DEVICE IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments herein relate to a network node and method therein. In some aspects,

5 they relate to handling configuration related to a wireless device in a wireless communications network.

BACKGROUND

In a typical wireless communication network, wireless devices, also known as wireless communication devices, mobile stations, stations (STA) and/or User Equipments (UE)s, communicate via a Wide Area Network or a Local Area Network such as a Wi-Fi network or a cellular network comprising a Radio Access Network (RAN) part and a Core Network (CN) part. The RAN covers a geographical area which is divided into service areas or cell areas, which may also be referred to as a beam or a beam group, with each

15 service area or cell area being served by a radio network node such as a radio access node e.g., a Wi-Fi access point or a radio base station (RBS), which in some networks may also be denoted, for example, a NodeB, eNodeB (eNB), or gNB as denoted in Fifth Generation (5G) telecommunications. A service area or cell area is a geographical area where radio coverage is provided by the radio network node. The radio network node

20 communicates over an air interface operating on radio frequencies with the wireless device within range of the radio network node.

3GPP is the standardization body for specify the standards for the cellular system evolution, e.g., including 3G, 4G, 5G and the future evolutions. Specifications for the Evolved Packet System (EPS), also called a Fourth Generation (4G) network, have been completed within the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As a continued network evolution, the new releases of 3GPP specifies a 5G network also referred to as 5G New Radio (NR).

Frequency bands for 5G NR are being separated into two different frequency ranges, Frequency Range 1 (FR1) and Frequency Range 2 (FR2). FR1 comprises sub-6

30 GHz frequency bands. Some of these bands are bands traditionally used by legacy standards but have been extended to cover potential new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz FR2 comprises frequency bands from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz. Bands in this millimeter wave range have shorter range but higher available bandwidth than bands in the FR1.

Multi-antenna techniques may significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. For a wireless connection between a single user, such as UE, and a base station, the performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) communication channel. This may be referred to as Single-User (SU)-MIMO. In the scenario where MIMO techniques is used for the wireless connection between multiple users and the base station, MIMO enables the users to communicate with the base station simultaneously using the same time-frequency resources by spatially separating the users, which increases further the cell capacity. This may be referred to as Multi-User (MU)-MIMO. Note that MU-MIMO may benefit when each UE only has one antenna. Such systems and/or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

In NR and LTE a UE informs the network about its capabilities, meaning that the UE informs the network which features and functions it supports. The network may take those capabilities and its own network configuration into account, when deciding how to configure the UE, e.g. which features to use in communications. The UE capabilities may determine e.g. what band combinations and Carrier Aggregation (CA) configurations that are supported, the number of supported MIMO layers and modulation order, supported subcarrier spacings and carrier bandwidths, etc.

CA is an effective technique in LTE and NR to enhance throughput. With CA, the UE may be served with multiple Component Carriers (CC) and access larger bandwidth than if being served with only one carrier. To apply CA, the UE first establishes a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection with a Primary serving Cell (PCell). A gNB of the PCell then adds and/or removes Secondary serving Cells (SCell) to/from the UE with RRC reconfiguration messages. In order to improve the throughput, the added SCell should have a good radio link to the UE. How to properly configure the SCells of the UE is essential in the application of CA.

Due to the limited band combinations and CA configurations supported by a UE, the UE may only support CA with a certain PCell, and/or support different CA configurations with different PCells.

SUMMARY An object of embodiments herein is e.g. to provide an efficient mechanism for a network node to determine a configuration for a wireless device, to improve the performance of a wireless communications network.

According to an aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a method performed by a network node for handling a configuration related to a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The configuration is related to one or more cells.

The network node determines a first candidate set of cells comprising one or more first cells. The respective one or more first cells are selected from an initial set of cells based on one or more estimated parameters.

The network node configures the wireless device to perform measurement on one or more respective first cells in the first candidate set of cells.

The network node receives a first measurement report comprising measurement results related to one or more measured respective first cells.

The network node decides whether or not to configure the wireless device to apply a configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells. The deciding is based on the received first measurement report.

According to another aspect of embodiments herein, the object is achieved by a network node configured to handle a configuration related to a wireless device in a wireless communications network. The configuration adapted to relate to one or more cells. The network node is further configured to:

Determine a first candidate set of cells adapted to comprise one or more first cells, which respective one or more first cells are adapted to be selected from an initial set of cells based on one or more estimated parameters, configure the wireless device to perform measurement on one or more respective first cells in the first candidate set of cells, receive a first measurement report adapted to comprise measurement results adapted to be related to one or more measured respective first cells, and decide whether or not to configure the wireless device to apply a configuration adapted to comprise the first candidate set of cells, which decision is based on the received first measurement report.

Embodiments herein target to handle a configuration related to a wireless device. The network node determines a first candidate of cells, configured the wireless device to perform measurement on one or more cells in the first candidate set of cells, receives a first measurement report from the wireless device and decides whether or not to configure the wireless device to apply a configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells.

Embodiments herein may bring the advantage of efficient mechanisms to enable the network node to determine the configuration for the wireless device. This is achieved by the network node configuring the perform measurement on one or more cells in the first candidate set of cells and, based on the received first measurement report, decide whether or not to configure the wireless device to apply a configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells. This leads to an improved mechanism for a network node to determine a configuration for a wireless device, which results in an improved performance of a wireless communications network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Examples of embodiments herein are described in more detail with reference to attached drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating embodiments of a wireless communications network.

Figure 2 is a flowchart depicting embodiments of a method in a network node.

Figure 3 is a flowchart depicting examples of a embodiments herein.

Figures 4 a and b are schematic block diagrams illustrating embodiments of a UE.

Figure 5 schematically illustrates a telecommunication network connected via an intermediate network to a host computer.

Figure 6 is a generalized block diagram of a host computer communicating via a base station with a user equipment over a partially wireless connection.

Figures 7 to 10 are flowcharts illustrating methods implemented in a communication system including a host computer, a base station and a user equipment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a part of developing embodiments herein the inventors identified a problem which first will be discussed. In order to select a best set of cells, e.g. a PCell and one or more SCells, and the best set of configuration parameters for those cells, a network node may first need to know the coverage of each carrier. Once this is known, the network both knows which carriers that are in coverage and may be selected, and the signal strength of these carriers which may help to improve the selection.

However, to measure another frequency than the currently used frequency of a carrier in a currently configured PCell or SCell, the UE may need to be configured with measurement gaps. This since the UE needs time to tune its antennas to the other frequency, perform measurements on the other frequency, and then tune back its antennas to the currently used frequency, unless gapless measurements are supported. Alternatively, a carrier is already configured for the UE on this other frequency. While the UE is configured with measurement gaps, the throughput is significantly reduced for the UE, up to 25% less. In addition, each added frequency to measure adds to the duration for which measurement gaps are needed.

An object of embodiments herein is e.g. to provide an efficient mechanism for a network node to determine a configuration for a wireless device, to improve the performance of a wireless communications network.

Figure 1 is a schematic overview depicting a wireless communications network 100 wherein embodiments herein may be implemented. The wireless communications network 100 comprises one or more RANs and one or more CNs. The wireless communications network 100 may use 5G NR but may further use a number of other different technologies, such as, Wi-Fi, (LTE), LTE-Advanced, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Global System for Mobile communications/enhanced Data rate for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE), or Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), just to mention a few possible implementations.

Network nodes such as a network node 110, 111 , 112 operate in the wireless communications network 100, by means of antenna beams, referred to as beams herein. The network node 110 e.g. provides a number of cells referred to as celH, cell2 and cell3, and may use these cells for communicating with e.g. a wireless device 120. The network node 110 may be a transmission and reception point e.g. a radio access network node such as a base station, e.g. a radio base station such as a NodeB, an evolved Node B (eNB, eNodeB, eNode B), an NR Node B (gNB), a base transceiver station, a radio remote unit, an Access Point Base Station, a base station router, a transmission arrangement of a radio base station, a stand-alone access point, a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) access point, an Access Point Station (AP STA), an access controller, a UE acting as an access point or a peer in a Device to Device (D2D) communication, or any other network unit capable of communicating with a UE within celU , served by the network node 110 depending e.g. on the radio access technology and terminology used.

Wireless devices operate in the wireless communications network 100, such as a wireless device 120. The wireless device 120 may provide radio coverage by means of a number of antenna beams 127, also referred to as beams herein.

The wireless device 120 may e.g. be an NR device, a UE, a mobile station, a wireless terminal, an NB-loT device, an eMTC device, an NR RedCap device, a CAT-M device, a Wi-Fi device, an LTE device and a non-access point (non-AP) STA, a STA, that communicates via a base station such as e.g. the network node 110, one or more Access Networks (AN), e.g. RAN, to one or more core networks (CN). It should be understood by the skilled in the art that the UE relates to a non-limiting term which means any UE, terminal, wireless communication terminal, user equipment, (D2D) terminal, or node e.g. smart phone, laptop, mobile phone, sensor, relay, mobile tablets or even a small base station communicating within a cell.

Methods herein may in one aspect be performed by the network node 110, in another aspect by the wireless device. As an alternative, a Distributed Node (DN) and functionality, e.g. comprised in a cloud 140 as shown in Figure 2, may be used for performing or partly performing the methods.

Example embodiments herein allow the network, such as the network node 110, to determine the configuration for the wireless device 120, e.g. by evaluating which cells are likely to be of interest for the wireless device, and measure only this subset of cells. Further, embodiments herein allow the network node 110 to determine the configuration for the wireless device 120 by repeating the determination process when the measured carriers of the subset of cells are insufficient. When repeating the process, the result from previous measurements may be reused. Thus, embodiments herein provide efficient mechanisms to enable the network node to determine the configuration for the wireless device. Embodiments herein may allow a reduced number of inter-frequency measurements, enabling a higher downlink (DL) and/or uplink (UL) throughput when determining the configuration for the wireless device 120, e.g. due to a shorter time configured with an initial configuration with measurement gaps and/or shorter time to before being configured with a configuration determined by the network node 110. Further, embodiments herein may bring the advantage of a more efficient configuration process, since fewer measurements may be performed resulting in fewer measurement reports for the network node 110 to handle.

Example of embodiments herein may provide a method for handling, e.g. determining, a configuration for the wireless device 120. The configuration may e.g. be determined by the network node 110 by finding a best configuration supported by the capabilities of the wireless device 120 and configuring the wireless device to perform measurements on the frequencies of the carriers in this configuration. Based on the measurement results, the network node 110 may either configure the wireless device 120 with this configuration, or repeating the procedure from the step of finding a best configuration based on the result of the measurements.

According to further examples of embodiments herein, the network node 110 may configure the wireless device 120 with a set of SCells. The network node 110 may further configure the wireless device 120 to perform measurements of the set of SCells. The results of measurements may be used by the network node 110 to find the best configuration.

According to further examples of embodiments herein, the network node 110 may configure measurements for the set of cells by using different measurement configurations depending on whether a cell is intended as an SCell or PCell.

According to further examples of embodiments herein, the network node 110 may find the best configuration supported by the capabilities of the wireless device 120 based on the result of the measurements by excluding cells that have been reported to be out of coverage.

According to further examples of embodiments herein, the network node 110 may find the best configuration supported by capabilities of the wireless device 120 based on a default signal strength value. Alternatively, the network node 110 may find best configuration supported by the wireless device 120 based on the result of the measurements by using the measured signal strength values instead of the default ones. Figure 2 shows an example method performed by the network node 110 e.g., for handling a configuration related to the wireless device 120 in the wireless communications network 100. The configuration relates to one or more cells. The wireless device 120 may be configured to perform measurement on respective one or more initial cells in an initial set of cells.

Performing measurements on a cell when used herein may mean performing measurements on one or more frequencies related to the cell, such as e.g. a frequency of a carrier, a frequency band and/or part of a frequency band.

The method may comprise any one or more out of the actions below, which actions may be taken in any suitable order.

Action 201

In some embodiments, the network node 110 receives an initial measurement report. The initial measurement report comprises measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the one or more respective initial cells in the initial set of cells.

The initial measurement report may be one or more initial measurement reports. E.g., the network node 110 may receive one initial measurement report for each of the respective one or more initial cells. Alternatively, the network node 110 may receive one initial measurement report comprising measurement results related to the respective one or more initial cells.

The one or more initial cells may be cells provided by the network node 110 and/or cells provided by one or more neighbouring network nodes, such as e.g. the network nodes 111, 112.

The measurement report may comprise measurement results related to measurements performed on carriers in the one or more initial cells. Measurements may e.g. be related to signal strength, signal quality.

Signal strength when used herein may e.g. mean Reference Signal Receive Power (RSRP).

Signal quality when used herein may e.g. mean Channel State Information (CSI), Channel Quality Information (CQI), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ) and/or Signal-to-Noise and Interference Ratio (SINR)

In some embodiments, the network node 110 configures the wireless device to perform measurements on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective initial cells in the initial set of cells. The network node 110 may configure the wireless device 120 to perform the measurements when the wireless device connects to the wireless communications network. Alternatively, the network node 110 may configure the wireless device 120 to perform the measurements when the wireless device 120 connects the network node 110, such as e.g. after a completed handover procedure of the wireless device to the network node 110.

The one or more initial cells in the initial set of cells may comprise one or more candidate secondary cells.

Action 202

The network node 110 determines a first candidate set of cells comprising one or more first cells. The respective one or more first cells are selected from an initial set of cells based on one or more estimated parameters. This may be performed by evaluating which cells are likely to be of interest for the wireless device 120 for being measured.

The one or more estimated parameters may e.g. be a cell weight and or parameters related to the cell weight.

Cell weight when used herein may mean an estimate of the data rate the wireless device 120 may achieve in a certain cell. The cell weight may be based on one or more static cell parameters, such as e.g. bandwidth and/or the number of Ml MO- layers. The cell weight may further be based on e.g. the channel conditions of the wireless device 120 and/or the load of the cell.

In some embodiments, the network node 110 determines the first candidate set of cells by further selecting the one or more first cells from the initial set of cells based on the received initial measurement report.

The one or more first cells in the candidate set of cells may be any one out of: A candidate primary cell, or a candidate primary cell and one or more candidate secondary cells. A primary cell may e.g. be a primary secondary cell, meaning that a candidate primary cell may e.g. be a candidate primary secondary cell. Primary cell, secondary cell and primary secondary cell may e.g. be referred to a PCell, SCell and PSCell respectively.

When selecting the one or more first cells, different requirements may be used for a candidate primary cell and a candidate secondary cell. E.g., the requirement, such as a threshold, on measured signal strength and/or signal quality may be different. This may mean that a higher threshold, e.g. a primary threshold, is used for selecting a cell as a candidate primary cell than a threshold, such as a secondary threshold, for selecting a cell as a candidate secondary cell. Thus, a cell that may not be selected as a candidate primary cell, may instead be selected as a candidate secondary cell, e.g. when the measured signal strength and/or signal quality is below e.g. the primary threshold, but above e.g. the secondary threshold. On the other hand, when the measured signal strength and/or signal quality is below e.g. the secondary threshold, that cell may not be selected either as a candidate primary cell or candidate secondary cell.

The network node 110 may further select the one or more first cells based on capabilities supported by the wireless device 120 and/or the capabilities of the network nodes providing the one or more cells, such as e.g. the network node 110 and/or neighbouring network nodes such as the network nodes 111, 112. Capabilities may e.g. be related to carrier aggregation, dual connectivity, MIMO-layers, bandwidth and/or subcarrier spacing.

Action 203

The network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g., at least some of the, one or more respective first cells in the first candidate set of cells.

The measurements received in the initial measurement report may be reused by the network node 110. Therefore, in some embodiments, the network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 to perform measurements on the cells among the one or more first cells that the network node 110 did not receive any measurement results for in the initial measurement report.

Action 204

The network node 110 receives a first measurement report comprising measurement results related to, e.g., at least some of the, one or more measured respective first cells. This is e.g. according to the configuration. The first measurement report may be one or more first measurement reports. E.g., the network node 110 may receive one first measurement report for each of the respective one or more first cells. Alternatively, the network node 110 receives one first measurement report comprising measurement results related to the respective one or more first cells.

The measurement report may comprise measurement results related to measurements performed on carriers in the one or more first cells. Measurements may e.g. be related to signal strength and/or signal quality. As mentioned above, signal strength when used herein may e.g. RSRP. Further as mentioned above, signal quality when used herein may e.g. mean CSI, CQI, RSRQ and/or SI NR

The measurement results may allow the network node 110 to evaluate the first candidate set of cells, e.g. in order to decide if the wireless device 120 should use the first candidate set of cells.

Action 205

Before actually configuring the wireless device 120 with the first candidate set of cells, the network node 110 decides whether or not to perform the configuring.

The network node 110 decides whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells. The network node 110 decides whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 based on the received first measurement report. In other words, based on the first measurement report, the network node 110 may evaluate the first candidate set of cells and decide whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to use, such as apply a configuration comprising, the first candidate set of cells. The decision may further be based on the initial measurement report. This enables the network node 110 to efficiently handle the configuration of the wireless device 120.

Action 206

In some embodiments, when decided not to apply the configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells, the network node 110 determines one or more subsequent candidate set of cells comprising one or more second cells. The respective one or more second cells are selected from the initial set of cells based on the received first measurement report and, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in, the first candidate set of cells.

The one or more second cells in any subsequent candidate set of cells, may be any one out of: The candidate primary cell, or the candidate primary cell and one or more candidate secondary cells.

Similarly, as to selecting the one or more first cells, as described above, different requirements may be used for a candidate primary cell and a candidate secondary cell when selecting the one or more second cells. E.g., the requirement, such as a threshold, on measured signal strength and/or signal quality may be different. This may mean that a higher threshold, e.g. the primary threshold, is used for selecting a cell as a candidate primary cell than a threshold, such as the secondary threshold, for selecting a cell as a candidate secondary cell. Thus, a cell that may not be selected as a candidate primary cell, may instead be selected as a candidate secondary cell, e.g. when the measured signal strength and/or signal quality is below e.g. the primary threshold, but above e.g. the secondary threshold. On the other hand, when the measured signal strength and/or signal quality is below e.g. the secondary threshold, that cell may not be selected either as a candidate primary cell or candidate secondary cell.

In some embodiments, determining the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, comprises that the network node 110 removes the first candidate set of cells from the initial set of cells. This may mean that the one or more first cells are excluded from being selected when determining the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells. Determining the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, may further comprise that the network node 110 removes any previously determined subsequent candidate set of cells, when decided not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration comprising the previously determined subsequent set of cells. This may mean that the one or more second cells comprised in any of the previously determined subsequent set of cells are excluded from being selected when determining the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells.

In some embodiments, a first subset of the one or more first cells and/or a first subset of the one or more second cells in any earlier determined subsequent candidate set of cells, are removed from the initial set of cells. The first subset may comprise one more cells that may not be selected as neither candidate primary cells or candidate secondary cells, e.g. based on the primary and secondary thresholds.

Alternatively or additionally, a second subset of the one or more first cells and/or a second subset of the one or more second cells in any earlier determined subsequent candidate set of cells, are kept in the initial set of cells, but excluded from being selected as a candidate primary the initial set of cells. Thus, the second subset of cells may comprise one or more cells that may not be selected from as a candidate primary cells, but are still available to be selected as candidate secondary cells, e.g. based on the primary and secondary thresholds.

The network node 110 may further select the one or more second cells based on capabilities supported by the wireless device 120 and/or the capabilities of the network nodes providing the one or more cells, such as e.g. the network node 110 and/or neighbouring network nodes such as the network nodes 111, 112. Action 207

In some embodiments, the network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective second cells in the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells.

Measurements received in any one or more out of the initial measurement report, the first measurement report and any earlier received subsequent measurement report may be reused by the network node 110. Therefore, in some embodiments, the network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 to perform measurements on the cells among the one or more second cells that the network node 110 did not receive any measurement results for in any one or more out of the initial measurement report, the first measurement report and any earlier received subsequent measurement report.

Action 208

In some embodiments, the network node 110 receives one or more subsequent measurement reports comprising measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective measured second cells.

Similarly, as mentioned above, the measurement results may allow the network node 110 to evaluate the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, e.g. in order to decide if the wireless device 120 should use the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells.

Action 209

Before actually configuring the wireless device 120 with a subsequent candidate set of cells, the network node 110 decides whether or not to perform the configuring.

In some embodiments, the network node 110 decides whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration comprising the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells. The network node 110 decides whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 based on the one or more received subsequent measurement report. In other words, based on the one or more subsequent measurement reports, the network node 110 may evaluate the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells and decide whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to use, such as apply a configuration comprising, the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells.

The decision may further be based on any one or more out of the initial measurement report and the first measurement report. In some embodiments, when decided not to apply the configuration comprising the subsequent candidate set of cells, the network node 110 repeats the determining, configuring, receiving and deciding as described in Actions 206-209. The respective one or more second cells of the subsequent candidate set of cells are selected from the initial set of cells. The network node 110 selects the respective one or more second cells based on the latest received subsequent measurement report, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in the first candidate set of cells, and, e.g. at least some of the one or more second cells in, any earlier determined subsequent candidate set of cells.

Action 210

When decided on a configuration, the network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 accordingly.

In some embodiments, to configure the wireless device 120 to apply the configuration, the network node 110 configures the wireless device 120 to apply the configuration. The configuration may comprise any one out of: The first candidate set of cells, or the last determined subsequent candidate set of cells.

The method will now be further explained and exemplified in below embodiments. These below embodiments may be combined with any suitable embodiment as described above.

Examples of embodiments herein provides a method, e.g. performed by the network node 110, to determine a configuration, such as e.g. a best configuration, for, and supported by, the wireless device 120. The configuration may comprise one or more cells, such as a set of cells, associated to the network node 110, or associated to one or more neighboring network nodes, such as the network nodes 111, 112. The configuration may further comprise the features to use for each respective cell in the determined configuration. The features may e.g. be one or more of UL and/or DL Ml MO- layers, bandwidth, output power, antenna gain a subcarrier spacing of a serving cell, a CSI-RS configuration, UL and/or DL carrier aggregation. The best configuration may be a configuration which may give the wireless device 120 high throughput, and preferably where the set of cells in the configuration are in coverage of the wireless device 120. Different algorithms may be used when determining which configuration is the best configuration. According to example of embodiments herein, the algorithm that determines the best configuration, determines the subset of cells, such as the first candidate set of cells or any of the one or more subsequent set of cells, that may provide the highest throughput for the wireless device 120. The set of cells may be determined based on e.g. static parameters such as bandwidth, subcarrier spacing, duplex mode and MIMO layers. The determining may also be based on e.g. channel quality, signal strength and load. According to example embodiments herein, the method may determine the coverage of frequencies in one or more cells, and further reduce the number of needed measurements.

Figure 3 shows an example method according to an example embodiments herein. The method, e.g. performed by the network node 110, enables efficient handling of configurations for wireless devices, such as the wireless device 120. According to the example, the method may comprise the following actions, which may be taken in any suitable order:

301. The wireless device may connect to the wireless communications network 100.

302. The network node 110 may select, e.g. determine, a set of SCells, such as the initial set of cells, for the wireless device 120. In addition, the network node 110 may configure measurements, such as configure the wireless device 120 to perform measurements, for each SCell. This in order to determine if they are in good or poor coverage. The measurements may e.g. be A1 , A2, and A6 measurements. The network node 110 may receive the results of the measurements, such as the initial measurement report.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Action 201 described above.

303. Once the measurement report, such as the initial measurement report, have been received, or sufficient time has elapsed in order for the network node 110 to have had a chance to receive the measurement report, one or more PCell and SCell candidate sets are created, such as e.g. determined. Alternatively, the network node 110 creates, or determines the PCell and SCell candidate sets without receiving the initial measurement report, e.g. based on one or more estimated parameters.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Action 202 described above. 304. These candidate sets may comprise all PCell and SCell candidates from which a new configuration may be selected for the wireless device. The SCell measurements collected, such as received in the initial measurement report, may be reused. E.g. if one of the SCells was out of coverage, that SCell may be excluded from any further selections. In addition, if the algorithm used, e.g. to determine the one or more candidate sets, supports input such as channel quality or signal strength, the reported values in the measurement reports may be used, such as RSRP. The one or more candidate sets are created, such as determined, based on relations in the wireless communications network 100, e.g. different PCell candidates may support different SCell candidates from the wireless communications network 100 point of view. Once the one or more candidate sets have been created, the algorithm may be run. This may result in a Best Configuration, such as e.g. the first candidate set of cells. The network node 110 may evaluate the Best Configuration in order to determine if it is better, such as allowing a higher throughput, than the current configuration of the wireless device 120.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Action 202 described above.

305. The network node 110 may configure the wireless device 120 to perform measurements according to the Best Configuration. Measurements are then started on all frequencies in the Best Configuration for which insufficient coverage information is available. E.g. if a currently configured SCell is proposed as an SCell candidate also in the new Best Configuration and an A1 measurement report has already been received, no new measurement is needed, such as configured. The number of measurements started in this step should be less than the total number of configured frequencies in the wireless communications network 100. This since the network node 110 may already have received measurements on the SCells. Further, only frequencies in the Best Configuration are measured, which often may be a subset, unless the capabilities of the wireless device 120 supports frequency band combinations with very many component carriers. Different measurement configurations may be used for PCell candidates and SCell candidates, e.g. an SCell only requires sufficient DL while a PCell should also have good UL coverage.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Action 203 described above.

306. Once the network node 110 have received all measurements such as the first measurement report, or sufficient time has elapsed in order for the network node 110 to have had a chance to receive all measurement reports, the network node 110 checks, such as decides, if the whole Best Configuration was in coverage. This action is related to, and may be combined with, Actions 204 and 205 described above.

307. If the Best Configuration was in coverage, the network node may reconfigure the wireless device 120 to, such as configure the wireless device 120 to apply, this new configuration. This may comprise a handover procedure and/or a SCell reselection.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Action 210 described above.

308. If the Best Configuration was not in coverage, the network node 110 may update the PCell and SCell candidate sets. When updating the PCell and SCell candidate sets, different measurement configurations may be used for SCell and PCell candidates, with stricter requirements on a PCell candidate. Then, not receiving an SCell report for a frequency indicates that the frequency will not be usable as a PCell candidate.

Actions 305-305 may be repeated until a reconfiguration is performed, no better configuration is found compared to the current configuration, or there are no PCell or SCell candidates left. A PCell and SCell remains as a candidate as long the coverage is unknown or measurement indicates that the cell is in coverage as PCell or SCell.

This action is related to, and may be combined with, Actions 206-209 described above.

Figure 4a and 4b shows an example of arrangement in the network node 110.

The network node 110 may comprise an input and output interface 400 configured to communicate with each other. The input and output interface 400 may comprise a receiver, e.g. wired and/or wireless, (not shown) and a transmitter, e.g. wired and/or wireless, (not shown).

The network node 110 may comprise any one or more out of: An determining unit, a configuring unit, a receiving unit, and a configuring unit, to perform the method actions as described herein.

The embodiments herein may be implemented through a respective processor or one or more processors, such as at least one processor 450 of a processing circuitry in the network node 110 depicted in Figure 8a, together with computer program code for performing the functions and actions of the embodiments herein. The program code mentioned above may also be provided as a computer program product, for instance in the form of a data carrier carrying computer program code for performing the embodiments herein when being loaded into the network node 110. One such carrier may be in the form of a CD ROM disc. It is however feasible with other data carriers such as a memory stick. The computer program code may furthermore be provided as pure program code on a server and downloaded to the network node 110.

The network node 110 may further comprise respective a memory 460 comprising one or more memory units. The memory 460 comprises instructions executable by the processor in the network node 110. The memory 460 is arranged to be used to store instructions, data, configurations, measurement reports and applications to perform the methods herein when being executed in the network node 110.

In some embodiments, a computer program 470 comprises instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor 450, cause the at least one processor 450 of the network node 110 to perform the actions above.

In some embodiments, a respective carrier 480 comprises the respective computer program 470, wherein the carrier 480 is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional modules in the network node 110, described below may refer to a combination of analog and digital circuits, and/or one or more processors configured with software and/or firmware, e.g. stored in the network node 110, that when executed by the respective one or more processors such as the at least one processor 450 described above cause the respective at least one processor 450 to perform actions according to any of the actions above. One or more of these processors, as well as the other digital hardware, may be included in a single Application-Specific Integrated Circuitry (ASIC), or several processors and various digital hardware may be distributed among several separate components, whether individually packaged or assembled into a system-on-a-chip (SoC).

When using the word "comprise" or “comprising” it shall be interpreted as nonlimiting, i.e. meaning "consist at least of". The embodiments herein are not limited to the above described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used.

Embodiments

Below, some example embodiments 1-16 are shortly described. See e.g. Figures 1, 2, 3, 4a and 4b.

Embodiment 1. A method performed by a network node 110 e.g. for handling a configuration related to a wireless device 120 in a wireless communications network 100, the configuration relating to one or more cells, the method comprising any one or more out of: determining 202 a first candidate set of cells comprising one or more first cells, which respective one or more first cells are selected from an initial set of cells based on one or more estimated parameters configuring 203 the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective first cells in the first candidate set of cells, receiving 204 a first measurement report comprising measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more measured respective first cells, and deciding 205 whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells, which deciding 205 is based on the received first measurement report.

Embodiment 2. The method according to embodiment 1 , wherein when decided 205 not to apply the configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells, the method further comprises e.g. any one or more out of: determining 206 one or more subsequent candidate set of cells comprising one or more second cells, which respective one or more second cells are selected from the initial set of cells based on the received first measurement report and, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in, the first candidate set of cells, configuring 207 the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective second cells in the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, receiving 208 one or more subsequent measurement reports comprising measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective measured second cells, and deciding 209 whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration comprising the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, which deciding 209 is based on the one or more received subsequent measurement report.

Embodiment 3. The method according embodiment 2, when decided 209 not to apply the configuration comprising the subsequent candidate set of cells, repeating the determining 206, configuring 207 receiving 208, and deciding 209 according to embodiment 2, and wherein the respective one or more second cells of the subsequent candidate set of cells are selected from the initial set of cells based on the latest received subsequent measurement report, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in the first candidate set of cells, and, e.g. at least some of the one or more second cells in, any earlier determined subsequent candidate set of cells.

Embodiment 4. The method according to any of embodiments 1-3, further comprising: when decided 205, 209 to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration, configuring 210 the wireless device 120 to apply the configuration comprising any one out of:

- the first candidate set of cells, or

- the last determined subsequent candidate set of cells.

Embodiment 5. The method according to any of embodiments 1-4, wherein the wireless device 120 is configured to perform measurement on respective one or more initial cells in the initial set of cells, the method further comprising: receiving 201 an initial measurement report, the initial measurement report comprising measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective initial cells in the initial set of cells, and wherein determining 202 the first candidate set of cells further comprises selecting the one or more first cells from the initial set of cells based on the received initial measurement report. Embodiment 6. The method according to any of embodiments 1-5, wherein the one or more cells in the candidate set of cells, or any subsequent candidate set of cells, are e.g. any one out of:

- a candidate primary cell, or

- a candidate primary cell and one or more candidate secondary cells.

Embodiment 7. The method according to any of embodiments 1-6, wherein the one or more initial cells in the initial set of cells comprises e.g. one or more candidate secondary cells.

Embodiment 8. A computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform actions according to any of the embodiments 1-7.

Embodiment 9. A carrier comprising the computer program of embodiment 8, wherein the carrier is one of an electronic signal, an optical signal, an electromagnetic signal, a magnetic signal, an electric signal, a radio signal, a microwave signal, or a computer-readable storage medium.

Embodiment 10. A network node 110 e.g. configured to handle a configuration related to a wireless device 120 in a wireless communications network 100, the configuration adapted to relate to one or more cells, the network node 110 further being configured to any one or more out of: determine, e.g. by means of a determining unit in the network node 110, a first candidate set of cells adapted to comprise one or more first cells, which respective one or more first cells are adapted to be selected from an initial set of cells based on one or more estimated parameters configure, e.g. by means of a configuring unit in the network node 110, the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective first cells in the first candidate set of cells, receive, e.g. by means of a receiving unit in the network node 110, a first measurement report adapted to comprise measurement results adapted to be related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more measured respective first cells, and decide, e.g. by means of a deciding unit in the network node 110, whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration adapted to comprise the first candidate set of cells, which decision is based on the received first measurement report.

Embodiment 11. The network node 110 according to embodiment 10, wherein when decided 205 not to apply the configuration comprising the first candidate set of cells, the network node 110 is further configured to e.g. any one or more out of: determine, e.g. by means of the determining unit in the network node 110, one or more subsequent candidate set of cells adapted to comprise one or more second cells, which respective one or more second cells are adapted to be selected from the initial set of cells based on the received first measurement report and, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in, the first candidate set of cells, configure, e.g. by means of the configuring unit in the network node 110, the wireless device 120 to perform measurement on, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective second cells in the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, receive, e.g. by means of the receiving unit in the network node 110, one or more subsequent measurement reports adapted to comprise measurement results adapted to be related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective measured second cells, and decide, e.g. by means of the deciding unit in the network node 110, whether or not to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration adapted to comprise the one or more subsequent candidate set of cells, which decision is based on the one or more received subsequent measurement report.

Embodiment 12. The network node 110 according embodiment 11 , when decided 209 not to apply the configuration comprising the subsequent candidate set of cells, the network node 110 is further configured to repeat the steps of determine, configure, receive and decide according to embodiment 11 , and wherein the respective one or more second cells of the subsequent candidate set of cells are adapted to be selected from the initial set of cells based on the latest received subsequent measurement report, e.g. at least some of the one or more first cells in the first candidate set of cells, and, e.g. at least some of the one or more second cells in, any earlier determined subsequent candidate set of cells. Embodiment 13. The network node 110 according to any of embodiments IQ-

12, further being configured to: when decided to configure the wireless device 120 to apply a configuration, configure, e.g. by means of the configuring unit in the network node 110, the wireless device 120 to apply the configuration adapted to comprise any one out of:

- the first candidate set of cells, or

- the last determined subsequent candidate set of cells.

Embodiment 14. The network node 110 according to any of embodiments IQ-

13, wherein the wireless device 120 is adapted to be configured to perform measurement on respective one or more initial cells in the initial set of cells, the network node 110 is further configured to: receive, e.g. by means of the receiving unit in the network node 110, an initial measurement report, the initial measurement report adapted to comprise measurement results related to, e.g. at least some of the, one or more respective initial cells in the initial set of cells, and wherein network node 110 is configured to determine, e.g. by means of the determining unit in the network node 110, the first candidate set of cells by further being configured to select the one or more first cells from the initial set of cells based on the received initial measurement report.

Embodiment 15. The network node 110 according to any of embodiments IQ-

14, wherein the one or more cells in the candidate set of cells, or any subsequent candidate set of cells, are adapted to be e.g. any one out of:

- a candidate primary cell, or

- a candidate primary cell and one or more candidate secondary cells.

Embodiment 16. The network node 110 according to any of embodiments IQ-

15, wherein the one or more initial cells in the initial set of cells are adapted to comprise e.g. one or more candidate secondary cells.

Further Extensions and Variations

With reference to Figure 5, in accordance with an embodiment, a communication system includes a telecommunication network 3210 such as the wireless communications network 100, e.g. an loT network, or a WLAN, such as a 3GPP-type cellular network, which comprises an access network 3211 , such as a radio access network, and a core network 3214. The access network 3211 comprises a plurality of base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c, such as the network node 110, access nodes, AP STAs NBs, eNBs, gNBs or other types of wireless access points, each defining a corresponding coverage area 3213a, 3213b, 3213c. Each base station 3212a, 3212b, 3212c is connectable to the core network 3214 over a wired or wireless connection 3215. A first user equipment (UE) e.g. the wireless device 120 such as a Non-AP STA 3291 located in coverage area 3213c is configured to wirelessly connect to, or be paged by, the corresponding base station 3212c. A second UE 3292 e.g. the wireless device 122 such as a Non-AP STA in coverage area 3213a is wirelessly connectable to the corresponding base station 3212a. While a plurality of UEs 3291, 3292 are illustrated in this example, the disclosed embodiments are equally applicable to a situation where a sole UE is in the coverage area or where a sole UE is connecting to the corresponding base station 3212.

The telecommunication network 3210 is itself connected to a host computer 3230, which may be embodied in the hardware and/or software of a standalone server, a cloud- implemented server, a distributed server or as processing resources in a server farm. The host computer 3230 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider, or may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The connections 3221, 3222 between the telecommunication network 3210 and the host computer 3230 may extend directly from the core network 3214 to the host computer 3230 or may go via an optional intermediate network 3220. The intermediate network 3220 may be one of, or a combination of more than one of, a public, private or hosted network; the intermediate network 3220, if any, may be a backbone network or the Internet; in particular, the intermediate network 3220 may comprise two or more sub-networks (not shown).

The communication system of Figure 5 as a whole enables connectivity between one of the connected UEs 3291, 3292 and the host computer 3230. The connectivity may be described as an over-the-top (OTT) connection 3250. The host computer 3230 and the connected UEs 3291, 3292 are configured to communicate data and/or signaling via the OTT connection 3250, using the access network 3211, the core network 3214, any intermediate network 3220 and possible further infrastructure (not shown) as intermediaries. The OTT connection 3250 may be transparent in the sense that the participating communication devices through which the OTT connection 3250 passes are unaware of routing of uplink and downlink communications. For example, a base station 3212 may not or need not be informed about the past routing of an incoming downlink communication with data originating from a host computer 3230 to be forwarded (e.g., handed over) to a connected UE 3291. Similarly, the base station 3212 need not be aware of the future routing of an outgoing uplink communication originating from the UE 3291 towards the host computer 3230.

Example implementations, in accordance with an embodiment, of the UE, base station and host computer discussed in the preceding paragraphs will now be described with reference to Figure 6. In a communication system 3300, a host computer 3310 comprises hardware 3315 including a communication interface 3316 configured to set up and maintain a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300. The host computer 3310 further comprises processing circuitry 3318, which may have storage and/or processing capabilities. In particular, the processing circuitry 3318 may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The host computer 3310 further comprises software 3311, which is stored in or accessible by the host computer 3310 and executable by the processing circuitry 3318. The software 3311 includes a host application 3312. The host application 3312 may be operable to provide a service to a remote user, such as a UE 3330 connecting via an OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the remote user, the host application 3312 may provide user data which is transmitted using the OTT connection 3350.

The communication system 3300 further includes a base station 3320 provided in a telecommunication system and comprising hardware 3325 enabling it to communicate with the host computer 3310 and with the UE 3330. The hardware 3325 may include a communication interface 3326 for setting up and maintaining a wired or wireless connection with an interface of a different communication device of the communication system 3300, as well as a radio interface 3327 for setting up and maintaining at least a wireless connection 3370 with a UE 3330 located in a coverage area (not shown) served by the base station 3320. The communication interface 3326 may be configured to facilitate a connection 3360 to the host computer 3310. The connection 3360 may be direct or it may pass through a core network (not shown in Figure 6) of the telecommunication system and/or through one or more intermediate networks outside the telecommunication system. In the embodiment shown, the hardware 3325 of the base station 3320 further includes processing circuitry 3328, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The base station 3320 further has software 3321 stored internally or accessible via an external connection.

The communication system 3300 further includes the UE 3330 already referred to. Its hardware 3335 may include a radio interface 3337 configured to set up and maintain a wireless connection 3370 with a base station serving a coverage area in which the UE 3330 is currently located. The hardware 3335 of the UE 3330 further includes processing circuitry 3338, which may comprise one or more programmable processors, applicationspecific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays or combinations of these (not shown) adapted to execute instructions. The UE 3330 further comprises software 3331, which is stored in or accessible by the UE 3330 and executable by the processing circuitry 3338. The software 3331 includes a client application 3332. The client application 3332 may be operable to provide a service to a human or non-human user via the UE 3330, with the support of the host computer 3310. In the host computer 3310, an executing host application 3312 may communicate with the executing client application 3332 via the OTT connection 3350 terminating at the UE 3330 and the host computer 3310. In providing the service to the user, the client application 3332 may receive request data from the host application 3312 and provide user data in response to the request data. The OTT connection 3350 may transfer both the request data and the user data. The client application 3332 may interact with the user to generate the user data that it provides.

It is noted that the host computer 3310, base station 3320 and UE 3330 illustrated in Figure 6 may be identical to the host computer 3230, one of the base stations 3212a, 3212b, 3212c and one of the UEs 3291, 3292 of Figure 5, respectively. This is to say, the inner workings of these entities may be as shown in Figure 6 and independently, the surrounding network topology may be that of Figure 5.

In Figure 6, the OTT connection 3350 has been drawn abstractly to illustrate the communication between the host computer 3310 and the use equipment 3330 via the base station 3320, without explicit reference to any intermediary devices and the precise routing of messages via these devices. Network infrastructure may determine the routing, which it may be configured to hide from the UE 3330 or from the service provider operating the host computer 3310, or both. While the OTT connection 3350 is active, the network infrastructure may further take decisions by which it dynamically changes the routing (e.g., on the basis of load balancing consideration or reconfiguration of the network). The wireless connection 3370 between the UE 3330 and the base station 3320 is in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. One or more of the various embodiments improve the performance of OTT services provided to the UE 3330 using the OTT connection 3350, in which the wireless connection 3370 forms the last segment. More precisely, the teachings of these embodiments may improve the applicable RAN effect: data rate, latency, power consumption, and thereby provide benefits such as corresponding effect on the OTT service: e.g. reduced user waiting time, relaxed restriction on file size, better responsiveness, extended battery lifetime.

A measurement procedure may be provided for the purpose of monitoring data rate, latency and other factors on which the one or more embodiments improve. There may further be an optional network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 between the host computer 3310 and UE 3330, in response to variations in the measurement results. The measurement procedure and/or the network functionality for reconfiguring the OTT connection 3350 may be implemented in the software 3311 of the host computer 3310 or in the software 3331 of the UE 3330, or both. In embodiments, sensors (not shown) may be deployed in or in association with communication devices through which the OTT connection 3350 passes; the sensors may participate in the measurement procedure by supplying values of the monitored quantities exemplified above, or supplying values of other physical quantities from which software 3311 , 3331 may compute or estimate the monitored quantities. The reconfiguring of the OTT connection 3350 may include message format, retransmission settings, preferred routing etc.; the reconfiguring need not affect the base station 3320, and it may be unknown or imperceptible to the base station 3320. Such procedures and functionalities may be known and practiced in the art. In certain embodiments, measurements may involve proprietary UE signaling facilitating the host computer’s 3310 measurements of throughput, propagation times, latency and the like. The measurements may be implemented in that the software 3311, 3331 causes messages to be transmitted, in particular empty or ‘dummy’ messages, using the OTT connection 3350 while it monitors propagation times, errors etc.

Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as the network node 112, and a UE such as the UE 120, which may be those described with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 7 will be included in this section. In a first action 3410 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction 3411 of the first action 3410, the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3420, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. In an optional third action 3430, the base station transmits to the UE the user data which was carried in the transmission that the host computer initiated, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional fourth action 3440, the UE executes a client application associated with the host application executed by the host computer.

Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as an AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 8 will be included in this section. In a first action 3510 of the method, the host computer provides user data. In an optional subaction (not shown) the host computer provides the user data by executing a host application. In a second action 3520, the host computer initiates a transmission carrying the user data to the UE. The transmission may pass via the base station, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure. In an optional third action 3530, the UE receives the user data carried in the transmission.

Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as an AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 9 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3610 of the method, the UE receives input data provided by the host computer. Additionally or alternatively, in an optional second action 3620, the UE provides user data. In an optional subaction 3621 of the second action 3620, the UE provides the user data by executing a client application. In a further optional subaction 3611 of the first action 3610, the UE executes a client application which provides the user data in reaction to the received input data provided by the host computer. In providing the user data, the executed client application may further consider user input received from the user. Regardless of the specific manner in which the user data was provided, the UE initiates, in an optional third subaction 3630, transmission of the user data to the host computer. In a fourth action 3640 of the method, the host computer receives the user data transmitted from the UE, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure.

Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method implemented in a communication system, in accordance with one embodiment. The communication system includes a host computer, a base station such as an AP STA, and a UE such as a Non-AP STA which may be those described with reference to Figure 5 and Figure 6. For simplicity of the present disclosure, only drawing references to Figure 10 will be included in this section. In an optional first action 3710 of the method, in accordance with the teachings of the embodiments described throughout this disclosure, the base station receives user data from the UE. In an optional second action 3720, the base station initiates transmission of the received user data to the host computer. In a third action 3730, the host computer receives the user data carried in the transmission initiated by the base station.