Timing Advance Granularity Configuration for 5G Uplink Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing timing advance (TA) granularity in LTE systems is insufficient to meet the precision requirements of 5G and future communications systems, where various subcarrier spacings and cyclic prefix types necessitate more precise timing adjustments to ensure synchronized uplink signal arrival at network devices.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that determine TA information based on correspondence between parameter sets and TA granularities, allowing for adjustable TA values and adjustment ranges specific to each parameter set, enabling precise timing adjustments by grouping frequency domain resources into timing advance groups (TAGs) and configuring bandwidth parts with space direction information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed TA granularity of 16 Ts is used in LTE systems, then the system maintains simplicity and compatibility, but the timing precision is insufficient to meet the requirements of 5G and future communications systems with multiple subcarrier spacings and cyclic prefix types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the TA granularity configurable rather than fixed. The network device can dynamically select different TA granularities (e.g., 16 Ts, 8 Ts, 4 Ts, 2 Ts, or 1 Ts) based on the specific parameter set being used, allowing the system to adapt its precision requirements to match the operational context while maintaining backward compatibility with LTE systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements parameter changes by introducing a configurable TA granularity parameter that varies according to the parameter set (subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix type combinations). This allows the system to adjust the TA precision parameter to match different 5G numerologies, transitioning from the fixed 16 Ts granularity in LTE to flexible granularity values in 5G systems
2Measurement precision
If different TA granularities are configured for different parameter sets, then the timing precision requirement is met, but the complexity of TA management and configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the correspondence between parameter sets and TA granularities. The network device determines the appropriate TA granularity in advance based on the configured parameter set (subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix type), so that when timing advance adjustments are needed, the system can directly apply the pre-determined granularity without complex real-time calculations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages configuration complexity through parameter changes by establishing a systematic relationship between parameter sets and TA granularities. Each parameter set (combination of subcarrier spacing and cyclic prefix type) is associated with a specific TA granularity, creating a lookup-based configuration approach that simplifies management while ensuring appropriate precision for each scenario
Data Source
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AI summary
A timing advance determining method and a device are provided. In the method, a network device determines, based on a correspondence between a parameter set and a TA granularity, TA information used by a terminal on an occupied frequency domain resource, where the parameter set includes a subcarrier spacing and a cyclic prefix type of a symbol; the network device sends the TA information to the terminal; and the terminal determines, based on the correspondence between a parameter set and a TA granularity, a TA granularity corresponding to the frequency domain resource occupied by the terminal, and determines, based on the TA granularity and the TA information, a TA value used by the terminal on the occupied frequency domain resource.