Timing Advance Validation for Inactive UE Small Data Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing technologies face challenges in validating Timing Advance (TA) for User Equipment (UE) in an inactive state to support Small Data Transmissions (SDT) due to mobility conditions and beam-based operations in New Radio (NR), as RSRP-based validation criteria are insufficient.
Innovation Solution
A solution involving TA validation configuration information is provided, which includes configuring TA validation parameters based on downlink reference beams and CG resources, allowing UE to verify TA validity before transmitting data packets, ensuring valid TA conditions are met.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If TA timers or RSRP-based validation are used for TA validation in inactive state, then the validation process is simplified, but TA misalignment occurs due to mobility conditions and beam-based operations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the validation parameter from RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) to RI (Reference Signal Indication) based on SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) beam information. The network configures multiple SSB beams with different RI values, and the UE validates TA by checking which SSB beam it can successfully receive and decode, rather than measuring power levels. This parameter change makes the validation more reliable under mobility conditions while maintaining manageable complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the validation process into multiple SSB beam measurements. Instead of a single RSRP measurement, the network provides configuration for multiple SSB beams (different spatial directions), and the UE performs separate validation checks for each beam. This segmentation allows the system to handle beam-based operations more effectively and maintain TA alignment accuracy even when UE mobility causes rapid channel changes.
2Reliability
If multiple SSB beams are configured for TA validation, then TA alignment accuracy is improved, but device complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network performs preliminary configuration by providing the UE with a list of SSB beam indices and their corresponding RI values before the UE needs to validate TA. This preliminary action allows the UE to simply compare its received SSB beam index against the pre-configured list, rather than performing complex real-time calculations. The heavy lifting is done in advance by the network, reducing real-time processing complexity at the UE.
Solution Approach 2:
The UE autonomously determines which SSB beam it is receiving by identifying the beam index from the synchronization procedure, then self-validates its TA status by checking this index against the pre-configured SSB beam list provided by the network. This self-service approach eliminates the need for continuous network assistance or complex coordinated validation, reducing processing overhead while maintaining accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to Timing Advance validation for Small Data Transmissions. A first device includes at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program codes; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program codes are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: receive TA validation configuration information associated with one or more downlink reference beams for an inactive state of the first device from a second device, select a CG resource to transmit a data packet to the second device based on a CG resource configuration for small data transmissions of the first device, and verify, based at least on the TA validation configuration information and the selected CG resource, TA validity of the first device.