Timing Advance Validation Using TDOA and Beam Signal Strength

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for validating timing advance (TA) in NR Rel-17 small data transmission (SDT) using preconfigured uplink resources (PUR) are inefficient and resource-intensive, particularly due to variations in beam measurements, leading to potential misalignment and unnecessary power consumption.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves TDOA-based and signal strength-based TA validation methods, where the UE measures the time difference of arrival (TDOA) and signal strength of serving beams to determine TA validity, using configurable thresholds to ensure reliable and efficient validation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If RRM measurement-based timing advance validation is used, then timing advance validation can be performed, but power consumption increases and measurement precision decreases due to beam measurement variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming advance validation reliabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the timing advance validation process from the traditional RRM measurement-based approach and creates a separate TDOA-based validation mechanism. By separating the validation function from general RRM measurements, the system avoids the pitfalls of beam measurement variations while maintaining validation capability, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption associated with repeated RRM measurements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical measurement-based validation system with a signal-processing-based TDOA system. Instead of relying on physical movement and traditional RRM measurements that consume power, the system uses time difference of arrival calculations from multiple beams, which are computationally more efficient and less power-intensive while providing more reliable validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If RRM measurement-based timing advance validation is used, then timing advance validation can be performed, but measurement precision decreases due to beam measurement variations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetiming advance validation reliabilityVSAvoidmeasurement precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces TDOA (time difference of arrival) as an intermediary measurement metric between the raw beam measurements and the timing advance validation decision. This intermediary approach filters out the variations caused by beam-specific factors while preserving the underlying timing information, thereby improving measurement precision for validation purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the timing advance validation mechanism universal by using TDOA calculations that work across different beam configurations and scenarios. The TDOA-based validation is not tied to specific beam characteristics, making it universally applicable and more precise than RRM measurements that vary with beam conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If TDOA-based validation with multiple beams is implemented, then validation speed increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevalidation speedVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beams and their associated timing references before validation is needed. This preparation allows the system to perform rapid TDOA calculations during actual validation by simply comparing pre-established timing relationships, thus achieving fast validation without the complexity of real-time beam management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic validation approach where the system adaptively selects and processes only the necessary beam combinations based on current validation needs. This dynamic processing reduces the effective complexity by avoiding unnecessary calculations while maintaining the capability to use multiple beams when needed for faster validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12615606B2Time difference of arrival and signal strength based timing advance validation for configured grant small data transmission

Publication Date: 2026.04.28 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to time difference of arrival and signal strength-based timing advance (TA) validation for configured grant small data transmission. A method performed by a wireless device for validating a TA comprises performing a first measurement of a time of arrival for a first beam, the first measurement being within a first duration of time; performing a second measurement of a time of arrival for a second beam, the second measurement being within a second duration of time; calculating a time difference of arrival (TDOA) magnitude of difference between the first measurement of the time of arrival for the first beam and the second measurement of the time of arrival for the second beam; comparing the TDOA magnitude of difference with a time-difference threshold; and determining whether the TA is valid based on a result of the comparing the TDOA magnitude of difference with the time-difference threshold.