Delay Measurement Using Partial Frame Number Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing delay measurement methods in communications technologies face challenges in reducing signaling overheads and improving communication efficiency, particularly in high-bandwidth and low-latency scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for delay measurement that utilizes a part of the frame number bits to indicate time information in data units, allowing for precise delay calculation between communications devices, thereby reducing signaling overheads and enhancing communication efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If conventional delay measurement methods are used, then delay measurement functionality is provided, but signaling overheads are high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the time indication into two parts: a high-order part (frame number) and a low-order part (time offset within frame). The high-order part is implicitly understood by both transmitter and receiver, while only the low-order part needs to be explicitly signaled. This segmentation reduces the number of bits required for signaling while maintaining precise delay measurement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of signaling the complete time stamp (which would include all bits of the frame number), the patent uses partial action by signaling only the necessary low-order bits that represent the time offset within the frame. The high-order bits are omitted as they are already known to both parties, thereby reducing signaling overhead without compromising measurement precision.
2Productivity
If conventional delay measurement methods are used, then delay measurement is performed, but communication efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the redundant high-order frame number bits from the signaling process. Since both transmitter and receiver operate on the same frame timing, the high-order time information is implicit and does not need to be transmitted. Only the essential low-order time offset information is extracted and signaled, improving communication efficiency by reducing unnecessary data transmission.
3Measurement precision
If full frame number is used for time indication, then precise timing is achieved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the dimension of time indication from absolute time (full frame number) to relative time offset within frame. Instead of transmitting the complete absolute time stamp, the system transmits only the offset dimension relative to the known frame boundary. This dimensional transformation maintains timing precision while significantly reducing the number of bits required for signaling.
Data Source
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AI summary
This application provides a delay measurement method and apparatus, to reduce signaling overheads. The method includes: A first communications device receives a data unit from a second communications device, where the data unit includes time information, the time information is used to indicate a first moment at which the second communications device sends the data unit, and the time information indicates the first moment based on a part of bits of a frame number; and the first communications device determines a delay from the second communications device to the first communications device based on the first moment and a second moment, where the second moment is a moment at which the first communications device receives the data unit.