Uplink Timing Advance Group Mapping Across Multiple TCI States

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing multiple timing advance groups (TAGs) for uplink signals in heterogeneous networks, leading to interference and suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

A method for a wireless device to transmit uplink signals using different timing advance groups based on specific transmission configuration indicators, allowing for coordinated transmission across multiple TAGs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple timing advance groups are used for uplink signals in heterogeneous networks, then uplink transmission flexibility and coverage are improved, but interference between groups and system complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink transmission flexibilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments uplink transmissions by associating different TAGs with different TCI states, allowing the system to divide and manage multiple timing advance groups independently. Each TAG can be configured with specific TCI states, enabling granular control over uplink signal timing and beamforming without requiring complete system reconfiguration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic selection of TCI states based on TAG identifiers, where the wireless device determines which TCI state to apply based on the TAG ID of the uplink signal. This dynamic association allows the system to adapt timing and beamforming parameters in real-time based on the specific TAG being used, improving flexibility while maintaining manageable complexity through rule-based selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple timing advance groups are configured with different TCI states, then uplink signal quality and network performance are improved, but signaling overhead and configuration complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuplink signal qualityVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the TCI state mechanism universal across multiple TAGs by allowing the same TCI state to be shared among different TAGs or for different uplink signals within a TAG. This multi-functional approach enables efficient resource utilization where TCI states can serve multiple purposes and multiple TAGs can reference the same configuration, reducing overall signaling overhead while maintaining signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables copying of TCI state configurations across different TAGs, where a TCI state configured for one TAG can be referenced or copied for use with other TAGs. This copying mechanism reduces redundancy in configuration signaling, as the same timing and beamforming parameters can be reused across multiple TAGs when appropriate, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining uplink signal quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP4508919B1Configuration of multiple timing advance values
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS NV
  • EP4508919B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4508919B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4508919B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A wireless device may receive one or more configuration parameters indicating: a first timing advance group (TAG) of a cell and a second TAG of the cell. Based on a first TAG index of the first TAG being lower than a second TAG index of the second TAG: the wireless device may transmit, based on the first TAG and via the cell, one or more first uplink signals associated with a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state of at least two TCI states, and the wireless device may transmit, based on the second TAG and via the cell, one or more second uplink signals associated with a second TCI state of the at least two TCI states.