Coverage Enhancement Configuration via Timing Advance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cellular communication networks lack an effective method to dynamically configure coverage enhancement features, such as repetition and spectrum shaping, for user equipment in inactive or idle states during random access procedures, leading to inefficient resource allocation and potential interference.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment and wireless network nodes use timing advance values to select and configure coverage enhancement configurations, including spectrum shaping factors and transmission repetition numbers, based on thresholds and mapping tables, to optimize resource allocation and reduce unnecessary resource allocation overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coverage enhancement features are applied to all user equipment during random access procedures, then coverage reliability is improved, but resource allocation overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies coverage enhancement features selectively based on local conditions - specifically, only to user equipment that experiences coverage issues as indicated by timing advance values exceeding thresholds. Different CE configurations (spectrum shaping factors, repetition numbers) are applied to different UEs based on their specific needs, rather than uniformly to all UEs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes key parameters (spectrum shaping factor, transmission repetition number) based on the timing advance value parameter. By monitoring TA values and comparing them to thresholds, the system dynamically adjusts CE parameters to provide enhancement only when coverage problems are detected, thereby reducing unnecessary resource overhead.
2Productivity
If coverage enhancement features are configured dynamically based on timing advance values, then spectral efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The user equipment autonomously determines its own coverage enhancement configuration by comparing its timing advance value to thresholds and selecting the appropriate CE parameters. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for complex network-side configuration signaling, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining dynamic adaptation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes predetermined thresholds and mapping relationships between timing advance values and CE configurations. These preliminary definitions allow the UE to quickly determine appropriate CE parameters without complex real-time calculations, simplifying the decision-making process while enabling dynamic adaptation.
3Loss of energy
If coverage enhancement is applied only when needed, then resource wastage is reduced, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a threshold-based approach where coverage enhancement is activated partially - only when timing advance values exceed predetermined thresholds indicating coverage problems. This partial action approach avoids the resource wastage of universal CE application while using the existing precision of TA measurements that are already part of the random access procedure.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, comprising, receiving, by a user equipment, a timing advance command from a wireless network node, wherein the timing advance command comprises a timing advance value and the user equipment is in an inactive or idle state, selecting, by the user equipment, a coverage enhancement configuration using the timing advance value and transmitting, by the user equipment, at least one message to the wireless network node using the selected coverage enhancement configuration.