Uplink Timing Synchronization for LTE-NR Dual Connectivity
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communications systems, especially in LTE-NR dual connectivity mode, unequal transmit timings on multiple uplink carriers lead to waste of uplink resources due to separate timing adjustment parameters for LTE and NR, causing inefficiencies in spectral usage.
Innovation Solution
A method where a terminal device receives a single timing adjustment parameter from a network device to synchronize transmit timings across multiple uplink carriers, ensuring consistent timing for all carriers, thereby optimizing uplink spectral efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate timing adjustment parameters are used for LTE and NR uplink carriers, then timing can be adjusted independently for each RAT, but transmit timings become unequal across carriers causing waste of uplink resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the timing adjustment parameters for LTE and NR uplink carriers into a single common parameter. The network device determines one timing adjustment parameter that applies to both RATs, ensuring equal transmit timings across all uplink carriers while maintaining the ability to handle multi-RAT scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal timing adjustment mechanism where a single timing adjustment parameter serves multiple functions across different radio access technologies. This common parameter can be applied to both LTE and NR carriers, providing multi-RAT timing synchronization without requiring separate adjustment mechanisms.
2Loss of energy
If a common timing adjustment parameter is used for multiple uplink carriers, then transmit timings are synchronized across carriers, but the ability to independently adjust timing for different RATs is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple timing adjustment parameters into a single common parameter that controls timing for both LTE and NR uplink carriers. This merging ensures synchronized transmit timings across carriers, eliminating resource waste while the network device retains control to manage multi-RAT timing requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic timing adjustment mechanism where the common timing parameter can be flexibly configured by the network device. The network device can adjust the common parameter to meet different timing requirements for LTE and NR carriers, providing adaptability within the unified timing framework.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and an apparatus for transmitting or receiving information are provided. The method includes: receiving, by a terminal device, indication information from a network device, where the indication information indicates a timing adjustment parameter, the timing adjustment parameter is to be used by the terminal device to determine transmit timings on a first uplink carrier and a second uplink carrier, the first uplink carrier is an uplink carrier of a first radio access technology, and the second uplink carrier is an uplink carrier of a second radio access technology; and determining, by the terminal device, the timing adjustment parameter based on the indication information. The terminal device determines transmit timings on a plurality of uplink carriers based on one timing adjustment parameter transmitted by the network device. Therefore, it is ensured that the terminal device maintains a same transmit timing on the plurality of uplink carriers, uplink resources can be effectively used, and a waste of uplink resources is avoided.