System and Method for Uplink Timing Synchronization in Conjunction with Discontinuous Reception

A method in a user equipment, comprising:

• receiving a timing alignment update command for adjusting an uplink timing alignment of the user equipment;
• resetting a timing alignment timer in response to receiving the timing alignment update command;
• monitoring a control channel during a discontinuous reception (DRX) active time;
• refraining from transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal using resources identified in the resource configuration when not in said DRX active time;
• maintaining a resource configuration for the user equipment to transmit uplink sounding reference signals when not in said DRX active time;
• and
• releasing the resource configuration for the user equipment to transmit the uplink sounding reference signals upon expiration of the time alignment timer.

A user equipment (UE) for a wireless telecommunications system, comprising:

• a receiver configured to receive a timing alignment update command for adjusting an uplink timing alignment of the user equipment;
• and
• a processor, the processor configured to perform operations comprising:
• resetting a timing alignment timer in response to receiving the timing alignment update command;
• controlling the receiver to monitor a control channel during a discontinuous reception (DRX) active time;
• instructing a transmitter to refrain from transmitting an uplink sounding reference signal using resources identified in the resource configuration when not in said DRX active time;
• maintaining a resource configuration for the user equipment to transmit uplink sounding reference signals when not in said DRX active time;
• and
• releasing the resource configuration for the user equipment to transmit the uplink sounding reference signals upon expiration of the time alignment timer.