying the additional CSI report configuration when the UE receives a DCI with the additional CSI report configuration applied.

[0044] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying the CSI report configuration, the UE sends a CSI report to the base station BS for the serving cell to be activated.

[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying additional CSI report configuration, the UE sends a CSI report to the base station BS for the serving cell to be activated.

[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, after receiving a CSI report, the UE receives a DCI that stops applying the CSI report configuration.

[0047] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The method includes: sending a MAC control unit (CE) to a user equipment (UE) to stop the application of CSI report configuration, so as to stop the application of CSI report configuration when the UE receives the MAC CE.

[0048] According to a preferred embodiment, the MAC CE includes an indicator configured by the UE to stop applying CSI reports.

[0049] According to a preferred embodiment, after applying the CSI report configuration at the UE, the method includes the additional step of sending a MAC CE that applies an additional CSI report configuration.

[0050] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The method includes: sending downlink control information (DCI) to a user equipment (UE) to stop the application of CSI report configuration, so as to stop the application of CSI report configuration when the UE receives the DCI.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment, DCI includes an indicator configured by the UE to stop applying CSI reports.

[0052] According to a preferred embodiment, the CSI report configuration type is either periodic or semi-persistent.

[0053] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further includes receiving a CSI report from the UE at the base station BS for the serving cell to be activated.

[0054] According to a preferred embodiment, upon receiving a CSI report, a MAC CE is sent to stop applying the CSI report configuration.

[0055] According to a preferred embodiment, upon receiving a CSI report, a DCI message is sent to stop applying the CSI report configuration.

[0056] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided, the method including any of the foregoing methods for stopping the application of CSI report configuration.

[0057] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for early measurement configuration is provided, the method comprising: receiving by a UE an instruction to include at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that was configured to the UE when the UE is in an RRC CONNECTED state in a measurement cell list; including at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that was configured to the UE when the UE is in an RRC CONNECTED state in the measurement cell list according to the instruction; and performing early measurement configuration at least in part based on the measurement cell list when the UE is in an RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state.

[0058] According to a preferred embodiment, the process of including at least one currently serving cell in the measurement cell list is initiated by receiving an instruction from the base station (BS).

[0059] According to a preferred embodiment, at least one currently serving cell is included in the measurement cell list by means of a predetermined rule.

[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, receiving an indication from the BS includes receiving an RRC message including an indication.

[0061] According to a preferred embodiment, receiving an instruction from the BS includes receiving system information transmitted in the serving cell where the UE is camped.

[0062] According to a preferred embodiment, the indication includes an indication of a specific RAT type serving cell to be included in the measurement cell list.

[0063] According to a preferred embodiment, the indication includes an indication of the E-UTRA serving cell to be included in the measurement cell list.

[0064] According to a preferred embodiment, the serving cell to be included in the measurement cell list meets the following conditions, wherein the condition is at least one of the following: the serving cell is in an active state when the UE receives an RRC release message; the serving cell is in a dormant state when the UE receives an RRC release message; the serving cell is in a deactivated state when the UE receives an RRC release message; and the carrier frequency of the serving cell is configured as a carrier frequency for early measurements.

[0065] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for early measurement configuration is provided, the method comprising: sending an indication from a base station BS for a user equipment UE to include at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that was configured to the UE when the UE is in an RRC CONNECTED state in a measurement cell list, and for performing early measurement configuration at least in part based on the measurement cell list when the UE is in an RRC IDLE state or an RRC INACTIVE state.

[0066] According to a preferred embodiment, sending an indication from the BS includes sending an RRC message including an indication.

[0067] According to a preferred embodiment, sending an instruction from the BS includes sending system information transmitted in the serving cell where the UE resides.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, the indication includes an indication of a specific RAT type serving cell that will be included in the measurement cell list.

[0069] According to a preferred embodiment, the indication includes an indication of the E-UTRA serving cell to be included in the measurement cell list.

[0070] According to a preferred embodiment, the serving cell to be included in the measurement cell list meets the following conditions, wherein the condition is at least one of the following: the serving cell is in an active state when the UE receives an RRC release message; the serving cell is in a dormant state when the UE receives an RRC release message; the serving cell is in a deactivated state when the UE receives an RRC release message; and the carrier frequency of the serving cell is configured as a carrier frequency for early measurements.

[0071] According to a preferred embodiment, the cell group includes at least one of a primary cell group (MCG) and a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0072] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for early measurement configuration is provided, the method comprising any of the foregoing methods for early measurement configuration.

[0073] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving at the UE at at least one of the following: a measurement duration timer parameter for inter-RAT measurements, a measurement duration timer parameter for inter-frequency measurements, a measurement duration timer parameter for NR frequency measurements, and a measurement duration timer parameter for E-UTRA frequency measurements; and configuring the UE according to the received measurement duration timer(s). The multiple duration timer(s) define the separate measurement duration parameter.

[0074] According to a preferred embodiment, the method further includes activating a measurement duration timer based on the received measurement duration timer(s) parameters, and performing a corresponding early measurement while the measurement duration timer is running.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, performing the corresponding early measurements includes: measuring frequencies whose RAT type is different from that of the UE's current serving cell in the case of inter-RAT measurement; measuring frequencies whose RAT type is different from that of the UE's current serving cell in the case of inter-frequency measurement; measuring frequencies whose RAT type is NR in the case of NR frequency measurement; and measuring frequencies whose RAT type is E-UTRA in the case of E-UTRA frequency measurement.

[0076] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE). The method includes sending to the UE at least one of the following: a measurement duration timer parameter for inter-RAT measurements, a measurement duration timer parameter for inter-frequency measurements, a measurement duration timer parameter for NR frequency measurements, and a measurement duration timer parameter for E-UTRA frequency measurements, to configure the UE based on the received measurement duration timer(s). The multiple duration timer(s) define the separate measurement duration parameter.

[0077] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE), the method comprising any of the foregoing methods for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a UE.

[0078] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the method comprising: receiving a message configuring a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource for SCell activation; and configuring the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal.

[0079] According to a preferred embodiment, the message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0080] According to a preferred embodiment, the message configures at least one of a periodic TRS resource, a semi-persistent TRS resource, and an aperiodic TRS resource.

[0081] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the method comprising: sending a message configuring a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource for SCell activation to configure the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal.

[0082] According to a preferred embodiment, the message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0083] According to a preferred embodiment, the message configures at least one of a periodic TRS resource, a semi-persistent TRS resource, and an aperiodic TRS resource.

[0084] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the method comprising any of the foregoing methods for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation.

[0085] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a method for fast service cell activation is provided, the method comprising any of the foregoing methods.

[0086] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive a message containing a CSI report configuration for a serving cell; and a processor configured to activate the CSI report configuration for the serving cell when a predetermined event occurs, wherein the type of the CSI report configuration is a semi-persistent report.

[0087] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The apparatus includes: a transmitter configured to transmit a message containing a CSI report configuration for a serving cell, for activating the CSI report configuration for the serving cell when a predetermined event occurs at a user equipment (UE), wherein the type of the CSI report configuration is a semi-persistent report.

[0088] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a system for configuring direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned means for configuring direct and active CSI reports.

[0089] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for applying Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive an RRC message at the apparatus, wherein the RRC message triggers a RACH procedure; and a processor configured to apply the CSI report configuration when a Timing Advance TA (TA) command MAC CE is received at the apparatus during the RACH procedure.

[0090] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for applying Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive an RRC message at the apparatus, wherein the RRC message triggers a RACH procedure; and a processor configured to apply the CSI report configuration when downlink control information (DCI) is received at the apparatus during the RACH procedure.

[0091] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a radio resource control (RRC) message to a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers the RACH process for configuring application CSI reports when a timing advance command (MAC CE) is received at the UE during a RACH process.

[0092] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a radio resource control (RRC) message to a user equipment (UE), wherein the RRC message triggers an application RACH process for CSI report configuration when downlink control information (DCI) is received at the apparatus during a RACH process.

[0093] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a system for configuring application channel state information (CSI) reports is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned means for configuring application CSI reports.

[0094] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive a MAC control unit (CE) for stopping the application of CSI report configuration; and a processor configured to stop the application of CSI report configuration upon receiving the MAC CE.

[0095] An apparatus for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration, the apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to receive downlink control information (DCI) for stopping the application of CSI report configuration; and a processor configured to stop the application of CSI report configuration upon receiving the DCI.

[0096] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit a MAC control unit (CE) for stopping the application of CSI report configuration, so as to stop the application of CSI report configuration when the MAC CE is received at a user equipment (UE).

[0097] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided. The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit downlink control information (DCI) for stopping the application of CSI report configuration, so as to stop the application of CSI report configuration when the DCI is received at a user equipment (UE).

[0098] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a system for stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) report configuration is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned means for stopping the application of CSI report configuration.

[0099] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for early measurement configuration is provided, the apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to receive an instruction to include at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that is configured to the device when the device is in an RRC CONNECTED state in a measurement cell list; and a processor configured to include at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that is configured to the device when the device is in an RRC CONNECTED state in the measurement cell list according to the instruction, and to perform early measurement configuration at least in part based on the measurement cell list when the UE is in an RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state.

[0100] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for early measurement configuration is provided, comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit an indication from the apparatus for including, by a user equipment (UE), at least one currently serving cell in a cell group that is configured to the UE when the UE is in an RRCCONNECTED state in a measurement cell list, and for performing early measurement configuration at least in part based on the measurement cell list when the UE is in an RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state.

[0101] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for early measurement configuration is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned means for early measurement configuration.

[0102] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE). The apparatus includes: a receiver configured to receive at least one of the following: measurement duration timer parameters for inter-RAT measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for inter-frequency measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for NR frequency measurements, and measurement duration timer parameters for E-UTRA frequency measurements; and a processor configured to configure the apparatus based on the received measurement duration timer parameters(s). The multiple duration timer parameters(s) define separate measurement duration parameters.

[0103] According to embodiments of this disclosure, an apparatus is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE). The apparatus includes a transmitter configured to transmit at least one of the following: measurement duration timer parameters for inter-RAT measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for inter-frequency measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for NR frequency measurements, and measurement duration timer parameters for E-UTRA frequency measurements, for the UE to configure itself based on the received measurement duration timer(s). The multiple duration timer(s) define separate measurement duration parameters.

[0104] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system is provided for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a user equipment (UE), the system including any of the foregoing means for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for the UE.

[0105] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the apparatus comprising: a receiver configured to receive a message configuring a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource for SCell activation; and a processor configuring the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal.

[0106] According to a preferred embodiment, the message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0107] According to a preferred embodiment, the message configures at least one of a periodic TRS resource, a semi-persistent TRS resource, and an aperiodic TRS resource.

[0108] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a message configuring a tracking reference signal (TRS) resource for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal.

[0109] According to a preferred embodiment, the message is an RRC reconfiguration message.

[0110] According to a preferred embodiment, the message configures at least one of a periodic TRS resource, a semi-persistent TRS resource, and an aperiodic TRS resource.

[0111] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a system for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned means for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation.

[0112] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for fast serving cell activation is provided, the apparatus comprising: a receiver and a processor configured to implement any of the aforementioned methods including a receiving step.

[0113] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, an apparatus for fast serving cell activation is provided, the apparatus comprising: a transmitter configured to implement any of the aforementioned methods including a transmission step.

[0114] According to embodiments of this disclosure, a system for fast serving cell activation is provided, the system including any of the aforementioned devices for fast serving cell activation.

[0115] Any of the aforementioned devices or systems not explicitly described as including a processor may be provided with such a processor to implement any of the aforementioned method features.

[0116] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a storage medium for storing a program is provided, wherein the program, when run, executes any of the foregoing methods.

[0117] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a processor is provided for executing a program, wherein the program, when run, performs any of the foregoing methods. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a wireless communication device is provided, the wireless communication device including a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to implement any of the foregoing methods including a receiving step.

[0118] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a base station apparatus is provided, the base station apparatus including a processor and a memory, wherein the processor is configured to implement any of the foregoing methods including a transmission step.

[0119] An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a system including the aforementioned wireless communication device and base station device.

[0120] In other words, according to embodiments of this disclosure, a system is provided that is configured to perform any of the foregoing methods.

[0121] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product including computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code causing the processor to perform any of the foregoing methods when executed by a processor.

[0122] The foregoing embodiments relate to CSI report configuration. Those skilled in the art will understand that CSI reports, and therefore CSI report configurations, particularly include channel quality information (CQI) reports and corresponding configurations. Therefore, the various embodiments also relate to CQI reports (configurations), which are included in CSI reports (configurations) or provided as separate CQI reports (configurations).

[0123] Furthermore, according to preferred embodiments of this disclosure, the aforementioned embodiments involving CSI report configuration may also involve short-cycle CSI report configuration.

[0124] Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing preferred embodiments can be combined with each other to produce specific embodiments. That is, those skilled in the art will consider combining preferred embodiments because the combination of preferred features is clearly the best way to achieve the technical effects that the invention aims to provide. Therefore, combinations of preferred features can be derived from the entirety of this invention.

[0125] The foregoing embodiments provide several advantages over the prior art and solve at least one of the problems of poor serving cell activation, increased power consumption, and signaling overhead in the related art.

[0126] In particular, embodiments related to the configuration of direct and active channel state information (CSI) reports can provide rapid CSI report configuration and CSI reporting after the UE wakes up from the DRX sleep duration.

[0127] Furthermore, embodiments related to the application channel state information (CSI) report configuration can provide short-cycle CSI from the time a message is received, and can provide conflict-free CSI report configuration during the execution of the RACH procedure.

[0128] Additionally, embodiments related to the configuration of stopping the application of Channel State Information (CSI) reports can provide power savings.

[0129] Furthermore, embodiments associated with early measurement configurations can save signaling overhead.

[0130] Implementations related to configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for the user equipment (UE) can reduce the power consumption of the UE.

[0131] These and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the subsequent description of exemplary embodiments.

[0132] The above and other aspects, as well as their implementations, are described in more detail in the accompanying drawings and description. Attached Figure Description

[0133] Figure 1An example of a signaling diagram illustrating a short-cycle CSI report configuration according to existing technology is shown;

[0134] Figure 2 An example flowchart of a method for configuring direct and proactive CSI reports according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0135] Figure 3 An example of a signaling diagram for a method of applying CSI report configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0136] Figure 4 An example of a signaling diagram for a method of applying CSI report configuration according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0137] Figure 5 It shows that according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 An example flowchart of a method for applying CSI report configuration;

[0138] Figure 6 An example of a signaling diagram for a method of stopping the application of CSI report configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0139] Figure 7 It shows that according to Figure 6 An example flowchart of a method for stopping the application of CSI report configuration;

[0140] Figure 8 An example flowchart of a method for early measurement configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0141] Figure 9 An example flowchart of a method for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a UE, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure, is shown;

[0142] Figure 10 An example flowchart of a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown; and

[0143] Figure 11 An example of a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a system including a UE and a BS according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed Implementation

[0144] Embodiments of this disclosure provide a mobile communication network (including but not limited to a 5G network), the network structure of which may include network-side devices (e.g., base stations (BS)) and terminals (e.g., user equipment (UE)), which will be described in more detail below.

[0145] Those skilled in the art will understand that CSI reports include, in particular, CQI reports. Therefore, when referring to a CQI report, it may refer to a CQI report contained within the corresponding CSI report.

[0146] Example 1

[0147] refer to Figure 1 Existing techniques for configuring short-cycle CQI reporting can be configured to the UE as shown. Compared to normal periodic CQI reporting configuration, short-cycle CQI reporting configuration has a shorter period of uplink resources for CQI reporting.

[0148] When a UE activates a SCell after receiving a SCell activation MAC CE or RRC reconfiguration message from a SCell that is configured to be active, the UE applies the configured short-cycle CQI reporting configuration. The UE can utilize this shorter-cycle CQI reporting configuration to speed up CQI reporting, and after the BS indicates to the UE that the SCell is to be activated, the BS can begin scheduling the SCell to be activated with a shorter delay.

[0149] The UE applies the configured short-cycle CQI reporting configuration during a predefined time period, such as from n+8 (ms) to n+34 (ms) in LTE, where n is the subframe in which the SCell activated MAC CE is received, or the last subframe containing an RRC message of the SCell configured to be active.

[0150] In existing NR technologies, four types of CSI reporting methods are defined: periodic CSI reporting on PUCCH, semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUCCH, semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUSCH, and non-periodic CSI reporting.

[0151] For periodic CSI reporting on PUCCH, the UE periodically reports CSI measurement results on the configured periodic PUCCH resources. For semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUCCH or PUSCH, the UE is configured with periodic CSI reporting resources, which are activated or deactivated by MAC CE (for semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUCCH) or DCI (for semi-persistent CSI reporting on PUSCH). The BS can also transmit DCI signals to trigger non-periodic CSI reporting.

[0152] Periodic CSI reports are configured via RRC messages. The UE applies the periodic CSI report configuration when the corresponding serving cell is active. In LTE, the existing short-cycle CQI reporting is also a periodic reporting method.

[0153] refer to Figure 2 The first embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 2 A signaling diagram is shown for the method used to stop the application of CSI report configuration.

[0154] At step 101, the BS sends a message containing the CSI report configuration for the serving cell to the UE. At step 102, the UE receives the message containing the CSI report configuration for the serving cell. At step 103, when a predetermined event occurs, the UE activates the CSI report configuration for the serving cell. The type of CSI report configuration is semi-persistent reporting.

[0155] More specifically, the BS configures the first CSI report configuration for the serving cell to the UE via an RRC message. The BS distinguishes the first CSI report configuration from other CSI report configurations by either an explicit indicator for the first CSI report configuration or by an IE that includes its value as the ID (CSI-ReportConfigId) of the first CSI report configuration.

[0156] The UE activates the first CSI report configuration for the serving cell under the following conditions: Scenario 1: The UE receives a MAC CE or DCI to activate the BWP for the serving cell. Case 2: The UE is woken up according to the DRX configuration used for the serving cell or the cell group to which the serving cell belongs. Case 3: The UE is woken up by a wake-up signal transmitted by the BS, which indicates whether the UE should be woken up according to the DRX configuration for the serving cell or the cell group to which the serving cell belongs.

[0157] The CSI reporting configuration also includes reporting on the PUCCH or PUSCH, and the UE automatically activates the CSI reporting configuration in the cases listed above, without requiring a display MAC CE or DCI transmitted from the BS.

[0158] When the report configuration type is semi-persistent reporting on PUCCH, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources on PUCCH for CSI reporting are also configured in the RRC message.

[0159] When the report configuration type is a semi-persistent report on PUCCH, the BWP ID is included in the RRC message. This BWP ID is used to indicate the uplink BWP associated with the PUCCH resource used for this CSI report.

[0160] When the report configuration type is semi-persistent reporting on PUSCH, the time-domain and frequency-domain resources on PUSCH for CSI reporting are also configured in the RRC message.

[0161] Optionally, in the RRC message, the BS also indicates the duration for which the semi-persistent CSI reporting configuration is applied. The BS indicates the duration by indicating the length of the duration.

[0162] Optionally, in the RRC message, the BS also indicates the time point at which the UE begins applying the first CSI report configuration. For example, the indicated time point could be an offset value starting from when the RRC message is received.

[0163] Therefore, according to the first embodiment of this disclosure, it is not necessary to define a different set of short-cycle CSI reporting configurations for accelerating CSI reporting during SCell activation and after waking from DRX sleep duration.

[0164] Instead, by adopting existing CSI report configuration definitions, this embodiment introduces an indicator of the CSI report configuration in the RRC message, or indicates which CSI report configuration IE should be activated / applied during the activation procedure of the corresponding serving cell.

[0165] Example 2

[0166] refer to Figure 1 If the serving cell is configured to be activated by an RRC message, the UE applies a short-cycle CQI report configuration from n+8ms, where n is the last subframe of the PDU containing the RRC message.

[0167] The problem with this approach is that it doesn't account for the time required for the RACH process triggered by the RRC message. If the RRC message triggers a switch (PCell change), or a SN change (PSCell change), or an SCG addition, the RACH process may be triggered to complete the time alignment.

[0168] This situation may occur under the following circumstances: Scenario 1: An RRC message triggers a change in the PCell or PSCell. The UE then initiates the RACH procedure on the new PCell or PSCell. Scenario 2: RRC message triggers RACH-less handover. Multiple uplink grants are configured in the new PCell or PSCell in the RRC message. The UE uses the configured uplink grants in the new PCell or SCell to transmit uplink signals. The BS transmits a Contention Resolution Identifier (MAC CE) to the UE to confirm the completion of the RACH-less handover process.

[0169] The problem is that the time used for the RACH process and the time used to complete the RACH-free switch are uncertain. Due to RACH conflicts or interference, the time can be quite long.

[0170] If the UE applies the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration based on the time it receives the RRC message, the UE may not have enough time to apply the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration because the RACH procedure or the non-RACH procedure occupies a predefined duration.

[0171] refer to Figures 3 to 5 The second embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 3 A signaling diagram of a method for applying CSI report configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 4 A signaling diagram of a method for applying CSI report configuration according to another preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 It shows that according to Figure 3 and 4 A flowchart of the method for configuring CSI reports.

[0172] according to Figure 5 At 201, the BS sends an RRC message to the UE. At 202, the UE receives an RRC message that triggers a RACH procedure, such as a contention-based RACH procedure or a non-contention-based RACH. At 203, the BS sends a TA command MAC CE (Time Advance Command) or DCI (i.e., DCI utilizes the C-RNTI scrambling assigned to the UE) to the UE. At 204, the UE applies the CSI report configuration when it receives the TA command MAC CE or DCI at the UE.

[0173] More specifically, the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration configured by the UE application.

[0174] When a competition-based RACH procedure is triggered, including PCell change, PSCell change, and SCG addition, the UE performs one of the following actions: a) When a TA command MAC CE is received during a RACH procedure performed on the first serving cell, the UE begins applying the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration configured for those serving cells that belong to the same TA group as the first serving cell (see [link to RACH procedure]). Figure 3 ). b) When a DCI addressing a UE's C-RNTI to the first serving cell is received, the UE begins applying the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration configured for those serving cells that belong to the same TA group as the first serving cell (see [link]). Figure 4 ).

[0175] For situations triggering a non-contention-based RACH procedure, including PCell change, PSCell change, and SCG addition, the UE performs the following actions. When a TA command MAC CE is received during a RACH procedure performed on the first serving cell, the UE begins applying the short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting configuration configured for those serving cells belonging to the same TA group as the first serving cell (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 3 ).

[0176] Therefore, according to the second embodiment of this disclosure, the UE applies the short-cycle CSI or CQI report configuration starting from the time of receiving the TA command MAC CE or completing contention resolution. Compared with the prior art, the second embodiment of this disclosure avoids the situation where the UE does not have enough time to apply the short-cycle CSI or CQI report configuration for the serving cell due to the uncertainty of RACH process delay.

[0177] Example 3

[0178] In existing technologies, if a UE is configured with short-cycle CSI or CQI reporting, it automatically applies short-cycle CSI to the corresponding serving cell within a certain period, i.e., from n+8 ms to n+34 ms, where n is the subframe in which the MAC CE is used to activate the serving cell, or the subframe containing the last PDU that configures the serving cell as active (see [link to relevant documentation]). Figure 1 ).

[0179] Despite the shorter CSI / CQI reporting period, which will consume more UE power, it is still acceptable because the duration for which the UE applies the short-period CSI / CQI reporting configuration is not that long (26 ms).

[0180] However, in NR, if this method is applied, the duration for the UE to apply the short-cycle CSI report configuration will be much longer. This is because activating the NR serving cell will require more latency. This latency is used for the UE to prepare for PDCCH listening, uplink transmission, performing CSI measurements, etc.

[0181] Furthermore, this delay may vary significantly depending on the frequency band, the SMTC configuration of the serving cell, and the timing relationship between the next opportune moment of the serving cell's SSB duration and the time when the UE begins to activate the serving cell.

[0182] Therefore, existing technical methods are no longer optimal in terms of UE power consumption.

[0183] In practice, when the serving cell to be activated is ready for scheduling and the BS can begin scheduling the serving cell based on the received CSI report, the UE applies the short-cycle CSI reporting configuration to report the CSI as quickly as possible. Therefore, after the UE has already transmitted the CSI report and data scheduling has begun, there is no need to apply the short-cycle CSI reporting configuration for an extended period.

[0184] refer to Figure 6 and Figure 7 The third embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 6 A signaling diagram of a method for stopping the application of CSI report configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7 It shows that according to Figure 6 The flowchart shows the method for stopping the application of CSI report configuration.

[0185] according to Figure 7 At 301, the BS sends a MAC CE or DCI to the UE to stop applying CSI reports. At 302, the UE receives the MAC CE or DCI. At 303, when the UE receives the MAC CE or DCI, the UE stops applying the CSI report configuration.

[0186] More specifically, the third embodiment of this disclosure aims to optimize the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art by means of the following methods.

[0187] The BS transmits MAC CE or DCI to instruct the UE to stop applying the first short-cycle CSI report configuration or the first short-cycle CQI report configuration for the serving cell.

[0188] Upon receiving the MAC CE or DCI, the UE stops applying the first CSI report configuration or the first CQI report configuration.

[0189] The first short-cycle CSI report configuration is set up for the NR serving cell. The first CSI report configuration can be a periodic or semi-persistent report type.

[0190] The first short-cycle CQI reporting configuration is set up for E-UTRA or LTE serving cells. The first CQI reporting configuration can be a periodic or semi-persistent reporting type.

[0191] The first CSI report configuration or the first CQI report configuration is applied by the UE during the cell activation procedure, that is, after the UE receives the SCell activation MAC CE or RRC message that configures the cell to be in an active state, it begins to apply the first CSI report configuration or CQI report configuration.

[0192] Optionally, the first CSI report configuration or the first CQI report configuration is applied by the UE during the SCell activation procedure for a predefined duration.

[0193] Optionally, upon receiving a MAC CE or DCI, the UE begins to apply a second CSI report configuration or a second CQI report configuration.

[0194] The second CSI report configuration or the second CQI report configuration can be a periodic report type.

[0195] After receiving a valid CSI report for the serving cell to be activated, the BS transmits a MAC CE or DCI.

[0196] Therefore, according to the third embodiment of this disclosure, the BS can explicitly signal to stop applying the short-cycle CSI report configuration. This saves unnecessary UE power consumption when the SCell is already being scheduled.

[0197] Example 4

[0198] In existing technologies, when a UE is released to the RRC IDLE state or suspended to the RRC INACTIVE state, early measurement configuration can be used to configure the UE. When the UE is in the RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, it applies measurements according to the configured early measurement configuration. When the UE transitions to the RRC CONNECTED state, it reports the measurement results to the network node (base station BS). The BS can then configure radio resources based on the early measurement results to expedite configuration.

[0199] When a UE is RRC-CONNECTED, it can be configured with either a CA or a DC. When a UE is configured with a CA, it has a set of serving cells, which are aggregated into a cell group. A UE can be configured with a DC, meaning it has more than one cell group, one of which is called an MCG and another is called an SCG.

[0200] Early measurement configuration may include the following information: at least one carrier frequency and at least one of the following parameters corresponding to the at least one carrier frequency: carrier frequency information, allowed measurement bandwidth, list of measurement cells, effective area, frequency band information, reporting quantity, and quality threshold.

[0201] The measurement cell list indicates a list of cells from which the UE is requested to measure and report during the early measurement period. In some embodiments, the reporting quantity indicates which measurement quantity is requested to be reported by the UE in the early measurement report. In some embodiments, the quality threshold indicates a quality threshold used for reporting early measurements in the measurement cells. In some embodiments, the first message also includes the duration for performing the early measurement.

[0202] When the UE is released to the RRC IDLE state, or when the UE is released to the RRC INACTIVE state, the UE will likely initiate the RRC establishment procedure or the RRC recovery procedure to transition from the same position to the RRC CONNECTED state.

[0203] In the prior art, if the BS wants to configure the UE to measure these serving cells, the BS can include the cell IDs of these cells in the early measurement configuration that is configured to the UE.

[0204] refer to Figure 8 The fourth embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 8 A flowchart of a method for early measurement configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0205] according to Figure 8 At 401, the BS sends an instruction to the UE to include at least one currently serving cell of a cell group (e.g., MCG and / or SCG) in the measurement cell list. At 402, the UE receives the instruction. At 403, based on the received instruction, the UE includes at least one currently serving cell from the cell group that was configured to the UE when the UE was in RRC CONNECTED in the measurement cell list. At 404, when the UE is in RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, the UE performs early measurement configuration at least partially based on the measurement cell list.

[0206] Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure, it is beneficial for the UE to perform early measurements on the serving cells(s) configured for the UE when the UE is in the RRC CONNECTED state. When the UE transitions to the RRC CONNECTED state, it can report the measurement results of these serving cells(s)(s) as quickly as possible.

[0207] More specifically, when the UE is in RRC CONNECTED state and before transitioning to RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, the UE will include all or part of the serving cells of the MCG and / or SCG configured for the UE as part of the measurement cell list. The UE performs this action according to BS instructions or according to predefined rules specified in the protocol.

[0208] BS instructs UE to do so by at least one of the following: 1. Include indicators in the RRC message for releasing the UE to the RRC IDLE state or suspending the UE to the RRC INACTIVE state; 2. The system information transmitted in the serving cell where the UE is camped includes an indicator.

[0209] The instruction can be defined as one of the following: 3. Include the MCG serving cell as part of the list of early measurement cells; 4. Include the serving cells of the SCG as part of the list of cells to be measured in the early measurements; 5. Include the serving cells of both MCG and SCG as part of the list of measurement cells for early measurements; 6. Includes serving cells of specific RAT types, such as NR serving cells or E-UTRA serving cells.

[0210] Furthermore, the serving cells to be included as part of the measurement cell list can meet at least one of the following conditions: 7. When the UE receives an RRC release message that transitions the UE to the RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, the serving cell is in an active state; 8. When the UE receives an RRC release message that switches the UE to RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE, the serving cell is in a dormant state; 9. When the UE receives an RRC release message that switches the UE to RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE, the serving cell is in a deactivated state; 10. When the UE receives an RRC release message that transitions the UE to the RRC IDLE or RRC INACTIVE state, the serving cell is in either state; 11. The carrier frequency of the serving cell is configured as the carrier frequency used for early measurements. This means that serving cells whose carrier frequencies are not included in the early measurement configuration according to the fourth embodiment will not be included as part of the measurement cell list.

[0211] The UE includes all or part of the serving cells configured to be in RRC CONNECTED state in the early measurement configuration, performs early measurements on these cells, and reports the measurement results for these cells.

[0212] The UE includes the serving cell in the measurement cell list for the carrier frequency on which the serving cell is located, or in the measurement cell list for the frequency band on which the serving cell is located. For example, if the serving cell is located on carrier frequency f1, the UE includes the serving cell in the measurement cell list configured for carrier frequency f1.

[0213] Therefore, according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure, signaling overhead is saved compared to the prior art.

[0214] In particular, in the prior art, the early measurement configuration carried in the RRC message transmitted by the BS to the UE requires explicit signaling to configure the cell ID of the serving cell. In contrast, according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure, only one or a few bits are needed to indicate whether the UE includes the configured serving cell as part of the early measurement.

[0215] Since the number of serving cells that can be configured for a UE may be high, the signaling size saved by adopting the solution according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure can be significant.

[0216] Example 5

[0217] In existing technology, when a UE is configured to perform early measurements in RRC IDLE state, the UE is configured with a measurement duration timer parameter called `measIdleDuration`. That is, when the UE receives an RRC release message that configures the early measurement settings for the UE, the UE starts a timer called T331 according to this parameter. Before this timer expires, the UE performs measurements according to the configured early measurement settings.

[0218] To support fast MR-DC configuration, early measurement configurations may include measurement configurations of more than one RAT type. For example, when a UE is released from an NR cell to an RRC IDLE state, the UE can be configured with early measurement configurations for both the NR frequency list and the E-UTRA frequency list. Then, while the UE is in the RRC IDLE state and before the configured measurement duration timer (T331) expires, the UE performs early measurements on both the NR and UTRA frequencies. When this measurement duration timer expires, the UE can stop performing measurements and discard the measurement results.

[0219] For the NR frequencies mentioned in this disclosure, see 3GPP TS 38.101 Release 15.3.0 or its latest version. For the E-UTRA frequencies mentioned in this disclosure, see 3GPP TS 36.101 Release 15.4.0 or its latest version. Both documents are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0220] According to existing technology, the UE performs early measurements for both intra-RAT and inter-RAT frequencies for the same duration. This is not advantageous for UE power consumption. To perform inter-RAT measurements, the UE will adjust its receiver. This additional action increases complexity and results in more power consumption than intra-RAT measurements.

[0221] In existing technologies, the same problem exists for inter-frequency measurements. When a UE is configured with multiple frequencies to perform early measurements, it performs measurements on these frequencies over the same duration, however, inter-frequency measurements consume significantly more power than intra-frequency measurements.

[0222] refer to Figure 9 The fifth embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 9 A flowchart is shown of a method for configuring a separate measurement duration timer for performing early measurements for a UE, according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0223] according to Figure 9 At 501, the BS sends the UE at least one of the following: measurement duration timer parameters for inter-RAT measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for inter-frequency measurements, measurement duration timer parameters for NR frequency measurements, and measurement duration timer parameters for E-UTRA frequency measurements. At 502, the UE receives the measurement duration timer parameters(s). At 503, the UE configures itself based on the received measurement duration timer parameters(s).

[0224] According to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure, the aforementioned measurement duration timer parameter can be set separately.

[0225] In more detail, define separate early measurement duration parameters to implement finer-grained control over UE behavior.

[0226] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the BS can configure an early measurement duration parameter for the UE to perform inter-RAT measurements. The UE starts a timer whose length is set according to this parameter. When this timer runs, the UE performs early measurements on frequencies configured for RAT types that are different from the RAT types of the UE's current serving cell.

[0227] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the BS can configure an early measurement duration parameter for the UE to perform inter-frequency measurements. The UE starts a timer whose length is set according to this parameter. When this timer runs, the UE performs early measurements on inter-frequency frequencies (frequencies different from the frequency of the UE's current serving cell).

[0228] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the BS can configure early measurement duration parameters for the UE for NR and E-UTRA frequencies, respectively. The UE starts a timer whose length is set according to these parameters. When the timer runs, the UE performs early measurements on the configured frequencies whose RAT type is the same as the RAT type associated with the timer. For example, when the measurement duration timer for the NR frequency runs, the UE performs early measurements on the NR frequency.

[0229] Therefore, according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure, the BS can control the UE behavior of early measurements with fine granularity. Configuring different measurement duration timer lengths can optimize the UE's power consumption.

[0230] Example 6

[0231] refer to Figure 10 The sixth embodiment of this disclosure is described. Figure 10 An example flowchart of a method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in SCell activation according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0232] according to Figure 10 At 601, the BS sends a message to the UE configuring the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) for SCell activation, thus configuring the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal. At 602, the UE receives a message configuring the TRS resources for SCell activation. At 603, the UE configures the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal.

[0233] In the 3GPP NR system, TRS refers to the CSI-RS used for tracking, which is configured by the higher-layer UE-specific configuration of the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet with the higher-layer parameter trs-Info.

[0234] More specifically, time-frequency synchronization delay is the primary factor affecting SCell activation delay. Therefore, reducing the delay used to achieve time-frequency synchronization can significantly reduce SCell activation delay. In addition to the SSB, the TRS can be configured as a time-frequency synchronization signal for each SCell to achieve faster time-frequency synchronization. Three alternative schemes exist for doing this:

[0235] Alternative Solution 1: Periodic TRS resources for SCell can be configured via RRC reconfiguration messages. When the UE receives MAC CE or RRC signaling for SCell activation, the UE can detect the TRS based on the configured offset and periodicity, similar to the process used for SSB detection. The BS transmits the TRS based on the configured offset and periodicity.

[0236] When an SCell activation command is received in time slot n, the SCell should be activated no later than time slot n + TTRS + Tothers. TTRS is the time to acquire the TRS. The maximum value of TTRS is the period of the TRS resource. Tothers is the time used for other processes related to SCell activation, including HARQ or RRC processing time, CSI report processing time, RF retuning time, L2 resolution time, AGC adjustment time, etc.

[0237] Alternative Solution 2: Semi-persistent TRS resources for SCells can be configured via RRC reconfiguration messages. When SCells are activated using MAC CE, semi-persistent TRS can also be triggered via MAC CE or DCI. When RRC signaling is used to activate SCells, semi-persistent TRS can be triggered by DCI upon receiving RRC signaling, or by RRC signaling instructing the UE to activate the configured semi-persistent TRS resources. If a TRS is triggered in time slot n1, the UE can detect the semi-persistent TRS in time slot n1+X. X is the offset configured according to the RRC message (indicated by periodicityAndOffset), or an offset defined by the protocol, which can be considered as TTRS. Therefore, when an SCell activation command is received in time slot n, the SCell will be activated in time slot n+X+Tothers.

[0238] Alternative Solution 3: Aperiodic TRS resources for SCells can be configured via RRC reconfiguration messages. When RRC signaling is used to activate a SCell, aperiodic TRS can be triggered by DCI using RRC signaling. When MAC CE is used to activate a SCell, aperiodic TRS can be triggered by DCI via cross-carrier scheduling, or by MAC CE. Therefore, if a TRS is triggered in time slot n1, the UE can detect the aperiodic TRS in time slot n1+X. X is an offset configured by the RRC message (indicated by aperiodicTriggeringOffset) or an offset defined by the protocol, which can be considered as a TTRS. When a SCell activation command is received in time slot n, the SCell will be activated in time slot n+K+X+Tothers. K is the timing used for cross-carrier scheduling.

[0239] In all alternative schemes, the BS transmits TRS with a power that has a fixed relationship with the power used to transmit SSB or PDCCH in the same cell or the same BWP.

[0240] Optionally, the BS indicates the transmission power of the TRS to the UE by indicating the power value or power offset of the SSB or PDCCH transmitted in the same cell or the same beam.

[0241] Those skilled in the art will understand that early measurement configurations may also be referred to as idle measurement configurations or inactive measurement configurations.

[0242] refer to Figure 11 This illustrates a system according to the present disclosure. Specifically, Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a system including UE 10 and BS 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0243] UE 10 includes a processor 11 and a receiver 12.

[0244] The processor 11 can implement any of the steps described in the first to fifth embodiments on the UE 10.

[0245] Receiver 12 can receive any of the aforementioned signals of the first to fifth embodiments at UE 10.

[0246] BS 20 includes a transmitter 21 that can transmit any of the aforementioned signals from the first to fifth embodiments from BS 20.

[0247] Therefore, as Figure 11 The system shown can implement any of the methods described above according to preferred embodiments 1 to 5.

[0248] Example 7

[0249] When a MAC CE or RRC reconfiguration message for SCell activation is received, the UE uses the SSB, CSI-RS, or TRS (for tracking CSI-RS) of the reference SCell to perform time-frequency synchronization or AGC adjustment for that SCell.

[0250] Optionally, the antenna ports of the SCell to be activated and the reference cell are quasi-co-located.

[0251] The BS configures reference information for the SCell via RRC reconfiguration messages. This reference information helps the UE detect the SSB CSI-RS or TRS in the reference cell for the SCell to be activated.

[0252] The reference information includes at least one of the following parameters: - The cell ID or index of the reference serving cell; - SSB index mapping between the reference cell and the SCell to be activated, used to indicate the relationship between the reference SSB index and the SSB index used for the SCell to be activated; - A CSI-RS index mapping between the reference cell and the SCell to be activated, used to indicate the relationship between the reference CSI-RS index and the CSI-RS index used for the SCell to be activated; - A TRS index mapping between the reference cell and the SCell to be activated, used to indicate the relationship between the reference TRS index and the TRS index used for the SCell to be activated; - Cell-level power offset between the reference SCell and the SCell to be activated; - Power offset of the SSB beam between the reference SCell and the SCell to be activated; - Power offset of the CSI-RS beam between the reference SCell and the SCell to be activated; - Power offset of the TRS beam between the reference TRS and the SCell to be activated.

[0253] The UE performs time and frequency synchronization by executing the following steps: - Receive RRC reconfiguration messages including reference information; and - Upon receiving a MAC CE or RRC reconfiguration message for SCell activation, detect the SSB / CSI-RS / TRS in the reference cell based on the reference cell index and the SSB / CSI-RS / TRS index mapping between the reference cell and the SCell to be activated.

[0254] The UE performs AGC regulation by executing the following steps: - Receive RRC reconfiguration messages including reference information; and - Upon receiving a MAC CE or RRC reconfiguration message for SCell activation, perform AGC adjustment based on the received cell-level power offset or the power offset of the SSB / CSI-RS / TRS beam between the reference SCell and the SCell to be activated.

[0255] Using this embodiment, the UE can perform time-frequency synchronization or AGC adjustment using reference signals transmitted in another serving cell. This is beneficial in reducing SCell activation. To activate a SCell, the UE must complete time-frequency synchronization and AGC before activating PDCCH listening on the SCell to be activated. In the prior art, the UE performs these functions by reading the SSB or other references transmitted on the SCell to be activated. If the period of these reference signals is too long, the SCell activation delay will be correspondingly large.

[0256] If the UE can read reference signals transmitted on other serving cells, the latency can be reduced because the UE actually has more frequency reference signals for time-frequency synchronization and AGC regulation.

[0257] Those skilled in the art will understand that this disclosure is not limited to the description of the steps performed by the BS and the steps performed by the UE. Rather, the UE and BS may be provided as separate units or as a system combined with each other.

[0258] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or part of the steps described above can be implemented using a program of instruction-associated hardware, stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a read-only memory, a disk, or an optical disk. In some embodiments, all or part of the steps in the foregoing embodiments can also be implemented using one or more integrated circuits. Therefore, each module / unit in the foregoing embodiments can be implemented in hardware or in software. The present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0259] It should be understood that various modifications and improvements can be made to this invention without departing from its scope. Such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention.

[0260] From the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the methods according to the above embodiments can be implemented by software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms, and of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases, the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the present invention (which are necessary or helpful to the prior art) can be implemented in the form of software products stored in storage media (such as ROM / RAM, disks, optical discs), and can include multiple instructions for causing terminal devices (which may be mobile phones, computers, servers, or network devices, etc.) to execute the methods described in the various embodiments of the present invention.

[0261] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the various modules or steps of the present invention described above can be implemented by a general-purpose computing device, which may be centralized on a single computing device or distributed across a network of multiple computing devices. In some embodiments, they may be implemented as program code executable by a computing device, such that they can be stored in a storage device for execution by the computing device, and in some cases may be different. The steps shown or described are performed sequentially, or they are manufactured separately as separate integrated circuit modules, or multiple modules or steps thereof are manufactured as a single integrated circuit module. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to any particular combination of hardware and software.

[0262] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention. Various modifications and changes can be made to the invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and scope of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in secondary cell activation, comprising: Receive a message for configuring the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) resource for secondary cell SCell activation, so as to configure the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal; as well as Configure the TRS used for SCell activation as the time-frequency synchronization signal. The TRS resource mentioned above is a non-periodic TRS resource. Wherein, the SCell is activated by the Media Access Control (MAC) control element CE, and the aperiodic TRS is triggered by the MAC CE, and The aperiodic TRS is triggered in time slot n1 and detected in time slot n1+X, where X is an offset configured by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or defined by a protocol.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The aperiodic TRS is detected, wherein the aperiodic TRS has a transmission power that has a fixed relationship with the transmission power of the synchronization signal block (SSB) used for transmission within the same cell.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The indication of the transmission power received by the non-periodic TRS includes a power value or a power offset relative to the transmission of the SSB within the same cell.

4. A method for time-frequency synchronization signaling in secondary cell activation, comprising: Send a message to configure the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) resource for secondary cell SCell activation, so that the TRS used for SCell activation is configured as a time-frequency synchronization signal. The TRS resource mentioned above is a non-periodic TRS resource. Wherein, the SCell is activated by the Media Access Control (MAC) control element CE, and the aperiodic TRS is triggered by the MAC CE, and The aperiodic TRS is triggered in time slot n1 and transmitted in time slot n1+X, where X is an offset configured by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or defined by a protocol.

5. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: The aperiodic TRS is transmitted with a transmission power that has a fixed relationship with the transmission power of the synchronization signal block (SSB) used to transmit within the same cell.

6. The method according to claim 4, further comprising: Send an indication of the transmission power of the aperiodic TRS, wherein the indication includes a power value or a power offset relative to the transmission of the SSB within the same cell.

7. A wireless communication device, comprising a processor and a receiver, in, The receiver is configured to receive a message for configuring the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) resource for secondary cell SCell activation, to configure the TRS for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal, and The processor is configured to configure the TRS used for SCell activation as the time-frequency synchronization signal. The TRS resource mentioned above is a non-periodic TRS resource. Wherein, the SCell is activated by the Media Access Control (MAC) control element CE, and the aperiodic TRS is triggered by the MAC CE, and The aperiodic TRS is triggered in time slot n1 and detected in time slot n1+X, where X is an offset configured by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or defined by a protocol.

8. The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein, The receiver is also configured to detect the aperiodic TRS, which has a transmission power that has a fixed relationship with the transmission power of the synchronization signal block (SSB) used for transmission within the same cell.

9. The wireless communication device according to claim 7, wherein, The receiver is also configured to receive an indication of the transmission power of the aperiodic TRS, wherein the indication includes a power value or a power offset relative to the transmission of the SSB within the same cell.

10. A base station apparatus, comprising a transmitter, wherein, The transmitter is configured to send a message for configuring a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) resource for secondary cell SCell activation, to configure the TRS resource for SCell activation as a time-frequency synchronization signal, wherein the TRS resource is an aperiodic TRS resource, the SCell is activated by a Media Access Control (MAC) control element (CE), and the aperiodic TRS is triggered by the MAC CE, wherein the aperiodic TRS is triggered in time slot n1, and the aperiodic TRS is transmitted in time slot n1+X, where X is an offset configured by a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message or defined by a protocol.

11. The base station apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The transmitter is also configured to transmit the aperiodic TRS at a transmission power that has a fixed relationship with the transmission power used to transmit synchronization signal blocks (SSBs) in the same cell.

12. The base station apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The transmitter is also configured to transmit an indication of the transmission power of the aperiodic TRS, wherein the indication includes a power value or a power offset relative to the transmission of the SSB within the same cell.

13. A computer program product comprising computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code causing the processor, when executed by a processor, to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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