Timing Advance Group Reporting for Inter-Cell Mobility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G NR systems face challenges in efficiently managing inter-cell mobility and beam management, particularly in high-frequency bands, due to limitations in propagation delay and signal quality measurements across multiple cells, which affect handover processes and data transmission efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where a radio access network entity receives propagation delay or signal quality information from user equipment, groups cells with similar characteristics, and performs time division multiplexing for downlink and uplink transmissions based on these groups, allowing for improved timing advance group management and efficient resource allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cells are grouped based on propagation delay or signal quality for TDM scheduling, then inter-cell mobility efficiency is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments cells into multiple timing advance groups (TAGs) based on propagation delay characteristics. Each TAG contains cells with similar timing properties, allowing the network to handle inter-cell mobility more efficiently by applying group-based timing adjustments rather than individual cell management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from individual cell-level propagation delay to group-level timing characteristics. By measuring and reporting propagation delay at the TAG level rather than per-cell, the system reduces measurement precision requirements while maintaining mobility efficiency
2Productivity
If multiple timing advance groups are implemented for cell grouping, then data transmission efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple cells with similar propagation delay characteristics into single timing advance groups. This consolidation reduces the number of independent timing management entities from individual cell level to group level, improving data transmission efficiency while actually reducing device complexity through aggregation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates timing advance groups that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they enable efficient inter-cell mobility handling, facilitate TDM scheduling decisions, and provide a framework for beam management. This multi-functionality improves overall system productivity without proportionally increasing complexity
3Productivity
If TDM scheduling is performed based on cell groups, then resource allocation efficiency is improved, but scheduling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scheduling process by creating distinct timing advance groups that can be scheduled independently using time division multiplexing. This segmentation allows the scheduler to allocate resources to entire groups rather than individual cells, improving resource allocation efficiency while managing complexity through hierarchical organization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic TDM scheduling patterns where different timing advance groups are allocated specific time slots for uplink and downlink transmissions. This periodic structure simplifies scheduling complexity by establishing regular, predictable patterns rather than requiring complex real-time decisions for each cell
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects of the disclosure relate to Layer 1/Layer 2-centric inter-cell mobility systems and determining timing advance groups (TAGs) within such systems. User equipment (UE) are configured to report one or more grouping of cells to a radio access network (RAN), where the cells for each group have similar propagation delays and/or signal quality. Each reported group can be assigned to a TAG identifier (ID) by the RAN. The RAN may utilize the TAG IDs to time division multiplex uplink and/or downlink transmissions based on the TAG IDs.