Dynamic Timing Advance Selection for Full-Duplex Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In full-duplex wireless communication systems, maintaining timing alignment between uplink and downlink signals is challenging due to propagation delays, especially in 5G NR networks, where a fixed timing advance value may not adequately account for varying timing differentials within the cyclic prefix, leading to potential misalignment and interference.
Innovation Solution
A method where a base station sends a timing advance indication to user equipment (UE) that allows the selection of either a fixed timing advance value or a range of values, providing flexibility for the UE to adjust timing based on its specific differential, thereby ensuring alignment within the cyclic prefix and improving latency and spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a fixed timing advance value is used in full-duplex communication, then the system structure is simple, but timing alignment precision deteriorates due to varying propagation delays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from a fixed timing advance value to a dynamic selection mechanism. The base station determines whether to indicate a fixed TA value or a TA value range based on UE full-duplex operation status, and the UE dynamically selects or adjusts the TA value within the indicated range to achieve precise timing alignment despite varying propagation delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing advance parameter from a single fixed value to a flexible structure that can be either a fixed TA value or a TA value range. This parameter change allows the system to adapt to different propagation delay conditions while maintaining simple signaling when fixed TA is sufficient.
2Loss of information
If a fixed timing advance value is used, then signaling is simple, but timing alignment reliability deteriorates leading to interference
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the timing advance indication method based on UE full-duplex operation status. When UE operates in half-duplex mode, a fixed TA value is used for simple signaling. When full-duplex operation is detected, the base station provides a TA value range to ensure reliable timing alignment, thus dynamically optimizing both signaling efficiency and alignment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The timing advance parameter structure changes from a single fixed value to a flexible indication that can represent either a fixed value or a range of values. This parameter change enables the system to maintain simple signaling when possible while ensuring reliable timing alignment when full-duplex operation requires it.
3Ease of operation
If timing advance is not adjusted for full-duplex mode, then system operation is simple, but spectral efficiency deteriorates due to misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The UE performs self-service by autonomously determining its full-duplex operation status and automatically selecting or adjusting its timing advance value based on the base station's indication. This self-service mechanism enables timely timing adjustment without complex network control, thereby maintaining spectral efficiency while preserving operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts timing advance based on UE full-duplex operation status. The base station detects when UE operates in full-duplex mode and provides appropriate TA indication (fixed value or range), enabling the UE to adapt its timing accordingly. This dynamic adjustment maintains spectral efficiency without imposing complex manual configuration requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to a user equipment (UE) that receives a timing advance command from a network access node, sends a value indicative of a timing advance capability to the network access node, adjusts a timing advance indicated by the timing advance command based on the timing advance capability to yield an adjusted timing advance, and transmits an uplink signal to the network access node using the adjusted timing advance. Further aspects relate to a network access node that transmits a timing advance command to a user equipment (UE), receives a value indicative of a timing advance capability of the UE, and receives an uplink signal adjusted by a timing advance according to the timing advance capability of the UE. The timing advance capability may indicate that the UE has, or does not have, a capability to adjust the timing advance indicated by the timing advance command.