Timing Advance Validation for Low-Speed Uplink Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timing advance (TA) mechanisms in communication systems are prone to delivering incorrect TAs, leading to uplink synchronization issues, high bit error rates, and interference, particularly in scenarios involving terminal movement.

Innovation Solution

A method for processing TA that involves determining the accuracy of TAs based on conditions such as absolute differences between successive TA values, terminal speed estimation, and cell location changes, allowing for the use of correct TAs to maintain uplink synchronization and reduce bit error rates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the terminal always uses the latest TA indicated by the base station, then the uplink synchronization can be maintained, but the bit error rate increases when the TA is abnormal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink synchronizationVSAvoidbit error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal feeds back speed information obtained from sensors to the TA selection mechanism. This feedback allows the system to compare the terminal's actual movement speed with the speed implied by TA changes, enabling intelligent detection of abnormal TAs and preventing their use, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining synchronization and avoiding bit errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The terminal pre-obtains speed information through sensors before making TA selection decisions. This preliminary action enables the system to proactively identify potential TA abnormalities by comparing speed data with TA variations, preventing the use of abnormal TAs before they cause bit errors, while still maintaining synchronization through careful selection of valid TAs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If the terminal detects abnormal TA and switches to previous TA, then the bit error rate decreases, but the uplink synchronization may be degraded

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebit error rateVSAvoiduplink synchronization
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses speed feedback to determine whether to switch TAs. When the feedback indicates abnormal TA (through speed discrepancy), the system switches to the previous TA to reduce bit errors. When the feedback shows normal conditions, the system uses the latest TA to maintain synchronization, thus dynamically balancing the two competing requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The TA selection mechanism is made dynamic by introducing speed-based detection and conditional switching. Instead of statically always using the latest TA or always using the previous TA, the system dynamically adapts its TA selection based on real-time speed information, optimizing both synchronization and bit error performance under different conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If the terminal uses sensor data for speed detection, then the accuracy of abnormal TA detection improves, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The terminal uses its own built-in sensors (accelerometers, gyroscopes) to obtain speed information, rather than relying on external detection systems. This self-service approach enables accurate speed measurement for TA abnormality detection without requiring additional external devices or complex infrastructure, thus improving detection accuracy while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces complex signal processing methods for TA abnormality detection with a simpler mechanical/sensor-based speed measurement approach. By using physical sensors to directly measure terminal movement and comparing this with TA-implied speed, the system achieves accurate detection with simpler mechanics rather than complex computational analysis.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP4668911A1Processing method and apparatus for timing advance (TA)
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4668911A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4668911A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4668911A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of this application provide a processing method for a time advance TA, and the method is applied to a terminal. The terminal is in a low-speed moving state. Low-speed moving includes moving with moving speed in a first speed range. The method includes: receiving a first message that is sent by a base station and that indicates a first TA; receiving, after the first message is received, a second message that is sent by the base station and that indicates a second TA; and in response to satisfying a first condition, sending an uplink signal by using the first TA to obtain an uplink transmission bit error rate satisfying a requirement. Satisfying the requirement includes: being less than a bit error rate threshold. The first condition includes: An absolute difference between the first TA and the second TA is greater than a difference threshold. Satisfying the first condition indicates that there is a possibility that the second TA is abnormal. Therefore, the first TA instead of the second TA is used to send uplink information, to obtain the uplink transmission bit error rate satisfying a requirement.