Base Station Synchronization via UE Sidelink Without Indoor GPS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wireless base stations, especially indoor CBRS TD-LTE radios, struggle with synchronization issues due to weak GPS signals indoors, requiring expensive hardware and traditional methods that rely on a local time sync server, which is costly and unreliable when GPS access is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
Utilizing Dual SIM Dual Subscriber user equipment devices to establish device-to-device sidelink communications channels for synchronization information transfer between wireless base stations, allowing synchronization without a local time sync server and reducing equipment costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional GPS-based synchronization is used for indoor base stations, then synchronization accuracy is improved, but equipment cost and system complexity increase due to requiring local time sync servers and boundary clocks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time sync server and boundary clock components from the indoor base station synchronization system. Instead of requiring a local time sync server and boundary clock for each indoor base station, the system uses GPS-received synchronization information that is directly distributed to indoor base stations through device-to-device communications, removing the intermediate synchronization hardware
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes user equipment devices serve multiple functions: they act as both communication devices and synchronization information distribution nodes. The dual SIM dual subscriber UE devices can communicate with both the first and second wireless base stations while receiving and forwarding synchronization information, eliminating the need for dedicated synchronization hardware
2Reliability
If GPS signals are used for indoor synchronization, then synchronization reliability is improved, but signal strength and detectability worsen due to weak GPS signals inside buildings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces user equipment devices as intermediaries that receive synchronization information from wireless base stations and relay it to other indoor base stations. This intermediary approach allows synchronization information to be distributed throughout the building infrastructure without requiring direct GPS signal reception at each indoor base station
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimension of synchronization information distribution from direct wireless GPS signal propagation to device-to-device communications through established communication channels. By using the communication infrastructure already present in the building (through the dual SIM UE devices), the system bypasses the physical limitation of GPS signal penetration
3Adaptability or versatility
If local time sync servers are deployed for each indoor base station, then synchronization independence is improved, but equipment cost and operational expense increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synchronization functions of multiple indoor base stations through a shared distribution mechanism. Instead of each base station having independent synchronization hardware, the system combines synchronization information distribution through dual SIM UE devices that serve multiple base stations, reducing the total quantity of synchronization equipment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the wireless communication system to self-organize its synchronization distribution network using existing communication infrastructure. The dual SIM UE devices automatically establish device-to-device sidelink communications and relay synchronization information without requiring manual configuration of local time sync servers at each base station
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for achieving frequency, phase and time of day synchronization in wireless systems. An exemplary method of operating a first wireless base station in a first network in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: (i) receiving, at the first wireless base station, a first message; (ii) in response to receiving the first message entering, by the first wireless base station, into a first mode of operation; and (iii) while operating in the first mode of operation, obtaining, by the first wireless base station, synchronization information from a first user equipment device using over the air device to device communications, the synchronization information including time synchronization information.