NTN UE Timing Advance Adjustment for Propagation Delay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems, particularly in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), face challenges in accurately adjusting transmission timing to compensate for propagation delays and node position updates, leading to potential interference and errors in uplink transmissions.
Innovation Solution
A method implemented in user equipment (UE) that gradually adjusts timing advance (TA) in response to transmission timing errors, using a combination of network-controlled common TA values and UE-specific TA calculations to ensure accurate uplink timing alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If transmission timing is adjusted to compensate for propagation delays and node position updates, then uplink timing alignment is improved, but transmission timing errors and interference may occur due to sudden large adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment by transitioning from static timing advance values to dynamically adjusted TA values. The network controller gradually updates TA values based on real-time propagation delay changes and node position updates, allowing the system to adapt to changing conditions without causing sudden timing shifts that would lead to interference or transmission errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing gradual timing adjustment in advance of potential timing errors. The network controller proactively updates TA values based on predicted propagation delay changes and node position updates, preventing timing misalignment before it occurs rather than correcting it after interference has happened.
2Loss of time
If sudden large timing adjustments are made to correct transmission timing errors, then timing alignment is restored quickly, but interference and errors in uplink transmissions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements beforehand cushioning by applying gradual timing adjustments that buffer against sudden timing shifts. The network controller increments or decrements TA values in small steps rather than making large sudden changes, cushioning the transition and preventing the harmful interference that would result from abrupt timing corrections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing correction process by using gradual TA updates instead of fixed sudden corrections. This dynamic approach allows the system to restore timing alignment while minimizing interference, adapting the correction speed and magnitude to current transmission conditions.
3Measurement precision
If propagation delay adjustment and network-controlled common TA value are used, then basic timing synchronization is achieved, but residual timing errors remain that exceed threshold requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by continuously monitoring transmission timing errors and using this information to adjust TA values. The network controller receives feedback about timing errors exceeding thresholds and responds by incrementally adjusting TA values to eliminate the residual errors, creating a closed-loop control system that progressively improves timing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service timing adjustment by automatically detecting timing errors and correcting them through gradual TA updates without requiring external intervention. The network controller autonomously monitors timing alignment and adjusts TA values to maintain precision within threshold requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
In an aspect of the disclosure, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus at a user equipment (UE) in a non-terrestrial network (NTN) are provided. The UE may be configured to receive one or more timing advance (TA) commands from an NTN. In response to a transmission timing error between a transmission TA of the UE and a reference timing exceeding a threshold, the UE may be configured to transmit an uplink transmission with a timing change having a total timing adjustment, other than a propagation delay adjustment due to an NTN node position update and a network-controlled common TA value, that satisfies one or more threshold requirements.