NTN Repetition Segmentation for Timing Advance Synchronization

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In non-terrestrial networks (NTN), the accumulation of timing advance (TA) errors due to mobility of network devices leads to out-of-synchronized communication, particularly in IoT systems with low signal-to-noise ratios, affecting communication efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A communication method that determines repetition segment duration based on the beam elevation angle of the terminal device, using a mapping relationship to ensure synchronization, and adjusts repetition segment durations to accommodate timing advance errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the maximum allowed time-continuous transmission duration is increased to improve communication efficiency, then the transmission duration is extended, but the accumulated TA error increases causing out-of-synchronized communication

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the continuous transmission duration into multiple repetition segments. Each segment has a limited duration that does not exceed the maximum allowed time-continuous transmission duration, preventing excessive TA error accumulation. The transmission is segmented into segments with durations T1, T2, ..., TN where each Ti ≤ T_max, allowing the system to maintain synchronization while achieving extended total transmission time through multiple segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the repetition segment duration is extended to improve signal-to-noise ratio, then the transmission reliability is improved, but the accumulated timing advance error increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal-to-noise ratioVSAvoidaccumulated timing advance error
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts the repetition segment duration based on the beam elevation angle of the terminal device. Different beam elevation angles map to different repetition segment durations through a predefined mapping relationship. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize the balance between transmission reliability (signal-to-noise ratio) and timing accuracy for different spatial conditions, preventing excessive TA error accumulation in specific geometric configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4401478B1Communication method and apparatus
Publication Date: 2026.03.25 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4401478B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4401478B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4401478B1 patent drawingFigure 6~7

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a communication method. The method may include: receiving indication information, where the indication information indicates a first repetition segment duration, the first repetition segment duration is determined based on a first mapping relationship and a current beam elevation angle of a terminal device, and the first mapping relationship includes a correspondence between a beam elevation angle and repetition segment durations; and determining the first repetition segment duration based on the indication information and the first mapping relationship. According to the method, the repetition segment duration of a current information transmission is determined based on a beam elevation angle of the terminal device. This avoids out-of-synchronized communication due to an excessively large accumulated timing advance error caused by a communication device, so that communication efficiency is improved.