Timing Advance Indicators for Multi-Hop Wireless Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication technologies, such as LTE and NR, face challenges in achieving adequate timing synchronization for multi-hop networks and device capabilities, leading to inadequate positioning accuracy and reduced network hop support due to the limitations of single-type timing advance indicators for different connections and device capabilities.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of distinct timing advance indicators for backhaul and access connections, with enhanced bit quantity, granularity, and error requirements, allows for improved timing configuration accuracy and synchronization across wireless nodes, enabling increased network hop support and positioning precision.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single-type timing advance indicator is used for all connections, then device complexity is reduced, but timing synchronization accuracy deteriorates for multi-hop networks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming advance indicator structureVSAvoidtiming synchronization accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the timing advance indicator into two distinct types: first-type timing advance indicators for access connections and second-type timing advance indicators for backhaul connections. This segmentation allows each indicator type to be optimized for its specific connection type, with the second-type indicator providing enhanced bit quantity and granularity for multi-hop backhaul connections, thereby resolving the contradiction between device complexity and timing synchronization accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring different timing advance indicator characteristics for different connection types. Specifically, second-type timing advance indicators used in backhaul connections have enhanced properties (greater bit quantity, finer granularity) compared to first-type indicators used in access connections. This localized optimization ensures high timing synchronization accuracy for multi-hop networks without unnecessarily increasing complexity for all device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If enhanced bit quantity and granularity are used for timing advance indicators, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming configuration accuracyVSAvoidtiming advance indicator structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying enhanced timing advance indicator characteristics (greater bit quantity, finer granularity) only where needed - specifically for second-type timing advance indicators in backhaul connections. First-type indicators for access connections maintain simpler structures. This localized enhancement improves timing configuration accuracy for multi-hop networks without unnecessarily increasing device complexity across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes key parameters of the timing advance indicator - specifically increasing bit quantity and improving granularity - but applies these parameter changes selectively to second-type indicators for backhaul connections. This parameter optimization enables higher timing configuration accuracy for multi-hop networks while controlling overall device complexity through selective application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If single-type timing advance indicators are used, then ease of operation is maintained, but positioning accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming advance configurationVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments timing advance indicators into first-type and second-type indicators with distinct characteristics. Second-type indicators provide enhanced precision for positioning-critical backhaul connections through greater bit quantity and finer granularity, while first-type indicators maintain simplicity for access connections. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing differentiated precision where needed without complicating overall operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by configuring enhanced timing advance indicator properties specifically for backhaul connections where positioning accuracy is critical. First-type indicators for access connections maintain simpler structures. This localized precision enhancement improves positioning accuracy in multi-hop networks without unnecessarily complicating the timing advance configuration for all device types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Adaptability or versatility

If distinct timing advance indicators are implemented for different connections, then network hop support is increased, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork hop supportVSAvoidtiming advance indicator management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments timing advance indicators into specialized first-type and second-type indicators, with second-type indicators designed specifically to support multi-hop backhaul connections. This segmentation enables the network to support more hops by providing appropriate timing precision for each connection type, while the clear differentiation between indicator types actually simplifies management compared to a single complex indicator system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal timing advance indicator framework where two indicator types serve different connection functions. First-type indicators handle access connections while second-type indicators handle backhaul connections, including multi-hop scenarios. This multi-functional approach increases network hop support capability while maintaining manageable device complexity through clear role differentiation and standardized procedures for each indicator type.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3808139B1Timing advance indication
Publication Date: 2023.12.27 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3808139B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3808139B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3808139B1 patent drawingFigure 3A

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a first wireless node may receive, from a second wireless node, a first type of timing advance indicator, wherein the first type of timing advance indicator is associated with a first type of connection associated with a first group of wireless nodes, of a network, that includes the first wireless node and the second wireless node and is different from a second type of timing advance indicator used for a second type of connection associated with a second group of wireless nodes of the network. In some aspects, the first wireless node may synchronize a timing configuration of the first wireless node based at least in part on the first type of timing advance indicator. Numerous other aspects are provided.