Asynchronous Carrier Aggregation Timing Offset Configuration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing frame timing alignment across aggregated carriers in NR CA, leading to increased detection complexity and time for signal detection, especially when carriers operate with different time boundaries.

Innovation Solution

A method is introduced where a network provides time offset information to a UE, allowing it to determine the time boundary of each carrier, enabling asynchronous carrier aggregation by configuring a reference time boundary and indicating time offsets for each cell, thereby simplifying signal detection and alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If frame timing alignment is required among aggregated carriers, then signal detection complexity is reduced, but carrier aggregation flexibility and adaptability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection complexityVSAvoidcarrier aggregation flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the frame timing alignment requirement flexible rather than fixed. The network can dynamically configure whether frame boundary alignment is required among aggregated carriers through higher layer signaling. This allows the system to adapt between synchronous and asynchronous carrier aggregation modes based on deployment scenarios, resolving the contradiction between reducing detection complexity and maintaining aggregation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of frame timing alignment from a fixed requirement to a configurable parameter. By introducing a configuration parameter that indicates whether frame boundary alignment is required, the system can adjust this parameter based on network conditions and carrier characteristics, thereby resolving the contradiction between simplified detection and enhanced adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If frame boundary alignment is enforced among carriers, then UE operation is simplified, but system adaptability to different deployment scenarios deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUE operation simplicityVSAvoiddeployment scenario adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the frame alignment requirement dynamic through network configuration. The UE operates in synchronous mode when configured, simplifying its operation, but can be switched to asynchronous mode when needed for different deployment scenarios. This dynamic configurability resolves the contradiction between UE operation simplicity and deployment adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal carrier aggregation framework that can function in both synchronous and asynchronous modes. The same UE implementation can handle different deployment scenarios by receiving appropriate configuration, making the system universally applicable without requiring separate UE designs for different scenarios.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If asynchronous carrier aggregation is supported, then system versatility improves, but detection time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecarrier aggregation type supportVSAvoidsignal detection time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces network configuration signaling as an intermediary that guides the UE's detection process. When asynchronous carrier aggregation is configured, the network provides necessary timing relationship information to the UE, which acts as an intermediary to reduce the detection burden. This resolves the contradiction by allowing versatile asynchronous support while minimizing detection time through informed detection based on network-provided configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Measurement precision

If frame timing alignment is required, then signal detection precision is improved, but system flexibility and configurability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal detection precisionVSAvoidsystem configurability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the frame alignment parameter from a fixed requirement to a configurable one. When synchronous operation is configured, detection precision is maintained through alignment. When asynchronous operation is configured, the system adapts to different scenarios. This parameter configurability resolves the contradiction between detection precision and system flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4033839B1Method for transmitting and receiving signal in wireless communication system, and apparatus for supporting same
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP4033839B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4033839B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4033839B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Various embodiments relate to a next generation wireless communication system for supporting a higher data transfer rate and the like beyond 4th generation (4G) wireless communication systems. Provided according to various embodiments are a method for transmitting/receiving a signal in a wireless communication system and a device supporting same, and various other embodiments may also be provided.