Timing Advance Loop Grouping via Adaptive Beam Switching

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-TRP scenarios, existing technologies face challenges in determining whether a single or multiple timing advance (TA) loops are suitable for aligning uplink transmissions, leading to potential performance degradation due to varying propagation delays among different transmission reception points (TRPs).

Innovation Solution

A user equipment (UE) dynamically adjusts its antenna system from a wide beam configuration to a narrow beam configuration to measure downlink reference signals, determining if the time delay and delay spread meet certain criteria, allowing for grouping uplink signals into a single or multiple TA loops based on these measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a wide beam configuration is used to receive downlink reference signals from multiple network nodes, then the coverage area and signal reception capability are improved, but the measurement precision of time delay and delay spread deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidtime delay measurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the beam configuration changeable based on measurement requirements. The antenna system dynamically switches between wide beam configuration (for initial signal reception and coverage) and narrow beam configuration (for precise time delay measurement). This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to have both wide coverage capability and precise measurement capability at different stages of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the measurement process into two distinct phases: initial signal acquisition phase using wide beam configuration, and precise measurement phase using narrow beam configuration. This segmentation allows each phase to use the appropriate beam width for its specific purpose, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage area and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If multiple timing advance loops are configured to handle different propagation delays, then the synchronization accuracy for each network node is improved, but the device complexity and configuration overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidtiming advance loop configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses feedback mechanisms where the UE measures time delays and delay spreads from multiple network nodes, compares these measurements against threshold criteria, and based on the results, determines whether to configure one or multiple timing advance loops. This feedback-driven decision process optimizes the configuration by avoiding unnecessary multiple TA loops when a single loop suffices, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining synchronization accuracy when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of timing advance loop configuration (from fixed multiple to dynamic single/multiple) based on measured parameters (time delay and delay spread). By adjusting the number of TA loops according to actual propagation conditions, the system achieves high synchronization accuracy only when necessary, thereby reducing overall device complexity and configuration overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If narrow beam configuration is used to improve measurement precision, then the time delay measurement accuracy is improved, but the signal reception capability and coverage area deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime delay measurement accuracyVSAvoidsignal reception coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary signal reception and cell identification using wide beam configuration before switching to narrow beam configuration for precise measurements. This preliminary action ensures that the UE first establishes signal connectivity and then optimizes measurement accuracy, thereby resolving the contradiction between coverage and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12550085B2Timing advance loops

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

Example embodiments may relate to an apparatus, method and/or computer program for managing timing advance loops. The method may comprise receiving, at a user equipment from a plurality of network nodes, respective downlink reference signals, wherein an antenna system of the user equipment receives the downlink reference signals using a wide beam configuration. The method may also comprise performing measurements on the received downlink reference signals to determine a parameter and for determining that the parameter does not meet a predetermined criteria. Based on the parameter not meeting the predetermined criteria, the method may comprise configuring the antenna system such that at least one of the downlink reference signals is received using a narrow beam configuration. The method may involve re-performing the measurements on downlink reference signals from the plurality of network nodes. Based on the parameter meeting the predetermined criteria, it may be determined that transmission of candidate uplink signals, from the user equipment to the at least one of the plurality of network nodes, can be grouped into one timing advance loop.