Timing Advance Group Mapping for Flexible 5G NR Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for improved management of timing advance groups (TAGs) in 5G NR wireless communication systems to enhance communication efficiency and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for a network entity to transmit and receive capability information and configurations of TAGs, utilizing MAC-CE or DCI for activation and mapping of TAG identifiers, enabling efficient communication based on supported TAGs, including a primary TAG associated with a primary cell.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple timing advance groups (TAGs) are configured for a user equipment (UE), then communication flexibility and network management capability are improved, but signaling overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the TAG configuration and activation into separate stages: first configuring a comprehensive set of TAGs through RRC signaling, then selectively activating only the needed subset through MAC-CE. This segmentation allows the system to maintain multiple TAGs for flexibility while reducing active configuration overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple TAGs through RRC signaling before actual communication begins. The UE receives the complete TAG configuration in advance, and then the network can quickly activate only the necessary TAGs using MAC-CE, avoiding the need to reconfigure TAGs during active communication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If capability information indicates support for a large quantity of TAGs, then network management capability is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential capability indication from the full TAG configuration. Instead of signaling all TAG parameters repeatedly, the UE only needs to indicate its maximum TAG support capability once, and the network can then efficiently manage TAGs without redundant capability signaling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary capability indication through RRC signaling to establish the maximum number of TAGs the UE supports before actual TAG activation. This preliminary action allows the network to plan efficient TAG management without needing to re-signaling capability information during operation.
3Reliability
If TAG configuration is performed through RRC signaling, then configuration completeness is improved, but activation speed and responsiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the TAG configuration process into two distinct phases: comprehensive configuration through RRC signaling (ensuring completeness) and rapid activation through MAC-CE (ensuring speed). This segmentation allows each phase to optimize for its specific requirement without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary configuration through RRC signaling to establish complete TAG definitions before activation is needed. Once this preliminary configuration is in place, the network can rapidly activate specific TAGs using MAC-CE without needing to re-transmit configuration information, thus achieving both completeness and speed.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus, methods, and computer program products for wireless communication are provided. An example method may include transmitting, to a second network entity, capability information indicative of at least one quantity of timing advance groups (TAGs) supported by the first network entity. The example method may further include receiving, from the second network entity, a configuration of a set of TAGs based on the capability information.