Candidate-Cell Timing Advance Control in UE Mobility

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, controlling uplink transmission timing advance during inter-cell mobility, particularly when UE-based timing advance measurement is supported, remains unclear, leading to potential degradation of communication quality.

Innovation Solution

A terminal equipped with a receiving section for signaling timing advance measurement and a control section to determine the appropriate timing advance acquisition method for candidate cells, enabling precise control of UE-based timing advance measurement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If UE-based timing advance measurement is supported for inter-cell mobility, then timing advance acquisition flexibility is improved, but control method clarity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming advance acquisition flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol method clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing advance acquisition process into distinct phases: configuration phase (where the network configures UE with timing advance measurement parameters for candidate cells), execution phase (where UE performs measurements), and application phase (where measurement results are used for mobility decisions). This segmentation clarifies the control methods while maintaining flexibility through configurable parameters in each phase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements preliminary configuration of timing advance measurement parameters before inter-cell mobility execution. The network pre-configures the UE with measurement bandwidth, reference signal resources, and candidate cell lists, enabling the UE to perform measurements efficiently when mobility is needed without requiring complex real-time control decisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If inter-cell mobility with multiple candidate cells is implemented, then mobility flexibility is improved, but timing advance control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemobility flexibilityVSAvoidtiming advance control complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides candidate cells into different groups (serving cell, neighboring cells, candidate cells for handover) and applies different timing advance control strategies to each group. This segmentation allows simplified control for serving cells while maintaining flexibility for candidate cells, reducing overall control complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal timing advance measurement framework that can be applied across different cell types and mobility scenarios. A single configuration mechanism handles multiple candidate cells uniformly, reducing the need for separate control procedures for each cell type and thereby reducing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4694399A1Terminal, wireless communication method, and base station
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4694399A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4694399A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4694399A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving section that receives signaling indicating terminal-based timing advance measurement for one or more candidate cells, and a control section that judges, based on at least one of the signaling or a timing advance acquisition method configured for the candidate cell, at least one of a timing advance acquisition method to be applied to the candidate cell, a start timing of the terminal-based timing advance measurement to be applied to the candidate cell, or a start timing of the terminal-based timing advance measurement to be applied to the candidate cell.