Uplink Timing Advance Offset Mapping for Multi-TRP PCI Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in configuring timing advance offsets for inter-cell multiple downlink control information multiple transmission and reception points (multi-DCI multi-TRP) operations, particularly when additional physical cell identifiers (PCIs) are configured for a serving cell, leading to insufficient timing advance offset values.
Innovation Solution
The network indicates timing advance offset values for each additional PCI via a radio resource control (RRC) message, associating each PCI with a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state and a timing advance group (TAG), ensuring appropriate offset values are applied for uplink transmissions across different component carriers (CCs).
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If additional PCIs are configured for a serving cell to support multi-TRP operation, then the system's ability to support multiple transmission and reception points is improved, but the number of timing advance offset values becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the timing advance offset values universal by allowing them to be shared across multiple PCIs through TAG association. Instead of dedicating one timing advance offset value per PCI, the same timing advance offset value can be associated with multiple PCIs that belong to the same TAG, thus resolving the insufficiency of timing advance offset values while supporting multiple TRPs
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where PCIs are nested within TAGs, and timing advance offset values are nested within TAGs as well. This hierarchical nesting allows multiple PCIs to indirectly share the same timing advance offset value through their common TAG association, efficiently resolving the quantity limitation
2Measurement precision
If timing advance offset values are configured for each additional PCI, then accurate timing adjustment for each TRP is improved, but the device complexity and configuration overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration of timing advance offset values with TAG configuration. Instead of separately configuring timing advance offset values for each PCI, the system combines these configurations by associating timing advance offset values with TAGs, which in turn are associated with multiple PCIs. This merging reduces configuration overhead while maintaining timing adjustment accuracy through the unified TAG-based management
3Reliability
If separate timing advance offset values are used for different PCIs, then timing synchronization across multiple TRPs is improved, but the loss of time for configuration and management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by pre-configuring timing advance offset values with TAG associations before actual multi-TRP operation begins. The RRC configuration establishes the mapping between TAGs and timing advance offset values in advance, so that during operation, the UE can quickly determine the appropriate timing advance offset value by simply identifying the TAG associated with the current PCI, without requiring real-time configuration or complex lookup processes
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may adjust the timing of an uplink transmission by applying a timing advance value to the uplink transmission. Timing advance offset values may depend on the cell associated with the uplink transmission. A timing advance offset value associated with each additional physical cell identifier (PCI) for a serving cell may be indicated. The network may indicate a configuration for a serving cell that includes one or two timing advance offset values for the serving cell identifier and respective timing advance offset values associated with each additional PCI for the serving cell. Each PCI may be associated with a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state. Accordingly, the UE may apply the appropriate timing advance offset value for given uplink transmissions based on the TCI state (and therefore the PCI) associated with the given uplink transmissions.