Multi-TRP Timing Advance Control With Separate TAG Alignment

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing timing advance and beam management for multi-transmission reception points (TRPs) in 5G/NR systems, particularly in scenarios where TRPs are not synchronized, leading to inefficiencies in data transmission and reception.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for user equipment (UE) to receive a second timing advance group (TAG) identifier and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, initiating a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure, and applying a timing advance (TA) command to manage multiple TRPs, including starting a time alignment timer for each TRP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If timing advance management is implemented for multi-TRP operations, then data transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to multiple TAG identifiers and time alignment timers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments timing advance management by introducing multiple TAG identifiers (first TAG ID for first TRP, second TAG ID for second TRP) and separate time alignment timers for each TRP. This segmentation allows independent timing control for each TRP, improving reliability in multi-TRP operations while managing complexity through structured organization of timing parameters

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple TAG identifiers and associated time alignment timers before multi-TRP operations begin. The UE is prepared with multiple timing advance groups and their corresponding identifiers in advance, enabling seamless switching and management when operating with multiple TRPs without requiring complex real-time calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If multiple time alignment timers are started for multiple TRPs, then synchronized timing advances are maintained improving data rates, but loss of time increases due to multiple random access procedures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata ratesVSAvoidloss of time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple TAG identifiers and associated time alignment timers before multi-TRP operations begin. The UE is prepared with multiple timing advance groups and their corresponding identifiers in advance, enabling seamless switching and management when operating with multiple TRPs without requiring complex real-time calculations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by allowing the UE to autonomously manage multiple TAG identifiers and time alignment timers based on received PDCCH orders. The UE automatically initiates CFRA procedures, applies TAC commands, and starts appropriate time alignment timers without requiring continuous network intervention, reducing signaling overhead and time loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12588056B2Timing advance management

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses for a timing advance management for multi-TRP and beam management in a wireless communication system. A method of a UE comprises: receiving, from a first BS, a second TAG ID associated with a second BS and a PDCCH order; initiating a CFRA procedure in response to receiving the PDCCH order; transmitting, to a second BS, a RA preamble; receiving, for the second BS, a TAC included in a RAR or in a MAC CE; and applying the TAC and start a second time alignment timer corresponding to the second TAG ID associated with the second BS.