Radio Base Station Synchronization Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current radio communications networks face challenges in reducing energy consumption, particularly in user equipment and radio base stations, due to long Discontinuous Reception (DRX) cycles causing timing uncertainty and increased energy usage, as devices struggle to quickly synchronize with network timing during long Discontinuous Transmission (DTX) periods.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the radio base station transmits information signals with alternating frequencies and periods, allowing user equipment to synchronize accurately during shorter high-sync-density periods, thereby reducing receiver activation time and enabling longer DTX periods with lower energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the radio base station uses long DTX periods to reduce energy consumption, then network energy usage decreases, but user equipment experiences timing uncertainty and cannot synchronize quickly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting synchronization signals at regular intervals during DTX periods. The base station sends synchronization signals periodically even when not transmitting user data, allowing UE to maintain timing synchronization while the network operates in energy-saving DTX mode for extended periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses preliminary action by pre-transmitting synchronization signals before the actual data transmission periods. This allows user equipment to acquire timing information in advance during the DTX period, so that when the active period arrives, the UE is already synchronized and ready to receive data immediately without timing uncertainty.
2Measurement precision
If user equipment activates the RX radio front-end for long periods to capture paging messages during long DTX periods, then timing synchronization is achieved, but energy consumption in the device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by having the UE activate its receiver only at regular, predictable intervals when synchronization signals are transmitted. Instead of keeping the receiver on continuously or for long uncertain periods, the UE wakes up periodically at known times to capture synchronization signals, then can return to sleep mode with confidence that timing is maintained.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of keeping the receiver hardware continuously active with a signal-based solution. By transmitting periodic synchronization signals that encode timing information, the system substitutes hardware continuously-on operation with intelligent signal processing and periodic wake-up based on received synchronization information.
3Measurement precision
If the radio base station transmits synchronization signals frequently to maintain timing accuracy, then user equipment can synchronize quickly, but network energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by transmitting synchronization signals at optimized intervals that balance synchronization accuracy with energy consumption. Instead of continuous transmission, the base station sends synchronization signals periodically at the minimum necessary frequency to maintain UE timing accuracy while allowing DTX periods for energy saving.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameter changes by dynamically adjusting the transmission frequency and power of synchronization signals based on network conditions and UE requirements. During periods when synchronization is already established, the base station can reduce synchronization signal frequency or power, changing these parameters to optimize the balance between timing accuracy and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments herein relate to a method in a radio base station for transmitting an information signal in a radio communications network. The radio base station is arranged to operate in a time structure associated with a clock and arranged to transmit an information signal associated with the time structure. The radio base station is in the radio communications network. The radio base station transmits the information signal repeatedly with a first frequency over a first period of time. Then, the radio base station transmits the same information signal repeatedly with a second frequency over a second period of time, wherein the first frequency is lower than the second frequency and the first period of time is longer than the second period of time.