DPCCH Transmission Mode Switching for Radio Link Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telecommunications networks, especially those using CDMA standards, synchronizing a new radio link during soft handover is challenging due to discontinuous DPCCH transmissions, which can increase resource usage and synchronization time, while continuous transmissions are resource-intensive and burdensome.

Innovation Solution

Switching between discontinuous and continuous DPCCH transmission during synchronization, reverting to discontinuous transmission after synchronization is complete, to facilitate easier synchronization while maintaining resource-saving benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of energy

If discontinuous DPCCH transmission is used during soft handover, then resource usage is reduced, but synchronization time increases and synchronization becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource usageVSAvoidsynchronization time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the DPCCH transmission mode adjustable and time-dependent. The system dynamically switches between discontinuous and continuous transmission modes based on the synchronization state. During initial synchronization, continuous transmission is used to enable easy acquisition, then the system transitions to discontinuous transmission mode to save resources, creating an adaptive system that optimizes performance at different stages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing continuous DPCCH transmission during the initial synchronization phase before transitioning to discontinuous mode. This preliminary continuous transmission ensures that the Node B can acquire uplink synchronization reliably, and only after this preliminary synchronization is achieved does the system switch to the resource-saving discontinuous mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If continuous DPCCH transmission is used during soft handover, then synchronization is easier and faster, but resource usage increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization timeVSAvoidresource usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by using discontinuous DPCCH transmission with specific periodicity patterns. After initial synchronization is achieved through continuous transmission, the system switches to periodic discontinuous transmission where DPCCH is transmitted only at scheduled intervals rather than continuously. This periodic approach maintains synchronization capability while significantly reducing resource consumption compared to continuous transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the transmission mode dynamic by switching from continuous to discontinuous mode based on synchronization status. The system adapts its transmission behavior: using continuous transmission when synchronization is needed, then transitioning to discontinuous transmission when synchronization is established, thereby optimizing the balance between synchronization performance and resource usage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If discontinuous DPCCH transmission is used, then resource efficiency improves, but the complexity of synchronization procedures increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource usageVSAvoidsynchronization procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing continuous transmission during the initial synchronization phase to simplify the synchronization procedure. By establishing synchronization first using the simpler continuous mode, the system avoids the complexity of designing and implementing complex synchronization algorithms for discontinuous modes. After this preliminary synchronization step, the system can safely switch to discontinuous mode

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2337399B1Synchronisation of discontinuous radio links for a user equipment
Publication Date: 2014.05.07 NOKIA CORP
  • EP2337399B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2337399B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Apparatus and method for a user equipment (2) for a communications system comprising at least a first network element (6a) and a second network element (6b) are disclosed. The user equipment transmits a signal continuously to the first network element via a first radio link (10a) while the first radio link is being synchronized and switches to transmit the signal discontinuously after the first radio link (4a) is synchronized. After connecting to the first network element, responsive to receiving over the first radio link (4a) instructions to connect to the second network element (6b), the user equipment connects to the second network element (6b) via a second radio link (4b) by transmitting a continuous burst of configurable duration of signal while the second radio link (4b) is being synchronized and switching to transmit the signal discontinuously after the second radio link (4b) is synchronized.