Uplink Timing Advance Loop Configuration for Beam Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for uplink transmission in user equipment face challenges when changing uplink beams, leading to delays in determining the timing advance value for new access points, which disrupts seamless communication.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that configure an uplink timing advance loop by determining supported timing advance loops for multiple transmission points, synchronizing with downlink beams, and using gradual timing adjustments to adjust the uplink timing advance loop, especially during mobility events like beam changes or changes in transmission points.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the user equipment changes its uplink beam to transmit signals to a different gNB, then the spatial direction for uplink transmission is improved, but there is a large delay in determining the timing advance value for the new gNB
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by maintaining multiple timing advance loops in advance for multiple transmission points. When a beam change occurs, the user equipment can immediately switch to a pre-configured timing advance loop for the target gNB, eliminating the need to determine timing advance values after the beam change. This pre-preparation of timing advance information for multiple potential transmission points resolves the contradiction by enabling fast beam switching without timing determination delays.
2Reliability
If the user equipment uses a timing advance value to ensure uplink transmission is received within the reception window, then the reception reliability is improved, but the timing advance determination process becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the timing advance management into multiple independent timing advance loops, with each loop associated with a specific transmission point. This segmentation allows the user equipment to maintain separate timing advance values for different gNBs, simplifying the determination process for each individual loop while ensuring reliable reception for each transmission point. The complex timing management is broken down into manageable, independent segments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses downlink timing information as an intermediary to determine uplink timing advance values. By measuring downlink timing from each transmission point and using this as a reference, the user equipment can calculate appropriate timing advance values without complex direct uplink timing determination. This intermediary approach simplifies the timing advance determination while maintaining reception reliability.
3Measurement precision
If the user equipment tracks downlink timing to adjust the timing advance value, then the timing accuracy is improved, but the system requires support for multiple timing advance loops simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the timing advance loop configuration adaptable and dynamic. The system can dynamically activate or deactivate specific timing advance loops based on current beam and transmission point conditions. This dynamic approach allows the user equipment to maintain high timing measurement accuracy for active loops while managing overall system complexity by only actively maintaining necessary loops rather than all possible loops simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, apparatus, and computer program product configure an uplink timing advance loop in order to facilitate uplink transmission including uplink transmission following a change in the uplink beam. In the context of a method, it is determined that a plurality of timing advance loops are supported to a plurality of transmission points. In response to a triggering mobility event, the method determines whether uplink timing information is available for a respective transmission point. In response to a determination that uplink timing information is unavailable for the respective transmission point, the method configures an uplink timing advance loop by synchronizing to a downlink beam and/or reference signal from the respective transmission point setting a timing advance value and then using a gradual timing adjustment procedure to adjust the uplink timing advance loop.