Hierarchical Carrier Synchronization for Reduced Network Entry Latency

Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-carrier systems, network entry latency is high due to the lack of mechanisms to differentiate between fully and partially configured carriers, leading to increased detection complexity and resource wastage, especially when mobile stations struggle to detect synchronization channels.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a hierarchical synchronization channel design where fully configured carriers include both Primary Synchronization Channels (P-SCH) and Secondary Synchronization Channels (S-SCH), while partially configured carriers only include P-SCH, with P-SCH used for timing acquisition and frequency synchronization, and S-SCH for cell identification, and incorporating recommended information to guide mobile stations to select alternative carriers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If mobile stations scan every carrier within each band to detect synchronization channels, then network entry reliability is improved, but network entry latency increases and detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork entry reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork entry latency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments carriers into two types: fully configured carriers (with both P-SCH and S-SCH) and partially configured carriers (with only P-SCH). This segmentation allows mobile stations to quickly identify partially configured carriers through the absence of S-SCH and skip them, while focusing detection efforts on fully configured carriers that can support network entry, thereby reducing overall scanning time and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring carriers with different synchronization channel structures before mobile stations attempt network entry. Fully configured carriers are prepared with both P-SCH and S-SCH, while partially configured carriers are prepared with only P-SCH. This preliminary differentiation enables mobile stations to make rapid decisions during scanning without needing to perform exhaustive detection on all carriers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If mobile stations scan every carrier within each band to detect synchronization channels, then network entry reliability is improved, but detection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork entry reliabilityVSAvoiddetection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments carriers into two types: fully configured carriers (with both P-SCH and S-SCH) and partially configured carriers (with only P-SCH). This segmentation allows mobile stations to quickly identify partially configured carriers through the absence of S-SCH and skip them, while focusing detection efforts on fully configured carriers that can support network entry, thereby reducing overall scanning time and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the S-SCH from partially configured carriers, creating a distinctive signature that allows mobile stations to identify and skip these carriers without performing full synchronization channel detection. This extraction of the S-SCH element from certain carriers simplifies the detection process by providing a clear differentiation mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Quantity of substance

If P-SCH and S-SCH are time division multiplexed on fully configured carriers, then resource utilization is improved, but network entry latency increases for mobile stations needing to detect both channels

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveradio resource utilizationVSAvoidnetwork entry latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments carriers into two types: fully configured carriers (with both P-SCH and S-SCH) and partially configured carriers (with only P-SCH). This segmentation allows mobile stations to quickly identify partially configured carriers through the absence of S-SCH and skip them, while focusing detection efforts on fully configured carriers that can support network entry, thereby reducing overall scanning time and latency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables mobile stations to skip partially configured carriers that contain only P-SCH by detecting the absence of S-SCH. This skipping mechanism allows mobile stations to rush through incompatible carriers without performing full detection procedures, significantly reducing the time required for network entry while maintaining resource utilization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentUS8824407B2Systems and methods for network entry management

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 ACER INC

AI summary

A method for network entry management for use in a base station. The method includes steps of broadcasting multiple carriers, wherein the carriers are classified into fully configured carriers and partially configured carriers, the fully configured carrier includes at least one primary synchronization channel (P-SCH) and at least one secondary synchronization channel (S-SCH), and the partially configured carrier includes at least one P-SCH and does not include the S-SCH.