A user equipment (UE) is configured to perform a method for determining a timing reference for a secondary cell (SCell) in a secondary timing advance group (sTAG). The method includes selecting a SCell among a plurality of SCells within a sTAG as an uplink timing reference cell based on a predefined rule that is known at the UE and an eNB in communication with the UE. The method also includes receiving a downlink carrier from the selected SCell and determining, from the downlink carrier, a downlink timing used as a reference for an uplink transmission timing.