Timing Advance Update via Simplified Random Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of the Internet of Things (IoT) using the new radio (NR) system, the traditional timing advance (TA) setting process in LTE systems is inefficient due to significant signaling overheads and power wastage, especially when the wireless environment changes or a client moves, requiring frequent random access processes to update the TA, which complicates power saving and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
A method and device for advanced TA setting, where a client detects an expired TA and sends a random access signal to the base station to re-configure a new TA, allowing data transmission to proceed directly using pre-allocated unlicensed resources, thereby simplifying the random access process and conserving power by avoiding unnecessary resource waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the traditional random access process is used to update TA when the wireless environment changes or user moves, then the TA can be updated accurately, but the signaling overhead increases and power is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by allowing the base station to autonomously determine whether TA update is necessary based on pre-configured triggering conditions (such as uplink data arrival, TA expiration, or channel quality thresholds). When conditions are met, the base station initiates the random access procedure to update TA without requiring full client involvement, thereby reducing client power consumption while maintaining TA accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of TA validity by introducing a pre-configured TA validity duration and expiration threshold. The base station monitors whether the current TA has expired or met update conditions, and only initiates random access when necessary. This parameter-based control reduces unnecessary TA updates, lowering signaling overhead and power consumption while preserving measurement precision when updates are truly needed.
2Reliability
If the random access process is performed frequently to update TA, then the TA remains valid, but the complexity of the process increases and power saving is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary action by pre-configuring TA validity duration, expiration thresholds, and triggering conditions during initial connection setup. The base station prepares the criteria for TA update in advance, so that subsequent TA management only requires simple condition checking rather than complex decision-making. This reduces process complexity while maintaining TA validity through timely updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the base station monitors uplink data arrival, channel quality, and TA expiration status, and uses this feedback to determine whether TA update is necessary. The base station adjusts TA management decisions based on real-time feedback from the wireless environment, ensuring TA reliability without requiring frequent unnecessary updates, thereby simplifying the overall process.
3Productivity
If the client wakes up to check TA validity before unlicensed resource transmission, then data transmission can proceed, but resources are wasted if TA is invalid and random access is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The base station provides feedback to the client about TA validity status and expiration conditions. Before the client uses pre-configured unlicensed resources for data transmission, the base station can indicate whether the current TA is still valid or if update is needed. This feedback mechanism prevents the client from wasting resources on transmission with invalid TA, improving data transmission efficiency while reducing resource waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by having the base station pre-configure not only the unlicensed resources but also the TA validity criteria and expiration conditions. Before the client attempts data transmission, the TA status is preliminarily checked against pre-set conditions, and only when TA is valid does the client proceed with transmission. This avoids wasting uplink resources on transmissions that would fail due to invalid TA.
4Measurement precision
If the full random access process is performed to obtain new TA, then the TA is updated, but the process is too complicated for clients that only need TA update
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential part of the random access process needed for TA update. Instead of requiring the complete multi-step random access procedure, the system allows the base station to initiate a simplified random access where the base station sends a random access preamble and receives the uplink signal to calculate new TA, then returns the TA to the client. This extracted simplified process maintains TA update precision while significantly reducing process complexity for clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The base station performs self-service by autonomously completing the TA calculation and update process. When TA update is needed, the base station initiates the random access, calculates the new TA based on received uplink signals, and returns the updated TA to the client without requiring the client to participate in complex signaling exchanges. This self-service approach maintains measurement precision while reducing the complexity burden on the client.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method and apparatus for setting transmission time advance. The method comprises: detecting the current transmission time advance (TA) in a target time unit, and obtaining the detecting result; if the detecting result indicates that the current TA has failed, transmitting a random access signal to a base station by means of a first target resource, the random access signal being used for indicating that the base station requires configuration of a new TA to a client; receiving the new TA returned from the base station; and transmitting target data to the base station based on the new TA by means of a second target resource, the target data being required to be reported to the base station by the client. The present invention simplifies the random access process of the client, saves the client power and prevents waste of the second target resource.