NTN Random Access Timing Advance Segmentation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in supporting explosive data traffic, high transmission rates, a large number of connected devices, low latency, and energy efficiency, particularly in non-terrestrial networks (NTN) where satellite communication is involved, due to complexities in timing advance and orbit information management.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for performing a random access procedure in a wireless communication system using a non-terrestrial network (NTN) that involves receiving configuration information for adjusting satellite orbits and determining terminal-specific timing advance (TA) values based on location and common TA information, enabling accurate satellite orbit signaling and stable uplink transmission/reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If satellite orbit information is adjusted to improve uplink transmission accuracy, then timing precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing advance value is segmented into two independent components: a common TA value that applies to all terminals in the satellite coverage area, and a terminal-specific TA value that is calculated individually based on terminal location and satellite ephemeris. This segmentation allows the system to maintain high timing precision while reducing overall complexity by separating universal adjustments from individual adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The satellite ephemeris information and common TA value are pre-configured and provided to terminals before the random access procedure begins. This preliminary provision of orbital information enables terminals to calculate their terminal-specific TA values in advance, improving timing precision for uplink transmissions without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the access procedure.
2Reliability
If terminal-specific TA values are calculated based on location and orbit information, then uplink transmission stability is improved, but processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite ephemeris information serves multiple functions simultaneously: it enables timing synchronization for random access transmissions, provides a basis for calculating terminal-specific TA values, and supports uplink transmission timing adjustments. This multi-functionality improves uplink stability while avoiding the need for separate processing systems for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
Terminals autonomously calculate their own terminal-specific TA values using the pre-provided satellite ephemeris information and their own location data. This self-service approach allows each terminal to improve its uplink transmission stability without requiring complex network-side processing or coordination, thereby reducing overall processing requirements.
3Measurement precision
If configuration information for satellite orbit adjustment is provided, then random access accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The satellite ephemeris information and common TA value are extracted from the detailed satellite orbit adjustment configuration and provided to terminals as essential configuration information. By extracting only the most critical orbital parameters needed for timing calculation, the system achieves high random access accuracy while minimizing signaling overhead by excluding redundant orbital details.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A method and an apparatus for performing a random access procedure in a wireless communication system are disclosed. A method of performing a random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include receiving, from a base station, configuration information for providing information needed for the terminal to access the wireless communication system via a non-terrestrial network (NTN) including a satellite, wherein the configuration information includes first information for adjusting an orbit of the satellite and second information on common timing advance (TA); and determining a terminal-specific TA value for the terminal based on a location of the terminal and the configuration information; and transmitting, to the base station, a first message for the random access procedure at a timing determined based on the terminal-specific TA value and a common TA value derived from the second information.