Dual Mode Time Tracker for Mobile UE Clock Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cellular mobile devices face power consumption issues due to frequent communication with base stations, even in idle mode, as slow clock units can be inaccurate, leading to incorrect wake-up times and increased battery drain.
Innovation Solution
A dual mode time tracker in mobile user equipment uses a serving cell reference signal to correct timing errors when they are minimal and a synchronization signal when errors are larger, selecting between the two based on a threshold level and the number of times errors exceed it, to optimize wake-up times and reduce power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the UE uses a slow clock unit to wake up periodically in idle mode, then power consumption is reduced, but timing accuracy deteriorates causing wake-up at incorrect times
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically switches between two time tracking modes: using reference signals for small timing errors and synchronization signals for large timing errors. This dynamic adaptation allows the UE to maintain accurate timing correction while in idle mode with the slow clock unit, resolving the contradiction between power savings from infrequent wake-ups and timing accuracy requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the parameter of timing error threshold to determine which correction method to use. When timing errors are below a threshold, reference signals are used for correction; when above the threshold, synchronization signals are used. This parameter-based decision mechanism enables the system to optimize between power consumption and timing accuracy based on actual error conditions.
2Measurement precision
If the UE wakes up frequently to correct timing errors, then timing accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs partial timing correction actions by selecting the appropriate correction method based on error magnitude. For small errors, only reference signal correction is applied; for large errors, synchronization signal correction is applied. This partial action approach avoids excessive wake-ups and power consumption while maintaining sufficient timing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses the timing error threshold parameter to control the frequency and type of correction actions. By monitoring whether timing errors exceed the threshold, the system intelligently determines when to wake up and which correction method to apply, optimizing the balance between timing accuracy and power consumption.
3Measurement precision
If the UE uses reference signals for timing correction, then timing accuracy for small errors is improved, but the system cannot handle large timing errors
Solution Approach 1:
The timing correction function is segmented into two distinct modes: reference signal-based correction for small errors and synchronization signal-based correction for large errors. This segmentation allows each method to operate within its optimal range, with the system selecting the appropriate segment based on the current timing error magnitude, thereby achieving both precision for small errors and versatility for large errors.
Solution Approach 2:
The time tracking system is designed with multi-functionality to handle both small and large timing errors by incorporating two correction mechanisms. The system universally applies the appropriate correction method based on error conditions, making the timing correction system adaptable to various error scenarios while maintaining high accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile user equipment includes a user equipment clock and a dual mode time tracker. The clock periodically wakes up the user equipment. The dual mode time tracker uses a serving cell reference signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock with respect to a network clock while timing errors remain minimal and otherwise uses a serving cell synchronization signal to correct timing errors of the user equipment clock. The dual mode time tracker also sets a next wakeup time as a function at least of the size of the timing errors.