Application of timing advance command in wireless communication device in enhanced coverage mode

A method in a wireless communication device that operates in an enhanced coverage mode, the enhanced coverage mode comprising sequential repetition of messages sent from the wireless communication device to a network node, the method comprising:

• receiving a Timing Advance Command TAC from the network node;
• and
• adapting a time at which the TAC is applied, such that a time difference between the time at which the TAC is applied and a time at which the TAC is received shall be greater than or equal to a specified time that depends on a type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) that is in use, and such that application of the TAC shall not occur during a period after a first subframe of a repeated uplink transmission till the end of said repeated uplink transmission.

A method in a network node in communication with a wireless communication device that operates in an enhanced coverage mode, the enhanced coverage mode comprising sequential repetition of messages sent from the wireless communication device to the network node, the method comprising:

• configuring the wireless communication device to transmit multiple uplink signals with different repetition periods (Ta, Tb);
• and
• configuring the wireless communication device to align the repetition periods by shifting in time at least one of start or end points of the repetition periods (Ta, Tb), such that an overlapping time of the repetition periods (Ta, Tb) is maximized or single transmission of the multiple uplink signals is minimized.

A wireless communication device that operates in an enhanced coverage mode, the enhanced coverage mode comprising sequential repetition of messages sent from the wireless communication device to a network node, wherein the wireless communication device includes:

• a receiver configured to receive a Timing Advance Command TAC from the network node;
• and
• a processing circuit configured to adapt a time at which the TAC is applied, wherein a time difference between the time at which the TAC is applied and a time at which the TAC is received shall be greater than or equal to a specified time that depends on a type of Radio Access Technology (RAT) that is in use, and application of the TAC shall not occur during a period after a first subframe of a repeated uplink transmission till the end of said repeated uplink transmission.

A network node for use in communication with a wireless communication device that operates in an enhanced coverage mode, the enhanced coverage mode comprising sequential repetition of messages sent from the wireless communication device to the network node, the network node comprising processing circuit configured to:

• configure the wireless communication device to transmit multiple uplink signals with different repetition periods (Ta, Tb);
• and
• configure the wireless communication device to align the repetition periods by shifting in time at least one of start or end points of the repetition periods (Ta, Tb), such that an overlapping time of the repetition periods (Ta, Tb) is maximized or single transmission of the multiple uplink signals is minimized.