Radio Access Network Node Timing Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Radio access network nodes connected to multiple parent nodes experience differing signal propagation times, leading to inconsistent reception timings, which complicates the alignment of uplink and downlink timings with child nodes.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a radio access network node to align uplink reception timings with child nodes to match downlink reception timings of parent nodes, involving determining downlink reception timings, configuring child nodes to transmit with these timings, and signaling timing offsets to ensure synchronized communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a radio access network node is connected to multiple parent nodes with different signal propagation times, then the node can maintain connections with multiple parent nodes, but the reception timings from different parent nodes become inconsistent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the uplink transmission timing of the child node based on the downlink reception timing differences from multiple parent nodes. The radio access network node determines the timing offsets and configures the child node to transmit with appropriate timing adjustments, thereby aligning the uplink reception timing with the downlink reception timing from parent nodes.
Solution Approach 2:
The radio access network node acts as an intermediary between the child node and multiple parent nodes. It receives downlink signals from parent nodes, determines the timing relationships, and configures the child node's uplink transmission timing accordingly. This intermediary function enables the child node to maintain synchronized communication with multiple parent nodes having different propagation times.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the radio access network node aligns uplink reception timing with downlink reception timing from parent nodes, then timing synchronization is improved, but the complexity of timing management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing management into distinct functional components: downlink reception timing determination, uplink transmission timing configuration, and timing offset calculation. By dividing the timing alignment process into these separate manageable tasks, the system can implement complex timing synchronization without overwhelming complexity in any single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the radio access network node monitors the timing relationships between downlink receptions from parent nodes and uplink receptions from child nodes. Based on this feedback, the node adjusts and updates the timing configurations to maintain synchronization, enabling adaptive timing management.
3Stability of the object's composition
If timing offsets are signaled to the child node to adjust transmission timing, then uplink-downlink timing alignment is achieved, but the signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by signaling timing offsets only when necessary to maintain timing alignment, rather than continuously updating all timing parameters. The system determines the minimal set of timing adjustments needed and signals only those specific offsets, reducing signaling overhead while maintaining adequate timing synchronization.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is disclosed a method that includes aligning, by a radio access network node wirelessly connected to at least two parent nodes and to a child node, an uplink reception timing associated with the child node with a downlink reception timing associated with a parent node of the at least two parent nodes.