Multi-TRP Uplink Timing Advance Groups for Accurate Alignment

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing multiple timing advances for uplink transmissions to multiple transmission reception points, particularly in determining appropriate timing advance values and reference timings for efficient communication.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of timing advance groups (TAGs) for uplink communications with multiple TRPs, utilizing intra-frequency TAGs with distinct timing advance values and shared or separate HARQ buffers, along with mechanisms for associating TAGs with UL transmissions through TCI states and CORESET pools, to manage timing alignment and HARQ operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single timing advance value is used for uplink transmissions to multiple TRPs, then device complexity is reduced, but uplink timing alignment accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming advance management complexityVSAvoiduplink timing alignment accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the timing advance management into multiple independent timing advance groups (TAGs), where each TAG is associated with specific TRPs and uses dedicated timing advance values. This segmentation allows precise timing alignment for each TRP while keeping the management structure organized and manageable through grouping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension of organization by associating TAGs with specific TRPs through spatial or functional grouping. This dimensional approach allows the system to manage multiple timing advance values without linearly increasing complexity, as the TAG structure provides a hierarchical layer between individual TRPs and the UE.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple separate HARQ buffers are allocated for each TRP, then uplink transmission reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink transmission reliabilityVSAvoidHARQ buffer management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges HARQ buffer management at the TAG level rather than requiring completely separate buffers for each TRP. By associating HARQ processes with TAGs, the system achieves reliable independent HARQ operations for different TRP groups while reducing overall buffer management complexity through the shared TAG structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The TAG structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it manages timing advance values, organizes HARQ buffer allocation, and associates uplink transmissions with specific TRPs. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated structures for each function, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If timing advance values are frequently updated for each TRP, then uplink timing alignment accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink timing alignment accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines timing advance management for multiple TRPs into TAG structures, allowing timing advance values to be updated and managed at the TAG level rather than individually for each TRP. This reduces signaling overhead while maintaining timing alignment accuracy through the grouped management approach.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Measurement precision

If multiple timing advance groups with distinct timing advance values are implemented, then uplink timing alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink timing alignment accuracyVSAvoidtiming advance group management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments timing advance management into multiple independent TAGs, each with dedicated timing advance values for specific TRPs. This segmentation improves timing alignment accuracy by allowing TRP-specific timing adjustments while organizing the complexity into manageable groups rather than unstructured individual TRP management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20260075551A1Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enabling multiple timing advances for multiple transmission reception points in wireless communication

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 APPLE INC

AI summary

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for enabling multiple timing advances (TAs) for multiple transmission reception points (TRPs) are disclosed herein. In embodiments, a UE may perform timing advance group (TAG) association for different uplink (UL) transmissions for mTRP use, where a pair of inter-frequency TAGs respectively corresponding to a pair of TRPs is used by the UE for determining TAs for UL transmissions to each TRP. In embodiments, a UE performs downlink (DL) reference timing determinations for two TAs for mTRP use, with such determinations being based on one or more aspects of one or more active transmission configuration indicators (TCI) usable for UL at the UE. In embodiments, a UE handles cases of overlapped UL transmissions on two respective UL panels due to the use of two TAs corresponding to a pair of TRPs. Network behavior and signaling corresponding to these aspects is also discussed.