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Timing Advance
Last updated: December 2, 2008
There are two methods in which the test set may inform the MS of the Timing Advance
value, an assignment method or the Continuous Timing Advance Procedure .
Background
The test set allows you to assign the MS a timing advance value to test whether it alters its
transmission accordingly. The timing advance value is initially specified in the Packet
Uplink or Packet Downlink Assignment messages. If the timing advance value is altered
during a data connection, the new value is sent to the MS in a Packet Power Control/
Timing Advance (PPTA) message.
Continuous Timing Advance Procedure
Continuous Timing Advance is an alternative method for assigning timing advance values.
In the assignment/reassignment messages, in place of a timing advance value, the MS is
given a timeslot number, and an index value. With these two parameters, the MS is able to
look at the correct position in the Packet Timing-Advance Control Channel/Downlink
(PTCCH/D) for its timing advance value. In addition, as part of this procedure, the MS
periodically sends an access burst on the Packet Timing-Advance Control Channel / Uplink
(PTCCH/U) on the given timeslot. Using the Continuous Timing Advance procedure, Packet
Timeslot Reconfigure (PTR) or Packet Power Control / Timing Advance (PPTA) messages
are no longer sent when the timing advance value is altered during a data connection.If
the Continuous Timing Advance procedure is enabled, the MS has to delay transmission of
the uplink TBF until it has received its timing advance value.
Timing Advance Parameters
Continuous Timing Advance
allows you to turn on and off the Continuous Timing Advance functionality.
cannot be changed in the middle of a TBF. Any change takes effect when the
next TBF is established.

NOTE
If Continuous Timing Advance is "on", the timing advance value shall not be given in
Packet Timeslot Reconfigure (PTR) or Packet Power Control / Timing Advance (PPTA)
messages.

Timing Advance
allows you to select the Timing Advance value that the MS should use,
regardless of the method used to communicate the actual value to the MS.
can be changed in the middle of a TBF.
NOTE
If the Continuous Timing Advance procedure is on, the Timing Advance value should
not be changed more often than once every two multiframes (approximately 0.5
seconds). This restriction arises due to the physical mapping of the PTCCH/D onto the
GSM/GPRS multiframe structure.

You may specify both the state of Continuous Timing Advance and timing advance values
when using Active Cell operating mode and all available Connection Types: Auto, ETSI A,
ETSI B, and BLER.
Timing Advance and Measurements
The test set is able to adjust for up to four symbols of offset in the MS transmission. If the
MS does not react to changes in timing advance, the amount of Burst Timing Error
reported will change.
TX measurements should be disregarded when the Continuous Timing Advance control
method is used. They may be made invalid by the access burst.
Related Topics
How to use Timing Advance Control.
CALL:(PDTCH|PDTChannel):MS:TADVance[:SELected]