IAB Case-6 Timing Adjustment for Uplink Synchronization Recovery
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The transition from legacy timing to Case-6 timing in IAB nodes incurs hardware tuning time and may result in the reception of IAB-MT signals being impossible at the parent IAB node due to synchronization issues, particularly when the signal falls outside the FFT receive window, leading to potential time-out scenarios and loss of uplink synchronization.
Innovation Solution
Methods and systems for adjusting Case-6 timing in IAB nodes to ensure synchronization, including determining conditions for switching to Case-6 timing, initiating a random access channel process, and adjusting timing based on propagation delay and Time Alignment Error (TAE) to align IAB-MT transmissions with the parent IAB-DU timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the transition to Case-6 timing is implemented in IAB nodes, then network flexibility and timing alignment are improved, but hardware tuning time increases and synchronization reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by initiating a random access channel process before the actual timing transition to Case-6 timing. This preliminary random access procedure establishes timing synchronization in advance, ensuring that the IAB-MT is properly aligned with the parent IAB-DU before the hardware tuning and timing adjustment occurs, thereby preventing synchronization failures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through the random access channel process, where the parent IAB-DU receives and evaluates signals from the IAB-MT to determine timing alignment status. Based on this feedback, the system can adjust timing parameters and confirm successful synchronization before completing the transition to Case-6 timing, ensuring reliability throughout the process
2Reliability
If timing adjustment is performed to align IAB-MT transmissions with parent IAB-DU timing, then synchronization is improved, but timing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the random access channel as an intermediary mechanism to facilitate timing alignment between IAB-MT and parent IAB-DU. Instead of directly adjusting timing with high precision requirements, the system uses the random access procedure as a mediator that provides a structured, step-by-step approach to timing synchronization, reducing the immediate precision burden through iterative adjustment
3Adaptability or versatility
If hardware tuning is performed for Case-6 timing, then timing alignment capability is improved, but transition time and operational complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by completing the random access channel process before finalizing hardware tuning for Case-6 timing. This sequence allows the system to establish logical timing alignment first, then perform hardware adjustments with a clearer target, simplifying the overall transition process and reducing operational complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and network node are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, a parent network node configured to communicate with a network node is provided. The parent network node is configured to, and/or includes a radio interface and/or includes processing circuitry configured to: enable a first timing configuration, wherein the first timing configuration enables downlink transmission timing for the network node to be aligned with the downlink transmission timing of the parent network node; and based on the first timing configuration, switch to a second timing configuration, wherein the second timing configuration enables uplink transmission timing of the network node to be aligned with the downlink transmission timing of the network node.