Help information for quick carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration

Abstract

Device for operating a wireless device, comprising: a processor configured to cause the wireless device to: Providing a User Equipment (UE) Assistance Information Message containing a one- or more-bit indication of a preference for a dual-connectivity configuration for communication with a cellular base station via a Master Cell Group (MCG) and a Secondary Cell Group (SCG), wherein the preference includes activation of the SCG, and wherein the UE Assistance Information Message is transmitted to the cellular base station in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message; and Receiving, from the cellular base station, initial information that implicitly indicates activation of the SCG and activation of a dual-connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG based on the UE Assistance Information Message, wherein the dual-connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG was already pre-configured on the wireless device prior to receiving the initial information, and wherein the activation of the dual-connectivity configuration is indicated without explicitly configuring the dual-connectivity configuration for the wireless device.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present application relates to wireless devices and including devices, systems and methods for a wireless device and a mobile communication base station for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration. DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF THE ART

[0002] The use of wireless communication systems is increasing rapidly. Furthermore, wireless communication technology has evolved beyond purely voice communication and now includes the transmission of data such as internet and multimedia content. In addition, there are numerous different technologies and standards for wireless communication. Examples of wireless communication standards include GSM, UMTS (for example, in conjunction with WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE-A), NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), IEEE 802.11 (WLAN or Wi-Fi), BLUETOOTH™, etc.

[0003] Publication US 2018 / 0034524 A1 concerns a method and devices for controlling a configurable split-bearer based on UE-supported feedback.

[0004] Document US 2018 / 0206113 A1 concerns methods and devices for reporting on the capabilities of an UE in mobile communication systems.

[0005] Document US 2016 / 0270139 A1 concerns procedures for signaling and receiving mobility terminal capabilities with respect to synchronized or unsynchronized dual connectivity operations.

[0006] In many cases, a wireless device can communicate in a coordinated manner using multiple carriers according to a wireless communication technology, or even using several such technologies. However, determining how best to utilize multiple carriers and / or wireless communication technologies together in a complementary way within a wireless device can be a complex task. Therefore, improvements in this area are desired. SUMMARY

[0007] The invention is defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims. Embodiments relate to devices, systems, and methods for a wireless device and a mobile communication base station for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration.

[0008] The carrier aggregation configuration can include the provision of multiple cells (e.g., deployed on different adjacent or separate frequencies) to a wireless device. The dual-connectivity cellular communication system can further support, among various options, simultaneous (or essentially simultaneous) connections with multiple nodes of the same generation (e.g., Fifth Generation New Radio network nodes (5G NR network nodes)) or of different generations (e.g., 5G NR and LTE) of cellular communication technology.

[0009] According to the techniques described herein, the auxiliary information can be provided in connection with the establishment of a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection. For example, the auxiliary information can be provided with an RRC connection request or an RRC resumption request. Alternatively, the auxiliary information can be provided with a message indicating the completion of the RRC connection establishment or a message indicating the completion of the RRC resumption.The auxiliary information may include information regarding the wireless device's preference(s) for a carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration, such as whether the wireless device prefers to be configured for carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity, which frequency(ies) the wireless device prefers for carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity, whether a previous carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration can be reused, and / or a specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device. Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary information may include an indication of an estimated amount of data that the wireless device expects to communicate.

[0010] Based at least partially on the auxiliary information, the wireless device service cell can determine whether a carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration of the wireless device would be beneficial, and can (e.g., in that case) select a carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device and configure the wireless device with the selected carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration.

[0011] Thus, such auxiliary information can help the network accurately determine whether the wireless device should be configured for carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity, and / or whether a carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration should be selected for the wireless device. Furthermore, at least according to some embodiments, providing the auxiliary information in conjunction with establishing an RRC link can facilitate a relatively fast carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device in scenarios where such a configuration can be utilized, which in turn can improve the throughput of a wireless device using such an auxiliary information framework.

[0012] The techniques described herein can be implemented and / or used in a number of different types of devices, including mobile phones, tablet computers, body-worn computing devices, portable media players, and any other computing devices.

[0013] This summary is intended to provide a brief overview of some of the items described in this document. Accordingly, it should be noted that the features described above are merely examples and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of protection or the spirit of the item described herein in any way. Further features, aspects, and advantages of the item described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, figures, and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] A better understanding of the present subject matter can be achieved by considering the following detailed description of various embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Fig. 1 An exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments is illustrated. Fig. 2 illustrates a base station (BS) connected to a user equipment device (UE device) according to some embodiments; Fig. 3. An exemplary block diagram of a UE according to some embodiments is illustrated; Fig. 4 An exemplary block diagram of a BS according to some embodiments is illustrated; Fig. Figure 5 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a mobile communication switching logic according to some embodiments; Fig. Figure 6A illustrates an example of connections between an EPC network, an LTE base station (eNB) and a 5G NR base station (gNB) according to some embodiments; Fig. 6B illustrates an example of a protocol stack for an eNB and a gNB according to some embodiments; Fig. 7 is a signal flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for a wireless device and a cellular base station for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration according to some embodiments; and the Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 to Fig. 15 exemplary aspects of different possible signaling options for a carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration according to some embodiments are illustrated.

[0015] Although the features described herein may be subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and the detailed description thereto are not intended to be limited to the specific disclosed form, but rather that the invention is intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of protection of the subject matter as defined by the attached claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Terms

[0016] The following is a glossary of terms used in this revelation: Storage medium – any of the various types of non-transient memory devices or storage devices. The term "storage medium" is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disk, or tape drive; computer system memory or random-access memory, such as DRAM, DDR-RAM, SRAM, EDO-RAM, Rambus-RAM, etc.; non-volatile memory such as flash memory; magnetic storage, e.g., a hard disk or optical storage; registers or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The storage medium may include other types of non-transient memory as well as combinations thereof. Furthermore, the storage medium may be located in a primary computer system where the programs are executed, or it may be located in a secondary, separate computer system connected to the primary computer system via a network, such as the internet.In the latter case, the second computer system can provide the first computer with program instructions for execution. The term "storage medium" can include two or more storage media, which may be located in different places, such as different computer systems connected via a network. Program instructions (e.g., in the form of computer programs) can be stored on the storage medium and executed by one or more processors.

[0017] Carrier medium - a storage medium as described above, as well as a physical transmission medium, such as a bus, a network and / or another physical transmission medium that transmits signals, such as electrical, electromagnetic or digital signals.

[0018] Programmable hardware elements encompass various hardware devices comprising multiple programmable functional blocks connected via a programmable interface. Examples include FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (Field Programmable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The programmable functional blocks can range from fine-grained (combinatorial logic or lookup tables) to coarse-grained (arithmetic logic units or processor cores). A programmable hardware element can also be referred to as "reconfigurable logic."

[0019] Computer system – any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe system, workstation, network appliance, internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), television system, grid computing system, or any other device or combination of devices. In general, the term "computer system" can be broadly defined to include any device (or combination of devices) with at least one processor that executes instructions from a storage medium.

[0020] User equipment (UE) (or "UE device") – any of various types of computer systems or devices that are mobile or portable and capable of wireless communication. Examples of UE devices include mobile phones or smartphones (e.g., iPhone™, Android™-based phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS™, PlayStation Portable™, Gameboy Advance™, iPhone™), laptops, body-worn devices (e.g., smartwatches, smartglasses), PDAs, portable internet devices, music players, data storage devices, or other handheld devices, etc. In general, the term "UE" or "UE device" can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and / or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) that can be easily transported by a user and is capable of wireless communication.

[0021] Wireless device – any of several different types of computer systems or devices that perform wireless communications. A wireless device can be portable (or mobile) or stationary or fixed in a specific location. A UE (Universal Equipment) is an example of a wireless device.

[0022] Communication device – any of various types of computer systems or devices that perform communications, where the communications may be wired or wireless. A communication device may be portable (or mobile) or stationary or fixed in a particular location. A wireless device is an example of a communication device. A UE (Universal Equipment) is another example of a communication device.

[0023] Base station - The term 'base station' encompasses the full breadth of its usual meaning and includes at least one wireless communication station installed in a fixed location and used for communication as part of a wireless telephone system or radio system.

[0024] Processing element (or processor) – refers to various elements or combinations of elements capable of performing a function in a device, such as user equipment or a mobile network device. Processing elements may include, for example: processors and associated memory, sections or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, processor arrays, circuits such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable hardware elements such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), and any of the many combinations of the foregoing.

[0025] Channel – a medium used to transmit information from a sender to a receiver. It should be noted that the characteristics of the term "channel" can vary according to different wireless protocols, and the term "channel" as used here should therefore be understood as being used in a manner consistent with the standard of the type of device to which the term refers. With some standards, channel widths can be variable (e.g., depending on the device's capacity, band conditions, etc.). For example, LTE can support scalable channel bandwidths from 1.4 MHz to 20 MHz. In contrast, WLAN channels can be 22 MHz wide, while Bluetooth channels can be 1 MHz wide. Other protocols and standards may have different channel definitions. Furthermore, some standards may define and use multiple types of channels, e.g.,Different channels for uplink or downlink channels and / or different channels for different uses such as data, control information, etc.

[0026] Band - The term 'band' encompasses the full breadth of its usual meaning and includes at least one section of a spectrum (e.g., a radio frequency spectrum) in which channels are used or reserved for the same purpose.

[0027] Automatic – refers to an action or operation (e.g., software executed by the computer system) performed by a computer system or device (e.g., switching logic, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.) without user input that directly specifies the action or operation. Thus, the term "automatic" contrasts with an operation performed or specified manually by the user, where the user provides input to directly execute the operation. An automatic procedure may be initiated by user input, but the subsequent actions performed "automatically" are not specified by the user; that is, they are not performed "manually" with the user specifying each action to be carried out.For example, a user who completes an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input that specifies information (e.g., by typing information, selecting checkboxes, choosing a radio button, etc.) is manually filling out the form, even though the computer system needs to update the form in response to the user's actions. The form can be automatically filled out by the computer system, where the computer system (e.g., software running on the computer system) analyzes the form's fields and completes the form entirely without any user input specifying the answers to the fields. As mentioned above, the user can request automatic form completion but is not involved in the actual process of filling out the form (e.g., the user does not manually specify answers for fields; these are filled in automatically).The following description provides various examples of operations that are performed automatically in response to actions taken by the user.

[0028] Approximately refers to a value that is almost correct or exact. For example, "approximately" may refer to a value that is within 1 to 10 percent of the exact (or desired) value. However, it should be noted that the actual threshold (or tolerance) may be application-dependent. For example, in some embodiments, "approximately" may mean within 0.1% of a specified or target value, while in other embodiments, the threshold may be, for example, 2%, 3%, 5%, and so on, as desired or required by the specific application.

[0029] Simultaneous execution refers to parallel processing, where tasks, processes, or programs are executed in a manner that overlaps at least partially. For example, simultaneity can be implemented using "strong" or strict parallelism, where tasks are executed (at least partially) in parallel on their respective computing elements, or using "weak parallelism," where tasks are executed in an interlocking manner, such as through time-division multiplexing of execution strands.

[0030] Configured to – Various components may be described as “configured to” perform one or more tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad term that generally means “possessing a structure that” performs the task or tasks during operation. Thus, the component may be configured to perform the task even if the component is not currently performing that task (e.g., a set of electrical conductors may be configured to electrically connect one module to another, even if the two modules are not connected). In some contexts, “configured to” may be a broad term referring to a structure that generally means “possessing switching logic that” performs the task or tasks during operation.Therefore, the component can be configured to perform the task even if it is not currently switched on. Generally, the switching logic that forms the structure "configured to" can include hardware circuits.

[0031] Various components may, for convenience, be described in the description as performing a task or tasks. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase "configured to." The citation of a component that is configured to perform one or more tasks does not expressly imply reliance on an interpretation under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) for that component. Figures 1 and 2 - Communication system

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a simplified, exemplary wireless communication system according to some embodiments. It should be noted that the system is based on Fig. 1 represents only one example of a possible system and that features of this revelation can be implemented in any of the different systems as desired.

[0033] As shown, the exemplary wireless communication system includes a base station 102A, which communicates via a transmission medium with one or more user devices 106A, 106B, etc., up to 106N. Each of the user devices can be referred to here as "user equipment" (UE). Thus, the user devices 106 are referred to as UEs or UE devices.

[0034] The Base Station (BS) 102A can be a Base Transceiver Station (BTS) or a cell site (a “mobile base station”) and can include hardware that enables wireless communication with the UEs 106A to 106N.

[0035] The communication area (or coverage area) of the base station can be referred to as a "cell." The 102A base station and the 106 units can be configured to communicate over the transmission medium using any of the various radio access technologies (RATs), also known as wireless communication technologies or telecommunications standards, such as GSM, UMTS (for example, linked with WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), 5G New Radio (5G NR), HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc. It should be noted that when implemented in the context of LTE, the 102A base station can alternatively be referred to as "eNodeB" or "eNB." It should be noted that when implementing the base station 102A in the context of 5G NR, it can alternatively be referred to as “gNodeB” or “gNB”.

[0036] As shown, the base station 102A can also be equipped for communication with a network 100 (e.g., with a mobile service provider's core network, a telecommunications network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN), and / or the internet, among various possibilities). Thus, the base station 102A can facilitate or enable communication between user devices and / or between user devices and the network 100. In particular, the mobile base station 102A can equip the UEs 106 with various telecommunications capabilities, such as voice, SMS, and / or data services.

[0037] The Base Station 102A and other similar Base Stations (for example, Base Stations 102B... 102N) operating according to the same or a different radio communication standard can thus be provided as a network of cells capable of providing a continuous or almost continuous overlapping service for UEs 106A-N and similar devices over a wide geographical area using one or more radio communication standards.

[0038] Although the base station 102A can function as a "service cell" for the UEs 106A-N, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1, each UE 106 can therefore also be capable of receiving signals from (and possibly within a communication range of) one or more other cells (which may be provided by the base stations 102B-N and / or other base stations), which may be referred to as "neighbor cells." Such cells may also be capable of facilitating or enabling communication between user devices and / or between user devices and the Network 100. Such cells may include "macro" cells, "micro" cells, "pico" cells, and / or cells providing any other different levels of resolution of a coverage area size. For example, the base stations 102A to B, which are located in Fig. The examples shown in Figure 1 are macrocells, while the base station 102N can be a microcell. Other configurations are also possible.

[0039] In some embodiments, the Base Station 102A can be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G NR (5G New Radio) base station, or "gNB." In some embodiments, a gNB can be connected to a previously developed EPC network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network. Additionally, a gNB cell can include one or more transition and reception points (TRPs). Furthermore, a UE capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR can be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs. Alternatively, the Base Station 102A can be an LTE base station, or "eNB." In some embodiments, an eNB can be connected to a previously developed EPC network and / or to an NR core (NRC) network.

[0040] Note that a UE 106 may be capable of communicating using multiple wireless communication standards. For example, the UE 106 may be configured to communicate using a wireless network (e.g., WLAN) and / or peer-to-peer wireless communication protocols (e.g., Bluetooth, WLAN peer-to-peer, etc.) in addition to at least one cellular communication protocol (e.g., GSM, UMTS (e.g., linked with WCDMA or TD-SCDMA air interfaces), LTE, LTE-A, 5G NR, HSPA, 3GPP2 CDMA2000 (e.g., 1xRTT, 1xEV-DO, HRPD, eHRPD), etc.). The UE 106 can also be configured, or alternatively configured, to communicate using one or more global satellite navigation systems (GNSS, e.g. GPS or GLONASS), one or more mobile television standards (e.g. ATSC-M / H), and / or any other wireless communication protocol, if desired.Other combinations of wireless communication standards (including more than two wireless communication standards) are also possible.

[0041] Fig. Figure 2 illustrates, according to some embodiments, user equipment 106 (e.g., one of the devices 106A to 106N) that communicates with the base station 102. The user equipment 106 can be a device capable of wireless communication, such as a mobile phone, a handheld device, a computer, or a tablet, or virtually any type of wireless device.

[0042] The UE 106 can include a processor (processing element) configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. The UE 106 can perform any of the procedure execution modes described herein by executing such stored instructions. Alternatively or additionally, the UE 106 can include a programmable hardware element such as an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), an integrated circuit, and / or one of various other possible hardware components configured to perform (e.g., individually or in combination) any of the procedure execution modes described herein, or a portion thereof.

[0043] The UE 106 can include one or more antennas for communication using one or more wireless communication protocols or technologies. In some embodiments, the UE 106 can be configured to communicate using, for example, CDMA2000 (1xRTT / 1xEV-DO / HRPD / eHRPD) or LTE using a single shared radio device, and / or GSM or LTE using the same single shared radio device. The shared radio device can couple to a single antenna or to multiple antennas (e.g., for MIMO) to perform wireless communications. Generally, a radio device can include any combination of baseband processor, analog RF signal processing circuitry (e.g., including filters, mixers, oscillators, or amplifiers), or digital processing circuitry (e.g., for digital modulation and other digital processing).Similarly, the radio device can implement one or more receive and transmit chains using the aforementioned hardware. For example, the UE 106 can share one or more parts of a receive and / or transmit chain for multiple wireless communication technologies, such as those discussed above.

[0044] In some embodiments, the UE 106 can include separate transmit and / or receive chains (e.g., including separate antennas and other digital radio components) for each wireless communication protocol with which it is configured to communicate. Alternatively, the UE 106 can include one or more radio devices shared by multiple wireless communication protocols and one or more radio devices used exclusively by a single wireless communication protocol. For example, the UE 106 can include one shared radio device for communicating using either LTE or 5G NR (or LTE or 1xRTT or LTE or GSM) and separate radio devices for communicating using Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Other configurations are also possible. Figure 3 - Block diagram of a user equipment

[0045] Fig. Figure 3 illustrates a simplified, exemplary block diagram of a communication device 106 according to some embodiments. It is noted that the block diagram of the communication device is Fig. Figure 3 represents only one specific example of a possible communication device. According to embodiments, the communication device 106 can be a user equipment device (UE device), a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a tablet, and / or a combination of devices, among others. As shown, the communication device 106 can include a set of components 300 to perform core functions. For example, this set of components can be implemented as a system-on-a-chip (SoC), which may include parts for different purposes. Alternatively, this set of components 300 can be implemented as separate components or groups of components for the different purposes.The set of components 300 can be coupled (e.g. communicatively; directly or indirectly) to various other circuits of the communication device 106.

[0046] For example, the communication device 106 may include various types of memory (e.g., including NAND flash memory 310), an input / output interface, such as a connector interface 320 (e.g., for connecting to a computer system; dock; charging station; input devices such as a microphone, camera, keyboard; output devices such as speakers; etc.), the display 360, which may or may not be integrated into the communication device 106, as well as cellular communication switching logic 330 such as for 5G NR, LTE, GSM, etc., and a short- to medium-range wireless communication circuit 329 (e.g., Bluetooth™ and WLAN circuit). In some embodiments, the communication device 106 may include wired communication switching logic (not shown), such as a network interface card, e.g., for Ethernet.

[0047] The cellular communication switching logic 330 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 335 and 336, as shown. The short- to medium-range wireless communication switching logic 329 can also be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as antennas 337 and 338, as shown. Alternatively, the short- to medium-range wireless communication switching logic 329 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to antennas 335 and 336 in addition to, or instead of, coupling (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to antennas 337 and 338.The switching logic for short to medium range wireless communication 329 and / or the cellular communication switching logic 330 can include multiple receive chains and / or multiple transmit chains for receiving and / or transmitting multiple spatial streams, as in a multiple-input multiple output (MIMO) configuration.

[0048] In some embodiments, as described below, the cellular communication switching logic 330 can include dedicated receive chains (including and / or coupled with, for example, communicative, direct or indirect, dedicated processors and / or radio devices) for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). Additionally, in some embodiments, the cellular communication switching logic 330 can include a single transmit chain that can be switched between radio devices assigned to specific RATs. For example, a first radio device can be assigned to a first RAT, e.g., LTE, and can be in communication with a dedicated receive chain and a transmit chain shared with an additional radio device, e.g., a second radio device that can be assigned to a second RAT, e.g.,5G NR, and can communicate with a dedicated receive chain and the shared transmit chain.

[0049] The communication device 106 may also include, and / or be configured to include, use with one or more user interface elements. The user interface elements may include any of various elements, such as the 360° display (which may be a touchscreen display), a keyboard (which may be a separate keyboard or implemented as part of a touchscreen display), a mouse, a microphone and / or speaker, one or more cameras, one or more buttons, and / or any of various other elements capable of providing information to a user and / or receiving or interpreting user input.

[0050] The communication device 106 may further include one or more smart cards 345 which include SIM functionality (Subscriber Identity Module functionality), such as one or more UICC cards (Universal Integrated Circuit Cards) 345.

[0051] As shown, the SOC 300 can include one or more processors 302, which can execute program instructions for the communication device 106, and a display switching logic 304, which performs graphics processing and can provide display signals for the display 360. The one or more processors 302 can also be coupled with a memory management unit (MMU) 340, which can be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 302 and translate these addresses into memory locations (e.g., memory 306, read-only memory (ROM) 350, NAND flash memory 310) and / or into other circuits or devices, such as the display switching logic 304, the short-range wireless communication switching logic 229, the cellular communication switching logic 330, the connector interface 320, and / or the display 360.The MMU 340 can be configured to perform memory protection and page table translation or setup. In some embodiments, the MMU 340 can be enclosed as a section of one or more 302 processors.

[0052] As noted above, the communication device 106 can be configured to communicate using a wireless and / or wired communication circuit. The communication device 106 can be configured to transmit a request to connect to a first network node operating according to the first RAT and to transmit an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially simultaneous connections with the first network node and a second network node operating according to the second RAT (or also operating according to the first RAT). The wireless device can also be configured to transmit a request to connect to the second network node.The requirement may include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially simultaneous connections with the first and second network nodes. Furthermore, the wireless device may be configured to receive an indication that dual connectivity with the first and second network nodes has been established.

[0053] As described herein, the communication device 106 may include hardware and software components for implementing features for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration, as well as the various other techniques described herein. The processor 302 of the communication device 106 may be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, such as executing program instructions stored on a storage medium (e.g., a non-transient computer-readable storage medium). Alternatively (or additionally), the processor 302 may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (custom integrated circuit).Alternatively (or additionally), the processor 302 of the communication device 106, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 300, 304, 306, 310, 320, 329, 330, 335, 336, 337, 338, 340, 345, 350, 360, can be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0054] Additionally, as described herein, the Processor 302 can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the Processor 302 can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) designed to perform the functions of the Processor 302. Furthermore, each integrated circuit can include switching logic (e.g., a first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the Processor 302.

[0055] Furthermore, as described herein, the cellular communication switching logic 330 and the short-range wireless communication switching logic 329 can each include one or more processing elements. In other words, one or more processing elements can be included in the cellular communication switching logic 330, and similarly, one or more processing elements can be included in the short-range wireless communication switching logic 329. Thus, the cellular communication switching logic 330 can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication switching logic 330. Additionally, each integrated circuit can include a switching logic (e.g., a first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the cellular communication switching logic 230.Similarly, the short-range wireless communication switching logic 329 can include one or more ICs configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication switching logic 32. Additionally, each integrated circuit can include a switching logic (e.g., a first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the short-range wireless communication switching logic 329. Figure 4 - Block diagram of a base station

[0056] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a base station 102 according to some embodiments. It is noted that the base station is Fig. Figure 4 is merely an example of a possible base station. As shown, the base station 102 can include one or more processors 404 that can execute program instructions for the base station 102. The one or more processors 404 can also be coupled to a memory management unit (MMU) 440, which can be configured to receive addresses from the one or more processors 404 and translate these addresses into locations in a memory (e.g., in a memory 460 and a read-only memory (ROM) 450), or to other circuits or devices.

[0057] The base station 102 can include at least one network port 470. The network port 470 can be configured to establish a connection to a telephone network and to provide access to the telephone network to a variety of devices, such as the UE devices 106, as described above. Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0058] Network port 470 (or an additional network port) can be configured additionally or alternatively to connect to a mobile network, such as a mobile service provider's core network. The core network can provide mobility-related services and / or other services to a variety of devices, such as the UE devices 106. In some cases, network port 470 can connect to the telephone network via the core network, and / or the core network can provide a telephone network (e.g., between other UE devices served by the mobile service provider).

[0059] In some embodiments, the base station 102 can be a next-generation base station, such as a 5G NR (5G New Radio) base station or "gNB". In such embodiments, the base station 102 can be connected to an older developed packet core network (EPC network) and / or to an NR core network (NRC network). Additionally, the base station 102 can be considered a 5G NR cell and can include one or more transition and receive points (TRPs). Furthermore, a UE capable of operating in accordance with 5G NR can be connected to one or more TRPs within one or more gNBs.

[0060] The base station 102 can include at least one antenna 434 and possibly several antennas. The antennas 434 can be configured to function as wireless transceivers and can also be configured to communicate with the UE devices 106 via the radio device 430. The antennas 434 communicate with the radio device 430 via a communication chain 432. The communication chain 432 can be a receive chain, a transmit chain, or both. The radio device 430 can be configured to communicate using various wireless communication standards, including, but not limited to, 5G NR, LTE, LTE-A, GSM, UMTS, CDMA2000, WLAN, etc.

[0061] The Base Station 102 can be configured to communicate wirelessly using multiple wireless communication standards. In some cases, the Base Station 102 may include multiple radio devices, enabling it to communicate using several wireless communication technologies. For example, the Base Station 102 may include an LTE radio device for LTE communication, as well as a 5G NR radio device for 5G NR communication. In such a case, the Base Station 102 can operate as both an LTE base station and a 5G NR base station. Alternatively, the Base Station 102 may include a multi-mode radio device capable of communicating using any one of several wireless communication technologies (e.g., LTE, 5G ...5G NR and LTE, 5G NR and Wi-Fi, LTE and Wi-Fi, LTE and UMTS, LTE and CDMA2000, UMTS and GSM, etc.) communication.

[0062] As further described below, the BS 102 may include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting the implementation of features described herein. The BS 102 processor 404 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the procedures described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a memory medium (such as a non-transient, computer-readable memory medium). Alternatively, the BS 102 processor may be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), or a combination thereof.Alternatively (or additionally), the BS 102 processor 404 can be configured, in conjunction with one or more of the other components 430, 432, 434, 440, 450, 460, 470, to implement or support the implementation of some or all of the features described herein.

[0063] Additionally, as described herein, the 404 processor(s) can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the 404 processor(s) can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) designed to perform the functions of the 404 processor(s). Additionally, each integrated circuit can include switching logic (e.g., a first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the 404 processor(s).

[0064] Furthermore, as described herein, the radio devices 430 can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the radio device 430 can include one or more integrated logic circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the radio device 430. Additionally, each integrated circuit can include a switching assembly (e.g., first switching assembly, second switching assembly, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the radio device 430. Figure 5 - Block diagram of a mobile communication switching logic

[0065] Fig. Figure 5 illustrates a simplified example block diagram of a mobile communication switching logic according to some embodiments. It is noted that the block diagram of the mobile communication switching logic of Fig. Figure 5 is only one example of a possible cellular communication switching logic; other circuits, such as circuits including or coupled with sufficient antennas for different RATs to perform uplink activities using separate antennas, are also possible. According to some embodiments, a cellular communication switching logic 330 may be included in a communication device, such as the communication device 106 described above. As noted above, the communication device 106 may be, among other devices, a user equipment device (UE device), a mobile device or mobile station, a wireless device or wireless station, a desktop computer or computing device, a mobile computing device (e.g., a laptop, notebook, or portable computing device), a portable device, a tablet, and / or a combination of devices.

[0066] The cellular communication switching logic 330 can be coupled (e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly) to one or more antennas, such as the antennas 335a-b and 336, as shown. In some embodiments, the cellular communication switching logic 330 can include dedicated receive chains (including and / or coupled to, e.g., communicatively; directly or indirectly), dedicated processors, and / or radio devices for multiple RATs (e.g., a first receive chain for LTE and a second receive chain for 5G NR). For example, as shown in Fig. Figure 5 shows that the mobile communications switching logic 330 includes a modem 510 and a modem 520. The modem 510 can be configured for communication according to a first RAT, such as LTE or LTE-A, and the modem 520 can be configured for communication according to a second RAT, such as 5G NR.

[0067] As shown, the modem 510 can include one or more processors 512 and a memory 516 in communication with the processors 512. The modem 510 can communicate with a high-frequency (HF) front end 530. The HF front end 530 can include switching logic for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the HF front end 530 can include receive switching logic (RX) 532 and transmit switching logic (TX) 534. In some embodiments, the receive circuit 532 can communicate with the downlink (DL) front end 550, which can include switching logic for receiving radio signals via the antenna 335a.

[0068] Similarly, the modem 520 can include one or more processors 522 and a memory 526 in communication with the processors 522. The modem 520 can communicate with an RF front end 540. The RF front end 540 can include switching logic for transmitting and receiving radio signals. For example, the RF front end 540 can include a receive switching logic 542 and a transmit switching logic 544. In some embodiments, the receive circuit 542 can communicate with the DL front end 560, which can include switching logic for receiving radio signals via the antenna 335b.

[0069] In some embodiments, the switch 570 can couple the transmit switching logic 534 with the uplink (UL) front end 572. Additionally, the switch 570 can couple the transmit switching logic 544 with the UL front end 572. The UL front end 572 can include circuitry for transmitting radio signals via the antenna 336. Thus, when the cellular communication switching logic 330 receives instructions to transmit according to the first RAT (e.g., as supported via the modem 510), the switch 570 can be switched to a first state that allows the modem 510 to transmit signals according to the first RAT (e.g., via a transmit chain that includes the transmit switching logic 534 and the UL front end 572). Similarly, if the mobile communications switching logic 330 receives instructions to transmit according to the second RAT (e.g.,(as supported via modem 520), the switch 570 can be switched to a second state which allows the modem 520 to transmit signals according to the second RAT (e.g. via a transmit chain that includes the transmit switching logic 544 and the UL front end 572).

[0070] In some embodiments, the cellular communication switching logic 330 can be configured to transmit, via the first modem while the switch is in the first state, a request to connect to a first network node operating according to the first RAT, and to transmit, via the first modem while the switch is in a first state, an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially simultaneous connections with the first network node and a second network node operating according to the second RAT. The wireless device can also be configured to transmit, via the second radio device, a request to connect to the second network node while the switch is in a second state.The requirement may include an indication that the wireless device is capable of maintaining substantially simultaneous connections with the first and second network nodes. Furthermore, the wireless device may be configured to receive an indication via the first radio device that dual connectivity with the first and second network nodes has been established.

[0071] As described herein, the Modem 510 can include hardware and software components for implementing features for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration, as well as the various other techniques described herein. The Processors 512 can be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a storage medium (such as a non-transient computer-readable storage medium). Alternatively (or additionally), the Processor 512 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (custom integrated circuit).Alternatively (or additionally), the 512 processor can be configured in conjunction with one or more of the other components 530, 532, 534, 550, 570, 572, 335 and 336 to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0072] Additionally, as described herein, the 512 processors can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the 512 processors can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the 512 processors. Furthermore, each integrated circuit can include switching logic (e.g., first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the 512 processors.

[0073] As described herein, the Modem 520 can include hardware and software components for implementing features for using an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration, as well as the various other techniques described herein. The Processors 522 can be configured to implement some or all of the features described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored on a storage medium (such as a non-transient computer-readable storage medium). Alternatively (or additionally), the Processor 522 can be configured as a programmable hardware element, such as an FPGA (field-programmable gate array) or an ASIC (custom integrated circuit).Alternatively (or additionally), the 522 processor can be configured in conjunction with one or more of the other components 540, 542, 544, 550, 570, 572, 335 and 336 to implement some or all of the features described herein.

[0074] Additionally, as described herein, the 522 processors can include one or more processing elements. Thus, the 522 processors can include one or more integrated circuits (ICs) configured to perform the functions of the 522 processor. Furthermore, each integrated circuit can include switching logic (e.g., first switching logic, second switching logic, etc.) configured to perform the functions of the 522 processors. Figures 6A to 6B - 5G-NR Non-standalone (NSA) architecture with LTE

[0075] In some implementations, fifth-generation wireless communication (5G) is initially deployed concurrently with current wireless communication standards (e.g., LTE). For example, dual connectivity between LTE and 5G New Radio (5G NR or NR) was defined as part of the initial NR deployment. Thus, as in the Fig. Figure 6A-B illustrates how the Evolved Packet Core (EPC) Network 600 can continue to communicate with the existing LTE base stations (e.g., eNB 602). Additionally, the eNB 602 can communicate with a 5G NR base station (e.g., gNB 604) and transfer data between the EPC Network 600 and the gNB 604. This allows the EPC Network 600 to be used (or reused), while the gNB 604 can serve as additional capacity for User Entities (UEs), for example, to provide them with increased downlink throughput. In other words, LTE can be used for control plane signaling, and NR can be used for user plane signaling. Thus, LTE can be used to establish connections to the network, and NR can be used for data services.

[0076] Fig. Figure 6B illustrates a proposed protocol stack for eNB 602 and gNB 604. As shown, eNB 602 can include a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer 632 that interacts with the Radio Link Control (RLC) layers 622a-b. RLC layer 622a can also interact with the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer 612a, and RLC layer 622b can interact with PDCP layer 612b. Similar to the dual connectivity specified in LTE-Advanced Release 12, PDCP layer 612a can interact with the EPC network 600 over a Master Cell Group (MCG) carrier, while PDCP layer 612b can interact with the EPC network 600 over a shared carrier.

[0077] Additionally, as shown, the gNB 604 can include a MAC layer 634 that interacts with the RLC layers 624a-b. RLC layer 624a can interact with the PDCP layer 612b of the eNB 602 via an X2 interface for information exchange and / or coordination (e.g., scheduling of a UE) between the eNB 602 and gNB 604. Additionally, RLC layer 624b can interact with PDCP layer 614. Similar to the dual connectivity specified in LTE Advanced Release 12, PDCP layer 614 can interact with the EPC network 600 via a secondary cell group carrier (SCG carrier). Thus, eNB 602 can be considered a master node (MeNB), while gNB 604 can be considered a secondary node (SgNB). In some scenarios, a UE may need to maintain a connection to both a MeNB and an SgNB.In such scenarios, the MeNB can be used to maintain a Radio Resource Control (RRC) link to an EPC, while the SgNB can be used to expand capacity (e.g., for additional downlink and / or uplink throughput).

[0078] Thus, the Fig. Sections 6A to 6B present aspects of a possible mobile communication system implementing dual connectivity. However, it should be noted that numerous other dual (or more generally, multiple) connectivity configurations are also possible, and features of this disclosure can be implemented in any of a variety of such configurations. Some other examples, among various other possible configurations, might include a configuration in which a gNB can be configured as a master node and an eNB can be configured as a secondary node, or a configuration in which both a master node and a secondary node operate according to the same RAT (e.g., both operate according to NR, both operate according to LTE, etc.). In some cases, a configuration in which multiple cells (e.g.,a primary or master cell (PCELL) and one or more secondary cells (SCELLS) are provided according to the same RAT, also referred to as a carrier aggregation configuration. Figure 7 - Auxiliary information for fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration

[0079] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating an exemplary procedure for a wireless device and a cellular base station to use an auxiliary information frame to perform a fast carrier aggregation and dual connectivity configuration according to some embodiments.

[0080] Aspects of the procedure of Fig. 7 can be implemented, as desired, by a wireless device and a cellular base station, such as a UE 106 and a BS 102, illustrated in various figures herein, or more generally in conjunction with any of the computer circuits, systems, devices, elements, or components shown in the preceding figures, among others. For example, a processor (and / or other hardware) of such a device can be configured to cause the device to execute any combination of the illustrated process elements and / or other process elements.

[0081] In various embodiments, some of the elements of the illustrated method can be performed simultaneously, in a different order than shown, replaced by other method elements, or omitted. Furthermore, additional elements can be performed as desired. As shown, the method can operate as follows.

[0082] In the case of 702, the wireless device can provide auxiliary information to the cellular base station to help determine a carrier aggregation or dual-connectivity configuration. This auxiliary information can be provided in conjunction with (for example, as part of) establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the cellular base station. For example, the auxiliary information can be provided during an RRC connection establishment procedure (for example, during the transition from an RRC idle mode to a connected RRC mode) or during an RRC resumption procedure (for example, during the transition from an inactive RRC mode to a connected RRC mode). The auxiliary information could be provided in an initial RRC connection or resumption request (in which case, for example,It may be preferred that the auxiliary information be relatively compact to keep the size of the initial request relatively small (at least according to some embodiments), or with a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup or the completion of the RRC resumption. Alternatively, the auxiliary information could be provided separately from the RRC connection setup, for example, in response to an auxiliary information request. At least according to some embodiments, such an auxiliary information request / exchange can still occur in conjunction with the RRC connection setup (e.g., immediately after the RRC connection setup), if desired; alternatively or additionally, such an auxiliary information request / exchange can occur at any of several other times.

[0083] The auxiliary information can include any of the various possible types of information that may be useful to the mobile base station in determining whether the wireless device should be configured for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, and in selecting a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration when the mobile base station determines that the wireless device should be configured for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. For example, the auxiliary information can include carrier aggregation or dual connectivity preference information for the wireless device. Such preference information could be a simple (e.g., 1-bit) indication of whether the wireless device prefers to be configured for at least one of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, or to be configured for neither, or a (e.g.,The 2-bit indication of the wireless device's preference between carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, both, or neither configuration may include a preference indicator. Alternatively, such preference information could include an indication of one or more preferred frequencies for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity and / or one or more non-preferred frequencies for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. For example, in some cases, the wireless device may be configured to perform measurements on one or more potential / candidate secondary cell frequencies while in idle or inactive mode and may accordingly be able to determine, during the initial execution of an RRC link setup, whether any such frequencies would be suitable for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity.Alternatively or additionally, the wireless device may include an indication of whether (e.g., partially or completely) a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration with which the wireless device was configured during a previous RRC connection can be reused as part of the auxiliary information.

[0084] As another possibility, information could be provided to the wireless device (e.g., by the cellular base station or a previous service base station) that preconfigures one or more carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration indices corresponding to one or more carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations. The cellular base station can, at least in some cases, select the possible configurations for the preconfigured configuration indices based, at least in part, on information about the capabilities of the wireless device. Using such information, the wireless device could include an indication of a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration index corresponding to a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device.

[0085] In addition to or as an alternative to carrier aggregation or dual connectivity preference information for the wireless device, the auxiliary information could include service data volume information for the wireless device. For example, the wireless device could determine an estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data to communicate based on access layer and / or application layer information and include this estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data as part of the auxiliary information.

[0086] The cellular base station can determine, at least in part, whether to configure the wireless device for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity based on auxiliary information. For example, if the wireless device has a relatively small amount of service data and / or indicates a preference not to configure it for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, this may influence the cellular base station's decision not to configure it for these conditions. Conversely, if the wireless device has a relatively large amount of service data and / or indicates a preference to configure it for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, this may also influence the cellular base station's decision to configure it for these conditions.

[0087] When the cellular base station determines to configure the wireless device for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, it can further determine a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device based at least partially on the auxiliary information. For example, if the wireless device indicates one or more preferred frequencies for carrier aggregation and / or dual connectivity, this can help the cellular base station determine to select one (or more) of the indicated preferred frequencies to include in the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device.Similarly, if the wireless device indicates that a previously used carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration can be reused, this can help the cellular base station determine to select the previously used carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device. Furthermore, if the wireless device indicates a preference for a specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration (for example, by signaling a carrier aggregation configuration index or a dual connectivity configuration index associated with the preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration), this can help the cellular base station determine to select the preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device.

[0088] In the case of 704, the cellular base station can provide carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration information based at least partially on the auxiliary information. This carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration information can then configure the wireless device for the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration selected by the cellular base station.

[0089] Once the wireless device is configured for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, the cellular base station can send a signal to the wireless device to activate carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. After activation, the wireless device can communicate with the cellular base station (and, depending on the configuration, possibly with one or more other cellular base stations) according to the configured carrier aggregation or dual connectivity arrangement.

[0090] It should be noted that in some cases, the cellular base station may indicate to the wireless device that a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration should be enabled without explicitly configuring the wireless device for that configuration. For example, in a scenario where the wireless device specifies a preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration (e.g.,(by displaying a carrier aggregation configuration index or a dual connectivity configuration index to the cellular base station as part of the auxiliary information), the preferred configuration can be considered implicitly configured on the wireless device, and therefore, if the cellular base station selects the preferred configuration for the wireless device, the cellular base station may be able to provide an indication to the wireless device to activate this configuration without explicitly providing an indication to the wireless device that it is configuring it.

[0091] Thus, at least according to some embodiments, by using an auxiliary information frame capable of providing auxiliary information early in an RRC connection, such as during the setup, establishment, and / or resumption of an RRC connection, it may be possible to configure a wireless device quickly and accurately for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity operation, which in turn may increase the data throughput of the wireless device in scenarios where achieving higher data throughput more quickly is advantageous for the wireless device, among other possible benefits. Figures 8 to 15 and additional information

[0092] The Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11, Fig. 12, Fig. 13, Fig. 14 to Fig. 15 and the following additional information are provided as examples of various considerations and details regarding possible systems in which the procedure of Fig. 7 and / or other aspects of this revelation may be implemented, and are not intended to limit the revelation as a whole. Numerous variations and alternatives regarding the details provided below are possible and are to be considered within the scope of the revelation.

[0093] Fig. Figure 8 illustrates the signal flow for an exemplary CA / DC configuration procedure in which there is no framework for providing auxiliary information for the CA / DC configuration and in which measurement reporting and CA / DC configuration are only permitted after AS safety activation, according to some embodiments.

[0094] As shown, the signal flow can include a UE 806 making an RRC connection request 810 to a cellular base station 802 (e.g., an eNB or gNB), the base station 802 making an RRC connection setup message 812 to the UE 806, and the UE 806 responding with a message 814 indicating the completion of the RRC connection setup. The UE 806 and the network can then establish access stratum (AS) security, including the base station 802 making an AS security mode command 816 and the UE 806 responding with a message 818 indicating the completion of AS security mode. Once the RRC connection is established and AS security is enabled, the UE 806 can perform neighbor cell measurements and provide a measurement report 820 to the BS 802.

[0095] According to such a design, the network can configure the CA / DC based on the results of neighbor cell measurements, such as those from the measurement report 820. This can include the base station 802 providing an RRC link reconfiguration indicator 822 with CA / DC configuration information, and the UE 806 responding with an indicator of the completion of the RRC link reconfiguration 824. It should be noted that the decision to configure the CA / DC and / or the specific CA / DC configuration selected may also be based, at least in part, on current data volume information (such as the downlink data volume based on the data volume in the downlink queue buffer on the network side and the uplink data volume based on the buffer status report (BSR) reporting from the UE) and / or any of the various possible base station policy considerations.

[0096] Since, according to such a scheme, the UE may only be permitted to send measurement reports to the network after an AS security activation, and similarly, CA / DC configuration may only be allowed after an AS security activation, a significant minimum delay may occur when configuring the CA / DC; for example, according to some embodiments, a delay of 30 ms to 1 s may be possible. It should be noted that this range is provided only as an example, and other possible delay ranges for configuring the CA / DC according to such a scheme may also exist.

[0097] As an alternative to such a scheme, the network may configure the CA / DC blindly, for example, without information about the UE radio quality or service data volumes, perhaps to configure the CA / DC more quickly. Such a blind CA / DC configuration can lead to additional power consumption by the UE, for example, relative to a non-CA or non-DC configuration, possibly even when a configured CA or DC scheme is not active. For example, CA may require a UE to perform a measurement on the configured secondary cell(s). Furthermore, DC may require a UE to perform radio link monitoring in addition to the secondary cell(s) measurements. In the event of a secondary cell group failure, performing a RACH procedure on the master cell group primary cell may also be required.Therefore, this additional power consumption can have a negative impact on the UE in at least some cases, for example if the UE service does not require a sufficiently large amount of data transmission to justify a CA / DC configuration, and / or if the channel conditions for potential secondary cells are poor.

[0098] Accordingly, at least according to some embodiments, it can be advantageous to provide a CA / DC configuration framework that is potentially both fast and accurate. Such a framework can include a mechanism for UEs to quickly report auxiliary information to facilitate CA / DC configuration, potentially including during the initial access procedure. For example, the auxiliary information could be provided when performing a procedure to establish an RRC connection during the transition from an RRC idle mode to a connected RRC mode, or when performing an RRC resumption procedure during the transition from an inactive RRC mode to a connected RRC mode.

[0099] The auxiliary information could include any or all of the various possible types and amounts of information. For example, the auxiliary information could include information indicating the UE's preferences for a CA / DC configuration, such as a 1-bit or 2-bit indication of CA / DC preference (e.g., whether CA / DC is preferred or not, a preference between CA / DC / both / neither, etc.), a CA / DC frequency list preferred and / or not preferred by a UE (e.g., based on measurements, UE capabilities / preferences, etc.), whether a previous CA / DC configuration (in whole or in part) can be reused, or a preconfigured CA / DC configuration index. Alternatively, the auxiliary information could include UE service data volume information.For example, data volume information about the access layer could be used to determine how much uplink data the UE has to send, and / or data volume information about the application layer could be used to determine both how much uplink data the UE has to send and how much downlink data the UE expects to receive.

[0100] The auxiliary information could be provided at any of a variety of times. According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information could be reported in conjunction with (e.g., during) a procedure for establishing an RRC connection, such as during the transition from an RRC idle mode to a connected RRC mode. In such a case, one possibility is that the auxiliary information be included in the RRC connection request message, as in the exemplary signal flow of Fig. Figure 9 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 906 can provide an RRC connection request 910 to a BS 902. It should be noted that, at least in some cases, the auxiliary information 950 in this scenario may be limited to relatively compact types of auxiliary information, such as including an application layer data set and / or a CA / DC indicator, because, for example, the payload of the RRC connection request may have a somewhat limited number of bits available for auxiliary information. However, providing auxiliary information with the RRC connection request 910 can enable very fast, informed CA / DC configuration; in Figure 912, the BS 902 can provide an RRC connection setup message that may include CA / DC configuration information.The UE 906 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup 914, at which point the RRC connection may be established and the CA / DC may already be configured.

[0101] Alternatively, the auxiliary information can be included in the message about the completion of the RRC connection setup, as in the example signal flow of Fig. Figure 10 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 1006 can provide an RRC connection request 1010 to a BS 1002. At 1012, the BS 1002 can provide an RRC connection setup message to the UE 1006. The UE 1006 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup 1014, which may include auxiliary information 1050. In this case, since the payload can be more flexible, it may be possible, at least according to some embodiments, to include any of the various possible types and amounts of auxiliary information. Based at least partially on the auxiliary information 1050, the BS 1002 can provide an RRC reconfiguration message 1016, which may include CA / DC configuration information. The UE 1006 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC reconfiguration 1018, at which point CA / DC may be configured.

[0102] As a further possibility, the auxiliary information can be included in an auxiliary information report after completion of a procedure to establish an RRC connection, as in the exemplary signal flow of Fig. Figure 11 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 1106 can provide an RRC connection request 1110 to a BS 1102. At 1112, the BS 1102 can provide an RRC connection setup message to the UE 1106. The UE 1106 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup 1114. The BS 1102 can follow up with an auxiliary information request 1116, to which the UE 1106 can respond with an auxiliary information report 1118, which can include the auxiliary information 1150. Similar to the scenario of Fig. 10 In this case, since the payload can be more flexible, it may be possible, at least according to some embodiments, to include any of the various possible types and amounts of auxiliary information. In this example scenario, the BS 1102 can further provide an access stratum security mode command 1120 to establish security at the access stratum level. The UE 1106 can respond with a message about the completion of the access stratum security mode 1122. Based at least partially on the auxiliary information 1150, the BS 1102 can then provide an RRC reconfiguration message 1124, which may include CA / DC configuration information. The UE 1106 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC reconfiguration 1126, at which point CA / DC may be configured.

[0103] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information could also or alternatively be reported in conjunction with (e.g., during) an RRC resumption procedure, for example, during the transition from an inactive RRC mode to a connected RRC mode. In such a case, one possibility is that the auxiliary information be included in the RRC resumption request message, as in the exemplary signal flow of Fig. Figure 12 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 1206 can provide an RRC resumption request 1210 to a BS 1202. It should be noted that, at least in some cases, the auxiliary information 1250 in this scenario may be limited to relatively compact types of auxiliary information, such as including a buffer status report or application layer data set, a CA / DC indicator, and / or a validity indicator of a previous configuration (e.g., used by the UE before entering inactive RRC mode), because, for example, the payload of the RRC resumption request may have a somewhat limited number of bits available for the auxiliary information.However, providing the auxiliary information with the RRC resumption request 1210 can enable very fast, informed CA / DC configuration; with 1212, the BS 1202 can provide an RRC resumption message that can include CA / DC configuration information. The UE 1206 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC resumption 1214, at which point the RRC connection may already be established and the CA / DC may already be configured.

[0104] Alternatively, the support information can be included in the message about the completion of the RRC resumption, as in the example signal flow of Fig. Figure 13 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 1306 can provide an RRC resumption request 1310 to a BS 1302. At 1312, the BS 1302 can provide an RRC resumption message to the UE 1306. The UE 1306 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC resumption 1314, which may include the auxiliary information 1350. In this case, since the payload can be more flexible, it may be possible, at least according to some embodiments, to include any of the various possible types and amounts of auxiliary information. Based at least partially on the auxiliary information 1350, the BS 1302 can provide an RRC reconfiguration message 1316, which may include CA / DC configuration information. The UE 1306 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC reconfiguration 1318, at which point CA / DC may be configured.

[0105] As a further possibility, the auxiliary information can be included in an auxiliary information report after the conclusion of an RRC reopening procedure, as in the exemplary signal flow of Fig. Figure 14 illustrates this. As shown, in the illustrated example, a UE 1406 can provide an RRC resumption request 1410 to a BS 1402. At 1412, the BS 1402 can provide an RRC resumption message to the UE 1406. The UE 1406 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC resumption 1414. The BS 1402 can follow up with a helper information request 1416, to which the UE 1406 can respond with a helper information report 1418, which can include the helper information 1450. Similar to the scenario of Fig. 13 In this case, since the payload can be more flexible, it may be possible, at least according to some embodiments, to include any of the various possible types and amounts of auxiliary information. Based at least partially on the auxiliary information 1450, the BS 1402 can provide an RRC reconfiguration message 1420, which may include CA / DC configuration information. The UE 1406 can respond with a message about the completion of the RRC reconfiguration 1422, at which point CA / DC may be configured.

[0106] As previously noted, in some cases the UE help information might include a pre-configured configuration index for a preferred CA / DC configuration. Fig.Figure 15 is a signal flow diagram illustrating further details of how such an arrangement might operate, at least according to some embodiments. As shown, at Figure 1510, a UE 1506 and a BS 1502 may have established an RRC connection. At Figure 1512, the BS 1502 may release the RRC connection and may include a MeasIdleConfigDedicated information element (-IE) with the RRC connection release message. As part of this IE, the network may be able to configure the configuration indexes for the UE that the UE supports (e.g., taking into account the capability of the UE device), with each preconfiguration index indicating a configuration for a specific carrier aggregation or multi-RAT dual connectivity combination (MR-DC combination) defined by the network.This IE can also configure the UE to perform measurements on the relevant frequencies for the configured configuration indices while it is in idle mode.

[0107] At 1514, the UE 1506 can enter an RRC idle state and start a T331 timer. Based on the `measIdleConfiDedicated` IE in the RRC connection sharing message (or alternatively, based on system information provided in System Information Block 5 (SIB5)), the UE 1506 can perform the configured measurements at 1516. At 1518, the UE 1506 can detect a trigger to establish an RRC connection (e.g., based on data buffer levels, a paging indication from the network, or any of several other possible triggers).If the T331 timer is running when the trigger occurs (or more generally, if the UE has current measurements for relevant configured neighboring cells), the UE can determine a preferred SCELL or MR-DC configuration (or a set of SCELL or MR-DC configurations) from the pool of configuration indices provided by the network in the RRC connection sharing message. At 1520, the UE can send an RRC connection request (1506), to which the BS can respond (1502) with an RRC connection setup message (1522). At 1524, UE 1506 can provide a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup, which may include one or more (e.g., among other information) "requestedCAConfigIdx" or "requestedMRDCConfigIdx" parameters indicating the preferred SCELL or MR-DC configuration or set of SCELL or MR-DC configurations.This can complete the process of establishing an RRC connection, and therefore, at 1526, the UE 1506 can be back in connected RRC mode. In the illustrated scenario, the BS 1502 can provide a security mode command 1528, to which the UE 1506 can respond with a security mode completion message 1530. After security setup, at 1532, the network can configure a SCELL or MR-DC configuration based on the UE's recommendations, for example, by sending a display of the preconfigured configuration index corresponding to the SCELL or MR-DC configuration to the UE 1506 in an RRC connection reconfiguration message 1534 and receiving a RRC connection reconfiguration completion message 1536 from the UE 1506 in response. At 1538, the BS 1502 can apply the configured SCELL or MR-DC configuration. B.by providing downlink control information for SCELL / MR-DC activation 1540 to the UE 1506. Alternatively, according to at least some embodiments, the network may be able to activate the configuration index requested by the UE in the RRC link setup completion message without explicitly configuring it through an RRC link reconfiguration exchange.

[0108] Thus, an auxiliary information framework for providing early assistance in determining a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for a wireless device can help the network perform a fast and accurate CA / DC configuration, taking into account the requirements of the service(s), the preference(s) of the user, and the radio quality / conditions. In addition to reducing the latency for accurately configuring a secondary cell or dual connectivity configuration, at least according to some embodiments, such an approach can also reduce the signaling load for configuring and enabling a secondary cell or dual connectivity configuration, depending, for example, on the implementation approach used for the auxiliary information framework.

[0109] Further examples are provided below.

[0110] A set of embodiments may include a device for operating a wireless device, comprising: a processor configured to cause the wireless device to: provide auxiliary information to a cellular base station for determining a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration, wherein the auxiliary information is provided during the establishment of a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the cellular base station; and receive carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration information from the cellular base station in response to the auxiliary information.

[0111] According to some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: provide the auxiliary information during a procedure for establishing an RRC connection during the transition from an RRC idle mode to a connected RRC mode.

[0112] According to some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: provide the auxiliary information during an RRC resumption procedure during the transition from an inactive RRC mode to a connected RRC mode.

[0113] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information includes an indication of whether the wireless device prefers to be configured for at least one carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, or not to be configured for either carrier aggregation or dual connectivity.

[0114] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information includes a display of one or more preferred and / or non-preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity frequencies.

[0115] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information includes an indication of whether a previous carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration can be reused.

[0116] According to some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: receive information preconfiguring a plurality of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration indices corresponding to a plurality of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations, wherein the auxiliary information includes a display of a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration index corresponding to a preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration.

[0117] According to some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: determine an estimated amount of uplink data to be communicated based at least partially on access stratum layer information, wherein the auxiliary information includes the estimated amount of uplink data to be communicated.

[0118] According to some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: determine an estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data to be communicated based at least partially on application layer information, wherein the auxiliary information includes the estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data to be communicated.

[0119] Another set of embodiments may include a wireless device comprising: an antenna; a radio device coupled to the antenna; and a processing element coupled to the radio device; wherein the wireless device is configured to: provide auxiliary information for determining a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration to a cellular base station; and receive carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration information from the cellular base station in response to the auxiliary information, wherein the auxiliary information includes one or more of: carrier aggregation or dual connectivity preference information for the wireless device or service data volume information for the wireless device.

[0120] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information is provided with an RRC connection request message.

[0121] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information is provided with a message about the completion of the RRC connection setup.

[0122] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information is provided with an RRC resumption request message.

[0123] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information is provided with a message about the completion of the RRC resumption.

[0124] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information is provided with an auxiliary information report, which is provided in response to an auxiliary information request received from the mobile base station.

[0125] Yet another set of embodiments may include a cellular base station comprising: an antenna; a radio device coupled to the antenna; and a processing element coupled to the radio device; wherein the cellular base station is configured to: receive auxiliary information for determining a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration from a wireless device, wherein the auxiliary information is received during the establishment of a radio resource control (RRC) connection with the wireless device; determine a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device based at least partially on the auxiliary information; and provide an indication to the wireless device to activate a particular carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration.

[0126] According to some embodiments, the cellular base station is further configured to: determine one or more possible carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations for the wireless device based at least on information about the capability of the wireless device; and provide information to the wireless device indicating a configuration index for each of the one or more possible carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations for the wireless device, wherein the auxiliary information includes an indication of a configuration index corresponding to a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device.

[0127] According to some embodiments, to determine the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration, the cellular base station is further configured to select the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device, providing an indication to the wireless device to activate the specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration, without explicitly providing an indication that configures the specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration, based at least partially on the fact that the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device is selected as the specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration.

[0128] According to some embodiments, the cellular base station is further configured to: provide configuration information for the specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration to the wireless device.

[0129] According to some embodiments, the auxiliary information includes one or more of: an indication of a preference as to whether the wireless device should be configured for one or more carrier aggregation or dual connectivity; an indication of one or more preferred or non-preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity frequencies; an indication of a preference as to whether at least part of a previous carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration used by the wireless device should be reused; or service data set information for the wireless device.

[0130] Another set of embodiments may include a device comprising: a processor configured to cause a device to perform any or all of the preceding examples.

[0131] Another embodiment may include a method comprising: performing any or all parts of the preceding examples by means of a device.

[0132] Yet another embodiment may include a wireless device comprising: an antenna; a radio device coupled to the antenna; and a processing element coupled to the radio device, the device being implemented to implement any or all of the preceding examples.

[0133] Another exemplary set of embodiments may include a non-transitory, computer-accessible storage medium comprising program instructions which, when executed on a device, cause the device to implement any or all parts of any of the foregoing examples.

[0134] Yet another exemplary set of embodiments may include a computer program comprising instructions for performing any or all parts of any of the foregoing examples.

[0135] Yet another exemplary set of embodiments may include a device comprising a means for carrying out any or all elements of any of the foregoing examples.

[0136] It is understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow data protection regulations and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining user privacy. In particular, personally identifiable information should be managed and handled in a manner that minimizes the risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of any authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.

[0137] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be realized in a variety of forms. For example, some embodiments can be realized as a computer-implemented method, a computer-readable storage medium, or a computer system. Other embodiments can be implemented using one or more user-adapted hardware devices, such as ASICs. Still other embodiments can be realized using one or more programmable hardware elements, such as FPGAs.

[0138] In some embodiments, a non-transient, computer-readable storage medium may be designed to store program instructions and / or data, wherein the program instructions, when executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a procedure, e.g., any one of the procedure execution forms described herein, or a combination of the procedure execution forms described herein, or a subset of one of the procedure execution forms described herein, or a combination of such subsets.

[0139] In some embodiments, a device (e.g., a UE 106) can be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a storage medium, wherein program instructions are stored on the storage medium, the processor being configured to read and execute the program instructions from the storage medium, and the program instructions being executable to implement any of the various method implementations described herein (or any combination of the method implementations described herein, or any subset of any of the method implementations described herein, or any combination of such subsets). The device can be implemented in one of many forms.

[0140] Although the embodiments have been described above in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications are apparent to the person skilled in the art after a full understanding of the foregoing disclosure. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to include all such variations and modifications.

Claims

[1] Device for operating a wireless device, comprising: a processor configured to cause the wireless device to: Providing a User Equipment (UE) Assistance Information Message containing a one- or more-bit indication of a preference for a dual-connectivity configuration for communication with a cellular base station via a Master Cell Group (MCG) and a Secondary Cell Group (SCG), wherein the preference includes activation of the SCG, and wherein the UE Assistance Information Message is transmitted to the cellular base station in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message; and Receiving, from the cellular base station, initial information that implicitly indicates activation of the SCG and activation of a dual-connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG based on the UE Assistance Information Message, wherein the dual-connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG was already pre-configured on the wireless device prior to receiving the initial information, and wherein the activation of the dual-connectivity configuration is indicated without explicitly configuring the dual-connectivity configuration for the wireless device. [2] Device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: Providing the UE Assistance Information Message during a procedure to establish an RRC connection during the transition from an RRC idle mode to a connected RRC mode. [3] Device according to claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to: Providing the UE Assistance Information Message during an RRC resumption procedure during the transition from an inactive RRC mode to a connected RRC mode. [4] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the UE Assistance Information Message includes an indication of whether the wireless device prefers to be configured for at least one of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity or not to be configured for one of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity. [5] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the UE Assistance Information Message includes a display of one or more preferred and / or non-preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity frequencies. [6] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the UE Assistance Information Message includes an indication of whether a previous carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration can be reused. [7] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to do the following: Receiving second information that preconfigures a variety of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration indices corresponding to a variety of carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations, wherein the UE Assistance Information Message includes a display of a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration index corresponding to a preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration. [8] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to do the following: Determining an estimated amount of uplink data to be communicated based at least partially on access layer information, where the UE Assistance Information Message includes the estimated amount of uplink data to be communicated. [9] Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the processor is further configured to cause the wireless device to do the following: Determining an estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data to be communicated, based at least partially on application layer information, where the UE Assistance Information Message includes the estimated amount of uplink and / or downlink data to be communicated. [10] Procedures, including: through a mobile phone base station: Receiving, from a wireless device (User Equipment, UE), a UE Assistance Information Message containing a one or more bit indication of a preference for a dual-connectivity configuration for communication via a Master Cell Group (MCG) and a Secondary Cell Group (SCG), wherein the preference includes activation of the SCG, and wherein the UE Assistance Information Message is received in a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message; Determine a dual connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG for the wireless device based at least partially on the UE Assistance Information Message; and Providing initial information to the wireless device that implicitly indicates the activation of the specific dual connectivity configuration for communication via the SCG and the MCG, wherein the specific dual connectivity configuration for communication via the MCG and the SCG was already preconfigured prior to the provision of the initial information to the wireless device, and wherein the activation of the dual connectivity configuration is indicated without explicitly configuring the dual connectivity configuration for the wireless device. [11] The method of claim 10, wherein the method further comprises: Determining one or more possible carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations for the wireless device based on at least information about the wireless device's capability; and Providing secondary information to the wireless device that displays a configuration index for each of the one or more possible carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configurations for the wireless device, the UE Assistance Information Message includes a display of a configuration index corresponding to a carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device. [12] Method according to claim 11, wherein, to determine the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration, the mobile base station is further configured to select the carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration preferred by the wireless device. [13] Method according to any one of claims 10-12, wherein the method further comprises: Providing configuration information for the specific carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration to the wireless device. [14] Method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the UE Assistance Information Message comprises one or more of the following: an indication of a preference as to whether the wireless device should be configured for one or more carrier aggregation or dual connectivity; a display of one or more preferred or non-preferred carrier aggregation or dual connectivity frequencies; an indication of a preference as to whether at least part of a previous carrier aggregation or dual connectivity configuration used by the wireless device should be reused; or Service data volume information for the wireless device. [15] Mobile base station, comprising: an antenna; a radio device coupled to the antenna; and a processing element coupled to the radio device; wherein the mobile communication base station is configured to implement a method according to one of claims 10-14.

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