Uplink Synchronization via Timing Advance Group Segmentation

The patent segments component carriers into different timing advance groups (TAGs) based on their timing advance requirements. Each TAG is managed independently with its own timing advance value and synchronization mechanism. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple carriers with different timing characteristics without requiring a single complex synchronization mechanism for all carriers, thus resolving the contradiction between high peak rate and synchronization maintenance complexity.

The patent introduces dynamic timing advance group management where the network can configure and reconfigure TAG assignments based on channel conditions and carrier activation states. When carriers are activated or deactivated, the system dynamically adjusts the TAG configuration and corresponding timing advance values. This dynamic adaptation ensures reliable uplink synchronization is maintained across multiple carriers with different timing characteristics, resolving the contradiction between spectrum efficiency and synchronization reliability.

The patent applies local quality by assigning different timing advance values to different timing advance groups of component carriers based on their specific propagation characteristics. Each TAG receives a locally optimized timing advance value tailored to its propagation delay characteristics, rather than using a single global timing advance value. This localized approach maintains high timing accuracy for each carrier group while keeping the overall system manageable through group-based organization, resolving the contradiction between device complexity and timing accuracy.