Switching duration determination

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to switch duration determination. A method includes determining, based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a first switch duration for a first apparatus to switch from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier, determining, based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a second switch duration for the first apparatus to switch from reception on the second carrier to reception on the first carrier, and performing reception on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first switch duration and the second switch duration.

Description

Cross-references to related applications

[0001] This application claims priority and benefit to Indian Patent Application No. 202541010608, filed on February 7, 2025, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] The various example embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to the field of electronic communications, and more specifically to the determination of switching duration. Background Technology

[0003] Low-frequency (LB) carriers typically refer to electromagnetic waves with relatively low frequencies used to carry communication signals. LB carriers have long wavelengths and low propagation loss, enabling signals to travel long distances. This makes them advantageous for long-distance communication, such as in rural areas. Additionally, LB carriers can penetrate buildings relatively well, making them suitable for scenarios where signals need to overcome obstacles, such as indoor communication in urban areas. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In a first aspect of this disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes: at least one processor; at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least: determine a first switching duration for the first apparatus to switch from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching; determine a second switching duration for the first apparatus to switch from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching; and perform reception on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first switching duration and the second switching duration.

[0005] In a second aspect of this disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes: at least one processor; at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first apparatus to at least: receive from the first apparatus timing information associated with a carrier handover at the first apparatus; determine, based on the received timing information, a first handover duration for handover from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier and a second handover duration for handover from reception on the second carrier to reception on the first carrier; and perform transmissions on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0006] In a third aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: determining a first handover duration for a first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency handover; determining a second handover duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a second carrier to receiving on a first carrier based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency handover; and performing receiving on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0007] In a fourth aspect of this disclosure, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving from a first device time information associated with a carrier handover at the first device; determining, based on the received time information, a first handover duration for handover from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier and a second handover duration for handover from reception on the second carrier to reception on the first carrier; and performing transmissions on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0008] In a fifth aspect of this disclosure, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes: means for determining a first handover duration for the first apparatus to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency handover; means for determining a second handover duration for the first apparatus to switch from receiving on a second carrier to receiving on a first carrier based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency handover; and means for performing receiving on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0009] In a sixth aspect of this disclosure, a second apparatus is provided. The second apparatus includes: means for receiving time information associated with carrier handover at the first apparatus from a first apparatus; means for determining, based on the received time information, a first handover duration for handover from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier and a second handover duration for handover from reception on the second carrier to reception on the first carrier; and means for performing transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0010] In a seventh aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to a third aspect.

[0011] In an eighth aspect of this disclosure, a computer-readable medium is provided. The computer-readable medium includes instructions stored thereon for causing a device to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary portion is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1A to 1D A schematic diagram illustrating the application of different carriers based on different distances from the cell center is shown; Figure 2 An example scenario of switching between carriers is shown; Figure 3 This diagram illustrates carrier switching between Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Supplemental Downlink (SDL) carriers. Figure 4 An example of frequency band combination suitable for low-low frequency band carrier aggregation (CA) is shown; Figure 5 A schematic diagram showing the switching duration between FDD and SDL carriers is provided. Figure 6 An example communication environment in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown; Figure 7 The signaling flow for determining the handover duration is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 8 A schematic diagram illustrating the handover duration between FDD and SDL carriers according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; Figure 9 Example signaling flows for carrier switching according to some example embodiments of this disclosure are shown; Figure 10 The signaling flow for determining the handover duration is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 11 Example signaling flows for carrier switching according to some example embodiments of this disclosure are shown; Figure 12A A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 12B A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 13A A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 13B A flowchart is shown illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure; Figure 14A simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown; and Figure 15 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0014] Throughout the accompanying drawings, the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements. Detailed Implementation

[0015] The principles of this disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and to assist those skilled in the art in understanding and implementing this disclosure, without imposing any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0016] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains.

[0017] References to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc., in this disclosure indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment needs to include that particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Additionally, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, whether explicitly stated or not, it is assumed that its influence on such feature, structure, or characteristic in conjunction with other embodiments is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0018] It should be understood that although various elements may be described herein using prefixes such as “first,” “second,” etc., these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another, and they do not restrict the order of the terms. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0019] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements is connected by “and” or “or”, means at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

[0020] As used herein, unless explicitly stated otherwise, the action “in response to A” does not indicate that the action is performed immediately after “A” occurs and may include one or more intervention steps.

[0021] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprising,” “including,” “having,” “having,” “including,” and / or “comprising” as used herein specify the presence of the stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0022] As used in this application, the term "circuit system" may refer to one or more of the following: (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuits only), and (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuitry with software / firmware, and (ii) Any part of a hardware processor having software (including digital signal processor(s) working together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions), software, and memory), and (c) One or more hardware circuits and / or one or more processors, such as one or more microprocessors or a portion thereof, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when operation is not required.

[0023] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of the term in this application, including in any claim. As another example, as used herein, the term "circuit" also encompasses only hardware circuitry or a processor (or multiple processors) or a portion thereof and its accompanying software and / or firmware implementation. For example, and if applicable to a particular claim element, the term "circuit" also encompasses baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits used in mobile devices or servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or networking devices.

[0024] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices in a communication network can be performed according to any suitable generated communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), 5.5G, sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols and / or any other currently known or future-developed protocols. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to a variety of communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will naturally also be future types of communication technologies and systems that can implement this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should not be limited to the aforementioned systems only.

[0025] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communications network through which terminal devices access the network and receive services. Network devices can refer to base stations (BS) or access points (APs), such as Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), NR NB (also known as gNB), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), Radio Head (RH), Remote Radio Head (RRH), repeater, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) node, low-power node (such as femtoseconds, picoseconds), non-terrestrial network (NTN) or non-terrestrial network equipment (such as satellite network equipment, low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) satellites), spacecraft network equipment, etc., depending on the terminology and technology applied. In some example embodiments, the Radio Access Network (RAN) split architecture includes a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) at the IAB donor node. An IAB node includes a mobile terminal (IAB-MT) portion that behaves like a UE toward its parent node, and a DU portion that behaves like a base station toward the next-hop IAB node.

[0026] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not a limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices can include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, Voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer premises equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronics devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. The terminal device may also correspond to the mobile terminal (MT) portion of a WAB node or IAB node (e.g., a relay node). In the following description, the terms "terminal device," "communication device," "terminal," "user equipment," and "UE" are used interchangeably.

[0027] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “resource block,” “physical resource block” (PRB), “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” can refer to any resource used to perform communication, such as communication between a terminal device and a network device, including resources in the time domain, frequency domain, spatial domain, code domain, or any other combination of time, frequency, spatial, and / or code domain resources used to implement communication. In the following, unless explicitly stated otherwise, resources in both the frequency and time domains will be used as examples of transmission resources used to describe some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Note that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0028] As mentioned above, LB carriers can propagate over long distances and have significant advantages in long-distance communication. Mid-band (MB) carriers, high-band (HB) carriers, and ultra-high-band (UHB) carriers also have corresponding advantages in specific scenarios. Figures 1A to 1D A schematic diagram illustrating the application of different carriers based on different distances from the cell center is shown. For example... Figure 1A As shown, MB carriers are more useful near base stations, while LB carriers are more useful in areas far from base stations and for indoor communication in urban areas. Figure 1BAs shown, in the near field, the LB, MB, and HB carriers have approximately the same activity level, and the UHB carrier is also active. Figure 1B As shown, in the transition field, the LB, MB, and HB carriers are also active. However, as Figure 1D As shown, in the far field, almost only the LB carrier is active.

[0029] Operators typically hold 10 to 20 times more mid-band spectrum than low-band spectrum. Therefore, in both urban (indoor) and rural areas, low-band (LB) carries a large volume of traffic, leading to low-band congestion and severely degrading customer experience.

[0030] Low-low band carrier aggregation (CA) could be one way to address this issue, but this solution doesn't exist due to challenges in supporting it from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). While the low-band SDL reaches most of the poor coverage areas, the lack of an intermediate band with uplink (UL) renders it useless.

[0031] To address this, a solution has been proposed. This solution enables the utilization of SDL through a low-low band CA method with minimal impact on the UE. For example... Figure 2 As shown, in this solution, the UE switches its configuration between two states of the radio frequency (RF) front end (defined as Situation 1 and Situation 2). In Situation 1, one-way transmission (Tx) and two-way reception (Rx) operations are performed on the FDD carrier, while there is no transmission or reception on the SDL carrier. In Situation 2, two-way reception operations are performed on the SDL carrier, and there is no transmission or reception on the FDD carrier.

[0032] The following will refer to Figure 3 Further describe the switching between the two carriers. For example... Figure 3 As shown, the UE's transceiver switches between the FDD and SDL bands at transmission time intervals (TTIs). In TTI N1, the transceiver performs transmission and reception on the FDD band. In TTI N2, the transceiver switches to perform reception on the SDL band. There is no UL transmission on the SDL band. After the SDL-scheduled receive interval ends, the transceiver switches back to the FDD duplexer to perform transmission and reception in TTI N3.

[0033] To implement this solution, several requirements are imposed on the UE. The UE needs to support inter-carrier scheduling. It monitors the FDD downlink (DL), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and Downlink Control Information (DCI), which includes both FDD and SDL scheduling. The UE needs to support TTI-level handover. When scheduling a secondary cell (SCell), the UE needs to switch to the SCell filter. During the scheduling period, there are no simultaneous Tx / Rx events between the primary cell (PCell) and the SCell.

[0034] Figure 4 This document showcases several frequency band combinations suitable for low-frequency-to-low-frequency carrier aggregation. Regarding the n12A-n29A carrier aggregation combination, it's important to note that in some regions, the band gap (728-729 MHz) between the n29 downlink and the n12 downlink does not contain existing narrowband services. For the n28A-n67A carrier aggregation combination, in some regions, the n28 band is restricted to uplink 703-733 MHz and downlink 758-788 MHz. Based on the assumption of a full-band duplexer architecture, corresponding technical requirements for the n28 band will be proposed later. The n5A-n29A carrier aggregation combination has been standardized, but the relative bandwidth that a single antenna needs to support poses a technical challenge to its practical implementation. The n29A-n71A carrier aggregation combination has also been standardized, but its single antenna needs to support a relative bandwidth of 16.5%, which also faces significant challenges in practical implementation.

[0035] Figure 5 A schematic diagram illustrating the handover time between an FDD carrier and an SDL carrier is shown. As shown, dT2 refers to the time required to switch from FDD carrier downlink reception to SDL carrier downlink reception, while dT1 represents the time required to switch back from SDL downlink reception to FDD downlink reception.

[0036] TTI-level handover in low-frequency band carrier aggregation must be precise because this allows the network to avoid scheduling any deep transfers at the moment of handover. In some solutions, handover duration is typically determined by looking up a table or referencing a set of predefined handover durations. However, these solutions cannot meet the accuracy requirements.

[0037] According to an example embodiment of this disclosure, a solution is proposed for determining the duration required to switch between reception on a first carrier and reception on a second carrier. This switching duration is determined based on multiple sets of time parameters related to frequency switching.

[0038] The solution disclosed herein can be used to determine the carrier switching duration more reasonably and accurately, thereby improving the accuracy of receiving on different carriers.

[0039] Figure 6A schematic diagram of an example communication environment 600 in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented is shown. In the communication environment 100, multiple communication devices, including a terminal device 610 and a network device 620, can communicate with each other.

[0040] exist Figure 6 In the example, terminal device 610 can be a user equipment, and network device 620 can be a base station serving the user equipment. The service area of ​​network device 620 can be called a cell. These cells can include primary cell 602-1 and secondary cell 602-2. Network device 620 operates in a radio access network and is therefore also called a RAN network device.

[0041] It should be understood that Figure 6 The number of devices and their connections shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not constitute any limitation. Communication environment 600 may contain any suitable number of devices configured to implement the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Although not shown, it will be understood that one or more additional devices may be deployed in primary cell 602-1 and secondary cell 602-2, and one or more additional cells may be deployed in communication environment 600. It should be noted that although illustrated as a network device, network device 620 may also be a device other than a network device. Similarly, although illustrated as a terminal device, terminal device 610 may also be a device other than a terminal device.

[0042] For illustrative purposes, some example embodiments will be described below in conjunction with a terminal device 610 operating as a user equipment and a network device 620 operating as a base station (e.g., gNB). However, in some example embodiments, operations described as being related to the terminal device may be implemented on the network device or other devices, and operations described as being related to the network device may also be implemented on the terminal device or other devices.

[0043] In some example embodiments, the communication direction from network device 620 to terminal device 610 is referred to as the downlink, and the communication direction from terminal device 610 to network device 620 is referred to as the uplink. In the downlink, network device 620 is the transmitting device (or transmitter), and terminal device 610 is the receiving device (or receiver). In the uplink, terminal device 610 is the transmitting device (or transmitter), and network device 620 is the receiving device (or receiver).

[0044] Communication in the communication environment 600 can be implemented according to any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), and sixth-generation (6G), wireless local area network communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11, and / or any other currently known or future-developed protocols. Furthermore, communication can utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform Extended OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other currently known or future-developed technologies.

[0045] Now, some example procedures will be described. Figure 7 Signaling flow 700 for handover duration determination according to some example embodiments of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 7 As shown, signaling flow 700 may involve terminal device 610 (as an example of a first device) and network device 620 (as an example of a second device). For the purposes of discussion, reference will be made to... Figure 6 Discussion process 700.

[0046] The main concept of this disclosure is to determine the first handover duration and the second handover duration by taking into account the possible operations that need to be performed by the terminal device 610 and the network device 620 during carrier handover.

[0047] The first handover duration is the time spent by terminal device 610 switching from receiving on the first carrier to receiving on the second carrier. The second handover duration is the time spent by terminal device 610 switching from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier. In some examples, the first handover duration and the second handover duration can be the same. In other examples, they can be different.

[0048] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be an SDL carrier and the second carrier may be an FDD carrier. In this case, the FDD carrier is a carrier with only UL (Ultra-Low) occupancy. Some example embodiments in this disclosure can be illustrated by using SDL and FDD carriers as examples. However, it should be understood that these implementations can also be implemented on other LB (Low-Low) carriers and even on various suitable carriers.

[0049] like Figure 7As shown, in some example embodiments, terminal device 610 may send (705) one or more time parameters related to frequency switching of terminal device 610 to network device 620. Network device 620 may receive (710) the one or more time parameters from terminal device 610. The one or more time parameters may represent the time required for terminal device 610 to perform operations for carrier switching.

[0050] In some examples, one or more time parameters may include a first retuning duration and a second retuning duration. The first retuning duration is the time spent retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier. The second retuning duration is the time spent retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier. The retuning duration refers to the time involved in activating the receiver's frequency conversion components (e.g., a local oscillator (LO)) and / or tuning those components from the first carrier frequency to the second carrier frequency.

[0051] In the example where the same frequency conversion component is used for two carriers, the first retuning duration and the second retuning duration can be the time it takes for the frequency conversion component to tune its operating frequency, and the first and second retuning durations can be the same. In the example where different frequency conversion components are used for two carriers, these two retuning durations can be the time it takes for the receiver of terminal device 610 to switch from one frequency conversion component to another. In this case, the two retuning durations can be the same or different.

[0052] In some examples, one or more time parameters may include an activation duration for activating the transmitter used for transmission from terminal device 610 to network device 620. For example, when terminal device 610 switches from an SDL carrier to an FDD carrier, an activation duration may be spent activating its transmitter for uplink transmission.

[0053] Alternatively, or additionally, in some example embodiments, terminal device 610 may also transmit a minimum handover duration calculated based on these parameters.

[0054] In some examples, one or more time parameters may include a first reference duration and a second reference duration. The first reference duration is the time required for terminal device 610 to switch from a first carrier to a second carrier. The second reference duration is the time required for terminal device 610 to switch from a second carrier to a first carrier. The first and second reference durations may be corresponding minimum handover durations. The minimum handover duration refers to the minimum time required for terminal device 610 to perform carrier handover. For example, the minimum handover duration may be calculated by terminal device 610 based on the time spent on the necessary operations for carrier handover.

[0055] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 610 may determine a first reference duration based on a first retuning duration and an activation duration. A second reference duration may be determined based on a second retuning duration. For example, the first reference duration may be the sum of the first retuning duration and the activation duration. The second reference duration may be equal to the second retuning duration.

[0056] Now continue Figure 7 Network device 620 determines (715) a first handover duration based on a first set of time parameters and (720) a second handover duration based on a second set of time parameters. In some example embodiments, the first set of time parameters may include at least one of one or more received time parameters. The second set of time parameters may include at least one of one or more received time parameters.

[0057] For example, the first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance as indicated by network device 620 to terminal device 610. The second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration. Due to the delay of the wireless signal during transmission, terminal device 610 needs to transmit data a certain amount of time in advance according to the indication from network device 620. This is to ensure that uplink data can arrive accurately within the expected time window of network device 620. Therefore, timing advance refers to the amount of time by which network device 620 instructs terminal device 610 to send the signal in advance.

[0058] Now, for reference Figure 8 Examples of the first and second handover durations are provided. Figure 8 As shown, time dT1 represents the time required to switch from the SDL carrier to the FDD carrier, while time dT2 represents the time required to switch from the FDD carrier to the SDL carrier. The FDD carrier is the only carrier with UL.

[0059] Regarding the retuning duration, in one architecture option, it refers to the time involved in enabling the RF receiver chain LO and / or retuning the LO from the SDL frequency to the FDD frequency. Therefore, the first switching duration dT1 and the switching duration dT2 can be determined as follows:

[0060]

[0061] TX_ON represents the time taken for terminal device 610 to activate its transmitter for uplink transmission. TA indicates the timing advance before the start of the corresponding downlink frame at terminal device 610.

[0062] In the example where terminal device 610 sends a first reference duration and a second reference duration to network device 620, the first set of time parameters may include the first reference duration and timing advance. The second set of time parameters may include the second reference duration.

[0063] The methods for determining the first and second handover durations described above are merely exemplary and not restrictive. Other possible calculation methods are also feasible.

[0064] continue Figure 7 Network device 620 sends configuration information (725) including a first handover duration and a second handover duration to terminal device 610. Terminal device 610 receives (730) the handover duration and performs (735) reception on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0065] In some example embodiments, terminal device 610 can switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier by performing the following operations: Terminal device 610 can retune the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier. It can activate the transmitter for UL transmission, and it can perform transmission to network device 620 based on timing advance.

[0066] In some example embodiments, terminal device 610 can switch from receiving on a second carrier to receiving on a first carrier by retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier.

[0067] Figure 9 An example signaling stream 900 for carrier switching is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Signaling stream 900 can be considered as... Figure 7 An example of signaling flow 700. For illustrative purposes, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Describe signaling flow 900. Signaling flow 900 involves terminal device 610, network device 620, PCell 602-1, and SCell 602-2. In this example, PCell 602-1 communicates with terminal device 610 via an FDD carrier, and SCell 602-2 communicates with terminal device 610 via an SDL carrier.

[0068] like Figure 9As shown, at 905, terminal device 610 informs network device 620 of timing parameters, such as retuning duration and TX_ON. In some examples, these timing parameters may be included in the capability information of terminal device 610. At 910, network device 620 calculates handover durations dT1 and dT2. The calculation method may include, but is not limited to, the methods described above. At 915, network device 620 configures a low-frequency carrier aggregation handover mode with asymmetric handover durations dT1 (3 symbols) and dT2 (1 symbol). The first handover duration dT1 and the second handover duration dT2 may be configured as part of the carrier handover configuration.

[0069] Subsequently, at 920, terminal device 610 communicates with network device 620 on the FDD carrier according to the network configuration. At 925, terminal device 610 switches to the SDL carrier by retuning its local oscillator. At 930, terminal device 610 completes the handover within the configured second handover duration dT2. After the handover is completed, at 935, network device 620 schedules downlink data to terminal device 610 on the SDL carrier.

[0070] At 940 and 945, terminal device 610 switches to the FDD carrier by retuning its local oscillator and activates its transmitter for uplink transmission. At 950, terminal device 610 transmits uplink symbols by applying a timing advance before the start of the downlink frame. At 955, terminal device 610 completes the handover within the configured first handover duration dT1 and prepares to receive downlink frames from network device 620. At 960, after the handover is complete, network device 620 schedules downlink data to terminal device 610 on the FDD carrier.

[0071] The above describes an example embodiment of network device 620 determining the handover duration. A scheme where terminal device 610 calculates the handover duration is also feasible. The following will combine... Figure 10 Introduce the plan.

[0072] Figure 10 Signaling flow 1000 for determining handover duration according to some example embodiments of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 10 As shown, signaling flow 1000 may involve terminal device 610 (as an example of a first device) and network device 620 (as an example of a second device). For discussion purposes, reference will be made to... Figure 6 Discussion process 1000.

[0073] The parameters mentioned below can all refer to those parameters in the above example embodiments.

[0074] like Figure 10As shown, the terminal device 610 determines (1005) a first switching duration based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, and determines (1010) a second switching duration based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching.

[0075] As described above, the first set of time parameters may include the first retuning duration, the activation duration, and the timing advance. In some example embodiments, the terminal device 610 may receive configuration information from the network device 620. The timing advance may be included in the received configuration information. The second set of time parameters may include the second retuning duration.

[0076] In order to maintain communication with network device 620 when switching between different carriers, terminal device 610 may send (1015) time information associated with carrier switching to network device 620.

[0077] In some example embodiments, the terminal device 610 can directly send the first and second switching durations as time information to the network device 620.

[0078] Alternatively, or additionally, in some exemplary embodiments, the time information may include one or more time parameters associated with frequency switching at terminal device 610. These one or more time parameters may be included in at least one of a first set of time parameters or a second set of time parameters.

[0079] Continue to refer to Figure 10 Network device 620 receives (1020) time information and determines (1025) a first handover duration and a second handover duration based on the time information. Then, network device 620 performs (1030) transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0080] In the example where the terminal device 610 directly sends the first handover duration and the second handover duration, the network device 620 does not need to calculate the first handover duration and the second handover duration itself.

[0081] In some example embodiments, a first handover duration can be selected from a first set of handover durations, and a second handover duration can be selected from a second set of handover durations. Several sets of handover durations can be predefined at both the terminal device 610 and the network device 620. If the network device 620 does not receive signaling from the terminal device 610 for a first handover duration and a second handover duration, the network device 620 can retrieve default values ​​for the first and second handover durations from the predefined set of handover durations.

[0082] In the example where terminal device 610 transmits time parameters associated with frequency switching, network device 620 can determine a first handover duration based on a first set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters, and determine a second handover duration based on a second set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters. For example, the first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance. The second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration. Network device 620 can calculate the first and second handover durations based on a shared understanding with terminal device 610.

[0083] like Figure 10 As shown, based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration, network device 620 can perform (1030) transmission on the first carrier and the second carrier, and terminal device 610 can perform (1035) reception.

[0084] Figure 11 An example signaling stream 1100 for carrier switching is shown according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Signaling stream 1100 can be considered as... Figure 10 An example of signaling flow 1000. For illustrative purposes, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Describe signaling flow 1100. Signaling flow 1100 involves terminal device 610, network device 620, PCell 602-1, and SCell 602-2. In this example, PCell 602-1 communicates with terminal device 610 via an FDD carrier, and SCell 602-2 communicates with terminal device 610 via an SDL carrier.

[0085] Signaling flow 1100 includes two options for network device 620 to obtain a first handover duration and a second handover duration. In option 1, terminal device 610 directly sends the first and second handover durations to network device 620. In option 2, terminal device 610 sends one or more time parameters to network device 620. Based on the received time parameters and its understanding of terminal device 610, network device 620 calculates the first and second handover durations itself.

[0086] In some example embodiments, network device 620 may have option 3 for obtaining a first handover duration and a second handover duration. In option 3, the first handover duration can be selected from a first set of handover durations, and the second handover duration can be selected from a second set of handover durations. The first set of handover durations and the second set of handover durations can be predefined at both terminal device 610 and network device 620. For example, if network device 620 receives neither time parameters nor the first and second handover durations, then network device 620 can retrieve default values ​​for the first and second handover durations from the predefined sets, respectively.

[0087] like Figure 11 As shown, in option 1, terminal device 610 notifies network device 620 of timing parameters such as retuning duration and TX_ON at 1105. And at 1110-2, network device 620 calculates handover durations dT1 and dT2 based on the received timing parameters.

[0088] At 1110-1, terminal device 610 calculates the handover durations dT1 and dT2.

[0089] In option 3, terminal device 610 retrieves default values ​​for the first handover duration and the second handover duration from the predefined group at 1110-3. For example, if network device 620 receives neither the time parameter nor the first and second handover durations, then network device 620 can retrieve default values ​​for the first and second handover durations from the predefined group respectively. In option 2, terminal device 610 sends the first and second handover durations to network device 620 at 1115.

[0090] Then, at 1120, terminal device 610 communicates with network device 620 on the FDD carrier. At 1125, terminal device 610 switches to the SDL carrier by retuning its LO. At 1130, terminal device 610 completes the handover within the second handover duration dT2. After the handover is completed, at 1135, network device 620 schedules DL data to terminal device 610 on the SDL carrier.

[0091] At 1140 and 1145, terminal device 610 switches to the FDD carrier by retuning its LO and activating its transmitter for UL transmission. At 1150, terminal device 610 transmits UL symbols by applying a timing advance before the start of the corresponding DL frame. At 1155, terminal device 610 completes the handover within the configured first handover duration dT1 and is ready to receive DL frames from network device 620. At 1160, after the handover is completed, network device 620 schedules DL data to terminal device 610 on the FDD carrier.

[0092] Figure 12A A flowchart of an example method 1200A implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Method 1200 A is described from the perspective of the terminal device 610 in the middle.

[0093] At frame 1210, terminal device 610 receives configuration information from a second device, the configuration information including a first switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier and a second switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier, wherein the first switching duration is determined based on a first set of time parameters and the second switching duration is determined based on a second set of time parameters.

[0094] In box 1220, terminal device 610 performs reception on the first and second carriers based on a first handover duration and a second handover duration.

[0095] In some example embodiments, method 1200 A may further include: sending one or more time parameters associated with a frequency switching at the first device to the second device, wherein the first set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters, and the second set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters.

[0096] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of a first carrier to a second frequency of a second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of a second carrier to a first frequency of a first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0097] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration.

[0098] In some example embodiments, one or more time parameters may include at least one of the following: a first reference duration required for the first device to switch from a first carrier to a second carrier, or a second reference duration required for the first device to switch from a second carrier to a first carrier.

[0099] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. The first device may determine a first reference duration based on a first retuning duration and an activation duration. The first retuning duration is used to retune a receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, and the activation duration is used to activate a transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device. A second reference duration is determined based on a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0100] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from a first device to a second device and transmission from a second device to a first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first reference duration and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and a second set of time parameters may include a second reference duration.

[0101] In some example embodiments, method 1200 A may further include: switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier by: retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier; activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device; and performing the transmission to the second device based on a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device.

[0102] In some example embodiments, method 1200 A may further include switching from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier by retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier.

[0103] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0104] Figure 12B A flowchart of an example method 1200B implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Method 1200 B describes the network device 620 from the perspective of network device 620.

[0105] In box 1230, network device 620 determines a first handover duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the first carrier to receiving on the second carrier based on a first set of time parameters.

[0106] In box 1240, network device 620 determines a second handover duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier based on a second set of time parameters.

[0107] At frame 1250, network device 620 sends configuration information, including a first handover duration and a second handover duration, to the first device.

[0108] In some example embodiments, method 1200 B may further include: receiving one or more time parameters associated with a frequency switching at the first device, wherein the first set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters, and the second set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters.

[0109] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning a receiver at the first device from a first frequency of a first carrier to a second frequency of a second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning a receiver from a second frequency of a second carrier to a first frequency of a first carrier, or an activation duration for activating a transmitter at the first device for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0110] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and a second set of time parameters includes a second retuning duration.

[0111] In some example embodiments, one or more time parameters may include at least one of the following: a first reference duration required for the first device to switch from a first carrier to a second carrier, or a second reference duration required for the first device to switch from a second carrier to a first carrier.

[0112] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first reference duration may be determined based on a first retuning duration and an activation duration. The first retuning duration is used to retune the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, and the activation duration is used to activate the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device. A second reference duration may be determined based on a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0113] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from a first device to a second device and transmission from a second device to a first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first reference duration and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and a second set of time parameters may include a second reference duration.

[0114] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0115] In some example embodiments, a first means capable of performing any of the methods in method 1200 A (e.g., Figure 6 The terminal device 610 may include components for performing the corresponding operation of method 1200 A. The device can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device can be implemented in a circuit or software module. The first device can be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 In the terminal device 610.

[0116] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: a component for receiving configuration information from the second device, the configuration information including a first switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier and a second switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier, wherein the first switching duration is determined based on a first set of time parameters and the second switching duration is determined based on a second set of time parameters; and a component for performing receiving on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first switching duration and the second switching duration.

[0117] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for transmitting one or more time parameters associated with a frequency switching at the first device to the second device, and a component for the first set of time parameters including at least one of the one or more time parameters, and the second set of time parameters including at least one of the one or more time parameters.

[0118] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0119] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration.

[0120] In some example embodiments, one or more time parameters may include at least one of the following: a first reference duration required for the first device to switch from a first carrier to a second carrier, or a second reference duration required for the first device to switch from a second carrier to a first carrier.

[0121] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. The first device may determine a first reference duration based on a first retuning duration and an activation duration. The first retuning duration is used to retune a receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, and the activation duration is used to activate a transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device. A second reference duration is determined based on a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0122] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from a first device to a second device and transmission from a second device to a first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first reference duration and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and a second set of time parameters may include a second reference duration.

[0123] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: components for switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier by: components for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier; a unit for activating a transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device; and components for performing transmission to the second device based on a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: a component for switching from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier by retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0126] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of the methods in method 1200 B (e.g., Figure 6 The network device 620 in the process may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 1200 B. The device may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit or software module. A second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 Among the network devices 620.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: components for determining a first switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters; components for determining a second switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier based on a second set of time parameters; and components for sending configuration information including the first switching duration and the second switching duration to the first device.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: a component for receiving one or more time parameters associated with a frequency switching at the first device, and a component for the first set of time parameters including at least one of the one or more time parameters, and the second set of time parameters including at least one of the one or more time parameters.

[0129] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning a receiver at the first device from a first frequency of a first carrier to a second frequency of a second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning a receiver from a second frequency of a second carrier to a first frequency of a first carrier, or an activation duration for activating a transmitter at the first device for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0130] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration.

[0131] In some example embodiments, one or more time parameters may include at least one of the following: a first reference duration required for the first device to switch from a first carrier to a second carrier, or a second reference duration required for the first device to switch from a second carrier to a first carrier.

[0132] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first reference duration may be determined based on a first retuning duration and an activation duration. The first retuning duration is used to retune the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, and the activation duration is used to activate the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device. A second reference duration may be determined based on a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0133] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from a first device to a second device and transmission from a second device to a first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first reference duration and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and a second set of time parameters may include a second reference duration.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0135] Figure 13A A flowchart of an example method 1300A implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Method 1300 A is described from the perspective of the terminal device 610 in the middle.

[0136] In block 1310, terminal device 610 determines a first handover duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency handover.

[0137] In block 1320, terminal device 610 determines a second handover duration for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching.

[0138] In box 1330, terminal device 610 performs reception on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration.

[0139] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device, and a first set of timing parameters includes: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, and wherein a second set of timing parameters includes a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0140] In some example embodiments, method 1300 A may further include: receiving configuration information including timing advance from the second device.

[0141] In some example embodiments, method 1300 A may further include: sending timing information associated with carrier switching at the first device to the second device.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the time information includes a first switching duration and a second switching duration.

[0143] In some example embodiments, the first switching duration is selected from a first set of switching durations, and the second switching duration is selected from a second set of switching durations.

[0144] In some example embodiments, the time information includes one or more time parameters associated with frequency switching at the first device, and the one or more time parameters are included in at least one set of time parameters in a first set of time parameters or a second set of time parameters.

[0145] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of a first carrier to a second frequency of a second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of a second carrier to a first frequency of a first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0146] In some example embodiments, method 1300 A may further include: switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier by: retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier; activating a transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device; and performing the transmission to the second device based on a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device.

[0147] In some example embodiments, method 1300 A may further include switching from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier by retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier.

[0148] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0149] Figure 13B A flowchart of an example method 1300B implemented at a second device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. For the purposes of discussion, [the following will be discussed]. Figure 6 Method 1300 B describes the network device 620 from the perspective of network device 620.

[0150] At frame 1340, network device 620 receives timing information associated with carrier switching at the first device from the first device.

[0151] At box 1350, network device 620 determines, based on received time information, a first handover duration for switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier and a second handover duration for switching from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier.

[0152] In box 1360, network device 620 performs transmissions on the first carrier and the second carrier based on a first handover duration and a second handover duration.

[0153] In some example embodiments, the time information may include a first switching duration and a second switching duration.

[0154] In some example embodiments, a first handover duration can be selected from a first set of handover durations, and a second handover duration can be selected from a second set of handover durations. The first and second sets of handover durations can be predefined at both the terminal device 610 and the network device 620. If the network device 620 does not receive signaling from the terminal device 610 to send the first and second handover durations, the network device 620 can retrieve default values ​​for the first and second handover durations from these predefined sets, respectively.

[0155] In some example embodiments, method 1300 B may further include: determining a first switching duration based on a first set of time parameters, the first set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters; and determining a second switching duration based on a second set of time parameters, the second set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters.

[0156] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0157] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration.

[0158] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0159] In some example embodiments, a first means capable of performing any of the methods in method 1300 A (e.g., Figure 6 The terminal device 610 may include components for performing the corresponding operation of method 1300 A. The device may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit or software module. The first device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 In the terminal device 610.

[0160] In some example embodiments, the first device includes: means for determining a first switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching; means for determining a second switching duration for the first device to switch from receiving on a second carrier to receiving on a first carrier based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching; and means for performing receiving on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first switching duration and the second switching duration.

[0161] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of timing parameters may include: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of timing parameters may include a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

[0162] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include a component for receiving configuration information including timing advance from the second device.

[0163] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include a component for transmitting time information associated with carrier switching at the first device to the second device.

[0164] In some example embodiments, the time information may include a first switching duration and a second switching duration.

[0165] In some example embodiments, a first switching duration can be selected from a first set of switching durations, and a second switching duration can be selected from a second set of switching durations.

[0166] In some example embodiments, the time information may include one or more time parameters associated with frequency switching at the first device, and the one or more time parameters may be included in at least one time parameter in a first or second set of time parameters.

[0167] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0168] In some example embodiments, the first device may further include: components for switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier by: components for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier; a unit for activating a transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device; and components for performing transmission to the second device based on a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device.

[0169] In some example embodiments, the first device further includes: components for switching from reception on a second carrier to reception on a first carrier by: components for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier.

[0170] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0171] In some example embodiments, a second means capable of performing any of the methods in method 1300 B (e.g., Figure 6 The network device 620 in the process may include components for performing the corresponding operations of method 1300 B. The device may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the device may be implemented in a circuit or software module. A second device may be implemented as or included in... Figure 6 Among the network devices 620.

[0172] In some example embodiments, the second device includes: components for receiving time information associated with carrier switching at the first device; components for determining, based on the received time information, a first switching duration for switching from reception on a first carrier to reception on a second carrier and a second switching duration for switching from reception on the second carrier to reception on the first carrier; and components for performing transmissions on the first carrier and the second carrier based on the first switching duration and the second switching duration.

[0173] In some example embodiments, the time information may include a first switching duration and a second switching duration.

[0174] In some example embodiments, a first handover duration can be selected from a first set of handover durations, and a second handover duration can be selected from a second set of handover durations. The first and second sets of handover durations can be predefined at both the terminal device 610 and the network device 620. If the network device 620 does not receive signaling from the terminal device 610 for the first and second handover durations, the network device 620 can retrieve default values ​​for the first and second handover durations from these predefined sets, respectively.

[0175] In some example embodiments, the second device may further include: a component for determining a first switching duration based on a first set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters; and a component for determining a second switching duration based on a second set of time parameters including at least one of one or more time parameters.

[0176] In some example embodiments, one or more timing parameters may include at least one of the following: a first retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a first frequency of the first carrier to a second frequency of the second carrier, a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from a second frequency of the second carrier to a first frequency of the first carrier, or an activation duration for activating the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

[0177] In some example embodiments, a first carrier is configured for transmission from a second device to a first device, and a second carrier is configured for transmission from the first device to the second device and transmission from the second device to the first device. A first set of time parameters may include a first retuning duration, an activation duration, and a timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device. A second set of time parameters may include a second retuning duration.

[0178] In some example embodiments, the first carrier may be a supplemental downlink SDL carrier, and the second carrier may be a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

[0179] Figure 14 This is a simplified block diagram of a device 1400 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1400 can be provided to implement a communication device, such as... Figure 6 The terminal device 610 or network device 620 shown. As shown, device 1400 includes one or more processors 1410, one or more memories 1420 coupled to processor 1410, and one or more communication modules 1440 coupled to processor 1410.

[0180] Communication module 1440 is used for bidirectional communication. Communication module 1440 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. The communication interface can represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements. In some example embodiments, communication module 1440 may include at least one antenna.

[0181] As a non-limiting example, processor 1410 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and can include one or more of the following: general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), and processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 1400 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent on a clock that synchronizes with the main processor.

[0182] Memory 1420 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 1424, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disk, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), optical disc, laser disc, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 1422 and other volatile memories that will not persist for the duration of a power outage. Computer program 1430 includes computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1410. The instructions of program 1430 may include instructions for performing operations / actions of some example embodiments of this disclosure. Program 1430 may be stored in memory (e.g., ROM 1424). Processor 1410 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 1430 into RAM 1422.

[0183] Example embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented by program 1430, such that device 1400 can perform as described in the reference. Figures 7 to 11 Any process discussed in this disclosure. Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0184] In some example embodiments, program 1430 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in device 1400 (such as in memory 1420) or other storage device accessible by device 1400. Device 1400 may load program 1430 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1422 for execution. In some example embodiments, the computer-readable medium may include any type of non-transitory storage medium, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. As used herein, the term "non-transitory" is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not tactile), rather than a limitation of the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM versus ROM).

[0185] Figure 15 An example of a computer-readable medium 1500 is shown, which may be in the form of a CD, DVD, or other optical storage disc. The computer-readable medium 1500 has a program 1430 stored thereon.

[0186] Generally, various embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or special-purpose circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects can be implemented in hardware, and others can be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of embodiments of this disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other graphical representation, it should be understood that the blocks, apparatuses, systems, techniques, or methods described herein can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, special-purpose circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware, or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0187] Some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure also provide at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a computer-readable medium (such as a non-transitory computer-readable medium). The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions that execute in a device on a target physical or virtual processor, such as those included in a program module, to perform any of the methods described above. Typically, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a particular task or implement a particular abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functionality of a program module can be combined or split among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions for a program module can execute within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module can reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0188] Program code used to perform the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. The program code may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that, when executed by the processor or controller, the program code causes the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0189] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier wave to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carrier waves include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0190] Computer-readable media can be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media can include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatuses, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media will include electrical connections having one or more wires, portable computer disks, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fibers, portable optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof.

[0191] Furthermore, although the operations are described in a specific order, this should not be construed as requiring that such operations be performed in the specific order shown or sequentially, or requiring that all the operations shown be performed to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, certain features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, unless explicitly stated otherwise, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented individually or in any suitable sub-combination in multiple embodiments.

[0192] Although this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: Based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a first switching duration is determined for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier. Based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a second switching duration is determined for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier. as well as Based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration, reception is performed on the first carrier and the second carrier.

2. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first carrier is configured for transmission from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, the second carrier is configured for transmission from the first apparatus to the second apparatus and transmission from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, and the first set of time parameters includes: The first retuning duration is used to retune the receiver from the first frequency of the first carrier to the second frequency of the second carrier, and The timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device, And the second set of time parameters includes a second retuning duration for retuning the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

3. The first apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first apparatus further comprises: Receive configuration information, including the timing advance, from the second device.

4. The first apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first apparatus further comprises: Send time information associated with carrier switching at the first device to the second device.

5. The first device according to claim 4, wherein the time information includes the first switching duration and the second switching duration.

6. The first device according to claim 5, wherein the first switching duration is selected from a first set of switching durations, and the second switching duration is selected from a second set of switching durations.

7. The first apparatus of claim 4, wherein the time information includes one or more time parameters associated with frequency switching at the first apparatus, and the one or more time parameters are included in at least one set of time parameters in the first set of time parameters or the second set of time parameters.

8. The first apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the one or more time parameters include at least one of the following: The first retuning duration is used to retune the receiver from the first frequency of the first carrier to the second frequency of the second carrier. The second retuning duration is used to retune the receiver from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier, or Activation duration, used to activate the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device.

9. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is switched from receiving on the first carrier to receiving on the second carrier by the following operation: The receiver is retuned from the first frequency of the first carrier to the second frequency of the second carrier; Activate the transmitter for transmission from the first device to the second device; as well as The transmission to the second device is performed based on the timing advance indicated by the second device to the first device.

10. The first apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first apparatus is switched from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier by the following operation: The receiver is retuned from the second frequency of the second carrier to the first frequency of the first carrier.

11. The first apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the first carrier is a supplementary downlink SDL carrier and the second carrier is a frequency division duplex (FDD) carrier.

12. A second means for communication, comprising: At least one processor; as well as At least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device to at least: Receive timing information associated with carrier switching at the first device; Based on the received time information, a first switching duration for switching from receiving on the first carrier to receiving on the second carrier and a second switching duration for switching from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier are determined. as well as Based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration, transmissions are performed on the first carrier and the second carrier.

13. The second apparatus of claim 12, wherein the time information includes one or more time parameters associated with frequency switching at the first apparatus, and causes the second apparatus to: Based on a first set of time parameters, the first switching duration is determined, wherein the first set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters; and The second switching duration is determined based on the second set of time parameters, wherein the second set of time parameters includes at least one of the one or more time parameters.

14. A method for communication, comprising: Based on a first set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a first switching duration is determined for the first device to switch from receiving on a first carrier to receiving on a second carrier. Based on a second set of time parameters associated with frequency switching, a second switching duration is determined for the first device to switch from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier. as well as Based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration, reception is performed on the first carrier and the second carrier.

15. A method for communication, comprising: Receive timing information associated with carrier switching at the first device; Based on the received time information, a first switching duration for switching from receiving on the first carrier to receiving on the second carrier and a second switching duration for switching from receiving on the second carrier to receiving on the first carrier are determined. as well as Based on the first handover duration and the second handover duration, transmissions are performed on the first carrier and the second carrier.

Images