Uplink Timing Control via State-Dependent Adjustment Ranges

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems face challenges in controlling uplink transmit timing during communication initiation and ongoing communication states, leading to increased signaling overhead and potential timing deviations, which affect communication capacity and accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A mobile communication system and method that sets different adjustment amount ranges for uplink transmit timing based on the communication state, using a base station to compute and transmit optimal adjustment amounts for both established and initiating communications, minimizing signaling bits required.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If a single adjustment amount range is used for all communication states, then the system complexity is reduced, but timing control accuracy deteriorates during communication initiation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming control system complexityVSAvoidtiming control accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the adjustment amount range configurable based on communication state. The base station determines whether the mobile station is in communication initiation or ongoing communication state, and dynamically selects the appropriate adjustment amount range (first range for initiation, second range for ongoing). This resolves the contradiction by allowing the system to be simple during ongoing communication while providing enhanced accuracy during initiation when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of adjustment amount range based on communication state. By switching between a first adjustment amount range (larger, for initiation) and a second adjustment amount range (smaller, for ongoing communication), the system optimizes timing control accuracy for each state without permanently increasing complexity. This parameter change approach directly addresses the technical contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If a larger adjustment amount range is used for communication initiation, then timing control accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming control accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the adjustment amount range parameter based on communication state. During communication initiation, a first (larger) adjustment amount range is used to ensure accurate timing control. During ongoing communication, a second (smaller) adjustment amount range is used to minimize signaling overhead. This dynamic parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction by applying larger ranges only when necessary for accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts the adjustment amount range based on the determined communication state. The base station transitions between using a larger range (initiation) and smaller range (ongoing), making the signaling overhead efficient while maintaining accuracy when needed. This dynamic approach prevents constant use of large ranges that would unnecessarily increase overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Measurement precision

If different adjustment amount ranges are used for different communication states, then timing control accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetiming control accuracyVSAvoidtiming control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic state determination mechanism where the base station determines the communication state (initiation or ongoing) and accordingly selects the appropriate adjustment amount range. This dynamic approach provides high timing control accuracy through state-specific ranges while managing complexity through a unified control structure that adapts to the current state rather than requiring separate fixed systems for each state.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2104369B1Mobile communication system, mobile station, and communication control method
Publication Date: 2016.07.20 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP2104369B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2104369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2104369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A base station for communicating to a mobile station that transmits an uplink signal in accordance with a SC-FDMA scheme or an OFDMA scheme includes an adjustment amount range setting unit configured to set an adjustment amount for adjusting a transmit timing of the uplink signal to have different ranges depending on types of a channel transmitted by the mobile station.