Communication system, network node, communication device, methods and computer programs

A communication device configured:

• for device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework
• for carrier aggregation for cellular communication;
• to determine carrier aggregation communication capabilities suitable for D2D communication and carrier aggregation;
• and
• to signal the determined carrier aggregation communication capabilities to a network node of the cellular communication system.

A network node for a cellular communication network, the network node being configured to:

• if the network node is configured to support device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework and configured to support carrier aggregation for cellular communication;
• receive, from a communication device operating in the cellular communication network, signalling about carrier aggregation communication capabilities suitable for D2D communication and carrier aggregation of the communication device;
• determine a configuration for the communication device regarding D2D communication and carrier aggregation based on at least the received signalling;
• and
• transmit information about the configuration to the communication device, and
• if the network node is not configured to support D2D communication within a cellular communication system framework;
• transmit information to the communication device about at least one of other public land mobile networks and other carriers that are suitable for D2D communication.

A method of a communication system, the communication system having a cellular communication network and at least a communication device interacting with the cellular communication network, the cellular communication network having at least a network node, and the communication device being configured for device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework and for carrier aggregation for cellular communication, the method comprising:

• the network node:
• receiving, from the communication device, signalling about carrier aggregation communication capabilities suitable for D2D communication and carrier aggregation of the communication device;
• determining a configuration for the communication device regarding D2D communication and carrier aggregation based on at least the received signalling;
• and
• transmitting the configuration to the communication device;
• and the communication device:
• determining carrier aggregation communication capabilities suitable for D2D communication and carrier aggregation;
• and
• signalling the carrier aggregation communication capabilities to the network node.

A method of a network node of a cellular communication network, the method comprising:

• if the network node is configured to support device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework configured to support carrier aggregation for cellular communication:
• receiving, from a communication device operating in the cellular communication network, signalling about carrier aggregation communication capabilities for D2D communication and carrier aggregation of the communication device;
• determining a configuration for the communication device regarding D2D communication and carrier aggregation based on at least the received signalling;
• and
• transmitting information about the configuration to the communication device, and
• if the network node is not configured to support device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework;
• transmitting information to the communication device about at least one of other public land mobile networks and other carriers that are suitable for D2D communication.

A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed on a processor of a network node of a cellular communication network, causes the network node to:

• if the network node is configured to support device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework configured to support carrier aggregation for cellular communication:
• receive, from a communication device operating in the cellular communication network, signalling about carrier aggregation communication capabilities for D2D communication and carrier aggregation of the communication device;
• determine a configuration for the communication device regarding D2D communication and carrier aggregation based on at least the received signalling;
• and
• transmit information about the configuration to the communication device;
• and
• if the network node is not configured to support device-to-device, D2D, communication within a cellular communication system framework;
• transmit information to the communication device about at least one of other public land mobile networks and other carriers that are suitable for D2D communication.