Timing Advance Command in Random Access Response for Mobile-Terminated Early Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LTE networks lack efficient solutions for secure and reliable mobile-terminated early data transmission (MT EDT) with reduced signaling between user equipment (UE) and network nodes, particularly for Machine-Type Communications (MTC) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) devices, which increases power consumption and latency.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of novel techniques that include a timing advance (TA) command in the random access (RA) response message (Msg2) for timing alignment, along with downlink user data or scheduling information, to facilitate efficient MT EDT, reducing the need for extensive signaling and improving UE power management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional LTE procedures are used for mobile-terminated data transmission, then reliability is maintained through established protocols, but signaling requirements increase and latency is elevated
Solution Approach 1:
The network node performs timing advance calculation and includes TA command in the RA response message in advance, before the UE needs to transmit uplink data. This preliminary timing alignment enables the UE to immediately transmit data in the next available uplink opportunity without additional timing adjustment procedures, reducing latency while maintaining transmission reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the RA response message (Msg2): it carries both the timing advance command and the downlink data or scheduling information. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate signaling messages required, decreasing signaling overhead and transmission latency while maintaining reliable data delivery.
2Measurement precision
If extensive signaling is used for timing alignment and data transmission, then timing accuracy is improved, but UE power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RA response message is designed to serve multiple purposes simultaneously: it provides timing alignment (TA command) and delivers downlink data or scheduling information. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of messages the UE must process and respond to, thereby reducing power consumption while maintaining timing alignment accuracy through the included TA command.
3Reliability
If multiple separate messages are exchanged for timing alignment and data delivery, then signaling completeness is ensured, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the TA command and downlink data/scheduling information into a single RA response message (Msg2). This consolidation maintains signaling completeness by ensuring both timing alignment and data delivery are accomplished in one reliable message exchange, while significantly reducing signaling overhead by eliminating the need for separate messages.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments include methods for a user equipment (UE) to receive downlink user data from a wireless network. Such methods include receiving, from a network node in the wireless network, a paging message indicating that downlink user data is available for the UE, and transmitting a random-access (RA) preamble to the network node. Such methods include receiving, from the network node, a response to the RA preamble, the response including a timing advance (TA) command for timing alignment of a subsequent transmission by the UE, and either the downlink user data or scheduling information pertaining to the downlink user data. Other embodiments include complementary methods performed by a network node, as well as UEs and network nodes configured to perform such methods.