WO2012023039A2

WO2012023039A2 - Method and apparatus for assigning a cell index in the wireless network

Info

Publication number: WO2012023039A2
Application number: PCT/IB2011/002079
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tao Yang
Original assignee: Alcatel Lucent
Priority date: 2010-08-16
Filing date: 2011-08-09
Publication date: 2012-02-23
Also published as: CN102378220B; WO2012023039A3; CN102378220A

Abstract

A method and an apparatus of assigning a cell index in a wireless network, the method according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB; determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell; determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell. The channel resource occupied by the RRC message or the Handover signaling during the configuration procedure of the Pcell/Scell could be saved using the method in the present invention.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ASSIGNING A CELL INDEX IN THE

WIRELESS NETWORK

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wireless network, in particular relates to a method and apparatus for assigning a cell index in the wireless network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In LTE-A, wider bandwidth, up to 100M will be used to satisfy higher data rate requirement. For backward compatibility, this 100M bandwidth will be separated into multiple carrier components (CC), with each one has a maximum width of 20M. Then each macro cell can support up to 5 CCs. For each UE, there is one primary carrier component (PCC) and optionally one or more secondary carrier components (SCC) with the former always keeping active. Another concept is primary cell (Pcell) and secondary cell (Scell) referring to DL/UL PCC pair and DL/UL SCC pair respectively. Pcell is setup by R8 RRC connection procedure, and Scell is setup by the adding message of the new RIO Scell. It has been agreed that each Scell will be assigned one cell index for its DL and UL carrier component.

It has been agreed that one cell index is assignd for each Scell in its Scell adding RRC message for identifying its corresponding Scell for all related high layer management procedure. However, there is still no solution to assign cell index for Pcell in Normal case or in Handover case.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In terms of the drawbacks mentioned above, the present invention proposes a method and apparatus for assigning a cell index in a wireless network, and for assigning a cell index to the Pcell in Normal case, Handover case, or in Pcell switching case.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of assigning a cell index in a terminal of a wireless network is proposed. The method comprises the steps of: receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB; determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell; determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell.

Determining the Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling mentioned above could be determining the Pcell index directly according to the specified value, or could also be determining the Pcell index indirectly according to the specified value. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the specified value of the cell index is the specified value of the Pcell index, and the specified value of the Pcell index is assigned to the Pcell as the Pcell index. In another embodiment of the present invention, the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, and the specified value of the Scell index is assigned to a first Scell as a first Scell index; and then, the Pcell index is further determined based on the first Scell index, according to a first predetermined rule.

In the above embodiment, due to the fact that the cell configuration signaling only needs to comprise the specified value of the first cell index, and other cell indexes, for example, the Pcell index and/or other Scell index may be further determined based on the first Scell index according to the predetermined rule, the channel resource occupied by the RRC message or the Handover signaling during the configuration procedure of the Pcell/Scell could be saved.

Optionally, the method above further comprises a step of further determining the Scell index according to the determined cell index.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of the default index is only valid when a Pcell is setup for the first time. Namely, after the Pcell setup is accomplished, the Pcell index is still determined according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling.

The solution above avoids the appearance of the specified value information of the cell index in the Pcell setup message, and the channel resource occupied in the procedure of the first time setup of the Pcell is reduced. In the mean time, during the distribution procedure of the index for the subsequent Pcell, the flexibility of distribution of cell index, especially the Pcell index, could be increased.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of assigning a cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network is proposed. The method comprises a step of sending a cell configuration signaling to a terminal, the cell configuration signaling including a specified value of the cell index.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pcell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index. Optionally, the specified value of the Pcell index is located in the extension part of the cell configuration signaling. According to one embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus for assigning a cell index in a terminal of a wireless network is proposed. The apparatus comprises: a signaling receiving module, for receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB; a Pcell index specified determining module, for determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell; a Pcell index default determining module, for determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell.

According to one embodiment of the present invention an apparatus for assigning a cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network is proposed. The apparatus comprises: a cell configuration signaling sending module, for sending a cell configuration signaling to a terminal, the cell configuration signaling including a specified value of the cell index.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index. Optionally, the specified value of the Pcell index is located in the extension part of the cell configuration signaling.

The distribution of the cell index for the Pcell in the above embodiments makes the Pcell identification remain the same before and after the Pcell configuration, thus, the configuration of the Pcell may be implemented in a delta configuration manner, which saves the channel resource and system resource occupied by the Pcell configuration to some extend.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference to the following detailed description of the non-restrictive embodiments, other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent.

Fig. 1 shows a topology of the wireless network composed of a terminal and eNodeBs according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of the method of assigning cell index in a terminal of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a flow chart of the method of assigning cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the apparatus for assigning cell index in a terminal of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of assigning cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Wherein, same or similar reference numerals refer to the same or similar steps or means (module).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The detailed description of embodiments of the present invention will be given as below in conjunction with the drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a topology of the wireless network composed of a terminal and eNodeBs according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the system comprises terminal 10, eNodeB 20 and eNodeB 30. It is assumed that terminal 10 works initially in the service area of eNodeB 20, and then, is handed over from the service area of eNodeB 20 to the service area of eNodeB 30.

Fig. 2 shows a flow chart of the method of assigning a cell index in a terminal of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention. The method of assigning a cell index comprises a step S201 of receiving a cell configuration signaling, a step S202 of determining the Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index, and a step S203 of determining the Pcell index according to the default index.

Firstly, in step S201, the terminal 10 receives a cell configuration signaling from eNodeB 20.

And then, if no default index is configured for the Pcell, the terminal 10 determines a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling in step S202.

If the default index is configured for the Pcell, the terminal 10 determines the default index to be the Pcell index in step S203.

Fig 3 shows a flow chart of the method of assigning cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the method of assigning the cell index comprises a step S301 of sending a cell configuration signaling.

In step S301, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling to the terminal, and the cell configuration signaling includes a specified value of the cell index.

Optionally, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index. The specified value of a Pell index could be configured in the information field of the Pcell in the cell configuration signaling, the specified value of a Scell index could be configured in the information field of the Scell in the cell configuration signaling, for example in the Scell list.

Optionally, the specified value of the Pcell index is located in the extension part of the cell configuration signaling, and identified in an information element (IE) form. In this way, if the terminal 10 conforms to R8 version, the extension part of the cell configuration signaling won't be read, and the terminal 10 of R8 version will not be influenced by the extension part of the cell configuration signaling in this embodiment. This embodiment has good compatibility with R8 communication system.

In the following, exemplary description of this embodiment will be given in connection with Fig. l, 2, 3.

In the embodiment above, the communication system shown in Fig. 1 specifies in advance a default value for the Pcell ID that may need to be assigned during the operation of the system, for example 002, and the value will not be assigned as Scell ID during the operation of the system. During the operation of the system, in step S301, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling to the terminal 10 to indicate the terminal 10 to setup Pcell, in step S203, the default value 002 of the Pcell index will be automatically assigned to the Pcell that has been setup as the Pcell ID. At this time, the cell configuration signaling send by eNodeB 20 doesn't include any specified value of the Pcell index, thus the length of the signaling is reduced and the channel resource is saved.

Of course, in this embodiment, after step S203, the method may further comprise a step of further determining Scell index according to the determined cell index.

For example, in the case where the terminal 10 is handed over from the service area of the eNodeB 20 to the service area of the eNodeB 30, the default value 002 of the Pcell index will be automatically assigned to the Pcell that has been setup as Pcell ID. Then in step S301, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a handover command, to the terminal 10. The handover command comprises a specified value of the cell index, for example, 003, identified in an IE form. On the terminal 10 side, the terminal 10 receives a handover command from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value 003 of the cell index is configured in the Scell information field, for example, in Scell list, in the handover command, if so, the specified value 003 of the Scell index is assigned to a Scell in the system as Scell index. Assuming a first predetermined rule set in the system is: the second Scell index Scell ID 2 is the first Scell index Scell ID 1 plus 1 and then modulo 5. And then, according to the first predetermined rule, based on the determined first Scell index 003, the indexes of other Scells may be determined as: 004(i.e. 003+1), and 005(i.e. 004+1) etc .

Of course, in this embodiment, after the Pcell index is determined according to the default value of Pcell index in step S203, there may be a step of further determining Scell index according to the determined Pcell index based on certain predetermined rules, which is similar to the scenario of handover case, and won't be described further.

Of course, it can be understood by those skilled in the art, in step S203, the cell configuration signaling, for example, handover command, send by eNodeB 20, may include a plurality of specified values of the cell indexes identified in an IE form, for example 003, 004, and 005, to correspond to a plurality of Scells to which indexes are to be assigned. Correspondingly, on the terminal 10 side, the plurality of specified values 003, 004 and 005 of the cell indexes are assigned to the 3 Scells that are newly setup as their Scell index respectively.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the configuration of default index in the above embodiment is only valid when a Pcell is setup for the first time. Namely, the Pcell index is determined according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, after the Pcell is setup. For example, when Pcell is setup for the first time, the default value 002 of Pcell index will be automatically assigned to the Pcell that has been setup as the Pcell ID, and then eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling that includes a specified value of the Pcell index identified in an IE form, for example 001. On the terminal 10 side, the terminal 10 receives the cell configuration signaling from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value of the Pcell index is configured in the Pcell information field in the cell configuration signaling. If so, the specified value of the Pcell index 001 is assigned to the Pcell as Pcell index.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the step S202 comprises: if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, assigning the specified value of the Scell index to a first Scell as a first Scell index, and then determining the Pcell index, based on the first Scell index, according to a first predetermined rule.

For example, in the normal case where the Scell is setup, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, RRC setup message, to the terminal, and the RRC message comprises a specified value of a cell index, for example 005, identified in an IE form. On the terminal 10 side, in step 202, the terminal 10 receives the RRC message from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value of the cell index is configured in the Scell information field, for example, in Scell list, in the RRC message. If so, the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index. Then the specified value 005 of the Scell index is assigned to a Scell in the system as a Scell index. Assuming a first predetermined rule set in the system is: the value of the Pcell index Pcell ID is the first Scell index Scell ID plus 1 and then modulo 5. And then, according to the first predetermined rule, based on the determined first Scell index 005, the Pcell index in this embodiment is 005+1=006, and then after 006 modulo 5 (5 is the maximum number of the carrier component), the Pcell index is finally determined as 001.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the step S202 comprises: if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, assigning the specified value of the Pcell index to the Pcell as the Pcell index .

For example, in the normal case where the Pcell is setup, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, R8 RRC setup message, to the terminal, and the R8 RRC message comprises a specified value of a cell index, for example 001, identified in an IE form, in the extension part of the R8 RRC message. In step 202, the terminal 10 receives the R8 RRC message from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value of the cell index is configured in the Pcell information field in the RRC message. If so, the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, and then the specified value 001 of the Pcell index is assigned to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

For another example, when only one cell exists in the communication system shown in Fig. 1, and the cell could be considered as Pcell in this case, if eNodeB 20 sends another signaling to add new cell, then index needs to be configured for each cell to distinguish each cell, because the number of cells is over 1. In this case, in step S301, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a RRC message for adding a Scell, to the terminal, and the RRC message for adding a Scell includes a specified value of a cell index, for example 001, identified in an IE form, in the extension part of the RRC message. On the terminal 10 side, the terminal 10 receives a RRC message for adding a Scell from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value of the cell index is configured in the Pcell information field in the RRC message. If so, the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, and then the specified value 001 of the Pcell index is assigned to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

Considering some problems that may exist in the HARQ case, for example eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling for the first time, and for example the RRC message for adding a Scell may be lost or arrived at the terminal 10 later than the RRC message for adding a Scell that is send subsequently. Preferably, during the procedure of repeating step S301, a specified value of the Pcell index identified in an IE form is comprised in each RRC message sent each time for adding a Scell. Thus, the problem introduced by the loss of the first cell configuration signaling during transmission that Pcell ID could not be assigned properly could be avoided.

For another example, in the case where Pcell switches during the proper operation of the communication system, the Pcell ID originally configured for the Pcell is for example 002, the Scell ID originally configured for a Scell is for example 004, and in step S301, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, RRC message, to the terminal 10, and the RRC message comprises a specified value 004 of the Pcell index in the Pcell information field. On the terminal 10 side, in step 202, the terminal 10 receives the RRC message from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value of the Pcell index in the Pcell information field is 004. If so, the Scell identified by Scell index 004 is switched to Pcell of the communication system. The Pcell identified by the Pcell index 002 is de-configured, and becomes a non-configured cell. And then, delta configuration ( Δ configuration) may be applied for the new Pcell with the Pcell index being 004, based on the Scell configuration identified by the original Scell index 004.

Optionally, the method of assigning cell index in the terminal 10 further comprises the step of: determining a cell index of a second Scell, based on the first Scell index, according to a second predetermined rule.

For example, in the case where the terminal 10 is handed over from the service area of eNodeB 20 to the service area of eNodeB 30, the default value 002 of the Pcell index is automatically assigned to the Pcell that has been setup as the Pcell ID, furthermore, in step S301, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a handover command, to the terminal 10, and the handover command comprises a specified value of the cell index, for example, 003, identified in an IE form. In step S202, the terminal 10 receives the handover command from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value 003 of the cell index is configured in the Scell information field, for example, in Scell list, in the handover command. If so, the specified value 003 of the Scell index is assigned to a Scell in the system as Scell index. Assuming a first predetermined rule set in the system is: the second Scell index Scell ID is the first Scell index Scell ID plus 1 and then modulo 5. And then, according to the first predetermined rule, based on the determined first Scell index 003, the indexes of other Scells may be determined as: 004(i.e. 003+1), and 005(i.e. 004+1) etc . According to the method of assigning the cell index according to another embodiment of the present invention, step S202 further comprises a step of further determining a Scell index according to the determined cell index.

For example, in the case where the terminal 10 is handed over from the service area of the eNodeB 20 to the service area of the eNodeB 30, in step S301, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a handover command, to the terminal 10, and the handover command comprises a specified value of the Scell index, for example, 004, identified in an IE form. In step S202, the terminal 10 receives a handover command from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the specified value 004 of the cell index is configured in the Scell information field in the handover command. If so, the specified value 004 of the Scell index is assigned to a Scell in the system as the Scell index. Assuming a first predetermined rule set in the system is: the value of the Pcell ID is the first Scell ID plus 1 and then modulo 5. And then, according to the first predetermined rule, based on the determined first Scell index 004, the index of Pcell may be determined as 005 and the indexes of other Scells may be determined as 001(i.e. 005+1), and 002 (i.e. 001+1) etc.. Of course, the cell configuration signaling sent by eNodeB 20 may also include only one specified value of the Pcell index identified in an IE form, the Pcell index is determined according to the specified value of the Pcell index, and the value of the Scell index may be further determined according to a certain predetermined rule, based on the determined Pcell index, and will not be further described.

For another example, in the case where Pcell switches during the proper operation of the communication system, the Pcell ID originally configured for the Pcell is for example 002, and in step S301, eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, RRC message, to the terminal 10, the first element of the Scell List in the Scell information field of the RRC message is the configured Pcell ID, namely 002, then in step 202, the terminal 10 receives the RRC message from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the first element in the Scell list in the RRC message is the configured Pcell ID, namely 002. If so, the Pcell identified by Pcell index 002 is switched to be a Scell, and the new Scell may still use the cell index 002. Then, delta configuration ( Δ configuration) may be applied for the new Scell identified by the Scell index 002. Of course, the new Scell may use another cell index, for example 003, as the Scell index, while the terminal 10 may take another non-configured cell as a new Pcell of the system, using cell index 002 as Pcell index. In this case, for the new Pcell identified by Pcell index 002, eNodeB 20 may still use delta configuration ( Δ configuration) to configure it.

For another example, in the case where the terminal 10 is handed over form a cell having the ability of carrier aggregation to a cell not having the ability of carrier aggregation, the system is originally configured with Pcell ID being for example 002, and Scell ID being for example 004. In step S301, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a handover command, to the terminal 10, and the elements in the Scell List in the Scell information field of the handover command are deleted, namely the Scell List is empty. Optionally, according to the need of the application case, Pcell information field may be set to be empty, and then in step S202, the terminal 10 receives the handover command from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the Scell List in the handover command is empty. If so, the terminal 10 de-configures the Scell identified by the Scell index 004.

For another example, in the case where the terminal 10 is handed over form a cell not having the ability of carrier aggregation to a cell having the ability of carrier aggregation, the communication system is not configured with Pcell or Scell in the original operation environment of the cell not having the ability of carrier aggregation, the eNodeB 20 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a handover command, to the terminal 10, and the Pcell information field of the handover command includes a Pcell ID being for example 002. Optionally, the Scell List in the Scell information field includes a Scell ID being for example 004. In step S202, the terminal 10 receives the handover command from eNodeB 20, and judges whether the Pcell information field in the handover command comprises a Pcell ID being for example 002. If so, the Pcell ID (002) is assigned to an existing cell as Pcell index. Optionally, if the terminal 10 determines the Scell List in the Scell information field in the handover command comprises a Scell ID (004), the a new Scell is added, and 004 is assigned to the new Scell as Scell index.

Of course, it could be understood by those skilled in the art, in step S203, the cell configuration signaling sent by eNodeB20, for example, a handover command may include a plurality of specified values of the cell indexes identified in an IE form, for example, the Scell information field includes 003, 004 and 005 corresponding to the plurality of Scells to which indexes are to be assigned, and Pcell information field includes the specified value 002 of Pcell index corresponding to the Pcell to which an index is to be assigned. Correspondingly, on the terminal 10 side, the plurality of specified values of the cell indexes 003, 004 and 005 are assigned to the 3 Scells that are newly setup as their Scell indexes respectively, and the specified value 002 of the Pcell index is assigned to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of the apparatus for assigning cell index in a terminal of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 200 for assigning cell index comprises a signaling receiving module 201, a Pcell index specified determining module 202 and a Pcell index default determining module 203.

The apparatus 200 for assigning cell index is typically used in the terminal 10, wherein, the signaling receiving module 201 is for receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB, the Pcell index specified determining module 202 is for determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell, and the Pcell index default determining module 203 is for determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell.

Optionally, the Pcell index specified determining module 202 in the above embodiment comprises: a first Scell index determining module and a Pcell index indirect determining module. Wherein, the first Scell index determining module is for if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, assigning the specified value of the Scell index to a first Scell as a first Scell index; and the Pcell index indirect determining module is for determining the Pcell index, based on the first Scell index, according to a first predetermined rule

Optionally, the Pcell index specified determining module 202 in the above embodiment further comprises: a Pcell index direct determining module, for if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, assigning the specified value of the Pcell index to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of the apparatus for assigning cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the apparatus 300 for assigning cell index in eNodeB comprises: a cell configuration signaling sending module 301. The cell configuration signaling sending module is for sending a cell configuration signaling to a terminal, the cell configuration signaling including a specified value of the cell index.

Optionally, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index. The specified value of a Pell index may be configured in the Pcell information field of the cell configuration signaling, and the specified value of a Sell index may be configured in the Scell information field, for example, in a Scell List of the cell configuration signaling.

In the following, exemplary description of this embodiment will be given in connection with Fig. l, 4, 5.

In the embodiment above, the communication system shown in Fig. 1 specifies in advance a default value for the Pcell ID that may need to be assigned during the operation of the system, for example 002, the value will not be assigned as Scell ID during the operation of the system. During the operation of the system, the cell configuration signaling sending module 301 sends a cell configuration signaling to the terminal 10 to indicate the terminal 10 to setup Pcell, the default value 002 of the Pcell index will be automatically assigned by the Pcell index default determining module 203 to the Pcell that has been setup as the Pcell ID. At this time, the cell configuration signaling sent by the cell configuration signaling sending module 301 includes an IE as the specified value of the Pcell index, and thus the length of the signaling is reduced and the channel resource is saved.

For example, in the normal case where the Scell is setup, the cell configuration signaling sending module 301 sends a cell configuration signaling, for example, a RRC message, to the terminal, and the RRC message comprises a specified value of a cell index, for example 005, identified in an IE form, in its extension part. On the terminal 10 side, the signaling receiving module 201, receives the RRC message from the cell configuration signaling sending module 301 of the eNodeB 20, the Pcell index specified determining module 202 judges whether the specified value of the cell index is configured in the Scell information field, for example, in Scell list, in the RRC message, if so, the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, and then the specified value 005 of the Scell index is assigned by the Pcell index specified determining module 202 to a Scell in the system as the Scell index. Assuming a first predetermined rule set in the system is: the value of the Pcell index Pcell ID is the first Scell index Scell ID plus 1 and then modulo 5. And then, according to the first predetermined rule, based on the determined first Scell index 005, the Pcell index in this embodiment is determined by the Pcell index specified determining module 202 in this embodiment as 005+1=006, and then after 006 modulo 5 (5 is the maximum number of the carrier component), the Pcell index is finally determined as 001.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art, due to the number of the cells is less than 5, the cell index could be typically identified using IE with 3 bits in the case above, and the binary number with 3 bits represents a range from 0 to 7 or from 1 to 8. Thus, during the procedure of further assigning index to the Pcell or other Scell according to the determined Scell, the step of modulo may not be included in the predetermined rules, namely any number in the range of 001-008 could be directly used as the index further determined for the Pcell or Scell, only when the value of the Pcell/Scell index further determined according to the Scell ID of the first Scell is above 008, the step of modulo will be included in the predetermined rules.

Optionally, the configuration of the default index is only valid when a Pcell is setup for the first time. Namely, after the Pcell setup is accomplished, the Pcell index is still determined according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling. For example, when the Pcell is setup for the first time, the default value 002 of Pcell index will be automatically assigned to the Pcell that has been setup as the Pcell ID, and then the cell configuration signaling sending module 301 sends a cell configuration signaling that includes a specified value of the Pcell index, for example 001, identified in an IE form. On the terminal 10 side, signaling receiving module 201 receives the cell configuration signaling from the cell configuration signaling sending module 301, the Pcell index specified determining module 202 judges whether the specified value of the Pcell index is configured in the Pcell information field in the cell configuration signaling, if so, the specified value of the Pcell index 001 is assigned to the Pcell as Pcell index.

Of course, in the embodiment above, the apparatus 200 for assigning cell index may further comprise: a module for determining Scell index, for further determining Scell index according to the determined cell index.

Those skilled in the art could readily appreciate, the device in the present invention can be implemented by means of either hardware module, functional module of software, or the hardware module with functional module of software incorporated therein.

Those skilled in the art could readily appreciate, the above embodiment are intended to be exemplary but not limited thereto. Different technical feature in various embodiments can be combined, so as to gain some technical effect. After examining the accompanying figures, specification and claims, those skilled in the art should readily appreciate and carry out some variation for the above disclosed embodiments. In the claims, the term of "comprise" does not exclude the existence of other device(s) or step(s); indefinite article "a/an" does not exclude the "multiple" case; term of "a first", "a second" is just used for give a name rather than for representing some particular order. Figure number(s) in the claims, if any, should not be construed to be any restriction to protection scope. Multiple component functionalities in the claim(s) may be implemented by means of a singular hardware or software. The occurrence of some technical features in different dependent claims does not eliminate the possibility of the technical effect resulting from the combination of these technical features.

Claims

1. A method of assigning a cell index in a terminal of a wireless network, the method comprising:

A. receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB;

B. determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell;

C. determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein, the step B and/or step C further comprises:

- determining a Scell index, according to the determined cell index; or

determining a Scell index, according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein, the configuration of the default index is only valid when a Pcell is setup for the first time.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein, the step B comprises:

- if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, assigning the specified value of the Scell index to a first Scell as a first Scell index; and

- determining the Pcell index, based on the first Scell index, according to a first predetermined rule.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein, the step B comprises:

- if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, assigning the specified value of the Pcell index to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein, the method further comprises:

- determining a cell index of a second Scell, based on the first Scell index, according to a second predetermined rule.

7. A method according to claim 1, wherein, the specified value of the cell index is located in the extension part of the cell configuration signaling.

8. A method of assigning a cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network, the method comprising: - sending a cell configuration signaling to a terminal, the cell configuration signaling including a specified value of the cell index.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein, the specified value of the cell index is located in the extension part of the cell configuration signaling.

11. An apparatus for assigning a cell index in a terminal of a wireless network, the apparatus comprising:

- a signaling receiving module, for receiving a cell configuration signaling from an eNodeB;

- a Pcell index specified determining module, for determining a Pcell index according to the specified value of the cell index included in the cell configuration signaling, if no default index is configured for the Pcell;

- a Pcell index default determining module, for determining the default index to be the Pcell index, if the default index is configured for the Pcell.

12. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the Pcell index specified determining module comprises:

- a first Scell index determining module, for if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Scell index, assigning the specified value of the Scell index to a first Scell as a first Scell index; and

- a Pcell index indirect determining module, for determining the Pcell index, based on the first Scell index, according to a first predetermined rule.

13. An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein, the Pcell index specified determining module comprises:

a Pcell index direct determining module, for if the specified value of the cell index is a specified value of a Pcell index, assigning the specified value of the Pcell index to the Pcell as the Pcell index.

14. An apparatus for assigning a cell index in an eNodeB of a wireless network terminal, the apparatus comprising:

a cell configuration signaling sending module, for sending a cell configuration signaling to a terminal, the cell configuration signaling including a specified value of the cell index.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein, the specified value of the cell index comprises a specified value of a Pell index and/or a specified value of a Scell index.