Numerology-Specific Timing Advance Granularity for Wireless Uplink
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Solution Overview
Problem
In wireless communication technologies like 4G/LTE and 5G/NR, the fixed timing advance granularity based on 15 kHz subcarrier spacing leads to timing errors for different numerologies such as 30 kHz or 60 kHz, compromising cyclic prefix length and performance, especially for higher modulation and coding schemes and stringent packet error rate requirements.
Innovation Solution
Determining a timing value for the timing advance command based on the numerology used for communications between a UE and a base station, allowing different timing offsets for different numerologies, thereby reducing timing errors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed timing advance granularity based on 15 kHz subcarrier spacing is used, then the system maintains simplicity and compatibility with legacy LTE, but timing errors occur for different numerologies such as 30 kHz or 60 kHz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic timing advance granularity selection by determining the subcarrier spacing numerology and applying the corresponding timing advance value (16*Ts for 15 kHz, 8*Ts for 30 kHz, 4*Ts for 60 kHz). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to switch between different timing advance configurations based on the active numerology, achieving accurate timing alignment for all numerologies while maintaining a unified control mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the timing advance parameter (granularity) based on the subcarrier spacing numerology. By defining different timing advance values corresponding to different numerologies (15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz), the system achieves precise timing alignment for each numerology type. This parameter adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining legacy compatibility and achieving accuracy for new numerologies.
2Measurement precision
If different timing advance values are implemented for different numerologies, then timing alignment accuracy improves, but the control mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements parameter changes by defining specific timing advance values for different subcarrier spacing numerologies. The UE determines the applicable timing advance granularity based on the numerology (16*Ts for 15 kHz, 8*Ts for 30 kHz, 4*Ts for 60 kHz) and applies the corresponding value. This approach achieves high timing offset accuracy while managing complexity through a systematic parameter mapping.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically selects the appropriate timing advance granularity based on the active numerology. The UE monitors the subcarrier spacing configuration and automatically adjusts the timing advance calculation accordingly. This dynamic behavior achieves precise timing alignment without requiring complex manual configuration or multiple independent control mechanisms.
3Reliability
If a unified timing advance value is used for all numerologies, then the control mechanism remains simple, but cyclic prefix length and performance are compromised for higher modulation and coding schemes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by defining distinct timing advance values for different numerologies to ensure reliable uplink transmission. For 15 kHz numerology, 16*Ts is used; for 30 kHz, 8*Ts; and for 60 kHz, 4*Ts. This numerology-specific parameter configuration ensures that timing alignment accuracy meets the stringent requirements of higher modulation and coding schemes, thereby improving uplink transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adapts the timing advance granularity to match the active numerology, ensuring that the timing alignment precision is always appropriate for the current transmission requirements. This dynamic adaptation mechanism ensures high reliability for diverse service types (eMBB, URLLC) while maintaining a unified control framework that manages complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a timing advance (TA) command that includes a timing value for calculating a timing offset to be applied to adjust a timing of an uplink transmission; determine a numerology to be used to calculate the timing offset from the timing value; and calculate the timing offset using the timing value and the numerology, wherein the timing value corresponds to different timing offsets for different numerologies. Numerous other aspects are provided.