Beam-Specific Timing Advance for RTT Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G networks using high-frequency bands and MIMO systems, beamforming techniques face challenges in accurately determining timing advances for Round-Trip-Time (RTT) estimation due to propagation delays, which can lead to suboptimal performance in tasks requiring precise timing measurements.
Innovation Solution
A method for determining a beam-specific timing advance involves selecting a beam based on signal strength metrics, calculating a timing statistic, and applying a timing advance to correct for propagation delays, allowing for accurate RTT estimation by transmitting a timing response after a predetermined delay adjusted by the timing advance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If beamforming is used to extend RF signal coverage at mmW frequencies, then signal propagation capability is improved, but timing measurement accuracy deteriorates due to propagation delays in different beams
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing advance determination into beam-specific components. Instead of using a single timing advance for all beams, the system determines separate timing advances for each beam based on their respective propagation delays. This allows the strongest beam to be used for data transmission while compensating for its longer propagation delay through beam-specific timing adjustments, thereby maintaining both signal propagation capability and timing measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing advance parameter from a single system-wide value to multiple beam-specific values. By calculating timing advances individually for each beam based on measured propagation delays, the system can accommodate different path lengths of various beams. This parameter transformation enables the resolution of the contradiction by allowing each beam to have its own timing correction factor.
2Strength
If the strongest beam is selected for timing response transmission, then signal strength is improved, but RTT estimation accuracy deteriorates when the strongest beam is not the shortest path
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary timing advance determination for each beam before selecting the strongest beam for timing response transmission. By pre-calculating beam-specific timing advances based on propagation delay measurements, the system prepares the necessary timing corrections in advance. This allows the strongest beam to be selected without compromising RTT estimation accuracy, as the timing advance has already been adjusted to account for the beam's specific propagation characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the timing response transmission by applying beam-specific timing advances that simulate what the timing would be if the shortest path beam were used. This timing advance copying mechanism allows the system to use the strongest beam for transmission while maintaining RTT estimation accuracy equivalent to using the shortest path beam.
3Measurement precision
If beam-specific timing advances are determined for all beams, then timing measurement accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal timing advance determination mechanism that can be applied to any beam in the beam set. The same procedures for measuring propagation delays and calculating timing advances are reused across all beams, making the system multi-functional without proportionally increasing complexity. The framework handles any number of beams through standardized processes, reducing the relative complexity burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent determines timing advances for beams in a selective manner rather than uniformly for all possible beams. The system focuses timing advance determination on the subset of beams that are actually used for communication, particularly the strongest beam and potentially a limited number of other beams. This partial action approach reduces the overall complexity while maintaining timing measurement accuracy for the critical beams.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed are techniques for determining a beam-specific timing advance for Round-Trip Time (RTT) estimation. In an aspect, a first node receives a plurality of beams transmitted by a second node on a wireless channel, selects a first beam from the plurality of beams for transmitting a timing response, determines a timing statistic, a timing difference, and a timing advance for the first beam, wherein the timing difference comprises a difference between the timing statistic and an earliest time of arrival of the plurality of beams, and wherein the timing advance comprises a multiple of the timing difference, and transmits the timing response for the first beam to the second node on the wireless channel, wherein the first node transmits the timing response after a time delay from the timing statistic of the first beam, wherein the time delay comprises a difference between a predetermined time delay and the timing advance.