Timing Advance Resource Management in 5G Handovers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless networking technologies face challenges in efficiently managing timing advance (TA) during handovers in 5G NR networks, particularly in ensuring seamless connectivity and optimal resource allocation for user equipment (UE) across different cells, leading to potential disruptions and inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a user equipment apparatus that establishes connections with control and distributed network nodes to receive and manage TA cell configurations, including contention-free random access (CFRA) configurations, timers, and random access responses, enabling the UE to acquire and maintain timing advance values for candidate target cells before and after handovers, ensuring efficient resource allocation and reduced disruption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional timing advance management methods are used during handovers in 5G NR networks, then the handover process can be completed, but connectivity disruptions and resource allocation inefficiencies occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring timing advance values for candidate target cells before the handover is actually executed. The network node provides TA configurations for multiple candidate cells in advance, allowing the UE to have TA values ready prior to handover, thus eliminating the need for random access procedures during handover and reducing connectivity disruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by allowing the network to dynamically configure and update TA values for candidate target cells based on current network conditions and UE measurements. The TA configurations can be updated as the UE moves and as handover candidates change, ensuring optimal TA values are available when needed.
2Productivity
If timing advance values are acquired through random access procedures during handover, then TA can be obtained, but resource allocation inefficiencies and increased handover latency occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates random access procedures during handover by providing TA configurations in advance through RRC signaling. The network node includes TA values for candidate target cells in the handover command or measurement configuration, allowing the UE to acquire TA values immediately without waiting for random access responses.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the TA acquisition process from the random access procedure by providing TA values directly through higher layer signaling. This separates the TA acquisition function from the random access mechanism, allowing TA to be obtained independently and in advance of the actual handover execution.
3Reliability
If multiple TA cell configurations are managed for candidate target cells, then connectivity reliability during handover is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by using a unified RRC signaling mechanism to convey TA configurations for multiple candidate target cells. The same signaling structures and procedures used for measurement configuration and handover commands are leveraged to transport TA information, avoiding the need for separate dedicated TA management protocols.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously select and apply the appropriate TA value from the configured candidate cells based on current measurements and network indications. The UE independently determines which candidate cell is the actual target and applies the corresponding TA configuration without requiring additional network coordination.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment apparatus (UE) includes processor(s) and memory storing instructions. The instructions, when executed by the processor(s), cause the UE at least to, establish a connection with a control network node via a serving cell, where the serving cell is supported by a source network node; receive, from the control network node and/or the source network node, timing advance (TA) cell configurations for a set of timing advance (TA) cells, where the TA cell configurations include a TA-associated random access (RA) configuration, where the set of TA cells includes first TA cells that include candidate target cells with which the UE may connect and/or other TA cells which are requested by at candidate target cells and which the UE may connect with in case the UE connects with the one of the candidate target cells; and acquire TA for the TA cell based on the TA-associated RA configuration.