Distributed Antenna Clock Synchronization in Autonomous Vehicles
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In autonomous vehicle systems with a distributed antenna structure, there is a need for synchronizing clocks between the main controller and distributed antenna units, as well as between the autonomous vehicle and the base station, to enable effective data transmission and reception.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that apply an initial clock from a baseband modem to distributed antennas, receive base station data, and synchronize the clock of the baseband modem with the base station clock using a high-speed serial interface, allowing the synchronized clock to be applied to all distributed antennas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a distributed antenna structure is used in an autonomous vehicle, then wireless communication coverage and reliability are improved, but clock synchronization complexity between the main controller and distributed antenna units increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous vehicle's communication system is segmented into a main controller and multiple distributed antenna units. Each antenna unit operates with its own clock initially, but through the patent's synchronization method, they are coordinated to work as a unified system, maintaining reliability while managing complexity through modular segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback-based clock synchronization mechanism where the main controller receives timing information from distributed antenna units and adjusts their clocks accordingly. This closed-loop feedback system automatically maintains synchronization without requiring complex manual configuration, resolving the contradiction between reliability improvement and synchronization complexity.
2Measurement precision
If clock synchronization is implemented between main controller and distributed antenna units, then data transmission accuracy is improved, but system configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clock synchronization system is designed to be self-configuring and self-adjusting. The distributed antenna units automatically receive and apply timing synchronization signals from the main controller without requiring manual intervention or complex configuration procedures. This self-service approach maintains high data transmission accuracy while minimizing system configuration complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes clock synchronization as a preliminary action that occurs before normal data transmission begins. The main controller pre-synchronizes all distributed antenna units' clocks to a common reference, ensuring that when data transmission starts, all units are already synchronized. This preliminary synchronization action simplifies the overall system configuration while guaranteeing transmission accuracy.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple distributed antennas are used for wireless communication, then communication coverage is improved, but the number of clock synchronization paths required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main controller serves as a universal clock source for all distributed antenna units. Instead of requiring separate synchronization paths between each pair of antenna units, the main controller provides a single universal timing reference that all units can independently synchronize to. This multi-functional approach allows the main controller to serve multiple synchronization functions simultaneously, expanding communication coverage without proportionally increasing synchronization path complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The main controller acts as an intermediary clock synchronization mediator between all distributed antenna units. Rather than allowing direct peer-to-peer synchronization between multiple antennas (which would create exponential path complexity), the main controller mediates by providing a centralized timing reference that all units synchronize to independently. This intermediary approach linearly scales with the number of antennas, maintaining manageable synchronization path complexity while expanding coverage area.
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomous vehicle and a method for controlling the same are disclosed. A method for controlling an autonomous vehicle including a baseband modem and a plurality of distributed antennas includes applying an initial clock of the baseband modem to clocks of the plurality of distributed antennas, receiving base station data from an external base station via the plurality of distributed antennas to which the initial clock is applied, and synchronizing a clock of the baseband modem with a clock of the base station based on the base station data, and thus can achieve low cost design using a data clock recovery. The autonomous vehicle, a user terminal, and a server can be associated with an artificial intelligence module, a unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a robot, an augmented reality (AR) device, a virtual reality (VR) device, devices related to 3G, 4G, 5G and/6G services.