Frame Offset Negotiation for Relay Station Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In broadband wireless communication systems using a multi-hop relay scheme, neighboring base stations and relay stations face interference and synchronization issues due to the use of the same frame numbers, leading to potential delays and inefficiencies in data transmission, particularly in providing broadcast services and control messages.
Innovation Solution
The method involves negotiating a frame offset between base stations and relay stations during initial access, allowing them to use different frame numbers and accounting for processing delays to ensure synchronized data transmission, thereby minimizing waiting times and optimizing transmission efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If base stations and relay stations use the same frame numbers for data transmission, then the system structure is simplified and easier to implement, but interference and synchronization issues occur between neighboring base stations and relay stations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by introducing a frame offset between base stations and relay stations. Specifically, relay stations use a different frame number (frame number + offset) compared to base stations, creating an asymmetric timing relationship that eliminates interference while maintaining system simplicity. This asymmetric design allows both entities to operate independently without causing harmful interference to each other.
2Reliability
If relay stations buffer data to account for processing delays, then synchronized data transmission is achieved, but waiting time and transmission delays increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having relay stations buffer data in advance before the actual transmission time. The frame offset is designed to accommodate the processing delay, so relay stations can receive and buffer data from base stations ahead of time, then transmit it at the correct synchronized moment without causing delays to the overall system timing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If frame offset negotiation is implemented between base stations and relay stations, then interference is eliminated and synchronization is improved, but the complexity of the signaling process increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling base stations and relay stations to autonomously negotiate and determine their own frame offsets through standardized signaling procedures. The frame offset information is exchanged during initial access and connection setup, allowing each relay station to independently configure its timing without requiring centralized control or complex manual configuration, thus reducing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an apparatus and method for negotiating a frame offset between a Base Station (BS) and a Relay Station (RS) in a wireless communication system using a multi-hop relay scheme. A communication method of a superordinate station includes, upon detecting an initial access of an relay station, determining an offset value between a frame number used in the superordinate station and a frame number to be used in the relay station; generating a message including RS frame offset information corresponding to the offset value; and transmitting the generated message to the relay station. Accordingly, since the base station and the relay station share the frame offset, the base station can transmit a specific broadcast message in advance to the relay station by considering the frame offset, and the relay station can transmit data, which has to be transmitted in synchronization with the base station at the same time point or at the same frame number, to a Mobile Station (MS) at an exact time point.