as) United States
`a2) Patent Application Publication 10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0260136 Al
`
` Fanetal. (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 14, 2010
`
`
`US 20100260136A1
`
`(75)
`
`(54) RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL RESPONSE
`HANDLING WITH AGGREGATED
`COMPONENT CARRIERS
`Inventors:
`Jianke Fan, Espoo(FI); JuhaS.
`Korhonen, Espoo (FI); Mikko J.
`Rinne, Espoo (FI); Esa M.
`Malkamaki, Espoo (FI)
`Correspondence Address:
`HARRINGTON & SMITH
`4 RESEARCHDRIVE,Suite 202
`SHELTON,CT 06484-6212 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`Nokia Corporation
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/384,950
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Apr. 10, 2009
`
`Publication Classification
`
`Gl)
`
`Inecl
`2009.01)
`HOA 73/04
`(52) US. CU ceescccsssssssssssssssesssssessssasesssnseseeens 370/330
`
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`Disclosed herein are methods, computer program instruc-
`tions and apparatus for performing random access procedures
`in a wireless communication system. A method includes
`receiving at a network access node, in different time and
`frequency resources that are allocated for preamble transmis-
`sion, and in different ones of a plurality of componentcarri-
`ers, a plurality of random access requests from individual
`ones of a plurality of user equipments; and transmitting a
`corresponding plurality of random access responsesin a time
`and frequency resource of a single componentcarrier.
`
`MME/S-GW
`
`MME/S—GW
`
`E—UTRAN
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`1
`
`APPLE 1004
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14, 2010 Sheet 1 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`MME/S—GW
`
`MME/S—GW
`
`K I
`
`\
`
`\
`
`\S
`
`\
`
`1 \
`
`\
`
`\
`
`\
`
`\
`
`\
`
`\
`
`1
`I
`[
`i
`St
`1
`
`mc)
`
`| |
`
`\
`
`\
`
`e
`
`NB \ . /
`x2
`\ ©)
`|
`\ VY
`
`/
`
`/
`
`E—UTRAN
`
`7 eNB
`
`e
`
`XZ
`
`\
`
`/
`
`eNB
`
`FIG.1A
`
`2
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14
`
`’
`
`2010
`
`
`
`‘JWVuI-SIWH3NO
`
`SluG="1009¢¢1
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`=IeordTe_oT—“LOz20¢roges1=085
`
`oo_‘LOIS3NO
`
`
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`ladnd9ladnd9
`JL’Sl4SSldMdSSldMd
`
`S10zZ0¢
`
`INO
`
`‘JNVEIENS
`
`3
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14,2010 Sheet 3 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`
`
`[—_}+—_}_+_+_+_+
`
`fearoct
`FIG.1D
`
`
`E]TIR|R]Bl joctt
`FIG.1E
`
`
`
`
`
`TuneAOEcommunoct
`
`TNSAE]uccra foct 2
`woman st
`
`
`omar fost
`ravinecatfoot
`
`
`[—reorareatfoot
`FIG.1F
`
`| SUBHEADER
`roe
`
`MAC HEADER
`
`MAC RAR 1|/MAC RAR 2
`
`
`MAC RAR n| (opr)
`
` MAC PAYLOAD
`FIG.1G
`
`| | | | | i | ||
`
`
`
`4
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14,2010 Sheet 4 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Al
`
`M9/SNW/SON
`
`
`
`L"HYOMLANSS313YIM
`
`
`
`(S)MYOMISJNYSHLO
`
`L3NYSLNI/
`
`SEN®YSHLOOL
`
`Veold
`
`@3IQONP
`
`0ru
`
`NOILWINdOd
`
`S3N40
`
`5
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14, 2010 Sheet 5 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`a
`
`USLSVN/NIVNesjlo48|
`
`ve
`
`9+
`
`KO
`Ol
`
`aeols
`
`Ol ve
`
`6
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14,2010 Sheet 6 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`
`
`LTE-ADVANCED MAXIMUM BANDWIDTH
`
`
`
`
` er BW
`REL’8 BW
`REL’8 BW ee BW
`REL’8 BW
`
`CARRIERT1 CARRIER33 CARRIER©4
`
`TARRER22 CARRIER 5
`FIG.3
`
`
`
`eNB
`
`900MHz
`
`UE2
`
`FIG.4
`
`
`
`15MHz
`
`soowte [>[s[uu]o]o[s[u[u]o]) sm
`
`FIG.5
`
`7
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14, 2010 Sheet 7 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`
`
`SHL40S3NSHL40S3NSHLYO4NOLWNYOINI
`
`
`ASva1dYyal)ASVI1IYYaLV)SHL
`ZHWOKEMAILS0LAPRNa|aH02
`
` nine(TOTO[9[0]a]0LRMRSY©|an008oeLM
`
`}pT
`
`SSVITSYMINAIHL
`
`
`
`ASVI1SNYANHVASHL
`
`JOSINSHLYO4ONIGOVd
`
`
`JOS3NSHLYO4NOLVAYOINI
`
`
`
`YalV]JHL30S3N3HLYOd
`
`
`
`ONLVOIGNISLAG¥YOIGV
`
`
`
`
`
`ZHNG{
`
`9°9I4
`
`404ONIGGVd
`
`LUISLON
`
`
`
`S400ONIGGVdLWHL3SV¥3134
`
`8
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010 Sheet 8 of 10
`
`Patent Application Publication
`
`9
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14, 2010 Sheet 9 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`
`
`
`
`YO4SINSWNOGTIMONAOYFIEWWINd
`
`
`
`
`
`ASVITINYSLV]JHL40S3NSHL
`
`SINAHLAGONIGGVdSVG30YvosY
`
`
`
`
`
`SSWI1SaYANYVAJHL40
`
`wo
`
`ceEN@
`
`ASWVITIYYSMYVAJHL40S3N3HL
`
`
`
`
`JSVI1ISYYAW]JHLJOS3NJHL
`
`YOJSINSNSGTIMONMOVSIGNVIYd
`
`
`
`
`YO4SLNANOGTIMONAOVFIENVANd
`
`
`SANSHLAMONIGGVYdSVC3dYV9SY
`
`
`
`
`
`ASWI1SYYANYVSSJHL40
`
`FIG.9
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication
`
`Oct. 14,2010 Sheet 10 of 10
`
`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`RECEIVING AT A NETWORK ACCESS NODE,
`IN DIFFERENT TIME AND FREQUENCY
`RESOURCES THAT ARE ALLOCATED FOR
`PREAMBLE TRANSMISSION, AND IN DIFFERENT)
`ONES OF A PLURALITY OF COMPONENT
`CARRIERS, A PLURALITY OF RANDOM ACCESS
`REQUESTS FROM INDIVIDUAL ONES OF A
`PLURALITY OF USER EQUIPMENTS
`
`r
`
`!°
`
`TRANSMITTING A CORRESPONDING PLURALITY
`OF RANDOM ACCESS RESPONSES IN A TIME}~10B
`AND FREQUENCY RESOURCE OF A SINGLE
`COMPONENT CARRIER
`FIG.10
`
`
`
`
`
`TRANSMITTING TO A NETWORK ACCESS NODE,
`IN A TIME AND FREQUENCY RESOURCE OF ONE
`OF A PLURALITY OF COMPONENT CARRIERS,
`A RANDOM ACCESS REQUEST
`
`RECEIVING A RANDOM ACCESS RESPONSE
`THAT IS AGGREGATED WITH OTHER RANDOM
`ACCESS RESPONSES IN A TIME AND FREQUENCY
`RESOURCE OF THE
`SAME OR A DIFFEREN
`COMPONENT CARRIER (OR A SAME OR
`DIFFERENT PAIRED COMPONENT CARRIER)
`FIG.11
`
`IN
`RECEIVING AT A NETWORK ACCESS NODE,
`A TIME AND FREQUENCY RESOURCE ASSOCIATED|~
`WITH A FIRST FREQUENCY BAND, A RANDOM
`ACCESS REQUEST FROM A USER EQUIPMENT
`
`12A
`
`TRANSMITTING A CORRESPONDING RANDOM
`ACCESS RESPONSE IN A TIME AND FREQUENCY|~12B
`RESOURCE ASSOCIATED WITH A SECOND
`FREQUENCY BAND
`
`FIG.12
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010
`
`RANDOM ACCESS CHANNEL RESPONSE
`HANDLING WITH AGGREGATED
`COMPONENT CARRIERS
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`UTRANLIEor as EUTRA)is currently nearing completion
`within the 3GPP. As specified the DL access technique is
`OFDMA,and the UL access technique is SC-FDMA.
`[0038] One specification of interest is 3GPP TS 36.300,
`V8.7.0 (2008-12), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Tech-
`nical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Evolved
`Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA) and Evolved
`Universal Terrestrial Access Network (EUTRAN); Overall
`description; Stage 2 (Release 8), incorporated by reference
`herein in its entirety. This system may be referred to for
`convenience as LTE Rel-8, or simply as Rel-8. In general, the
`set of specifications given generally as 3GPP TS 36.xyz(e.g.,
`36.211, 36.311, 36.312, etc.) may be seen as describing the
`entire Release 8 LTE system.
`[0039]
`FIG. 1A reproduces FIG. 4.1 of 3GPP TS 36.300,
`description herein may include concepts that could be pur-
`and showsthe overall architecture of the EUTRANsystem.
`sued, but are not necessarily ones that have been previously
`The EUTRANsystem includes eNBs, providing the EUTRA
`conceived, implemented or described. Therefore, unless oth-
`user plane (PDCP/RLC/MAC/PHY) and control plane
`erwise indicated herein, whatis described in this section is not
`(RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The eNBs are
`priorart to the description and claimsin this application and
`interconnected with each other by means of an X2 interface.
`is not admittedto be prior art by inclusion in this section.
`The eNBs are also connected by meansof an S1 interface to
`[0003] The following abbreviations that may be found in
`an EPC, more specifically toa MME (Mobility Management
`the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as
`Entity) by means of a S1 MMEinterface and to a Serving
`follows:
`Gateway (SGW)by means ofa S1 interface. The S1 interface
`3GPP third generation partnership project
`[0004]
`supports a many to manyrelationship between MMEs/Serv-
`[0005] DL downlink (eNB towards UE)
`ing Gateways and eNBs.
`[0006] DwPTS downlink pilot time slot
`[0040] The eNBhosts the following functions:
`[0007]
`eNB EUTRANNode B (evolved Node B)
`[0041]
`functions for Radio Resource Management: Radio
`[0008] EPC evolved packet core
`Bearer Control, Radio Admission Control, Connection
`[0009]
`EUTRANevolved UTRAN(LTE)
`Mobility Control, Dynamicallocation of resources to UEsin
`[0010]
`FDD frequency division duplex
`both uplink and downlink (scheduling);
`[0011]
`FDMA frequency division multiple access
`[0042]
`IP header compression and encryption of the user
`[0012] GP guard period
`data stream;
`[0013] LTE long term evolution
`[0043]
`selection of a MMEat UEattachment;
`[0014] MAC medium access control
`[0044]
`routing of User Plane data towards Serving Gate-
`[0015] MM/MME mobility management/mobility man-
`way;
`agemententity
`[0045]
`scheduling and transmission of paging messages
`[0016] NodeBbasestation
`(originated from the MME);
`[0017] OFDMA orthogonal frequency division multiple
`access
`[0046]
`scheduling and transmission of broadcast informa-
`tion (originated from the MME or O&M); and
`[0047]
`a measurement and a measurementreporting con-
`figuration for use in mobility and scheduling.
`[0048]
`In the present LTE system preamble responsesare
`sent utilizing both the PDCCHand the PDSCH. Each RACH
`resource (time and frequency resource reserved for preamble
`transmission) is associated with a RA-RNTI (random access
`radio network temporary identity). When the base station
`(eNB) observes a preamble,
`it
`transmits the preamble
`response on the PDSCH on a resource that is indicated by a
`PDCCH addressed with the RA-RNTI. More specifically,
`when a Random Access Response messageis transmitted, the
`CRC word of the corresponding PDCCH is masked by RA-
`RNTI. Whensearching a preamble response the UEtries to
`find a RA-RNTI masking correspondingto the frequency and
`time resource that the UE had used when sending its pre-
`amble. In this manner the preamble response on the PDSCH
`is unambiguously associated with preambles transmitted on a
`certain time-frequency resource.
`[0049] The system is flexible in the sense that the base
`station can acknowledgein the same PDSCH messageseveral
`preambles that have been transmitted in the same RACH
`resource, but
`that carry different signatures (preamble
`sequences). In addition, the responses can be sent in a time
`windowthat is configurable up to a duration of 10 ms.
`
`[0001] The exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of
`this invention relate generally to wireless communication
`systems, methods, devices and computer programs and, more
`specifically, relate to random access channelsignaling tech-
`niques between a mobile node and a network access node.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or
`context to the invention that is recited in the claims. The
`
`[0018] O&M operations and maintenance
`[0019]
`PDCPpacket data convergence protocol
`[0020]
`_PDCCHphysical downlink control channel
`[0021]
`PDSCH physical downlink shared channel
`[0022]
`PHY physical (layer 1)
`[0023]
`PRACH physical random access channel
`[0024] RA-RNTI random access radio network temporary
`identity
`[0025] RACH random access channel
`[0026] RLC radio link control
`[0027]
`RRCradio resource control
`[0028]
`SGWserving gateway
`[0029]
`SC-FDMAsingle carrier, frequency division mul-
`tiple access
`[0030] TDD timedivision duplex
`[0031] T-CRNTI temporary cell random access radio net-
`work temporary identity
`[0032] TTI transmission timing interval
`[0033] UE user equipment
`[0034] UL uplink (UE towards eNB)
`[0035] UpPTSuplink pilot time slot
`[0036] UTRANuniversalterrestrial radio access network
`[0037] The specification of a communication system
`known as evolved UTRAN (EUTRAN,also referred to as
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010
`
`In the present LTE system the responsesto a set of
`[0050]
`UEsthatlisten to the same RA-RNTI can be combined into
`
`the same message. However, responses correspondingto dif-
`ferent RA-RNTI cannot be combined, and PDCCH and
`PDSCHmessages must be sent separately for each RA-RNTI
`(i.e., each RACHtime-frequency resource). Considering the
`limited PDCCHresourcesthis is not an efficient procedure.
`Because the base station does not know the channel state of
`
`the UEs, a PDCCHentry for a preamble response must be
`heavily coded, which consumes
`significant PDCCH
`resources. This can lead to problems, especially in the TDD
`system of LTE where several PRACH resources can exist in
`one subframe, and where random access responses cannot be
`distributed in time as flexibly as in the FDD system.This is
`true at least for the reason that in the TDD system there are
`gaps in the PDCCHdueto subframes reserved for UL.
`[0051] OneLTEspecification of interest herein is 3GPP TS
`36.211 V8.5.0 (2008-12) Technical Specification 3rd Genera-
`tion Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group
`Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio
`Access (E-UTRA); Physical channels and modulation (Re-
`lease 8). As is stated in subclause 4.2, the framestructure type
`2 is applicable to TDD.
`[0052] The PRACHis described in subclause 5.7 of 3GPP
`TS 36.211 V8.5.0.
`
`[0053] Another LTE specification of interest herein is
`3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0 (2009-03) Technical Specification
`3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification
`Group Radio Access Network; Evolved Universal Terrestrial
`Radio Access (EUTRA); Medium Access Control (MAC)
`protocoldefinition (Release 8). The specification describes in
`subclause 5.1 the overall Random Access procedure followed
`by the UE, in subclause 5.1.3 the Random Access Preamble
`transmission, and in subclause 5.1.4 the Random Access
`Responsereception.
`[0054]
`For example, as currently specified for Rel-8 in sub-
`clause 5.1.4 “Random Access Responsereception”, once the
`Random Access Preamble is transmitted and regardless ofthe
`possible occurrence of a measurement gap, the UE shall
`monitor the PDCCH for Random Access Response(s) iden-
`tified by the RA-RNTI defined below, in the RA Response
`window whichstarts at the subframe that contains the end of
`
`the preamble transmission plus three subframes and has
`length ra-ResponseWindowSize subframes. The RA-RNTI
`associated with the PRACH in which the Random Access
`Preambleis transmitted, is computed as:
`RA-RNTI=1+¢_id+10*f_id,
`
`where t_id is the index of the first subframe of the specified
`PRACH (0t_id<10), and f_id is the index of the specified
`PRACH within that subframe, in ascending order of fre-
`quency domain (O=f_id<6). The UE maystop monitoring for
`Random Access Response(s) after successful reception of a
`Random Access Response containing Random Access Pre-
`amble identifiers that matches the transmitted Random
`Access Preamble.
`
`It is further specified in subclause 5.1.4 that if a
`[0055]
`downlink assignment for this TTI has been received on the
`PDCCHfor the RA-RNTI, and the received TB is success-
`fully decoded, the UE shall regardless of the possible occur-
`rence of a measurementgap: ifthe Random Access Response
`contains a Backoff Indicator subheader:
`
`set the backoff parameter value in the UEas indi-
`[0056]
`cated by the BIfield of the Backoff Indicator subheader
`and Table 7.2-1,
`[0057]
`else, set the backoff parameter value in the UE to
`0 ms.
`
`Ifthe Random Access Response contains a Random
`[0058]
`Access Preamble identifier corresponding to the transmitted
`Random Access Preamble (see subclause 5.1.3), the UE shall
`consider this Random Access Responsereception successful
`and process the received Timing Advance Command (see
`subclause 5.2) and indicate the preambleInitialReceivedTar-
`getPower and the amount of power ramping applied to the
`latest preamble transmission to lower layers (i.e., (PRE-
`AMBLE_TRANSMISSION_COUNTER-1)*powerRamp-
`ingStep); process the received UL grant value andindicate it
`to the lower layers; if ra-PreambleIndex was explicitly sig-
`naled and it was not 000000 (1.e., not selected by MAC)
`consider the Random Access procedure successfully com-
`pleted.
`Ifno Random Access Responseis received within
`[0059]
`the RA Response window,or if noneof all received Random
`Access Responsescontains a Random Access Preamble iden-
`tifier corresponding to the transmitted Random Access Pre-
`amble, the Random Access Responsereception is considered
`not successful and the UE shall, amongotheractivities, if in
`this Random Access procedure the Random Access Preamble
`wasselected by MAC: based on the backoff parameter in the
`UE, select a random backoff time according to a uniform
`distribution between 0 and the Backoff Parameter Value;
`delay the subsequent Random Access transmission by the
`backoff time; and proceed to the selection of a Random
`Access Resource (see subclause 5.1.2).
`[0060]
`Ofparticular interest herein are the further releases
`of 3GPP LTE targeted towards future IMT-A systems,
`referred to herein for convenience simply as LTE-Advanced
`(LTE-A).
`[0061] Reference can be made to 3GPP TR 36.913, V8.0.1
`(2009-03), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical
`Specification Group Radio Access Network; Requirements
`for Further Advancements for E-UTRA (LTE-Advanced)
`(Release 8), incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
`One element of the LTE-A system is the proposed use of the
`UHFband (698-960 MHz, referred to simply as 900 MHz)
`and a 2.3 GHz band (referred to simply as 2 GHz).
`
`SUMMARY
`
`[0062] The foregoing and other problems are overcome,
`and other advantagesare realized, by the use ofthe exemplary
`embodimentsofthis invention.
`
`Ina first aspect thereofthe exemplary embodiments
`[0063]
`ofthis invention provide a methodthat comprises receiving at
`a network access node,
`in different time and frequency
`resourcesthatare allocated for preamble transmission, and in
`different ones ofa plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality
`of random access requests from individual onesofa plurality
`of user equipments; and transmitting a correspondingplural-
`ity of random access responses in a time and frequency
`resource of a single componentcarrier.
`[0064]
`In another aspect thereof the exemplary embodi-
`ments ofthis invention provide an apparatus that comprises a
`controller configured to operate with a wireless receiver and
`a wireless transmitter. The controller is further configured to
`respond to a reception in different
`time and frequency
`resourcesthatare allocated for preamble transmission, and in
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010
`
`FIG. 8 shows an example of PRACHresponse for
`[0080]
`the non-contiguous carrier network in accordance with the
`exemplary embodiments ofthis invention.
`[0081]
`FIG. 9 depicts two exemplary embodiments (la-
`beled A and B for convenience) of the merging of preamble
`responsesfor UEsofdiffering capabilities in accordance with
`the exemplary embodiments ofthis invention.
`[0082]
`FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are each a logic flow diagram
`that illustrates the operation ofmethods, anda result of execu-
`tion of computer program instructions embodied on a com-
`puter readable memory, in accordance with the exemplary
`embodimentsofthis invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`different ones ofa plurality of componentcarriers, a plurality
`of random access requests from individual onesofa plurality
`of user equipments andto transmit a corresponding plurality
`of random access responses in a time and frequency resource
`of a single componentcarrier.
`[0065]
`In yet another aspect thereofthe exemplary embodi-
`ments of this invention provide a method that comprises
`receiving at a network access node, in a time and frequency
`resource associated with a first frequency band, a random
`access request from a user equipment; and transmitting a
`corresponding random access response in a time and fre-
`quency resource associated with a second frequency band.
`[0066]
`Inyet another aspect thereofthe exemplary embodi-
`ments of this invention provide a method that comprises
`transmitting to a network access node, ina time and frequency
`resource ofone ofaplurality of componentcarriers, a random
`[0083] References herein to a Rel-8 UE generally encom-
`access request; and receiving a random access responsethatis
`pass those UEsthat are compatible with the set of LTE Rel-8
`aggregated with other random access responsesin a time and
`specifications, including 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0 and 3GPP
`frequency resource of the same or a different component
`TS 36.321 V8.5.0. References herein to a Rel-9 UE generally
`carrier.
`encompass those UEsthat are generally compatible with the
`set of LTE Rel-8 specifications, including 3GPP TS 36.211
`V8.5.0 and 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0, but that may include
`additional functionality that is not expressly specified for
`Rel-8 operation. References herein to an LTE-A UE generally
`encompass those UEs that may be considered as beyond
`Rel-8 or Rel-9 UEs.
`
`Inyet another aspect thereofthe exemplary embodi-
`[0067]
`ments of this invention provide an apparatus that comprises a
`controller configured to operate with a wireless receiver and
`a wireless transmitter, where the controller is further config-
`ured to transmit to a network access node in a time and
`frequency resource allocated for preamble transmission, of
`one of a plurality of componentcarriers, a random access
`request, and to receive arandom access response that is aggre-
`gated with other random access responsesin a time andfre-
`quencyresource of the sameor a different componentcarrier.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the attached Drawing Figures:
`[0068]
`FIG. 1A reproduces FIG. 4 of 3GPP TS 36.300 V
`[0069]
`8.7.0, and shows the overall architecture of the EUTRAN
`system.
`[0070] FIG.1B reproduces Table 4.2-2 of 3GPP TS 36.211
`V8.5.0: Uplink-downlink configurations for the frame struc-
`ture type 2.
`[0071]
`FIG. 1C reproduces FIG. 4.2-1 of 3GPP TS 36.211
`V8.5.0, and showsthe frame structure type 2.
`[0072]
`FIGS. 1D-1G reproduce FIGS. 6.1.5-1 through 6.1.
`5-4 of 3GPP TS 36.321 V8.5.0, and show the E/T/RAPID
`MACsubheader, the E/T/R/R/BI MAC subheader, the MAC
`RAR and an example of a MAC PDU containing a MAC
`header and MAC RARs,respectively.
`[0073]
`FIG. 2A showsa simplified block diagram of vari-
`ous electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing
`the exemplary embodiments ofthis invention.
`[0074] FIG.2B shows amoreparticularized block diagram
`of a UE such as that shown at FIG. 2A.
`
`FIG. 3 depicts a contiguous configuration of com-
`[0075]
`ponentcarriers.
`[0076]
`FIG. 4 shows an eNB operable with two UEs of
`different capability in a non-contiguous carrier aggregation
`network.
`
`[0077] FIG.5 shows an exemplary TDD CCconfiguration.
`[0078]
`FIG. 6 shows one exemplary embodimentofa sig-
`naling scheme to provide additional information for those
`UEs10 ofa later release that is sent in a portion of a message
`that the UEs 10 of an earlier release regard as padding.
`[0079]
`FIG. 7 shows an example of PRACH response for
`the non-contiguous carrier network.
`
`In LTE-Ait is proposedthat the total system band-
`[0084]
`width may have from two to five componentcarriers (CCs).
`These CCs can be contiguous as shown in FIG.3, where there
`are five CCs shown each having the Rel-8 bandwidth, or
`non-contiguous as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 (note in FIGS. 4
`and 5 that the CCs are from two separated bands, e.g., one
`bandwidth of 10 MHzis from 2 GHz and another bandwidth
`of 5 MHzis from 900 MHzand,in total, the bandwidth ofthe
`two CCs is 15 MHz, and are non-contiguous). At least in the
`case of non-contiguouscarriers, the TDD UL/DL configura-
`tions may be different in the different carriers, as is shown
`moreparticularly in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 4 and 5 “D”indicates a
`downlink subframe, “U”indicates an uplink subframe, and
`“S” indicates a special subframe (see, generally 3GPP TS
`36.211 V8.5.0, subclause 4.2 “Framestructure type 2”). FIG.
`1B herein reproduces Table 4.2-2 of 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0:
`Uplink-downlink configurations for the frame structure type
`2. FIG. 1C reproduces FIG. 4.2-1 3GPP TS 36.211 V8.5.0,
`and showsthe framestructure type 2. The special subframe S
`has three fields: DwPTS, GP and UpPTS. The length of
`DwPTSand UpPTSis given by Table 4.2-1 of 3GPP TS
`36.211 V8.5.0, subject to the total length of DwPTS, GP and
`UpPTSbeing equal to 30720-T,=1 ms. Each subframe1 is
`defined as twoslots, 2i and 21+1 of length T,,,=15360-T=0.5
`ms in each subframe. Uplink-downlink configurations with
`both 5 ms and 10 ms downlink-to-uplink switch-pointperi-
`odicity are supported. In the case of 5 ms downlink-to-uplink
`switch-point periodicity, the special subframeS exists in both
`half-frames. In the case of 10 ms downlink-to-uplink switch-
`point periodicity, the special subframe S exists in thefirst
`half-frame only. Subframes 0 and 5 and DwPTSare always
`reserved for downlink transmission. UpPTSand the subframe
`immediately following the special subframe are always
`reserved for uplink transmission.
`[0085]
`Inthefirst step ofa Random Access (RA) procedure,
`the UE selects a CC and transmits a preamble sequence on
`that CC using a frequency and time resource reserved for
`preambles. The UE then searches for a preamble response
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010
`
`network access node, such as a Node B (basestation), and
`more specifically an eNB 12. The network 1 may include a
`network control element (NCE) 14 that may include the
`MME/SGWfunctionality shown in FIG. 1A, and which pro-
`vides connectivity with a network 1, such as a telephone
`network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the
`internet). The UE 10 includesa controller, such as a computer
`or a data processor (DP) 10A, a computer-readable memory
`medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 10Bthat stores a
`program of computer instructions (PROG) 10C, and a suit-
`able radio frequency (RF) transceiver 10D for bidirectional
`wireless communications with the eNB 12 via one or more
`antennas. The eNB 12 also includes a controller, such as a
`computeror a data processor (DP) 12A, a computer-readable
`memory medium embodied as a memory (MEM) 12B that
`stores a program of computer instructions (PROG) 12C, and
`a suitable RF transceiver 12D for communication with the UE
`10 via one or more antennas. The eNB 12 is coupled via a
`data/control path 13 to the NCE 14. The path 13 may be
`implementedas the S1 interface shown in FIG. 1A. The eNB
`12 mayalso be coupled to another eNB via data/control path
`15, which may be implementedas the X2 interface shown in
`FIG. 1A.
`
`indicating that the basestation has observed the preamble and
`that the UEis allowed to continue the RA procedure.
`[0086] The exemplary embodiments ofthis invention pro-
`vide an efficient technique for the signaling of the preamble
`responses over aggregated carriers.
`[0087] A straightforward generalization of the RA proce-
`dure for LTE-A with more than one CC would be such that
`
`preambles, observed on different CCs, are acknowledged
`separately bythe basestation (e.g., by the eNB). That is, when
`a preamble is observed in the UL of a CC, the acknowledg-
`mentis sent in the DL of the same CC (for TDD)or in the DL
`CC paired with the UL CC (for FDD). While this may be the
`simplest approach, it does not provide a most efficient and
`flexible system for at least the following reasons.
`[0088] Notefirst that in the FDD casethere are pairs of UL
`and DL carriers, and the response is sent in the paired DL
`carrier. However, for LTE-A this is not necessarily the case, as
`there may be more or fewer UL carriers than DL carriers.
`Furthermore, even whenthere are an equal number ofUL and
`DL carriers available, a specific UE maybeallocated only a
`part of those carriers (possibly a different number in UL and
`DL). For example, for LTE-A one of the DL component
`carriers could be considered as a primary componentcarrier
`and random access responses could be sentvia this one com-
`ponentcarrier only, whereas the random access request could
`be sent via any available UL componentcarrier.
`[0089] As a first reason, PDCCH resources are not used
`efficiently since a PDCCHentry is needed per each carrier
`with an observed preamble.
`[0090]
`Second, the use of this technique may result in a
`delay ifthe preamble response must be postponed by the eNB
`due to a lack of PDCCHresources.
`
`[0096] Atleast one of the PROGs 10C and 12C is assumed
`to include program instructions that, when executed by the
`associated DP, enable the device to operate in accordance
`with the exemplary embodimentsofthis invention, as will be
`discussed below in greater detail.
`[0097] That is, the exemplary embodimentsofthis inven-
`tion maybe implemented at least in part by computer software
`executable by the DP 10A ofthe UE 10 and/or by the DP 12A
`of the eNB 12, or by hardware, or by a combination of soft-
`ware and hardware (and firmware).
`[0091] Third, PDSCHresourcesare notutilized in the most
`[0098]
`For the purposes of describing the exemplary
`efficient manner because many small response messages are
`embodiments ofthis invention the UE 10 may be assumed to
`sent instead of one larger message.
`also include a RACH function or module 10E,and the eNB 12
`[0092]
`Furthermore, thereis little or noflexibility in select-
`also includes a corresponding RACH function or module
`ing a most suitable CC for sending the RA response. For
`12E, both ofwhich are configured for operation in accordance
`example, the base station (ENB) may be forced to send the
`with the exemplary embodiments ofthis invention.
`response in a CC having few DL sub-frames (it may be
`assumed that UL/DL configurations can be different at least
`[0099] The UE 10 may beaRel-8 compatible UE,ora later
`in the case of non-contiguous CC configurations), or in a CC
`than Rel-8 UE, such as a Rel-9 or an LTE-A compatible UE.
`with a large PDCCH load due to a large number of UEs to
`In general, there will be some population ofUEs 10 served by
`schedule.
`the eNB 12, and the population may be mixed between UEs
`operating as Rel-8, Rel-9 and LTE-A UEs, as non-limiting
`Inaddition, the foregoing approach does not support
`[0093]
`examples.
`a system whereall of the RA preambles would be acknowl-
`edged in a primary CCthatall of the UEs would be listening
`[0100]
`In general, the various embodiments of the UE 10
`to. That is, even if the preamble would be sent on another CC
`can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones, per-
`(in order to distribute the RA load) the UEs would never need
`sonal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communica-
`to listen to more than one CC in the DL. The use of the
`tion capabilities, portable computers having wireless com-
`conventional approach would assumehaving to resume lis-
`munication capabilities, image capture devices suchasdigital
`tening to the CC paired with the UL carrier on which the
`cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gam-
`preamble has been sent
`(when expecting a preamble
`ing devices having wireless communication capabilities,
`response), or receiving from more than one CC.
`music storage and playback appliances having wireless com-
`munication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wire-
`[0094] An efficient and flexible system for carrying pre-
`less Internet access and browsing,as well as portable units or
`amble responses is thus needed for with the use of multiple
`CCs, such as in LTE-A.
`terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.
`[0101] The computer readable MEMs 10B and 12B maybe
`[0095] Before describing in further detail the exemplary
`embodiments of this invention, reference is made to FIG. 2A
`of any type suitable to the local technical environment and
`may be implemented using any suitable data storage technol-
`for illustrating a simplified block diagram of various elec-
`ogy, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash
`tronic devices and apparatusthat are suitable for use in prac-
`ticing the exemplary embodimentsofthis invention. In FIG.
`memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical
`
`2Aawireless network 1 is adapted for communication over a memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable
`wireless link 11 with an apparatus, such as a mobile commu-
`memory. The DPs 10A and 12A maybe of any type suitable
`nication device which maybereferred to as a UE 10, via a
`to the local technical environment, and may include one or
`
`15
`
`15
`
`

`

`US 2010/0260136 Al
`
`Oct. 14, 2010
`
`moreof general purpose computers, special purpose comput-
`ers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and
`processors based on multi-core processor architectures, as
`non-limiting examples.
`[0102]
`FIG. 2B illustrates further detail of an exemplary
`UE10 in both plan view (left) and sectional view (right), and
`the invention may be embodied in one or some combination
`of those more function-specific components. At FIG. 2B the
`UE 10 hasa graphical display interface 20 and a userinterface
`22 illustrated as a keypad but understood as also encompass-
`ing touchscreen technologyat the graphical display interface
`20 and voice recognition technology received at the micro-
`phone 24. A power actuator 26 controls the device being
`turned on and offby the user. The exemplary UE 10 may have
`a camera 28 which is shownas being forwardfacing (e-.g., for
`video calls) but may alternatively or additionally be rearward
`facing (e.g., for capturing images andvideofor local storage).
`The camera 28 is controlled by a shutter actuator 30 and
`optionally by a zoom actuator 30 which may alternatively
`function as a volume adjustment for the speaker(s) 34 when
`the camera 28is not in an active mode.
`
`[0103] Within the sectional view of FIG. 2B are seen mul-
`tiple transmit/receive antennas 36 that are typically used for
`cellular communication. The antennas 36 maybe multi-band
`for use with other radios in the UE. The operable ground plane
`for the antennas 36 is shown by shading as spanning the entire
`space enclosed by the UE housing though in some embodi-
`ments the ground plane may