Intra-5G Propagation Delay Compensation via Application Functions
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G networks face challenges in accurately estimating and compensating for propagation delays between user equipment (UE) and base stations, particularly in scenarios requiring tight synchronization accuracy, as the application function (AF) may not have direct access to UE capabilities and network decision-making capabilities are limited.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves enhancing the 5G system framework to allow application functions (AFs) to provide UE capabilities and propagation delay compensation information, enabling the network to determine and configure propagation delay compensation policies, either at the UE or network side, based on UE capabilities and AF input, thereby improving synchronization accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the network node determines propagation delay compensation autonomously without application function input, then the device complexity and decision-making capability are reduced, but the synchronization accuracy deteriorates due to limited access to UE capabilities and deployment environment information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an application function as an intermediary between the UE and network node. This AF collects UE capabilities and deployment environment information, then provides this information to the network node to enable accurate propagation delay compensation determination without overloading the network node with complex decision-making responsibilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the propagation delay compensation determination process into multiple components: UE capability reporting to AF, AF information collection about deployment environment, AF providing compiled information to network node, and network node making final determination. This segmentation distributes complexity across multiple entities while improving overall synchronization accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the application function collects and processes UE capabilities and deployment environment information, then the propagation delay compensation accuracy is improved, but the information processing overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The application function is designed to perform multiple functions: collecting UE capabilities, gathering deployment environment information, processing this information, and providing recommendations to the network node. This multi-functionality consolidates information processing overhead in a single entity rather than distributing it across multiple components
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for 5G support for time sensitive communication. One method may include sending a report of user equipment capabilities to a communication network. The method may also include receiving a propagation delay compensation configuration from a network node. The method may further include configuring a communication with the network node based on the propagation delay compensation configuration. Further, the propagation delay compensation configuration may take into consideration at least one of propagation delay compensation information from an application function or the report.