Timing Advance Group Segmentation in Heterogeneous Carrier Aggregation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless network congestion in licensed spectrum due to increased mobile internet traffic and bandwidth demands, particularly in high-density areas, is exacerbated by varying signal propagation paths and limitations in current timing advance mechanisms for carrier aggregation in heterogeneous wireless networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system that allows for separate timing advance adjustments for each component carrier in carrier aggregation, using a specific timing advance index value to identify and manage multiple timing advance groups, enabling more precise synchronization and reducing propagation delays across different paths in heterogeneous networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate timing advance adjustments are implemented for each component carrier, then synchronization precision is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing advance management by creating separate timing advance groups (TAGs) for different component carriers. Each TAG can have its own timing advance value, allowing independent adjustment for each carrier group. This segmentation enables precise synchronization control for each carrier while managing complexity through organized grouping rather than completely independent management of every single carrier.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a new dimension of management by adding timing advance group identifiers and index values to the existing carrier aggregation framework. This dimensional extension allows the system to track and manage timing advances for multiple carriers without requiring a complete redesign of the base station architecture, thereby improving precision while controlling complexity growth.
2Reliability
If multiple timing advance groups are managed with separate index values, then propagation delay compensation is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The timing advance group index values serve multiple functions: they identify different timing advance groups, enable separate timing advance management for each group, and provide a compact signaling mechanism. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve reliable propagation delay compensation across multiple carriers while using an efficient, compact indexing scheme that minimizes signaling overhead compared to managing each carrier independently.
3Productivity
If carrier aggregation is used to increase bandwidth, then data throughput is improved, but timing synchronization becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments component carriers into timing advance groups, allowing the system to maintain carrier aggregation for increased throughput while managing timing synchronization through organized groups. Each TAG can be synchronized independently, reducing the overall synchronization complexity compared to managing all carriers individually while still enabling high data throughput through aggregated carriers.
Data Source
AI summary
Technology for an eNodeB operable to maintain timing advance groups (TAGs) is disclosed. The eNodeB can form a timing advance group (TAG) for one or more serving cells. The eNodeB can map each of the one or more serving cells to the TAG using signaling from the eNodeB. The eNodeB can assign a timing advance group identifier (TAG ID) to the one or more serving cells mapped to the TAG.