UE Timing Advance Alignment for Non-Terrestrial 5G Links

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 5G networks face challenges in aligning uplink transmission timing accurately due to variations in propagation delays, particularly in non-terrestrial wireless networks, which affect communication efficiency and reliability.

Innovation Solution

A method for time alignment in 5G networks involving user equipment (UE) and base stations that includes measuring downlink signals, computing timing advance (TA) values, and adjusting uplink transmission timing based on these measurements, using mathematical operations and scalar quantities to refine timing alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If conventional timing advance alignment is used in non-terrestrial networks, then device complexity is reduced, but uplink transmission timing alignment precision deteriorates due to variations in propagation delays

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuplink transmission timing alignment precisionVSAvoidtiming computation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base station pre-calculates and provides reference timing advance values to user equipment before uplink transmission. The UE uses these pre-provided reference values along with downlink signal measurements to compute its timing advance, avoiding complex real-time calculations during transmission.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The base station acts as an intermediary by measuring uplink signals from multiple UEs, computing reference TA values, and providing these references to UEs. This intermediary computation at the base station simplifies the UE's timing alignment process while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If timing advance values are frequently updated to maintain alignment, then communication reliability is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional signaling overhead

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidtime for timing alignment updates

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The base station measures uplink signals from UEs and provides feedback in the form of reference timing advance values. The UE uses this feedback to adjust its transmission timing, creating a closed-loop system that maintains alignment reliability while minimizing update frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

Timing advance updates are performed periodically rather than continuously. The base station provides reference TA values at regular intervals, allowing UEs to maintain alignment without constant signaling exchanges, thus reducing time loss while preserving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12587988B2Apparatus and methods for improving time advance alignment process in non-terrestrial wireless network

Publication Date: 2026.03.24 PARSA WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

A method of time aligning by a user equipment (UE) requires measuring a downlink (DL) signal, including a first timing advance (TA) value. The DL signal is transmitted from a base station (BS) to derive measurement results. The method further includes transmitting the measurement results to a base station (BS), computing a second TA value from the first TA value, and aligning uplink (UL) transmission timing by the second TA value.