Uplink Timing Alignment for Massive MIMO Beam Pairs
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in uplink timing alignment, particularly in directional communication systems with a large number of antennas, where different beam pairs experience varying propagation delays, leading to potential collisions and increased overhead in acquiring timing advance values.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for uplink timing alignment in wireless networks, where a mobile station receives downlink synchronization signals from a base station on multiple beam pairs, determines timing advances based on known timing advances and time differences, allowing for simultaneous acquisition of timing advance values for all beam pairs without separate RACH preamble transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate RACH preamble transmissions are used for each beam pair to acquire timing advance values, then timing alignment accuracy is improved, but overhead and collision rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple timing advance acquisition operations into a single RACH preamble transmission. Instead of requiring separate RACH procedures for each beam pair, the system allows the mobile station to acquire timing advance values for all beam pairs simultaneously through one transmission, thereby reducing overhead while maintaining timing alignment accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The RACH preamble transmission is designed to serve multiple functions at once: it establishes timing alignment for the current beam pair and simultaneously provides timing advance information for all other beam pairs. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate acquisitions and reduces system overhead.
2Measurement precision
If separate RACH preamble transmissions are used for each beam pair, then timing advance values are accurately acquired, but collision rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple timing advance acquisition requests into a single RACH preamble transmission, the patent reduces the number of collision-prone transmission events. The mobile station performs one transmission to acquire timing advance for all beam pairs, eliminating repeated collisions that would occur with separate transmissions for each beam pair.
3Manufacturing precision
If timing advance values are acquired separately for each beam pair, then beam-specific timing alignment is achieved, but the number of RACH preamble transmissions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the acquisition process for all beam pairs into a single operation. The mobile station transmits one RACH preamble and receives timing advance information that applies to all beam pairs, achieving beam-specific timing alignment without the inefficiency of multiple separate transmissions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary timing advance acquisition for all beam pairs in advance through a single RACH transmission, so that when the mobile station needs to switch beam pairs, the timing advance values are already available, improving overall system productivity and reducing latency.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile station is configured to perform a method for uplink timing alignment in a wireless network. The method includes receiving a first downlink synchronization signal from a base station on a first beam pair at a first time associated with a first propagation delay. The method also includes receiving a second downlink synchronization signal from the base station on a second beam pair at a second time associated with a second propagation delay. The method further includes determining a second timing advance for the second beam pair based on a known first timing advance for the first beam pair and a time difference between the first time and the second time.