Signaling of IDC Problems

Abstract

The present disclosure provides methods, devices, and systems for signaling of In-Device Coexistence (IDC) problems in uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA). Embodiments of a method in a User Equipment (UE) in communication with an Evolved Node B (eNB) are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method in the UE comprises sending an IDC indication to the eNB including information of problematic UL CA combinations. In this manner, the eNB is provided an indication from which the eNB can deduce which frequencies need to be avoided for UL CA.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A method performed by a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising:
 generating a message that indicates a combination of uplink carrier frequencies, where the uplink carrier frequencies in combination cause or are expected to cause In-Device Coexistence (IDC) problems at the UE; and   transmitting the message to a base station serving the UE.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the message comprises IDC assistance information. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the IDC assistance information indicates a problematic Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) combination comprising the combination of uplink carrier frequencies. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transmitting the message to the base station comprises the UE transmitting the message to the base station in response to experiencing IDC problems involving the combination of uplink carrier frequencies that the UE by itself cannot resolve. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transmitting the message to the base station comprises transmitting a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the indication comprises an index identifying an Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency band combination. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the method includes transmitting the message to the base station only if measurement objects are configured for Downlink (DL) carriers corresponding to the UL CA frequency band combination. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein generating the message comprises generating the message to indicate one or more Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency band combinations included among UL carriers that are candidates for CA. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein generating the message comprises indicating one or more Uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency combinations among UL CA frequency combinations included in capability information of the UE. 
     
     
         26 . A User Equipment (UE) comprising:
 a transceiver; and   processing circuitry configured to:
 generate a message that indicates a combination of uplink carrier frequencies, where the uplink carrier frequencies in combination cause or are expected to cause In-Device Coexistence (IDC) problems at the UE; and 
 transmit, via the transceiver, the message to a base station serving the UE. 
   
     
     
         27 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the message comprises IDC assistance information. 
     
     
         28 . The UE of  claim 27 , wherein the IDC assistance information indicates a problematic Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) combination comprising the combination of uplink carrier frequencies. 
     
     
         29 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the message to the base station in response to the UE experiencing IDC problems involving the combination of uplink carrier frequencies that the UE by itself cannot resolve. 
     
     
         30 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the message to the base station as a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message. 
     
     
         31 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the indication comprises an index identifying an Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency band combination. 
     
     
         32 . The UE of  claim 31 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured to transmit the message to the base station only if measurement objects are configured for Downlink (DL) carriers corresponding to the UL CA frequency band combination. 
     
     
         33 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the indication indicates one or more Uplink (UL) Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency band combinations included among UL carriers that are candidates for CA. 
     
     
         34 . The UE of  claim 26 , wherein the indication indicates one or more Uplink Carrier Aggregation (CA) frequency combinations among UL CA frequency combinations included in capability information of the UE.