Propagation Delay Determination Using RTT and Timing Advance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in accurately determining propagation delay between user equipment and access points, particularly in scenarios where Timing Advance mechanisms are not sufficiently accurate, leading to potential inter-symbol interference and synchronization issues.
Innovation Solution
The system employs a combination of Round Trip Time (RTT) and Timing Advance mechanisms to determine propagation delay, where RTT-based measurements provide more accurate values but with higher signaling overhead, and Timing Advance is used for interim adjustments, allowing for flexible configuration of uplink and downlink reference signals to minimize receive-transmit measurements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If RTT-based measurements are used to determine propagation delay, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the propagation delay measurement process into two distinct mechanisms: RTT-based measurements for high accuracy requirements and Timing Advance-based measurements for routine updates. This segmentation allows the system to use the more complex RTT mechanism only when necessary, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall signaling overhead and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using RTT-based measurements selectively rather than continuously. The system performs RTT measurements only when propagation delay accuracy requirements are high or when Timing Advance measurements are insufficient, while relying on the simpler Timing Advance mechanism for routine propagation delay tracking, thus reducing unnecessary signaling overhead.
2Measurement precision
If RTT-based measurements are used to determine propagation delay, then measurement precision is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the measurement energy consumption into two segments: low-energy Timing Advance-based measurements for routine operation and high-energy RTT-based measurements only when accuracy is critical. This segmentation significantly reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining measurement precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs energy-intensive RTT measurements only partially and selectively based on accuracy requirements, rather than continuously. This partial action approach ensures that energy is consumed only when necessary for high-precision propagation delay determination, while routine measurements use the energy-efficient Timing Advance mechanism.
3Device complexity
If Timing Advance mechanism is used for propagation delay determination, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces RTT-based measurements as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between the simple Timing Advance mechanism and the requirement for high measurement precision. When Timing Advance provides insufficient accuracy, the system introduces RTT measurements to bridge the gap, thereby maintaining device simplicity while improving measurement precision when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies Timing Advance mechanism for partial measurement needs (routine propagation delay tracking) and supplements it with RTT measurements only when excessive precision is required. This partial use of the simple mechanism combined with selective use of the precise mechanism resolves the contradiction between device complexity and measurement precision.
4Reliability
If frequent propagate delay measurements are performed, then reliability of synchronization is improved, but use of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the measurement frequency into two levels: frequent low-energy Timing Advance measurements for continuous synchronization monitoring and less frequent but more accurate RTT measurements for reliability verification. This segmentation maintains synchronization reliability while reducing overall energy consumption compared to frequent high-precision measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs measurements at partial frequency using the energy-efficient Timing Advance mechanism, supplementing with full-precision RTT measurements only when synchronization reliability requires verification. This partial measurement approach maintains reliability while minimizing energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a method, computer program and apparatus for causing an access point to: signal, to a user equipment, first and second configurations for determining respective propagation delays; receive, from the user equipment, an indication of at least one measurement associated with the first and second configurations; determine at least one of an accuracy and a reliability of the second propagation delay mechanism using the received at least one indication of at least one measurement; determine whether to modify the first and/or second configuration in dependence on the determined accuracy and/or reliability; and when it is determined to modify the first and/or second configuration, signal the modified first and/or second configuration to the user equipment.