Adjustable Timing Fronthaul Interface for Multi-Carrier Latency Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems face inefficiencies in resource utilization due to rigid fronthaul timing constraints, leading to increased latency and reduced peak data transfer rates, particularly in multi-carrier scenarios where data from all carriers must be available before transmission can begin.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a flexible fronthaul timing mechanism that allows for multiple timing groups with adjustable transmission windows, enabling earlier data transfer from available carriers while maintaining proper synchronization through the use of transmission window scaling factors, allowing for partial or complete overlap of transmission windows.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid fronthaul timing constraints are used to ensure proper synchronization, then system stability is improved, but latency increases and data transfer rates are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronization stabilityVSAvoiddata transfer latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic timing adjustment by introducing multiple timing groups with different transmission time windows that can be flexibly configured. Instead of using a single rigid timing constraint, the system dynamically selects and adjusts timing parameters based on carrier availability and data readiness, allowing synchronization to adapt to varying conditions while reducing unnecessary waiting time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the timing parameters by introducing scaling factors that adjust the duration of transmission time windows. By modifying these temporal parameters, the system can extend or compress transmission windows to match actual data availability, thereby reducing latency while maintaining synchronization through controlled parameter adjustment rather than fixed constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If data from all carriers must be available before transmission begins to ensure complete data transfer, then data integrity is improved, but productivity is reduced due to waiting for all carriers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer integrityVSAvoiddata transfer rate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the data transfer process by introducing multiple timing groups, where each timing group can handle data from available carriers independently. Instead of treating all carrier data as a single unit that must be complete before transmission, the system divides the transfer into segments that can proceed asynchronously, allowing partial data to be transmitted while maintaining integrity through proper segmentation and reassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables preliminary transmission by allowing data that is ready in advance to be transmitted earlier through adjusted timing windows. Carriers that have data ready can begin transmission before all other carriers are ready, using preliminary action to start the data transfer process sooner while ensuring that missing data is handled appropriately through the timing group structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If multiple timing groups with overlapping transmission windows are used to distribute processing, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing distribution efficiencyVSAvoidtiming management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by creating timing groups that can serve multiple functions - each timing group can handle data from multiple carriers, support different scaling factors, and accommodate various data availability scenarios. This multi-functional design allows the same timing group structure to be reused across different carriers and data types, improving productivity while managing complexity through standardized universal components rather than specialized handling for each case.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240283692A1Transmitting data via a fronthaul interface with adjustable timing

Publication Date: 2024.08.22 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY

AI summary

Disclosed is a method comprising processing a first set of data, assigning the first set of data to a first timing group comprising a first transmission time window, transmitting the first set of data via a fronthaul interface during the first transmission time window, processing a second set of data, wherein at least a part of the second set of data is processed during the first transmission time window, assigning the second set of data to a second timing group comprising a second transmission time window, and transmitting the second set of data via the fronthaul interface during the second transmission time window.