Base Station Synchronization via User Equipment Timing Offset
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for achieving strict synchronization between base stations in wireless communication networks, such as GPS time service solutions, are costly, difficult to install, and have low security and reliability, especially when supporting advanced services like eMBMS and CSPC.
Innovation Solution
A synchronization method that first performs frequency synchronization between base stations using a common clock reference source, then determines a reference base station to measure and calibrate frame number and frame timing deviations using user equipment, allowing for frame number and frame timing synchronization without requiring expensive equipment or network-wide protocol support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If GPS time service solution is adopted for base station synchronization, then strict phase synchronization between base stations is achieved, but material costs are high, engineering installation is difficult, fault maintenance costs are high, and security and reliability are low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment as an intermediary to measure timing offsets between base stations. Instead of relying on GPS receivers at base stations, the system uses UE to receive downlink signals from multiple base stations and report timing information to a network device, which then calculates and distributes timing offset corrections. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for expensive GPS equipment while achieving synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the GPS-based mechanical/electronic synchronization system with a software-based timing measurement and correction system. The network device performs calculations to determine timing offsets and distributes correction information through existing communication channels, substituting complex hardware synchronization mechanisms with simpler computational approaches.
2Measurement precision
If GPS time service solution is adopted for base station synchronization, then strict phase synchronization between base stations is achieved, but material costs and fault maintenance costs are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment as an intermediary to measure timing offsets between base stations. Instead of relying on GPS receivers at base stations, the system uses UE to receive downlink signals from multiple base stations and report timing information to a network device, which then calculates and distributes timing offset corrections. This intermediary approach eliminates the need for expensive GPS equipment while achieving synchronization.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables base stations to self-adjust their timing based on correction information received from the network device. Each base station autonomously applies the timing offset adjustments to align its frame timing with the reference base station, eliminating the need for complex manual installation and maintenance procedures associated with GPS equipment.
3Reliability
If traditional synchronization methods are used, then synchronization is achieved, but device complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the timing measurement function from the base station hardware and relocates it to user equipment. The base stations only need to transmit downlink signals and receive correction information, while the complex timing measurement and calculation functions are performed by the network device using data from UE. This extraction simplifies base station complexity while maintaining synchronization reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes user equipment serve multiple functions: it acts as a mobile terminal for normal communication and simultaneously as a timing measurement device for synchronization. The same UE hardware that receives downlink signals for data communication is also used to measure timing offsets between base stations, eliminating the need for dedicated synchronization equipment and reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments of the present invention provide a synchronization method, a synchronization apparatus, and a base station, which can implement strict synchronization between base stations with relatively low costs and relatively high security and reliability. The method includes: determining reference user equipment UE, where the reference UE can communicate with a reference base station and a to-be-synchronized base station at the same time, and the reference base station and the to-be-synchronized base station have completed frequency synchronization relative to a same clock reference source; determining timing offset between the to-be-synchronized base station and the reference base station according to a moment at which the reference base station and the to-be-synchronized base station receive a synchronization reference signal that is sent by the reference UE; and performing calibration on the to-be-synchronized base station according to the timing offset, so that the to-be-synchronized base station completes frame number and frame timing synchronization relative to the reference base station. In this way, strict synchronization between base stations with relatively low costs and relatively high security and reliability can be implemented.