Ad Hoc Network Timing Synchronization via Periodic Signal Exchange
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ad hoc peer-to-peer wireless communication networks, timing discrepancies between nodes can cause synchronization issues, affecting communication functions such as peer discovery and data transfer, as existing methods struggle to efficiently adjust and maintain synchronized timing across dynamically changing networks.
Innovation Solution
Each node in the network receives a timing reference signal and transmits a wideband signal during a dedicated time interval, while listening during the remaining time, adjusting its timing based on received signals from other nodes to synchronize with the network timing, using methods like averaging or dead zone considerations to mitigate timing offsets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If nodes continuously transmit and receive timing signals to maintain synchronization, then timing synchronization accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic timing synchronization by dividing time into intervals where nodes alternately transmit and receive timing signals. Instead of continuous operation, nodes perform synchronization at specific periodic intervals, reducing energy consumption while maintaining timing accuracy through regular updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous timing synchronization coverage by ensuring that while individual nodes sleep during certain intervals, the network as a whole continuously has nodes transmitting timing signals. This接力 (relay) approach ensures uninterrupted synchronization information availability without requiring all nodes to be active simultaneously.
2Reliability
If nodes adjust timing based on all received signals, then synchronization robustness is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having nodes selectively process timing signals based on their local conditions and requirements. Instead of uniformly processing all received signals, nodes adjust their processing behavior according to their specific network position, signal quality, and synchronization needs, reducing overall processing complexity while maintaining robustness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes processing parameters dynamically based on network conditions. Nodes adjust timing adjustment parameters, signal selection criteria, and processing intensity according to observed timing offsets, signal strength, and network state, optimizing the balance between synchronization robustness and processing complexity.
3Measurement precision
If nodes transmit timing signals frequently, then timing offset correction is improved, but network interference increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the timing signal transmission process by dividing the network into transmission intervals and reception intervals. Nodes transmit timing signals during designated time slots and remain silent during reception slots, segmenting the potentially interfering continuous transmission into discrete, organized pulses that reduce overall network interference while maintaining correction effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses periodic transmission intervals to limit the frequency of timing signal transmissions. By transmitting at controlled periodic intervals rather than continuously or too frequently, nodes achieve adequate timing offset correction while reducing network interference through spaced-out transmission events.
Data Source
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AI summary
In an ad hoc peer-to-peer communications network, timing synchronization is facilitated between two or more nodes. A node can establish an original symbol timing and receive a first timing synchronization symbol from a peer node. A timing adjustment can be calculated based in part on the first timing synchronization symbol. An adjusted symbol timing can be established by adjusting the first symbol timing by the calculated timing adjustment amount. The adjusted symbol timing can be conveyed to one or more peer nodes, in order to facilitate timing synchronization among the nodes.