Terminal Timing Control for Asynchronous Inter-FR Carrier Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Higher frequency bands in wireless communication systems, such as those above 100 GHz, are not suitable for maintaining stable connections due to their tendency to travel in straight lines and high propagation loss of radio waves, leading to issues with timing differences and detection errors.

Innovation Solution

Implementing asynchronous inter-FR carrier aggregation (CA) that allows for stable communication by using a combination of higher and lower frequency bands, with flexible timing adjustments and reporting mechanisms to handle misaligned slot borders.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If higher frequency bands (100 GHz or above) are used for wireless communication, then data transmission speed and capacity are improved, but propagation loss increases and connection stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission speedVSAvoidconnection stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple bands (first frequency band and second frequency band) and assigns different functions to each. The lower first frequency band is used for maintaining stable connections and control signaling, while the higher second frequency band is used for high-speed data transmission. This segmentation allows the system to simultaneously achieve both stability and high throughput by utilizing the complementary characteristics of different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a multi-functional carrier aggregation system where multiple frequency bands serve multiple purposes. The lower frequency band provides reliable control channels and connection maintenance, while the higher frequency band provides high-capacity data channels. The system can dynamically allocate resources across both bands based on channel conditions, making the communication system universally adaptable to different transmission requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If carrier aggregation is implemented between different frequency bands, then communication capacity is improved, but timing differences and detection errors increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidtiming precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the timing parameters by introducing flexible timing adjustments and reporting mechanisms that accommodate misaligned slot borders between different frequency bands. Instead of requiring strict synchronization, the system allows for configurable timing differences and uses feedback mechanisms to adjust timing information dynamically, thereby maintaining measurement precision despite the asynchronous operation of different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If strict timing synchronization is enforced between carriers, then detection accuracy is improved, but system flexibility and adaptability are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic timing adjustment mechanisms that allow the system to adapt timing parameters in real-time based on actual channel conditions. Instead of fixed strict synchronization, the system dynamically adjusts timing information through feedback loops, enabling it to maintain detection accuracy while being flexible enough to handle varying propagation conditions and misaligned slot borders between different frequency bands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4102908B1Terminal and communication method
Publication Date: 2026.04.15 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4102908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4102908B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4102908B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal includes a receiving unit configured to receive downlink control information in a first carrier, and to receive, based on the downlink control information, data via a downlink shared channel in a second carrier, wherein a frame border timing difference between the first carrier and the second carrier, exceeds a predetermined time range, a transmitting unit configured to transmit, via an uplink control channel in the first carrier, HARQ (hybrid automatic repeat request) information corresponding to the downlink shared channel, and a control unit configured to control reception timing of the downlink shared channel and transmission timing of the uplink control channel.