Base Station Clock Synchronization via Dynamic Master-Slave Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
In-building base stations face challenges with clock synchronization due to deteriorated GPS signal reception, leading to service breakdowns when the master base station fails to receive a GPS signal, and existing methods cannot dynamically switch between master and slave modes or reconfigure slave base stations to operate as masters.
Innovation Solution
A Dynamic Multi-master Selection (DMS) module enables base stations to dynamically switch between master and slave modes based on GPS signal strength and clock synchronization, allowing them to acquire and provide clock synchronization signals accordingly, ensuring continuous network synchronization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed master-slave configuration is used in in-building base stations, then the system structure is simple and easy to manage, but the system reliability deteriorates when the master base station loses GPS signal reception
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic master-slave role switching where base stations can transition between master and slave configurations based on GPS signal availability. The selection logic dynamically evaluates GPS signal strength and automatically reconfigures the synchronization hierarchy, allowing any base station with stable GPS signals to become the new master when the current master fails, thus maintaining high reliability without requiring complex manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors GPS signal strength of all base stations and uses this feedback to determine master-slave assignments. The feedback mechanism compares signal quality metrics and triggers role transitions when the master base station's signal deteriorates below a threshold, enabling automatic adaptation to changing signal conditions and maintaining synchronization reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If pre-configured slave base stations are used, then the initial setup is simple, but the adaptability deteriorates when signal conditions change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring all base stations with synchronization capabilities and discovery protocols before deployment. Each base station is pre-programmed with the ability to detect and evaluate GPS signals, perform master selection based on signal strength, and execute role transitions. This preliminary preparation enables high adaptability to signal changes without requiring complex reconfiguration during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service through automatic master selection and role assignment based on real-time GPS signal strength measurements. Base stations autonomously evaluate their own signal quality and that of other base stations, making independent decisions about master-slave assignments without external control. This self-service mechanism provides high adaptability while keeping the initial configuration simple, as no manual role assignment is required during operation.
3Reliability
If a single fixed master base station is designated, then the synchronization structure is simple, but the system fails when the master loses GPS signal
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by establishing a backup mechanism where multiple base stations continuously monitor GPS signal conditions. When the primary master loses signal, the system has pre-prepared alternative candidates that can immediately assume the master role, cushioning against the failure impact. This backup strategy ensures continuous synchronization reliability without requiring overly complex redundant infrastructure, as the cushioning mechanism activates only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameter of master-slave assignment based on GPS signal strength measurements. Instead of a fixed configuration, the parameters defining which base station is master are dynamically adjusted according to real-time signal quality metrics. This parameter change approach maintains synchronization reliability by adapting to signal conditions while keeping the overall structure relatively simple, avoiding the need for complex hardware redundancy.
Data Source
AI summary
An enhanced base station and clock synchronization method are provided. The method includes scanning to discover a satellite transmitting a satellite signal and a master base station providing clock synchronization signal, entering, when a satellite having a signal that fulfills predetermined conditions is found, a master mode for receiving the satellite signal to acquire clock synchronization and transmitting a clock synchronization signal to at least one slave base station, and entering, when no satellite having a signal that fulfills the predetermined conditions is found, a slave mode for receiving the clock synchronization signal from the master base station to acquire clock synchronization. The method allows the base station to switch between the master and slave modes dynamically according to variation of the communication environment, resulting in efficient clock synchronization.