Timing Advance Grouping for Low-Overhead Uplink Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing timing advance (TA) adjustment mechanisms in wireless communication systems, such as LTE and NR, face high signaling overheads in scenarios like low-orbit satellite communications and Massive Machine Type Communications due to rapid changes in uplink synchronization errors and large numbers of user equipment, leading to inefficiencies.

Innovation Solution

Implementing flexible TA adjustment schemes that group user equipment based on capability and geographical information, using both UE-specific and group-specific signaling to reduce unnecessary signaling and optimize TA adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional TA adjustment mechanisms are used in low-orbit satellite communications and Massive Machine Type Communications, then uplink synchronization can be maintained, but signaling overhead becomes excessively high due to rapid changes in uplink synchronization errors and large numbers of user equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink synchronizationVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments user equipment into multiple TA adjustment groups based on their geographical locations and capability information. Each group receives group-specific TA adjustment signaling instead of individual UE-specific signaling, thereby reducing the overall signaling overhead while maintaining synchronization reliability for each segment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies partial action by selectively applying UE-specific TA adjustment signaling only to user equipment that requires individualized adjustment, while applying group-specific signaling to the majority of user equipment that can share common TA parameters, thereby optimizing the balance between synchronization accuracy and signaling overhead

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

2Measurement precision

If UE-specific TA adjustment signaling is sent to all user equipment, then precise timing control is achieved, but signaling overhead increases significantly in scenarios with large numbers of devices

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming control precisionVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges TA adjustment signaling by creating group-specific TA adjustment parameters that can be applied to multiple user equipment simultaneously. This combining approach reduces the number of signaling messages needed while maintaining adequate timing control precision for grouped devices with similar characteristics

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of TA adjustment precision to different groups of user equipment based on their specific needs. User equipment in groups with similar geographical locations and characteristics receive group-specific TA adjustments, while those requiring higher precision receive UE-specific adjustments, optimizing resource allocation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If group-specific TA adjustment signaling is used, then signaling overhead is reduced, but flexibility in handling diverse communication scenarios decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling overheadVSAvoidflexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing user equipment to transition between receiving group-specific and UE-specific TA adjustment signaling based on their current communication scenarios, capability information, and synchronization requirements. This dynamic adaptation mechanism enables the system to flexibly adjust the signaling approach to match varying operational conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3909317B1Timing advance adjustment schemes in wireless communication
Publication Date: 2025.11.12 ZTE CORP
  • EP3909317B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3909317B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3909317B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for TA adjustment schemes in a wireless communication are described. A wireless communication method is provided to include transmitting, by a network device, to a user device, a timing advance (TA) signaling including one or more TA adjustment parameters, the one or more TA adjustment parameters determined partially depending on the group of the user device.